The 2004 CIA World Factbook by United States. Central Intelligence Agency

Chapter 3 No.3

Word Count: 251360 | Released on: 06/12/2017

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ion) 2055 Military branches 2056 Budget 2057 Capital 2058 Imports - commodities 2059 Climate 2060 Coastline (km) 2061 Imports - partners (%) 2062 Economic aid - donor 2063 Constitution 2064 Economic aid - recipient 2065 Currency 2066 Death rate (deaths/1,000 population) 2067 Military expenditures - dollar figure 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 Highways (km) 2086 Illicit drugs 2087 Imports 2088 Independence 2089 Industrial production growth rate (%) 2090 Industries 2091 Infant mortality rate (deaths/1,000 live births) 2092 Inflation rate (consumer prices) (%) 2093 Waterways (km) 2094 Judicial branch 2095 Labor force 2096 Land boundaries (km) 2097 Land use (%) 2098 Languages (%) 2100 Legal system 2101 Legislative branch 2102 Life expectancy at birth (years) 2103 Literacy (%) 2105 Military manpower - availability 2106 Maritime claims 2107 International organization participation 2108 Merchant marine 2109 National holiday 2110 Nationality 2111 Natural resources 2112 Net migration rate (migrant(s)/1,000 population) 2113 Geography - note 2115 Political pressure groups and leaders 2116 Economy - overview 2117 Pipelines (km) 2118 Political p

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he rank's name with "@", e.g. "@Population". "Population" will find a

Rank Or

rder - highest to lowest - such as Population and Area. The two exceptions are Unemployment Rate and Inflation Rate, which are in asc

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mortali

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ot all data fields are suitable for displaying as Rank Order pages, such as those containing textual information. Textual information is more readily vie

abases. To save a Rank Order page in a spreadsheet, first click on the 'Download Datafile' choice above the Rank Order page you selected; then,

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A - Abb

rnational Organiz

d International Envi

-Reference List of

eference List of Hyd

s-Reference List

=======================

nd Defi

Investment (gross fixed), Public debt, and Reserves of foreign exchange and gold. The Transnational issues category has a new Refugees and internally displaced persons entry. Revision of some in

A: Abbreviations, which includes all abbreviations an

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 (Co

and first- order administrative divisions as approved by the US Board on Geographi

ts 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

ordered listing of major crops and pro

te or asphalt surfaces) or unpaved (grass, dirt, sand, or gravel surfaces), but must be us

runway, only the longest runway is included according to the following five groups - (1) over 3,047 m, (2) 2,438 to 3,047 m, (3) 1,524 to 2,437 m, (4) 914 to 1,523 m,

than one runway, only the longest runway is included according to the following five groups - (1) over 3,047 m, (2) 2,438 to 3,047 m, (3) 1,524 to 2,437 m, (4) 914 to 1,52

end

es Factbook-related

rea is the aggregate of all surfaces delimited by international boundaries and/or coastlines, excluding inland water bodies (lakes, reservoirs, rivers). Wa

ntire US or one of the 50 states based on area measurements (1990 revised) provided by the US Bureau of the Census. The smaller

istoric events and current issues and may includ

ion at midyear; also known as crude birth rate. The birth rate is usually the dominant factor in determining t

apital expenditures. These figures are calculated on an exchan

he location of the

rief description of typical wea

ength of the boundary between the land

exchanging information and includes the telephone, ra

s miscellaneous communications informati

des the dates of adoption, re

a codes see

r. The maps were produced from the best information available at the ti

d as an example): conventional long form (Italian Republic), conventional short form (Italy), local long form (Repubblica I

try fo

es the national medium of ex

ency

nternational Organizat

etic currency cod

t earnings from rents, interest, profits, and dividends, and net transfer payments (such as pen

codes, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) codes, and Internet codes for land entities. The appendix also includes the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) codes, Aeronautical Chart and Information Center (ACIC; now a part of the

ion available as of 1 January 2004, was

cator of the mortality situation in a country, accurately indicates the current mortality impact on population growth. This indicator is significantly affected by age distribution, a

lic and private debt owed to nonresidents repa

formal relationship between a particular no

l listing of all nonindependent entities associate

185 of the 191 UN members (excluded UN members are Bhutan, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, and the US itsel

des the chief of mission, chancery, telephone, FAX,

sion, embassy address, mailing address, telephone number, FAX number, bran

rding 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 b

d 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 a

g countries and multilateral organizations. ODA is defined as financial assistance that is concessional in character, has the main objective to promote economic developme

tries. The figure includes assistance from the World Bank, the IMF, and other international organizations and from individual nation donors. Formal commitments of aid are included in the data.

with the size, development, and management of pro

mic development, the most important natural resources, and the unique areas of specialization. It also characterizes major economic

s exports, expressed in kilowatt-hours. The discrepancy between the amount of electricity generated and/or

city -

al exported electrici

city -

al imported electrici

t- hours. The discrepancy between the amount of electricity generated and/or imported and th

share of electricity generated from each energy source. These are

ion ex

oth the highest point

ereign 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

NDENT

nia, Algeria, Andorra

rmenia, Australia, Au

gladesh, Barbados, Be

a, Bosnia and Herzego

ina Faso, Burma, Burun

entral African Republ

ocratic Republic of th

ote d'Ivoire, Croati

outi, Dominica, Dominic

lvador, Equatorial Gu

, France, Gabon, The Ga

a, Guatemala, Guinea,

ras, Hungary, Iceland,

, Italy, Jamaica, Jap

Korea, South Korea, K

ho, Liberia, Libya, Li

Yugoslav Republic of

ves, Mali, Malta, Marsh

erated States of Micro

mbique, Namibia, Nauru,

ia, Norway, Oman, Pakis

Peru, Philippines, P

a, Saint Kitts and Nev

nes, Samoa, San Marino,

Seychelles, Sierra Leon

nds, Somalia, South Af

land, Sweden, Switzerl

o, Tonga, Trinidad and

, Uganda, Ukraine, U

enezuela, Vietnam, Yem

, Europe

orioso Islands, Guadeloupe, Juan de Nova Island, Martinique, Mayotte, New Caledonia, Reunion, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Tromelin Island, 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, D

Strip, Paracel Islands, Spratly I

R EN

ean, Atlantic Ocean,

Souther

loitation 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 contribu

ernational environmental agreements into two levels - party to and signed but not ratifi

ternational Environmental Agreements, which includes the name, abbreviation, date

ng of ethnic groups starting with the largest and

at a given date or over a given period of time, as expressed in units of local curr

tle 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

otal US dollar amount of exports

g of exported products starting with the most important;

of trading partners starting with the most important; i

riod of 12 months, which often is the calendar year but which may begin in any month. All yearl

mation available at the time the entry was written. The flags of independent states are used by their depend

produced from actual flags or the best information available at the time of preparation. The flags of independent states are u

roduced within a nation in a given year. GDP dollar estimates in the Factbook are derived from p

Most of the GDP estimates 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. In contrast, the currency exchange rate method involves a variety of international and domestic financial forces that often have little relation to domestic output. In developing countries with weak currencies the exchange rate estimate of GDP in dollars is typically one-fourth to one-half the PPP estimate. Furthermore, exchange rates may suddenly go up or down by 10% or more because of market forces or official fiat whereas real output has remained unchanged. On 12 January 1994, for example, the 14 countries of the African Financial Community (whose

ves the percentage contribution of agricu

purchasing power parity basis divided by

GDP growth on an annual basis adjusted f

se of finding the approximate geographic center of an entity and is based on the Gazetteer of C

ernate names, former names, local names, and regional names referenced to one or more related Factbook entries. Spellings are normally, but

ntries dealing with the natural enviro

miscellaneous geographic information

I i

ribution of family

abroad, minus income earned by foreigners from domestic production. The Factbook, following current practice, uses GDP rather than GNP to measure nationa

ries dealing with the system for the adop

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. 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 mi

miscellaneous government information o

stic produ

onal produ

ld produc

(GWP) or aggregate value of all final goods a

tablished helicopter takeoff and landing sites (w

length of the highway system and the

ed 15-49) living with HIV/AIDS. The adult prevalence rate is calculated by dividing the estim

ate of the number of adults and children wh

ate of all people (adults and children) alive at yearend with HI

size. Nations use different standards and procedures in collecting and adjusting the data. Surveys based on income will normally show a more unequal distr

data codes

stances 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),

amount of imports on a c.i.f. (cost, insurance

g of imported products starting with the most important;

of trading partners starting with the most important; i

nt "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,

he annual percentage increase in industrial producti

ordering of industries starting with

ven year per 1,000 live births in the same year; included is the total death rate, and deaths by

rate (cons

the annual percent ch

e previous year'

t count

the two-letter cod

tion for Standardizati

y the Internet Assigned

ry-coded top-level

ovider'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 remo

t. Statistics vary from country to country and may include users who access the Internet at

putes see Dispute

tical order by abbreviation those international organizations in whi

onal orga

presented in Appen

ps which includes the

im, and member

oduc

ncludes one ent

quipment, dwellings, and inventories of raw materials, which provide the basis for future production. It is measured

ber of square kilometers of land area t

(s) of the highest court(s) and a brief desc

ins the total la

contains a rank ordering of component

gth of all land boundaries and the individual len

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 ex

ages starting with the largest and sometimes includes

l sy

a brief description

in government, and acce

tice (ICJ) j

ts, and term of office. Elections includes the nature of election process or accession to power, date of the last election, and dat

e. 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

mon 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 e

ntry's regional location, neighboring

rence map on which a country may be found. The entry on Geograph

ithin 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

ingle 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 Eu

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

tries dealing with a country's militar

names of the ground, naval, air, marine

in percentage terms by the gross domestic product (GDP) calculated on an exchange rate basis, not purchasing power parity (PPP) terms. Dollar figures for military expendit

ry gives current military expenditures as an es

the total numbers of males and females age 15-49

vice. This is a more refined measure of potential military manpower availability which tries to account for the health situa

he minimum age at which an individual may volunteer

ber of draft-age males and females entering the military manpower pool in a

miscellaneous military information o

e expressed in contemporaneous US

the primary national day of cele

es the identifying terms for

The discrepancy between the amount of natural gas produced and/or imported and the amount co

. The discrepancy between the amount of natural gas produced and/or imported and the amount c

gas -

l natural gas exported

gas -

l natural gas imported

re those quantities of natural gas, which, by analysis of geological and engineering data, can be estimated with a high degree of

al ha

s potential nat

try's mineral, petroleum, hydropower, and

red 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 l

epancy between the amount of oil produced and/or imported and the amount consumed and/or expo

repancy between the amount of oil produced and/or imported and the amount consumed and/or exp

exported in barrels per day (bbl/day), i

imported in barrels per day (bbl/day), i

uantities of petroleum which, by analysis of geological and engineering data, can be estimated with a high degree of confid

ntries dealing with the characteris

cellaneous demographic information of

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 a

ic Names for spelling place names. At times, however, a foreign leader expressly indicates a preference for, or the media or official documents regularly use,

standing alone is not capitalized. Examples: President PUTIN and President BUSH are chiefs of state. In Russia, the president is chief

rol

try fo

eum pr

try fo

es of pipelines for transporting products like

y includes a listing of significant pol

des a listing of organizations with leaders involved i

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,

ed on surveys of sub-groups, with the results weighted by the number of people in each group. Definitions of poverty vary c

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 infr

overall importance to each country. This is determined by evaluating a number of factors

ted in a country's home currency. Public debt should not be confused with external debt, which reflects the foreig

includes the total number of AM, F

lway network and of its component parts by gauge: broad, sta

renc

cludes world an

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

ons by adherents starting with the largest group and

ry 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 fore

ently 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 i

enfranchisement and whether the rig

d) in parentheses, and the local number. The one component that is not presented is the international access code, which varies from

(1) 577-x

al access code for sta

ther than station

country co

city code

local exc

local tele

dial telephone call pl

would be a

ess code + [1] (2

country cod

rea code for W

local exc

local tele

he system with details on the domestic and international components.

nal 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 count

- main li

total number of main

s - mobil

tal number of mobile ce

y gives the total number of separate broa

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

a brief descriptio

ch age. The total fertility rate 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 growth in the country. High ra

the present time - Disputes - international and Illicit drugs

es the entries dealing with the mea

s miscellaneous transportation informati

rcent of the labor force that is without job

l length of navigable rivers, canal

FY). The calendar year is an accounting period of 12 months from 1 January to 31 December.

s compiled from material in the public domain and d

ast updated on

=======================

asic Intelligence an

from any source, data that may be fragmentary, contradictory, unreliable, ambiguous, deceptive, or wrong. Intelligence is information that has been collected,

ce 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 o

ey been coordinated on a government-wide basis. Three programs have highlighted the development of coordinated basic intelligence since

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.

ence 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 194

urity. He wrote in The Future of American Secret Intelligence (Infantry Journal Press, 1946, page 46) that world leadership in peace requires even mor

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

ping 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 Fa

ast updated on

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and Copyrig

as of 1 January, 2004 was used i

Labor Statistics (Department of Labor), Central Intelligence Agency, Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs, Defense Intelligence Agency (Department of Defense), Department of State, Fish and Wildlife Service (Department of the Interior), Maritime Administration (Department of Transportation), National Geospatial- Intelligence Agenc

ce Agency (CIA). The official seal of the CIA, however, may NOT be copied without permission as required by the CIA Act

s are welcome and m

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ice of Pub

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mes of the administrative divisions (in the Government category) and major cities/towns (on the country maps). Our expanded Cross-Reference List of Geographic N

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ast updated on

=======================

hani

tion Afg

kgr

history is a story of

ded in 1979, but was

mmunist mujahidin forc

1992. Fighting that su

n factions eventuall

kistani-sponsored move

il war which gripped t

and were able to capt

liance srongholds prim

mber 2001 terrorist at

tary action toppled th

late 2001, a confere

for political reconstr

ion of a new constitu

October 2004, Hamid K

d president of Afghan

sk is to hold Nation

scheduled fo

hy Afgh

ati

th and west of Pak

hic coo

N, 6

efere

647,5

r: 0

647,50

compa

smaller t

bound

: 5,5

ina 76 km, Iran 936

, Turkmenistan 744

stl

(land

ime c

(land

d; cold winters

tains; plains in n

ion ex

int: Amu

int: Nowsh

l reso

um, coal, copper, ch

on ore, salt, precious

2.13% permanent crops: 0

ated

q km (19

al ha

occur in Hindu Kush

nt - curr

h water resources; i

gradation; overgrazing

s are being cut down

tification; air a

internationa

ty, Desertification,

Modification,

ed: Climate Change, Ha

rine Life C

aphy

du Kush mountains t

northern provinces

peaks are in the no

rid

Afgha

ula

7 (July 2

stru

(male 6,525,929;

% (male 7,733,707

% (male 334,427; femal

ian

: 17.

17.5

.6 years (

ion gro

ot take into considera

ing impact

1,000 populat

gratio

)/1,000 populat

1.05 mal

ars: 1.05 m

s: 1.05 ma

over: 0.95

: 1.05 male(s)/f

mortali

6 deaths/1,0

aths/1,000 live b

deaths/1,00

ectancy

ulation:

42.2

.66 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(200

ople living w

DS - d

onal

Afgh

tive:

ic g

, Hazara 9%, Uzbek 9%,

2%, o

igi

0%, Shi'a Musl

gua

Afghan Persian (Dari)

Turkmen) 11%, 30 mino

ashai) 4%, mu

era

15 and over ca

21% (1

opulati

le -

llion refugees in Oct

ret

ent Afg

try

form: Islamic Repu

short form:

rt form:

public of

: Dowlat-e Esla

nment

ic re

rative d

, singular - velayat)

n, Daykondi, Farah, F

an, Kabol, Kandahar,

gar, Nangarhar, Nimr

shir, Parvan, Samanga

k, an

pend

UK control over Afg

nal h

e Day, 19 A

titu

ed 14 December 2003 -

nuary

l sy

constitution, no law

bliged to create a pro

ial justice, protect

ghts, realization of d

ality among all ethnic

the UN charter, int

ons that Afghanistan s

on of Hum

fra

of age;

tive

dent of the Islamic R

December 2004); note -

d head of government;

, "Father of the Co

rtain occasions, but

honorific is

: President of the

ARZAI (since 7 Decem

chief of state and

note - under the new

resident and approved

ent and two vice pres

e-year term; if no ca

he first round of vot

ll participate in a se

r two terms; election

be held

d KARZAI elected presi

Yunus QANOONI - 16.3

STAM 10.0%, Abdul Lati

L -

ative

January 2004; governm

legislation by decree

new constitution, t

of the Wolesi Jirga

directly elected for a

e of Elders (102 seats

or a four-year term,

ils for a three-year

ees for a five-year

ude two representati

disabled; half of the

s the government may c

ce, national soverei

end the provisions o

nt; it is made up of

sons of the provincia

cheduled for

ial b

establishes a nine-me

e justices are appoint

proval of the Wolesi

s Courts; there is als

pendent Human Rights C

charged with investiga

war

parties an

olitical parties appro

[Anwarul Haq AHADI];

az TANAI]; De Afghanis

Polal ZAI]; Harakat

NEE]; Hezb-e-Aarman-

AFAREE]; Hezb-e-Aaza

at-e-Islami Afghani

anistan-e-Wahid [Moha

slami Gond [NA leader

IDRAM]; Hezb-e-Falah-

EF]; Hezb-e-Li

istan [Ajmal SOHAIL];

nistan [Mohamma

-e-Afghanistan [Ab

Wahdat-e-Afghanistan [

i Mardum-e-Afghanist

t Az Uqoq-e-Bashar Wa

ezb-e-Istiqlal-e-Afgha

Jamhoree Khwahan [S

-e-Afghanistan [Zulfi

dul Rasheed AAR

ami Afghanistan [Moh

ili Afghanistan [A

ili Afghanistan [S

Islami Mardum-e-Afgh

rdum-e-Afghanista

ardum-e-Afghanista

um-e-Afghanistan [Moh

li Wa Islami Afghan

lh-e-Mili Islami Aqwa

b-e-Sulh Wa Wahdat-e-

-Tafahum-e-Wa Democra

dat-e-Islami Afghani

t-e-Islami Mardum-e-Af

t-e-Mili Afghanistan [

l Qurhan-wa-Sunat-ul-

Jombesh-e Milli [Ab

ghanistan [Said Ahmad

Afghanistan [Shams

democracy Afghanista

Hambastagee Mili Afgha

-Islami Afghanistan

ahdat-e-Mili [Sultan

essure group

ety of Islam), [forme

slami (Islamic Union

asul SAYYAF]; there ar

and democ

organization

77, GUUAM, IAEA, IBRD,

ILO, IMF, Interpol, I

SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UN

MO, WTO (obs

epresentatio

n: Ambassador S

s) general

] 202-4

: [1] 202

lorama Road NW, W

epresentatio

n: Ambassador Z

Great Masoo

180 Kabul Place, D

: [00] (2

93] (2)

descr

ands of black (hoist),

d on the red band;

encircled by a wreat

Islamic insc

y Afgh

y - ov

outlook has improved

se of the infusion o

nce, dramatic improve

end of a four-year d

hanistan remains extr

on foreign aid, far

. It will probably ta

donor aid and attentio

om its current status

ulation continues to s

electricity, medical c

d international dono

these basic necess

pment, education, hou

reform over the next

nued international

te an optimistic ou

ghan economy in 2004.

ay account for one-th

oilers for the econo

parity - $20 bi

eal gro

2003

th rate reflects the e

and 2002, as well as

e impact of do

per

er parity - $7

agriculture: 60% industry:

below pov

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

% (

r fo

lion (20

ce - by o

ndustry 10%, servi

oyment

(20

s: $200

llion, including capi

ture -

nuts, wool, mutton,

ust

ion of textiles, so

andwoven carpets; nat

production

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

lion kW

prod

ay (200

consum

l/day (2

- ex

(20

- im

(20

roved r

1 Janua

gas - pr

on cu m (

gas - co

on cu m (

gas -

(2001

gas -

(2001

s - proved

on cu m (1

ncluding illicit e

- comm

, handwoven carpets, w

ous and semi

s - pa

5%, India 16.6%, P

illion (

- comm

ood, textiles, p

s - pa

th Korea 9.2%, Japa

Kenya 4.6%, US 4.

- ext

al debt, mostly to Ru

to Multilateral Dev

aid - r

ges made by more t

l institutions at the

ction in January 200

.8 billion allocated

as pledge

ren

ani

ency

nge r

- 50 (2003), 50 (2002

, 3,00

e afghani was reval

0 afghanis to the dol

ed widely from t

al y

ch - 2

ations A

- main li

00 (

s - mobil

00 (

hone

ery limited telephone

rvice is improving wit

tors by 2003; telephon

.1 line pe

y code - 93; five VSA

Kandahar, and Jalalab

voice and dat

oadcast

ve 1 (broadcasts in P

u, and Engl

000

regional stations in nine of the 32 provinces; the regional stations operate on a reduced schedule; a

visi

000

t count

rvice Provi

net u

0 (2

cations

s established as Afgh

wing through Internet

that are part of a nat

l Authority for In

tation A

km paved: 2,793 km unpav

efly Amu Darya, which handles

eli

87 km

and ha

bad, S

por

2003

over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 under

914 m: 11 (2004 est.) 914 to 1,523 m: 4 over 3,

s: 5 (20

ry Afg

ry bra

currently being trai

rnational community, i

n Agreement called fo

ity of the central go

to retain their milit

ns a gradual process;

factionalized, large

r - military age

of age (2

npower - av

-49: 6,785,4

er - fit for mi

-49: 3,642,6

- reaching milit

63,406 (

enditures -

llion

nditures - pe

(20

nal Issues

- inter

ssful UN efforts at v

ugees continue to resi

osing; Pakistan has s

l the border and stem

border activites; re

on allies aim to reso

s; occasional conflic

Amu Darya and He

nternally disp

00 (mostly Pashtuns a

e to drought and

cit

ucer of opium; culti

level of 206,700 hecta

cessful; potential op

heroin production of

source of hashish; ma

ountry; drug trade so

roups profit from the

rope comes from Afgha

dering through infor

ast updated on

=======================

rot

ction A

kgr

Treaty of Establish

f Cyprus, the UK retai

o areas of almost 25

ekelia. The southernmo

eign Base Area, which

n Sovereig

phy Ak

ati

he southwest c

hic coo

N, 3

efere

dle

: 123

s a salt lake

compa

s the size of

ean with hot, dry sum

ke; note - breeding place for loggerhead and green turtle

aphy

rial rights also ext

es scattered

e Akr

ula

enous in

300 military personnel

000 British citizens

civilian staff on both

rk on the base, bu

ment A

try

form: Akrotiri S

l short for

ency s

UK; administered by

ander, Britis

serves as cap

l sy

e UK, where ap

tive

en Elizabeth II (si

monarch is hereditary

d by the

dministrator Maj. Gen

003) note - reports to

epresentatio

eas territo

epresentatio

eas territo

descr

of the

my Ak

y - ov

imited to providing se

cated in Akrotiri. Al

ust be

ary A

ary -

AF base, Headquarters

Episkopi S

ast updated on

=======================

uction

kgr

92 Albania ended 46

established a multi

difficult as successiv

ployment, widespread c

ul organized crime net

s, and disruptive p

s judged parliamentary

2003 to be acceptab

, but identified serio

e been addressed throu

in 2003 and 2005, but

emonstrated until par

y 2

aphy

ati

bordering the Adriati

e and Serbia

hic coo

N, 2

efere

28,74

1,350

27,398

compa

maller tha

bound

l: 7

eece 282 km, Macedon

negro

stl

ime c

rial se

00-m depth or to the

cloudy, wet winters; h

is cooler

and hills; small

ion ex

nt: Adriat

ja e Korabit (Gol

l reso

, coal, bauxite, chrom

lt, timber

1.09% permanent crops: 4

ated

q km (1

al ha

es; tsunamis occur al

s; dr

nt - curr

rosion; water polluti

ic eff

internationa

, Climate Change, Dese

tes, Law of the Sea, O

ified: none of the

aphy

ong Strait of Otranto

and Mediter

le A

ula

8 (July

stru

% (male 489,363;

% (male 1,184,670

% (male 135,177; femal

ian

: 28.

27.6

.7 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

)/1,000 populat

1.1 male

ars: 1.1 ma

s: 1.05 ma

over: 0.85

: 1.04 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

74.3

.02 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

ople living w

DS - d

onal

Alba

ive: A

ic g

%, other 2% (Vlach, R

r Bulgarian)

stimates of the Greek

statistics) to 12% (fr

igi

ian Orthodox 20%,

estimates; there are

s affiliation; all mos

ligious observances p

n allowing private

gua

derived from Tosk d

Slavic

era

9 and over can

opulati

79.5% (2

ment A

try

ong form: Repu

al short f

rt form:

s Socialist Rep

rm: Republika

nment

ng dem

rative d

singular - qark); Qa

it, Qarku i Elbasanit,

Korces, Qarku i Kukesi

rku i Tiranes,

pend

1912 (from O

nal h

Day, 28 Nov

titu

pted by popular refere

l sy

stem; has not acce

cepted jurisdiction

ourt for i

fra

of age;

tive

dent of the Republic

y 2

ime Minister Fatos NAN

Ministers proposed b

resident, and appr

t elected by the Pe

on last held 24 June 2

minister appoint

ed MOISIU elected pres

total votes 116,

ative

ssembly or Kuvendi Po

popular vote and 40 by

year

4 June 2001 with subse

August 2001 (next t

rcent of vote by par

%, PDR 5.2%, PSD 3.6%

eats by party - PS 73,

J 3, PASH (now PAA) 3,

as of January 2005:

6, PSD 3, PBDNJ 3, P

indepen

ial b

Supreme Court (chair

a four-year term), a

ict c

parties an

ist Party or PAA [Luft

K [Nikolle LESI]; Comm

I]; Democratic Allianc

ty or PD [Sali BERISH

SPAHIU]; Liberal Uni

ont Party (Balli Komb

ratic Party or PDR [

[Idajet BEQIRI]; Renew

Republican Party or PR

[Paskal MILO]; Social

cialist Movement for I

or PS (formerly the A

r Human Rights Party o

essure group

e Unions of Albania o

tional Unification or

ion of Independent Tra

[Gezim

organization

EAPC, EBRD, FAO, IA

, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, I

ondent), ITU, MIGA, OI

UNOMIG, UPU, WCO, WFT

ador Dr. Fatos TARIFA FAX: [1] (202) 628-7342 telephone: [1]

ga Elbasanit, Labinoti #103, Tirana mailing address: U. S. Department of State, 9510 Tirana Pla

with a black two-hea

my Al

y - ov

European standards,

to a more modern op

measures to curb viol

trade. The economy is

600 million annually,

set the sizable trade

-half of GDP, is held

to modernize equipmen

energy shortages and a

t difficult to attrac

ment plans to boost en

oving slowly to improv

ong-standing barrier

parity - $16.13 b

eal gro

2003

per

er parity - $4

griculture: 47.5% industry: 24

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

2001

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

% (

r fo

luding 352,000 emigra

ce - by o

gricultural private se

2003

oyment

may be as high a

s: $1.3

illion, including capi

n (200

ture -

, vegetables, fruits,

dairy

ust

tiles and clothing;

ing, basic met

production

(2003

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

lion kW

city -

lion kW

prod

l/day (2

consum

bl/day (

- ex

(20

- im

(20

roved r

on bbl (1 J

gas - pr

n cu m (2

gas - co

n cu m (2

gas -

(2001

gas -

(2001

s - proved

on cu m (1

account

millio

on f.o.b.

- comm

; asphalt, metals and

ables, fru

s - pa

eece 12.8%, Ger

ion f.o.b.

- comm

pment, foodstuffs,

s - pa

20.2%, Turkey 6.6%

foreign exch

billion

- ext

billio

aid - r

donors were Italy, EU

ren

ency

nge r

121.863 (2003), 140

709 (2000),

al y

ndar

cations

- main li

000

s - mobil

llion

hone

Despite new investme

remains the lowest i

However, cellular tele

rally ef

the shortage of fixed

available since 1996;

services at a greate

s Balkan

y code - 355; inadequ

nections; internation

from the Tirana exchan

oadcast

4, shortwa

lion

broadcast

8 repeate

visi

000

t count

net h

rvice Provi

(20

net u

00 (

rtation

m standard gauge: 447

0 km paved: 5,400 km u

erw

m (2

eli

m; oil 20

and ha

rande, She

ant m

000 GRT or over) 40

other countrie

o 19, petroleum tanke

nmark 1, Honduras

por

2003

with pave

,047 m: 3

with unpa

to 2,4

4 m: 4 (

o 1,5

3,047

ipo

003

ary A

ry bra

arters, Land Forces

rces Command, Doctrine

s Suppor

r - military age

of age (2

npower - av

-49: 956,107

er - fit for mi

-49: 775,422

- reaching milit

6,584 (2

enditures -

millio

nditures - pe

% (F

onal Issu

- inter

nt calls for the prot

neighboring countr

nic disputes; some eth

advocate for a "greate

eal among Alba

cit

transshipment poin

cannabis transiting th

- cocaine from South

ted opium and growin

rafficking organizatio

to money laundering as

tics, arms, contraba

ast updated on

=======================

uction

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 1992-1998 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 presi

aphy

ati

ering the Mediterrane

hic coo

N, 3

efere

2,381,7

r: 0

,381,74

compa

han 3.5 times t

bound

: 6,3

ya 982 km, Mali 1,376

r 956 km, Tunisia 965

stl

ime c

rial se

fishing zo

d, wet winters with h

d winters and hot sum

/sand-laden wind espec

u and desert; some

uous coas

ion ex

t: Chott Me

oint: Tah

l reso

s, iron ore, phosphat

.22% permanent crops: 0.

ated

q km (1

al ha

bject to severe eart

in rain

nt - curr

rgrazing and other po

ng of raw sewage, petr

ffluents is leading to

Mediterranean Sea, i

stes, soil erosion,

upplies of p

internationa

, Climate Change, Dese

l Modification, Hazar

Protection, Ship

ified: none of the

aphy

country in Afri

le A

ula

4 (July 2

stru

(male 4,893,971;

(male 10,593,840;

% (male 703,420; femal

ian

: 23.

23.7

4 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

)/1,000 populat

1.05 mal

ars: 1.04 m

s: 1.01 ma

over: 0.89

: 1.02 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

71.2

.34 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

try specific models

ople living w

(200

DS - d

n 500 (2

onal

Alge

ive: A

ic g

99%, Europea

erians are Berber in

y themselves as Berb

Kabylie east of Algeir

ith their Berber rath

ve long agitated, so

ment is unlikely to

soring teaching Berbe

igi

religion) 99%, Chr

gua

al), French, B

era

15 and over ca

opulati

61% (2

ment A

try

m: People's Democrati

al short f

rt form:

umhuriyah al Jaza'iri

'bi

nment

rative d

, singular - wilaya);

naba, Batna, Bechar,

uira, Boumerdes, Chlef

El Tarf, Ghardaia, G

Mascara, Medea, Mil

Oum el Bouaghi, Reliza

ouk Ahras, Tamanghas

Tissemsilt, Tiz

pend

962 (fro

nal h

Day, 1 Nove

titu

ective 22 November 19

ary 1989, and

l sy

French and Islamic l

ad hoc Constitutiona

ls, including several

ed compulsory

fra

of age;

tive

ent Abdelaziz BOUTEFLI

ime Minister Ahmed OUY

f Ministers appoin

lected by popular vote

April 2004 (next to b

r appointed b

delaziz BOUTEFLIKA r

f vote - Abdelaziz BOU

allah DJA

ative

onsists of the Nationa

l-Watani (389 seats -

; members elected by

the Council of Nation

ers appointed by the

vote; members serv

half the council to

ople's Assembly - last

Council of Nations (S

(next to be

ional People's Assemb

arty - FLN 199, RND 48

PRA 1, MEN 1, indepe

f vote by party - N

ial b

urt or Cou

parties an

t or FNA [Moussa TOUAT

YAHIA, chairman]; Isla

92) [Ali BELHADJ and D

Germany)]; National

ional Liberation Fro

general (also serves

ement or Islah (for

Renewal Party or PR

Party [Khadir DRISS];

id SAADI, secretary

vement [Fatah RABEI];

cialist Forces Front o

lf-exiled in Switzerl

erra SOLTANI]; Worker

litical parties based

arch

essure group

ights League or LADH

rus [Nacera DUTOUR];

organization

F, AMU, AU, BIS, FAO,

(signatory), ICFTU, IC

IMO, Interpol, IOC, IO

(observer), OIC, OPCW

l (temporary), UNCTAD,

HO, WIPO, WMO, WTo

sador (vacant) chancery: 2137 Wyoming Ave NW, Washington, DC

embassy: 4 Chemin Cheikh Bachir El-Ibrahimi, Algiers mailing address: B. P. 408, Alg

descr

nds of green (hoist s

in a red crescent cent

nt, star, and color

slam (the st

my Al

y - ov

r is the backbone of t

dget revenues, 30% of

ia has the seventh-lar

is the second-largest

Economic policy reform

from the Paris Club

a's financial and mac

high oil prices in

ve further benefited

oreign exchange reserv

put and increased gov

ued efforts to dive

nd domestic investme

as had little succ

roving living standa

conomy moves

parity - $196 b

eal gro

(2003

per

er parity - $6

agriculture: 10.2% industry

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

1999

by percentage share: lowest 10

f family incom

3 (

ate (consum

(2003

r fo

llion

ce - by o

try 13.4%, constructio

ernment 32%, oth

oyment

(200

: $25.49

illion, including capi

n (200

ic d

GDP (20

ture -

rapes, olives, citrus,

ust

as, light industries

cal, food

production

2003

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion k

city -

lion kW

city -

lion kW

prod

on bbl/day

consum

bl/day (2

- ex

(20

- im

(20

roved r

n bbl (1 Ja

gas - pr

ion cu m

gas - co

ion cu m (

gas -

ion cu m (

gas -

(2001

s - proved

on cu m (1 J

account

billion

ion f.o.b.

- comm

al gas, and petr

s - pa

%, France 13.6%, Spa

1%, Brazil

ion f.o.b.

- comm

, foodstuffs,

s - pa

.6%, Spain 6.1%, Germ

4.1%

foreign exch

billion

- ext

illion (

aid - r

lion (20

ren

an din

ency

nge r

US dollar - 77.395 (

75.2598 (2000),

al y

ndar

cations

- main li

,600

s - mobil

,310

hone

elephone density in A

nes per 100 persons; t

the last few years

out two-thirds of thes

cture is outdate

ce in north but spar

12 earth stations (2

tions are

y code - 213; 5 subma

France, Spain, Morocco

unisia; participant in

elsat (1 Atlantic Ocea

k, and 1 Ar

oadcast

1, shortwa

llion

broadcast

16 repeate

visi

llion

t count

net h

rvice Provi

net u

000

rtation

lwa

: 3,9

88 km 1.435-m gauge

1,085 km 1.055

hwa

: 104

(including 640

32,344

eli

as 85,946 km; liquid p

496 km

and ha

ew, Bejaia, Beni Saf

, Mostaganem, Or

ant m

000 GRT or over) 83

o 16, chemical tanker

roll on/roll off 9,

lized

ned: Unite

other countrie

por

2003

047 m: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 27 914 to 1,523 m: 4

with unpa

al:

to 3,0

to 2,4

m: 19 (2

1,523

ipo

003

ary A

ry bra

my (ANP; includes Gr

Air Force (QJA), Te

r - military age

or compulsory milita

ion - 18 months

npower - av

-49: 9,311,7

er - fit for mi

-49: 5,675,7

- reaching milit

73,235 (

enditures -

6 milli

nditures - pe

% (

onal Issu

- inter

exiled Sahrawi Polisa

on of Western Sahara;

itant to bilateral rel

arboring militants and

elations afer unilat

ans in the early 1990

04 - a gesture not re

ned about armed bandit

s destabilize southern

n claims of about 32,0

astern Algeria and th

Pastures in sout

ran Sahrawi, mostly living in Algerian-sponsored camps in the southeastern Algerian town of Ti

ast updated on

=======================

ican

ion Ameri

kgr

000 B.C., Samoa was "

century. International

ury were settled by a

ided the Samoan archip

a smaller group of ea

of Pago Pago - th

y Americ

ati

ands in the South Pac

Hawaii and

hic coo

S, 1

efere

: 199

Rose Island a

r: 0

199

compa

rger than W

bound

stl

ime c

rial se

economic z

derated by southeas

ut 3 m; rainy season

October; little seasona

with rugged peaks and

s (Rose Island,

ion ex

nt: Pacifi

point: L

l reso

e, pu

: 10% permanent crops

ated

al ha

mon from Dec

es; the water division of the government has spent substantial fu

aphy

the best natural de

, sheltered by shap

ral mountains from h

the South

America

ula

(July 2

stru

6% (male 10,983

.3% (male 18,01

.1% (male 699; femal

ian

: 22.

22.1

.7 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

s)/1,000 popula

1.06 mal

ars: 1.08 m

s: 1.06 ma

over: 0.65

: 1.05 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,000

ths/1,000 live b

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

72.0

.41 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

ople living w

DS - d

onal

erican S

e: Ameri

ic g

89%, Caucasian 2%,

igi

alist 50%, Roman Catho

gua

lated to Hawaiian

ges),

people ar

era

15 and over ca

opulati

97% (1

nt Ameri

try

form: Territory

short form: A

viati

ency s

rganized territory of

r Affairs, US Depart

nment

o P

rative d

US); there are no fir

by the US Governmen

ands* at the second o

, Swains Isl

pend

rritory

nal h

, 17 Apr

titu

1966, in

l sy

fra

of age;

tive

ident George W. BUSH

President Richard B.

iola TULAFONO elected

AFONO 55.7%, Afoa

ent and vice preside

erms; governor and lie

popular vote for fou

vember 2004 (next to

vernor Togiola TULAFON

ine

ative

islative Assembly con

ats - 20 of which are

d, nonvoting delegat

terms) and the Senate

l chiefs and serv

epresentatives - last

vember 2004); Senate

o be held 2

lects one nonvoting re

es; election last held

r 2004); results - E

reelected

se of Representatives

arty - NA; Senate - pe

party - ind

ial b

tice and associate ju

etary of th

parties an

eader NA]; Republic

essure group

organization

subbureau)

epresentatio

rritory

epresentatio

rritory

descr

angle edged in red tha

e hoist side; a brown

the hoist side is ca

authority, a sta

Americ

y - ov

Polynesian economy in

owned. Economic activ

American Samoa condu

d tuna processing plan

th canned tuna the pri

nt add substantially

ttempts by the governm

e restrained by Samoa'

, and its devastating

developi

parity - $500 m

eal gro

per

er parity - $8

position

ultur

stry

ices

below pov

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

2003

r fo

00 (

ce - by o

%, government 33%

oyment

(20

(37% in local revenue

llion, including capi

96/

ture -

egetables, taro, bre

ayas; dairy pro

ust

ely supplied by fore

dic

production

ity - pr

lion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

ay (200

consum

l/day (2

- ex

(20

- im

(20

llion

- comm

d tun

s - pa

2.2%, Australia 11.1

d 11.1

illion

- comm

ies 56%, food 8%, pe

ry and

s - pa

ealand 33.3%, Mauritiu

1%, UK 5

- ext

2002

aid - r

upport from the US, m

ren

llar

ency

nge r

dollar

al y

r - 30 S

tions Ame

- main li

00 (

s - mobil

7 (1

hone

assess

telegraph, facsimile

tellite system with 1

y code - 1-684; satel

(Pacifi

oadcast

, shortwav

00 (

broadcast

visi

00 (

t count

rvice Provi

net u

ation Ame

350 km paved: 150

and ha

ion), Auasi, Faleosao

ant m

por

003

with pave

to 3,0

4 m: 1 (

with unpa

4 m: 1 (

y Ameri

efense is the resp

al Issues A

internati

ast updated on

=======================

uction

kgr

278 to 1993, Andorran

d by French and Spani

ef of state and the Sp

ystem was modified wit

e government transform

ated and impoverishe

prosperity since Wor

immigrants (legal and

onomy with its lac

aphy

ati

rope, between F

hic coo

N, 1

efere

: 468

r: 0

468

compa

e size of Wa

0.3 km border countries: F

stl

(land

ime c

(land

cold winters and

ns dissected b

ion ex

int: Riu

nt: Coma Pe

l reso

ral water, timbe

2.22% permanent crops:

ated

al ha

lan

nt - curr

zing of mountain meado

wastewater treatment a

internationa

: Hazard

ified: none of the

aphy

s a number of import

le A

ula

(July 2

stru

% (male 5,478;

.6% (male 26,26

.4% (male 4,659; fema

ian

: 39.

: 40

.4 years (

ion gro

2004

,000 populati

000 populatio

gratio

/1,000 populat

1.07 mal

ars: 1.1 ma

s: 1.11 ma

over: 0.99

: 1.09 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,000

hs/1,000 live bi

deaths/1,00

ectancy

ulation:

80.5

.59 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

ople living w

DS - d

onal

Ando

ive: A

ic g

n 33%, Portuguese 11

igi

holic (pr

gua

l), French, Cast

NA total population: 1

ment A

try

ng form: Princi

al short f

ort form

orm: Princip

nment

acy (since March 199

incipality; the two pr

of Seo de Urgel, Spai

oprinces' re

ra la

rative d

s, singular - parroqu

ssana, Escaldes-Engord

pend

the joint suzerainty

Spanish bis

nal h

itxell Day, 8 S

titu

n constitution was dra

arch 1993; came in

l sy

Spanish civil codes;

s not accepted compu

fra

of age;

tive

Coprince Jacques CHIR

ppe MASSONI (since 2

Enric VIVES i SICILIA

Nemesi MARQUES

Council president e

appointed by the copr

eld 4 March 2001 (nex

rc FORNE Molne elect

nt of General Co

uncil or Govern desig

il pr

xecutive Council Pres

1 Decemb

ative

ncil of the Valleys or

rs are elected by dire

stituency and 14 to r

bers serve fo

4 March 2001 (next to

ent of vote by party -

ats by party - PLA 15

ial b

Tribunal de Batlles;

; Supreme Court of J

usticia d'Andorra; Sup

e la Justicia; Fiscal

nal Tribunal or Tri

parties an

nter Party or CDA (for

Liberal Party of And

Albert PINTAT]; Social

ional Democratic Grou

essure group

organization

IFRCS, Interpol, IOC

O, WIPO, WToO,

epresentatio

ssador (vacant); Charg

-CO

tions Plaza, 25th Flo

: [1] (21

] (212)

epresentatio

an embassy in Andorra

to Andorra; US int

sulate General's offic

Reina Elisenda, 23, 0

3) 280-2227; FAX:

descr

bands of blue (hoist

of arms centered in t

artered shield; simil

o not have a nationa

f Moldova, which does

my An

y - ov

y of Andorra's tiny,

80% of GDP. An estima

ted by Andorra's duty-

sorts. Andorra's com

e economies of neighb

providing broader ava

king sector, with its

lly to the economy. Ag

the land is arable -

pal livestock activi

consists mainly of ci

s a member of the EU

r for trade in manufac

member for agric

parity - $1.3 b

eal gro

(2000

per

r parity - $19,

position

ultur

stry

ices

below pov

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

% (

r fo

(2001

ce - by o

dustry 21%, servic

oyment

1996

s: $385

llion, including capi

ture -

ye, wheat, barley, oa

ust

y skiing), cattle ra

production

ity - pr

ity - co

city -

h (2

city -

electricity supplied

es a small amou

ion f.o.

- comm

roducts,

s - pa

, France

billion

- comm

ods, food,

s - pa

rance 35%, U

- ext

aid - r

ren

o (

ency

nge r

0.886 (2003), 1.0626

00), 0.9

al y

ndar

cations

- main li

00 (

s - mobil

00 (

hone

assess

tem with microwave r

en ex

code - 376; landline

oadcast

5, shortwa

00 (

broadcast

visi

00 (

t count

net h

4 (2

rvice Provi

net u

00 (

rtation

9 km paved: 198 km

and ha

por

ary A

ry bra

ry forces, Police

ary -

esponsibility of

onal Issu

internati

ast updated on

=======================

uction

kgr

njoy the fruits of pe

002. Fighting between

la (MPLA), led by Jose

the Total Independenc

owed independence from

92 when Angola held n

after being beaten by

es may have been lost

rter century of fighti

surgency and strength

pledged to hold nati

aphy

ati

dering the South Atl

mocratic Repub

hic coo

S, 1

efere

1,246,7

r: 0

,246,70

compa

than twice the

bound

: 5,1

ocratic Republic of t

oundary of discontigu

201 km, Namibia 1,37

stl

a: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm

along coast to Luand

r) and hot, rainy sea

rises abruptly to v

ion ex

nt: Atlant

t: Morro de

l reso

ron ore, phosphates, c

te, u

.41% permanent crops: 0.

ated

km (199

al ha

ll causes periodic f

nt - curr

nd subsequent soil er

desertification; def

se to both internation

stic use as fuel,

rosion contributing

d dams; inadequate sup

internationa

, Climate Change, Dese

er Protection,

ified: none of the

aphy

da is an exclave, sep

e Democratic Repu

le A

ula

2 (July 2

stru

(male 2,410,326;

% (male 2,998,892

% (male 137,340; femal

ian

: 18.

18.1

.1 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

gratio

1,000 populat

1.05 mal

ars: 1.02 m

s: 1.04 ma

over: 0.8 m

: 1.02 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live b

deaths/1,00

ectancy

ulation:

36.0

.55 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(2003

ople living w

0 (200

DS - d

(2003

fectious

aria, trypanosomia

e of risk: ve

onal

Ango

ive: A

ic g

du 25%, Bakongo 13%,

can) 2%, Europe

igi

%, Roman Catholic 38%

gua

al), Bantu and oth

era

15 and over ca

opulati

28% (1

nment

try

ong form: Repu

al short f

ort form

ple's Repub

orm: Republi

nment

y a multiparty dem

ential

rative d

ias, singular - provi

Cubango, Cuanza Norte

, Lunda Norte, Lunda

, Uige

pend

r 1975 (fr

nal h

Day, 11 Nov

titu

ised 7 January 1978,

92; note - new constit

l sy

ivil law system and c

te political pluralis

mar

fra

of age;

tive

sident Jose Eduardo

- the president is b

f gove

resident Jose Eduardo

- the president is b

Fernando de Piedad

ster on 6 December 2

n of re

f Ministers appoin

lected by universal ba

riginally elected (in

em and stood for reele

29-30 September 199

SANTOS 49.6%, Jonas

sary; the run-off was

the Total Independe

of the first election

ative

ssembly or Assembleia

roportional vote to

29-30 September 199

cent of vote by party

arty - MPLA 129, UNITA

oth

ial b

unal da Relacao (judg

sid

parties an

arty or PLD [Analia

he Liberation of Ang

NDA, Holden ROBERTO];

Angola or UNITA [Isa

ngaged in years of arm

ration of Angola or M

in power since 1975; S

hip: Eduardo KUANGANA

nor parties participat

ts and have little inf

essure group

on of the Enclave of C

AGO; Antonio

a small-scale, highly

independence of

organization

G-77, IAEA, IBRD, IC

D, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, I

t), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OA

, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO

a Pitra DIAKIDI FAX: [1] (202) 785-1258 consulate(s) general: Houston and New York

epresentatio

Ambassador Chris

a Houari Boumedienne

a), L

rnational mail: Caixa

y Luanda, Department o

21-

] (2) 445-481,

44] (2)

descr

bands of red (top) an

ting of a five-point

machete (in the style

omy

y - ov

nomy in disarray becau

warfare. An apparen

e death of rebel lea

ut consequences from

t of wide-spread la

he main livelihood for

he supporting activi

g about 45% to GDP a

ountry's food must sti

s rich natural resou

lantic fisheries, and

ontinue reforming gov

le Angola made progres

325% in 2000 to abo

d to make sufficient

such as increasing fo

transparency in govern

supported 7% GD

parity - $20.42 b

eal gro

(2003

per

er parity - $1

agriculture: 8% industry: 6

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

2003

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

(200

r fo

lion (20

ce - by o

ndustry and servic

oyment

and underemployment a

lation (

: $4.874

illion, including capi

n (200

ture -

ffee, sisal, corn, cot

plantains; livestock;

ust

iron ore, phosphate

ment; basic metal pro

ewing; tobacco prod

production

(20

ity - pr

llion k

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

bl/day (2

consum

bl/day (

- ex

(20

- im

(20

roved r

on bbl (1 J

gas - pr

on cu m (

gas - co

on cu m (

gas -

(2001

gas -

(2001

s - proved

on cu m (1

account

millio

ion f.o.b.

- comm

refined petroleum p

fish products,

s - pa

3.4%, Taiwan 8%,

ion f.o.b.

- comm

ical equipment, vehi

od, textiles,

s - pa

Africa 12.4%, US 12.

Brazil 6.1%,

foreign exch

million

- ext

illion (

aid - r

million

ren

za (

ency

nge r

- 74.6063 (2003), 4

), 2.791 (1999), 0.3

nza was revalued with

old

al y

ndar

cations

- main li

00 (

s - mobil

000

hone

lephone service limite

radiotelephone used e

stem of wire, microw

pheric

y code - 244; satelli

an); fiber optic subma

ectivity to E

oadcast

6, shortwa

000

broadcast

visi

000

t count

net h

(20

rvice Provi

net u

00 (

rtation

ow gauge: 2,638 km 1.067-m gau

9 km paved: 5,349 km u

erw

km (

eli

tural gas 14 km; liqu

efined produc

and ha

o, Luanda, Malongo, Na

im,

ant m

000 GRT or over) 2

go 6, petrol

other countrie

por

2003

with pave

al:

3,047

to 3,0

to 2,4

o 1,5

4 m: 1 (

with unpa

al:

3,047

to 3,0

to 2,4

1,523

m: 80 (2

ary A

ry bra

e Guerra, MdG), Air a

r - military age

mpulsory military serv

ears plus time f

npower - av

-49: 2,620,2

er - fit for mi

-49: 1,317,3

- reaching milit

13,103 (

enditures -

million

nditures - pe

% (

onal Issu

- inter

ter to refugees from t

any Angolan refugees

reside in neig

nternally disp

(27-year civil war end

y have retu

cit

ent point for cocain

other Afr

ast updated on

=======================

gui

ction A

kgr

settlers from Saint K

eat Britain until the

st the wishes of t

ingle British depende

al attempts at separat

Anguilla was finally a

ly recognized in 1980,

British d

phy An

ati

tween the Caribbean S

ast of P

hic coo

N, 6

efere

rica and th

: 102

r: 0

102

compa

he size of W

bound

stl

orial sea: 3 nm exclusi

rated by north

ng island of cor

ion ex

nt: Caribb

int: Crocu

l reso

fish,

d u

e lan

ent cr

ock with sparse scrub

l salt po

ated

al ha

nd other tropical sto

ble water sometimes cannot meet increasing dem

northerly of the Leeward Is

e Ang

ula

(July 2

stru

.8% (male 1,56

.4% (male 4,641

6.8% (male 396; fem

ian

: 30.

