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.net


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.
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General ::



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Data availability  Researchers may obtain specific country data at
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Assessment  Researchers can differ in their assessment of data
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Why doesn't The World Factbook include information on states,
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The World Factbook provides national-level information on countries,
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Is it possible to access older editions of The World Factbook to do
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Geography ::



Why can't I find a geographic name for a particular country?

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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
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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
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Why are the Golan Heights not shown as part of Israel or Northern
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Territorial occupations/annexations not recognized by the United
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Why don't you include information on entities such as Tibet or
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The World Factbook provides information on the administrative
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that develops policies, principles, and procedures governing the
spelling, use, and application of geographic names - domestic,
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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
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work with our technical support staff to find and implement a
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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
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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
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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




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@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




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@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.)




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@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, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOMIG, UNWTO,
  UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Iran
  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)

Iraq
  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)

Ireland
  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

Isle of Man
  UPU

Israel
  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

Italy
  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

Jamaica
  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

Japan
  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

Jordan
  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

Kazakhstan
  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)

Kenya
  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

Kiribati
  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

Korea, North
  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

Korea, South
  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

Kosovo
  ITUC, WFTU

Kuwait
  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

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, 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

Lebanon
  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)

Lesotho
  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

Liberia
  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)

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.




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@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



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