30.4

.3 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

)/1,000 populat

1.03 mal

ars: 1.03 m

s: 1.06 ma

over: 0.8 m

: 1.03 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

73.9

.91 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

ople living w

DS - d

: Anguillan(s) ad

ic g

ominant), m

igi

t 33%, Seventh-Day Adv

holic 3%,

gua

h (off

era

12 and over ca

opulati

95% (1

ment A

l long form: none convent

ency s

territory

nment

rative d

eas territo

pend

eas territo

nal h

la Day

titu

ional Order 1 Apri

l sy

English c

fra

of age;

tive

en ELIZABETH II (si

nor Alan Eden HUCKLE

monarch is hereditary

g legislative electio

leader of the majori

ef minister b

ief Minister Osbourne

ncil appointed by the

rs of the Hou

ative

ssembly (11 seats tot

icio members, and 2 ap

year

3 March 2000 (next to

cent of vote by party

2, ADP 1, i

ial b

ovided by Eastern Ca

parties an

ent or AUM [Hubert HU

G, Victor BANKS], a co

P and the Anguilla Nat

vement or APM [Quincy

y or MFGD [Joyce KE

essure group

organization

CDB, Interpol (subbur

epresentatio

eas territo

epresentatio

eas territo

descr

the UK in the upper h

arms centered in the o

cts three orange dolp

white background with

my An

y - ov

al resources, and the

offshore banking, l

grants. Increased ac

urred the growth of th

onomic growth. Anguil

to developing the off

owing. In the medium t

rgely on the tourism s

in the industrialize

weather

parity - $104 m

eal gro

(2001

per

er parity - $8

agriculture: 4% industry: 1

below pov

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

r fo

9 (2

ining 4%, manufacturing 3%, construction 18%, transportatio

oyment

% (

s: $22.

illion, including cap

ture -

f tobacco, vegetab

ust

lding, offshore f

production

(1997

ity - pr

ity - co

milli

illion

- comm

vestock, salt, co

s - pa

o Rico, Saint

millio

- comm

anufactures, chemica

s - pa

to Rico,

- ext

illion

aid - r

illion

ren

bbean dol

ency

nge r

per US dollar - 2.70

al y

l - 31

cations

- main li

0 (2

s - mobil

0 (2

hone

assess

rn internal te

code - 1-264; microwa

Guadeloupe and Ne

oadcast

, shortwav

0 (1

broadcast

visi

0 (1

t count

rvice Provi

(20

net u

0 (2

rtation

5 km paved: 65 km u

and ha

Point,

ant m

por

003

with pave

523 m: 1

with unpa

4 m: 2 (

ary A

efense is the resp

onal Issu

- inter

cit

or South American nar

nd E

ast updated on

=======================

tar

ction A

kgr

e existence of a "s

rly 1820s when British

h and Russian nation

ic Peninsula region a

. Not until 1840 was

a continent and not ju

"firsts" were achiev

ld War II, there was a

inent. A number of c

stations on Antarc

t not all countries re

framework for the acti

ic Treaty was negotia

to existing territor

ered into fo

phy An

ati

y south of the

hic coo

S, 0

efere

ctic

14 mill

continent, following

merica, but larger t

inent o

(280,000 sq km ice-fr

vered)

compa

han 1.5 times t

note: see entry on D

stl

968

ime c

Argentina claim Exclus

ver 200 nm extensio

t like the claims them

countries; 20 of 27

laims to Antarctic ter

ved the right to do s

other nations; als

ationa

s vary with latitude,

Antarctica is colde

elevation; Antarctic

her temperatures occu

rage slightly

inental ice sheet an

ween 2,000 and 4,000 m

ers; ice-free coastal

, Wilkes Land, the Ant

nd on McMurdo Sound; g

the coastline, and

of the area o

ion ex

ntley Subglacial

t: Vinson Ma

n land point in Antar

ench; at its surface

orld's lowest elevat

l reso

copper, gold, nickel

nd hydrocarbons have

s; none presently expl

en taken by comm

anent crops: 0% other: 100% (i

ated

al ha

riven) winds blow co

izzards form near the

over the ocean and mo

eception Island and i

mic activity rare and

from i

nt - curr

te data showed that t

cord, covering 27 mil

ound that increased u

ages the DNA of icef

ozone depletion earl

marine plants; in 200

grated in response

aphy

highest (on average),

lar radiation reaches

at the Equator in an e

habi

e Ant

ion - 3,687 total; Argentina 302, Australia 201, Belgium 13, Brazil 80, Bulgaria 16, Chile 352, China 70, Finland 11, France 100, Germany 51, India 60, Italy 106, Japan 136, South Korea 14, Netherlands 10, NZ 60, Norway 40, Peru 28, Poland 70, Russia 254, South Africa 80, Spain 43, Sweden 20, UK 192, US 1,378 (1998-99); winter (July) population - 964 total; Argentina 165, Australia 75, Brazil 12, Chile 129, China 33, France 33, Germany 9, India 25, Japan 40, South Korea 14, NZ 10, Poland 20, Russia 102, South Africa 10, UK 39, US 248 (1998-99); research stations operated within the Antarctic Treaty area (south of 60 degrees south) by members of the Council of Managers of Nation

ent Ant

long form: none conventio

Netherlands (1990), Peru (1989), Poland (1977), Russia, South Africa, Spain (1988), Sweden (1988), Uruguay (1985), and the US; non-consultative members, with year of accession in parentheses, are - Austria (1987), Canada (1988), Colombia (1989), Cuba (1984), Czech Republic (1993), Denmark (1965), Estonia (2001), Greece (1987), Guatemala (1991), Hungary (1984), North Korea (1987), Papua New Guinea (1981), Romania (1971), Slovakia (1993), Switzerland (1990), Turkey (1995), Ukraine (1992), and Venezuela (1999); 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 intr

l sy

tered through meeting

ions from these meeti

(with respect to th

ance with their own n

inal offenses by or ag

extra-territorially;

or example, the Antarc

seq., provides civil

ivities, unless autho

native mammals or bir

and animals; entry in

r disposal of pollutan

in items from Antarc

n Act carries penalti

prison; the National

share enforcement resp

tic Conservation Act

ions from the US to An

of Oceans, Room 5805

which reports such pla

ctic Treaty; for more

ce of Polar Program

Virginia 22230; telep

website at

y Anta

y - ov

and tourism, both ba

activity. Antarctic f

d landing 112,934 met

of Patagonian toothfis

e Conservation of An

the recommended cat

,571 tourists visited

,588 who visited the p

rs on commercial (non

ke trips during the su

oximately

ations A

- main li

ion for US bas

s - mobil

hone

local systems at s

stic

y code - 672; via sat

tem) from some

oadcast

M 2, sho

ion for US bas

broadcast

six channels; Ameri

rk-Mc

ion for US bas

visi

ed at McMurdo

ion for US bas

t count

rvice Provi

tation A

and ha

ed ports and harbors

ve offshore anchora

ip to shore by smal

tions have a basic wha

do (77 51 S, 166 40 E)

ly except by permit (

ships at port are sub

e 7, Antarctic Treaty;

and int

por

oped public access

s, operated by 16 nati

y, have restricted air

rs and/or fixed-wing

wo additional aircraf

available at 27 st

sea-ice, blue-ice, or

fixed-wing aircraft;

6 are between 2 km an

in length, 3 are less

th; snow surface skiw

wing aircraft, are a

4 are greater than

in length, 2 are bet

n 1 km in length, and

ities generally subjec

lting from extreme s

anding facilities do n

the respective governm

n required for landin

in accordance with Art

3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m:

ipo

stricted helicopter

ds) (20

ry Ant

ary -

prohibits any measure

ent of military bases

ary maneuvers, or the

e use of military per

h or for any other

nal Issues

- inter

zes claims (see Antar

y); sections (some o

Chile, France, NZ, Nor

ot recognize the terri

o claims themselves (t

o claims have been mad

150 degrees west; se

ave expressed their in

on the Limits of th

al shelf claims to adj

ast updated on

=======================

ua and

on Antigua

kgr

first to inhabit the

but Arawak and Carib

landed on his second

nish and French were s

1667. Slavery, establ

, was abolished in 183

n the British Commonwea

Antigua

ati

ween the Caribbean Sea

southeast of

hic coo

N, 6

efere

rica and th

Antigua 280 sq km;

r: 0

des Redonda

443

compa

e size of Wa

bound

stl

ime c

rial se

nm or to the edge of

economic z

ous zon

e seasonal temp

estone and coral isl

anic

ion ex

nt: Caribb

int: Boggy

l reso

nt climate f

8.18% permanent crops: 4

ated

al ha

l storms (July to Octo

limited natural fresh water resources - is further hampered by the clearin

internationa

ty, Climate Change,

ation, Endangered Sp

us Wastes, Law of the

tection, Ship P

ified: none of the

aphy

indented shoreline wi

uda has a very la

ntigua a

ula

(July 2

stru

.1% (male 9,76

.6% (male 23,17

.3% (male 1,151; fem

ian

: 29.

28.9

.9 years (

ion gro

(2004

,000 populati

gratio

)/1,000 populat

1.05 mal

ars: 1.04 m

s: 1.01 ma

over: 0.65

n: 1 male(s)/fe

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

69.2

.07 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

ople living w

DS - d

uan(s), Barbudan(s) adje

ic g

, Portuguese,

igi

tly Anglican with othe

Cath

gua

ficial), lo

era

d over has completed

ool

opulati

88% (1

Antigua a

ng form: none conventional sh

nment

onarchy with UK-

ohn's (

rative d

ndencies*; Barbuda*,

ry, Saint Paul, Sain

pend

er 1981

nal h

(National Day),

titu

ember

l sy

English c

fra

of age;

tive

en ELIZABETH II (si

or General James B. C

onarch is hereditary;

e advice of the prim

s, the leader of the

coalition is usually

governo

nisters appointed by t

of the pr

ime Minister Baldwin S

ative

t consists of the S

nor general) and the H

e elected by proporti

ive-yea

cent of vote by party

ted 1; note - new ele

este

presentatives - last h

held N

ial b

eme Court (based in Sa

resident of the islan

ummary Jur

parties an

r ALP [Lester Bryant

s H. FRANK]; United Pr

oalition of three oppo

arty or UNDP, Antigua

and Progressive La

essure group

or Union or ATLU [Will

ement or PDM [

organization

FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICA

, IMF, IMO, Interpol,

L, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO

, WM

A. HURST chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 teleph

Antigua and Barbuda (embassy closed 30 June 1994); the US Ambassador to

descr

isosceles triangle b

e contains three hori

white, with a yellow

ntigua an

y - ov

ominate the economy, a

rist arrival numbers

wever, and pressed the

l-island nation's agri

ic market and constra

rtage stemming from th

uction. Manufacturing

th major products bein

ents. Prospects for e

ntinue to depend on

, especially in the

an one-third of

parity - $750 m

eal gro

2002

per

r parity - $11,

agriculture: 3.9% industry:

below pov

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

(2000

r fo

ce - by o

industry 11%, se

oyment

2001

: $123.7

illion, including capi

ture -

bles, bananas, coconut

ane; l

ust

n, light manufacturi

ld appl

production

1997

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

ay (200

consum

l/day (2

- ex

(20

- im

(20

illion

- comm

%, manufactures 23%,

ood and live ani

s - pa

%, UK 3.8%,

lion (20

- comm

ls, machinery and t

res, chem

s - pa

%, Poland 7%, Germany

ago 4.4

- ext

illion

aid - r

illion

ren

bbean dol

ency

nge r

per US dollar - 2.7 (

7 (1999), 2.7 (1998) (

al y

l - 31

ons Antigua

- main li

00 (

s - mobil

00 (

hone

assess

d automatic t

y code - 1-268; 1 coa

n - 1 Intelsat (Atlant

Netherlands Antil

oadcast

, shortwav

00 (

broadcast

visi

00 (

t count

net h

5 (2

rvice Provi

(20

net u

00 (

ion Antigua

hwa

50 km (1

and ha

t Jo

ant m

00 GRT or over) 5,873

go 477, chemical tank

ulti-functional lar

0, roll on/roll off

other countrie

lia 1, Bahamas 1, Ban

yprus 1, Estonia 3, F

atvia 1, Lebanon 1, Li

ealand 1, Norway 2, P

land 5, Turkey 3,

por

003

with pave

to 3,0

4 m: 1 (

with unpa

4 m: 1 (

Antigua a

ry bra

buda Defense Force (i

r - military age

(est.); no con

enditures -

nditures - pe

Issues Antig

- inter

cit

nsshipment point for n

ignificant as an offs

ast updated on

=======================

tic

tion Arc

kgr

e smallest of the worl

lantic Ocean, Indian

an). The Northwest Pas

orway and Russia) are

etwork of air, ocean,

bes the Ar

hy Arct

ati

Europe, Asia, and Nort

Arcti

hic coo

N, 0

efere

ic R

.056 mill

Bay, Barents Sea, Beau

eenland Sea, Hudson B

west Passage, and othe

compa

han 1.5 times t

stl

389

terized by persisten

rature ranges; wint

old and stable weather

erized by continuous d

eak cyclones w

d by a perennial drift

s in thickness, althou

ize; clockwise drift

arly straight-line m

ia) to Denmark Strait

is surrounded by open

in size during the win

; the ocean floor is

age of any ocean) with

three submarine rid

lera, and Lom

ion ex

t: Fram Bas

oint: sea

l reso

ates, placer deposits,

fish, marine mamma

al ha

ly break away from nor

glaciers in western

permafrost in islands

ships subject to sup

ber

e walruses and whales; fragile ecosystem slow to change and sl

aphy

he southern Chukchi S

the Bering Strait); st

ia; shortest marine li

Russia; floating rese

maximum snow cover in

the frozen ocean; sno

y Arct

y - ov

s limited to the ex

petroleum, natural

ation Arc

and ha

, Murmansk (Russia

rtation

ocean, river, and lan

ca) and Northern Sea

seasonal

al Issues A

l: some maritime disput

ast updated on

=======================

gen

ction A

kgr

e from Spain in 1816,

olitical conflict bet

ivilian and military f

eronist authoritarian

s was followed by a m

acy returned in 1983,

rscored Argentina's

olid

phy Ar

ati

, bordering the South

and

hic coo

S, 6

efere

h Am

2,766,8

,736,69

30,20

compa

an three-tenths

bound

: 9,6

via 832 km, Brazil 1,2

880 km, Uru

stl

ime c

rial se

nm or to the edge of

economic z

ous zon

id in southeast; sub

pas in northern half,

uth, rugged Andes

ion ex

el Carbon -105 m (loca

Luis Piedra Buena in

concagua 6,960 m (loca

he province

l reso

pampas, lead, zinc,

, petrole

2.31% permanent crops: 0

ated

q km (19

al ha

and Mendoza areas in

are violent windstor

ortheast; he

alizing economy such as deforestation, soil degradation, desertification, air pollution, and

internationa

vironmental Protocol,

eals, Antarctic Treaty

-Kyoto Protocol, Deser

l Modification, Hazar

Ozone Layer Protect

nds,

ratified: Marine

aphy

y in South America (a

sea lanes between the

(Strait of Magellan,

gua is South America's

the lowest point in t

e Arg

ula

3 (July 2

stru

(male 5,179,236;

(male 12,452,566;

.5% (male 1,685,371;

ian

: 29.

28.3

.1 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

)/1,000 popula

1.05 mal

ars: 1.05 m

rs: 1 mal

over: 0.7 m

: 0.97 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,00

ectancy

ulation:

71.9

.65 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(2001

ople living w

0 (200

DS - d

(200

onal

Argent

ive: A

ic g

and Italian) 97%, me

nwhite g

igi

ic 92% (less than 20%

ish 2%,

gua

), English, Itali

era

15 and over ca

opulati

97.1% (2

ment A

try

ong form: Arge

l short for

rt form:

orm: Republi

nment

os A

rative d

ias, singular - provi

ral); Buenos Aires,

haco, Chubut, Cordoba,

pa, La Rioja, Mendoza,

, San Luis, Santa Cruz

ego - Antartida e Isl

not recognize any

pend

816 (fro

nal h

n Day, 25

titu

; revised

l sy

t European legal syst

y ICJ jur

fra

ge; universal

tive

ent Nestor KIRCHNER (s

I (since 25 May 2003);

of state and he

esident Nestor KIRCHNE

l SCIOLI (since 25 M

he chief of state a

et appointed b

ults of the president

EM 24.3%, Nestor KIRC

odriguez SAA 14.4%, El

runoff election slate

default after MENEM w

of the

nd vice president elec

ur-year terms; the las

lection of 27 April 20

ative

ngress or Congreso Na

bers are elected by d

rs elected every two y

eputies (257 seats;

of the members elect

year

ate - percent of vote

ty - PJ 41, UCR 16,

percent of vote by blo

J 133, UCR 46, IF 23

vincial p

st held intermittently

t to be held NA 2005)

tly by province durin

be held

ial b

e Suprema (the nine S

resident with appr

parties an

c or AR [Domingo CAVAL

ARI [Elisa CARRIO];

so (a four-party co

oque Federal or IF (

arties including R

PJ [leader NA] (Pero

l Civic Union or UCR

ECREAR [Ricardo LOPEZ

IANI]; Union For All

provinci

essure group

of Pharmaceutical La

nufacturers' associa

ners' association); b

of Labor or CGT (Per

entral of Argentine Wo

unemployed workers);

an Catholic C

organization

BCIE, BIS, FAO, G-6,

, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM,

Interpol, IOC, IOM,

O, MINUSTAH, NSG, OAS,

l (temporary), UNCTAD,

UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WCO,

, WT

epresentatio

: Ambassador Jos

ampshire Avenue NW,

Atlanta, Chicago, Hous

] (202)

: [1] (20

epresentatio

on: Ambassador

Colombia 4300, C1

ernational mail: use

nit 4334,

[54] (11)

] (11) 5

descr

bands of light blue (

white band is a radi

known as th

my Ar

y - ov

om rich natural resou

rt-oriented agricul

l base. Over the past

recurring economic

flight, and budget de

s both domestic and fo

nment's ability to pay

ge rate with the US

2001 with the widening

wals from the banks, a

confidence. Governme

abilize the banking s

ed inadequate in the

e peso's peg to the d

peso was floated in

ation picked up rapid

, albeit at a lower le

Central Bank to inter

preciation in 2003. Le

ver with output up 8%

tion reduced to un

parity - $435.5 b

eal gro

(2003

per

r parity - $11,

griculture: 11.1% industry: 34

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

(May

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

% (2

r fo

millio

ce - by o

A, industry N

oyment

% (2

: $26.62

lion, including capit

ic d

GDP (20

ture -

s, soybeans, grapes, c

eat; li

ust

or vehicles, consume

chemicals, printing

production

(200

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

llion kW

city -

llion kW

prod

bl/day (2

consum

bl/day (2

- ex

(20

- im

(20

roved r

on bbl (1 J

gas - pr

ion cu m (

gas - co

ion cu m

gas -

ion cu m

gas -

(2001

s - proved

cu m (1 Ja

account

billion

ion f.o.b.

- comm

nd energy, cereals,

s - pa

2%, US 10.6%, China 8

ion f.o.b.

- comm

ment, motor vehicle

tures,

s - pa

.4%, Germany 5.6%

foreign exch

billion

- ext

illion (

aid - r

lion (2

ren

ine pe

ency

nge r

US dollar - 2.9003 (

0.9995 (2000)

al y

ndar

ations A

- main li

,400

s - mobil

llion

hone

y opening the telecom

gn investment with th

f 1998," Argentina en

on technology; fiber-o

tween all major cities

he availability of tel

elephone density is

vice universally ava

dio relay, fiber-optic

40 earth stations se

telephones are install

apidly e

ry code - 54; satell

an); Atlantis II and U

gateways near Bu

oadcast

nactive stations), FM

nlicensed), sho

illion

broadcast

44 repeate

visi

illion

t count

net h

358

rvice Provi

(20

net u

llion

tation A

lwa

1 km (167 km

km 1.676-m gauge (

85 km 1.435-m gauge

m 1.000-m gauge; 237 k

hwa

: 215

(including 734

152,123

erw

0 km

eli

petroleum gas 41 km;

; unknown (oil/wa

and ha

Aires, Comodoro Riv

del Plata, Necochea,

Fe,

ant m

000 GRT or over) 14

etroleum tanker 9,

roll on/roll off 1,

lized

owned: U

ther countries:

por

(200

with pave

al:

3,047

to 3,0

to 2,4

1,523

4 m: 8 (

with unpa

l: 1

3,047

to 3,0

to 2,4

1,523

m: 567 (

ry Arg

ry bra

of the Argentine Re

Argentine Air Force (

ligation: 18 years of age for voluntary

npower - av

-49: 9,901,3

er - fit for mi

-49: 8,042,3

- reaching milit

27,738 (

enditures -

illion

nditures - pe

% (

nal Issues

- inter

t sovereignty talks r

ill claims UK-adminis

outh Georgia and the S

right to settle the di

te resolved through P

ersist since 1992 oil

artially overlaps UK

s); unruly region

guay borders is locus

ug trafficking, and fu

sted dispute between B

the Quarai/Cuareim Ri

entina i

cit

nt country for cocain

ndering activity, espe

tion of drugs in urban

ast updated on

=======================

uction

kgr

on being the first n

h century). Despite pe

a came under the swa

yzantine, Arab, Persia

sia in 1828 and the U

ccupied by the long

no-Karabakh, a primar

Soviet Azerbaijan in

n began fighting over

er both countries atta

91. By May 1994, when

d not only Nagorno-

f Azerbaijan proper.

y their inability to m

lution. Turkey imposed

he common border bec

orno-Karabakh and

aphy

ati

n Asia, eas

hic coo

N, 4

efere

29,80

1,400

28,400

compa

maller tha

bound

: 1,2

rbaijan-proper 566 km

rgia 164 km, Iran 3

stl

(land

ime c

(land

ental, hot summ

mountains; little for

soil in Ara

ion ex

nt: Debed

Aragats Lerrn

l reso

old, copper, molybd

7.55% permanent crops: 2

ated

q km (1

al ha

severe earthq

nt - curr

xic chemicals such as

deforestation when c

of Hrazdan (Razdan)

ich (Lake Sevan), a

threatens drinking wa

wer plant in spite

ally ac

internationa

ion, Biodiversity, C

Desertification, Haza

ayer Protect

d: Air Pollution-Persis

aphy

sser Caucasus Mounta

rgest lake in th

le A

ula

91,

census since indepen

001 (July

stru

% (male 357,094;

% (male 929,719;

6% (male 128,027; fema

ian

: 29.

27.1

.4 years (

ion gro

(2004

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

)/1,000 populat

1.18 mal

ars: 1.1 ma

s: 0.87 ma

over: 0.68

: 0.9 male(s)/fe

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

67.7

.36 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(2003

ople living w

(200

DS - d

n 200 (2

onal

Arme

ive: A

ic g

, Russian 2%, other (m

1993, virtually all A

igi

ic 94%, other Ch

rian/ani

gua

%, Russian

era

15 and over ca

opulati

98% (2

ment A

try

ong form: Repu

al short f

ort form

iet Socialist Republ

rm: Hayastani

nment

rative d

r, singular - marz)

', Kotayk', Lorri, Sh

Dzor,

pend

1991 (from

nal h

Day, 21 Sep

titu

ionwide refere

l sy

civil l

fra

of age;

tive

dent Robert KOCHARIAN

ime Minister Andranik

Ministers appointed

lected by popular vote

February and 5 March 2

appointed by the presi

ters must resign if

accept th

rt KOCHARIAN reelected

ARIAN 67.5%, Stepa

ative

ssembly (Parliament)

by popular vote to se

by party list, 5

5 May 2003 (next to be

by party - Republica

w 12.3%, ARF (Dashnak)

bor Party 5.7%; seats

oc 14, Rule of Law 1

ited Labor 6; note -

es switch parties or

epe

ial b

rt; Court of Cassa

parties an

[Vladimir BADALIAN];

National Movement or

Ramkavar Liberal Par

man]; Armenian Revo

ARF [Vahan HOVHANISSI

ice Bloc (comprised of

Party, National Demo

onal Democratic Party

ion or NDU [Vazgen MAN

MIAN, chairman]; Peo

Republic Party [Alb

Republican Party or RP

Artur BAGDASARIAN,

s [Hrant KHACHATURYA

en AR

essure group

nion [Manve

organization

BRD, FAO, IAEA, IBRD,

IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Inter

OAS (observer), OPCW,

, WCO, WFTU, WHO,

IRAKOSSIAN consulate(s) general: Los Angeles FAX: [1] (202) 319-2982 tele

epresentatio

on: Ambassador

ghramyan Ave.,

can Embassy Yerevan, D

, Washington,

21-611, 520-791, 542-

01, 5

74](1)

descr

tal bands of red (t

my Ar

y - ov

entral planning system

ctor, supplying machin

ods to sister republi

Since the implosion

ched to small-scale ag

omplexes of the Soviet

m needs for more in

ization of industry ha

ewed emphasis by the c

rter, and its mineral

he ongoing conflict w

ted region of Nagorno-

ted economic system of

re economic decline i

menian Government had

ic liberalization pr

s in 1995-2003. Arme

also has managed to sl

the dram), and priva

ises. The chronic en

and mid-1990s have bee

nuclear power plants

rter, although it doe

y to replace Metsa

to close. The electri

2. Armenia's severe t

ernational aid and for

ssia remain close, es

parity - $11.79 b

eal gro

(2003

per

er parity - $3

griculture: 23.4% industry: 35

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

2002

by percentage share: lowest 10

f family incom

4 (

ate (consum

(2003

r fo

llion

ce - by o

ndustry 25%, servi

oyment

2001

: $425.9

illion, including capi

ture -

y grapes), veget

ust

etal-cutting machine

ors, tires, knitted we

ucks, instruments, mi

are development, foo

production

2002

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

orts an unknown quantity to Georgia; includes expo

city -

- imports an unknown q

prod

ay (200

consum

l/day (2

- ex

(20

- im

(20

gas - pr

(2001

gas - co

on cu m (

gas -

(2001

gas -

on cu m (

account

millio

on f.o.b.

- comm

al products, fo

s - pa

%, Israel 15.7%, Russi

ermany

ion f.o.b.

- comm

um, tobacco products

s - pa

a 11.6%, Israel 11.3

5.4%, Italy 4.7%,

foreign exch

million

- ext

lion (Ju

aid - r

0 milli

ren

m (

ency

nge r

- 578.763 (2002), 55

535.06

al y

ndar

cations

- main li

600

s - mobil

400

hone

stem inadequate; now 9

odernization

of subscribers and th

includes paging and m

ry code - 374; Yerev

ber-optic cable thro

is available by micr

o the other countries

through the Moscow in

st of the world; satel

sat (

oadcast

, shortwav

000

broadcast

own number of r

visi

000

t count

net h

6 (2

rvice Provi

net u

000

rtation

lwa

l: 8

m 1.520-m gauge (8

es are out of

hwa

: 15,

(includes 7,527 k

: 589 k

eli

871 km

and ha

por

2003

with pave

al:

3,047

to 3

to 2,4

523 m: 3

with unpa

3,047

to 2,4

o 1,5

4 m: 1 (

ary A

ry bra

rce and Air

e for compulsory military service, conscript service obligation -

npower - av

-49: 812,140

er - fit for mi

-49: 649,568

- reaching milit

1,926 (2

enditures -

illion

nditures - pe

% (

onal Issu

- inter

c Armenian secessionis

ies 16% of Azerbaija

tion in Europe (OSCE

Turkey remains closed

demands regarding for

ethnic Armenian groups

autonomy from the n

nternally disp

y of origin): 23

with Azerbaijan over

cit

of small amount of c

a transit point for i

oving from Southwest

ent the re

ast updated on

=======================

uction

kgr

for Spain in 1499, Ar

and's economy has been

ntury gold rush was f

ening in 1924 of an

entury saw a boom in

e Netherlands Antille

member of the Kingd

ndependence was halted

aphy

ati

n the Caribbean Sea

hic coo

N, 6

efere

rica and th

: 193

r: 0

193

compa

rger than W

bound

stl

ime c

rial se

ittle seasonal tem

ew hills; sca

ion ex

nt: Caribb

nt: Mount J

l reso

ite sand

d u

0.53% (includi

ent cr

89.47

ated

km (19

al ha

the Caribbean

nt - curr

aphy

and renowned for its

moderated by constan

temperature is almos

us (81 degree

le A

ula

(July 2

stru

.3% (male 7,42

.2% (male 23,58

.4% (male 3,347; fema

ian

: 37.

35.7

.1 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

1,000 populat

1.05 mal

ars: 1.05 m

s: 0.94 ma

over: 0.7 m

: 0.93 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,000

ths/1,000 live b

deaths/1,00

ectancy

ulation:

75.6

.49 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

ople living w

DS - d

: Aruban(s) adjec

ic g

Caribbean Am

igi

otestant 8%, Hindu, Mu

gua

amento (a Spanish, Por

ish (widely sp

total population: 97

nment

al long form: none conve

ency s

f the Netherlands; fu

1986 upon separation

rnment responsible f

nment

entary

nje

rative d

he Kingdom of t

pend

he Kingdom of t

nal h

ay, 18

titu

nuar

l sy

law system, with so

lue

fra

of age;

tive

BEATRIX of the Nethe

Governor General Fredi

on O. ODUBER elected p

lative v

is hereditary; govern

e monarch; prime mini

he Staten for four-ye

001 (next to be hel

Prime Minister Nelso

ber

of Ministers (ele

ative

re or Staten (21 sea

vote to serve

8 September 2001 (next

ent of vote by party -

iansa 3.5%, other 2.1%

6, PPA

ial b

ustice (judges are ap

parties an

ment or MAS [leader N

eader NA]; Aruban Demo

beral Party or OLA [G

[Benny NISBET]; Aruba

Concentration for the

e's Electoral Movement

uctured Aruba Now or

c Action or ADN [P

essure group

organization

IOC, UNESCO (assoc

soc

epresentatio

by the Kingdom o

epresentatio

an embassy in Aruba;

Robert E. SORENSON,

descr

horizontal, yellow st

r-pointed star outline

-side

omy

y - ov

ay of the small, open

oil refining and stor

urism sector over the

nsion of other activi

acity five times the 1

ountry's oil refinery

eign exchange earning

labor force and low un

nfilled job vacancies,

years. Tourist arriva

ptember 2001 terrorist

al with a budget defic

parity - $1.94 bi

eal gro

(200

per

r parity - $28,

position

ultur

stry

ices

below pov

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

(2002

r fo

(1997

ce - by o

n wholesale and reta

ls and restauran

oyment

(2003

: $135.8

llion, including capi

ture -

livesto

ust

hipment facilit

production

2002

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

ay (200

consum

l/day (2

- ex

(20

- im

(20

(including oil ree

- comm

al products, art and

equipment, tran

s - pa

lombia 12%, Netherlan

la 10.8%, US

on f.o.b.

- comm

ical equipment, crud

chemicals;

s - pa

ds 13%, Netherlands

- ext

illion

aid - r

te - the Netherlands p

o Aruba and S

ren

ilder/flo

ency

nge r

ns per US dollar - 1.

1.79 (2000)

al y

ndar

icatio

- main li

00 (

s - mobil

00 (

hone

assess

more tha

code - 297; 1 submari

; extensive interislan

oadcast

, shortwav

00 (

broadcast

visi

00 (

t count

net h

rvice Provi

net u

00 (

ortati

hwa

l: 8

d: 5

ds are paved, while un

the inte

ed: 2

and ha

ranjestad, S

ant m

000 GRT or over) 5

ed: Germany

other countrie

go 1, petrol

por

003

unways: total: 1 2,438

tary

ry bra

us military forces;

s, Coa

ary -

sibility of the Kingd

ional Is

- inter

cit

S- and Europe-bound

money-laund

ast updated on

=======================

and Carti

Ashmore and C

kgr

nds came under Austral

began two years later.

n and marine habitat;

e. Cartier Island, a f

arine r

hmore and Ca

ati

slands in the Indian

Australia an

hic coo

S, 1

efere

heas

l: 5

e Reef (West, Middle,

ier

r: 0

: 5

compa

the size of The Ma

bound

stl

one: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm continenta

h sand

ion ex

nt: Indian

nt: unnamed

l reso

rmanent crops: 0% other: 100

ated

m (199

al ha

and reefs that can

nt - curr

aphy

Nature Reserve estab

ore and Car

ula

enous in

ermen are allowed acc

ore Reef's West Isl

le -

immigrants from Indon

n ongoin

shmore and C

try

m: Territory of Ashmo

t form: Ashmore a

ency s

a; administered by th

t and Regio

l sy

onwealth of Australi

of Australia, whe

epresentatio

ritory of

epresentatio

ritory of

descr

of Austra

more and Ca

rview: no eco

Ashmore and C

s: none; offshor

more and Car

ary -

ibility of Australia;

Navy and Royal Au

sues Ashmore and

- inter

allenge Australia's

d the surrounding w

nd has created a nati

prospect for hydroca

ast updated on

=======================

ntic

ion Atlan

kgr

the second largest of

an, but larger than th

cean). The Kiel Can

Bosporus (Turkey),

the Saint Lawrence

access waterways.

aphic Organization in

ocean, the Southern Oc

Ocean south of 6

y Atlant

ati

Africa, Europe, the

n Hemi

hic coo

N, 25

efere

l Map of

.762 mill

Sea, Black Sea, Caribb

f the Drake Passage, G

, North Sea, Norwegian

d other tribut

compa

han 6.5 times t

stl

,86

ricanes) develop off t

stward into the Caribb

ember, but are most f

red with sea ice in

rtions of the Baltic S

gyre (broad, circular

c, counterclockwise

ocean floor is domina

south centerline for t

ion ex

ee Deep in the Puerto

oint: sea

l reso

ish, marine mammals (

s, placer deposits,

ous s

al ha

Davis Strait, Den

Ocean from February

as Bermuda and the

ture icing in extreme

tent fog can be a mari

rricanes (May

nt - curr

cies include the mana

rift net fishing is ha

ibuting to internatio

eastern US, souther

ion in Caribbean Sea,

ean Sea, and North Se

ollution in Baltic

erran

aphy

lude the Dardanelles,

nd Suez Canals; strate

aits of Florida, Mon

rd Passage; the Equat

Atlantic Ocean and

Atlant

y - ov

rovides some of the

, between and within

onomic activity inclu

g., fishing, the dred

production of crude

Gulf of Mexico

ation Atl

and ha

giers (Algeria), Antwe

s (Argentina), Casab

(Denmark), Dakar (Sen

sinki (Finland), Las P

ce), Lisbon (Portugal)

Uruguay), Montreal (Ca

York (US), Oran (Alg

(Greece), Rio de Jane

Petersburg (Russia)

rtation

Lawrence Seaway are t

ommercial and recreati

d south Atlantic seabo

al Issues A

l: some maritime disput

ast updated on

=======================

str

ction A

kgr

rrived on the contine

ore the first European

ormal territorial clai

took possession in the

ted in the late 18th a

he Commonwealth of Aus

of its natural resour

manufacturing industr

itish effort in World

s transformed itself

market economy. Long

y depletion of the ozo

oastal areas, especia

change Australia's sta

monarch to a republic,

phy Au

ati

tween the Indian Ocea

hic coo

S, 1

efere

7,686,8

68,92

rd Howe Island an

,617,93

compa

than the US con

bound

stl

760

ime c

rial se

nm or to the edge of

economic z

ous zon

iarid; temperate in s

with deserts; ferti

ion ex

int: Lake

: Mount Kosci

l reso

ore, copper, tin, go

ral sands, lead, zinc,

rol

d u

(includes about 27

ted gra

nt crop

93.41

ated

q km (19

al ha

coast; severe dro

nt - curr

overgrazing, indus

farming practices; so

ality water; desertif

threatens the natural

es; the Great Barrier

oral reef in the wor

d its popularity as a

resh wate

internationa

vironmental Protocol,

eals, Antarctic Treaty

tion, Endangered Sp

us Wastes, Law of the

ion, Ozone Layer Prot

Tropical Timber 94

tified: Climate Ch

aphy

inent but sixth-large

e eastern and southea

g, sea breeze known a

est coast i

e Aus

ula

4 (July 2

stru

(male 2,044,449;

% (male 6,747,687

.8% (male 1,121,522;

ian

: 36.

35.5

.1 years (

ion gro

(2004

,000 populati

gratio

)/1,000 popula

1.05 mal

ars: 1.05 m

s: 1.02 ma

over: 0.79

: 0.99 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,000

ths/1,000 live b

deaths/1,00

ectancy

ulation:

77.4

.27 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(2003

ople living w

(2003

DS - d

n 200 (2

onal

Austra

ve: Aus

ic g

sian 7%, aborigi

igi

an Catholic 26%, ot

ian 11%, o

gua

native

era

15 and over ca

opulati

100% (19

ment A

try

g form: Commonwe

l short for

nment

ate system recognizing

ere

rative d

ories*; Australian Ca

n Territory*, Queens

ctoria, West

dent

Islands, Christmas I

slands, Heard Island

olk

pend

(federation o

nal h

Day, 26 Ja

titu

effective 1

l sy

on law; accepts compu

reser

fra

ge; universal

tive

of Australia ELIZABE

Governor General Maj

ince 11 Au

rime Minister John Wi

me Minister John ANDERS

minates and selects, f

serve as government mi

wears in the final sel

monarch is heredita

narch on the recomm

legislative election

der of a majority coa

er by the go

lition - Liberal Par

ative

iament consists of the

states and two from e

of the members elect

rve six-year terms

seats - this is up

lected by popular v

ation to serve three-y

han five rep

ast held 9 October 20

); House of Represen

to be held not late

te - percent of vote b

03) - Liberal Party-Na

arty 28, Australian De

1, Country Liberal

1, independent 2; Hou

party - NA%; seat

coalition 86, Austr

Party 1, indepen

ial b

justice and six other

overnor

parties an

[Andrew BARTLETT];

ian Progressive Allian

ILLS]; Australian Gree

OWARD]; The Nationals

arty [Le

essure group

League [leader NA];

nt [le

organization

, ASEAN (dialogue part

, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, I

FRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, I

uest), NEA, NSG, OECD,

CTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR,

WHO, WIPO, WMO

epresentatio

n: Ambassador M

Atlanta, Chicago, Hono

nd San

] (202)

: [1] (20

chusetts Avenue NW,

epresentatio

: Ambassador J.

, Yarralumla, Canberr

itor

ddress: A

[61] (02)

] (02) 6

neral: Melbourn

descr

the UK in the upper ho

ar in the lower hoist-

representing the fede

the star depicts one p

e representing all of

the remaining half is

llation in white with

larger, seve

my Au

y - ov

ble Western-style capi

ar with the four do

ut in the domestic eco

d business and consu

phasis on reforms, low

her key factors behind

weak foreign demand,

icit up to $18 billi

$8 billion in 2002. O

housing

parity - $571.4 b

eal gro

2003

per

r parity - $29,

griculture: 3.5% industry: 26.

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

or consumption by

st 1

10%: 25.

f family incom

2 (

ate (consum

(2003

r fo

illion

ce - by o

dustry 22%, servic

oyment

(20

s: $185

llion, including capi

ic d

of GDP

ture -

arcane, fruits; ca

ust

d transportation equi

cals,

production

(200

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

bl/day (2

consum

bl/day (2

- ex

bbl/da

- im

bbl/da

roved r

on bbl (1 J

gas - pr

ion cu m (

gas - co

ion cu m (

gas -

ion cu m (

gas -

(2001

s - proved

on cu m (1 J

account

billio

illion (

- comm

l, alumina, iron ore,

ort eq

s - pa

China 8.4%, South Ko

UK 6.7

illion (

- comm

rt equipment, compute

uipment and parts; c

s - pa

China 11%, Germany

foreign exch

billion

- ext

illion (

c aid -

million

ren

ian dol

ency

nge r

r US dollar - 1.5419

, 1.7248 (200

al y

y - 3

ations A

- main li

million

s - mobil

million

hone

xcellent domestic and

ellite system; much us

on density; rapid gro

eph

code - 61; submarine

d Indonesia; satelli

ean and 6 Pacific Oce

Ocean regi

oadcast

345, shortw

illion

broadcast

visi

millio

t count

net h

,763

rvice Provi

net u

millio

tation A

lwa

km (5,290 km

: 1,957 km

95 km 1.435-m gauge

213 km dual

km 1.067-m gauge (2

hwa

: 811

(including 18,619

97,513 km

erw

for recreation on Mu

ystems)

eli

gas 28,680 km; liquid

oil/gas/wate

and ha

Cairns, Darwin, De

Hobart (Tasmania), L

ourne, Sydne

ant m

0 GRT or over) 1,531,

nited Kingdom 2,

ther countries:

go 5, chemical tanker

gas 4, passenger 2, p

oll

por

2003

047 m: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 12 1,524 to 2,437 m:

l: 143 1,524 to 2,437 m: 17 914 to 1,

ry Aus

ry bra

Australian Navy, Roya

ons Command (announ

r - military age

e for voluntar

npower - av

-49: 5,061,8

er - fit for mi

-49: 4,356,6

- reaching milit

40,182 (

enditures -

1 millio

nditures - pe

% (

nal Issues

- inter

elimitation establi

imor over part of the

reements over an un

exploited gas reserve

undary with Indonesia

Australia asserts a

its continental sh

cit

he world's major sup

aintains strict contro

and output of popp

ast updated on

=======================

uction

kgr

wer for the large Aus

o a small republic af

ation by Nazi Germany

ctorious Allies in 1

decade. A State Treat

gnized Austria's ind

many. A constitution

s "perpetual neutrali

awal. Following the So

ntry into the Europe

into question this ne

stria entered the Euro

aphy

ati

, north of Ita

hic coo

N, 1

efere

83,87

1,426

82,444

compa

smaller t

bound

: 2,5

h Republic 362 km, Ger

htenstein 35 km, Slova

tzerlan

stl

(land

ime c

(land

, cloudy; cold winters

and snow in mountains;

onal s

mostly mountains (Al

gins mostly flat

ion ex

t: Neusiedl

t: Grossgloc

l reso

timber, iron ore, co

sten, graphite,

6.91% permanent crops: 0

ated

km (200

al ha

avalanches

ults from the use of agricultural chemicals; air pollution results from emissions by coal- and oil-fired p

internationa

tion, Air Pollution

85, Air Polluti

Organic Compounds

e Change, Climate Ch

ngered Species, Envir

w of the Sea, Ozone

mber 83, Tropical Timb

d: Air Pollution-Persis

aphy

location at the crossr

rsable Alpine passes a

ation is concentrate

s, poor soils, and low

le A

ula

2 (July

stru

% (male 665,680;

% (male 2,799,411

% (male 518,748; fema

ian

: 40

38.8

.2 years (

ion gro

(200

000 populatio

,000 populati

gratio

1,000 populat

1.05 mal

ars: 1.05 m

s: 1.01 ma

over: 0.65

: 0.95 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,000

ths/1,000 live b

deaths/1,00

ectancy

ulation:

: 76

.89 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(2003

ople living w

(2003

DS - d

n 100 (2

onal

Aust

ive: A

ic g

nous minorities 1.5%

, Czechs, Slovaks, R

Turks, Bosnians, Serb

igi

Protestant 4.7%, Mus

e 1

gua

ionwide), Slovene (o

urgenland), Hungarian (

era

15 and over ca

opulati

ale

ment A

try

ong form: Repu

al short f

rt form:

orm: Republi

nment

al re

rative d

der, singular - Bund

reich, Oberoesterreich

Vorarlb

pend

ria founded); 12 No

cla

nal h

ober (1955); note -

nal sovereignty and th

the law on perm

titu

1929 (reinstat

l sy

th Roman law origin

y the Constitution

vil/penal supreme cou

urisd

fra

ersal; compulsory for

tive

sident Heinz FISCHE

hancellor Wolfgang SC

Chancellor Hubert GOR

nisters chosen by the

e cha

lected by direct popul

ction last held 25 Apr

ellor traditionally c

rty in the National C

ident on the advic

nt coalition -

z FISCHER elected pres

52.4%, Benita FERRERO

ative

mbly or Bundesversamml

(62 members; members

f population, but wit

tives; members serve a

il or Nationalrat (183

r vote to serve

onal Council - percent

Oe 10.0%, Greens 9.5%

9, FPOe 18

uncil - last held 24 N

the fall

ial b

rt or Oberster Geric

gsgerichtshof; Con

ungsger

parties an

y or OeVP [Wolfgang SC

rsula HAUBNER]; Socia

d GUSENBAUER]; The Gre

essure group

n Federation (nomin

t) or OeGB; Federa

of Austrian Industr

uding its chief lay o

te leagues of the Aus

business, labor, a

ations in the areas of

organization

Group, BIS, BSEC (ob

ESA, EU, FAO, G- 9,

, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC,

O, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO,

OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club

, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR

WEU (observer), WFTU

epresentatio

ion: Ambassad

ational Court NW, Was

al: Chicago, Los A

] (202)

: [1] (20

epresentatio

mbassador William L

manngasse 16,

s: use embassy

3] (1) 31339-

3] (1)

descr

tal bands of red (t

my Au

y - ov

l-developed market ec

y tied to other EU e

p in the EU has draw

by Austria's access

to EU aspirant econ

in the world held the

, and again less than

at the recovery has s

wth in 2004 of 1.7-2.1

nning a EURO 500 bill

omists doubt it will h

will be offset by hi

er taxes on energy. Fo

llion and harmonizatio

eased competition fro

articularly the new E

ledge-based sectors of

vice sector, and lowe

ement of much greater

by its agin

parity - $245.3 b

eal gro

(2003

per

r parity - $30,

griculture: 3.5% industry: 25.

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

% (

by percentage share: lowest 10

f family incom

(19

ate (consum

(2003

r fo

millio

ce - by o

ry 4%, industry and cr

oyment

(2003

s: $67

lion, including capit

ic d

of GDP

ture -

r beets, wine, fruit;

oultry;

ust

ery, vehicles and pa

ssing, paper and pape

ent, t

production

(2003

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

llion kW

city -

llion kW

prod

bl/day (

consum

bl/day (2

- ex

bbl/day

- im

bbl/da

roved r

on bbl (1 J

gas - pr

ion cu m (

gas - co

ion cu m

gas -

on cu m (

gas -

ion cu m (

s - proved

n cu m (1 J

account

billio

ion f.o.b.

- comm

ent, motor vehicles

ods, chemicals, iron

dst

s - pa

.6%, Switzerland 5.2%,

.7%

ion f.o.b.

- comm

nt, motor vehicles, c

l products

s - pa

ly 6.7%, Hungary 5

ands 4.

foreign exch

billion

- ext

llion (2

c aid -

0 millio

ren

o (

9, the European Moneta

ncy to be used by the

s of 1 January 2002, t

U member countries

ency

nge r

0.886 (2003), 1.0626

000), 0.9

al y

ndar

cations

- main li

millio

s - mobil

,500

hone

nt: highly devel

main lines for every

nsive; all telephone a

s are a

ry code - 43; satell

Ocean and 1 Indian Oc

out 600 VSAT (very sma

oadcast

eral hundred repeater

illion

broadcast

than 1,000 rep

visi

illion

t count

net h

006

rvice Provi

(20

net u

illion

rtation

lwa

km (3,552 k

5 km 1.435-m gauge (

1.000-m gauge (28 km

(94 km elect

hwa

: 200

(including 1,633

d: 0 k

erw

km (

eli

663 km; refined pr

and ha

ems, Lin

ant m

000 GRT or over) 2

cargo 4,

ther countries:

wned: Net

por

2003

,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 3

al: 31 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,

s: 1 (20

ary A

ry bra

doLdSK), Air F

itary service; 16 years of age for voluntary service; from 2007, at the earliest, c

npower - av

-49: 2,066,4

er - fit for mi

-49: 1,699,3

- reaching milit

8,981 (2

enditures -

illion (

nditures - pe

(Jun

onal Issu

- inter

he Czech Republic ove

cit

or Southwest Asian he

tined for W

ast updated on

=======================

erb

ction A

kgr

with a Turkic and majo

dence after the collap

94 cease-fire, Azerba

enia over the Azerbai

ian populated). Azerba

pport some 800,000 re

a result of the con

omise of widespread w

m resources remains

phy Az

ati

ordering the Caspian

European portion nort

hic coo

N, 4

efere

86,60

lave of Naxcivan Auton

on; the region's auto

reme Soviet on

: 500

86,100

compa

smaller t

bound

: 2,0

nia (with Azerbaijan-p

ivan exclave) 221 km,

er) 432 km, Iran (wit

m, Russia 284

stl

te - Azerbaijan borde

emiari

valigi (Kura-Araks Low

t Caucasus Mountains

and) in west; Baku li

sula) that juts

ion ex

nt: Caspia

t: Bazarduzu

l reso

as, iron ore, nonfer

9.63% permanent crops: 2

ated

q km (19

al ha

nt - curr

nsider the Abseron

Baku and Sumqayit) and

devastated area in the

pollution; soil pollu

e of DDT as a pesti

d in the produ

internationa

ion, Biodiversity, C

ol, Desertification

ne Dumping, Ozone Laye

ified: none of the

aphy

f the country and th

dlo

e Aze

ula

5 (July

stru

(male 1,081,579;

% (male 2,499,618

% (male 242,253; femal

ian

: 27.

25.9

.8 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

)/1,000 popula

1.05 mal

ars: 1.03 m

s: 0.95 ma

over: 0.66

: 0.95 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

59.0

.62 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

n 0.1% (

ople living w

(200

DS - d

n 100 (2

onal

Azerba

ve: Aze

ic g

3.2%, Russian 2.5%, A

ians live in the separ

igi

Orthodox 2.5%, Armenia

(1995

iliation is still n

ual practicing adhe

gua

9%, Russian 3%, Armen

era

15 and over ca

opulati

96% (1

ent Aze

try

ng form: Republ

l short for

rm: Azarbayca

ijan Soviet So

hort fo

nment

u (

rative d

ayon - singular), 11 c

onomous republic**

yonu, Agcabadi Rayon

, Agsu Rayonu, Astara

n Rayonu, Bilasuvar R

kasan Rayonu, Davaci

boy Rayonu, Goycay Ra

li Rayonu, Kalbacar Ra

an Rayonu, Lerik Ray

z Rayonu, Qabala Ray

u, Quba Rayonu, Qubadl

ad Rayonu, Saki Rayonu

, Samux Rayonu, Siyaz

Rayonu, Ucar Rayonu,

Xocali Rayonu, Xoca

, Zangilan Rayonu, Za

Sahari, Baki Sahari,

hari, Naftalan Sahari

ri, Xankandi Saha

blic: Naxcivan Mu

pend

991 (from S

nal h

atic Republic of Azerb

titu

12 Novem

l sy

civil l

fra

of age;

tive

ident Ilham ALIYEV (

Ministers appointed

y the Natio

m ALIYEV elected presi

V 76.8%, Is

elected by popular vo

5 October 2003 (next

and first deputy prime

confirmed by the

ime Minister Artur RAS

ime Minister Abbas ABB

ative

ssembly or Milli Mejl

ar vote to serve

cent of vote by party

F "Reform" 6, CSP 3, P

assic" 1, Comp

4 November 2000 (next

the current parliamen

e constituencies, whil

ing; as a result of a

to the constitution,

e elected from single

nd APF "Classic" parti

ial b

eme

parties an

ont or APF [Ali KARIM

ALI-OGLU, leader of "C

SP [Sabir RUSTAMKHANL

mmunist Party of Aze

Party [Mais SAFARLI];

sul QULIYEV, chairman

rty of Azerbaijan [La

, chairman]; New Az

ational Independence

rman]; Social Democrat

ALIZADE and A

es regularly factional

essure group

t; self-proclaimed Arm

pendence movement; Un

es (

organization

APC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, G

, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, I

GA, OAS (observer), OI

, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO

ser

dor Hafiz PASHAYEV chancery: 2741 34th Street NW, Washington,

Azadlyg Prospecti, Baku AZ1007 mailing address: American Embassy Baku, Department of State, 7050 B

descr

al bands of blue (to

inted star in white a

y Azer

y - ov

e export is oil. Azerb

but has registered a

production-sharing a

h have thus far com

elopment, should gener

development. Oil prod

e Azerbaijan Internati

97. Azerbaijan share

r Soviet republics in

arket economy, but it

long-term prospects.

on economic reform, an

y being replaced. On

for stepped up fore

econd obstacle is the

no-Karabakh region. Tr

publics is declining i

key and the nations

d on world oil price

n, and Azerbaijan's ab

parity - $26.65 b

eal gro

(200

per

er parity - $3

griculture: 14.1% industry: 45

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

2002

by percentage share: lowest 10

f family incom

(19

ate (consum

(2003

r fo

illion

ce - by o

stry 41%, industry 7

oyment

l rate is 1.2

: $2.063

illion, including capi

ic d

GDP (20

ture -

grapes, fruit, vege

pigs, sh

ust

gas, petroleum product

nt; chemicals and pet

production

(2003

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

lion kW

city -

lion kW

prod

bl/day (2

consum

bl/day (2

- ex

(20

- im

(20

roved r

n bbl (1 J

gas - pr

ion cu m

gas - co

ion cu m

gas -

(2001

gas -

n cu m (

s - proved

n cu m (1 J

account

billio

ion f.o.b.

- comm

, machinery, co

s - pa

epublic 11.4%, Germa

orgia 4.5%, Rus

ion f.o.b.

- comm

t, oil products, foods

s - pa

12%, UK 8.7%, Germa

4.6%, US 4.6%, Kaz

foreign exch

million

- ext

billion

aid - r

million

ren

jani ma

ency

nge r

er US dollar - 4,910

001), 4,474.15 (200

al y

ndar

ations A

- main li

800

s - mobil

000

hone

adequate; requires con

sity of 10 main lines

ity of telephones a

about 700 villages

atellite service con

ts exclave

y code - 994; the old

serviceable; a satell

about 200 additional c

d to Baku by satellit

ey (

oadcast

17, shortw

000

broadcast

visi

000

t count

net h

rvice Provi

net u

000

tation A

d gauge: 2,957 km 1.520-m gaug

1 km paved: 23,057 km

eli

m; oil 1,51

and ha

u (

ant m

000 GRT or over) 25

petroleum tanker 40

ed: Russia

por

2003

,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 3

with unpa

al:

to 3,0

to 2,4

m: 32 (2

o 1,5

ipo

003

ry Aze

ry bra

Air and Air

or compulsory and voluntary military service; law passed December

npower - av

-49: 2,187,8

er - fit for mi

-49: 1,748,5

- reaching milit

3,131 (2

enditures -

illion

nditures - pe

% (

nal Issues

- inter

c Armenian secessionis

s about one-sixth of A

ration in Europe (OSCE

Kazakhstan, and Russi

based on equidistance,

fifth allocation and c

ion in disputed wate

ng the seabed in 2004

sted oilfields in the

Georgian constructio

ther small segments of

d until d

nternally disp

t with Armenia over Na

cit

ation of cannabis and

government eradicatio

iates bound for Russia

st of

ast updated on

=======================

amas

tion Bah

kgr

ited the islands whe

New World on San Sal

nds began in 1647; the

ning independence fr

through tourism and i

. Because of its geog

int for illegal drugs,

ritory is used for smu

the

hy Baha

ati

lands in the North Atl

a, northe

hic coo

N, 7

efere

rica and th

13,94

3,870

10,070

compa

aller than

bound

stl

orial sea: 12 nm exclus

oderated by warm w

ormations with som

ion ex

nt: Atlant

ount Alvernia, o

l reso

ite, timber,

0.8% permanent crops: 0

ated

al ha

ropical storms cause e

nt - curr

ecay; solid

internationa

ty, Climate Change,

ion, Endangered Specie

yer Protection, Ship

ified: none of the

aphy

acent to US and Cuba;

30 are

Baham

ula

his country explicitl

tality due to AIDS; t

er infant mortality a

rates, and changes i

sex than would other

4 e

stru

3% (male 42,474

.7% (male 96,82

% (male 7,351; femal

ian

: 27.

26.5

8 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

)/1,000 popula

1.02 mal

ears: 1 ma

s: 0.97 ma

over: 0.69

: 0.96 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,000

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

62.2

.11 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

2003

ople living w

(200

DS - d

n 200 (2

n: Bahamian(s) a

ic g

te 12%, Asian

igi

20%, Roman Catholic 19

testant 12%, none or

gua

), Creole (among

era

15 and over ca

opulati

96.5% (2

ent Bah

try

form: Commonweal

short form:

nment

al parliamen

rative d

s and Crooked Island

Creek, Governor's Har

Rock, Inagua, Kemps B

w Providence, Nicholls

ound, Sandy Point, Sa

pend

1973 (

nal h

ce Day, 10

titu

uly

l sy

English c

fra

of age;

tive

en ELIZABETH II (si

r General Dame Ivy DUM

ime Minister Perry CHR

nister Cynthia PRAT

inted by the governor

's recom

monarch is heredita

arch; following legi

party or the leader o

prime minister by the

commends the depu

ative

t consists of the S

ernor general upon t

sition leader for fiv

seats; members elected

terms); the governm

d call electi

1 May 2002 (next to

ent of vote by party -

ats by party - PLP 29

ial b

ourt of Appeal;

parties an

nt or FNM [Tommy TUR

y or PLP [Pe

essure group

organization

DB, FAO, G-77, IAD

RM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, I

, NAM, OAS, OPANAL,

, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO

consulate(s) general: Miami and New York FAX: [1] (202) 319-2668 telephone: [

epresentatio

ion: Ambassad

2 Queen St

l or express mail add

f State, 3370 Nassau

21-

42) 322-1181, 328

] (242)

descr

tal bands of aquama

k equilateral triangle

y Baha

y - ov

e, developing nation w

and offshore banking.

DP and directly or ind

r force. Steady growth

n of new hotels, reso

h in recent years, but

ks of 11 September 20

01-03. Financial se

sector of the Bahamian

ver, since December 20

s on the financial sec

The Bahamas. Manufact

pproximately a tenth

rnment incentives ai

ects in the short ru

m sector, which depend

n 80% of the visitors.

rnment supports the d

," e-c

parity - $5.049 b

eal gro

2003

per

r parity - $16,

: agriculture: 3% industry:

below pov

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

(2002

r fo

000

ce - by o

ry 5%, tourism 50%, ot

oyment

(2001

: $918.5

million, including ca

illion (

ture -

egetables

ust

e-commerce, cement

um, aragonite, pharmac

production

2002

ity - pr

llion k

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

ay (200

consum

bl/day (

- ex

(20

- im

(20

lion (20

- comm

um, salt, chemicals;

s - pa

Germany 7.8%, Fran

, Peru 4.2%, Par

illion (

- comm

t equipment, manufactu

od and li

s - pa

17.4%, Italy 11.4%, Fr

Venezuela

- ext

million

aid - r

illion

ren

n dolla

ency

nge r

US dollar - 1 (2003),

), 1

al y

y - 3

tions Bah

- main li

700

s - mobil

800

hone

ssment: mode

automatic system

ry code - 1-242; tro

orida; 3 coaxial subm

1 Intelsat (Atla

oadcast

, shortwav

000

broadcast

visi

00 (

t count

net h

rvice Provi

(20

net u

00 (

ation Bah

km paved: 1,546 km unpa

and ha

Matthew To

ant m

000 GRT or over) 31,63

go 188, chemical tanke

/oil 17, container

, multi-functional

er/cargo 1, petroleum

l off 34, short-sea/pa

vehicle

1, Australia 7, Belgi

Croatia 1, Cuba 3,

ands 1, Finland 9, F

3, Hong Kong 9, India

Japan 35, Kenya 2, S

1, Malta 1, Monaco 68

Panama 2, Philippines

abia 9, Singapore 13,

nd 1, Thailand 1, T

ther countries:

por

2003

,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 9

al: 34 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,

s: 1 (20

y Baham

ry bra

ense Force (inclu

r - military age

(est.); no con

enditures -

nditures - pe

al Issues B

- inter

ts fleeing Haiti's det

cal co

cit

for cocaine and mari

shore finan

ast updated on

=======================

uction

kgr

and central locatio

to play a delicate ba

er neighbors. Facing d

petroleum processing

to an international b

9, has pushed economic

rove relations with t

i voters approved a re

he centerpiece of

m. In February 2002,

self king. In October

house of Bahrain's re

, the Natio

aphy

ati

go in the Persian Gulf

hic coo

N, 5

efere

dle

: 665

r: 0

665

compa

e size of Wa

bound

stl

ime c

rial se

extending to bounda

ous zon

ant winters; very

in rising gently to l

ion ex

nt: Persia

t: Jabal ad

l reso

nonassociated natu

.82% permanent crops: 5.

ated

km (19

al ha

roughts; d

nt - curr

ting from the degrada

ught, and dust storm

, coral reefs, and se

other discharges fro

bution stations; lack

ter are the only sour

internationa

, Climate Change, Dese

Sea, Ozone Layer

ified: none of the

aphy

dle Eastern petroleu

lf, through which much

transit to re

le B

: includes 235,108 non-n

stru

4% (male 97,179

4% (male 271,015

3% (male 11,426; fema

ian

: 29

31.9

.3 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

)/1,000 popula

1.03 mal

ars: 1.02 m

s: 1.41 ma

over: 1.05

: 1.27 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

ths/1,000 live b

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

71.5

.51 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(2001

ople living w

n 600 (2

DS - d

n 200 (2

onal

Bahr

ive: B

ic g

an 19%, other Ara

igi

m 70%, Sunn

gua

nglish, F

era

15 and over ca

opulati

85% (2

ment B

try

ong form: King

al short f

rt form:

er:

orm: Mamlaka

nment

nal heredit

rative d

anatiq, singular - m

l Gharbiyah, Al Mintaq

arraq, Ar Rifa' wa al

Hamad, Madinat 'Isa

palities adminis

pend

t 1971 (

nal h

ber (1971); note - 15

the UK, 16 December

from Britis

titu

r 2000; Bahrani vote

erendum on legislat

for a partially ele

archy, and an inde

l sy

ic law and Eng

fra

of age;

tive

AMAD bin Isa Al Khalif

rince SALMAN bin Hama

Octobe

rime Minister KHALIFA

e NA

net appointed

e monarchy is hered

d by the

ative

t consists of Shura

) and House of Deputi

serve four-

Deputies - last held

to be hel

since 7 December 197

August 1975; National

on 23 December 2000; a

legislative session o

mber

e of Deputies - percen

ependents 21, Sunni

ial b

il Appea

tical parties prohibited but politi

essure group

ed unrest sporadically

lected National As

l small, clandestine

list group

organization

CWA, FAO, G-77, GCC,

B, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, I

GA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, O

WFTU, WHO, WIPO

bin Rashid Al Khalifa chancery: 3502 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008

ext to Al-Ahli Sports Club), Block 331, Zinj District, Manama mailing address: American Embassy Manama, PSC 451, FPO AE 09

descr

olor for flags of Pers

ive white points) on t

nt the five pi

my Ba

y - ov

, petroleum productio

rt receipts, 60% of g

highly developed comm

s home to numerous mu

Bahrain is dependent o

rge share of exports

ining imported crude.

ial projects. Unemplo

letion of oil and unde

ng-term econ

parity - $11.29 b

eal gro

(2003

per

r parity - $16,

griculture: 0.7% industry: 42.

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

(200

r fo

ation in the 15-64 age

ce - by o

try, commerce, and se

1997

oyment

1998

: $2.981

illion, including capi

n (200

ic d

of GDP

ture -

poultry, dairy pr

ust

and refining, alumi

hip repair

production

2000

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

bl/day (

consum

bl/day (

- ex

(20

- im

(20

roved r

n bbl (1 J

gas - pr

on cu m (

gas - co

on cu m (

gas -

(2001

gas -

(2001

s - proved

cu m (1 J

account

llion

illion (

- comm

roleum products,

s - pa

3.3%, South K

illion (

- comm

machinery

s - pa

S 11.4%, Japan 7.8%,

foreign exch

billion

- ext

billion

aid - r

$50 million annually

, UAE, and K

ren

ni din

ency

nge r

S dollar - 0.376 (200

76 (2000),

al y

ndar

cations

- main li

800

s - mobil

100

hone

essment: mo

r-optic integrated se

ng use of mobile c

code - 973; troposphe

relay to Saudi Arab

Arabia; satellite eart

nd 1 Indian Ocean)

oadcast

, shortwav

000

broadcast

visi

000

t count

net h

4 (2

rvice Provi

net u

700

rtation

1 km paved: 2,531 km

eli

; oil 53

and ha

ina' Salm

ant m

00 GRT or over) 219

other countrie

d: Hong Kong

container 2, pe

por

003

s: total: 3 over 3,047 m: 2

with unpa

,437 m: 1

ipo

003

ary B

ry bra

(BDF): Ground Force (

Force, Nat

r - military age

or voluntary mili

npower - av

-49: 221,661

er - fit for mi

-49: 121,484

- reaching milit

,396 (20

enditures -

million

nditures - pe

% (

onal Issu

internati

ast updated on

=======================

er I

tion Bak

kgr

ion of the island i

y US and British comp

ntury. In 1935, a s

on this island - as w

pted by World War II a

is a National Wildlif

rior; a day beacon is

west

hy Bake

ati

North Pacific Ocean,

and A

hic coo

N, 17

efere

: 1.4

r: 0

1.4

compa

e size of The Mall

bound

stl

orial sea: 12 nm exclus

rainfall, constant

l island surrounded by

ion ex

nt: Pacifi

nt: unnamed

l reso

until 1891), terrestr

: 0% permanent crops:

ated

m (199

al ha

eef surrounding the i

nt - curr

fresh wat

aphy

scattered vegetation

low growing shrubs;

habitat for seabirds,

Baker

ula

nha

ans evacuated in 1942

World War II; occupie

andoned after the wa

rom US Fish and Wild

to scientists and edu

s from early settleme

st; visited annually b

e (200

ent Bak

long form: none conventio

ency s

ory of the US; admini

ildlife Service of th

f the National Wil

l sy

e US, where ap

descr

of the

y Bake

rview: no eco

ation Bak

and ha

rage only; note - th

ong the middle

por

II runway of 1,665 m,

and unusabl

rtation

con near the middl

y Baker

ary -

ibility of the US; vis

al Issues B

internati

ast updated on

=======================

ngl

ction B

kgr

existence in 1971 whe

n with West Pakistan.

y floods annually dur

ring economic

phy Ba

ati

ng the Bay of Bengal,

hic coo

N, 9

efere

144,0

133,91

10,09

compa

smaller

246 km border countries: B

stl

ime c

rial se

to the outer limits of

ous zon

economic z

(October to March); ho

warm rainy monsoo

uvial plain; hi

ion ex

nt: Indian

nt: Keokrad

l reso

arable land

2.11% permanent crops: 3

ated

q km (19

al ha

ch of the country rout

er monso

nt - curr

less and forced to l

r-borne diseases preva

ially of fishing areas

des; ground water con

ermittent water shorta

rthern and central par

ion; deforestation;

internationa

ty, Climate Change,

ation, Endangered Sp

dous Wastes, Law of

tion,

ified: none of the

aphy

s situated on deltas

e Ganges unites with t

d later joins the Megh

e Bay o

e Ban

ula

76 (July

stru

(male 24,359,149;

(male 45,557,963;

4% (male 2,575,519; f

ian

: 21.

21.5

.5 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

)/1,000 populat

1.06 mal

ars: 1.06 m

s: 1.04 ma

over: 1.17

: 1.05 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

61.8

.61 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

n 0.1% (

ople living w

(2001

DS - d

2001

onal

Bangla

ve: Ban

ic g

l groups, non-Beng

igi

Hindu 16%, o

gua

, also known as

era

15 and over ca

opulati

31.8% (2

ent Ban

try

form: People's Rep

l short for

East P

nment

entary

rative d

, Chittagong, Dhaka,

pend

West Pakistan); note

rom West Pakistan, 16

memorates the official

angl

nal h

arch (1971); note - 26

est Pakistan, 16 Decem

official creation of

titu

ctive 16 December 197

restored 10 November

l sy

English c

fra

of age;

tive

ent Iajuddin AHMED (si

duties are normally c

he constitution ("C

dent's role becomes si

d and a caretaker gove

ction - to superv

rime Minister Khaleda

ted by the prime minis

sid

lected by National Par

led for 16 September

only presidential can

ext election to be hel

, the leader of the p

pointed prime minis

ddin AHMED declared by

resident; percent of N

ative

rliament or Jatiya San

m single territoria

nt reserving 30 seats

ment seats expired in

year

October 2001 (next to

rcent of vote by par

seats by party - BNP

IOJ 3, JP (Naziur)

01 brought a majority

ler parties - Jamaat-

Jatiya Par

ial b

ef justices and other

pres

parties an

heikh HASINA]; Bangla

MANIK]; Bangladesh Na

son]; Islami Oikya Jot

Islami or JI [Motiur

ction) [Hussain Mohamm

on) [Naziur R

essure group

organization

7, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,

B, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,

O, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO,

UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD,

UNMISET, UNOCI, UNOMI

O, WMO,

epresentatio

n: Ambassador S

neral: Los Ange

] (202)

: [1] (20

rnational Drive NW,

epresentatio

: Ambassador Har

Avenue, Baridh

: G. P. O. Box

: [880] (

80] (2)

descr

d disk slightly to th

dom represents the

n field symbolizes the

he traditional

y Bang

y - ov

estic and internation

phic prospects, Bang

l-governed nation. Al

he service sector,

oyed in the agricultu

rtant product. Major

lones and floods, in

te port facilities, a

bsorbed by agriculture

ural gas), insufficie

economic reforms. Eco

political infighting

Progress also has been

, public sector unio

NP government, led by

tary strength to push

ical will to do so ha

g note: growth has be

everal

parity - $258.8 b

eal gro

(2003

per

er parity - $1

griculture: 21.7% industry: 26

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

(FY95/

percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.9

f family incom

(FY

ate (consum

(2003

r fo

2 mi

of labor to Saudi Ara

orkers' remittances es

98-99

ce - by o

industry 11%, ser

oyment

underemploymen

: $5.352

illion, including cap

ic d

of GDP

ture -

at, sugarcane, potat

es, fruit; bee

ust

, garments, tea proce

fertilizer, light

production

(2003

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

l/day (2

consum

bl/day (

- ex

(20

- im

(20

roved r

on bbl (1 J

gas - pr

on cu m (

gas - co

on cu m (

gas -

(2001

gas -

(2001

s - proved

on cu m (1

account

illion

illion (

- comm

te goods, leather, fr

s - pa

13.6%, UK 9.7%,

illion (

- comm

ent, chemicals, iron

roleum products

s - pa

.3%, Singapore 10.8%,

% (

foreign exch

billion

- ext

billion

aid - r

illion (

ren

a (

ency

nge r

58.15 (2003), 57.888

000), 49.0

al y

y - 3

ations B

- main li

000

s - mobil

millio

hone

totally inadequate

; introducing digital

microwave radio re

ic cable

y code - 880; satelli

); international radio

ice to neighborin

oadcast

12, shortw

illion

broadcast

(19

visi

000

t count

net h

rvice Provi

(20

net u

000

tation B

lwa

: 2,7

: 884 km 1.

1,822 km 1.000

hwa

: 207

: 19,

187,713

te: includes 2,575 km

eli

012 km

and ha

aka, Mongla Po

ant m

000 GRT or over) 31

o 24, container 10, p

refrigerat

ed: China 1

ther countries:

por

2003

,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m:

with unpa

,437 m: 1

ry Ban

ry bra

avy, Ai

ligation: 16 years of age for voluntary

npower - av

49: 39,523,12

er - fit for mi

49: 23,441,48

enditures -

million

nditures - pe

% (

nal Issues

- inter

remain stalled to del

ge 162 miniscule encla

ages, and stop illega

ce; Bangladesh protes

sections of the porou

South Talpatty/Purbas

me boundary delimita

Bangladesh's m

nternally disp

conflicts, religiou

cit

legal drugs produced i

ast updated on

=======================

rba

ction B

kgr

bited when first sett

e sugar plantations es

y was abolished. The e

m, and molasses produc

adual introduction o

nd 1950s led to comple

90s, tourism and manu

ry in econom

phy Ba

ati

n the North Atlanti

ezu

hic coo

N, 5

efere

rica and th

: 431

r: 0

431

compa

e size of Wa

bound

stl

orial sea: 12 nm exclus

ny season (Ju

ises gently to cen

ion ex

nt: Atlant

nt: Mount H

l reso

, fish, n

7.21% permanent crops: 2

ated

km (19

al ha

ricanes; perio

rs from waste disposal by ships; soil erosion; illegal

to Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping

e: easternmost

e Bar

ula

(July 20

stru

% (male 29,294

.3% (male 95,67

8% (male 9,370; femal

ian

: 33.

32.6

.9 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

)/1,000 populat

1.01 mal

ars: 1.01 m

s: 0.96 ma

over: 0.62

: 0.93 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

69.5

.81 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(2003

ople living w

(200

DS - d

n 200 (2

onal

an(s) or Baja

badian or Baja

ic g

ite 4%, Asian

igi

can 40%, Pentecostal

tholic 4%, non

gua

era

5 and over has ev

opulati

96.8% (1

ment B

try

nal long

l short for

nment

cy; independent sover

onwe

dge

rative d

Church, Saint Andrew

int Joseph, Saint Luc

aint Thomas; note - th

n paris

pend

ber 1966

nal h

Day, 30 Nov

titu

vembe

l sy

no judicial review

fra

of age;

tive

en ELIZABETH II (si

nor General Sir Clif

1 Jun

rime Minister Owen Se

ty Prime Minister Mia

nted by the governor g

ime mi

monarch is heredita

arch; following legi

party or the leader o

prime minister by the

commends the depu

ative

t consists of the S

rnor general) and the

cted by direct popular

ssembly - last held 2

by Ma

e of Assembly - percen

arty - BLP

ial b

cature (judges are ap

the Judicial and

parties an

or BLP [Owen ARTHUR];

[Clyde

essure group

n [Leroy TROTMAN]; Cl

People's Progressive

of Barbados [Dr

organization

FAO, G-77, IADB, IBR

IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,

OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UN

O, WIPO,

epresentatio

n: Ambassador M

e(s): Lo

general: Miam

] (202)

: [1] (20

ming Avenue NW, Wa

epresentatio

on: Ambassador

rial Bank of Commerce

r) ALICO Building-C

Box 302, Bridgetown;

: [1] (24

46) 429-524

descr

bands of blue (hoist

ack trident centered

s independence and a b

arms contained a

my Ba

y - ov

adian economy had been

d activities, but prod

light industry and to

es are important forei

s its efforts to re

ign investment, and t

es. The economy contr

urism. Growth should b

dependent on economic

parity - $4.355 b

eal gro

(2003

per

r parity - $15,

agriculture: 6% industry: 1

below pov

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

(200

r fo

0 (200

ce - by o

ndustry 15%, servi

oyment

(200

7 million (in

llion, including capi

ture -

, vegetab

ust

manufacturing, compone

production

(200

ity - pr

lion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

l/day (2

consum

bl/day (

- ex

(20

- im

(20

roved r

on bbl (1 J

gas - pr

ion cu m (

gas - co

ion cu m (

gas -

(2001

gas -

(2001

s - proved

on cu m (1

illion

- comm

rum, other foods and

cal com

s - pa

d Tobago 14.5%, UK 14

Vincent and the Gr

billion

- comm

inery, foodstuffs, c

uel, electri

s - pa

d Tobago 19.6%, UK 6.

- ext

illion

aid - r

illion

ren

an doll

ency

nge r

US dollar - 2 (2003)

), 2

al y

l - 31

cations

- main li

000

s - mobil

000

hone

assess

-wide automatic

y code - 1-246; satel

ean); tropospheric sc

oadcast

, shortwav

000

broadcast

cable chan

visi

00 (

t count

net h

rvice Provi

(20

net u

000

rtation

3 km paved: 1,719 km

and ha

ightstown (Port

ant m

000 GRT or over) 42

o 20, chemical tanker

nker 6, roll

other countrie

alia 1, Bahamas 1, B

Italy 2, Lebanon 1, N

por

003

runways: total: 1 over

ary B

ry bra

se Force (Troops Com

s of age for voluntary military service; volunteers at e

npower - av

5-49: 77,71

er - fit for mi

5-49: 53,12

enditures -

nditures - pe

onal Issu

- inter

ake its claim before

Trinidad and Tobago's

its waters; joins oth

claim that Aves Is

on under UNCLOS, whic

nental shelf over a

bbea

cit

transshipment points f

US; offshore

ast updated on

=======================

as da

ion Bassa

kgr

nic rock surrounded b

ssession since 1897, i

commissioner residin

y Bassas

ati

ds in the southern Moz

way from Madagas

hic coo

S, 3

efere

: 0.2

r: 0

0.2

compa

e size of The Mall

bound

stl

orial sea: 12 nm exclus

anic

ion ex

nt: Indian

t: unnamed l

l reso

permanent crops: 0% othe

ated

m (199

al ha

it is usually under

reefs; subject t

nt - curr

aphy

from a circular r

ct, submer

Bassas

ninhabited (J

nt Bassa

try

nal long

short form: B

ency s

administered by a hi

resident

l sy

ance, where ap

descr

of Fran

Bassas

rview: no eco

tion Bassa

s: none; offshor

Bassas

efense is the resp

l Issues Bas

rnational: clai

ast updated on

=======================

uction

kgr

a constituent republi

nce in 1991. It has re

Russia than any of th

Russia signed a treat

nvisioning greater p

Belarus agreed to a fr

mplementation has

aphy

ati

rope, east

hic coo

N, 2

efere

207,6

r: 0

207,60

compa

smaller t

bound

: 2,9

via 141 km, Lithuania

9 km, Ukr

stl

(land

ime c

(land

and moist summers;

tal and

and contains

ion ex

nt: Nyoman

: Dzyarzhynsk

l reso

s, small quantities o

imestone, marl, chal

9.55% permanent crops: 0

ated

q km (1

al ha

e; southern part of the country contaminated with fallout from

internationa

tion, Air Pollution

iodiversity, Climate C

nvironmental Modifica

Layer Protection, Sh

ot ratified:

aphy

scouring accounts

and for its 11,000

dowed with extensive

e, marl, chalk, sa

le B

ula

0 (July 2

stru

% (male 859,219;

% (male 3,469,926

5% (male 496,204; fema

ian

: 36.

34.2

.5 years (

ion gro

(2004

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

)/1,000 popula

1.05 mal

ars: 1.04 m

s: 0.95 ma

over: 0.5 m

: 0.88 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

62.7

.65 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(2001

ople living w

(2001

DS - d

(200

onal

Belaru

ve: Bel

ic g

ian 11.4%, Polish, Ukr

igi

other (including Roman

Muslim) 20

gua

an, Russ

era

15 and over ca

opulati

99.5% (2

ment B

try

ong form: Repu

al short f

hort fo

(Byelorussian) Sovie

orm: Respubl

nment

, although in fa

rative d

i, singular - voblast

l', Horad Minsk*, Hro

sye

e divisions have th

trative

pend

991 (from S

nal h

uly (1944); note - 3

om German troops, 25 A

nce from the

titu

d by national referen

greatly expanded power

revised again 17 O

tial ter

l sy

civil l

fra

of age;

tive

ent Aleksandr LUKASHEN

Prime Minister Serge

Deputy Prime Minister

ty Prime Ministers A

mir DRAZHIN (since 24

2004), Anatoly TYUTY

Council o

sandr LUKASHENKO reele

LUKASHENKO 75.6%, Vl

lected by popular vote

ace 23 June and 10 Jul

next election should

tended his term to 20

tion held 9 Septembe

dential term limits al

ptember 2006; prime mi

pointed by t

ative

or Natsionalnoye So

c or Soviet Respubliki

councils and 8 mem

ear terms) and the Cha

liy (110 seats; membe

ge to serve

iet Respubliki - perc

NA; Palata Pretsavitel

%; seats b

8 March and 1 April 20

be held March 2005 to

aviteliy); internati

2004 elections as fl

nment falsification; p

many opposition candid

hnical

ial b

ges are appointed

half of the judges app

d by the Chamber

parties an

: Agrarian Party or AP

ian Patriotic Movemen

y BARANKEVICH, chairma

ergei GAYDUKEVICH];

Belarusian Popular F

n Social-Democrat Par

EVICH, chairman]; Bela

av SHUSHKEVICH, chairm

KO]; Party of Commun

irman]; Women's Party

CH, chai

n Belarusian Party

idated in August 200

essure group

organization

IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IC

C, IOM (observer), ISO

UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,

WMO, WTrO

epresentatio

n: Ambassador M

] (202)

s) general

: [1] (20

ampshire Avenue NW,

epresentatio

on: Ambassador

rovilenskaya St

: PSC 78, Box B

(17) 210-12-83, 2

5] (17)

descr

top) and green horizo

; a white vertical st

an national or

my Be

y - ov

03 posted 6.1 percent

ough 2004, albeit at a

in 2004 is likely t

trade deficits, and

largest trading partne

e structural reform si

e country on the path

policy, LUKASHENKO re

and currency exchange

vene in the management

s have been subject to

overnments, e.g., a

rigorous inspections,

tions, and arrests of

wide range of redist

bottom of the ladder

isolated from the Wes

nom

parity - $62.56 b

eal gro

(2003

per

er parity - $6

griculture: 11.1% industry: 36

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

1995

by percentage share: lowest 10

f family incom

7 (

ate (consum

(200

r fo

lion (2

ce - by o

oyment

ered unemployed (Decem

oyed workers

: $2.976

illion, including capi

n (200

ture -

getables, sugar bee

ust

ne tools, tractors,

n sets, chemical fiber

refrig

production

2003

ity - pr

llion k

ity - co

llion kW

city -

lion kW

city -

lion kW

prod

bl/day (

consum

bl/day (2

- ex

(20

- im

(20

gas - pr

on cu m (

gas - co

n cu m (2

gas -

(2001

gas -

ion cu m

account

millio

ion f.o.b.

- comm

ent, mineral product

es, fo

s - pa

Poland 4.4%, Germany

ion f.o.b.

- comm

hinery and equipment,

s - pa

ermany 7.1%, Uk

foreign exch

illion

- ext

lion (20

aid - r

million

ren

an ruble

ency

nge r

US dollar - 1,790.92

876.75 (2000),

al y

ndar

cations

- main li

,300

s - mobil

millio

hone

e Ministry of Telecomm

hrough its carrier (

which is

sk has a digital metr

ork; waiting lists fo

e Minsk is neglected

eveloped fiber-optic b

jor cities (1998); Bel

hierarchy rings thro

uate analog system

ry code - 375; Belar

EL), Trans-Asia-Europe

Trans-Siberia Line (

nectivity to Latvia,

rvice is available to

tional analog lines

Intersputnik

oadcast

7, shortwav

illion

broadcast

27 repeat

visi

illion

t count

net h

8 (2

rvice Provi

(20

net u

,900

rtation

ad gauge: 5,523 km 1.520-m ga

5 km paved: 66,203 km

erw

by location on perim

wness)

eli

443 km; refined prod

and ha

por

2003

over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 21 unde

914 m: 64 (2003 est.) 914 to 1,523 m: 11 over 3

s: 1 (20

ary B

ry bra

and Air De

8-27 years of age for compulsory military service;

npower - av

-49: 2,764,8

er - fit for mi

-49: 2,164,9

- reaching milit

6,716 (2

enditures -

million

nditures - pe

% (

onal Issu

- inter

y with Ukraine rema

laims, preventing dema

ndaries with Latvia

ite European Unio

cit

f opium poppy and can

sshipment point for i

tics and Western Europ

enter; new anti-money

ational standards; f

f money-launde

ast updated on

=======================

uction

kgr

ndent from the Nether

ring World Wars I and

as a modern, technolog

NATO and the EU. T

ngs of the north and

have led in recent y

ese regions formal rec

aphy

ati

ring the North Sea, b

her

hic coo

N, 4

efere

30,52

30,278

: 250

compa

e size o

bound

: 1,3

ce 620 km, Germany 167

lands

stl

l shelf: median line with neighbors exclusive econ

ters, cool summers;

n northwest, central

Ardennes Fore

ion ex

int: Nort

: Signal de B

l reso

struction materials, s

d u

land:

nt crop

udes Luxem

r: 7

ated

udes Luxembour

al ha

long rivers and in are

from the sea b

nt - curr

exposed to intense

ion, dense transporta

eding and crop culti

repercussions for ne

g federal and regional

progress in tackling e

internationa

tion, Air Pollution

ir Pollution-Sulfur 94

, Antarctic-Envir

ing Resources, Antar

Climate Change, Climat

ngered Species, Envir

w of the Sea, Marine

Layer Protection, Sh

opical Timber

d: Air Pollution-Persis

aphy

Europe; majority of

ssels, the seat of bot

le B

ula

6 (July 2

stru

% (male 901,486;

% (male 3,424,438

% (male 739,479; female

ian

: 40.

38.9

.5 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

)/1,000 popula

1.05 mal

ars: 1.04 m

s: 1.02 ma

over: 0.7 m

: 0.96 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,000

ths/1,000 live b

deaths/1,00

ectancy

ulation:

75.2

.75 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(2003

ople living w

(2003

DS - d

n 100 (2

onal

Belg

ive: B

ic g

alloon 31%, mi

igi

75%, Protesta

gua

French (official) 40%,

y bilingual (Du

era

15 and over ca

opulati

ale

ment B

try

ong form: King

al short f

form: Belg

oyaume de Belgique

nment

y democracy under a

rative d

: provinces, singula

provincie) and 3 regi

erpen, Brabant Wallon,

, Liege, Limburg,

aams-Brabant, Wallo

he 1993 constitutional

deral state, there a

regional, and linguis

sion of resp

pend

isional government dec

ly 1831 (King Leopold I

nal h

ension to the Thro

titu

revised 14 July 1993

package creatin

l sy

luenced by English c

legislative acts; a

on, with r

fra

ge; universal

tive

LBERT II (since 9 Augu

IPPE, son o

rime Minister Guy VER

inisters formally app

coalition - VLD,

onarchy is hereditary;

of the majority part

s usually appointed

hen approved

ative

onsists of a Senate or

40 members are direct

y elected; members ser

or Kamer van Volksvert

nts in French (150 sea

e on the basis of prop

four-ye

ate - percent of vote

& V 12.7%, PS 12.8%,

SP.A-Spirit 7, VLD 7,

(note - there are als

Deputies - percent o

4.9%, CD & V 13.3%,

o 3.1%; seats by part

5, VB 18, MR 24, CD

he 1993 constitutional

deral state, there a

regional, and linguis

responsibilities; th

h its own legislativ

parties see the Polit

Chamber of Deputies

eld no later

ial b

ce or Hof van Cassatie

h) (judges are appo

es have to be submitt

parties an

nd Flemish or CD & V

[Jean-Michel JAVAUX

sh Liberal Democrats

rty.Alternative or S

nd Democratic Center o

Movement or MR [Didier

S [Elio DI RUPO]; GR

DUA]; National Front o

VA [Bart DE WEVER]; S

associated with SP.

CKE]; other

essure group

, and Liberal Trade

numerous other assoc

s, middle-class artis

various organizations

and Wallonia; various

oups represent

organization

tralia Group, Benelux

EU, FAO, G- 9, G-10,

, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC,

M, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MON

B, OPCW, OSCE, Paris

, UNMIK, UNMOGIP, UN

L, WCO, WEU, WHO,

epresentatio

: Ambassador Fra

] (202)

al: Atlanta, Los A

: [1] (20

field Street NW, W

epresentatio

n: Ambassador T

27 Boulevard du Re

: PSC 82, Box 0

: [32] (2

2] (2)

descr

ands of black (hoist s

based on the

my Be

y - ov

enterprise economy h

ation, highly develope

and commercial base.

Flemish area in the n

ust import substanti

a large volume of man

ndent on the state of

trade is with other EU

and the government has

together with 11 of i

currency in January 2

ly because of the glo

ain depend largely on

parity - $299.1 b

eal gro

(2003

per

r parity - $29,

agriculture: 1.9% industry:

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

1989

by percentage share: lowest 10

f family incom

7 (

ate (consum

(2003

r fo

illion

ce - by o

dustry 24.5%, servic

oyment

(2003

: $151.6

billion, including ca

billio

ic d

GDP (2

ture -

etables, fruits, grain

ust

products, motor vehi

chemicals, basic met

rol

production

(200

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

llion kW

city -

llion kW

prod

ay (200

consum

bl/day (2

- ex

bbl/da

- im

lion bbl/

gas - pr

(2001

gas - co

ion cu m

gas -

(2001

gas -

ion cu m

account

billion

ion f.o.b.

- comm

ent, chemicals, diam

ts, fo

s - pa

17.4%, Netherlands 1

5.4%

on f.o.b.

- comm

ent, chemicals, diam

sportation equip

s - pa

lands 16.5%, France 1

d 5.7%

foreign exch

billion

- ext

llion (1

c aid -

072 bill

ren

o (

9, the European Moneta

ency to be used by fi

1 January 2002, the

y transactions withi

ency

nge r

0.886 (2003), 1.0626

000), 0.9

al y

ndar

cations

- main li

,400

s - mobil

,500

hone

ghly developed, techno

domestic and intern

aph fa

cellular telephone sy

d microwave rad

y code - 32; 5 submar

Intelsat (Atlantic

oadcast

7, shortwa

millio

broadcast

10 repeat

visi

illion

t count

net h

799

rvice Provi

(20

net u

llion

rtation

ard gauge: 3,518 km 1.435-m gau

hwa

: 148

(including 1,727

31,529

erw

m in regular comm

eli

158 km; refined pr

and ha

rld's busiest ports),

Namur, Oosten

ant m

0 GRT or over) 1,146,

rk 6, Finland 1, Fra

ther countries:

8, chemical tanker 11

petroleu

por

2003

,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 1

ys: total: 18 914 to 1,523 m:

s: 1 (20

ary B

ry bra

and Air Opera

r - military age

or voluntary mili

npower - av

-49: 2,509,5

er - fit for mi

-49: 2,068,2

- reaching milit

1,270 (2

enditures -

billion

nditures - pe

% (

onal Issu

- inter

cit

ynthetic drugs; trans

ecursor chemicals for

ment point for cocain

estern Europe; despi

try remains vulnerabl

cs, automobiles, a

ast updated on

=======================

uction

kgr

between the UK and

ze (formerly British

recognize the new nat

y of the economy. The

growing involvement in

increased u

aphy

ati

ring the Caribbean Sea

hic coo

N, 8

efere

rica and th

22,96

: 160

22,806

compa

aller than

6 km border countries: Gua

stl

ime c

in the north, 3 nm in

rstoon River to Ran

m; according to Belize

his limitation is to p

efinitive agreement on

Gua

economic z

d humid; rainy season

February

stal plain; low

ion ex

nt: Caribb

t: Victoria

l reso

ential, timber,

.85% permanent crops: 1.

ated

km (19

al ha

hurricanes (June to

especially

nt - curr

pollution from sewage

ff; solid and sew

internationa

ty, Climate Change,

ion, Endangered Specie

yer Protection, Ship

ified: none of the

aphy

al America without a

fic

le B

ula

(July 20

stru

6% (male 56,530

.8% (male 77,11

.5% (male 4,674; fem

ian

: 19.

: 19

.3 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

1,000 populat

1.05 mal

ars: 1.04 m

s: 1.02 ma

over: 0.94

: 1.03 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

65.1

.86 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(2003

ople living w

(200

DS - d

n 200 (2

n: Belizean(s) a

ic g

24.9%, Maya 10.6%, Gar

igi

, Protestant 27% (An

Seventh-Day Adventist

s 1.5%), none 9.4%

gua

Spanish, Mayan, Gari

era

15 and over ca

opulati

94.1% (2

nment

orm: none conventional short form

nment

entary

rative d

ayo, Corozal, Orange W

pend

ber 1981

nal h

Day, 21 Sep

titu

ptemb

l sy

lis

fra

of age;

tive

en ELIZABETH II (si

or General Sir Colvil

mber

Prime Minister Said

rime Minister John BRI

nted by the governor g

ime mi

monarch is heredita

arch; following legi

party or the leader o

rime minister by the g

ends the deputy

ative

ssembly consists of

nor general - six on t

advice of the leader

ce of the Belize Cou

n of Churches, the Bel

elize Better Business

and the Civil Socie

ed for five-year te

eats; members are ele

rve five-y

presentatives - last h

ld NA Ma

cent of vote by party

21,

ial b

hief justice is appo

advice of the

parties an

or PUP [Said MUSA];

party leader; Douglas

essure group

ion of Education and R

organization

FAO, G-77, IADB, IBR

IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,

OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN,

WHO, WIP

epresentatio

on: Ambassador

) general:

] (202)

: [1] (20

chusetts Avenue NW,

epresentatio

n: Ambassador R

Gabourel Lan

s: P. O. Box 2

501] 227-716

501] 2

descr

d stripe along the to

ite disk bearing the c

flanked by two worker

motto SUB UMBRA FLOR

the bottom, all encirc

omy

y - ov

ially private enterpr

one foreign exchange

ne products, banana

ary monetary and fisca

o GDP growth of 6.5%

% in 2002. Major conc

and foreign debt. A ke

of poverty with the

parity - $1.28 bi

eal gro

(2002

per

er parity - $4

griculture: 22.7% industry: 24

nt (gros

f GDP

below pov

1999

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

(2003

r fo

led labor and all type

ce - by o

ndustry 18%, servi

oyment

% (

s: $222

llion, including capi

n (200

, coca, citrus, sugar; fish, cu

ust

food processing, t

production

% (

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

ay (200

consum

l/day (2

- ex

(20

- im

(20

account

millio

ion f.o.b.

- comm

s, clothing, fish pro

s - pa

K 25%, Fran

ion f.o.b.

- comm

ort equipment, manuf

ceuticals; food,

s - pa

12.4%, UK 5.9%,

foreign exch

millio

- ext

lion (20

aid - r

ren

n dolla

ency

nge r

US dollar - 2 (2003),

), 2

al y

l - 31

cations

- main li

00 (

s - mobil

00 (

hone

sment: above-

k depends primarily on

ry code - 501; satel

(Atlant

oadcast

2, shortwa

000

broadcast

visi

00 (

t count

net h

3 (2

rvice Provi

net u

00 (

rtation

km paved: 488 km unpave

erw

le only by smal

and ha

ig Creek, Coro

ant m

00 GRT or over) 1,015

ther countries:

o 240, chemical tanker

, container 10, multi

anker 27, refrigerated

/passenger 1, sp

s 2, Belgium 1, Briti

, Cuba 2, Cyprus 1,

renada 1, Honduras 1,

ordan 1, South Korea 1

sle of Man 1, Marshall

a 2, Panama 15, Phili

t and the Grenadines 3

1, Thailand 3, Tunisia

1, United Sta

por

2003

with pave

to 2,4

o 1,5

4 m: 2 (

with unpa

al:

to 3,0

1,523

m: 26 (2

ary B

ry bra

(includes Army, Marit

teer

ervice; laws allow for conscription only if volunteers are insufficient; conscription has

npower - av

5-49: 68,51

er - fit for mi

5-49: 40,61

- reaching milit

,122 (20

enditures -

llion

nditures - pe

(20

onal Issu

- inter

ontinue to settle alon

um in 2002 created a s

Guatemalan maritime c

for disputed Sapodilla

ge, but agreement was

temala to continue to

Bel

cit

int for cocaine; small

international drug t

narcotics traffickin

ast updated on

=======================

uction

kgr

the site of Dahomey, a

he 15th century. The t

hieved independence o

succession of militar

power of Mathieu KEREK

on Marxist-Leninist

nment began in 1989.

former Prime Minist

first successful tran

a democracy. KEREKOU

6 and 2001, though so

aphy

ati

ring the Bight of Ben

hic coo

efere

112,6

2,000

110,62

compa

aller than

bound

: 1,9

ina Faso 306 km, Niger

o 6

stl

ime c

rial se

umid in south; s

ating plain; some hi

ion ex

nt: Atlant

nt: Mont So

l reso

deposits, limesto

8.08% permanent crops: 2

ated

km (199

al ha

ttan wind may affect

nt - curr

f potable water; poac

eforestation;

internationa

ty, Climate Change,

ation, Endangered Sp

dous Wastes, Law of

Ship Polluti

ified: none of the

aphy

ficult access to a c

ver mouths,

le B

ula

50,

his country explicitl

tality due to AIDS; t

er infant mortality a

rates, and changes i

sex than would other

4 e

stru

(male 1,711,075;

(male 1,802,990;

3% (male 68,890; fema

ian

: 16.

: 16

.9 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

gratio

1,000 populat

1.03 mal

ars: 1.02 m

s: 0.95 ma

over: 0.71

: 0.98 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

50.2

.39 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(2003

ople living w

(2003

DS - d

(200

fectious

r, malaria,

e of risk: ve

onal

se (singular

ive: B

ic g

ic groups, most impo

riba), Eur

igi

fs 50%, Christia

gua

on and Yoruba (most

uages (at least six

era

15 and over ca

opulati

: 26.5

nment

n conventional short form: Benin local short form: Ben

nment

rty democratic rule; d

tic reforms adopted Fe

system complet

fficial capital; Co

ern

rative d

ri, Atakora, Atlantiq

ittoral, Mono, O

pend

1960 (fro

nal h

Day, 1 Au

titu

mber

l sy

l law and customary

y ICJ jur

fra

of age;

tive

dent Mathieu KEREKOU

t is both the chief

ern

esident Mathieu KEREKO

t is both the chief

ern

f Ministers appoin

eelected by popular vo

2 March 2001 (next to

nking contenders foll

s were: Mathieu KEREK

rmer president) 27.1

aker) 12.6%, and Bruno

d-round balloting, ori

tponed four days be

leging electoral fraud

nister of State, AMOUS

endly

hieu KEREKOU reelecte

EREKOU 84.1%, Br

ative

Assembly or Assemble

direct popular vote t

cent of vote by party

52, opposition (PRB, P

part

0 March 2003 (next to

ial b

or Cour Constitutionn

e; High Cou

parties an

r Renewal or DUNYA

y and Progress or MAD

l Democratic Party or

tic Forces [Gatien H

[Adrien HOUNGBEDJI];

AFIA [Jerome Sakia KIN

[Bertin BORNA]; Key F

t (UBF, MADEP, FC, I

Party du Benin or PRB

e E'toile) [Sacca LAFI

UBF [Brun

tely 20 additio

essure group

organization

ECOWAS, Entente, FAO,

M, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC

O (correspondent), ITU

UN, UN Security Counci

UNOCI, UPU, WADB (regi

WIPO, WMO

r Cyrille Segbe OGUIN FAX: [1] (202) 265-1996 telephone: [1] (20

ayne NEILL embassy: Rue Caporal Bernard Anani, Cotonou mailing addres

descr

ands of yellow (top) a

d on the

omy

y - ov

remains underdevelo

re, cotton production

t has averaged a sta

ation rise has offset

d over the past sever

rther, Benin plans to

ore emphasis on tou

food processing sys

rage new informatio

privatization polic

ter, electricity, and

reluctance. The Par

he external debt situa

structura

parity - $7.742 b

eal gro

(2003

per

er parity - $1

griculture: 36.4% industry: 14

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

2001

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

(2003

r fo

(19

oyment

: $698.9

illion, including capi

ture -

(tapioca), yams, bea

tock

ust

ssing, chemical prod

ials

production

(2001

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

lion kW

prod

/day (2

consum

bl/day (

- ex

(20

- im

(20

roved r

on bbl (1 J

s - proved

on cu m (1

account

millio

on f.o.b.

- comm

oil, palm pr

s - pa

8%, Thailand 6.8%, G

ia 4.1%

on f.o.b.

- comm

ital goods, pet

s - pa

4.9%, UK 4.7%, Cote d

% (

foreign exch

illion

- ext

illion

aid - r

million

ren

Africaine franc (XOF

entral Bank of the

ency

nge r

Africaine francs (XOF)

), 733.039 (2001), 71

al y

ndar

icatio

- main li

00 (

s - mobil

200

hone

assess

m of open-wire, micr

ar con

ry code - 229; satel

an); fiber optic subma

ectivity to E

oadcast

, shortwav

000

broadcast

visi

00 (

t count

net h

rvice Provi

net u

00 (

ortati

km narrow gauge: 578

hwa

: 6,7

(including 10 km

5,430 km

erw

Niger along north

and ha

u, Por

ant m

por

003

with pave

,437 m: 1

with unpa

to 3,0

to 2,4

523 m: 2

tary

ry bra

s: Army, Na

voluntary military service; in practice, volunteers may be taken at the age of 18; b

npower - av

e 15-49:

5-49: 1,647,8

er - fit for mi

e 15-49:

15-49: 835,6

- reaching milit

s: 7

81,841 (2

enditures -

millio

nditures - pe

% (

ional Is

- inter

dispute along the bor

f moving boundary pill

ipoint with Nigeria, r

been selected to rule

several villages along

; a joint boundary c

with Togo to verify

oundary

cit

for narcotics asso

ions and most commonl

lnerable to money lau

inancial in

ast updated on

=======================

uction

kgr

led in 1609 by shipwre

ourism to the island t

d in Victorian times.

d's economy, although

recent years. Bermud

fshore financial cen

as soundly def

aphy

ati

of islands in the Nor

h Carol

hic coo

N, 6

efere

h Am

: 53.

r: 0

53.3

compa

d the size of

bound

stl

orial sea: 12 nm exclus

umid; gales, strong

rated by ferti

ion ex

nt: Atlant

oint: Tow

l reso

sant climate fo

nt crops: 0% other: 80% (55% devel

ated

al ha

s (June t

nt - curr

ter pollution; preser

able de

aphy

coral islands and isle

shwater lakes; some

t from 19

le B

ula

(July 2

stru

.1% (male 6,19

.3% (male 22,26

.7% (male 3,295; fema

ian

: 39.

38.3

.1 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

)/1,000 popula

1.02 mal

ears: 1 ma

s: 0.98 ma

over: 0.77

: 0.96 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,000

hs/1,000 live bi

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

75.5

.7 years (

ertilit

n born/woma

adult preva

ople living w

DS - d

: Bermudian(s) ad

ic g

white 36%

igi

ant 39%, Anglican 27

gua

fficial),

era

15 and over ca

opulati

99% (1

ment B

form: none conventional short fo

ency s

territory

nment

ish overseas terri

gover

rative d

ipalities*; Devonshire

t George*, Saint Geor

mpton,

pend

eas territo

nal h

a Day,

titu

, amended 1

l sy

lis

fra

of age;

tive

en ELIZABETH II (si

nor Sir John VEREKER

emier Alex SCOTT (sinc

r Ewar

ated by the premier, a

monarch is hereditary

g legislative electio

leader of the majori

remier by t

ative

consists of the Sen

nor, the premier, and

seats; members are ele

to five-y

l election held 24 Jul

uly

cent of vote by party

arty - PLP

ial b

ourt of Appeal;

parties an

ty or GLP [Gavin Sund

Dessaline WALDRON]; Pr

r SCOTT]; United Berm

BON

essure group

ion [Eddie SAINTS]; B

S]; Bermuda Public Ser

nion of Teachers

organization

ICFTU, Interpol (subb

ibbean Financial

epresentatio

eas territo

l, 16 Middle Road, Devonshire DVO3 mailing address: P. O. Box HM325, Hamilton HMBX; American Consulate General Hamilton, Department

descr

the UK in the upper

arms (white and green

hield showing the si

1609) centered on the

my Be

y - ov

the highest per capita

S. Its economy is prim

international busines

fects of 11 Septembe

ramifications for Be

reinsurance companie

g to the expansion

ss sector. On the ne

ch derives over 80% of

as American tourists

ewhat in 2002-03. Mos

d. Bermuda's industr

continues to be import

ad risen to $976,000.

the land be

parity - $2.33 bi

eal gro

2003

per

r parity - $36,

agriculture: 1% industry: 1

below pov

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

mid-20

r fo

70 (

ers 17%, clerical 22%, professional and technical 17%, adminis

oyment

2002

: $671.1

illion, including capi

on (F

ture -

es, citrus, flowe

ust

ional business, l

production

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

ay (200

consum

l/day (2

- ex

(20

- im

(20

illion

- comm

of pharm

s - pa

orway 13.8%,

billion

- comm

port equipment, con

food and

s - pa

%, France 32.5%

- ext

llion (

aid - r

ren

an doll

ency

nge r

US dollar - 1.0000 (f

dol

al y

l - 31

cations

- main li

00 (

s - mobil

73 (

hone

assessme

, fully automati

code - 1-441; 3 subma

- 3 Intelsat

oadcast

, shortwav

00 (

broadcast

visi

00 (

t count

net h

1 (2

rvice Provi

(20

net u

00 (

rtation

hwa

l: 4

d: 4

- 209 km; private r

ved:

and ha

aint George

ant m

0 GRT or over) 4,845,

ia 5, Germany 2, Gre

, Switzerland 1, Unit

tes

other countrie

o 4, container 17, liq

refrigerated cargo 11

ea/pass

por

003

unways: total: 1 2,438

ary B

ry bra

da Re

enditures -

millio

nditures - pe

(FY0

ary -

e responsibil

onal Issu

internati

ast updated on

=======================

uction

kgr

Bhutan signed the Tre

eive an annual subsidy

r British influence, a

er, a treaty was sign

re in Bhutanese inter

ect its foreign affair

a after 1947. Two y

returned the areas o

e annual subsidies the

sibilities in defense

100,000 Bhutanese in N

e housed in seven Unit

er for Refugees

aphy

ati

a, between C

hic coo

N, 9

efere

47,00

r: 0

47,000

compa

the size

,075 km border countries:

stl

(land

ime c

(land

outhern plains; cool

evere winters and coo

with some fertile

ion ex

nt: Drangm

nt: Kula Ka

l reso

ower, gypsum,

.09% permanent crops: 0.

ated

km (199

al ha

he Himalayas are the

s as Land of the Thu

during the

nt - curr

imited access t

internationa

ty, Climate Change,

gered Species,

ot ratified:

aphy

location between Chi

Himalayan mo

le B

other estimates range as low

stru

% (male 445,548;

6% (male 637,637

% (male 44,298; fema

ian

: 20.

: 20

.3 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

1,000 populat

1.05 mal

ars: 1.08 m

s: 1.06 ma

over: 1.02

: 1.07 male(s)/f

mortali

6 deaths/1,0

aths/1,000 live b

deaths/1,00

ectancy

ulation:

54.2

.68 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

n 0.1% (

ople living w

n 100 (1

DS - d

onal

ese (singula

ive: B

ic g

palese 35% (includes

ic groups), indigenou

igi

, Indian- and Nepalese

gua

, Bhotes speak vari

k various Nep

era

15 and over ca

opulati

28.1% (1

nment

try

long form: Ki

al short f

nment

l treaty relatio

rative d

ag, singular and plur

gphug, Ha, Lhuntshi, M

rup Jongkhar, Shemgan

Wangdi

two new districts n

pend

1949 (f

nal h

ANGCHUCK became first

ber (

titu

n or bill of rights; n

ting of a constitutio

ft to the Counc

l sy

and English common l

y ICJ jur

fra

te in village-level el

islature passed a

tive

Jigme Singye WANGCHUC

onarch is hereditary,

e National Assembly a

ith two-t

hairman of the Counci

A (since 20

nisters (Lhengye Shung

the National Assembly

e - there is also a

members nominate

ative

ssembly or Tshogdu (1

ncies, 10 represent re

monarch to represent

s; members serve

ions last held Novembe

on res

ial b

l (the monarch); High

e mon

parties an

gal p

essure group

ic Nepalese organizat

n; Indian merchant com

acy (e

organization

IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IF

OPCW (signatory), SA

WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO,

epresentatio

as a Permanent Missio

27th Floor, New York,

] (212) 826-2998; the

lar jurisdic

s) general

o formal diplomatic relations, although informal contact is mai

descr

rom the lower hoist

the lower triangle is

large black and white

hois

omy

y - ov

he world's smallest a

nd forestry, which pro

he population. Agricul

d animal husbandry. Ru

he building of roads a

e. The economy is clos

and monetary links an

. The industrial sec

roduction of the cott

such as road constru

s hydropower potential

rces. Model education,

with support from mu

economic program t

to protect the count

For example, the gove

ist sector encourages

cientious visitors.

areas like industrial

inue to hamper f

parity - $2.7 b

eal gro

(2002

per

er parity - $1

agriculture: 45% industry:

below pov

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

2002

r fo

ack of skilled

ce - by o

ndustry and commer

oyment

s: $146

of India finances n

t expenditures

llion, including capi

ture -

s, citrus, foodgrains

ust

s, processed fruits,

um ca

production

(1996

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

lion kW

city -

ion kWh

prod

ay (200

consum

l/day (2

- ex

(20

- im

(20

on f.o.b.

- comm

a), cardamom, gypsum

t, precious

s - pa

, US 11.7%, Mala

on c.i.f.

- comm

rain, machinery and pa

s - pa

14.2%, Sweden 8.3%, C

Germany 5.5%,

- ext

illion

aid - r

d from India a

ren

TN); Indian

ency

nge r

r - 46.5806 (2003), 4

416 (2000),

al y

y - 3

cations

- main li

00 (

s - mobil

0 (2

hone

assess

telephone service i

hones

ry code - 975; inter

by landline through I

was plan

oadcast

, shortwav

00 (

broadcast

visi

00 (

t count

net h

rvice Provi

net u

00 (

rtation

km paved: 2,240 km unpa

and ha

por

003

with pave

,437 m: 1

with unpa

523 m: 1

ary B

ry bra

, Royal Bodyguard

ligation: 18 years of age for voluntary

npower - av

-49: 544,560

er - fit for mi

-49: 290,843

- reaching milit

3,379 (2

enditures -

millio

nditures - pe

% (

onal Issu

- inter

Bhutanese refugees l

N Office of the High C

ecades-long st

ast updated on

=======================

uction

kgr

ndependence fighter Si

1825; much of its s

s of nearly 200 coup

ic civilian rule was e

ficult problems of dee

duction. Current goa

rengthening the educat

wers over Bolivia's co

nticorrupti

aphy

ati

America, south

hic coo

S, 6

efere

h Am

1,098,5

14,19

,084,39

compa

an three times t

bound

: 6,7

ntina 832 km, Brazil 3

750 km, P

stl

(land

ime c

(land

; humid and tropical

with a highland plate

ins of the

ion ex

nt: Rio Pa

t: Nevado Sa

l reso

troleum, zinc, tungs

gold, timber

.67% permanent crops: 0.

ated

q km (1

al ha

he northeast

nt - curr

nd for agricultura

for tropical timber

rosion from overgrazi

ash-and-burn agricult

industrial pollution

ing and i

internationa

ty, Climate Change,

ion, Endangered Specie

ping, Ozone Layer Prot

83, Tropical Tim

ied: Environmental Mo

, Ozone Laye

aphy

ontrol of Lago Titic

(elevation 3,80

le B

ula

6 (July

stru

(male 1,619,950;

% (male 2,522,086

% (male 175,193; femal

ian

: 21.

20.4

.8 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

)/1,000 populat

1.05 mal

ars: 1.04 m

s: 0.96 ma

over: 0.81

: 0.98 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

62.5

.86 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(2003

ople living w

(200

DS - d

n 500 (2

onal

Boli

ive: B

ic g

(mixed white and Amer

25%, wh

igi

, Protestant (Evan

gua

Quechua (official)

era

15 and over ca

opulati

81.6% (2

ment B

try

ong form: Repu

al short f

ort form

orm: Republi

nment

rnment); Sucre (lega

ici

rative d

mentos, singular - dep

az, Oruro, Pando, Poto

pend

1825 (f

nal h

e Day, 6 Au

titu

67; revised i

l sy

w and Napoleonic Co

y ICJ jur

fra

ersal and compulsory

al and compu

tive

ident Carlos Diego M

esident (vacant); note

state and hea

resident Carlos Diego

esident (vacant); note

state and hea

et appointed b

nd vice president elec

ve-year terms; electio

e held NA

result of no candidat

ion, Gonzalo SANCHEZ D

ngress; Congressional

84, Evo MORALES 43;

lected president on

ego MESA Gisbert as

ative

ongress or Congreso

r Camara de Senadores

al representation fro

hamber of Deputies or

ly elected from thei

al representation fro

year

Senators and Chamber o

next to be hel

ber of Senators - perc

NR 11, MAS 8, MIR 5, N

of vote by party - N

MIR 26, NFR

ial b

Suprema (judges appoi

; District Courts (on

ocal courts (to

parties an

ange or FSB [Romel PAN

ERNANDEZ]; Free Bolivi

yacucho Institutional

the Revolutionary L

ard Socialism or MAS

[Juan DEL GRANADO];

e Fernando QUIROGA

or MNR [leader NA]; N

LLA]; Pachakuti Indig

cialist Party or PS

essure group

igenous organization

pesino Workers of Bo

organization

IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt

Interpol, IOC, IOM, IS

associate), MIGA, MINU

CA, RG, UN, UNAMSIL,

UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO,

epresentatio

: Ambassador Jai

(s): Wash

al: Miami, New Yor

] (202)

: [1] (20

chusetts Avenue NW,

NLEE embassy: Avenida Arce 2780, San Jorge, La Paz mailing address: P. O. Box 425

descr

l bands of red (top),

red on the yellow band

rge black five-pointe

low

my Bo

y - ov

he poorest and least d

iderable progress in

t-oriented economy. Su

93-97) included the s

o and becoming an as

arket (Mercosur), as w

telephone company, r

any. Growth slowed in

udget policies, wh

i-poverty programs, an

. In 2000, major civil

ia's GDP failed to gr

aggard domestic activ

the first quarter of 2

loss of confidence in

endent on foreign aid

bstantial natu

parity - $21.01 b

eal gro

(2003

per

er parity - $2

agriculture: 15% industry: 33

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

1999

by percentage share: lowest 10

f family incom

7 (

ate (consum

(2003

r fo

llion

ce - by o

A, industry N

oyment

ead underempl

: $2.346

illion, including capi

ture -

a, cotton, corn, suga

ust

etroleum, food and

afts, c

production

% (

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

ion kW

city -

ion kW

prod

bl/day (

consum

bl/day (

- ex

(20

- im

(20

roved r

on bbl (1 J

gas - pr

ion cu m

gas - co

ion cu m

gas -

on cu m (

gas -

(2001

s - proved

on cu m (1

account

llion

ion f.o.b.

- comm

al gas, zinc, g

s - pa

12.9%, Colombia 11.9

ion f.o.b.

- comm

aterials and semi-ma

leum,

s - pa

a 22.3%, US 12%, Chile

foreign exch

billion

- ext

illion (

aid - r

illion

ren

iano

ency

nge r

llar - 7.6592 (2003)

35 (2000), 5

al y

ndar

cations

- main li

100

s - mobil

,500

hone

w subscribers face bur

ncentrated in La Paz a

phone use exp

nk system, which is b

o relay; some areas ar

llular systems a

ry code - 591; satel

(Atlant

oadcast

73, shortwa

illion

broadcast

(19

visi

000

t count

net h

0 (2

rvice Provi

net u

000

rtation

km narrow gauge: 3,519

hwa

: 53,

(including 13 km

0,294 km (

erw

mmercially na

eli

petroleum gas 47 km;

; unknown (oil/wa

and ha

the Paraguay/Para

); also, Bolivia has

Argentina, Brazil,

ant m

000 GRT or over) 41

26, chemical tanker 4

ional large load carri

2, roll on/roll off 1

lized

other countrie

ina 1, British Virgin

ypt 1, Eritrea 1, Ger

ran 1, Italy 2, Latvia

and Nevis 1, Saint Vin

gapore 3, Syria 1, Tur

tates 3,

por

(200

ver 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 t

3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m:

ary B

ry bra

ano), Navy (Fuerza Na

Fuerza Aere

falls short of goal, compulsory recruitment is effected, including conscription of boys as young as 14; one estimate holds that

npower - av

-49: 2,175,3

er - fit for mi

-49: 1,417,8

- reaching milit

8,155 (2

enditures -

illion

nditures - pe

% (

onal Issu

- inter

aim to restore the Ata

ure sovereign maritim

ura

cit

cultivator of coca (af

50 hectares under cult

2002; intermediate co

r through Brazil, Ar

markets; eradicatio

A administration have

s to increase cultiva

arcotics trade, espec

zil and

ast updated on

=======================

and He

n Bosnia an

kgr

na's declaration of

a declaration of indep

1992 after a referen

erbs - supported by

with armed resistance

nic lines and joining

March 1994, Bosniaks

ions from three to two

ak/Croat Federation of

n Dayton, Ohio, the wa

brought to a halt thr

l agreement was signed

reement retained Bos

ries and created a j

. This national gover

plomatic, and fiscal p

government comprised

Bosniak/Croat Feder

osnian Serb-led Repub

ernments were charged

The Office of the Hi

versee the implement

ment. In 1995-96, a

IFOR) of 60,000 troo

the military aspects

aller, NATO-led Stabi

deter renewed hosti

EUFOR) replaced SFOR

n peace and stability

Bosnia and

ati

, bordering the Adr

hic coo

N, 1

efere

51,12

r: 0

51,129

compa

aller than

m border countries: Croatia 932

stl

ime c

ta av

winters; areas of hig

, severe winters; mil

ns and

ion ex

nt: Adriat

oint: Mag

l reso

ite, copper, lead, z

ay, gypsum, salt, san

3.6% permanent crops: 2.

ated

km (19

al ha

tive ea

nt - curr

tallurgical plants; s

ited; water shortag

e of the 1992-95 civi

internationa

on, Biodiversity, Cli

ea, Marine Life Cons

tion,

ified: none of the

aphy

egovina's recognized b

Bosniak/Croat Federat

snian Serb-led Republ

the region called Her

and Montenegro (Monten

n ethnic Croat majori

b majority

snia and

ula

8 (July

stru

% (male 389,062;

% (male 1,447,725

5% (male 180,801; fema

ian

: 35.

35.5

.2 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

)/1,000 popula

1.07 mal

ars: 1.06 m

s: 1.05 ma

over: 0.75

: 1.01 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,00

ectancy

ulation:

69.8

.51 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

n 0.1% (

ople living w

2003

DS - d

2001

onal

an(s), Herz

Bosnian, He

ic g

k 48%, Croat 14.3%

aced Muslim as an ethn

ligious term Muslim -

igi

ox 31%, Roman Cath

gua

Croatia

era

niti

popula

ale

Bosnia and

try

nal long

ort form: Bosni

ong for

ublic of Bosnia and

Bosnia and

form: Bosna

nment

eral democra

rative d

strative divisions a

- Brcko district (B

on of Bosnia and Herze

e Bosnian Serb-led Re

northeastern Bosnia a

gnty of Bosnia and Her

internationa

pend

ugoslavia; referendu

2; independence was d

nal h

ay, 25 Nov

titu

, signed 14 December

rce; note - each of th

onsti

l sy

civil l

fra

of age,

tive

irman of the Presid

tober 2004; presidenc

bers of the three-memb

agan COVIC (since 5 Oc

e 5 October 2002 - B

esigned 2

members of the presid

lected by popular vote

st votes becomes the c

irman at the time of

every eight months;

be held NA 2006); the

nted by the presidenc

use of Repr

Chairman of the Coun

nce 20 Dec

inisters nominated by

National House o

ent of vote - Mirko SA

chairman of the collec

agan COVIC received 61

received 37% of

e Federation of Bosni

uary 2003); Vice Presi

snica RADIVOJEVIC (sin

ska: Dragan CAVIC (s

ative

ary Assembly or Skup

esentatives or Predsta

l representation, 28 s

nd Herzegovina and 14

ed by popular vote to

les or Dom Naroda (15

s elected by the Bosn

ives and the Republi

r-year terms); note -

r terms for the st

division enti

ional House of Repres

on - SDA 21.9%, SDS 1

Z 9.5%, PDP 4.6%, ot

10, SDS 5, SBiH 6, SDP

Peoples - percent of v

y party/coa

use of Representatives

be held in NA 2006); H

ry 2003 (next to be

t Federation has a bic

Representatives (98 s

e four-year terms);

be held NA October 200

arty/coalition - SDA 3

a House of Peoples (6

ed December 2002; the

seats; members elect

; elections last held

2006); percent of vot

DS 26, SNSD 19, PDP 9,

3, others 6; as a

process, a 28-member R

established in the Re

ituent nation and "o

ega

ial b

urt (consists of nine

e Bosniak/Croat Fe

members by the Republ

on-Bosnian members by

n Rights); BiH State C

ions - Administrative,

over cases related t

over cases initiated

ber may be added

h have a Supreme Court

rts; there are 10 c

ber of municipal court

municip

parties an

nt Social Democrats o

[Mirnes AJANOVIC]; Civ

; Croatian Democrati

[Barisa COLAK]; Croa

rzegovina or HKDU [Mij

P [Zdravko HRISTIC];

ocratic National Union

ty or LDS [Rasim KADIC

K]; Party for Bosnia

arty of Democratic A

cratic Progress or PD

S [Dragan CAVIC - acti

a or SRS-RS [Milanko M

selj or SRS-VS [Radis

BIH or SDP [Zlatko

U [Miro LAZOVIC]; Soci

SPRS [Pe

essure group

organization

AO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD,

IMO, Interpol, IOC, IO

st), OAS (observer),

CO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UPU,

(obse

epresentatio

on: Ambassador

Street NW, Wash

] (202)

s) general

: [1] (20

ANEY embassy: Alipasina 43, 71000 Sarajevo mailing address: use street address telep

descr

ertical band on the

utting the band and t

is medium blue with

lf stars top and botto

e tri

snia and H

y - ov

ranked next to The Fo

orest republic in the

s almost all in privat

he republic traditiona

n greatly overstaffed,

ructure of Yugoslavia

y industries in the re

number of Yugoslavia'

n Bosnia caused produ

unemployment to soar.

d in 1996-99 at high p

growth slowed in 2000

n 2003-04. National-

icial data do not capt

The konvertibilna mar

rrency introduced in

ntral Bank of Bosnia

ed its reserve holdi

er, has been slow, a

ational-level institu

all the Communist-era

ntry receives subs

istance and humani

ity but will have to

ng assi

parity - $24.31 b

eal gro

(2003

per

er parity - $6

agriculture: 13% industry: 40

below pov

2004

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

(2003

r fo

millio

ce - by o

A, industry N

oyment

2002

: $3.271

illion, including capi

ture -

ruits, vegetab

ust

e, lead, zinc, manga

obacco products, wood

domestic appliances

production

(2003

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

llion kW

city -

llion kW

prod

ay (200

consum

bl/day (

- ex

(20

- im

(20

gas - pr

(2001

gas - co

on cu m (

gas -

(2001

gas -

on cu m (

account

billio

ion f.o.b.

- comm

othing, wo

s - pa

18.3%, Germany 17.1%,

% (

on f.o.b.

- comm

ipment, chemicals

s - pa

a 14.7%, Germany 13.7%

stria 6.

foreign exch

billion

- ext

illion

aid - r

lion (20

ren

ency

nge r

1.7329 (2003), 1.7329

000), 1.8

al y

ndar

ns Bosnia an

- main li

000

s - mobil

illion

hone

telephone and tele

nsion; many urban area

vices in other form

stic

ry code - 387; no sa

oadcast

6, shortwa

000

broadcast

repeaters) (S

visi

t count

net h

4 (2

rvice Provi

net u

000

on Bosnia an

lwa

km (795 km

1,021 km 1.435

km paved: 11,424 km unpa

erw

border) open to shi

ment with neighbori

and ha

sanski Brod, Bosanski

y ports on the

ant m

por

2003

with pave

to 3,0

to 2,4

4 m: 3 (

with unpa

al:

m: 11 (2

to 2,4

o 1,5

ipo

003

osnia and

ry bra

air defense forces ar

S Army (the air and

commands wit

in times of war; 18 years of age for Republika Srpska; 17 years of age for voluntary military service in the Federation and in the Republika Srpska; by law, m

npower - av

-49: 1,133,8

er - fit for mi

-49: 898,451

- reaching milit

0,130 (2

enditures -

million

nditures - pe

% (

Issues Bosnia

- inter

a and Serbia and Mont

, but sections along t

continue with Croat

he Una River and villa

ese

nternally disp

an Croats, Serbs, an

95 war)

cit

r marijuana and opiate

ins highly vulnerabl

rily cash-based and un

t and instance

ast updated on

=======================

tsw

ction B

kgr

rotectorate of Bechuan

independence in 19

leadership, progressi

vestment have created

ineral extraction, pri

ivity, though tourism

servation practices

as one of the world's

ut also one of Africa

grams for dealing

phy Bo

ati

ica, north o

hic coo

S, 2

efere

600,3

15,00

585,37

compa

smaller t

bound

: 4,0

bia 1,360 km, South Af

stl

(land

ime c

(land

rm winters a

gently rolling tablela

thw

ion ex

on of the Limpopo an

t: Tsodilo H

l reso

kel, salt, soda ash,

.65% permanent crops: 0.

ated

km (19

al ha

easonal August winds

st across the countr

ibi

nt - curr

ification; limited

internationa

ty, Climate Change,

ion, Endangered Specie

one Layer Prot

ified: none of the

aphy

concentrated in easte

e Bot

ula

61,

his country explicitl

tality due to AIDS; t

er infant mortality a

rates, and changes i

sex than would other

4 e

stru

% (male 310,282;

2% (male 424,613

6% (male 30,896; fema

ian

: 19.

18.5

.9 years (

ion gro

(2004

1,000 populat

gratio

1,000 populat

1.03 mal

ars: 1.03 m

s: 0.94 ma

over: 0.76

: 0.96 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

30.9

.53 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(200

ople living w

0 (200

DS - d

(2003

fectious

fever,

ree of risk

onal

(singular), B

ana (singular),

ic g

9%, Kalanga 11%, Basar

di and

igi

eliefs 85%,

gua

official)

era

15 and over ca

opulati

82.4% (2

ment B

try

ong form: Repu

l short for

: Bech

nment

entary

rative d

r town councils*; C

Kgalagadi, Kgatleng

st, Selebi-Pikwe*,

pend

ber 1966

nal h

(Botswana Day), 3

titu

ffective 30 S

l sy

law and local customa

interpretation; has

urisd

fra

of age;

tive

dent Festus MOGAE (si

e Ian KHAMA (since 13

he chief of state a

esident Festus MOGAE (

e Ian KHAMA (since 13

he chief of state a

et appointed b

t elected by the Na

on last held 16 Octobe

ice president appoi

stus MOGAE elected p

ssembly vo

ative

consists of the House

ody consisting of th

elected subchiefs, an

rs) and the National

lected by popular vote

ty; members serv

ssembly elections las

held NA Oc

ent of vote by party -

BNF 12

ial b

Appeal; Magistrates

tri

parties an

Party or BDP [Serets

[Otswoletse MOUPO]; Bo

IPULA]; Botswana All

Lepetu SE

or parties joined for

re any parliamentary

on Party [Ephraim Le

arty or IFP [Motsamai

e Union [D

essure group

organization

, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, I

ILO, IMF, Interpol, I

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNID

WMO, W

epresentatio

Ambassador Lapol

ew Hampshire Avenue N

] (202)

: [1] (20

seph HUGGINS embassy: address NA, Gaborone mailing address: Embassy En

with a horizontal white-edg

my Bo

y - ov

ed one of the world's

1966. Through fiscal

as transformed itself

to a middle-income co

Two major investment

k in Africa. Diamond m

ently accounts for mor

of export earnings.

ising are other key se

deal with high rates

officially is 21%, b

. HIV/AIDS infection r

en Botswana's impres

e overshadowed by the

mining p

parity - $14.2 bi

eal gro

(2003

per

er parity - $9

ture: 4% industry: 48.7% (including

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

2002

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

(2003

r fo

al sector em

ce - by o

oyment

l rate is 21

: $3.263

illion, including capi

ic d

GDP

ture -

aize, millet, beans,

ust

ickel, salt, soda a

sing;

production

(2003

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

llion kW

prod

ay (200

consum

bl/day (

- ex

(20

- im

(20

account

illion

ion f.o.b.

- comm

, nickel, soda a

s - pa

Association (EFTA) 8

(SACU) 7%, Zim

ion f.o.b.

- comm

y, electrical goods,

troleum products, woo

d metal

s - pa

oms Union (SACU) 74%,

foreign exch

billio

- ext

illion

aid - r

llion

ren

a (

ency

nge r

4.9499 (2003), 6.3278

000), 4.6

al y

l - 31

cations

- main li

400

s - mobil

000

hone

the system is expand

ce and participation

m of open-wire lines,

iotelephone communic

ervice is

y code - 267; two int

io relay links to Nam

lite earth station - 1

oadcast

3, shortwa

720

broadcast

visi

00 (

t count

net h

0 (2

rvice Provi

(20

net u

00 (

rtation

km narrow gauge: 888

7 km paved: 5,619 km u

and ha

por

2003

with pave

al:

to 3,0

to 2,4

523 m: 1

with unpa

al:

to 2,4

1,523

m: 18 (2

ary B

ry bra

e Force (includ

apparent age of voluntary military service; the official qu

npower - av

-49: 381,801

er - fit for mi

-49: 202,176

- reaching milit

0,651 (2

enditures -

million

nditures - pe

% (

onal Issu

- inter

ion with Namibia to r

rivi Strip, including

ver; downstream Botsw

truction of the Okavan

); Botswana, Namibia,

ce is not clearly

ast updated on

=======================

vet

tion Bou

kgr

canic island is almo

ult to approach. It wa

after whom the island

the British flag was r

vor of Norway, which h

In 1971, Bouvet Isl

re designated a natur

omated meteorological

hy Bouv

ati

tlantic Ocean, southw

South

hic coo

S, 3

efere

ctic

: 58.

r: 0

58.5

compa

s the size of

bound

stl

ime c

rial se

arc

ast is mostl

ion ex

: South Atla

int: Olav

l reso

% permanent crops: 0% ot

ated

m (199

al ha

nt - curr

aphy

al ice; declared

Bouve

ninhabited (J

nt Bouve

try

nal long

short form:

ency s

administered by the P

ustice and Po

l sy

rway, where ap

descr

of Norw

Bouvet

economic activity; de

tions Bou

t count

cations

meteorolog

ation Bou

s: none; offshor

y Bouve

efense is the resp

al Issues B

internati

ast updated on

=======================

uction

kgr

ies under the rule of

in 1822. By far the la

ca, Brazil overcame mo

ion in the governance

me peacefully ceded po

ursue industrial and

erior. Exploiting vast

s today South America'

Highly unequal income

ing p

aphy

ati

rica, bordering t

hic coo

S, 5

efere

h Am

8,511,9

,456,51

lago de Fernando de No

s Martin Vaz, and Pene

55,45

compa

smaller t

bound

: 14,

entina 1,224 km, Boli

a 673 km, Guyana 1,119

e 597 km, Uruguay 985

stl

shelf: 200 nm or to edge of the continental margin c

al, but tempe

ng lowlands in north

and narrow

ion ex

nt: Atlant

t: Pico da N

l reso

re, manganese, nickel

petroleum, hyd

6.96% permanent crops:

ated

q km (19

al ha

northeast; floods an

nt - curr

n Basin destroys the h

animal species indige

l wildlife trade; air

aulo, and several oth

er pollution caused

and degradation;

internationa

vironmental Protocol,

eals, Antarctic Treaty

-Kyoto Protocol, Deser

l Modification, Hazar

Ozone Layer Protect

Tropical Timber 94

ified: none of the

aphy

uth America; shares c

can country excep

le B

ula

,10

count in August 20

,170; that figure was

Census Bureau, and i

.6% for the 1991 cens

e into account the eff

result in lower life e

ates, lower populatio

ution of population by

expected (J

stru

(male 24,915,902;

(male 61,739,012;

8% (male 4,389,659; f

ian

: 27.

26.7

.2 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

)/1,000 populat

1.05 mal

ars: 1.04 m

s: 0.98 ma

over: 0.7 m

: 0.98 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

67.4

.57 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(2003

ople living w

0 (200

DS - d

(2003

onal

Brazil

ive: B

ic g

uese, German, Italian,

38%, black 6%, other (

indi

igi

holic (no

gua

icial), Spanish

era

15 and over ca

opulati

86.6% (2

nment

try

form: Federative

al short f

ort form

: Republica Fed

nment

tive r

rative d

singular - estado) a

cre, Alagoas, Amapa,

pirito Santo, Goias,

nas Gerais, Para, Para

o, Rio Grande do Nor

nta Catarina, Sao Pau

pend

r 1822 (fr

nal h

Day, 7 Sept

titu

tobe

l sy

has not accepted compu

fra

and 18 years of age a

ears of age; note - mi

tive

ident Luiz Inacio LU

esident Jose ALENCAR (

t is both the chief

ern

runoff election 27 Oc

s elected with 61.3%

B) 3

nd vice president elec

our-year terms; elect

1 October 2006, with

; runoff election

et appointed b

resident Luiz Inacio

esident Jose ALENCAR (

t is both the chief

ern

ative

ngress or Congresso N

do Federal (81 seats;

trict elected accordi

ght-year terms; one-

o-thirds elected aft

er of Deputies or Cam

cted by proportional r

year

ral Senate - percent o

, PFL 19, PT 14, PSDB

P 1; Chamber of Deputi

party - PT 91, PFL 8

22, PDT 21, PPS 15, P

congressmen have cha

most recen

ate - last held 6 Octo

be held NA October 20

puties - last held 6 O

Octobe

ial b

nal (11 ministers are

nfirmed by the Senat

ral Tribunals (judges

ted "for life," judg

a mandatory reti

parties an

ovement Party or PMDB

bor Party or PTB [Fe

n Social Democracy P

ilian Socialist Party

ist Party of Brazil or

or PDT [Carlos LUPI];

; Liberal Front Party

Party or PL [Federal

Reconstruction Party o

opular Socialist Party

gressive Party or PP

y or PT [Jose GENOINO]

or Jorge AB

essure group

vement; large farmer

ns; religious groups

ches and the C

organization

, G-24, G-77, IADB,

DA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS

O, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Me

OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PC

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR

C, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WC

238-2827 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and San Fr

Quadra 801, Lote 3, Distrito Federal Cep 70403-900, Brasilia mailing address: Unit 3500, APO AA 34030 telephone

descr

ellow diamond in the

7 white five-pointed s

ct) arranged in the sa

globe has a white equ

PROGRESSO (Ord

omy

y - ov

d well-developed ag

vice sectors, Brazil's

rican countries and is

2001-03 real wages fe

y 1.1% per year, as t

d international econo

without financial coll

ilian economy and the

ent CARDOSO and streng

llars of the economic

flation-targeting re

n reinforced by a seri

harply in 2001 and 200

ount adjustment: in 20

rded the first current

c management has be

ulnerabilities. The

vernment's largely d

2003, straining gove

(a mix of private and

modest (but growing

ing economic growth o

and make the governm

age

parity - $1.375 t

eal gro

(200

per

er parity - $7

griculture: 10.2% industry: 38

nt (gros

f GDP

below pov

1998

by percentage share: lowest 10

f family incom

7 (

ate (consum

% (2

r fo

llion (2

ce - by o

%, industry 24

oyment

(200

: $147.2

illion, including capi

ic d

of GDP

ture -

t, rice, corn, sugarca

ust

icals, cement, lumber

les and parts, other

production

(2003

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

; note - supplied

prod

on bbl/day

consum

on bbl/day

- ex

(20

- im

(20

roved r

on bbl (1 J

gas - pr

ion cu m

gas - co

ion cu m

gas -

(2001

gas -

ion cu m

s - proved

on cu m (1

account

billio

ion f.o.b.

- comm

iron ore, soybeans, f

s - pa

%, China 6%, Netherla

ion f.o.b.

- comm

and transport equipm

s - pa

, Germany 8.7%, Japan

foreign exch

billio

- ext

billion

aid - r

IMF disbur

ren

l (

ency

nge r

3.0771 (2003), 2.9208

000), 1.8

4 through 14 January 1

managed float; since

independently with re

al y

ndar

cations

- main li

millio

s - mobil

3,300

hone

sment: good w

icrowave radio relay

tem with 64 e

ry code - 55; 3 coax

ns - 3 Intelsat (Atlan

east), connected by m

sat B3 satellit

oadcast

twave 161 (of which 91

ons)

llion

broadcast

visi

illion

t count

net h

,349

rvice Provi

(20

net u

illion

rtation

lwa

km (1,610 km

km 1.600-m gauge

ge: 194 km 1

00-m and 1.600-m gauge

ified)

5 km 1.000-m gauge

9 km paved: 94,871 km unp

erw

as remote from industr

eli

gas 10,739 km; liquid

efined products

and ha

heus, Imbituba, Mana

Janeiro, Rio Grande, Sa

ant m

00 GRT or over) 2,961

o 22, chemical tanker

uefied gas 12, multi

argo 5, petroleum tank

-sea/pas

2, Germany 7, Monac

ther countries:

por

(200

047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 23 914 to 1,523 m: 461

over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 78 under 9

s: 417 (

ary B

ry bra

lian Navy (including

n Air Fo

r - military age

mpulsory military serv

; 17 years of age for

npower - av

49: 52,100,04

er - fit for mi

49: 34,799,09

- reaching milit

788,495 (

enditures -

4 millio

nditures - pe

% (

onal Issu

- inter

ergence of Argentina-

dering, smuggling, arm

xtremist organization

ertain islands in t

eams and the resulting

cit

nnabis; minor coca cul

tic consumption; gover

o control cannabis; i

Colombian and Peruvi

so used by trafficker

pments between Peru an

and weapons smugglin

and Peruvian cocain

zil are often laundere

icit financial activity

ast updated on

=======================

ndian Ocea

ritish Indian

kgr

ritory of the UK in

Territory (BIOT) isla

attained independence

y of the six main isla

e largest and most sou

a joint UK-US naval s

are uninhabited. Forme

the islands, were r

the Seychelles, betw

ourt ruling invalidate

ed them from the arch

ary status of

tish Indian O

ati

ian Ocean, south of In

Africa to

hic coo

S, 71

efere

l Map of

: 60

the entire Ch

r: 0

: 60

compa

s the size of

bound

stl

orial sea: 3 nm exclusi

hot, humid, moder

eas do not exceed fou

ion ex

nt: Indian

named location on

l reso

, fish,

: 0% permanent crops:

ated

m (199

al ha

nt - curr

aphy

00 islands; Diego

ccupies strategic loca

ite of joint US-UK

sh Indian Oc

ula

enous in

,200 former agricultu

, often referred to as

ritius and the Seyche

0 they were granted th

ling, though no timet

oximately 1,500 UK an

tractors living on the

2004

itish Indian

try

form: British Indi

nal short

iation

ency s

f the UK; administer

eign and Commonweal

l sy

e UK, where ap

tive

en ELIZABETH II (si

mmissioner Tony CROMBI

A. HAMILTON (since 200

the

monarch is heredita

r appointed

ine

epresentatio

eas territo

epresentatio

eas territo

descr

vy horizontal stripes;

e quadrant; the stripe

n centered on the ou

ish Indian O

y - ov

y is concentrated on

oint UK-US defense fa

and various services

are done by military

s, the Philippines, a

ural activities on the

eestablish sugarcane p

ity - pr

ctricity supplied

ity - co

British Indian

- main li

hone

eparate facilities fo

are av

al telephone services

on to th

national telephone s

lite

oadcast

, shortwav

broadcast

visi

t count

rvice Provi

British Indian

hwa

l: N

of paved road between

o Ga

ved:

and ha

o Ga

por

003

runways: total: 1 over

ish Indian Oc

ary -

nsibility of the UK;

expires

ues British India

- inter

lles claim the Chago

ho reside chiefly in

enship and the right

UK resists the Chago

e islands; repatriatio

lease of Diego Garcia

est island

ast updated on

=======================

h Virgi

n British V

kgr

Dutch in 1648, the is

he economy is closely

in Islands to the wes

curr

British Vi

ati

Caribbean Sea and the

f Puer

hic coo

N, 6

efere

rica and th

: 153

6 inhabited and more

udes the isla

r: 0

153

compa

s the size of

bound

stl

orial sea: 3 nm exclusi

temperatures moder

vely flat; volcanic

ion ex

nt: Caribb

int: Mount

l reso

20% permanent crops: 6.

ated

al ha

ropical storms (

(except for a few seasonal streams and springs on Tortola, most of

ties to nearby US Virgi

itish Vir

ula

(July 2

stru

.5% (male 2,40

.5% (male 8,395

5% (male 594; fem

ian

: 30.

31.1

.7 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

)/1,000 populat

1.05 mal

ars: 1.02 m

s: 1.06 ma

over: 1.13

: 1.06 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

75.2

.36 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

ople living w

DS - d

Virgin Islander(s) adject

ic g

ite, Indian,

igi

odist 33%, Anglican

6%, Baptist 4%, Jehova

olic 10%, none 2

gua

h (off

era

15 and over ca

ation: 97.8

ale

British Vir

try

nal long

ort form: Briti

viati

ency s

y of the UK; inte

nment

d T

rative d

eas territo

pend

eas territo

nal h

ry Day,

titu

une

l sy

lis

fra

of age;

tive

en ELIZABETH II (si

rnor Tom MACAN (sin

monarch is hereditary

g legislative electio

leader of the majori

ef minister b

ief Minister Orlando D

ncil appointed by the

islativ

ative

e Council (13 seats;

ne member from each of

bers; members ser

d 16 May 2003 (next

cent of vote by party

8, V

ial b

reme Court, consistin

of Appeal (one judge o

ands and presides o

uvenile Court; Court

parties an

Movement or CCM [Et

P [Orlando SMITH]; Uni

lands Party or VIP

essure group

organization

, CDB, Interpol (su

UNESCO (ass

epresentatio

eas territo

epresentatio

eas territo

descr

the UK in the upper h

at of arms centered in

depicts a woman flank

x oil lamps above a s

LATE (Be

itish Virg

y - ov

the most stable an

ependent on tourism, g

ncome. An estimated 3

he islands in 1998. To

luster US economy.

ing offshore registrat

islands, and incorpora

Roughly 400,000 compan

00. The adoption of a

h provides a blanket o

teways for investigati

e British Virgin Islan

ess. Livestock raising

poor soils limit the

ments. Because of tra

ands, the British Virg

ts currency

parity - $320 m

eal gro

2002

per

r parity - $16,

agriculture: 1.8% industry: 6

below pov

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

% (

r fo

1 (1

ce - by o

A, industry N

oyment

(19

: $121.5

illion, including capi

ture -

bles; livestoc

ust

stry, construction,

financi

production

ity - pr

llion k

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

ay (200

consum

/day (2

- ex

(20

- im

(20

millio

- comm

, fruits, anima

s - pa

ds (US), Pue

lion (20

- comm

, automobiles, foo

s - pa

ds (US), Pue

- ext

millio

aid - r

ren

llar

ency

nge r

dollar

al y

l - 31

ns British V

- main li

00 (

s - mobil

0 (2

telephone service domestic: NA international:

oadcast

, shortwav

0 (1

broadcast

cable comp

visi

0 (1

t count

rvice Provi

(20

net u

on British V

7 km paved: 177 km

and ha

d T

ant m

00 GRT or over) 83,

ther countries:

liquefied gas 1,

-owned:

por

003

s: total: 2 914 to 1,523 m:

with unpa

523 m: 1

ritish Vir

efense is the resp

Issues British

- inter

cit

or South American nar

ffshore financial cent

ey lau

ast updated on

=======================

uction

kgr

ei's influence peaked

its control extended

he southern Philippine

cline brought on by in

expansion of European

a British protectora

same family has rule

fits from extensive pe

one of the highest p

oping

aphy

ati

ordering the South C

hic coo

N, 11

efere

heas

5,770

: 500

5,27

compa

maller tha

l: 381 km border coun

line:

sea: 12 nm exclusive economic

hot, hum

es to mountains in eas

ion ex

t: South Ch

nt: Bukit P

l reso

natural g

.57% permanent crops: 0.

ated

km (19

al ha

akes, and severe

nt - curr

resulting from fores

internationa

Species, Hazardous Wa

Protection,

ified: none of the

aphy

es through South China

rts physically separat

ave of

le B

ula

(July 20

stru

1% (male 54,243

% (male 131,682

.9% (male 5,035; fem

ian

: 26.

27.3

6 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

000 populatio

gratio

)/1,000 popula

1.06 mal

ars: 1.04 m

s: 1.13 ma

over: 0.89

: 1.1 male(s)/fe

mortali

deaths/1,00

ths/1,000 live b

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

72.1

.09 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

n 0.1% (

ople living w

n 200 (2

DS - d

n 200 (2

onal

Brun

ive: B

ic g

se 15%, indigeno

igi

%, Buddhist 13%, Chr

and ot

gua

cial), Engl

era

15 and over ca

opulati

: 91.4

nment

try

g form: Negara B

al short f

nment

tional s

Seri

rative d

erah, singular - daera

emburong

pend

y 1984 (

nal h

uary (1984); note - 1

rom the UK, 23 Februar

from Britis

titu

ome provisions suspe

mber 1962, others si

ary

l sy

mon law; for Muslims

vil law in a

fra

tive

an and Prime Ministe

); note - the monarch

head of

ltan and Prime Ministe

); note - the monarch

head of

binet Ministers appoin

th executive matters;

bers appointed by the

Privy Council (memb

th constitutional matt

ppointed by the monar

the throne if

e; the monarch

ative

et on 25 September 20

appointed by the Sulta

r a 45-seat council w

in March 1962; date

ial b

ustice and judges are

ee-year

Party or PRB (banned in 1962) and Brunei National Democratic Party (r

essure group

organization

-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM,

rrespondent), ITU, NAM

WHO, WIP

epresentatio

Ambassador Pengi

: [1] (20

] (202)

rnational Court NW,

epresentatio

on: Ambassador

Teck Guan Plaza, Jal

s: PSC 470 (BS

: [673] (

73] (2)

descr

al bands of white (top

m the upper hoist side

d at the center; t

n top of a winged col

roll and flanked by

omy

y - ov

conomy encompasses a

hip, government regula

Crude oil and natural

. Per capita GDP is fa

substantial income fr

m domestic production.

es and subsidizes rice

that steadily increa

ermine internal social

t player by serving as

Economic Cooperation

ing the labor force,

king and tourist sect

he economic base b

parity - $6.5 b

eal gro

2002

per

r parity - $18,

agriculture: 5% industry: 4

below pov

1992

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

2002

r fo

n workers and militar

about 40% of labor

ce - by o

and fishing 10%, prod

nstruction 42%, gover

oyment

2001

s: $2.5

lion, including capita

n (199

ture -

, fruits, chicke

ust

efining, liquefied nat

production

2002

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

bl/day (2

consum

bl/day (

- ex

(20

- im

(20

roved r

on bbl (1 J

gas - pr

ion cu m (

gas - co

ion cu m

gas -

n cu m (

gas -

(2001

s - proved

cu m (1 Ja

ion f.o.b.

- comm

tural gas, re

s - pa

a 11.2%, Thailand 9.4

.7%, Singapor

ion c.i.f.

- comm

ort equipment, manuf

mic

s - pa

ysia 19.8%, US 11.4%,

Australia 4.3%,

- ext

aid - r

illion

ren

n dolla

ency

nge r

US dollar - 1.7422

, 1.724 (2000

al y

ndar

cations

- main li

00 (

s - mobil

000

hone

ervice throughout the

e is good to East As

very servic

y code - 673; satelli

ean and 1 Pacific Oce

sia, the Philippines

oadcast

0, shortwa

000

broadcast

visi

900

t count

net h

9 (2

rvice Provi

net u

00 (

rtation

25 km paved: 2,525 k

erw

y craft drawing les

eli

m; oil 43

and ha

n, Kuala Belait, M

ant m

00 GRT or over) 465

liquefi

United Kingdo

por

003

with pave

7 m: 1 (2

with unpa

523 m: 1

ipo

003

ary B

ry bra

es, Royal Brunei Navy,

r - military age

of age (e

npower - av

-49: 112,630

er - fit for mi

9: approx. 60,

- reaching milit

,425 (20

enditures -

million

nditures - pe

% (

onal Issu

- inter

aysia ceased gas and o

r seabeds until negot

ation of disputed ar

i around Limbang is

ve economic fishing zo

atly Islands in 1984

the offshore reefs; t

in the South China Se

ut falls short of a l

d by several of

cit

llegally importing con

Brunei and carry a m

ast updated on

=======================

lga

ction B

kgr

l Asian Turkic tribe,

n the late 7th centu

ucceeding centuries,

o assert its place in

ury the country was

aria attained autono

endent in 1908. Havin

s, Bulgaria fell withi

e a People's Republ

990, when Bulgaria he

War II and began the

cal democracy and a

unemployment, corrupt

ation keep Bulgaria on

e EU. The country j

phy Bu

ati

bordering the Black S

hic coo

N, 2

efere

110,9

: 360

110,55

compa

arger than

bound

: 1,8

ce 494 km, Macedonia 1

tenegro 318 km

stl

a: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm

, damp winters;

with lowlands in

ion ex

int: Blac

oint: Mus

l reso

ead, zinc, coal, t

0.02% permanent crops: 1

ated

q km (1

al ha

akes, l

nt - curr

dustrial emissions; r

detergents; deforestat

lting acid rain; soil

urgical plants and

internationa

tion, Air Pollution

Organic Pollutants, A

e Organic Compounds,

Marine Living Resour

e Change, Climate Ch

ngered Species, Envir

w of the Sea, Ozone

ion, W

ratified: Air Po

aphy

ar Turkish Straits; c

to Middle

e Bul

ula

3 (July

stru

% (male 553,801;

% (male 2,533,784

1% (male 535,954; fema

ian

: 40.

38.4

.4 years (

ion gro

(2004

,000 populati

1,000 populat

gratio

)/1,000 populat

1.06 mal

ars: 1.05 m

s: 0.97 ma

over: 0.71

: 0.93 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

68.1

.59 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

: no country specific

ople living w

2001

DS - d

2001

onal

Bulgar

ive: B

ic g

rk 9.4%, Roma 4.7%,

enian, Tatar, C

igi

6%, Muslim 12.2%, Roma

regorian-Armenian,

gua

y languages closely

akd

era

15 and over ca

opulati

98.2% (2

ment B

try

ong form: Repu

l short for

nment

entary

rative d

, singular - oblast);

kovo, Kurdzhali, Kyust

Pleven, Plovdiv, R

olyan, Sofiya, Sofiy

Veliko Turnovo, Vi

pend

autonomous principal

1908 (complete indepen

nal h

Day, 3 Ma

titu

d 12 J

l sy

l law based on Roman

urisd

fra

of age;

tive

ent Georgi PURVANOV (s

ngel MARIN (sinc

hairman of the Counci

-COBURG-GOTHA (since

y VASILEV (since 24 Ju

and Plamen PANAYOTOV

inisters nominated by

the Natio

nd vice president elec

ve-year terms; electio

(next to be held NA 2

prime minister) nomina

l Assembly; deputy pri

er and elected by t

gi PURVANOV elected pr

OV 54.13%, Peta

ative

Assembly or Narodno

popular vote to ser

17 June 2001 (next to

rcent of vote by par

RF 7.45%; seats by pa

seating as of January

14, New Time 13, BA

ial b

ive Court; Supreme

12 justices appointed

ial Council (consists

he Chief Prosecutor,

ointing the justice

ates in the justice s

il elected for five-ye

bly and 11 by bodi

parties an

ional Union-People's U

cialist Party or BSP

a or CfB (coalition o

V]; Democrats for a S

ent for Rights and F

ovement for Simeon

w Time [Emil KOSHLUKOV

a MIKHAYLOVA]; Union o

nited Democratic Force

ht parties do

essure group

pendent Trade Unions

deration; numerous r

st groups with

organization

, BIS, BSEC, CE, CEI,

9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,

mber), ILO, IMF, IMO,

, NATO, NSG, OAS (obse

O, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIK

iate), WFTU, WHO, WI

B. POPTODOROVA consulate(s): New York FAX: [1] (202) 234-7973 telephon

epresentatio

: Ambassador Jam

Kozyak Stree

can Embassy Sofia, Dep

Washington,

: [359] (

59] (2)

descr

l bands of white (top

ly on the hoist side o

ained a rampant lion w

-pointed star and abo

rian state established

azi co

my Bu

y - ov

munist country strivin

d macroeconomic stabi

downturn in 1996 led

As a result, the gover

responsible fiscal pl

gotiated with the IMF

fforts to overcome hig

ploy

parity - $57.13 b

eal gro

(2003

per

er parity - $7

agriculture: 11.4% industry

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

(200

by percentage share: lowest 10

f family incom

4 (

ate (consum

(2003

r fo

llion (2

ce - by o

ndustry 31%, servi

oyment

% (2

: $8.121

illion, including capi

ic d

f GDP

ture -

tobacco, livestock,

ers, su

ust

ater; food, beverages

metals, chemical pro

um, nuc

production

(2003

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

llion k

city -

lion kW

prod

/day (2

consum

bl/day (

- ex

(20

- im

(20

roved r

n bbl (1 J

gas - pr

n cu m (

gas - co

ion cu m (

gas -

(2001

gas -

on cu m (

s - proved

on cu m (1

account

billio

ion f.o.b.

- comm

on and steel, machiner

s - pa

0.9%, Greece 10.5%, Tu

.5%

ion f.o.b.

- comm

aw materials; machiner

als and plastics

s - pa

12.6%, Italy 10.3%, Gr

5.7%

foreign exch

billion

- ext

billion

aid - r

lion (20

ren

ency

nge r

1.7327 (2003), 2.077

000), 1.8

the lev was redenomi

to 1,000 of the

al y

ndar

cations

- main li

,200

s - mobil

,500

hone

ment: extensiv

two-thirds of the li

available in most vil

ne now connects switch

rs are connected by d

code - 359; direct di

ns - 1 Intersputnik (A

ntic and India

oadcast

63, shortw

illion

broadcast

,242 repea

visi

illion

t count

net h

21 (

rvice Provi

net u

000

rtation

lwa

: 4,2

9 km 1.435-m gauge (

245 km 0.760

hwa

: 37,

(including 324

2,237 k

erw

km (

eli

339 km; refined pr

and ha

Nesebur, Ruse

ant m

00 GRT or over) 757,

o 7, chemical tanker 4

ar carrier 2, ro

enger 1, speci

ther countries:

por

2003

,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 19 914 to 1,523 m: 1

al: 85 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,

s: 1 (20

ary B

ry bra

Air and Air

years of age for compulsory and voluntary military s

npower - av

-49: 1,829,2

er - fit for mi

-49: 1,530,6

- reaching milit

2,811 (2

enditures -

illion

nditures - pe

% (

onal Issu

- inter

cit

ipment point for South

uth American cocaine f

recursor chemicals; s

eeds through fina

ast updated on

=======================

kina

tion Bur

kgr

ly Upper Volta) achi

ed military coups duri

iparty elections in t

density and limited n

ects for the majority

e and northern Ghana h

usand seasonal Burkina

n neighborin

hy Burk

ati

rica, nort

hic coo

N, 2

efere

274,2

: 400

273,80

compa

larger th

bound

: 3,1

n 306 km, Cote d'Ivoir

, Niger 628 k

stl

(land

ime c

(land

dry winters; h

cted, undulating pla

the

ion ex

ouhoun (Black V

int: Tena

l reso

marble; small deposi

uxite, lead, phosp

4.43% permanent crops: 0

ated

km (199

al ha

ing dr

severely affecting agricultural activities, population distribut

internationa

, Climate Change, Dese

stes, Marine Life Con

tion,

ot ratified:

aphy

by the three principa

d White

Burki

ula

574

his country explicitl

tality due to AIDS; t

er infant mortality a

rates, and changes i

sex than would other

4 e

stru

(male 3,135,098;

% (male 3,391,848

% (male 163,137; femal

ian

: 16.

16.4

.2 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

gratio

1,000 populat

1.03 mal

ars: 1.01 m

s: 0.96 ma

over: 0.72

: 0.97 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

42.6

.83 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(2003

ople living w

0 (200

DS - d

(2003

fectious

, malaria, sc

e of risk: ve

onal

abe (singula

ive: B

ic g

unsi, Senufo, Lobi,

igi

40%, Muslim 50%, Ch

olic

gua

tive African language

n by 90% of

era

15 and over ca

opulati

16.6% (2

ent Bur

try

nal long

short form:

Volta, Republi

nment

entary

gad

rative d

Bam, Banwa, Bazega,

zourgou, Gnagna, Gourm

i, Kompienga, Kossi,

roum, Mouhoun, Nament

Oudalan, Passore, Poni

Sourou, Tapoa, Tuy,

a, Zou

pend

1960 (fro

nal h

ay, 11 Dec

titu

y referendum; 11 June

ed Apr

l sy

civil law system

fra

ver

tive

dent Blaise COMPAORE

ime Minister Ernest Pa

mber

inisters appointed by

on of the pr

lected by popular vote

November 1998 (next

tution was amended red

e years, enforceable a

elected only once; it

plied retroactively

sident with the cons

ise COMPAORE reelecte

t of t

ative

ssembly or Assemblee

by popular vote to s

sembly election last h

d NA M

cent of vote by party

, PDP/PS 10, CFD 5

ial b

ourt; App

parties an

lly-Alliance for Demo

O]; Confederation for

da DICKO]; Congress fo

istian KABORE]; Movem

btigungou Congo KABOR

Philippe OUEDRAOGO];

seph KI-ZERBO]; Uni

urkina Faso or U

essure group

onfederation of Lab

hts or MBDHP; Group of

nabe Workers or CNTB;

atchdog/political acti

organizations

organization

ECOWAS, Entente, FAO,

, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD

U, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, O

UNOCI, UPU, WADB (reg

WIPO, WMO

epresentatio

on: Ambassador

] (202)

: [1] (20

chusetts Avenue NW,

epresentatio

on: Ambassador

e Raoul Follereau,

. P. 35, Ouagadougou

, 2440 Ouagadougou

21-

ne: [22

[226]

descr

bands of red (top) an

he center; uses the po

Eth

y Burk

y - ov

ntries in the world, l

rces, a fragile soil,

e. About 90% of the p

griculture, which is v

the key crop. Industr

ent-controlled corpo

y devaluation in Janu

nt program in conjunc

ts and economic gro

economic progress de

n the trade deficit, a

estment. The internal

s to hurt trade and in

d for internati

parity - $14.55 b

eal gro

(2003

per

er parity - $1

agriculture: 39.8% industry

nt (gros

f GDP

below pov

2003

or consumption by

st 1

10%: 46.

f family incom

2 (

ate (consum

(2003

r fo

ill

the male labor force

ries for seasonal

ce - by o

re 90% (2

oyment

: $599.8

illion NA, including c

(20

ture -

nuts, sesame, sorghu

est

ust

, agricultural process

iles

production

2001

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

ay (200

consum

l/day (2

- ex

(20

- im

(20

account

millio

on f.o.b.

- comm

livest

s - pa

a 11.6%, Thailand 8%,

na 5.2%, France 4.

ion f.o.b.

- comm

s, foodstuff

s - pa

'Ivoire 14.6%, Togo

foreign exch

illion

- ext

illion

aid - r

million

ren

Africaine franc (XOF

entral Bank of the

ency

nge r

Africaine francs (XOF)

), 733.039 (2001), 71

al y

ndar

tions Bur

- main li

00 (

s - mobil

000

hone

ment: all serv

radio relay, open-wi

cation

ry code - 226; satel

(Atlant

oadcast

7, shortwa

020

broadcast

visi

340

t count

net h

rvice Provi

net u

00 (

ation Bur

lwa

l: 6

e: 622 km 1

of this railway exte

6 km paved: 2,001 km u

and ha

por

2003

: total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 2,

al: 31 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,

y Burki

ry bra

Air

8 years of age for compulsory military service; 20

npower - av

-49: 3,047,3

er - fit for mi

-49: 1,552,2

enditures -

millio

nditures - pe

% (

al Issues B

- inter

dispute along the bo

f moving boundary pill

staging area for Lib

or refugees caught in

ccuses Burkina Faso o

ast updated on

=======================

uction

kgr

ma over a period of 6

ts Indian Empire. Burm

until 1937 when it

y; independence from

NE WIN dominated the

y ruler, then as self-

gpin. Despite multipar

in the main oppositi

NLD) - winning a lands

over power. NLD leader

KYI, who was under ho

was imprisoned in May

n December 2004, the

ion for at least an

all those who promote

re routinely ha

aphy

ati

dering the Andaman Sea

ngladesh a

hic coo

N, 9

efere

heas

678,5

657,74

20,76

compa

smaller t

bound

: 5,8

ladesh 193 km, China 2

m, Thailan

stl

ime c

rial se

nm or to the edge of

ous zon

economic z

oudy, rainy, hot, hu

tember); less cloudy

humidity during wint

er to

ringed by steep

ion ex

int: Anda

nt: Hkakabo

l reso

n, antimony, zinc, co

limestone, precious

rop

d u

land:

nt crop

83.84

ated

q km (19

al ha

kes and cyclones; fl

eason (June to Septem

nt - curr

trial pollution of a

and water treatment

internationa

ty, Climate Change,

ion, Endangered Specie

ip Pollution, Tropic

ber

ified: none of the

aphy

near major Indian O

le B

ula

720

his country take into

e to AIDS; this can

infant mortality an

ates, and changes i

sex than would other

4 e

stru

(male 6,023,874;

(male 14,317,308;

% (male 927,570; femal

ian

: 25.

25.2

.3 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

gratio

)/1,000 popula

1.06 mal

ars: 1.04 m

s: 0.99 ma

over: 0.79

: 0.99 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

54.2

.9 years (

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(2003

ople living w

0 (200

DS - d

(2003

fectious

ngue fever, malar

e of risk: ve

onal

se (singula

ive: B

ic g

Karen 7%, Rakhine 4%,

%, ot

igi

n 4% (Baptist 3%, Roma

ist 1%,

gua

ethnic groups have

era

15 and over ca

opulati

: 81.4

nment

try

long form:

al short f

form: Myanma

t Republic of th

ungzu Myanma Naingngan

n of Myanma and by th

ilitary authorities in

entional name for thei

ny sitting legislatur

opt the name, which i

form name Myan

nment

tary

nt refers to the

ular - pyi ne) : divisions: Ayeyarwady, Bago, Magway, Mandalay, Sagaing, Tanintharyi, Yangon (Rangoo

pend

y 1948 (

nal h

anuary (1948); Union

titu

ended since 18 Septe

in 1993 to draft a

reconvened in 2004

n of democra

l sy

ed compulsory

fra

of age;

tive

an of the State Peace

SHWE (since

rime Minister, Gen SO

ions:

nd Development Council

r 1997, which initi

the name State Law

; the SPDC over

ative

sembly or Pyithu Hlutt

ar vote to serve

ent of vote by party -

SNLD 23 (opposition),

27 May 1990, but Asse

to c

ial b

h-era legal system are

air public trial; t

nt of the

parties an

mocracy or NLD [AUNG S

ecretary]; Nationa

YAW]; Shan Nationaliti

UN OO]; and othe

essure group

overnment of the Uni

rnment in exile) ["Pr

ividuals, some legit

1990 (the group fle

December 1990 to form

ndence Army or KIA; K

tions; United Wa Stat

pment Association or

organization) [THAN A

organization

FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD,

, IMF, IMO, Interpol

, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, W

epresentatio

mission

Street NW, Wash

) general:

] (202)

: [1] (20

epresentatio

Charge d'Affaires

rchant Street,

ess: Box B,

95] (1) 379

5] (1)

descr

ngle in the upper hoi

stars encircling a cog

represent the 7 admini

omy

ter the junta suppressed the democracy movement in 1988 and subsequently ignored the results of the 1990 election. A crisis in the private banking sector in early 2003 followed by economic moves against Burma by the United States, the European Union, and Japan - including a US ban on imports from Burma and a Japanese freeze on new bilateral economic aid - further weakened the Burmese economy. Burma is data poor, and official statistics are often dated and inaccurate. Published estimates of Burma's foreign trade are greatly understated because of the size of the black market and border trade - often estimated to be one to

parity - $74.53 b

eal gro

(200

per

er parity - $1

griculture: 57.2% industry: 9.

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

2000

by percentage share: lowest 10

ate (consum

(200

r fo

llion (2

ce - by o

ndustry 7%, servic

oyment

% (

s: $7.9

llion, including capit

on (F

ture -

esame, groundnuts, sug

ish p

ust

ing; knit and woven

n, tungsten, iron; c

cals; ferti

production

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

bl/day (

consum

bl/day (

- ex

(20

- im

(20

roved r

n bbl (1 J

gas - pr

ion cu m

gas - co

ion cu m

gas -

on cu m (

gas -

(2001

s - proved

on cu m (1

account

illion

ion f.o.b.

- comm

d products, pulses

s - pa

2%, India 9.3%, China

ion f.o.b.

- comm

roducts, plastics,

tion materials, cru

s - pa

e 22.3%, Thailand 15.

.8%, Japan

foreign exch

illion

- ext

illion (

aid - r

lion (20

ren

t (

ency

nge r

6.0764 (2003), 6.5734

000), 6.2

al exchange rates; uno

0 kyat/US dollar to ne

al y

l - 31

icatio

- main li

300

s - mobil

00 (

hone

rely meets minimum req

business and governmen

stic

ry code - 95; satell

dian Ocean),

oadcast

FM 1

llion

broadcast

visi

000

t count

net h

rvice Provi

2000, Internet connect

t offices, and a few l

net u

00 (

ortati

km narrow gauge: 3,955

km paved: 3,440 km unpav

erw

0 km

eli

km; oil 55

and ha

ay, Moulmein, Myitky

we,

ant m

000 GRT or over) 38

Germany 6, Japa

18, container 1, pass

por

2003

l: 9 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047

under 914 m: 31 (2004 est.) 914 to 1,523

s: 1 (20

tary

ry bra

avy, Ai

r - military age

luntary military servi

npower - av

15-49: 1

5-49: 12,457,

er - fit for mi

e 15-49:

5-49: 6,595,6

- reaching milit

s: 4

440,914 (

enditures -

llion

nditures - pe

% (

ional Is

- inter

der committee talks, s

over boundary alignme

s, and illegal cross-b

express concern over C

on the Salween River i

Burma to keep out Ind

nternally disp

,000 (government offe

borders; most IDPs are

nd Mon)

cit

est producer of ill

484 metric tons, down

development; cultiva

e from 2002); surrende

January 1996 was haile

ss, but lack of govern

fficking groups and la

ing continues to hind

of methamphetamine an

ntly under Financi

continued failure to

undering

ast updated on

=======================

uction

kgr

ratically elected pre

only one hundred days

s have perished in wid

een Hutu and Tutsi f

ternally displaced or

s. Burundi troops, s

ervened in the confl

o in 1998. A new tra

mber 2001, signed a p

faction in December 2

ion in October 2004.

oblematic, however, a

on and elections have

ects for a sus

aphy

ati

st of Democratic R

hic coo

S, 30

efere

27,83

2,180

25,650

compa

maller tha

bound

l: 9

ocratic Republic of t

Tanzan

stl

(land

ime c

(land

au with considerable a

a level); average ann

to 17 degrees centig

ge altitude is about

0 cm; wet seasons fr

r, and dry seasons f

er to

, dropping to a plate

ion ex

t: Lake Tan

nt: Mount H

l reso

earth oxides, peat, co

), vanadium, arabl

d u

land:

nt crop

50.93

ated

km (199

al ha

landslid

nt - curr

sult of overgrazing

nal lands; deforestati

ontrolled cutting of t

ens wildlif

internationa

ty, Climate Change,

tion, Endangered Spec

ayer Pr

ot ratified:

aphy

s crest of the Nile-

s into Lake Victori

m of the

le B

ula

31,

his country explicitl

tality due to AIDS; t

er infant mortality a

rates, and changes i

sex than would other

4 e

stru

(male 1,459,251;

% (male 1,566,274

7% (male 66,306; fema

ian

: 16.

16.1

.8 years (

ion gro

(2004

1,000 populat

gratio

)/1,000 populat

1.03 mal

ars: 1.02 m

s: 0.97 ma

over: 0.65

: 0.99 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,000

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

42.7

4 years (

ertilit

n born/woma

adult preva

2003

ople living w

0 (200

DS - d

(2003

fectious

fever,

e of risk: ve

onal

Burund

ive: B

ic g

si (Hamitic) 14%, Twa

outh Asi

igi

Catholic 62%, Prote

23%, M

gua

French (official),

nd in the Bu

era

15 and over ca

opulati

45.2% (2

ment B

try

ong form: Repu

al short f

ort form

orm: Republi

er:

nment

umb

rative d

a, Bujumbura, Bururi

a, Kirundo, Makamba, M

Rutana,

pend

trusteeship under B

nal h

ce Day, 1

titu

ed for establishment

20 October 2004 by a p

iament, which extend

ernment positions, an

or February

l sy

lgian civil codes and

pulsory ICJ

fra

f age; uni

tive

ent Domitien NDAYIZEYE

tu, was sworn in as pr

r transitional govern

President Frederic N

mber

resident Domitien NDA

E, a Hutu, was sworn i

ee-year transitional g

President Frederic N

mber

of Ministers appo

president assumed pow

al government establis

ative

f a National Assembly

approximately 140 seat

ed 1 November 2001;

five-year terms) and a

he current senators wi

r transit

9 June 1993 (next was

ed by presidential de

the completion of the

ern

ent of vote by party -

seats by party - F

27, other

ial b

r Supreme; Constitut

e in separate location

rovince level and 123

parties an

instream, governing

UPRONA [Alphonse KADE

or FRODEBU [Jean

tem was introduced aft

ance for the Salvati

ocracy and Economic an

ANA]; Party for Natio

A]; People's Reconci

as HIT

essure group

u and Tutsi militias,

mist parties or subo

ity f

organization

CEPGL, FAO, G-77, IBR

C, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,

criber), ITU, MIGA, N

PU, WCO, WHO, WI

epresentatio

n: Ambassador A

233 Wisconsin Avenue N

] (202)

: [1] (20

epresentatio

: Ambassador Jam

ue des Etats-

ess: B. P. 1

ne: [25

[257]

descr

gonal cross into red p

ist side and outer s

center bearing three

nged in a triangular d

tars

my Bu

y - ov

ocked, resource-po

cturing sector. The e

ughly 90% of the pop

e. Economic growth dep

t for 90% of foreign

ports, therefore, res

national coffee and

population, dominates

expense of the Hutu

ber 1993 an ethnic-bas

hs, forced 800,000 ref

rs internally. Doubts

tinue to impede devel

l, and approximately

ine, and electricity

parity - $3.78 bi

eal gro

(200

per

er parity - $6

griculture: 47.4% industry: 19

nt (gros

f GDP

below pov

2002

by percentage share: lowest 10

f family incom

5 (

ate (consum

(200

r fo

illion

ce - by o

industry 2.3%, serv

oyment

: $179.4

llion, including capi

ture -

orn, sorghum, sweet po

; beef, m

ust

such as blankets, sho

public works construc

production

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

- supplied by the Dem

o (2

prod

ay (200

consum

l/day (2

- ex

(20

- im

(20

account

illion

n f.o.b. (

- comm

, sugar, co

s - pa

15.8%, Netherlands 5

on f.o.b.

- comm

petroleum produ

s - pa

11.5%, Uganda 5.7%, Fr

ndia 4.5%, Ja

foreign exch

millio

- ext

billion

aid - r

millio

ren

i fran

ency

nge r

S dollar - 1,082.62

720.67 (2000)

al y

ndar

cations

- main li

00 (

s - mobil

00 (

hone

ssment: prim

m of open-wire, radiot

city microwa

ry code - 257; satel

t (Indi

oadcast

, shortwav

000

broadcast

visi

00 (

t count

net h

(20

rvice Provi

net u

00 (

rtation

km paved: 1,028 km unpav

erw

Lake Tanga

and ha

umb

por

003

with pave

7 m: 1 (2

with unpa

o 1,5

4 m: 3 (

ary B

ry bra

Detachment and Air Win

r - military age

mpulsory and voluntary

npower - av

-49: 1,419,7

er - fit for mi

-49: 747,400

- reaching milit

1,862 (2

enditures -

millio

nditures - pe

(20

onal Issu

- inter

er conflicting ethni

med gangs, and vario

the Great Lakes reg

Democratic Republic o

l over populated and

ge to end conflict, b

pite UN peace

nternally disp

origin): 60,288 (Demo

conflict between gove

rn and western

ast updated on

=======================

mbo

ction C

kgr

ider themselves to b

uch of Southeast Asia

13th centuries. Subse

present-day Vietnam)

iod of decline. In 186

er French protection;

llowing Japanese occu

endent within the Fre

1953. After a five-ye

tured Phnom Penh in Ap

es and towns; at least

enforced hardships, o

nder POL POT. A Dece

hmer Rouge into the

cupation, and touched

Paris Peace Accord

fire, which was not f

ored elections in 199

and the final elemen

1999. Factional fight

ment, but a second rou

rmation of another co

ility. The July 2003 e

one year of negotiat

efore a coalition g

ctions are scheduled

ons fo

phy Ca

ati

bordering the Gulf

Vietnam,

hic coo

N, 1

efere

heas

181,0

176,52

4,520

compa

maller tha

border countries: Laos 541 km,

line:

continental shelf: 200 nm contiguous zon

soon season (May to

; little seasonal t

ains; mountains in

ion ex

t: Gulf of

nt: Phnum A

l reso

, gemstones, some i

, hydropow

0.96% permanent crops: 0

ated

q km (1

al ha

to November); floodi

nt - curr

ties throughout the co

n region along the bor

ss and declining biodi

ve swamps threatens n

s, most of the populat

ining fish stocks beca

verfi

internationa

ty, Climate Change,

tion, Endangered Spec

ion, Ozone Layer Prot

Timber 94

ot ratified:

aphy

forests dominated by

e Cam

ula

363

his country take into

e to AIDS; this can

infant mortality an

ates, and changes i

sex than would other

4 e

stru

(male 2,583,606;

% (male 3,742,178

% (male 149,466; femal

ian

: 19.

18.8

.4 years (

ion gro

(2004

1,000 populat

000 populatio

gratio

1,000 populat

1.05 mal

ars: 1.02 m

s: 0.91 ma

over: 0.58

: 0.94 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

55.7

.23 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(2003

ople living w

0 (200

DS - d

(2003

fectious

ue fever, malaria,

e of risk: ve

onal

Cambod

ive: C

ic g

namese 5%, Chin

igi

Buddhist 9

gua

ial) 95%, Fr

era

15 and over ca

opulati

: 59.3

ment C

try

ong form: King

l short for

rt form:

bodia, Khmer Republic,

c of Kampuchea,

eacheanacha Kampuchea (

nment

nder a constitutional

embe

rative d

singular and plural)

ingular a

Mean Chey, Batdambang

e, Kampong Thum, Kam

Otdar Mean Chey, Pouth

em Reab, Stoeng Tre

Pailin, Phnom Penh, P

ong

pend

r 1953 (f

nal h

e Day, 9 No

titu

ed 21 Sep

l sy

mixture of French-in

tional Authority in C

cts of the legislatu

nants of communist le

common law in

fra

of age;

tive

Norodom SIHAMONI (s

ime Minister HUN SEN (

isters SAR KHENG (si

AN, LU LAY SRENG, TEA

(since 16

monarch is chosen by

elections, a member of

named prime minister

bly and appoin

nisters in theory appo

ed by the pr

ative

the National Assembl

e to serve five-year t

pointed by the monarc

d 57 elected by "func

rve five-y

onal Assembly - percen

EC 21%, other 10%; se

Senate - percent of vo

FUNCINPEC 21, SRP 7

ssembly - last held 2

nate - last held 2 Mar

2004 but

ial b

Magistracy (provided

er 1997); Supreme Co

judicial

parties an

Party (Cambodian Peopl

Front for an Independe

dia or FUNCINPEC [Pri

arty or SRP

essure group

organization

N, FAO, G-77, IBRD, I

ILO, IMF, IMO, Int

GA, NAM, OPCW (signat

, WCO, WFTU, WHO,

epresentatio

ion: Ambassad

th Street NW, Was

] (202)

: [1] (20

s Aaron RAY embassy: 27 EO Street 240, Phnom Penh mailing address: Box P,

descr

of blue (top), red (d

ered temple representi

er of the red band;

a building i

my Ca

y - ov

lowed dramatically i

is, civil violence, an

d tourism fell off. I

ears, progress was ma

remained about 5.0% d

t growing industry, w

40% in 2001 before t

the US. Cambodia expe

onomic growth has be

ing sector and tourism

ambodian Bilateral Tex

dia's recent growth, t

decades of war remain

ducation and productiv

countryside, which s

infrastructure. Fear

unctional legal system

foreign investment. Th

bilateral and multila

ssing needs. The major

xt decade will be fa

the private sector ca

graphic imbalance. Abo

r; most of these citi

r the course of t

parity - $25.02 b

eal gro

2003

per

er parity - $1

agriculture: 35% industry:

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

1997

by percentage share: lowest 10

f family incom

4 (

ate (consum

(2003

r fo

on (200

ce - by o

re 75% (2

oyment

(2000

: $476.5

illion, including capi

as financed by externa

ture -

rn, vegetables,

ust

ce milling, fishing,

nt, gem mini

production

2002

ity - pr

lion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

ay (200

consum

l/day (2

- ex

(20

- im

(20

account

millio

ion f.o.b.

- comm

rubber, rice, fish

s - pa

many 10.3%, U

ion f.o.b.

- comm

cigarettes, gold, co

vehicles, pharm

s - pa

Kong 14.4%, Singapo

iwan 8%, South K

foreign exch

million

- ext

lion (20

aid - r

in grants and concess

(actual disbursement

ren

l (

ency

nge r

3,973.33 (2003), 3,9

.75 (2000), 3

al y

ndar

cations

- main li

00 (

s - mobil

000

hone

dequate landline and/

provincial cities; mo

panding in

stic

code - 855; adequate

vailable to all countr

es; satellite earth s

Ocean

oadcast

FM 17,

illion

broadcast

visi

00 (

t count

net h

rvice Provi

net u

00 (

rtation

km narrow gauge: 602

km paved: 1,996 km unpav

erw

nly on Mekong

and ha

ville), Kampot, Krong

hoh Port (privat

ant m

00 GRT or over) 1,913

ther countries:

2, Angola 1, Aruba 1,

7, Bulgaria 1, Canada

rance 1, Georgia 1, G

Hong Kong 12, Indone

th Korea 2, South Kore

, Marshall Islands 11,

Romania 1, Russia 81,

he Grenadines 5, Samoa

9, Taiwan

o 360, chemical tanker

d gas 1, livestock car

, passenger/cargo 1,

, roll on/roll off 5,

por

2003

with pave

to 3,0

to 2,4

523 m: 2

with unpa

al:

4 m: 1 (

to 2,4

1,523

ipo

003

ary C

ry bra

rmed Forces: Army

for compulsory military service for all males; conscription law pa

npower - av

-49: 3,402,7

er - fit for mi

-49: 1,899,7

- reaching milit

70,072 (

enditures -

lion (FY

nditures - pe

FY01

onal Issu

- inter

persist among Cambodi

estroyed boundary mark

ed by dispute over off

hailand of obstructing

to Cambodia by ICJ

nom Penh resulted in

o 17 Thai-owned busine

ent of co

cit

rruption reportedly

, and police; possib

e production; large pr

et; vulnerable to mone

conomy and p

ast updated on

=======================

mer

ction C

kgr

eroon and part of Bri

ent country. Cameroon

permitted the devel

as well as a petrol

atic reform, political

f an ethnic

phy Ca

ati

ring the Bight of Bia

and N

hic coo

N, 12

efere

475,4

6,000

469,44

compa

arger than

bound

: 4,5

tral African Republic

523 km, Equatorial G

geria

stl

ime c

rial se

rom tropical along coa

l plain in southwest

ins in west, p

ion ex

nt: Atlant

Fako (on Mount

l reso

te, iron ore, ti

2.81% permanent crops: 2

ated

km (199

al ha

h periodic releases o

nd Lake Mon

nt - curr

are prevalent; defore

ion; poachin

internationa

ty, Climate Change,

ion, Endangered Specie

er Protection, Tropic

ber

ified: none of the

aphy

o as the hinge of Af

eas of thermal sprin

anic activity; Mount

aran west Africa, i

e Cam

ula

063

his country explicitl

tality due to AIDS; t

er infant mortality a

rates, and changes i

sex than would other

4 e

stru

(male 3,416,086;

% (male 4,425,246

% (male 233,506; femal

ian

: 18.

18.3

.6 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

gratio

1,000 populat

1.03 mal

ars: 1.02 m

s: 1.01 ma

over: 0.82

: 1.01 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

47.1

.83 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(2003

ople living w

0 (200

DS - d

(2003

fectious

laria, yellow fev

e of risk: ve

onal

Camero

ve: Cam

ic g

31%, Equatorial Bantu

u 8%, Eastern Nigritic

can less

igi

fs 40%, Christia

gua

guage groups, Englis

fic

era

15 and over ca

opulati

73.4% (2

ment C

try

ong form: Repu

l short for

French

nment

ltiparty presidentia

legalize

e of power remains

rative d

, Centre, Est, Extreme

Ouest, Sud

pend

om French-administ

nal h

National Day),

titu

by referendum; 2 June

d Janu

l sy

law system, with com

compulsory IC

fra

of age;

tive

sident Paul BIYA (s

lected by popular vote

1 October 2004 (next

ister appointed

ime Minister Ephraim I

nted by the president

prime m

ident Paul BIYA reelec

FRU NDI 17.4%, Adamou

ADJI

ative

ssembly or Assemblee

direct popular vote t

an either lengthen or

slat

d 23 June 2002 (nex

cent of vote by party

DF 21, UDC

ion calls for an up

led a Senate, but it h

ial b

are appointed by the

f 9 judges and 6 subst

ional A

parties an

Union or UDC [Adamou

People or RDCP [Paul B

c or MDR [Dakole DAISS

opment of Cameroon o

he Youth of Cameroon o

mocracy and Progress

atic Front or SDF [Jo

ions or UPC [August

essure group

onal Council [Ayamba E

[Albert MUKO

organization

B, AU, BDEAC, C, CEMA

(signatory), ICFTU, IC

Interpol, IOC, ITU,

, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMI

O, WMO,

epresentatio

on: Ambassador

chusetts Avenue NW,

] (202)

: [1] (20

epresentatio

: Ambassador Geo

ue Nachtig

. Box 817, Yaounde; p

tate, Washingto

3-05-12, 222-25-89,

237] 2

ffice(s)

descr

bands of green (hoist

nted star centered in

African colo

my Ca

y - ov

ources and favorable a

e best-endowed primary

till, it faces many o

eloped countries, suc

y unfavorable climate

nment has embarked on

ed to spur business

lture, improve trade

June 2000, the gove

year structural adjus

or more reforms, incl

ization, and poverty

cocoa prices have cons

parity - $27.75 b

eal gro

(2003

per

er parity - $1

griculture: 42.6% industry: 19

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

2000

by percentage share: lowest 10

f family incom

7 (

ate (consum

(2003

r fo

llion N

ce - by o

industry and comm

oyment

2001

: $2.442

illion, including capi

ic d

of GDP

ture -

n, rubber, bananas,

livestoc

ust

nd refining, food proc

textile

production

(1999

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion k

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

bl/day (

consum

bl/day (

- ex

(20

- im

(20

roved r

n bbl (1 J

gas - pr

(2001

gas - co

(2001

gas -

(2001

gas -

(2001

s - proved

on cu m (1

account

millio

ion f.o.b.

- comm

um products, lumber,

ee,

s - pa

4%, France 10.8%, Neth

4.4%

ion f.o.b.

- comm

equipment, transport

s - pa

a 9.5%, Japan 6.8%,

y 4.3%

foreign exch

illion

- ext

illion (

aid - r

e Paris Club agreed to

million; debt relief n

ren

Africaine franc (XAF

Bank of the Centr

ency

nge r

Africaine francs (XAF)

), 733.039 (2001), 71

al y

y - 3

cations

- main li

900

s - mobil

millio

hone

available only to bu

owave radio relay, an

y code - 237; satelli

an); fiber optic subma

ectivity to E

oadcast

, shortwav

illion

broadcast

visi

000

t count

net h

rvice Provi

note: Cameroon also had more

rtation

km narrow gauge: 1,008

km paved: 4,288 km unpav

erw

enue River; limited du

eli

etroleum gas 9 km;

and ha

uala, Garoua

ant m

00 GRT or over) 169

oleum tanker

por

2003

,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m:

al: 36 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,

ary C

ry bra

ludes Naval Inf

ligation: 18 years of age for voluntary

npower - av

-49: 3,898,9

er - fit for mi

-49: 1,979,1

- reaching milit

84,054 (

enditures -

million

nditures - pe

% (

onal Issu

- inter

he entire Cameroon-Nig

es formed a Joint Bord

lly and have commenc

ns of the boundary, s

ruled on an equidis

inea-Nigeria maritime

ementation of the dec

ordinates, the unresol

pute between Equatori

mouth of the Ntem Ri

the Bakasi Peninsula

atories Cameroon, Chad

eaty over the lake reg

es among local popu

efugees (country of origin): 39,261 (Chad),

ast updated on

=======================

uction

kgr

es and rich natural re

inion in 1867 while

mically and technolo

with the US, its neigh

r. Canada's paramoun

for quality improveme

fter a decade of bud

s francophone herit

population has moved

t for separatism aba

m on independence fail

aphy

ati

a, bordering the Nort

ean on the west, and t

h of the co

hic coo

N, 9

efere

h Am

9,984,6

,093,50

891,1

compa

larger th

m border countries: US 8,893 km

stl

,08

ime c

rial se

nm or to the edge of

ous zon

economic z

in south to subarcti

ountains in west and

ion ex

nt: Atlant

nt: Mount L

l reso

c, copper, gold, lead

, timber, wildlife, co

hydro

d u

land:

nt crop

95.02

ated

q km (1

al ha

ost in north is a

storms form east of

of air masses from th

r, and produce most of

t of the

nt - curr

lting acid rain severe

tal smelting, coal-b

cting on agricultural

contaminated due to ag

d forestry

internationa

tion, Air Pollution

Organic Pollutants, A

r 94, Antarctic-Env

ing Resources, Antar

Climate Change, Climat

ngered Species, Envir

w of the Sea, Marine

tion, Tropical Timber

ed: Air Pollution-Vola

ife Cons

aphy

in world (after Russi

via north polar rout

ncentrated within 16

le C

ula

4 (July 2

stru

(male 3,038,800;

(male 11,225,686;

(male 1,807,472; female

ian

: 38.

37.2

.2 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

)/1,000 popula

1.05 mal

ars: 1.05 m

s: 1.01 ma

over: 0.74

: 0.98 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,000

ths/1,000 live b

deaths/1,00

ectancy

ulation:

76.5

.5 years (

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(2003

ople living w

(2003

DS - d

(200

onal

Cana

ive: C

ic g

28%, French origin 23

r, mostly Asian, Af

grou

igi

46%, Protestant

d on the 1

gua

ial), French 23.2% (

era

15 and over ca

ation: 97%

ale

nment

al long form: none conve

nment

with parliamen

rative d

territories*; Alber

ick, Newfoundland an

tia, Nunavut*, Ontario

atchewan, Yu

pend

British North American

pendence r

nal h

ay, 1 Ju

titu

ution Act); originally

in the British North

ghts and unwr

l sy

mon law, except in Q

nch law prevails; a

on, with r

fra

of age;

tive

en ELIZABETH II (si

r General Adrienne CLA

monarchy is heredit

ch on the advice of th

ing legislative electi

leader of the majority

tically designated p

nor g

rime Minister Paul MA

nister Anne MCLELLAN (

stry chosen by the pr

is own party sit

ative

or Parlement consists

the governor general

ve until reaching 75 y

s) and the House of

members elected by di

up to five

ommons - last held 28

by NA

se of Commons - perce

onservative Party 29.6

12.4%, Greens 4.3%, in

- Liberal Party 134,

New Democratic Part

ial b

a (judges are appointe

general); Federal Cou

ncial Courts (these ar

eens Bench, Superior C

of J

parties an

s DUCEPPE]; Conservat

n Alliance and the Pr

]; Liberal Party [Paul

[Jack

essure group

organization

, AsDB, ASEAN (dialog

E (observer), EAPC, E

, G-10, IADB, IAEA, I

A, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,

SO, ITU, MIGA, MINUST

ECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris

, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNM

O, WIPO, WMO,

epresentatio

n: Ambassador M

ylvania Avenue NW,

] (202)

: [1] (20

Atlanta, Boston, Buf

Miami, Minneapolis,

orage, Denver, Hou

iego, San Francisco (

trade

wa, Ontario K1N 1G8 mailing address: P. O. Box 5000, Ogdensburgh, NY 13669-0430 telephone: [1] (613) 238-5335, 44

descr

red (hoist and fly s

hem; an 11-pointed red

he official colors of

omy

y - ov

ech industrial society

s market-oriented econ

living standards. S

he manufacturing, mini

ation from a largely

and urban. The 1989

he 1994 North America

s Mexico) touched off

egration with the US.

hip, the economic slug

a negative impact on

nearly 3% during 1993

ecovery in 2002-03. U

anufacturing and nat

its great natural re

pital plant Canada e

l management has produ

antially reducing the

es over how to manage

hcare system. Trade a

enjoys a substantial

tner, the United Stat

exports. Roughly 90%

lometers of t

parity - $958.7 b

eal gro

(2003

per

r parity - $29,

griculture: 2.2% industry: 29.

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

by percentage share: lowest 10

f family incom

5 (

ate (consum

(2003

r fo

llion (2

ce - by o

acturing 15%, constru

3% (

oyment

(2003

: $348.2

illion, including capi

ic d

f GDP

ture -

eed, tobacco, fruit

forest pro

ust

ment, chemicals, pro

ts; wood and paper pr

m and na

production

(2003

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

llion k

city -

llion kW

prod

on bbl/day

consum

on bbl/day

- ex

lion bbl/

- im

lion bbl/

roved r

on bbl (1 J

gas - pr

ion cu m (

gas - co

ion cu m (

gas -

on cu m (

gas -

ion cu m

s - proved

on cu m (1 J

account

billion

ion f.o.b.

- comm

parts, industrial m

ipment; chemicals, pla

etroleum, natural gas

s - pa

pan 2.1%, UK

ion f.o.b.

- comm

ent, motor vehicles

tricity, durabl

s - pa

na 5.6%, Japa

foreign exch

billion

- ext

illion

c aid -

3 billio

ren

n dolla

ency

nge r

US dollar - 1.4011

1.4851 (2000)

al y

l - 31

cations

- main li

0,900

s - mobil

1,800

hone

cellent service provid

tellite system with a

y code - 1-xxx; 5 coa

ions - 5 Intelsat (4

2 Intersputnik (Atl

oadcast

53, shortwa

illion

broadcast

any repeat

visi

illion

t count

net h

,081

rvice Provi

2000

net u

millio

rtation

km standard gauge: 48,90

hwa

1,408

(including 16,900

911,494

erw

Seaway of 3,769 km,

058 km, shared with

eli

23,564 km; liquid pe

and ha

hurchill, Halifax, Ha

pert, Quebec, Saint Jo

Sept Isles, Sydney, T

to, Vancou

ant m

00 GRT or over) 1,784

3, Hong Kong 2, Monac

d Sta

ther countries:

r 1, bulk 59, cargo 1

, combination ore/

troleum tanker 18, ra

rt-sea/passenger 3,

por

(200

047 m: 18 2,438 to 3,047 m: 15 914 to 1,523 m: 24

l: 823 1,524 to 2,437 m: 67 914 to 1,

s: 12 (2

ary C

ry bra

: Land Forces Command

r - military age

or voluntary mili

npower - av

-49: 8,417,3

er - fit for mi

-49: 7,176,6

- reaching milit

14,623 (

enditures -

7 milli

nditures - pe

% (

onal Issu

- inter

dary disputes with th

of Juan de Fuca, an

d North Rock; uncontes

vereignty in the Ke

Island and

cit

cannabis for the dom

ydroponics technology

igh-quality marijuana

ne entering the US m

ring because of its ma

ast updated on

=======================

ction C

kgr

nds were discovered

h century; Cape Verde

ican slaves and later

ling and transatlanti

and a tentative intere

party system was esta

tions were held in 199

rica's most stable d

ng the second half of

and prompted heavy em

e population is greate

ve both African and P

phy Ca

ati

of islands in the Nort

Sen

hic coo

N, 2

efere

l Map of

4,033

r: 0

4,03

compa

rger than R

bound

stl

lagic baselines exclusive economic zone: 200 n

ummer; precipitation m

ged, rocky

antic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mt. Fo

alt, basalt rock, li

9.68% permanent crops:

ated

km (19

al ha

seasonal harmattan w

cally and sei

nt - curr

d for wood used as

fication; environmenta

birds and reptiles;

ion; ov

internationa

sity, Climate Chan

tion, Hazardous Wastes

zone Layer

ified: none of the

aphy

00 km from west coas

; important communicat

air refu

e Cap

ula

(July 20

stru

% (male 83,835

3% (male 106,846

7% (male 10,580; fema

ian

: 19

18.2

.9 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

s)/1,000 popula

1.03 mal

ars: 1.02 m

s: 0.94 ma

over: 0.61

: 0.94 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

66.8

.54 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(200

ople living w

DS - d

as of

onal

ape Ver

ve: Cap

ic g

) 71%, African

igi

sed with indigenous

urch of th

gua

blend of Portuguese a

era

15 and over ca

opulati

69.2% (2

ent Cap

try

ng form: Republ

l short for

rt form:

rm: Republica

nment

rative d

oncelhos, singular -

s, Paul, Praia, Porto

Santa Cruz, Sao Dom

colau, Sao Vic

pend

75 (from

nal h

ce Day, 5

titu

into force 25 Septem

November 1995, substa

t, and a further revis

tional ombudsman (

l sy

the legal sys

fra

of age;

tive

sident Pedro PIRES

ime Minister Jose Mari

uary

inisters appointed by

on of the pr

lected by popular vote

1 and 25 February 20

minister nominated b

ted by the

o PIRES elected presid

9.43%, Carlos VIEGA (

won by only

ative

Assembly or Assemble

by popular vote to s

14 January 2001 (next

ent of vote by party -

seats by party - PAI

ial b

Justice or Supremo

parties an

ependence of Cape Ver

n]; Democratic Allianc

oalition of PCD, PTS,

C [Manuel RODRIGUES,

RD [Jacinto SANTOS, p

tinho LOPES, president

. Eurico MONTEIRO, pre

TS [Isaias RODRIGUE

y or PSD [Joao

essure group

organization

U, ECOWAS, FAO, G-

CRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,

U, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, UN

WIPO, WMO, WToO

epresentatio

ion: Ambassad

(s) gener

] (202)

: [1] (20

chusetts Avenue NW,

epresentatio

n: Ambassador D

Abilio m. Mac

ress: C. P.

[238] 61 56

238] 6

descr

s of light blue (top,

stripe in the middle

five-pointed stars i

nd extends into the upp

y Cape

y - ov

suffers from a poor

r shortages exacerbate

s service-oriented, wi

ervices accounting fo

ulation lives in rura

2001 was only 11%, of

food must be imported

a, is not fully exploi

cit, financed by forei

ttances supplement G

aimed at developing t

vestment to diversify

ly on the maintenance

momentum of the gov

parity - $600 m

eal gro

2002

per

er parity - $1

agriculture: 10% industry:

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

(20

r fo

(19

oyment

2000

: $252.9

illion, including capi

ture -

sweet potatoes, suga

ust

fish processing, sho

, ship

production

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

ay (200

consum

l/day (2

- ex

(20

- im

(20

account

millio

ion f.o.b.

- comm

, garments,

s - pa

nce 27.6%, UK 17.

ion f.o.b.

- comm

ial products, trans

s - pa

etherlands 9.1%,

foreign exch

million

- ext

illion

aid - r

illion

ren

dean esc

ency

nge r

(CVE) per US dollar -

2001), 115.877 (2

al y

ndar

ations C

- main li

00 (

s - mobil

00 (

hone

t: effective syst

microwave radio relay

es; work is in prog

em which is scheduled

y code - 238; 2 coaxi

gal and Guinea-Bissau;

sat (Atla

oadcast

17 repeaters),

0 (200

broadcast

repeate

visi

(2002

t count

net h

rvice Provi

net u

00 (

tation C

km paved: 858 km unpa

and ha

Praia,

ant m

000 GRT or over) 5

United Kingdo

chemical tanker 1,

orts are reported to be

s: total: 6 over 3,047 m: 1

with unpa

4 m: 1 (

ry Cap

ry bra

Coas

npower - av

5-49: 98,39

er - fit for mi

5-49: 55,47

enditures -

millio

nditures - pe

% (

nal Issues

- inter

cit

nt point for illicit

stined for Western

ial system limits the

aunderi

ast updated on

=======================

an Is

ion Cayma

kgr

ere colonized from J

9th centuries. Admini

British dependency aft

indep

y Cayman

ati

up in Caribbean Sea,

Cuba to

hic coo

N, 8

efere

rica and th

: 262

r: 0

262

compa

e size of Wa

bound

stl

ime c

rial se

fishing zo

, rainy summers (May

winters (Nove

one base surroun

ion ex

nt: Caribb

oint: The

l reso

nd beaches that

3.85% permanent crops:

ated

al ha

s (July t

fresh water resources; drinking water sup

tant location between C

Cayman

ula

(July 2

stru

.4% (male 4,60

.6% (male 14,85

% (male 1,607; femal

ian

: 36.

36.2

.8 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

nt(s)/1,000

n for Cubans trying to

1.02 mal

ears: 1 ma

s: 0.95 ma

over: 0.88

: 0.96 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,000

ths/1,000 live b

deaths/1,00

ectancy

ulation:

77.2

.45 years

ertilit

n born/woma

adult preva

ople living w

DS - d

onal

Cayman

ive: C

ic g

, black 20%, expatri

ups

igi

erian and Congregation

other Protestan

gua

era

5 and over has ev

opulati

98% (1

nt Cayma

long form: none conventiona

ency s

territory

nment

h crow

rge

rative d

astern, Midland, Sout

st End,

pend

eas territo

nal h

Day, first

titu

ised 1972

l sy

on law and l

fra

of age;

tive

en ELIZABETH II (si

DINWIDDY (sin

e monarch is heredi

rch; the chief secret

Chief Secretary W. M

mber

ncil (three members ap

cted by the Legi

ative

Assembly (18 seats, t

ncil and 15 elected by

our-yea

8 November 2000 (next

: percent of vot

ial b

d Court; Cayman Isl

ganizations) were formed for the 2000 elections; United Democratic Party or UDP [

essure group

organization

, CDB, Interpol (su

ciate

epresentatio

eas territo

epresentatio

eas territo

descr

the UK in the upper h

arms centered on the o

des a pineapple and tu

ting the three island

motto HE HATH FOUND

Cayman

y - ov

ion, the islands are

than 40,000 companies

1998, including almos

ets exceed $500 billio

m is also a mainstay,

ign currency earnings.

rket and caters mainly

arrivals exceeded 1.2

About 90% of the isla

d. The Caymanians enj

one of the highest st

parity - $1.27 bi

eal gro

(2002

per

r parity - $35,

agriculture: 1.4% industry: 3

below pov

2002

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

% (

r fo

20 (

ce - by o

industry 12.6%,

oyment

% (

: $265.2

illion, including capi

ture -

uit; livestock

ust

rance and finance, con

als, f

production

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

ay (200

consum

l/day (2

- ex

(20

- im

(20

illion

- comm

s, manufacture

s - pa

tly

million

- comm

, manufact

s - pa

obago, UK, Netherl

- ext

llion

aid - r

(19

ren

an doll

ency

nge r

US dollar - 0.82 (29

), 0.85 (22 N

al y

l - 31

tions Cay

- main li

00 (

s - mobil

00 (

hone

assess

stic

y code - 1-345; 1 sub

tation - 1 Intels

oadcast

, shortwav

00 (

broadcast

cable

visi

0 (1

t count

rvice Provi

(20

net u

ation Cay

l: 785 km pave

and ha

rac, Geo

ant m

00 GRT or over) 2,827

other countrie

9, Greece 25, Hong Ko

11, Sweden 13, Switzer

ited S

argo 7, chemical ta

oleum tanker 25, refr

t-sea/passenger 1,

por

003

with pave

,437 m: 2

with unpa

523 m: 1

y Cayma

ry bra

forces; Royal Cayman

ary -

e responsibil

al Issues C

- inter

cit

ter; vulnerable to dru

nd E

ast updated on

=======================

African

Central Afr

kgr

ny of Ubangi-Shari bec

ence in 1960. After th

y military government

d lasted for one decad

vernment was plagued

in a military coup l

established a transiti

tacit support of civi

ield of affiliated and

ipal, legislative, and

y 2005. The governmen

ide, where pockets o

entral Afri

ati

th of Democratic Re

hic coo

N, 21

efere

622,9

r: 0

622,98

compa

smaller t

bound

: 5,2

meroon 797 km, Chad

1,577 km, Republic of

stl

(land

ime c

(land

y winters; mild t

g, monotonous platea

st and

ion ex

t: Oubangui

nt: Mont Ng

l reso

m, timber, gold,

3.1% permanent crops: 0

ated

al ha

ttan winds affect nor

nt - curr

ble; poaching has dim

of the last grea

ation; def

internationa

, Climate Change, Dese

yer Protection, T

ot ratified:

aphy

ost the precise

tral Afric

ula

42,

his country explicitl

tality due to AIDS; t

er infant mortality a

rates, and changes i

sex than would other

4 e

stru

% (male 806,506;

% (male 990,522;

4% (male 53,860; fema

ian

: 18

17.7

.4 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

gratio

1,000 populat

1.03 mal

ars: 1.01 m

s: 0.97 ma

over: 0.72

: 0.98 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

39.7

.08 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(200

ople living w

0 (200

DS - d

(2003

fectious

fever,

e of risk: ve

onal

ntral Af

e: Centr

ic g

Mandjia 13%, Sara 10%

4%, o

igi

, Protestant 25%, Roma

efs and practices st

ian ma

gua

ngho (lingua franca a

l lan

era

15 and over ca

opulati

39.9% (2

Central Afr

try

g form: Central

nal short

m: Republique

-Shari, Centra

viati

hort fo

nment

rative d

ctures, singular - pr

tures economiques, s

commune**; Bamingui

to, Haut-Mbomou, Kemo,

, Nana-Mambere, Ombel

, Sangha-Mb

pend

1960 (fr

nal h

ay, 1 Dece

titu

ferendum 5 D

l sy

on Fre

fra

of age;

tive

ident Francois BOZIZ

dent Abel GOUMA (sin

pal, legislative and

ber 2004 or January

d by the

rime Minister Celesti

mber

Council o

ative

ssembly or Assemblee

popular vote to serve

in the National Asse

cti

2-23 November and 13 D

ent of vote by party -

P 4%, PUN 3%, FODEM 2%

by party - MLPC 47, R

EM 2, PLD 2, UPR 1,

ial b

r Supreme; Constitut

sident, 3 by the pre

low judges); Court of

ior C

parties an

y and Progress or ADP

atic Assembly or RDC [

imothee MALENDOMA];

arles MASSI]; Liberal

]; Movement for Democr

ovement for the Libe

[the party of deposed

Front for Progress o

he Republic or UPR [

r PUN [Jean-Paul NGOUP

PSD [Enoc

essure group

organization

DEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ,

, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IL

(observer), OPCW (si

, WCL, WCO, WHO, W

epresentatio

n: Ambassador E

nd Street NW, Was

] (202)

: [1] (20

Avenue David Dacko, Bangui mailing address: B. P. 924, Bangui telephone: [236] 61 02

descr

bands of blue (top), w

nd in center; there is

oist side of

ntral Afri

y - ov

ure, together with f

y of the Central Afric

population living i

nerates half of GDP. T

earnings and the dia

to economic developm

a poor transportati

and a legacy of misd

fighting between t

ag on economic revital

Distribution of inc

rance and the internat

eet humanit

parity - $4.183 b

eal gro

2003

per

er parity - $1

agriculture: 55% industry:

below pov

(19

by percentage share: lowest 10

f family incom

3 (

ate (consum

(2001

r fo

2000

oyment

r Bangui)

nues

including capital

ture -

cco, manioc (tapioca

as; t

ust

ng, brewing, textiles

and mot

production

(20

ity - pr

lion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

ay (200

consum

l/day (2

- ex

(20

- im

(20

on f.o.b.

- comm

ber, cotton,

s - pa

0.7%, Spain 9.8%, Fran

on f.o.b.

- comm

roleum products, ma

vehicles, chemica

s - pa

ameroon 9.2%,

- ext

illion (

aid - r

- traditional budget

ren

Africaine franc (XAF

Bank of the Centr

ency

nge r

Africaine francs (XAF)

), 733.039 (2001), 71

al y

ndar

s Central Afr

- main li

0 (2

s - mobil

00 (

hone

sessment:

ists principally of mi

powered radiotelep

ry code - 236; satel

(Atlant

oadcast

, shortwav

000

broadcast

visi

00 (

t count

net h

rvice Provi

net u

0 (2

n Central Afr

km paved: 643 km unpav

erw

on the Oubangui and

and ha

Nola, Sa

por

2003

with pave

to 3,0

,437 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 91

ntral Afric

ry bra

d Forces (FACA): Rep

val Forces

r - military age

luntary and compulsory

npower - av

-49: 878,980

er - fit for mi

-49: 460,469

enditures -

millio

nditures - pe

% (

ssues Central A

- inter

tabilities with fighti

eaving refugees and

pledged to work wit

and grazing rights a

ns along

nternally disp

origin): 36,479 (Suda

Republic o

rest following co

ast updated on

=======================

ducti

kgr

s African holdings un

fare as well as invas

s finally restored in

or came to terms with

itorial dispute with L

mocratic constitution

s in 1996 and 1997. I

Chad, which sporadical

d in 2002 and 2003 bet

vement toward democrat

f a northern e

raph

ati

rica, sout

hic coo

N, 1

efere

.284 mil

24,80

,259,20

compa

n three times the

bound

: 5,9

roon 1,094 km, Central

iger 1,175 km, Nigeri

stl

(land

ime c

(land

south, des

in center, desert i

, lowland

ion ex

: Djourab De

nt: Emi Kou

l reso

m, natron, kaolin

.86% permanent crops: 0.

ated

km (199

al ha

tan winds occur in nor

st p

nt - curr

f potable water; impr

s to soil and water po

internationa

, Climate Change, Dese

e Layer Prote

tified: Law of the

aphy

is the most signific

ple

ula

4 (July

stru

(male 2,297,490;

% (male 2,245,586

% (male 107,594; femal

ian

: 16

15.3

.7 years (

ion gro

2004

,000 populati

1,000 populat

gratio

)/1,000 populat

1.04 mal

ars: 1.01 m

s: 0.91 ma

over: 0.68

: 0.95 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,00

ectancy

ulation:

46.9

.63 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(2003

ople living w

0 (200

DS - d

(2003

fectious

, malaria, sc

e of risk: ve

onal

Chad

ive: C

ic g

; in the north and

), Zaghawa, Kanembou

o, Hausa, Boulala, and

Sara (Ngambaye, Mbay

f whom are Christian o

tizens li

igi

istian 35%, ani

gua

abic (official), Sara

t languages

era

d over can read and w

opulati

39.3% (2

nment

try

long form: Re

nal short

orm: Republi

hort fo

nment

jam

rative d

fectures, singular

-Tibesti, Chari-Baguir

ogone Oriental, Mayo

Salamat

efectures, there may b

tments (departments,

, Baguirmi, Bahr El G

ntal, Biltine, Borkou,

anem, Lac, Lac Iro, Lo

Mayo-Boneye, Mayo-D

Salamat, Sila, Tandji

ntal,

pend

1960 (fr

nal h

e Day, 11 A

titu

eferendum 3

l sy

law system and Chadian

pulsory ICJ

fra

of age;

tive

dent Lt. Gen. Idriss

Prime Minister Pasca

uary

ate, members appointed

on of the pr

Gen. Idriss DEBY reele

riss DEBY 63%, Ngarle

ZAB

t coalition - M

elected by popular vo

receives at least 50%

ing the most votes mu

held 20 May 2001 (ne

r appointed b

ative

to constitution, c

members elected by

Senate (not yet creat

ear terms, one-third o

two

cent of vote by party

AR 9, RNDP 5, URD

sembly - last held 21

NA Apr

ial b

f Appeal; Criminal Cou

parties an

r the Republic or FA

elopment and Progress

mocracy and Renewal o

vement or MPS [Mahamat

ion but now the party

ly for Democracy and P

and Democracy or URD

for Development and

assire C

essure group

organization

DEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ,

CRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD,

GA, NAM, OIC, ONUB, OP

U, WCL, WHO, WIP

epresentatio

assador Hassaballah A

Street NW, Wash

] (202)

: [1] (20

epresentatio

Ambassador Christo

nue Felix Eb

ess: B. P. 4

: [235] (

35] (51

descr

bands of blue (hoist

Romania; also similar

hich have a national c

esign was based on

omy

y - ov

cultural economy will

pipeline projects that

elies on subsistence f

tton, cattle, and gum

ings, but Chad will b

has long been handica

costs, and a history

stance and foreign cap

tment projects. A co

vesting $3.7 billion

barrels in southern C

am in l

parity - $10.67 b

eal gro

2003

per

er parity - $1

griculture: 32.4% industry: 18

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

2001

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

2003

r fo

(20

ce - by o

n 80% (subsistence f

oyment

(20

: $591.2

illion, including capi

n (200

ture -

t, peanuts, rice, pota

heep, goa

ust

meatpacking, beer br

cigarettes, cons

production

(19

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

ay (200

consum

l/day (2

- ex

(20

- im

(20

account

millio

on f.o.b.

- comm

cattle,

s - pa

Portugal 15.9%, Fra

on f.o.b.

- comm

tation equipment, indu

foodstuffs

s - pa

%, Cameroon 14.6%, Ne

foreign exch

million

- ext

lion (20

aid - r

- $125 million commit

mitted by African Deve

n (200

ren

Africaine franc (XAF

Bank of the Centr

ency

nge r

Africaine francs (XAF)

), 733.039 (2001), 71

al y

ndar

icatio

- main li

00 (

s - mobil

00 (

hone

ssment: prim

m of radiotelephone

ry code - 235; satel

(Atlant

oadcast

, shortwav

illion

broadcast

visi

00 (

t count

net h

rvice Provi

net u

00 (

ortati

km paved: 267 km unpav

erw

rs are navigable only

eli

05 km

and ha

por

2003

over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,52

al: 44 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1

tary

ry bra

Army (ANT), Air Force

ripts, with 3-year service obligation; 18 years of age for volunteers; no

npower - av

-49: 2,008,8

er - fit for mi

-49: 1,051,8

- reaching milit

1,231 (2

enditures -

millio

nditures - pe

% (

ional Is

- inter

rlaps into Chad as bot

ees and rebel groups i

t mediator in the Sud

eside in southern Liby

atories Cameroon, Chad

eaty over lake region;

boundary, the site of

ide

nternally disp

origin): 200,000 (S

Republic

ast updated on

=======================

uction

kgr

ist government was ov

egime led by Augusto P

ident was installed i

onsistently since the

ave helped secure the

entative government.

international leaders

stable, demo

aphy

ati

, bordering the South

ina an

hic coo

S, 7

efere

h Am

756,9

748,80

Island (Isla de Pascua

8,150

compa

r than twice th

border countries: Argentina 5,1

ine: 6

ontinental shelf: 200/350 nm contiguous z

north; Mediterranean

amp i

fertile central valle

ion ex

nt: Pacifi

Nevado Ojos del

l reso

ore, nitrates, precio

rop

.65% permanent crops: 0.

ated

q km (19

al ha

kes; active vol

mining threaten natural resources; air pollution from indus

internationa

vironmental Protocol,

eals, Antarctic Treaty

-Kyoto Protocol, Deser

l Modification, Hazar

Ozone Layer Protect

nds,

ified: none of the

aphy

elative to sea lanes

of Magellan, Beagle C

is one of world

le C

ula

7 (July 2

stru

(male 2,090,165;

% (male 5,235,061

% (male 515,698; femal

ian

: 29.

28.9

.7 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

1,000 populat

1.05 mal

ars: 1.05 m

rs: 1 mal

over: 0.71

: 0.98 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,000

ths/1,000 live b

deaths/1,00

ectancy

ulation:

73.0

.82 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(2003

ople living w

(2003

DS - d

(200

n: Chilean(s) ad

ic g

erindian 95%, Amer

igi

%, Protestant 11%

gua

era

15 and over ca

opulati

96.1% (2

nment

try

long form: Re

al short f

form: Repub

hort fo

nment

rative d

singular - region); Ai

ntofagasta, Araucan

r General Bernardo

tartica Chilena, Maul

, Tarapaca

not recognize cl

pend

er 1810 (f

nal h

Day, 18 Sep

titu

fective 11 March 1981

, an

l sy

derived from Spanish l

h and Austrian law;

e Supreme Court; has n

urisd

process of completely

ew, US-style advers

throughout the country

Santiago metropolitan

fra

ge; universal

tive

dent Ricardo LAGOS Es

ident is both the chie

ern

esident Ricardo LAGOS

ident is both the chie

ern

et appointed b

rdo LAGOS Escobar elec

GOS Escobar 51.32%,

elected by popular vo

December 1999, with

ext to be held

ative

ngress or Congreso Na

eats, 38 elected by po

president who has serv

fe); elected members

y four years) and the

20 seats; members are

four-ye

te - percent of vote b

12, PS 5, PPD 3),

r of Deputies - percen

2 (PDC 24, PPD 21, PS

ndepe

st held 16 December 20

er of Deputies - last

held NA De

ial b

rte Suprema (judges

ed by the Senate fro

itself; the president

member court); Con

parties an

"Alianza") or APC -

Party or PDC [Adolfo

("Concertacion") or CP

Party or PC [Gladys

DI [Pablo LONGUEIRA];

arty for Democracy or

ratic Party or PRSD

ty or PS [Gon

ns at all major universities; Roman Catholic Church; United Labor Central or CU

organization

, G-77, IADB, IAEA,

RM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IF

SO, ITU, LAES, LAIA,

AS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA,

NMOGIP, UNTSO, UPU, WC

WTo

epresentatio

on: Ambassador

chusetts Avenue NW,

Chicago, Houston, Lo

San Francisco, and S

] (202)

: [1] (20

A. KELLY embassy: Avenida Andres Bello 2800, Las Condes, Santiago mailin

descr

ands of white (top) an

t as the white band a

quare bears a white f

guide to progress and

the snow-covered Andes

ve independence; desig

omy

gs - the latter a product of the global financial crisis. A severe drought exacerbated the recession in 1999, reducing crop yields and causing hydroelectric shortfalls and electricity rationing, and Chile experienced negative economic growth for the first time in more than 15 years. Despite the effects of the recession, Chile maintained its reputation for strong financial institutions and sound policy that have given it the strongest sovereign bond rating in South America. By the end of 1999, exports and economic activity had begun to recover, and growth rebounded t

parity - $154.7 b

eal gro

(2003

per

er parity - $9

griculture: 6.4% industry: 38.

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

(200

by percentage share: lowest 10

f family incom

7 (

ate (consum

(2003

r fo

on (200

ce - by o

industry 23.4%, ser

oyment

(2003

: $15.44

illion, including capi

ic d

of GDP

ture -

onions, wheat, corn,

beef, poultry, w

ust

ls, foodstuffs, fish

roducts, transport equ

production

(2003

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

llion kW

prod

bl/day (

consum

bl/day (2

- ex

(20

- im

(20

roved r

on bbl (1 J

gas - pr

on cu m (

gas - co

ion cu m

gas -

(2001

gas -

ion cu m

s - proved

on cu m (1

account

millio

ion f.o.b.

- comm

its, paper and pu

s - pa

, China 8.6%, South K

4.2%

ion f.o.b.

- comm

icals, motor vehicle

vy industrial

s - pa

S 13%, Brazil 10.4

foreign exch

billion

- ext

billion

aid - r

million (

ren

n peso

ency

nge r

dollar - 691.433 (2

535.466 (2000)

al y

ndar

icatio

- main li

millio

s - mobil

,700

hone

modern system based

elay fa

crowave radio relay li

th 3 eart

ry code - 56; satell

(Atlant

oadcast

), FM 64, shortwave 17

illion

broadcast

21 repeate

visi

illion

t count

net h

429

rvice Provi

net u

millio

ortati

lwa

: 6,5

km 1.676-m gauge (1

3,754 km 1.000

hwa

: 79,

(including 294

64,330

eli

42 km; liquid petroleu

products 7

and ha

Chanaral, Coquimbo,

tonio, San Vicente,

ant m

000 GRT or over) 72

o 5, chemical tanker 9

petroleum tanker 7

senger 1, veh

owned: A

ther countries:

por

2003

with pave

al:

3,047

to 3,0

to 2,4

1,523

m: 15 (2

with unpa

al:

3,047

to 3,0

to 2,4

1,523

m: 217 (

tary

ry bra

National Navy (inclu

orps), Air Force of

os (Natio

itary service; all citizens 18-45 are obligated to perform military service; conscr

npower - av

-49: 4,207,0

er - fit for mi

-49: 3,107,4

- reaching milit

31,283 (

enditures -

6 milli

nditures - pe

(20

ional Is

- inter

d its claim to the Ata

ure sovereign mariti

ith Peru over the econ

y; Beagle Channel is

n in 1984, but armed i

territorial claim in

artially overlaps Arge

cit

t country for cocaine

perity and increasing

affickers seeking to

the Iquique Free Tr

law improves control

; domestic cocaine c

ast updated on

=======================

uction

kgr

ood as a leading civil

the arts and sciences

the country was beset

ats, and foreign occup

nder MAO Zedong esta

while ensuring China'

everyday life and cos

fter 1978, his succes

on market-oriented eco

rupled. For much of

ved dramatically and

, yet political con

aphy

ati

g the East China Sea,

ea, between North

hic coo

N, 1

efere

9,596,9

,326,41

270,5

compa

smaller t

bound

: 22,

anistan 76 km, Bhutan

akhstan 1,533 km, N

s 423 km, Mongolia 4,6

a (northeast) 3,605 km

n 414 km, Vie

: Hong Kong 30 k

stl

500

ne: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental

tropical in south t

h plateaus, deserts i

ills

ion ex

t: Turpan P

t: Mount Eve

l reso

leum, natural gas, me

molybdenum, vanadium,

, hydropower potent

d u

land:

83.36

nt crop

ated

sq km (1

al ha

out five per year alo

ods; tsunamis; earthq

sid

nt - curr

use gases, sulfur diox

ces acid rain; water s

llution from untreated

fifth of agricultural

c development; dese

ered s

internationa

Environmental Protoc

e Change, Climate Ch

ngered Species, Hazar

Ozone Layer Protect

Tropical Timber 94

ified: none of the

aphy

st country (after Ru

order with Nepal is th

le C

ula

624 (July

stru

(male 153,401,051;

(male 469,328,664;

% (male 46,308,923; fe

ian

: 31.

31.5

.2 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

)/1,000 popula

1.12 mal

ars: 1.13 m

s: 1.06 ma

over: 0.91

: 1.06 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

70.4

.72 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(2003

ople living w

0 (200

DS - d

(2003

onal

se (singula

ive: C

ic g

uang, Uygur, Hui, Yi,

rean, and other

igi

uddhist, Muslim 1%

ally atheist

gua

Mandarin (Putonghua,

se), Wu (Shanghaiese),

iang, Gan, Hakka diale

nic grou

era

15 and over ca

opulati

: 86.5

nment

try

g form: People's

al short f

m: Zhonghua Re

viati

rt form:

nment

nist

rative d

singular and plural),

plural), and 4 munici

Fujian, Gansu, Guang

enan, Hubei, Hunan, Ji

haanxi, Shandong, Sh

Guangxi, Nei Mongol, N

Taiwan its 23rd provin

nistrative regions o

Beijing, Chongqing

pend

der the Qin or Ch'in D

ced by a Republic); 1

c estab

nal h

unding of the People'

ber

titu

romulgation 4

l sy

custom and statute,

e in effect since 1 J

1 January 1980; contin

administrative, crimi

fra

of age;

tive

ent HU Jintao (since 1

Qinghong (since

appointed by the Nati

intao elected presiden

h a total of 2,937 vo

ined, and 38 did not

by the Tenth National

es (177 delegates vo

did not vote); 2

and vice president el

five-year terms; ele

e held mid-March 2008

irmed by the Nation

emier WEN Jiabao (sinc

ce 17 March 2003), WU

2003), and HUI Liangy

ative

eople's Congress or Q

embers elected by mun

s congresses to se

December 2002-Februar

7-Februa

: percent of vot

ial b

t (judges appointed b

es Courts (comprise hi

Peoples Courts (prima

ay transp

parties an

y or CCP [HU Jintao, G

ght registered small p

essure group

ical opposition grou

ied the Falungong spir

y Party as sub

organization

, ASEAN (dialogue par

, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD

C, IOM (observer), ISO

rver), NSG, OAS (obser

ouncil, UNAMSIL, UNCTA

UNMOVIC, UNOCI, UNTS

ToO, W

epresentatio

ion: Ambassad

ecticut Avenue NW,

] (202)

Chicago, Houston, Los

Fran

: [1] (20

ui Bei Jie 3, 100600 Beijing mailing address: PSC 461, Box 50, FPO AP 96521-0002 telephone: [86] (10) 6

descr

ow five-pointed star

ranged in a vertical a

the upper hoi

omy

ng, opposite Taiwan, and in Shanghai, where foreign investment has helped spur output of both domestic and export goods. The leadership, however, often has experienced - as a result of its hybrid system - the worst results of socialism (bureaucracy and lassitude) and of capitalism (growing income disparities and rising unemployment). China thus has periodically backtracked, retightening central controls at intervals. The government has struggled to (a) sustain adequate jobs growth for tens of millions of workers laid off from state-owned enterprises, migrants, and new entrants to the work force; (b) reduce corruption and other economic crimes; and (c) keep afloat the large state-owned enterprises, many of which had been shielded from competition by subsidies and had been losing the ability to pay full wages and pensions. From 80 to 120 million surplus rural workers are adrift between the villages and the cities, many subsisting through part-time, low-paying jobs. Popular resistance, changes in central policy, and loss of authority by rural cadr

parity - $6.449 t

eal gro

cial data)

per

er parity - $5

ulture: 14.8% industry and constru

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

2001

by percentage share: lowest 10

f family incom

(20

ate (consum

(2003

r fo

llion (2

ce - by o

ndustry 22%, servi

oyment

nt roughly 10%; substa

t in rural are

: $265.8

illion, including capi

ic d

of GDP

ture -

s, sorghum, peanuts,

ilseed, p

ust

machine building, ar

ement, chemical ferti

automobiles, cons

mmunic

production

(200

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

illion k

city -

llion k

city -

lion kW

prod

n bbl/day

consum

on bbl/day

- ex

bbl/da

- im

lion bbl/

roved r

on bbl (1 J

gas - pr

ion cu m

gas - co

ion cu m

gas -

(2001

gas -

(2001

s - proved

on cu m (1

account

billion

ion f.o.b.

- comm

t, textiles and clothi

goods, mi

s - pa

7.4%, Japan 13.6%, So

(20

ion f.o.b.

- comm

nt, mineral fuels, pl

mic

s - pa

9%, South Korea 10.4%

foreign exch

billion

- ext

illion (

aid - r

ren

n (

erred to as the

ency

nge r

8.277 (2003), 8.277 (

000), 8.2

al y

ndar

icatio

- main li

llion

s - mobil

llion

hone

domestic and inter

le for private use;

s principal cities, i

y t

ncial fiber-optic tr

been installed; a dom

th stations

ry code - 86; satell

Ocean and 1 Indian O

) and 1 Inmarsat (Pa

ernational fiber-opti

ng, Russia, an

oadcast

259, shortw

llion

erated by China Central Television, 31 are provincial TV

visi

llion

t count

net h

421

rvice Provi

net u

llion

ortati

lwa

: 70,

0 km 1.435-m gauge (1

m 1.000-m and 0.750-m

0 km (not include

hwa

1,402

with at least 16,31

1,088,494

erw

57 km

eli

4,478 km; refined pr

and ha

zhou, Haikou, Huangpu

ao, Qinhuangdao, Shang

iamen, Xingang, Yan

ant m

000 GRT or over) 18,72

2, bulk 355, cargo 82

ombination ore/oil 2,

ional large load ca

petroleum tanker 272

roll on/roll off 25,

anker 10, veh

ia 1, Greece 2, Hong

Malaysia 1, Panama 1

ther countries:

por

2003

with pave

al:

3,047

to 3,0

1,523

m: 35 (2

o 2,437

with unpa

al:

m: 66 (2

3,047

to 3,0

1,523

to 2,4

ipo

2003

tary

ry bra

Army (PLA): comprise

ntry and naval aviati

tegic missile force),

ty troops, nominally a

e as part of the "arme

unct to the

itary service, with 24-month service obligation; no minimum age for voluntary servi

npower - av

49: 379,524,6

er - fit for mi

49: 208,143,3

- reaching milit

,494,201

enditures -

lion (2

nditures - pe

0% (FY

ional Is

- inter

ispute with Malaysia,

Brunei over the Spra

nduct of Parties in th

alls short of a lega

veral of the disputant

ith India is in disput

olution with discussio

ir remains the world

al dispute with porti

a (Aksai Chin), India

r and Northern Areas)

ng measures among par

does not recognize Pa

ary agreement; China

o the Japanese-admini

reased media coverage

alu and Tumen rivers

rea and a section of

China has been attemp

eans into northern Chi

st border dispute over

etails on demarcati

delimitation agreemen

0 sq km of Pamir Moun

elinquishing claims

mmenced; agreements wi

d fisheries cooperatio

ne, and demarcation

ies some of the Parace

in response to groups

r China's plans to con

in Yunnan Province (S

Jiabao suspended the

ssessment, a smaller s

scheduled to

nternally disp

of origin): 299,28

cit

point for heroin p

estic drug abuse prob

ursors and me

ast updated on

=======================

stmas

ion Chris

kgr

day of its discovery,

un by the UK in 1888.

ransferred sovereignty

he island has been dec

y Christ

ati

land in the Indian Oc

hic coo

S, 1

efere

heas

: 135

r: 0

135

compa

rters the size

bound

stl

a: 12 nm contiguous zone: 12 nm

d dry season; heat and

wet season De

coast rise abruptly

ion ex

nt: Indian

int: Murra

l reso

ate, b

d u

e lan

ent cr

er:

rainforest; 63% of t

k (

ated

al ha

eef surrounding the i

nt - curr

aphy

ajor sea lanes

Christm

: 396 (Jul

NA 15-64 years: NA 65 yea

ion gro

2004

000 populati

gratio

1,000 populati

2004

mortali

al:

NA (20

ectancy

pulation

A years (

: NA

ertilit

born/woman

adult preva

ople living w

DS - d

onal

istmas Is

: Christm

ic g

European 20

igenous popu

igi

m 25%, Christian 18

gua

ficial), Ch

era

le -

of Statistics reports

2001

t Christm

try

form: Territory

short form: C

ency s

a; administered by th

t and Regio

nment

Sett

rative d

ritory of

pend

ritory of

nal h

Day, 26 Ja

titu

l sy

of the governor gene

rali

tive

en ELIZABETH II (si

the Australian

dministrator Evan WIL

onarch is hereditary;

l of Australia and rep

tra

ative

sland Shire Council (9

te to serve f

rcent of vote - NA;

two years with half th

d 3 May 2003 (next

ial b

istrict Court; M

parties an

essure group

organization

epresentatio

ritory of

epresentatio

ritory of

descr

is used; note - in ear

a design competitio

esign has never been f

lag of the

Christma

y - ov

been the only signifi

he Australian Governme

pened. With the suppor

ened in 1993. The cas

in 2001 agreed to su

ching site on the isl

ons in

g power p

eal gro

per

g power p

position

ultur

stry

ices

below pov

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

r fo

ce - by o

oyment

nues

including capital

ture -

ust

ate extraction

production

ity - pr

ity - co

- comm

sph

s - pa

rali

- comm

umer

s - pa

ally Au

- ext

aid - r

ren

ian dol

ency

nge r

r US dollar - 1.5419

1.7173(2000),

al y

y - 3

ions Chris

- main li

s - mobil

hone

service provided by

og mobile telephone

code - 61-891; satell

provides telephone an

oadcast

, shortwav

0 (1

broadcast

visi

t count

rvice Provi

net u

tion Chris

0 km paved: 30 km u

and ha

g Fis

por

003

unways: total: 1 1,524

Christm

fense is the respon

l Issues Chr

internati

ast updated on

=======================

erton

on Clipper

kgr

was named for John CL

rly in the 18th centur

by Mexico in 1897. A

o France, which took

Clippert

ati

ll in the North Pac

est of

hic coo

N, 1

efere

l Map of

l: 6

r: 0

: 6

compa

e size of The Mal

bound

stl

ime c

rial se

economic z

erage temperature 2

-Oc

ion ex

nt: Pacifi

t: Rocher Cl

l reso

permanent crops: 0% othe

ated

m (199

al ha

nt - curr

aphy

m in circ

lipperto

ninhabited (J

t Clipper

try

nal long

hort form: Cli

t form: Il

ong for

mes called Ile

ency s

administered by France

mmissioner o

l sy

ance, where ap

descr

of Fran

Clippert

y - ov

es of fish have be

Clipperton Island, the

na fi

tion Clipp

s: none; offshor

Clipper

efense is the resp

l Issues Cli

internati

ast updated on

=======================

Keeling)

Cocos (Keel

kgr

lands in the group. C

in 1609, but they rem

xed by the UK in 1857,

ernment in 1955. The

rally is split between

the ethnic Malay

ocos (Keeli

ati

up of islands in the I

t halfway from Aus

hic coo

S, 9

efere

heas

: 14

main islands of West

r: 0

: 14

compa

e size of The Mal

bound

stl

ime c

rial se

fishing zo

idity, moderated by th

ine months

-lying co

ion ex

nt: Indian

nt: unnamed

l reso

: 0% permanent crops:

ated

al ha

son is Octo

resources are limited to rainwater accum

e thickly covered with cocon

os (Keelin

: 629 (Jul

NA 15-64 years: NA 65 yea

ion gro

(2004

000 populati

gratio

1,000 populati

mortali

al:

NA (20

ectancy

pulation

: NA

A years (

ertilit

born/woman

adult preva

ople living w

DS - d

onal

ocos Is

e: Cocos

ic g

ns, Coc

igi

80%, other 20

gua

os dialect

Cocos (Keel

try

rm: Territory of Coc

rt form: Cocos (

ency s

lia; administered f

ent of Transport a

nment

t I

rative d

ritory of

pend

ritory of

nal h

Day, 26 Ja

titu

ing) Island

l sy

laws of Austral

fra

tive

en ELIZABETH II (si

the Australian

onarch is hereditary;

l of Australia and rep

tra

ministrator (nonreside

ember

ine

ative

eeling) Islands Shi

two years with half th

n; last

ial b

rt; Magistr

parties an

essure group

organization

epresentatio

ritory of

epresentatio

ritory of

descr

of Austra

cos (Keeli

y - ov

islands, coconuts a

d fishing contribute t

ost other necessities

e is a small to

g power p

eal gro

per

g power p

position

ultur

stry

: NA (20

below pov

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

r fo

ce - by o

perative Society Ltd.

nd lighterage workers;

oyment

2000

nues

including capital

ture -

bananas, paw

ust

oducts a

production

ity - pr

ity - co

- comm

s - pa

tra

- comm

dst

s - pa

tra

- ext

aid - r

ren

ian dol

ency

nge r

r US dollar - 1.5419

1.7173 (2000)

al y

y - 3

ns Cocos (Ke

- main li

s - mobil

cellular ser

hone

nnected within Austral

stic

try code - 61-891;

ns with Australia and

rth station of

oadcast

, shortwav

broadcast

visi

t count

rvice Provi

net u

on Cocos (Ke

km paved: NA km un

and ha

oon ancho

por

003

unways: total: 1 1,524

ocos (Keel

ary -

ibility of Australia;

erson po

Issues Cocos (

internati

ast updated on

=======================

lom

ction C

kgr

the three countries

mbia in 1830 (the oth

insurgent campaign to

uring the 1990s, under

Although the violen

yside are under guer

itary strength or popu

nt. An anti-insurgent

l thousand strong in r

trol of territory and

ity to exert its domi

p efforts to reasser

ry, neighboring coun

lling over t

phy Co

ati

, bordering the Caribb

ordering the North P

r and

hic coo

N, 72

efere

h Am

1,138,9

,038,70

e Malpelo, Roncador C

nilla

100,2

compa

an three times t

bound

: 6,0

zil 1,643 km, Ecuador

(est.), Vene

stl

ea 1,760 km, North Pa

ime c

rial se

00-m depth or to the

economic z

and eastern plains;

, central highlands,

lowlan

ion ex

nt: Pacifi

Pico Cristoba

imon Bolivar also h

l reso

as, coal, iron ore,

ds, hy

.42% other: 95.91% (2001

ated

q km (1

al ha

volcanic eruptions; o

dic d

water quality damage from overuse of pesticides; air p

internationa

reaty, Biodiversity,

ol, Desertification

ne Life Conservation,

cal Timber 83, Tropic

ot ratified:

aphy

ountry with coastline

nd Cari

e Col

ula

5 (July 2

stru

(male 6,644,080;

(male 13,171,416;

(male 940,762; female

ian

: 25.

24.9

.7 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

)/1,000 populat

1.03 mal

ars: 1.02 m

s: 0.95 ma

over: 0.79

: 0.96 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

67.5

.41 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(2003

ople living w

0 (200

DS - d

(200

onal

Colomb

ive: C

ic g

e 20%, mulatto 14

ndian 3%, A

igi

Cathol

gua

era

15 and over ca

opulati

92.6% (2

ment C

try

ong form: Repu

l short for

ort form

orm: Republi

nment

branch dominates g

rative d

rtamentos, singular

trito capital); Amazon

apital de Bogota*, Bo

auca, Cesar, Choco,

la, La Guajira, Magdal

mayo, Quindio, Ris

r, Sucre, Tolima, Val

pend

1810 (fr

nal h

ce Day, 20

titu

uly

l sy

w; a new criminal c

in 1992-93; judicial

ccepts compulsory I

rvat

fra

of age;

tive

ent Alvaro URIBE Velez

sco SANTOS (since 7 A

he chief of state a

resident Alvaro URIBE

Francisco SANTOS (sinc

the chief of state a

sts of a coalition of

d PSC - and

nd vice president elec

tion last held 26 May

ident Alvaro URIBE Vel

rancisco SANTOS was el

ative

Congreso consists of

e elected by popular v

f Representatives or C

e elected by popular v

ast held 10 March 200

Representatives - la

e held NA

te - percent of vote b

3, independents and

ives) 61; House of Rep

seats by party - PL 5

her pa

ial b

supreme judicial org

ma de Justicia (highes

their peers from the

eight-year terms); Co

e law; judges are sele

dicial Council for

t (guards integrity

constitutionality of

rnational treaties); S

ciplines the civilia

ts arising between oth

er courts and Congres

parties an

PSC [Carlos HOLGUIN Sa

Colombian Communist

ic Pole or PDI [An

ut 60 formally recogni

have a presence in ei

essure group

groups active in Col

bia or FARC and Natio

insurgent paramili

Groups of C

organization

-3, G-24, G-77, IADB,

DA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS

SO, ITU, LAES, LAIA,

L, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN,

WCO, WFTU, WHO, W

epresentatio

Ambassador Luis Al

roy Place NW, Was

Boston, Chicago, Houst

o, San Juan (Puerto Ri

te(s):

] (202)

: [1] (20

bassy: Calle 22D-BIS, numbers 47-51, Apartado Aereo 3831 mailing address: Carrera 45 #

descr

s of yellow (top, dou

ag of Ecuador, which i

of arms superimp

my Co

y - ov

ffers from weak domes

gets, and serious inte

ery. Other economic pr

orming the pension s

Colombia's leading ex

ture; new exploratio

tion, while coffee h

itive side, several i

sed the economic refor

s designed to reduce t

2004. The government'

trategy have engender

omy, particularly with

03 was among the hig

parity - $263.2 b

eal gro

(2003

per

er parity - $6

griculture: 13.7% industry: 32

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

or consumption by

st 1

10%: 4

f family incom

1 (

ate (consum

(2003

r fo

llion (2

ce - by o

industry 24%, s

oyment

(200

s: $24

llion, including capit

ic d

of GDP

ture -

ananas, rice, tobacco,

egetables; forest

ust

sing, oil, clothing a

ment; gold, c

production

(2003

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

lion kW

city -

ion kWh

prod

bl/day (2

consum

bl/day (2

- ex

(20

- im

(20

roved r

n bbl (1 J

gas - pr

on cu m (

gas - co

on cu m (

gas -

(2001

gas -

(2001

s - proved

cu m (1 Ja

account

billio

ion f.o.b.

- comm

coal, apparel, ba

s - pa

dor 6%, Venezu

ion f.o.b.

- comm

transportation equip

r products, fue

s - pa

Mexico 5.4%, Venezuel

rmany 4.

foreign exch

billion

- ext

illion (

aid - r

ren

ian pe

ency

nge r

S dollar - 2,877.65 (

2,087.9 (2000),

al y

ndar

cations

- main li

,100

s - mobil

,200

hone

nt: modern syste

e microwave radio r

41 earth stations; fib

cit

ry code - 57; satell

3 fully digitalized

8 submari

oadcast

34, shortwa

llion

broadcast

ven low-power s

visi

illion

t count

net h

158

rvice Provi

(20

net u

,200

rtation

lwa

: 3,3

ge: 150 km 1

3,154 km 0.914

hwa

: 110

: 26,

84,000

erw

km (

eli

134 km; refined prod

and ha

ranquilla, Buenaventu

n Andres, Santa Ma

ant m

000 GRT or over) 35

o 5, container 1, liq

ther countries:

por

2003

,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 39

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 34 und

s: 1 (20

ary C

ry bra

al), Navy (Armada Nac

nd Coast Guard), Air

omb

ears of age for compulsory and voluntary military ser

npower - av

49: 11,252,02

er - fit for mi

-49: 7,495,4

- reaching milit

92,656 (

enditures -

illion

nditures - pe

% (

onal Issu

- inter

aim against Honduras

the ICJ over dispu

km in the Caribbea

ndres y Providencia

ute with Venezuela in

ities penetrate Peru

der in Colombia has cr

oring states, es

nternally disp

0,000 (conflict betwee

wars)

cit

coca, opium poppy, a

or (cultivation of co

e since 2001); potenti

declined by 25% to 91

declined to 11.3 me

coca derivatives into

ne to the US market an

national drug markets;

ket; active aerial e

of non-US narcotic

in Colombia through

ast updated on

=======================

uction

kgr

endured 19 coups or

from France in 1975.

clared their independ

ol. AZALI seized power

s through a confederal

In December 2001, v

dential elections took

he archipelago elected

ent was sworn in

aphy

ati

up of islands at the

bout two-thirds of th

and norther

hic coo

S, 4

efere

2,170

r: 0

2,17

compa

12 times the size

bound

stl

orial sea: 12 nm exclus

; rainy season

riors vary from steep

ion ex

nt: Indian

nt: Le Kart

l reso

d u

land:

nt crop

40.81

ated

al ha

ring rainy season (D

nd Comore is a

nt - curr

erosion results fro

proper terracin

internationa

, Climate Change, Dese

tes, Law of the Sea, O

lution,

ified: none of the

aphy

at northern end o

le C

ula

(July 20

stru

% (male 140,083;

2% (male 174,216

% (male 9,136; femal

ian

: 18.

18.3

.9 years (

ion gro

(200

000 populati

,000 populati

gratio

1,000 populat

1.03 mal

ars: 1.01 m

s: 0.97 ma

over: 0.9 m

: 0.99 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,00

ectancy

ulation:

59.2

.91 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(200

ople living w

DS - d

onal

Como

ive: C

ic g

e, Makoa, Oima

igi

m 98%, Roma

gua

nch (official), Shikom

era

15 and over ca

opulati

49.3% (2

ment C

try

ong form: Unio

al short f

ort form

form: Union

nment

ndent

rative d

ore (Njazidja), Anjou

are also four munici

roni, and M

pend

975 (fro

nal h

ce Day, 6

titu

cembe

ational Unity Governme

ing the passing of the

he presidential elect

l sy

Islamic) law in a n

fra

of age;

tive

ent AZALI Assoumani (s

up AZALI was appointe

s position to run i

ns; Prime Minister H

sident until replaced

appointed Minister of

the president is both

d of go

ident AZALI Assoumani

f the

d by the 2001 consti

rs among the elected p

ion; election last hel

; prime minister appoi

ppointed a Prime Minis

fice in

esident AZALI Assouman

999 coup AZALI was a

ned his position to r

ns; Prime Minister H

sident until replaced

appointed Minister of

the president is both

d of go

f Ministers appoin

ative

f the Union (30 seats

dual islands' local as

rage; deputies serve f

ormer legislature,

ere held on 1 and 8 D

mbly of the Union were

25 Ap

ial b

r Supremes (two memb

elected by the Federa

island, and others ar

repu

parties an

n Republicaine or F

r la Redressement Nati

ocratique or FD [Moust

ce or FNJ (Islamic par

Citoyens pour la Repub

pulaire Anjouanais or

Mouvement pour la Dem

OUSSOUF]; Movement po

plinter group of FD)

ratie et le Progress o

l pour le Development

r TAMOU, Abdoulh

essure group

organization

F, AU, FAO, FZ, G-7

, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRC

OC, ITU, LAS, NAM, OIC

O, UNIDO, UPU

epresentatio

ssador Mahmoud M. ABOU

ermanent represe

care of the Permanent

ted Nations, 420 East

(212) 972-801

2) 983-4712

epresentatio

an embassy in Comor

s accredite

descr

bands of yellow (top

triangle based on the

te crescent with the

five-pointed stars pla

the crescent; the ho

the four main islands

i, and Mayotte (a terr

y Comoros); the cresc

aditional sy

my Co

y - ov

orest countries, Como

adequate transportat

pulation, and few nat

the labor force contr

ctivity, high unemp

grants and technical a

nting, and forestry,

bor force, and provid

lf-sufficient in food

for the bulk of impo

nternal political disp

technical training,

ises, to improve healt

tourism, and to redu

foreign support is es

s to be met. Remittanc

lp supple

parity - $441 m

eal gro

2002

per

er parity - $7

agriculture: 40% industry:

below pov

2002

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

(2001

r fo

0 (199

ce - by o

ultur

oyment

1996

s: $27.

uding capital expendit

ture -

fume essences, copra

va (t

ust

perfume d

production

1999

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

ay (200

consum

/day (2

- ex

(20

- im

(20

n f.o.b. (

- comm

lang, cloves, pe

s - pa

Germany 18.8%,

n f.o.b. (

- comm

tuffs, consumer good

ransport

s - pa

13.7%, South Africa

ailand 4

- ext

lion (20

aid - r

lion (2

ren

n fran

ency

nge r

er US dollar - 435.9 (

533.982 (2000)

y 1999, the official

oran francs per French

c is pegged to the eur

francs

al y

ndar

cations

- main li

00 (

s - mobil

0 (2

hone

parse system of micro

ne communica

phone communications a

code - 269; HF radiot

ascar an

oadcast

, shortwav

00 (

broadcast

visi

0 (1

t count

net h

(20

rvice Provi

net u

0 (2

rtation

km paved: 673 km unpa

and ha

Moroni, M

ant m

000 GRT or over) 45

o 31, chemical tanker

assenger 4, petroleum

off 1, short-sea/pas

1, Bulgaria 1, Cyprus

Lebanon 7, Liberia

Russia 1, Saint Vincen

4, Turkey 21, United K

n 2 (20

por

003

with pave

to 3,0

523 m: 3

ary C

ry bra

Securi

npower - av

-49: 154,843

er - fit for mi

5-49: 91,82

enditures -

llion

nditures - pe

(20

onal Issu

onal: claims French-

ast updated on

=======================

ocratic Rep

ngo, Democratic

kgr

ratic Republic of the

rent by ethnic strife

ow in 1994 of refugee

e government of former

rebellion led by Laure

sequently challeng

ion in August 1998.

and Sudan intervened

was signed on 10 Ju

da, Namibia, Rwanda, a

ighting continued. KAB

is son Joseph KABILA

ober 2002, the new pre

dan forces to withdraw

etoria Accord was si

nd the fighting and

sitional government wa

s as president and i

rmer government, forme

al oppo

o, Democratic

ati

ica, northe

hic coo

N, 25

efere

2,345,4

77,81

,267,60

compa

an one-fourth th

bound

: 10,

la 2,511 km (of which

ous Cabinda Province),

7 km, Republic of the

anzania 459 km, Uganda

stl

ime c

rial se

ic zone: boundar

d in equatorial river

cooler and wetter in

on April to October,

quator - wet season

April t

s a low-lying platea

ion ex

nt: Atlant

guerite on Mont Ngalie

l reso

um, petroleum, indust

anganese, tin, german

ore, coal, hyd

d u

land:

nt crop

96.52

ated

km (199

al ha

south; Congo River fl

Rift Valley, there

nt - curr

wildlife population

s responsible for sign

life poaching; mining

ing capacitors, diamo

nmenta

internationa

, Climate Change, Dese

stes, Law of the Sea,

ical Timber 83, Tropic

atified: Environm

aphy

very narrow strip of

is only outlet to Sout

in central river basi

Democratic R

ula

317

his country explicitl

tality due to AIDS; t

er infant mortality a

rates, and changes i

sex than would other

4 e

stru

(male 14,122,237;

(male 14,097,301;

% (male 590,262; femal

ian

: 15.

.2 years (

15.4

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

gratio

nt(s)/1,000

n the Congolese Gover

se rebels spawned a r

t 1.8 million Congoles

ongolese refugees to

es (200

1.03 mal

ars: 1.01 m

s: 0.96 ma

over: 0.69

: 0.98 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,00

ectancy

ulation:

47.0

.28 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(2003

ople living w

lion (2

DS - d

0 (200

fectious

a, trypanosomiasis, p

e of risk: ve

onal

ese (singula

: Congole

ic g

c groups of which the

- Mongo, Luba, Kongo

itic) make up about

igi

rotestant 20%, Kimban

sects and indige

gua

ingala (a lingua fra

f Kiswahili or Swahil

era

d over can read and w

a, or T

opulati

55.1% (2

go, Democratic

try

form: Democratic R

nal short

hort fo

tate, Belgian Congo,

inshasa

Republique Demo

iation

nment

ly undergoing a transi

ern

rative d

nces, singular - pr

Bas-Congo, Equateur

a, Kinshasa*, Maniema,

pend

960 (from

nal h

ce Day, 30

titu

tion was adopt

l sy

law system and tribal

y ICJ jur

fra

ge; universal

tive

dent Joseph KABILA (s

assassination of his

ry 2001, Joseph KAB

dent is both the chie

ern

esident Joseph KABILA

assassination of his

ry 2001, Joseph KAB

dent is both the chie

ern

cutive Council, appoi

e overthrow of MOBUTU

r vote for a seven-ye

ext was scheduled to

lso a prime minister

epublic; note - a Tra

ution with free electi

ucceeded his father,

assassination in Janu

ed to the establishm

3 with free elections

ults of the last elec

Za Banga reelected pr

osi

ative

ional Constituent As

ust

of the Transitional C

er President Laur

ial b

ourt or C

parties an

stian Party or PDSC [A

Union and Solidar

Congolese Lumumbist M

ment of the Revolution

rine NZUZI wa Mbombo]

[MANANGA Dintoka Mpho

e GIZENGA]; Union for

tienne TSHISEKEDI w

endent Republicans or

KOKO]; UFERI/OR [A

essure group

organization

CEPGL, FAO, G-24, G

DA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS

ISO (correspondent),

, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,

HO, WIPO, WM

Faida MITIFU FAX: [1] (202) 234-2609 telephone: [1] (202) 234-7690

ey HOOKS embassy: 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasa mailing address: Un

descr

e yellow five-pointed

of six small yellow f

hois

, Democratic

y - ov

emocratic Republic o

ntial wealth - has dec

, which began in Augus

put and government r

resulted in the death

.5 million people. F

due to uncertainty ab

frastructure, and th

has intensified the

in legal framework, co

government economic

improved in late 2002

e invading foreign tr

ve met with the govern

c plan, and Presid

Much economic activi

ty, aided by internati

acts have been approve

l prices - could impr

and GDP

parity - $40.05 b

eal gro

(2003

per

er parity - $7

agriculture: 55% industry:

below pov

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

2003

r fo

llion (1

ce - by o

oyment

2003

s: $269

llion, including capi

n (199

ture -

il, rubber, tea, quin

root crops, corn, f

ust

pper, zinc), mineral

xtiles, footwear, ciga

erages)

production

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

llion kW

city -

ion kWh

prod

bl/day (

consum

bl/day (

- ex

(20

- im

(20

roved r

on bbl (1 J

s - proved

on cu m (1

ion f.o.b.

- comm

er, crude oil,

s - pa

.4%, Zimbabwe 11.1%,

on f.o.b.

- comm

other machinery, tran

s - pa

ium 14.9%, France 12.6

herlands

- ext

llion (2

aid - r

million

ren

se fran

ency

nge r

S dollar - NA (2003),

82 (2000),

al y

ndar

ongo, Democratic

- main li

00 (

s - mobil

lion

hone

assessme

ate wire and microwave

as; domestic satellit

ry code - 243; satel

(Atlant

oadcast

1, shortwa

millio

broadcast

visi

millio

t count

net h

rvice Provi

net u

00 (

ongo, Democratic

lwa

: 5,1

m 1.067-m gauge (858

1,026 km 0.60

hwa

m (including 30

d: N

NA km (

erw

on the Congo curtail

eli

; oil 71

and ha

, Bumba, Goma, Kalem

, Matadi,

ant m

por

2003

ver 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 t

l: 206 1,524 to 2,437 m: 17 914 to 1,

, Democratic R

ry bra

avy, Ai

npower - av

49: 12,706,97

er - fit for mi

-49: 6,480,6

enditures -

million

nditures - pe

% (

es Congo, Democrat

- inter

f the Congo is in the

d rebel gang fighti

Burundi, Rwanda and Ug

s of the Great Lakes s

ecked localized violen

boundary in the broa

ngo is indefinite

tanley P

nternally disp

origin): 45,060 (Suda

6 (Republic of Congo),

ighting between gover

st IDPs are in east

cit

cannabis, mostly for

tion and inadequate

rable to money laund

ial system limits the

aunderi

ast updated on

=======================

Republ

n Congo, Re

kgr

960, the former French

c of the Congo. A

th Marxism was aba

government installed

former Marxist Presid

f ethnic unrest. Sout

e accord in March 2003

rgest petroleum produ

or offshore

Congo, Rep

ati

ing the South Atlantic

hic coo

S, 15

efere

342,0

: 500

341,50

compa

smaller t

bound

: 5,5

ola 201 km, Cameroon

cratic Republic of th

stl

ime c

rial se

son (March to June)

high temperatures and

limate astri

ern basin, central p

ion ex

nt: Atlant

nt: Mount B

l reso

ash, lead, zinc, urani

gas, h

.51% permanent crops: 0.

ated

km (19

al ha

nal f

nt - curr

ehicle emissions; wa

e; tap water is not

internationa

, Climate Change, Dese

rotection, Tropical Ti

Wetl

ot ratified:

aphy

ation lives in Brazzav

railroad b

ngo, Repu

ula

98,

his country explicitl

tality due to AIDS; t

er infant mortality a

rates, and changes i

sex than would other

4 e

stru

% (male 571,224;

5% (male 865,596

6% (male 45,093; fema

ian

: 20.

: 20

.9 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

gratio

1,000 populat

1.03 mal

ars: 1.01 m

s: 0.98 ma

over: 0.7 m

: 0.98 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

48.5

.55 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(2003

ople living w

(2003

DS - d

(200

fectious

fever,

e of risk: ve

onal

ese (singula

: Congole

ic g

M'Bochi 12%, Teke 17%

ted at 8,500, mostly F

lf that in 1998, fol

f foreign bus

igi

%, animist 4

gua

ingala and Monokutub

languages and dialect

st wid

era

15 and over ca

opulati

78.4% (2

Congo, Repu

try

ng form: Republ

hort form: Con

hort fo

Congo, Congo/Br

orm: Republi

nment

zza

rative d

singular - region) an

Cuvette-Ouest, Kouilo

ateaux, P

pend

1960 (fr

nal h

e Day, 15 A

titu

oved by referendu

l sy

civil law system

fra

of age;

tive

dent Denis SASSOU-NGU

vil war in which he to

e - the president is

d of go

esident Denis SASSOU-N

vil war in which he to

e - the president is

d of go

f Ministers appoin

lected by popular vote

seven-year term); ele

to be hel

s SASSOU-NGUESSO reele

-NGUESSO 89.4%, Joseph

ative

onsists of the Senate

e to serve five-year t

members are elected b

year

st held 11 July 2002 (

ly - last held 27 May

ld by NA

te - percent of vote b

10; National Assembl

party - FDP 83, UDR

ial b

ourt or C

parties an

f the many parties a

P (an alliance of Conv

abor Party or PCT, Lib

ocracy and Progress, P

n, and Union for the N

dent]; Congolese Move

r MCDDI [Michel MAMPOU

or UPADS [Martin MBER

or RDPS [Jean-Pier

Democracy and the Re

n for Democracy and R

cratic Forces or U

essure group

Congress or CSC; Gen

UGEEC; Revolutionary

Congolese Social

organization

DEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ,

D, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, I

OPCW (signatory), UN,

WCO, WFTU, WHO, W

epresentatio

on: Ambassador

] (202)

: [1] (20

orado Avenue NW, W

epresentatio

n: Ambassador R

ass

g addr

: [243] (

emporarily collocated

lic of the Congo (US

Aviateurs

descr

m the lower hoist side

side) is green and the

r pan-African c

ngo, Repub

y - ov

re of village agricult

ed largely on oil, su

zed by budget problem

y as the mainstay of t

ent revenues and expor

evenues enabled the

ent projects with GD

highest rates in Afri

l portion of its oil e

s. The 12 January 199

% resulted in inflati

since. Economic refor

tional organizations,

rm program came to a

is SASSOU-NGUESSO, who

er 1997, publicly expr

reforms and privatiz

rnational financial i

badly hurt by slumpi

onflict in December 1

cit. The current admin

ace and faces difficu

covery and red

parity - $2.148 b

eal gro

(2003

per

er parity - $7

griculture: 6.9% industry: 53.

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

(2003

r fo

2000

oyment

(20

: $1.025

illion, including capi

ture -

ar, rice, corn, peanut

forest

ust

cement, lumber, brew

lour, c

production

2002

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

lion kW

city -

h (2

city -

lion kW

prod

bl/day (2

consum

l/day (2

- ex

(20

- im

(20

roved r

n bbl (1 Ja

gas - pr

(2001

gas - co

(2001

gas -

(2001

gas -

(2001

s - proved

on cu m (1

account

million

ion f.o.b.

- comm

plywood, sugar, coc

s - pa

19.3%, US 16%, Sou

ion f.o.b.

- comm

, construction ma

s - pa

Italy 6.2%, China 5.1

% (

foreign exch

million

- ext

ion (20

aid - r

million

ren

Africaine franc (XAF

Bank of the Centr

ency

nge r

Africaine francs (XAF)

, 733.039 (2001), 711.

al y

ndar

ns Congo, Re

- main li

0 (2

s - mobil

000

hone

ervices barely adequa

Brazzaville, Pointe

es frequently

work consists of micr

ial

ry code - 242; satel

(Atlant

oadcast

, shortwav

000

broadcast

visi

00 (

t count

net h

(20

rvice Provi

net u

00 (

on Congo, Re

km narrow gauge: 894

km paved: 1,242 km unpav

erw

ngo and Oubanqu

eli

; oil 646

and ha

fondo, Ouesso, O

por

2003

: total: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 1,

al: 28 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,

ongo, Repu

ry bra

orces (FAC): Army

r - military age

or voluntary mili

npower - av

-49: 773,790

er - fit for mi

-49: 390,884

- reaching milit

1,964 (2

enditures -

millio

nditures - pe

% (

Issues Congo,

- inter

boundary in the broa

f the Congo is indefi

tanley P

nternally disp

civil wars since 1992

) (2

ast updated on

=======================

k Is

tion Coo

kgr

ook, who sighted them

tectorate in 1888. B

ed to New Zealand; in

e association with New

o New Zealand and go

uing p

hy Cook

ati

slands in the South

way from Hawai

hic coo

S, 1

efere

: 240

r: 0

240

compa

e size of Wa

bound

stl

ime c

rial se

nm or to the edge of

economic z

oderated by

north; volcanic, h

ion ex

nt: Pacifi

oint: Te

l reso

d u

land:

nt crop

69.57

ated

al ha

(November

nt - curr

internationa

ty, Climate Change,

ertification,

ified: none of the

aphy

nds are seven low-lyin

hern Cook Islands cons

isles where most o

Cook

21,200 (Ju

NA 15-64 years: NA 65 yea

ion gro

2004

000 populati

2004

mortali

al:

NA (20

ectancy

pulation

: NA

A years (

ertilit

born/woman

adult preva

ople living w

DS - d

onal

ook Isl

e: Cook

ic g

od) 81.3%, Polynesia

European 7.7%, Euro

igi

f populace are member

tian

gua

(officia

NA total population: 9

ent Coo

try

nal long

short form:

Harvey

ency s

e association with Ne

for internal affair

ternal affairs and de

e Cook

nment

ng parliamen

rative d

pend

rning in free associat

as the right at any

e by unilat

nal h

y, first Monday

titu

gust

l sy

aland law and E

fra

f age; uni

tive

en ELIZABETH II (si

rick GOODWIN (since

ssioner Kurt MEYER

ative of

onarch is hereditary;

arch; the New Zealan

Zealand Government;

of the majority part

on usually becom

rime Minister Jim MAR

nister SIR Geoffrey HE

osen by the prime m

ble to P

ative

(25 seats; members ele

ive-yea

7 September 2004 (nex

ent of vote by party -

mu 4, independent 1; n

g by-e

ki (chiefs) advises on

e influence, but has

ial b

h C

parties an

Party or CIP [Geoffr

[Terepai MAOATE]; Ne

k Islands National P

Party Tumu [R

essure group

organization

ICFTU, IFAD, IFRCS, IO

UPU, W

epresentatio

g in free associati

epresentatio

g in free associati

descr

the UK in the upper h

hite five-pointed star

the outer ha

y Cook

y - ov

Pacific island natio

is hindered by the is

the limited size of do

iodic devastation from

ture. Agriculture pro

e up of copra and citr

ted to fruit proces

icits are offset by re

verwhelmingly from Ne

lived beyond its mean

cumulating a large fo

e sale of state asset

the encouragement o

ent, have rekindled

parity - $105 m

eal gro

(2001

per

er parity - $5

agriculture: 17% industry: 7.

below pov

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

(2000

r fo

0 (1

ure 29%, industry 15%, services 56% n

oyment

s: $28

lion, including capit

(FY00/

pineapples, tomatoes, beans, pawpaws, b

ust

ourism, fishing, cl

production

(20

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

ay (200

consum

/day (2

- ex

(20

- im

(20

illion

- comm

and canned citrus frui

l shells

s - pa

an 27%, New Zealan

millio

- comm

iles, fuels, tim

s - pa

19%, US 9%, Australi

- ext

lion (19

aid - r

New Zealand continues

t (

ren

and doll

ency

nge r

er US dollar - 1.7229

2.1863 (2000)

al y

l - 31

tions Coo

- main li

0 (2

s - mobil

0 (2

hone

Telecom Cook Islands

Internet, emai

al islands are connect

tions, microwave sy

n the islands, servic

to subscribers by

-opti

ry code - 682; satel

(Pacifi

oadcast

, shortwav

00 (

broadcast

receive satellite

visi

0 (1

t count

rvice Provi

net u

0 (2

ation Coo

0 km paved: 33 km u

and ha

ua,

ant m

000 GRT or over) 4

tralia 1, United K

go 1, petrol

por

003

with pave

,437 m: 2

with unpa

to 2,4

o 1,5

4 m: 1 (

y Cook

ary -

ibility of New Zealand

lands and a

al Issues C

internati

ast updated on

=======================

Sea I

on Coral S

kgr

million square kilomet

red a territory of Aus

r a small meteorologi

her stations, beacons,

r islands

Coral Se

ati

the Coral Sea, nor

hic coo

S, 1

efere

ess than

s small islands and re

0 sq km, with the Wi

ort

r: 0

ess tha

compa

bound

stl

orial sea: 3 nm exclusi

reefs and isl

ion ex

nt: Pacifi

nnamed location

l reso

nent crops: 0% other: 100% (mos

ated

m (199

al ha

l tropica

nt - curr

t fresh wat

aphy

ing area for b

oral Sea

ula

enous in

ff of three to four

n (200

t Coral S

try

form: Coral Sea

hort form: Cor

ency s

lia; administered f

Environment, Spo

l sy

tralia, where a

tive

berra by the Departme

and Ter

epresentatio

ritory of

epresentatio

ritory of

descr

of Austra

Coral Se

rview: no eco

ions Coral

cations

ather stations on many

data to t

tion Coral

s: none; offshor

Coral S

ary -

sibility of Australia

avy; Australia has con

vis

l Issues Cor

internati

ast updated on

=======================

sta

ction C

kgr

l American success sto

rief periods of vio

nt. Although still a

ded its economy to in

he standard of living

p is wid

phy Co

ati

ering both the Caribb

between Nicar

hic coo

N, 8

efere

rica and th

51,10

: 440

ludes Isl

50,660

compa

aller than

9 km border countries: Nic

ine: 1

: 12 nm exclusive economic zone:

cal; dry season (Dece

November); cool

ted by rugged mountai

f which several a

ion ex

nt: Pacifi

t: Cerro Chi

l reso

rop

.41% permanent crops: 5.

ated

q km (1

al ha

s, hurricanes along A

t onset of rainy seaso

can

nt - curr

use change, largely a

ching and agriculture;

eries protection; soli

lut

internationa

ty, Climate Change,

ation, Endangered Sp

us Wastes, Law of the

rotection, We

ratified: Marine

aphy

f them active, rise n

the country; one of

structivel

e Cos

ula

7 (July

stru

% (male 597,332;

(male 1,300,206;

% (male 101,270; femal

ian

: 25.

25.2

.2 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

)/1,000 popula

1.05 mal

ars: 1.05 m

s: 1.02 ma

over: 0.87

: 1.02 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

hs/1,000 live bi

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

74.0

.33 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(2003

ople living w

(2003

DS - d

2003

onal

Costa

ve: Cos

ic g

zo) 94%, black 3%, Ame

igi

Evangelical 13.7%, Jeh

nt 0.7%, other

gua

official)

era

15 and over ca

opulati

96.1% (2

ent Cos

try

ng form: Republ

l short for

rt form:

rm: Republica

nment

atic r

rative d

s, singular - provinci

dia, Limon, Punt

pend

er 1821 (f

nal h

Day, 15 Sep

titu

ember

l sy

l law system; judicia

urt; has accepted comp

fra

ge; universal

tive

dent Abel PACHECO (si

h SABORIO (since 8 M

(since 8 May 2002); n

of state and he

esident Abel PACHECO (

h SABORIO (since NA

(since NA May 2002);

of state and he

et selected by

nd vice presidents ele

ur-year terms; electio

on held 7 April 2002

uary

PACHECO elected presi

SC) 58%; Rolando

ative

Assembly or Asamblea

direct, popular vote to

3 February 2002 (next

ent of vote by party -

4, PML 6, PRC 1; note

, PLN 16, PAC 8, PML 5

Authentic Member from

liance 1, i

ial b

rte Suprema (22 jus

s by the Legisl

parties an

Heredia [Jose SALAS];

osta Rican Renovatio

orce Party or PFD [Ju

liance [Emilia RODRIGU

to FERNANDEZ Vega]; Ho

Worker Party or PIO

Movement Party or PM

iance Party or ANC [Vi

r PIN [Walter MUNOZ

PLN [Francisco Anton

N [Daniel Enrique REY

[Carlos VARGAS Sol

lar Vanguard [Trino B

rty or PUSC [Loren

essure group

on of Democratic Work

ber of Coffee Growers;

mmunist Party affi

ocratic Workers or C

of Public Service Wor

ic Development or ANFE

Rerum Novarum or CTRN

organization

, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, I

IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,

ver), MIGA, NAM (obser

NESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL

WTo

a, Chicago, Denver, Durham (North Carolina), Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Phoenix, San Antonio, San Franc

epresentatio

ssador (vacant); Charg

120 Avenida O,

ddress: A

e: [506]

506] 5

descr

of blue (top), white

the coat of arms in a

red band; above the co

rds, AMERICA CENTRAL,

of arms is a white r

ICA CO

y Cost

y - ov

lly stable economy

ronics exports. Povert

15 years, and a strong

Foreign investors r

ability and high educa

foreign exchange. Lo

agricultural sector. T

arge deficit and mass

remains a difficult p

rts, labor market ri

ecently concluded nego

American Free Trade

Rican Legislature, w

improved inve

parity - $35.34 b

eal gro

(2003

per

er parity - $9

griculture: 8.5% industry: 29.

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

(200

by percentage share: lowest 10

f family incom

9 (

ate (consum

(2003

r fo

millio

ce - by o

ndustry 22%, servi

oyment

(2003

: $2.313

illion, including capi

ic d

of GDP

ture -

ananas, sugar, corn,

; ti

ust

ood processing, te

rials, fertilizer

production

2003

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

lion kW

city -

lion kW

prod

ay (200

consum

bl/day (

- ex

(20

- im

(20

account

millio

illion (

- comm

ugar; pineapples;

s, medica

s - pa

mala 3%, Nicara

illion (

- comm

umer goods, capital

s - pa

co 4.7%, Venez

foreign exch

billion

- ext

illion (

ren

ican co

ency

nge r

r US dollar - 398.663

308.187 (2000)

al y

ndar

ations C

- main li

millio

s - mobil

047

hone

ood domestic telephon

; restricted cellul

oint and point-to-mu

al cable link rural ar

ila

y code - 506; connect

ellite earth stations

submarine

oadcast

1, shortwav

000

broadcast

43 repeat

visi

000

t count

net h

26 (

rvice Provi

only one is

net u

000

tation C

ow gauge: 950 km 1.067-m gau

2 km paved: 7,896 km u

erw

y navigable by sm

eli

oducts 242

and ha

n, Puerto Limon, Puer

r over) 1,716 GRT/ DWT by type: passenger 1

: 149 (2

,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914

s: total: 119 914 to 1,523 m:

ry Cos

ry bra

y forces; Ministry

r - military age

of age (2

npower - av

-49: 1,101,8

er - fit for mi

-49: 736,007

- reaching milit

1,709 (2

enditures -

llion

nditures - pe

% (

nal Issues

er navigational rights of Rio San Juan on

cit

for cocaine and hero

cannabis on small, sca

is rising, particu

ast updated on

=======================

e d'

tion Cot

kgr

ince independence in 1

export, and foreign

st prosperous of the t

from political turmoi

e first ever in Cote

nt led by President He

eld elections in lat

eader Alassane OUATTAR

eclared himself winner

brought runner-up Lau

disaffected members o

in September 2002. R

country and in Janu

in a unity governmen

eace Accord. President

of the peace accord i

but issues that spark

ounds for nationality

as yet to exert cont

emain high between GBA

nch and West African

n peace and facilit

, and rehabili

hy Cote

ati

ring the North Atlant

hic coo

efere

322,4

4,460

318,00

compa

arger than

bound

: 3,1

ina Faso 584 km, Ghana

16 km, Ma

stl

ime c

rial se

economic z

tal shel

semiarid in far nort

arch), hot and dry (Ma

to O

ulating plains; mo

ion ex

nt: Gulf o

nt: Mont Ni

l reso

as, diamonds, mangan

copper, h

.75% permanent crops: 13

ated

km (199

al ha

and no natural harb

ntial floodi

nt - curr

the country's forests

n heavily logged); wat

l and agricul

internationa

, Climate Change, Dese

stes, Law of the Sea,

ip Pollution, Tropic

94, W

ified: none of the

aphy

s live along the sandy

the forested interior

Cote

ula

327

his country explicitl

tality due to AIDS; t

er infant mortality a

rates, and changes i

sex than would other

4 e

stru

(male 3,856,130;

% (male 4,651,921

% (male 182,995; femal

ian

: 17

17.4

.7 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

gratio

)/1,000 populat

1.03 mal

ars: 0.97 m

s: 1.04 ma

over: 0.9 m

: 1.01 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,000

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,00

ectancy

ulation:

40.2

.76 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

2003

ople living w

0 (200

DS - d

(2001

fectious

laria, yellow fev

e of risk: ve

onal

Ivoi

ive: I

ic g

s or Gur 17.6%, North

0%, other 2.8% (includ

French)

igi

uslim 35-40%, indig

foreigners (migrator

d Christ

gua

native dialects with

era

15 and over ca

opulati

43.6% (2

nt Cote

try

g form: Republic

short form:

t form: Co

: Ivor

m: Republique

nment

y presidential regi

although Yamoussoukro

, Abidjan remains

the US, like other co

y in A

rative d

Bafing, Bas-Sassandr

Haut-Sassandra, Lac

-Comoe, N'zi-Comoe,

e du Bandama, Wo

pend

1960 (fro

nal h

e Day, 7 Au

titu

tion was adopt

l sy

law system and customa

Chamber of the Supreme

y ICJ jur

fra

of age;

tive

dent Laurent GBAGBO (

ollowing a popular ov

UEI who had claimed

s; Gen. GUEI himself

ng a military coup aga

ident Henri

ime Minister Seydou DI

d as transitional Prim

of a French bro

f Ministers appoin

lected by popular vote

October 2000 (next to

pointed by

ent GBAGBO elected pre

, Robert GUEI 32.7%, F

ative

ssembly or Assemblee

in single- and multi

vote to serve f

ast held 10 December 2

01 (next to b

duled to be created in

cent of vote by party

R 5, PIT 4, other 2, in

ial b

Supreme consists of

cases, Audit Chambe

for judicial review c

es; there is no legal

parties an

Cote d'Ivoire-Africa

Konan BEDIE]; Ivorian

rian Worker's Party o

cans or RDR [Alassan

r UDPCI [leader NA];

essure group

organization

ECOWAS, Entente, FAO,

natory), ICFTU, ICRM,

Interpol, IOC, IOM, IT

HCR, UNIDO, UPU, WADB

HO, WIPO, WM

Pascal Dago KOKORA chancery: 3421 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washing

epresentatio

on: Ambassador

Rue Jesse O

ss: B. P. 171

: [225] 2

25] 20

descr

bands of orange (ho

flag of Ireland, which

een (hoist side), wh

f Italy, which is gre

was based on t

Cote d

y - ov

the world's largest p

, and palm oil. Conseq

uctuations in internat

r conditions. Despite

it is still heavily d

, which engage roughly

f lagging performance

994, due to the 50% d

prices for cocoa an

ry exports such as p

nking liberalization

ous external financing

s and France. Moreover

orms led to a jump in

th was negative in 2

g the conditions of

f key exports, and sev

nue to cloud the econo

r cocoa will help both

rnment b

parity - $24.51 b

eal gro

(200

per

er parity - $1

griculture: 36.6% industry: 19

nt (gros

f GDP

below pov

by percentage share: lowest 10

f family incom

7 (

ate (consum

(2003

r fo

68% agricul

oyment

rban are

: $2.339

illion, including capi

n (200

ic d

of GDP

ture -

bananas, palm kerne

otatoes, sugar, co

ust

; wood products, oil

ertilizer, building m

production

1998

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

lion kW

city -

h (2

prod

bl/day (

consum

bl/day (

- ex

(20

- im

(20

roved r

bbl (1 Ja

gas - pr

ion cu m

gas - co

ion cu m

gas -

(2001

gas -

(2001

s - proved

on cu m (1

account

illion

ion f.o.b.

- comm

petroleum, cotton, ba

, f

s - pa

rlands 17.7%, US 7.

ion f.o.b.

- comm

al equipmen

s - pa

Nigeria 14.4

foreign exch

billion

- ext

illion (

aid - r

illion (1

ren

Africaine franc (XOF

entral Bank of the

ency

nge r

Africaine francs (XOF)

), 733.039 (2001), 71

al y

ndar

tions Cot

- main li

000

s - mobil

millio

hone

well developed by

well bel

nes and microwave radi

y code - 225; satelli

cean and 1 Indian Ocea

oadcast

, shortwav

illion

broadcast

(19

visi

illion

t count

net h

5 (2

rvice Provi

net u

00 (

ation Cot

lwa

l: 6

: 660 km 1.0

22 km of this railroa

o (

km paved: 4,889 km unpav

erw

ers, canals, and nume

eli

m; gas 223 km; o

and ha

oisso, Dabo

por

2003

with pave

3,047

to 3,0

,437 m: 4

with unpa

al:

to 2,4

1,523

4 m: 8 (

y Cote

ry bra

, paramilitary Gendar

Presiden

r - military age

compulsory and volun

ce obligation -

npower - av

-49: 4,135,3

er - fit for mi

-49: 2,164,0

- reaching milit

04,434 (

enditures -

million

nditures - pe

% (

al Issues C

- inter

ting extends to neigh

rkers from nearby c

rkina Faso and Liberi

nternally disp

ry of origin):

up; most IDPs are in w

cit

cannabis, mostly f

or Southwest and Sout

ly to the US, and for

d South Africa; while

leave the banking sys

of a developed financ

as a major money

ast updated on

=======================

uction

kgr

ay comprise Croati

e until the close of W

ovenes formed a kingd

World War II, Yugosl

state under the strong

red its independence f

sporadic, but often

were mostly cleared fr

st Serb-held enclave i

to Croati

aphy

ati

ordering the Adriatic

ina and

hic coo

N, 1

efere

56,54

: 128

56,414

compa

aller than

bound

: 2,1

nia and Herzegovina 9

(north) 241 km, Serbia

Sloveni

stl

and 1,777 km, i

ime c

rial se

00-m depth or to the

inental; continental c

inters; mild winters,

e; flat plains along

ands near Adriatic

ion ex

nt: Adriat

oint: Din

l reso

ite, low-grade iron

ilica, mica, clays

6.09% permanent crops: 2

ated

km (19

al ha

tive ea

cid rain is damaging the forests; coastal pollution from industrial and domestic waste;

internationa

on, Air Pollution-Sul

rtification, Endange

, Marine Dumping, Ozon

ion, W

ified: Air Pollutio

limate Change

aphy

utes from Western Eur

sh St

le C

ula

9 (July

stru

% (male 383,729;

(male 1,497,525;

4% (male 277,616; fema

ian

: 39.

37.7

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ion gro

(2004

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gratio

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1.06 mal

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s: 0.99 ma

over: 0.61

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deaths/1,000

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ulation:

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adult preva

n 0.1% (

ople living w

2001

DS - d

n 10 (20

onal

at(s), Cr

ive: C

ic g

, Bosniak 0.5%, Hungar

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igi

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unknown 6

gua

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era

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opulati

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ment C

try

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nment

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ko-Bilogorska Zupani

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ja, Koprivnicko-K

panija, Licko-Senjska

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acka Z

pend

91 (from Y

nal h

Day, 25

titu

ecember 1990; r

l sy

civil l

fra

iversal (16 years o

tive

ent Stjepan (Stipe) ME

rime Minister Ivo SAN

inisters Jadranka KOS

a HEBRANG (since

Ministers named by t

the parliame

lected by popular vote

January 2005 (next to

ed by the president in

in the

pan MESIC reelected pr

HNS) 66%, Jadrank

ative

Sabor (152 seats; not

arliamentary elections

pular vote to ser

last held 23 November

nment coalition - HD

mbly - percent of vote

DZ 66, SDP 34, HSS 10

SU 3, SDSS

ial b

titutional Court; j

year terms by the Ju

h is elected b

parties an

Ivic PASALIC]; Croati

OVACEVIC]; Croatian D

ian Party of Rights

y or HSS [Zlatko TOMC

ir JORDAN]; Croatian

n Social Liberal Party

Party or HIP [Mirosl

ARE-OZBOLT]; Independe

NIMIROVIC]; Istrian De

ral Party or LS [Zlat

ibra [Jozo RADOS]; Soc

r SDP [Iv

essure group

organization

APC, EBRD, FAO, IADB,

DA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS

ISO, ITU, MIGA, MI

erver), OPCW, OSCE,

P, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIL

WIPO, WMO,

epresentatio

ion: Ambassad

chusetts Avenue NW,

ral: Chicago, Los

] (202)

: [1] (20

epresentatio

ion: Ambassad

omas Jefferso

ress: use s

: [385] (

85] (1)

descr

horizontal bands with

white c

my Cr

y - ov

on of Yugoslavia, th

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nd public investmen

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cline. While macroecon

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ved through high fisc

nt is gradually reduci

olving land tenure. T

te fiscal and s

parity - $47.05 b

eal gro

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per

r parity - $10,

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ity - pr

llion kW

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lion kW

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bl/day (

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gas - pr

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gas -

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account

billio

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nd Herzegovina 14.6%,

stria 7.

ion f.o.b.

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nd electrical equipmen

nts, fo

s - pa

15.7%, Slovenia 7.4%,

ssia 4.7

foreign exch

billion

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illion (

aid - r

millio

ren

a (

ency

nge r

6.7035 (2003), 7.8687

000), 7.1

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ndar

cations

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millio

s - mobil

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hone

assess

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and enlarging the ne

he plan for t

code - 385; digital i

ain switch in Zagreb;

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connections with Slo

ka to Split and Dubr

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t count

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ther countries:

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with Bosnia and Her

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t been ratified, and

n of an ecological-f

atic

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and Serbs displaced i

cit

e Balkan route for Sou

been used as a trans

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ast updated on

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population of Cuba beg

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nment

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legislative

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4 February 1976 when

cember 1976); First

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19 January 2003 (next

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or Tribunal Supremo P

judges are elected by

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munist Party or PCC [F

ret

essure group

organization

ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IFAD,

observer), ISO, ITU,

participation since 19

NIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO,

epresentatio

an Interests Section

fficer Dagoberto RODR

ion, Swiss Embassy,

009; telephone: [

pal Officer James C. CASON; address: USINT, Swiss Embassy, Calzada between L and M Streets, Vedado, Havana; telephone: [53

descr

bands of blue (top a

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star in the center; de

omy

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es to balance the need

firm political cont

crease enterprise eff

food, consumer goods,

is the dichotomy betw

inefficient domestic

ving remains at a lowe

s, which was caused by

encies. The governmen

ctor, fueled by touris

ns a

parity - $32.13 b

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per

er parity - $2

griculture: 5.5% industry: 26.

nt (gros

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ote: state sector 78%, non-

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oyment

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illion, including capi

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ust

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gas - pr

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account

millio

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co, fish, medical pr

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nada 16.2%, Russia 10

% (

ion f.o.b.

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machinery and equ

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la 12.5%, Italy 8.6%

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foreign exch

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ther countries:

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erated

por

2003

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r - military age

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tanamo Bay is leased

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cit

d air space serve as

und for the US and Eu

certain drug-rel

ast updated on

=======================

uction

kgr

ony, Cyprus received

istance to British rul

and Turkish Cypriot m

violence broke out in

ent of UN peacekeep

continued forcing mos

e island. In 1974, a G

ent was met by milit

ntrolled more than a

area declared itself

it is recognized onl

rokered direct talks -

d Turkish Cypriot co

the divided island

he UN settlement pl

only the internatio

ublic of Cyprus joined

a Cyprus passport wil

aws, however, will not

ppose EU efforts to es

h Cyprus as a way of e

to continue to sup

aphy

ati

in the Mediterranean

hic coo

N, 3

efere

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of which 3,355 sq km

: 10

9,24

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ol, Desertification

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nd in the Mediterranea

din

le C

ula

(July 20

stru

4% (male 84,850

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nment

try

ong form: Repu

al short f

iot community (north C

epublic of Northe

nment

the two ethnic commu

the outbreak of commu

solidified after the

ed a Greek junta-supp

e facto control in the

ernationally recogni

Cypriot "President"

formation of a "Turki

gnized only by Turke

based on a bizonal, b

rative d

ta, Kyrenia, Larnaca

sh Cypriot area's ad

ut a small part of Fam

(Nicosia)

pend

UK); note - Turkish

ary 1975 and independ

are only recog

nal h

October (1960); no

vember (1983) as

titu

ecember 1963, the Turk

vernment; negotiations

titution to govern th

reek and Turkish Cy

the mid-1960s; in 197

on, Turkish Cyprio

rning bodies within t

ch became the "Turkis

ish Cypriots declared

ion for the "TRNC" pa

l sy

law, with civil

fra

of age;

tive

ent Tassos PAPADOPOULO

t is both the chief

ice president is curr

he post is reserved

resident Tassos PAPAD

ident is both the chie

ice president is curr

he post is reserved

nisters appointed join

pre

lected by popular vote

February 2003 (next

has been "president"

ent" elected by popula

held 15 April 2000 (

R. DENKTASH reelecte

rew; Mehmet Ali TALAT

rus since mid-January

ity following the fa

udget; "parliamentary

there is a Council of

ppointed by the

os PAPADOPOULOS electe

OULOS 51.5%, Glafkos

IDIS

ative

of Cyprus: House of Re

s; 56 assigned to the

- only those assigned

elected by popular v

Assembly of the Republ

e elected by popular

ublic of Cyprus: Hous

ty - AKEL 34.71%, DISY

eats by party - AKEL (

s 4; north Cyprus: Ass

party - CTP 35.8%,

3.4%, DP 12.3%; seats

Democratic M

f Cyprus: last held 2

Cyprus: last held 14 D

because the gove

ial b

are appointed jointl

presi

so a Supreme Cour

parties an

mocratic Party or DIKO

SY [Nikos ANASTASIADHI

s MIKHAILIDIS]; Green

s [Nikolaus KOUTSOU];

L (Communist Party) [

ent or KISOS (formerly

annakis OMIROU]; Unite

; north Cyprus: Democr

rth Party or UDP [Enve

EROGLU]; Our Party or

ement or YBH [Alpay

Mustafa AKINCI]; Repu

hmet AL

essure group

iot Workers or SEK (p

or Unions or Dev-Is;

or Turk-Sen; Pan-Cypr

munist c

organization

CE, EBRD, EIB, EU (n

, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, I

O, ITU, MIGA, NAM, NSG

, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNID

te), WFTU, WHO, W

epresentatio

Ambassador Eurip

Street NW, Wash

] (202)

f the Turkish Cypriot

1667 K Street NW, Was

02) 88

te(s):

s) general

: [1] (20

epresentatio

on: Ambassador

ochiou and Ploutarchou

: P. O. Box 245

: [357] (

57] (22

descr

colored silhouette o

m the Greek word for

es in the center of

r peace and reconcili

kish co

Republic of Norther

at the top and bottom

red star on

omy

y - ov

nomy is prosperous bu

ic growth rates over t

ility to swings in tou

in the region and fl

Europe. Economic polic

sion to the EU. EU-dri

l imbalances, which,

esulted in growing fis

r shortages are a pe

e now on-line. After 1

tantial rainfall from

The Turkish Cyprio

r capita GDP of the

rkey, it has had much

investment. It remai

ment service, which to

compensate for the eco

oans to support econo

n in 2002 and pledge

events throughout the

tcome of negotiation

ite the Greek a

rchasing power parity

urchasing power parity

eal gro

9% (2003 est.); north

per

rchasing power parity

asing power parity

ture 4.1%; industry 20.3%; services 75.6% north Cyprus:

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

.1% (2003 est.); nort

r fo

yprus: 306,000; north

ce - by o

ervices 75.6%, indust

Cyprus: services 68

ure 10.6

oyment

: 3.4%; north Cypr

f Cyprus - $3.971 bi

illion (

billion, Republic of

penditures of $539 m

luding capital expe

ic d

of GDP

ture -

etables, barley, grap

ork, lamb,

ust

les, chemicals, metal

production

-0.6% (2002); north

ity - pr

Wh; north Cypru

ity - co

163 billion kWh; north

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

ay (200

consum

bl/day (

- ex

(20

- im

(20

account

millio

.054 billion f.o.b. no

(2003

- comm

citrus, potatoes, ph

es; north Cyprus: cit

s - pa

ce 9.2%, Leban

$4.637 billion f.o.b

f.o.b. (

- comm

consumer goods, petr

achinery, transport e

ls, chemical

s - pa

8%, UK 8.3%, Germany 7

9%, US 4.2%, S

foreign exch

billion

- ext

$8.85 billion; nor

aid - r

$17 million (1998);

grants and loans (199

ven (

ren

priot pound (CYP); nor

ency

nge r

dollar - 0.5174 (2003)

, 0.5429 (1999), Turk

, 1.507 million (200

000), 418,

al y

ndar

cations

- main li

27,400 (2002); north

s - mobil

17,900 (2002); north

hone

cellent in both Republ

us a

fiber-optic cable, an

code - 357; troposphe

marine cables; satell

Ocean and 2 Indian

nik, and

oadcast

7, FM 60, shortwave 1

1, shortwa

10,000 (1997); Turkis

broadcast

(plus 225 low-power

s: 4 (plus 5 repeat

visi

48,000 (1997); Turkis

t count

net h

1 (2

rvice Provi

net u

000

rtation

hwa

: 13,

yprus: 11,141 km; n

f Cyprus: 4,713 km;

00/

Cyprus: 6,428 km; n

and ha

, Larnaca, Limasso

ant m

000 GRT or over) 22,01

ther countries:

a 11, Belgium 1, Bulg

Egypt 2, Estonia 2, G

ndia 6, Iran 3, Irelan

6, Latvia 11, Malta

ay 7, Panama 1, Phil

, Singapore 2, Sloven

1, Ukraine 2, United K

ietn

go 276, chemical tanke

/oil 2, container 1

load carrier 2, passe

9, refrigerated cargo

5, specialized tanke

por

2003

with pave

al:

to 3,0

to 2,4

4 m: 1 (

o 1,5

with unpa

o 1,5

4 m: 2 (

ipo

2003

ary C

ry bra

reek Cypriot National

lements), Greek

rkish Cypriot Se

r - military age

of age (2

npower - av

-49: 202,966

er - fit for mi

-49: 139,255

- reaching milit

,614 (20

enditures -

illion

nditures - pe

% (

onal Issu

- inter

vided the island into

ot area controlled b

ernment and a Turkish

March 2003 reunificat

opened their borders

k Cy

nternally disp

rkish and Greek Cyprio

years)

cit

for heroin and hashi

Europe, especially fr

as well; despite a str

ion, remains highly

ation of benefiting o

ons by nonresident-c

sector re

ast updated on

=======================

h Rep

ion Czech

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World War, the close

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the interwar years, t

upied with meeting the

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thin the Soviet sphere

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echoslovakia regained

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ally located astride

es in Europe; Moravia

een the North European

ral

Czech R

ula

8 (July 2

stru

(male 789,987;

% (male 3,643,574

1% (male 557,496; fema

ian

: 38.

36.9

.5 years (

ion gro

(2004

000 populatio

1,000 populat

gratio

)/1,000 popula

1.06 mal

ars: 1.06 m

s: 1.01 ma

over: 0.63

: 0.95 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,000

ths/1,000 live b

deaths/1,00

ectancy

ulation:

72.5

.24 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

n 0.1% (

ople living w

2001

DS - d

n 10 (20

onal

: Cz

tive:

ic g

13.2%, Slovak 3.1%, Po

0.3%, Hungarian 0.

igi

Protestant 4.6%, Ort

ist

gua

otal population: 99.9% (19

nt Czech

try

long form:

short form: C

form: Cesk

form: Ces

nment

entary

rative d

ngular - kraj) and 1

aj, Jihomoravsky Kra

j, Liberecky Kraj,

icky Kraj, Plzensky Kr

Kraj, Vysocina

pend

oslovakia split into

vak

nal h

ng Day, 28 O

titu

ber 1992; effecti

l sy

on Austro-Hungarian c

ction; legal code modi

Security and Cooper

expunge Marxist-L

fra

of age;

tive

sident Vaclav KLAUS

ic's first president V

ruary 2003 having se

cted a successor on 28

elections i

rime Minister Stanisl

nisters Zdenek SKROMAC

August 2004), Pavel

MONOVSKY (since

nted by the president

ime mi

lav KLAUS elected pre

2 votes, Jan SOKOL 12

of both chamber

elected by Parliament

tion held 28 Februar

d 24 January 2003 we

A January 2008); prim

pres

ative

or Parlament consists

e elected by popular

cted every two years

Snemovna (200 seats;

to serve fo

te - percent of vote b

CSL 15, Open Democra

U 1, European Democrat

er of Deputies - perc

KSCM 18.5%, KDU-CSL &

eats by party - CSSD

21, US

st held in two rounds

to be held NA Novemb

14-15 June 2002 (next

ial b

tutional Court; chair

the president f

parties an

atic Union-Czechoslo

USEK, chairman]; Civic

, chairman]; Civic D

rman]; Communist Party

REBENICEK, chairman

[Miroslav STEPAN, ch

[Jaroslav ROVNY, ch

CSSD [Stanislav GROS

an KASL]; Freedom Uni

, chairman]; Green

essure group

n Trade Union Confed

organization

ralia Group, BIS, CE,

FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,

, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IM

MONUC, NATO, NEA, NSG

UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD,

NOMIG, UPU, WCL, WCO,

WIPO, WMO,

epresentatio

on: Ambassador

of Freedom Street NW

neral: Los Ange

] (202)

: [1] (20

epresentatio

: Ambassador Wil

ziste 15, 1

s: use embassy

[420] (2)

0] (2) 5

descr

bands of white (top

ed on the hoist side (

er Czech

Czech

y - ov

and prosperous of the

has been recovering

000-03 was supported

y, and a near doubl

emand is playing an ev

as interest rates dro

mortgages increases.

around 5% of GDP in t

problem. Inflation i

blic just behind P

ssion, which will giv

ural reform. Moves

and energy privati

estment, while intensi

d banks, and improve

hen output growth. Non

remains essential t

parity - $161.1 b

eal gro

(2003

per

r parity - $15,

agriculture: 3.1% industry:

nt (gros

f GDP

below pov

by percentage share: lowest 10

f family incom

4 (

ate (consum

(2003

r fo

lion (20

ce - by o

dustry 35%, servic

oyment

% (

: $33.25

illion, including capi

ic d

of GDP

ture -

ugar beets, hops,

ust

ry and equipment, m

ame

production

% (

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion k

city -

llion kW

city -

llion k

prod

l/day (2

consum

bl/day (2

- ex

bbl/day

- im

bbl/da

roved r

on bbl (1 J

gas - pr

on cu m (

gas - co

ion cu m (

gas -

n cu m (

gas -

ion cu m (

s - proved

on cu m (1

account

billion

ion f.o.b.

- comm

rt equipment 44%, int

, raw materials a

s - pa

ia 8%, Austria 6.3%,

ly 4.5%, Netherl

ion f.o.b.

- comm

rt equipment 40%, int

and fuels 13%, ch

s - pa

.3%, China 5.2%, Slova

stria 4.3%, Pol

foreign exch

billio

- ext

llion

aid - r

structural adjust

ren

koruna

ency

nge r

- 28.209 (2003), 32

984 (2000),

al y

ndar

tions Cze

- main li

millio

s - mobil

,700

hone

rivatization and mode

em got a late start bu

mobile cellular telep

nges now digital; exis

nced with Asymmetric D

commodate Internet and

fiber-optic cable an

y code - 420; satelli

c and Indian Ocean re

Inmarsat,

oadcast

04, shortwa

4 (Decem

broadcast

,434 repeat

visi

4 (Decem

t count

net h

677

rvice Provi

han 30

net u

llion

ation Cze

lwa

: 9,5

1 km 1.435-m gauge (

99 km 0.760-

hwa

: 55,

(including 499

d: 0 k

erw

Vlatava, and Od

eli

547 km; refined pr

and ha

ague, Ust

por

2003

,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 2

al: 76 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,

s: 2 (20

y Czech

ry bra

d Forces, Air For

age for compulsory and voluntary military service; service oblig

npower - av

-49: 2,623,3

er - fit for mi

-49: 2,003,7

- reaching milit

7,195 (2

enditures -

2 milli

nditures - pe

% (

al Issues C

- inter

family claims restitut

blic confiscated in 19

on for property confis

World War II; Austria

er the Temelin Nu

cit

or Southwest Asian he

can cocaine to Wester

cal and regional marke

to drug trafficki

ast updated on

=======================

uction

kgr

ng raiders and later

lved into a modern, pr

eneral political and e

O in 1949 and the EEC

has opted out of ce

richt Treaty, includin

U), European defense c

tain justice a

aphy

ati

ering the Baltic Sea

ermany (Jutland); al

Sjaelland

hic coo

N, 1

efere

43,09

: 700

and of Bornholm in the

ark (the Jutland Pen

and Fyn), but exclude

enl

42,394

compa

an twice the siz

al: 68 km border cou

ine: 7

usive economic zone: 200 nm continental shel

vercast; mild, windy w

to gently r

ion ex

int: Lamm

nt: Yding S

l reso

, fish, salt, limeston

4.02% permanent crops: 0

ated

q km (1

al ha

in some areas of the

thern coast of the isl

the sea by a

nt - curr

ally from vehicle and

us pollution of the N

g polluted from anima

internationa

tion, Air Pollution

Organic Pollutants, A

4, Air Pollution-Volat

iversity, Climate Chan

ation, Endangered Sp

dous Wastes, Marine

Layer Protection, Sh

cal Timber 94, W

ot ratified:

aphy

s (Skagerrak and Katte

-quarter of the popul

enh

le D

ula

2 (July

stru

% (male 523,888;

% (male 1,808,376

% (male 344,113; fema

ian

: 39.

38.3

.2 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

gratio

)/1,000 popula

1.06 mal

ars: 1.05 m

s: 1.02 ma

over: 0.74

: 0.98 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,000

hs/1,000 live bi

deaths/1,00

ectancy

ulation:

75.1

.83 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(2003

ople living w

(200

DS - d

n 100 (2

onal

: Da

tive:

ic g

Faroese, German, Tu

igi

95%, other Protestant

lim

gua

enlandic (an Inuit d

ori

the predominant

era

15 and over ca

opulati

ale

ment D

try

ong form: King

al short f

ort form

form: Konge

nment

utional

enh

rative d

- 14 counties (amter,

r, singular - amtskomm

deriksborg, Fyn, Ko

gkobing, Roskilde, Son

stsjallan

tries for the Faroe I

Kingdom of Denmark a

ministrativ

pend

nified state in 10th c

tutional

nal h

titution Day, 5 June

ation

titu

f original constitutio

r a unicameral legisla

l sy

dicial review of leg

jurisdiction, w

fra

of age;

tive

MARGRETHE II (since

FREDERIK, elder son

ime Minister Anders Fo

mber

inted by the prime mi

lia

monarch is hereditary

of the majority part

sually appointed prime

ative

or Folketing (179 se

the Faroe Islands;

asis of proportional

year

20 November 2001 (nex

cent of vote by party

Danish People's Party

Party 6%, Social Libe

ristian Democrats) 2%,

56, Social Democrats 5

ty 16, Socialist Peo

tian People's Party (n

- does not include the

ats from the

ial b

s are appointed by t

parties an

ty [Mimi JAKOBSEN]; C

ty) [Marianne KARLSMOS

nservative People's Pa

[Pia KJAERSGAARD]; Lib

emocratic Party [Mog

es called the Radical

airman]; Socialist Peo

ity List (bloc include

nmark, Socialist Work

der

essure group

organization

Group, BIS, CBSS, CE,

DB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,

FRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, I

, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB,

aris Club, PCA, UN,

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHC

IP, UNOMIG, UNTSO, UP

PO, WMO

EDERSPIEL consulate(s) general: Chicago and New York FAX: [1] (202) 328-1470 tele

epresentatio

ssador Stuart A. BERNS

nuary

arskjolds Alle 24

ess: PSC 73,

: [45] 35

5] 35 4

descr

s that extends to the

cross is shifted to t

e Dannebrog (Danish

ordic countries of Fin

my De

y - ov

dern market econom

date small-scale an

elfare measures, comfo

high dependence on fo

and energy and enjoys

overnment objectives i

ther privatization

ccessful in meeting, a

riteria for participat

rency) of the European

rk has decided not to

the Danish Krone remai

te of the European eco

re 0

parity - $167.2 b

eal gro

2003

per

r parity - $31,

agriculture: 2% industry: 22.

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

or consumption by

st 1

0%: 24% (

f family incom

7 (

ate (consum

(2003

r fo

llion (2

ce - by o

dustry 17%, servic

oyment

% (

: $118.5

lion, including capita

n (200

ic d

f GDP

ture -

es, sugar beets; pork

ust

inery and equipment,

ectronics, constructi

s, shipbuild

production

(2003

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

llion kW

city -

llion kW

prod

bl/day (2

consum

bl/day (2

- ex

bbl/da

- im

bbl/da

roved r

n bbl (1 Ja

gas - pr

ion cu m

gas - co

ion cu m

gas -

on cu m (

gas -

(2001

s - proved

on cu m (1

account

billion

ion f.o.b.

- comm

nts, meat and meat pro

s, furniture,

s - pa

12.6%, UK 8.5%, US 6.2

herlands

ion f.o.b.

- comm

nt, raw materials and

, grain and foodstu

s - pa

13%, UK 7%, Netherla

%, Italy 4

foreign exch

billion

- ext

billio

c aid -

63 billi

ren

krone

ency

nge r

ollar - 6.5877 (2003),

31 (2000), 6

al y

ndar

cations

- main li

,100

s - mobil

,300

hone

excellent telephone

ubmarine cables and mi

ellular mobile com

y code - 45; 18 subma

Canada, Faroe Islan

oland, Russia, Sweden,

sat, 10 Eutelsat,

st); note - the Nordi

ay, and Sweden) share

station for worldwide

oadcast

55, shortw

illion

broadcast

51 repeat

visi

millio

t count

net h

,925

rvice Provi

(20

net u

millio

rtation

dard gauge: 3,002 km 1.435-m g

hwa

: 71,

(including 880

d: 0 k

erw

km (

eli

3,892 km; oil 455 km

il/water)

and ha

Aarhus, Copenhagen,

ls, Kolding, Odense, R

ant m

00 GRT or over) 6,952

ther countries:

any 1, Greece 1, In

go 77, chemical tank

stock carrier 5, petro

erated cargo 8, r

enger 5, speci

por

2003

,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m:

ys: total: 69 914 to 1,523 m:

ary D

ry bra

al Danish Navy, Royal

rvice; conscripts serve an initial training period that varies from 4 to 12 months according to specializ

npower - av

-49: 1,276,0

er - fit for mi

-49: 1,088,7

- reaching milit

0,333 (2

enditures -

6 milli

nditures - pe

% (

onal Issu

- inter

helf dispute involvin

e UK have signed a bou

dormant; dispute with

ian line boundary with

Ireland over the Faro

200 nm; Faroese conti

; uncontested dispute

the Kennedy Channel be

Gree

ast updated on

=======================

eke

ction D

kgr

Treaty of Establish

f Cyprus, the UK retai

o areas of almost 25

hekelia. The larger o

ase Area, which is a

overeign

phy Dh

ati

t coast of Cypr

hic coo

N, 3

efere

dle

130.8

rounds three C

compa

rters the size

ean with hot, dry sum

nt - curr

of small migrant song

aphy

rial rights also ext

es scattered

e Dhe

ula

genous

200 military personnel

tish citizens who are

n staff on both the

zens work on the base

ment D

try

form: Dhekelia S

l short for

ency s

UK; administered by

ander, Britis

located

l sy

e UK, where ap

tive

en Elizabeth II (si

monarch is hereditary

d by the

dministrator Maj. Gen

003) note - reports to

epresentatio

eas territo

epresentatio

eas territo

descr

of the

my Dh

y - ov

imited to providing se

cated in Dhekelia. Al

ust be

ary D

ary -

son and Ayios Nikolaos

ast updated on

=======================

ibo

ction D

kgr

f the Afars and the Is

PTIDON installed an a

o serve three consecu

g the Afars minority d

resulting in Preside

y 1999. A peace accord

uprising by Afar rebe

hic location at the mo

transshipment locatio

can highlands. GUELLE

ins a significant mi

phy Dj

ati

ing the Gulf of Aden a

a and

hic coo

N, 4

efere

23,00

: 20

22,980

compa

aller than

border countries: Eritrea 109 k

line:

a: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm

; torr

plateau separated

ion ex

nt: Lac As

nt: Moussa

l reso

ermal

0.04% permanent crops:

ated

km (19

al ha

; occasional cyclonic

ing heavy rains

nt - curr

of potable water;

tion; endan

internationa

ty, Climate Change,

ion, Endangered Specie

e Layer Protecti

ified: none of the

aphy

r world's busiest ship

rminus of rail traffi

(Lake Assal) is the l

e Dji

ula

(July 20

stru

% (male 101,168;

7% (male 131,320

.1% (male 7,327; fem

ian

: 18.

18.8

.7 years (

ion gro

(2004

1,000 populat

gratio

1,000 populat

1.03 mal

ars: 1.01 m

s: 1.1 mal

over: 1.02

: 1.06 male(s)/f

mortali

4 deaths/1,0

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

41.8

.44 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(2003

ople living w

(200

DS - d

2003

fectious

fever,

ree of risk

onal

Djibou

ve: Dji

ic g

, French, Arab, Ethi

igi

4%, Chri

gua

), Arabic (offic

era

15 and over ca

opulati

58.4% (2

ment D

try

ong form: Repu

l short for

ry of the Afars and Is

nment

rative d

, singular - cercle)

, Obock,

pend

1977 (fr

nal h

ce Day, 27

titu

on approved by refere

l sy

l law system, tradit

ami

fra

f age; uni

tive

dent Ismail Omar GUEL

ime Minister DILEITA M

Ministers responsi

elected by popular vo

April 1999 (next to b

pointed by

il Omar GUELLEH electe

GUELLEH 74.4%, IDRI

ative

Deputies or Chambre

y popular vote fo

10 January 2003 (next

ent of vote - RPP 62.2

RPP (the ruling party

ial b

ourt or C

parties an

arty or PND [ADEN Rob

[Abdillahi HAMARITEH]

Daoud CHEHEM]; Front p

r FRUD [Ali Mohamed DA

rning party) [Ismail

ty or PPSD [Moumin Ba

acy or ARD [Ahmed D

Justice or U

essure group

Majority UMP (coaliti

for Democratic Change

RD, MRDD, UDJ, and P

organization

SD, AMF, AU, FAO, G-

B, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,

AS, NAM, OIC, OPCW (s

U, WFTU, WHO, WIP

epresentatio

ion: Ambassad

] (202)

: [1] (20

1156 15th Street NW

epresentatio

: Ambassador Mar

erpent, Boulevard Mar

ess: B. P. 1

e: [253]

253] 3

descr

ands of light blue (to

angle based on the ho

ed star in

my Dj

y - ov

on service activiti

ocation and status as

thirds of the inhabita

eing mostly nomadic h

to fruits and vegetab

provides services as b

rnational transshipmen

sources and little in

endent on foreign assi

ts and to finance dev

0% continues to be a m

ver, because of the fi

ita consumption droppe

because of recession,

e (including immigran

onomic difficulties, t

rm external debt and

lations of for

parity - $619 m

eal gro

(2002

per

er parity - $1

griculture: 3.5% industry: 15.

below pov

2001

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

2002

r fo

000

ce - by o

oyment

2000

s: $135

llion, including capi

ture -

ables; goats,

ust

, agricultur

production

1996

ity - pr

lion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

ay (200

consum

bl/day (

- ex

(20

- im

(20

on f.o.b.

- comm

s and skins, co

s - pa

emen 22.5%, Ethi

on f.o.b.

- comm

sport equipment, chemi

s - pa

thiopia 10.9%, China

US 4.9

- ext

lion (20

aid - r

llion

ren

ian fra

ency

nge r

US dollar - 177.721

177.721 (2000)

al y

ndar

cations

- main li

0 (2

s - mobil

00 (

hone

elephone facilities i

the microwave radio

areas of

rowave radio

code - 253; submarine

lombo, and Singapore;

Ocean) and 1 Arabsa

io relay tele

oadcast

, shortwav

00 (

broadcast

visi

00 (

t count

net h

rvice Provi

net u

0 (2

rtation

lwa

i segment of the Addis

e: 100 km 1

oint control of Djibo

hwa

: 2,8

d: 3

2,526 km

and ha

ant m

000 GRT or over) 1

cargo 1 (

por

2003

with pave

3,047

to 3,0

437 m: 1

with unpa

al:

to 2,4

o 1,5

4 m: 3 (

ary D

ry bra

Army (including

r - military age

(est.); no con

npower - av

-49: 108,771

er - fit for mi

5-49: 64,54

enditures -

millio

nditures - pe

% (

onal Issu

- inter

economic ties and

ip while maintaining

Somalia including th

overnment

nternally disp

of origin): 25,4

ast updated on

=======================

min

ction D

kgr

of the Caribbean isl

ly to the fierce res

ossession to Great Bri

1805. In 1980, two ye

improved when a co

placed by that of Mar

ister in the Caribbean

00 Carib Indians still

population remaining in

phy Do

ati

een the Caribbean Sea

of the way from Puer

hic coo

N, 6

efere

rica and th

: 754

r: 0

754

compa

four times the si

bound

stl

a: 12 nm exclusive economic zon

by northeast trade w

tains of vo

ion ex

nt: Caribb

: Morne Diabl

l reso

dropower,

6.67% permanent crops:

ated

al ha

nstant threat; destru

ing the late

nt - curr

internationa

, Climate Change, Dese

l Modification, Hazar

Protection, Ship

ified: none of the

aphy

re Island of the C

varied flora and faun

al park system; the m

volcanic peaks are co

the second-largest, th

e Dom

ula

(July 2

stru

.3% (male 9,56

.8% (male 23,09

.9% (male 2,209; fem

ian

: 29

28.7

.4 years (

ion gro

(2004

1,000 populat

000 populatio

gratio

s)/1,000 popula

1.05 mal

ars: 1.02 m

s: 1.06 ma

over: 0.68

: 1.01 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

ths/1,000 live b

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

71.4

.43 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

ople living w

DS - d

: Dominican(s) ad

ic g

European, European, S

igi

rotestant 15% (Method

3%, Baptist 2%, other

gua

ficial), Fr

era

5 and over has ev

opulati

94% (2

ment D

try

g form: Commonwe

l short for

nment

racy; republic with

rative d

drew, Saint David, Sa

uke, Saint Mark, Sain

pend

er 1978

nal h

e Day, 3 No

titu

ember

l sy

English c

fra

of age;

tive

dent Nicholas J. O. L

t elected by the Ho

on last held 1 October

rime minister appoi

olas LIVERPOOL elected

tive vo

inted by the presiden

e mi

Prime Minister Roose

assumed post after d

re C

ative

ssembly (30 seats, 9

vote; members ser

31 January 2000 (next

on dictates that the

he last election, but

eating of parliament (

race

cent of vote by party

, UWP

ial b

eme Court, consisting

ocated in Saint Lucia

ica and preside over

sdic

parties an

y or DFP [Charles SAV

elt SKERRIT]; United

son

essure group

Movement or DLM (a

organization

, CDB, FAO, G-77, IBR

RCS, ILO, IMF, IMO

GA, NAM (observer), O

, UNIDO, UPU, WCL,

LESTRADE chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telepho

epresentatio

an embassy in Dominic

Mary E. KRAMER, is

descr

d cross of three equa

side), black, and wh

black, and white; supe

disk bearing a sissero

tars edged in yellow;

trative divisi

my Do

y - ov

depends on agricultu

vulnerable to cli

developments. Product

, a major reason for

2003 as the governm

rism" destination. Dev

fficult, however, b

aches, and the absenc

t began a comprehensiv

ncluding eliminatio

state banana company,

nomic crisis and to me

land's production b

an offshore financial

efinery on the easter

parity - $380 m

eal gro

2003

per

er parity - $5

agriculture: 18% industry:

below pov

2002

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

2001

r fo

(1999

ce - by o

ndustry and commer

oyment

2000

s: $73.

illion, including cap

mangoes, root crops, coconuts, cocoa; f

ust

rism, copra, furniture

production

(1997

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

ay (200

consum

/day (2

- ex

(20

- im

(20

n f.o.b. (

- comm

oil, vegetables,

s - pa

, Antigua and Barbuda

, Trinidad and T

ion f.o.b.

- comm

machinery and equipm

s - pa

Trinidad and Tobago 1

4%, UK 5

- ext

million

aid - r

llion (2

ren

bbean dol

ency

nge r

per US dollar - 2.7 (

7 (2000),

al y

y - 3

cations

- main li

00 (

s - mobil

0 (2

hone

assess

ully automa

code - 1-767; microwa

to Martinique and G

one links t

oadcast

, shortwav

00 (

broadcast

visi

0 (1

t count

net h

rvice Provi

(20

net u

00 (

rtation

km paved: 393 km unpa

and ha

outh,

ant m

000 GRT or over) 1

, container 2, p

1, Cyprus 1, Estonia

re 1 (2

por

003

unways: total: 2 914 to

ary D

ry bra

orces; Commonwealth o

ing Coa

enditures -

nditures - pe

onal Issu

- inter

states to counter Vene

habitation, a criter

xtend its EEZ/continen

f the Car

cit

for narcotics bound

r; anti-money-launderi

articularly vulnerab

ast updated on

=======================

ican R

on Dominic

kgr

by Columbus on his fi

became a springboard

American mainland. In

he western third of th

ainder of the island,

ain its own independ

by the Haitians for

as the Dominican Rep

rily returned to the S

hed a war that restore

mostly non-representa

y was brought to an e

ent. He maintained a t

ears when internation

to curtail his term

lections have been he

he presidency. The Do

owth rates in the hem

Dominica

ati

-thirds of the island

d the North Atlantic

hic coo

N, 7

efere

rica and th

48,73

48,380

: 350

compa

an twice the siz

al: 360 km border co

stl

ime c

rial se

nm or to the edge of

ous zon

economic z

tle seasonal temperatu

on in r

mountains with fertil

ion ex

t: Lago Enr

nt: Pico Du

l reso

auxite, g

d u

land:

nt crop

67.02

ated

q km (1

al ha

f the hurricane belt

tober; occasional floo

nt - curr

eroding into the sea

rest

internationa

ty, Climate Change,

tion, Endangered Spec

e Life Conservation,

Pol

ot ratified:

aphy

d of Hispani

ominican

ula

4 (July

stru

(male 1,502,062;

% (male 2,767,880

% (male 219,230; femal

ian

: 23.

23.5

.9 years (

ion gro

(200

,000 populati

000 populatio

gratio

)/1,000 populat

1.05 mal

ars: 1.05 m

s: 1.04 ma

over: 0.88

: 1.03 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

65.9

.35 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(2003

ople living w

(2003

DS - d

(200

: Dominican(s) ad

ic g

black 11%

igi

Cathol

gua

era

15 and over ca

opulati

84.8% (2

t Dominic

try

ong form: Domi

short form:

orm: Republi

t form: La

nment

tative d

o Do

rative d

ias, singular - provi

ruco, Barahona, Dajab

Seibo, Espaillat, Hat

na, La Vega, Maria Tri

onte Plata, Pedernales

ez Ramirez, San Cristo

Macoris, Santiago, Sa

go, V

pend

ry 1844 (

nal h

Day, 27 Feb

titu

1966, amende

l sy

l codes; undergoing

n accusat

fra

iversal and compuls

dless

armed forces and nati

tive

dent Leonel FERNANDEZ

Rafael ALBURQUERQUE de

ident is both the chie

ern

President Leonel FER

sident Rafael ALBURQUE

the president is both

f gove

et nominated b

nd vice president elec

ur-year terms; electio

be held i

nel FERNANDEZ elected

Z (PLD) 57.1%, Rafael

Eduardo ESTRE

ative

ngress or Congreso Na

eats; members are elec

) and the Chamber of

members are elected by

year

ast held 16 May 2002

ties - last held 16 Ma

ay 2

te - percent of vote b

PRSC 1; Chamber of De

ts by party - PRD

ial b

te Suprema (judges a

cil comprised of the P

ess, the President of

or non-governi

parties an

n Party or PLD [Leo

y Party or PRD [Vicent

ist Party or PRS

essure group

Organizations or COP

cion Ciudadania)

on-Buildi

organization

IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IC

IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF,

U, LAES, LAIA (obser

y), PCA, RG, UN, UNCTA

WFTU, WHO, WIPO

s): Mobile consulate(s) general: Chicago, Mayaguez (Puerto Rico), Miami, New Orleans, New York, and San Juan (Puer

y: corner of Calle Cesar Nicolas Penson and Calle Leopoldo Navarro, Santo Domingo mailing

descr

s that extends to the

the top ones are blue

e red (hoist side) and

ld supported by an ol

at the center of the

ys the motto, DIOS,

and below the shield

on a r

Dominica

y - ov

ic is a Caribbean re

owth of more than 7%

d as part of the glob

as long been viewed pr

tobacco, in recent y

ure as the economy's l

free trade zones. Th

lity; the poorest ha

e-fifth of GNP, while

income. Growth turned

jor bank fraud, and l

87% of export revenue

slowed due to gove

al power

parity - $52.71 b

eal gro

(200

per

er parity - $6

agriculture: 10.7% industry

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

by percentage share: lowest 10

f family incom

4 (

ate (consum

(200

r fo

- 2.6 millio

ce - by o

ustry 24.3%, service

oyment

(200

: $2.601

illion, including capi

n (200

ic d

of GDP

ture -

tton, cocoa, tobacco,

tle, pigs, dairy p

ust

sing, ferronickel and

t, to

production

2001

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

ay (200

consum

bl/day (2

- ex

(20

- im

(20

account

illion

ion f.o.b.

- comm

old, silver, coffee,

umer

s - pa

ada 1.5%, Hai

ion f.o.b.

- comm

eum, cotton and fa

aceut

s - pa

11.9%, Mexico 4.7%,

foreign exch

illion

- ext

illion (

aid - r

million

ren

can pe

ency

nge r

S dollar - 30.8307 (2

16.415 (2000),

al y

ndar

ons Dominic

- main li

800

s - mobil

,400

hone

assess

fficient system based

relay

y code - 1-809; 1 coa

tation - 1 Intels

oadcast

56, shortwa

illion

broadcast

(20

visi

000

t count

net h

97 (

rvice Provi

(20

net u

000

ion Dominic

lwa

: 1,7

ge: 375 km 1

6 km operated by suga

d 0.762-m g

e: 142 km 0

0 km paved: 6,224 km u

and ha

, Manzanillo, Puert

, Santo

ant m

000 GRT or over) 1

go 1, petrol

other countrie

d: Pakistan

por

2003

,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m:

al: 18 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,

Dominican

ry bra

avy, Ai

r - military age

or voluntary mili

npower - av

-49: 2,354,8

er - fit for mi

-49: 1,474,9

- reaching milit

0,434 (2

enditures -

illion

nditures - pe

% (

Issues Domin

- inter

ntrol illegal migrati

iolence continue to c

ation of Dominicans an

Puerto Rico has incr

cit

or South American dru

e a transshipment poi

um destined for US an

ity; Colombian narcoti

c for illicit fin

ast updated on

=======================

ction E

kgr

o trade with the islan

ized it in mid-century

entually resulted in a

stern portion of the

ring 1942-1945, but Po

apanese defeat in Wor

endent from Portugal

ied by Indonesian for

Indonesia in July 1976

l campaign of pacific

ring which an estima

lives. On 30 August 1

overwhelming majority

ndence from Indonesia.

multinational peace

ndependence Timorese m

nesian military - com

aign of retribution

morese and forcibly pu

ugees. The majori

ding homes, irrigatio

and nearly 100% of t

On 20 September 199

of the International

o the country and bro

ast Timor was internat

ndent

phy Ea

ati

orthwest of Australi

n end of the Indonesi

he eastern half of th

on on the northwest p

lands of Pulau At

hic coo

S, 12

efere

heas

15,00

: NA

compa

arger than

l: 228 km border coun

line:

shing zone: NA nm exclusive economic zone: NA nm co

mid; distinct rai

nta

ion ex

or Sea, Savu Sea,

t: Foho Tata

l reso

, natural gas,

.71% other: 94.62% (2001

ated

sq km

al ha

are common; earthqua

nt - curr

slash and burn agr

ion and so

internationa

aphy

alay word for "East;"

ipelago and is the lar

er Sunda

e Eas

other estimates range as low

stru

% (male 196,007;

2% (male 308,254

9% (male 14,663; fema

ian

: 20

20.1

.9 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

1,000 populat

1.05 mal

ars: 1.03 m

s: 1.04 ma

over: 0.97

: 1.04 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

63.3

.92 years

ertilit

n born/woma

adult preva

ople living w

DS - d

onal

: Ti

ive: T

ic g

Polynesian), Papuan,

igi

slim 4%, Protestant 3%

t (199

gua

rtuguese (official),

t 16 indigenous lang

e spoken by signific

era

15 and over ca

lation: 58

ent Eas

try

orm: Democratic Rep

l short for

r Lorosa'e [Tetum]; Ti

Portugue

ublika Demokratika T

atica de Timor-L

nment

rative d

stricts; Aileu, Aina

(Suai), Dili, Ermer

anufahi (Same), Oecu

pend

ate of proclamation

ay 2002 is the officia

t Timor's independ

nal h

Day, 28 Nov

titu

based on the Po

l sy

em based on Indonesia

by civil and penal co

fra

of age;

tive

ident Kay Rala Xanan

sident plays a largel

gislation; he former

ndre

ime Minister Mari Bin

Council o

lected by popular vote

April 2002 (next to

lative elections, the

rime minister by the

t for th

Rala Xanana GUSMAO ele

ana GUSMAO 82.7%, Fran

ative

arliament (number of

a maximum of 65 seat

five-year terms); note

Parliament is compris

tiona

be held August 2006)

were never held; ele

med themselves legisla

exceptional numbers

al par

cent of vote by party

7.84%, UDT 2.36%, PNT

1.78%, independents/

D 7, PSD 6, ASDT 6, PD

DC 1, PST 1, PL

ial b

ice - constitution ca

Parliament and rest

; note - until Suprem

peals is hi

parties an

crata Timorense or ASD

emocratic Party of T

emocratic Union of Ti

ocratic Party or PD

leader NA]; Maubere D

's Party of Timor o

Independent East Timo

of East Timor or PSD

or or PST [leader Avel

o known as Association

Reis AMARAL]; Timor D

Timor Labor Party or

nalist Party or PNT [A

ociation or APODETI [F

COS

litical pressure group; it rejects current government and claims to be rightful government; Kolimau 2000 [leader Dr. Bruno MAGALHAES] is another opposition group; dissa

organization

IBRD, ICCt, IDA, IFAD,

OC, MIGA, OPCW, PIF (

UPU,

epresentatio

n: Ambassador J

New York (the ambassad

202 9

ne: 202

achusetts Avenue, W

epresentatio

n: Ambassador G

e Portugal, Praia

tment of State, 8250 D

0521

e: (670)

670) 3

descr

osceles triangle (ba

htly longer yellow arr

; there is a white sta

k tr

y East

y - ov

70% of the economic

by Indonesian troops

people fled westward

sive international pr

at peak) and 1,300 p

uction in both urban

t 50,000 of the refuge

by extensive drought a

tional presence. Th

nuing the rebuildin

nt civil administratio

ring the workforce. O

ed development of oi

government faces a su

years before these rev

e co

parity - $440 m

eal gro

2003

per

er parity - $5

agriculture: 25.4% industry

below pov

2003

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

f family incom

2002

ate (consum

(200

r fo

ce - by o

oyment

underemployme

s: $36

lion, including capit

maize, cassava, sweet potatoes, soybea

ust

ufacturing, handic

production

ity - pr

Wh (

ity - co

Wh (

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

ion (20

- comm

marble; note - the p

la ex

s - pa

lion (20

- comm

food

s - pa

- ext

aid - r

ion (1999

ren

llar

ency

nge r

ar is the l

al y

y - 3

ations E

- main li

s - mobil

hone

oadcast

M NA, sh

broadcast

visi

t count

rvice Provi

net u

tation E

0 km paved: 428 km un

and ha

ant m

por

003

with pave

to 3,0

to 2,4

523 m: 1

with unpa

o 1,5

4 m: 2 (

ipo

003

ry Eas

ry bra

ce (Forcas de Defesa d

r - military age

or voluntary mili

npower - av

2004

er - fit for mi

2004

- reaching milit

2004

enditures -

illion

nditures - pe

nal Issues

- inter

oundary Committee cont

oundary, but several s

Oekussi enclave remain

t the sovereignty of

/Fatu Sinai, which ma

ndaries; numbers of E

riation; East Timor an

mitation of a permanen

troleum resources that

Area covered by the

cit

ast updated on

=======================

uction

kgr

Equator" was one of

pse of Gran Colombia i

la). Between 1904 an

es of conflicts with

ared in 1995 was reso

s of civilian governan

olitical instability

Ecuador s

aphy

ati

bordering the Pacific

Colombia

hic coo

S, 77

efere

h Am

283,5

udes Galap

6,720

276,84

compa

smaller t

10 km border countries: Col

ine: 2

ime c

rial se

f: 100 nm from 2

becoming cooler inland

Amazonian ju

inter-Andean central

ng eastern ju

ion ex

nt: Pacifi

nt: Chimbor

l reso

fish, timbe

.85% permanent crops: 4.

ated

q km (1

al ha

, landslides, volcan

dic d

ication; water pollution; pollution from oil production wastes in e

internationa

Environmental Protoc

e Change, Climate Ch

gered Species, Hazardo

tion, Tropical Timber

ified: none of the

aphy

is highest activ

le E

ula

2 (July 2

stru

(male 2,285,775;

% (male 4,020,873

% (male 302,129; femal

ian

: 23

22.5

.5 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

)/1,000 populat

1.05 mal

ars: 1.04 m

s: 0.99 ma

over: 0.88

n: 1 male(s)/fe

mortali

deaths/1,00

ths/1,000 live b

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

73.1

9 years (

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(2003

ople living w

(2003

DS - d

(200

onal

Ecuado

ve: Ecu

ic g

dian and white) 65%,

ers 7%,

igi

Cathol

gua

Amerindian languages

era

15 and over ca

opulati

91% (2

ment E

try

ong form: Repu

al short f

ort form

orm: Republi

nment

rative d

ias, singular - provi

azo, Cotopaxi, El Oro,

a, Los Rios, Manabi,

incha, Sucumbios, Tungu

pend

822 (fro

nal h

ndependence of Quit

titu

ugus

l sy

system; has not acc

sdic

fra

ersal, compulsory for

al for other

tive

ent Lucio GUTIERREZ (s

PALACIO (since 15 Jan

he chief of state a

nt and vice president

ote for a four-year

last held 20 October

002 (next to be he

resident Lucio GUTIER

Alfredo PALACIO (since

th the chief of state

et appointed b

lts of the 24 November

d president; percent o

lvaro NO

ative

Congress or Congreso

elected by province to

20 October 2002 (next

cent of vote by party

PRIAN 10, PSP 9, Pach

ependents 7; note - d

commonplace, resulting

eats held by the

ial b

e Suprema; note - per

by the full Supreme C

ccessfully replaced

ajority

parties an

pular Forces or CFP

D [Guillermo LANDAZU

Party or PRIAN [Alva

AHUA]; Patriotic Socie

Popular Democracy o

cratic Movement or MPD

t or FRA [Fabian ALARC

BUCARAM Ortiz, direct

RES CORDERO]; Socialis

Victor

essure group

igenous Nationalitie

]; Coordinator of Soci

ration of Indigenous E

president]; National F

d Peasants or FENOCI

ular Front or F

organization

IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IC

IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, I

osur (associate), MIG

, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,

WCO, WFTU, WHO, W

epresentatio

sion: Ambass

Chicago, Houston, Lo

Newark, Philadelphi

] (202)

: [1] (20

th Street NW, Was

epresentatio

: Ambassador Kri

2 de Octubre y Ave

ddress: A

: [593] (

93] (2)

s) general

descr

of yellow (top, doubl

s superimposed at th

Colombia, which is sh

at o

my Ec

y - ov

al petroleum resource

y's export earnings a

ent years. Consequentl

e a substantial domes

ed its worst economic

declines in world pe

o free fall in 1999.

verty worsening signi

, and Ecuador default

urrency depreciated by

nflation, the MAHAUD g

conomy. A coup, howev

0, and after a short-

t, Vice President Gust

000, Congress approved

ided the framework for

r. Dollarization stab

pre-crisis levels in

ion of Lucio GUTIERRE

benefited from higher

s made little progres

d enterprises necessa

roleum price swings

parity - $45.65 b

eal gro

(2003

per

er parity - $3

griculture: 8.7% industry: 29.

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

2003

by percentage share: lowest 10

f family incom

7 (

ate (consum

(2003

r fo

ion (urba

ce - by o

ndustry 25%, servi

oyment

deremployment o

: $6.908

$6.594 billion, includ

billio

ic d

of GDP

ture -

coa, rice, potatoes

; cattle, sheep, pig

alsa wood;

ust

essing, textiles, wo

production

(2003

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

bl/day (2

consum

bl/day (2

- ex

(20

- im

(20

roved r

on bbl (1 J

gas - pr

on cu m (

gas - co

on cu m (

gas -

(2001

gas -

(2001

s - proved

on cu m (1

account

millio

illion (

- comm

nanas, cut fl

s - pa

mbia 5.7%, Ger

llion (2

- comm

dustrial raw mater

s - pa

8%, Venezuela 7.1%, Br

4.2%

foreign exch

billion

- ext

billion

aid - r

illion

ren

llar

ency

nge r

ed the US dollar as le

al y

ndar

cations

- main li

millio

s - mobil

,400

hone

generally elementa

es generally inade

ry code - 593; satel

(Atlant

oadcast

35, shortwa

lion

broadcast

4 repeate

visi

llion

t count

net h

8 (2

rvice Provi

(20

net u

700

rtation

km narrow gauge: 966

7 km paved: 8,164 km u

erw

ost inacces

eli

km; gas 71 km; oil 1,3

km (

and ha

l, La Libertad, Mant

ant m

000 GRT or over) 24

Greece 1, Par

other countrie

ical tanker 4, liquefi

ker 21, speci

por

2003

047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 19

s: total: 143 914 to 1,523 m:

s: 1 (20

ary E

ry bra

ng Marines), Air Fo

tion: 20 years of age for conscript militar

npower - av

-49: 3,440,3

er - fit for mi

-49: 2,315,8

- reaching milit

32,476 (

enditures -

illion

nditures - pe

% (

onal Issu

isorder in Colombia has created a serious refuge

cit

untry for cocaine orig

ursor chemicals used i

ve location for cas

ng money because of

regime, especially vul

ased activity on the

oups and Colom

ast updated on

=======================

uction

kgr

hness of the annual Ni

provided by deserts

velopment of one o

ed kingdom arose circa

Egypt for the next thr

o the Persians in 341

, Romans, and Byzantin

he Arabic language in

ix centuries. A loca

about 1250 and contin

the Ottoman Turks i

z Canal in 1869, Egyp

n hub, but also fel

its investments, Bri

1882, but nominal al

l 1914. Partially ind

full sovereignty foll

an High Dam in 1971 a

e time-honored place o

y of Egypt. A rapidly

rld), limited arable l

to overtax resources a

ed to ready the econom

m and massive investme

infrast

aphy

ati

ring the Mediterranean

he Red Sea north of S

inai Pe

hic coo

N, 3

efere

1,001,4

995,45

6,000

compa

n three times the

bound

: 2,6

Strip 11 km, Israel 2

n 1,

stl

shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation c

y summers with

u interrupted by N

ion ex

Qattara Depr

t: Mount Cat

l reso

, iron ore, phosphates

c, asbestos

.87% permanent crops: 0.

ated

q km (19

al ha

quent earthquakes, fla

called khamsin occurs

dst

nt - curr

ng lost to urbanizati

ation below Aswan Hig

ing coral reefs, beach

from agricultural pest

very limited natural

ch is the only perenni

overstraining the Nil

internationa

, Climate Change, Dese

l Modification, Hazar

Ozone Layer Protect

83, Tropical Tim

tified: Climate Ch

aphy

sula, only land brid

Hemisphere; controls

nd Mediterranean Sea;

ts major role in Middl

m neighbors; dominanc

influxes

le E

ula

1 (July 2

stru

(male 13,038,369;

(male 23,953,949;

3% (male 1,407,248; f

ian

: 23.

: 23

.8 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

000 populatio

gratio

)/1,000 populat

1.05 mal

ars: 1.05 m

s: 1.02 ma

over: 0.75

: 1.02 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,000

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

68.2

.31 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

n 0.1% (

ople living w

(200

DS - d

2003

onal

Egyp

ive: E

ic g

k (Egyptians, Bedoui

ian, other European

nch

igi

ni) 94%, Coptic Ch

gua

lish and French widely

era

15 and over ca

opulati

46.9% (2

nment

try

ng form: Arab R

al short f

hort fo

d Arab Republ

m: Jumhuriyat

nment

rative d

fazat, singular - muh

l Buhayrah, Al Fayy

iliyah, Al Jizah, Al M

, Al Wadi al Jadid, As

ayf, Bur Sa'id, Dumyat

h, Qina, Sham

pend

ary 1922

nal h

Day, 23 J

titu

ptemb

l sy

on law, Islamic law,

preme Court and Counc

rative decisions); a

on, with r

fra

ge; universal

tive

ent Mohammed Hosni MUB

ime Minister Ahmed NAZ

et appointed b

nominated by the Pe

ination must then be v

tional referendum last

tober 2005); prime min

sid

onal referendum valida

People's Assembl

ative

sists of the People'

444 elected by popula

rs serve five-year t

hura - which functions

elected by popular vo

mbers serve s

ssembly - three-phase

r, 8 November 2000

; Advisory Council - l

e held May

le's Assembly - percen

dvisory Council - perc

ts by p

ial b

onstituti

parties an

tic Party or Nasserist

rty or NDP [President

ional Progressive Unio

Wafd Party or NWP [N

rar [Hilmi SALIM]; Tom

an N

olitical parties mus

ern

essure group

nal ban against relig

Muslim Brotherhood c

ficant political oppos

ivity by the Brotherh

re aggressively sin

ty groups are sanction

e unions and professi

lly san

organization

ESD, AMF, AU, BSEC (o

, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, I

IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO,

MIGA, MINURSO, MON

, OSCE (partner), PCA

UNITAR, UNMIK, UNMIL,

WIPO, WMO

epresentatio

on: Ambassador

rnational Court NW,

Chicago, Houston, New

] (202)

: [1] (20

epresentatio

on: Ambassador

El Din Salah St.,

nit 64900, Box 15,

: [20] (2

0] (2)

descr

l bands of red (top),

d Eagle of Saladin fac

on its chest above a s

bic) centered in the

ration flag and simila

ars, Iraq, which has t

) in a horizontal lin

, which has a p

omy

y - ov

ogress on economic ref

rect investment in Egy

2-3 percent in 2001-0

004 proposed new priv

the government is l

and gradually to avoi

layoffs associated wi

alued Egyptian pound

January 2003, leading

nflationary pressure.

cy is evidence that th

icial exchange rate

ian officials increas

o calm a frustrated p

eficit. Egypt's balan

r in Iraq in 2003, as

he development of an e

or future growth prosp

hydrocarbons sector

rsistent u

parity - $295.2 b

eal gro

(2003

per

er parity - $4

r: agriculture: 17% indust

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

(200

by percentage share: lowest 10

f family incom

4 (

ate (consum

(2003

r fo

llion (2

ce - by o

ndustry 17%, servi

oyment

(2003

: $14.69

illion, including capi

ion

ic d

of GD

ture -

eat, beans, fruits, ve

, sheep

ust

ssing, tourism, chem

ion, ceme

production

(2003

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

bl/day (2

consum

bl/day (2

- ex

(20

- im

(20

roved r

on bbl (1 J

gas - pr

ion cu m

gas - co

ion cu m

gas -

(2001

gas -

(2001

s - proved

on cu m (1 J

account

billion

ion f.o.b.

- comm

m products, cotton, te

mic

s - pa

, UK 7.9%, France 4.7

% (

ion f.o.b.

- comm

t, foodstuffs, chemica

s - pa

%, Italy 7%, France 6

4.3%

foreign exch

billion

- ext

illion (

aid - r

2 billio

ren

an pou

ency

nge r

dollar - 5.8509 (2003

21 (2000), 3

al y

y - 3

icatio

- main li

,700

s - mobil

,500

hone

arge system; underwen

asonably modern; Inter

are av

centers at Alexandri

Tanta are connected

ve radi

ry code - 20; satell

cean and Indian Ocea

bmarine cables; tropos

to Israel; a participa

Oxygen (a global subm

oadcast

peaters), FM 14,

illion

broadcast

ptembe

visi

llion

t count

net h

1 (2

rvice Provi

(20

net u

llion

ortati

dard gauge: 5,063 km 1.435-m g

km paved: 49,984 km unpa

erw

ver, Lake Nasser, Alex

anals in delta; Suez C

by oceangoing vessel

eli

ondensate/gas 94 km;

oil 5,032 km; oil/ga

s 246 k

and ha

aqah, Aswan, Asyut,

ruh, Port

ant m

00 GRT or over) 1,194

2, Cyprus 1, Denmark

ther countries:

go 41, container 5, p

n/roll off 13, sh

por

2003

with pave

al:

3,047

to 3,0

4 m: 4 (

to 2,4

with unpa

al:

4 m: 7 (

to 3,0

to 2,4

o 1,5

ipo

003

tary

ry bra

r Force, Air D

tion: 18 years of age for conscript militar

npower - av

49: 20,340,71

er - fit for mi

49: 13,148,94

- reaching milit

56,233 (

enditures -

2 milli

nditures - pe

% (

ional Is

- inter

n claims to administe

south of the 1899 Tr

e withdrawn their mili

ng and effectively ad

orth of the

nternally disp

origin): 70,215 (Pa

cit

thwest Asian and Sout

pe, Africa, and the

oncern as money-laun

gulations an

ast updated on

=======================

Salv

tion El

kgr

independence from Spa

ation in 1839. A 12-ye

was brought to a c

t rebels signed a tre

nd politic

hy El S

ati

rdering the North P

la and

hic coo

N, 8

efere

rica and th

21,04

: 320

20,720

compa

aller than

km border countries: Guate

stl

ime c

rial se

n (May to October); d

l on coast; tem

h narrow coastal bel

ion ex

nt: Pacifi

t: Cerro El

l reso

ermal power, petr

d u

land:

nt crop

56.08

ated

km (199

al ha

f Volcanoes; freque

s and volcanic activit

urri

n; soil erosion; water pollution; contamin

internationa

ty, Climate Change,

tion, Endangered Spec

r Protecti

ot ratified:

aphy

can country and only o

ribbe

El Sa

ula

1 (July

stru

(male 1,237,262;

% (male 1,819,035

% (male 150,221; femal

ian

: 21.

20.2

.5 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

)/1,000 populat

1.05 mal

ars: 1.04 m

s: 0.91 ma

over: 0.81

: 0.95 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

67.3

.7 years (

ertilit

n born/woma

adult preva

(2003

ople living w

(2003

DS - d

(200

Salvadoran(s) adj

ic g

Amerindian

igi

Cathol

ive activity by Prote

d of 1992, there were

vangelicals

gua

a (among some

era

10 and over ca

opulati

77.7% (2

ent El

try

ng form: Republ

short form:

rt form:

rm: Republica

nment

Salv

rative d

partamentos, singu

halatenango, Cuscatlan

Miguel, San Salvador,

ate, U

pend

er 1821 (f

nal h

Day, 15 Sep

titu

cembe

l sy

man law, with traces

acts in the Supreme Co

ction, with

fra

of age;

tive

dent Elias Antonio SA

ma DE ESCOBAR (since 1

he chief of state a

President Elias Anto

Ana Vilma DE ESCOBAR (

th the chief of state

f Ministers select

nd vice president elec

ive-year terms; elect

o be held NA

s Antonio SACA elected

SACA (ARENA) 57.7%,

ILVA (CDU-PDC)

ative

Assembly or Asamblea

y direct, popular vot

6 March 2003 (next to

cent of vote by party

NA 28, PCN 1

ial b

rte Suprema (judges

tive As

parties an

c Party or PDC [Rod

r CDU [Ruben ZAMORA

D [Jorge MELENDEZ]; F

MLN [Medardo GONZALEZ

ldo SALGADO, president

lio SALINAS, secreta

PCN [Ciro CRUZ ZEPED

ARENA [Elias Antonio

y the merger of Christ

ement or MU) [Abraham

ic Party or PSD

essure group

Electrical Industry

e Construction Industr

FESINCONTRANS; Nati

CNTS; National Union o

ion of El Salvador or

Peasant Workers or USE

rs Union of Electrica

- National Associatio

bly Industry Associati

l Associa

organization

, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, I

S, ILO, IMF, IMO, In

MIGA, MINURSO, OAS, OP

UNMIL, UNOCI, UPU, WC

epresentatio

Ambassador Rene An

Boston, Chicago, Dalla

San Francisco,

] (202)

: [1] (20

fornia Street NW, W

epresentatio

n: Ambassador H

ard Santa Elena Sur,

d, San

ss: Unit 3116

e: [503]

503] 2

descr

l bands of blue (top)

arms centered in the

emblem encircled by th

A CENTRAL; similar to

coat of arms centered

circled by the words R

L on the bottom; also

five blue stars arra

in the

y El S

y - ov

he US dollar as its cu

onetary policy and

ned fiscal policy. GDP

il, Argentina, and Chi

nequal. The trade def

almost $2 billion fr

id. The government is

age foreign investment

, and stimulate th

parity - $30.99 b

eal gro

(2003

per

er parity - $4

agriculture: 9.4% industry:

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

1999

by percentage share: lowest 10

f family incom

2 (

ate (consum

(2003

r fo

illion

ce - by o

ndustry 15%, servi

oyment

omy has much undere

: $2.434

illion, including capi

ic d

of GDP

ture -

ice, beans, oilseed, c

dairy

ust

erages, petroleum, c

urniture, l

production

(2003

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

ion kWh

city -

lion kW

prod

ay (200

consum

bl/day (

- ex

(20

- im

(20

account

millio

illion (

- comm

xports, coffee, sug

ls, ele

s - pa

mala 11.5%, Hon

illion (

- comm

er goods, capital goo

um, ele

s - pa

ala 8.1%, Mexi

foreign exch

billion

- ext

illion (

aid - r

ion; $57 millio

ren

llar

ency

nge r

ar is the l

al y

ndar

ations E

- main li

600

s - mobil

,800

hone

assess

wide microwave r

ry code - 503; satel

an); connected to Cent

oadcast

peaters), FM 30,

illion

broadcast

visi

000

t count

net h

4 (2

rvice Provi

net u

000

tation E

lwa

l: 2

e: 283 km 0

ional route reduced fr

ack of maint

hwa

: 10,

(including 327 k

8,043 km

erw

rtially navi

and ha

co, La Libertad, La U

ant m

por

2003

l: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437

ys: total: 69 914 to 1,523 m:

s: 1 (20

ry El

ry bra

y (FNES),

s of age for compulsory military service, with 12-month

npower - av

-49: 1,571,2

er - fit for mi

-49: 995,672

- reaching milit

9,993 (2

enditures -

illion

nditures - pe

% (

nal Issues

- inter

on the delimitation o

Salvador-Honduras bo

ical resolution of und

El Salvador's request

bolsones; the 1992

to a maritime boundary

Honduran access to t

y Conejo Island, not m

n the Gulf

cit

for cocaine; small

sumption; domestic coc

ast updated on

=======================

orial

on Equator

kgr

ned independence in 1

y country, composed of

ds, is one of the sm

BIANG NGUEM MBASOGO ha

seizing power from hi

oup. Although nomin

the 1996 and 2002 pres

lative elections - wer

controls most oppositi

nage. Despite the coun

esulting in a massive

rs, there have been f

living s

Equatori

ati

ing the Bight of Biafr

hic coo

N, 10

efere

28,05

r: 0

28,051

compa

maller tha

9 km border countries: Cam

line:

orial sea: 12 nm exclus

always h

to interior hills;

ion ex

nt: Atlant

nt: Pico Ba

l reso

ber, small unexploi

ranium, tita

4.63% permanent crops:

ated

al ha

ndstorms,

nt - curr

not potable;

internationa

ty, Climate Change,

ion, Endangered Specie

ea, Ship

ified: none of the

aphy

ental regions rath

quatoria

ula

(July 20

stru

(male 110,268;

3% (male 136,370

8% (male 8,745; femal

ian

: 18.

18.1

.4 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

gratio

1,000 populat

1.03 mal

ars: 1.01 m

s: 0.93 ma

over: 0.79

: 0.95 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

: 53

.36 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(2001

ople living w

(200

DS - d

2001

fectious

fever,

e of risk: ve

onal

l Guinean(s) or

torial Guinean

ic g

i, some Fernandinos)

less than 1,000

igi

and predominantly

cti

gua

ench (official), pidgi

era

15 and over ca

opulati

78.4% (2

t Equator

try

form: Republic o

hort form: Equ

form: Guin

: Republica de

Spanis

nment

rative d

ias, singular - prov

entro Sur, Kie-Ntem

pend

r 1968 (f

nal h

e Day, 12 O

titu

referendum 17 Novembe

l sy

panish civil law

fra

f age; uni

tive

dent Brig. Gen. (Ret.

1979 when he seized po

lected by popular vote

December 2002 (next

and deputy prime min

sid

oro OBIANG NGUEMA MBAS

doro OBIANG NGUEMA MB

2%; elections marre

f Ministers appoin

ime Minister Miguel Ab

eputy Prime Minister M

ty Prime Minister Deme

NA Janu

ative

People's Represent

eblo (80 seats; membe

to serve fi

7 March 1999 (next to

ent of vote by party -

rty - PDGE 75,

ittle power since the

thority in t

ial b

me Tr

parties an

r Social Democracy o

arty for Equatorial

NG NGUEMA MBASOGO];

r PPGE [Severo MOTO

PGE [Miguel Esono EMAN

A]; Progressive Democ

NAY]; Union of Indepe

iel

essure group

organization

DEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ,

ILO, IMF, IMO, Interp

UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,

TrO (ob

epresentatio

: Ambassador Teo

th Street NW, Was

] (202)

: [1] (20

epresentatio

an embassy in Equat

; the US ambassador to

the US State Departmen

te Agency

descr

bands of green (top),

e based on the hoist s

te band; the coat o

epresenting the main

shield bearing a sil

th the motto UNIDAD,

, Jus

Equatori

y - ov

xploitation of larg

c economic growth in r

re also major componen

Although pre-indepen

ction for hard currenc

under successive re

ure-led growth (the go

some oil revenue into

ored by the World Ban

ecause of corruption

oncessional financing

nt has been unsuccessf

agement program with

st part, are owned by

s. Undeveloped natu

anganese, uranium, an

trong in 2004

parity - $1.27 bi

eal gro

2002

per

er parity - $2

agriculture: 20% industry:

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

2003

r fo

ctobe

oyment

1998

: $708.5

illion, including capi

, rice, yams, cassava (tapioca), bana

ust

hing, sawmilli

production

2002

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

bl/day (2

consum

l/day (2

- ex

(20

- im

(20

roved r

on bbl (1 J

gas - pr

n cu m (2

gas - co

n cu m (2

gas -

(2001

gas -

(2001

s - proved

on cu m (1

account

billio

on f.o.b.

- comm

methanol, t

s - pa

China 14.4%, Canada 1

ion f.o.b.

- comm

or equipment,

s - pa

nce 15.1%, Cote d'Ivo

%, Italy 5

foreign exch

illion

- ext

lion (20

aid - r

millio

ren

Africaine franc (XAF

Bank of the Centr

ency

nge r

Africaine francs (XAF)

), 733.039 (2001), 71

al y

ry - 31

ions Equat

- main li

0 (2

s - mobil

00 (

hone

oor system with adequ

stic

code - 240; internati

ican and European coun

Intelsat (

oadcast

, shortwav

000

broadcast

visi

0 (1

t count

net h

rvice Provi

net u

0 (2

tion Equat

hwa

880 km (1

eli

39 km; liquid natura

and ha

Luba,

ant m

000 GRT or over) 6

rgo 2, pass

other countrie

por

003

with pave

to 3,0

to 2,4

914 m: 1 (

with unpa

4 m: 1 (

Equator

ry bra

Force, Rapid I

r - military age

of age (e

npower - av

-49: 120,463

er - fit for mi

5-49: 61,08

enditures -

millio

nditures - pe

% (

l Issues Equ

- inter

d on an equidista

inea-Nigeria maritime

between Equatorial Gui

of the Ntem River,

ICJ decision, and t

to the delay in implem

hydrocarbon-rich Cori

er Mbane Island, admin

ince th

ast updated on

=======================

uction

kgr

o Ethiopia in 1952 as

n of Eritrea as a pr

ggle for independence

ting governmental for

d in a 1993 referendum

opia that erupted in

mber 2000. Eritrea

n that is monitoring

e border with Ethio

to resolve the borde

inal demarcation is on

ect

aphy

ati

ring the Red Sea, bet

hic coo

N, 3

efere

121,3

r: 0

121,32

compa

rger than P

bound

: 1,6

bouti 109 km, Ethiopi

stl

and on Red Sea 1,151

ime c

rial se

along Red Sea coast; c

to 61 cm of rainfall

ands; rainfall heavies

n coasta

of Ethiopian north-so

to a coastal desert p

on the southwest to f

ion ex

ulul within the Dena

oint: Soi

l reso

pper, salt, possibly o

.95% permanent crops: 0.

ated

km (199

al ha

roughts; l

nt - curr

fication; soil erosion

ure from ci

internationa

, Climate Change, Dese

ified: none of the

aphy

al position along wo

d the entire coastline

independence from E

le E

ula

7 (July

stru

% (male 998,404;

% (male 1,140,892

3% (male 72,776; fema

ian

: 17.

17.3

.7 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

gratio

(s)/1,000

triating about 150,000

ng the restoration of

countries in 2

1.03 mal

ars: 1.01 m

s: 0.98 ma

over: 0.97

: 0.99 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

51.3

.12 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(2003

ople living w

(2003

DS - d

(200

onal

Erit

ive: E

ic g

Tigre and Kunama 40%,

llers) 3%

igi

ristian, Roman Ca

gua

d Kunama, Tigrinya, ot

al population: 58.6% male: 6

ment E

try

long form: St

al short f

g form: H

Autonomous Reg

hort fo

nment

ional g

cessful referendum on

Eritrea on 23-25 Ap

irely of the People's

established as a tran

ission was also est

S Afworki was elect

ure; the constitution

fect, pending parliam

ary elections had bee

ned indefinitely; cur

s Front for Democrac

formerly

rative d

singular - zoba); An

Barka, Ma'akel, S

pend

93 (from

nal h

ce Day, 24

titu

itution, decreed on 19

dopted on 23 May 1997,

l sy

thiopian legal code of

ial, and penal cod

es on customary and po

l cases involving

fra

of age;

tive

ent ISAIAS Afworki (si

th the chief of state

State Council and

resident ISAIAS Afwor

t is both the chief

d of the State Counci

il is the collective

ointed by t

lected by the National

xt election date unc

a presidential elect

cipa

AIAS Afworki elected

bly vote - ISA

ative

l Assembly (150 se

blis

997, following the

ers of the PFDJ Centr

the EPLF), 60 membe

that had been establis

stitution, and 15 repr

med into a Transitiona

legislative body unti

were held; although o

onal Assembly were el

ast the transition sta

be elected by secret

bly elections schedule

ed inde

ial b

, subregional, and vi

and speci

ognized by the government [ISAIAS Afworki]; note - a National Assembly committee drafted a law on p

el Movement) [leader NA]); Eritrean Islamic Salvation or EIS (also known as the Arafa Movement) [leader NA]; Eritrean Liberation Front or ELF [ABDULLAH Muhammed];

organization

G-77, IAEA, IBRD, IC

C, IFRCS (observer),

rrespondent), ITU, MIG

DO, UPU, WCO, WFTU,

epresentatio

on: Ambassador

: [1] (20

eneral: Oaklan

] (202)

ampshire Avenue NW,

epresentatio

on: Ambassador

in D. Roosevelt

ess: P. O. B

: [291] (

91] (1)

descr

(based on the hoist s

es; the upper triangle

encircling a gold oli

ide of the

my Er

y - ov

m Ethiopia on 24 May 1

of a small, desperatel

can nations, the econo

re, with 80% of the p

he Ethiopian-Eritrea w

my. GDP growth fell

May 2000 Ethiopian o

$600 million in prop

25 million in livestoc

ting of crops in Erit

roduction to drop by 6

transportation infrast

ports, and repairing

ended, the government

, expanding the use

s to complete Eritrea

he delayed demobilizat

cereal production wel

Eritrea's economic fu

al problems such as il

open its economy to p

d expertise can fos

parity - $3.3 b

eal gro

2002

per

er parity - $7

griculture: 12.4% industry: 25

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

(199

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

% (2

r fo

(19

ce - by o

%, industry an

oyment

2003

: $235.7

llion, including capi

ls, vegetables, corn, cotton, tobacco,

ust

beverages, clot

production

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

NA kWh

city -

NA kWh

prod

ay (200

consum

l/day (2

- ex

(20

- im

(20

account

millio

n f.o.b. (

- comm

textiles, food, smal

s - pa

Italy 10.4%, F

on f.o.b.

- comm

products, food, man

s - pa

Turkey 6.8%, Russia 5

foreign exch

llion

- ext

lion (20

aid - r

llion

ren

ency

nge r

ollar - NA (2003), 1

5 (2000),

al y

ndar

cations

- main li

00 (

s - mobil

hone

sessment:

ate; most telephones a

onal tenders to impr

code - 291; note - in

oadcast

A, shortwa

000

broadcast

visi

0 (1

t count

net h

7 (2

rvice Provi

net u

0 (2

rtation

lwa

l: 3

e: 306 km 0

being rebuilt;

hwa

: 4,0

d: 8

3,136 km

and ha

b), Massaw

ant m

000 GRT or over) 1

other countrie

1, liquefied gas 1, p

oll

por

2003

: total: 4 over 3,047 m: 2 2,

3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437

ary E

ry bra

avy, Ai

r - military age

voluntary and compul

ce obligation -

er - fit for mi

(20

enditures -

millio

nditures - pe

% (2

onal Issu

- inter

agreed to abide by

EEBC) delimitation de

pite intense internat

that the decision ign

in the delimitation, a

he 1998-2000 war, and

nce on not deviating

ping Mission to Ethio

25km-wide Temporary S

Sudan accuses Eritrea

protests Yemeni fish

to Eritrea by

nternally disp

war with Ethiopia fro

entral border

ast updated on

=======================

uction

kgr

anish, Swedish, Germ

pendence in 1918. For

egained its freedom in

Since the last Russia

to promote economic

ed both NATO and the EU

aphy

ati

ering the Baltic Sea

Latvia a

hic coo

N, 2

efere

45,22

1,520 islands i

2,015

43,211

compa

han New Hampshire

33 km border countries: L

stl

ime c

rial se

zone: limits fixed

oring

moderate winter

flat in the north,

ion ex

int: Balt

nt: Suur Mu

l reso

sphorite, clay, lime

land,

6.04% permanent crops: 0

ated

km (19

al ha

oding occurs

nt - curr

lfur dioxide from oi

however, the amount o

teadily, the emission

unt of unpurified was

was one twentieth t

art-up of new water pu

ewater decreased; Esto

akes, the smaller of

ored; coastal seawater

ati

internationa

tion, Air Pollution

Air Pollution-Volat

iversity, Climate Chan

Species, Hazardous Wa

r Protecti

ified: none of the

aphy

is flat, boggy, and p

than 1,50

le E

ula

4 (July

stru

(male 110,452;

5% (male 431,493

5% (male 72,819; femal

ian

: 38.

35.1

.1 years (

ion gro

(2004

,000 populati

1,000 populat

gratio

)/1,000 populat

1.06 mal

ars: 1.06 m

s: 0.91 ma

over: 0.49

: 0.85 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,000

ths/1,000 live b

deaths/1,00

ectancy

ulation:

65.7

.33 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

2001

ople living w

(200

DS - d

n 200 (2

onal

Esto

ive: E

ic g

an 28.1%, Ukrainian 2

other 1

igi

Russian Orthodox, Esto

Adventist, Roman Cath

fe, J

gua

), Russian, Ukrain

era

15 and over ca

opulati

99.8% (2

ment E

try

ong form: Repu

al short f

hort fo

an Soviet Soci

form: Ees

nment

entary

rative d

d, singular - maakond

Virumaa (Johvi), Jarva

aapsalu), Laane-Virum

va), Raplamaa (Rapla),

amaa (Valga), Viljandi

he administrative cen

ent

pend

991 (from S

nal h

February (1918); note

ared its independence

e it declared its inde

titu

d 28 J

l sy

stem; no judicial rev

fra

universal for all

tive

ident Arnold RUUTEL

ime Minister Juhan PAR

Ministers appointed

d by Pa

old RUUTEL elected pr

electoral assembly th

in August to elect

nd ballot of voting, R

Toomas SAVI's 155; t

left blank

lected by Parliament f

ure two-thirds of the

rliament, then an elec

members of local go

etween the two candid

lection last held 21 S

of 2006); prime mini

d approved b

ative

or Riigikogu (101 seat

te to serve f

ent of vote by party -

Party 17.7%, Estonian

and League) 7.3% Peop

r Party 28, Res Public

ion 13, Pro Patria U

duk

2 March 2003 (next to

ial b

irman appointed by

parties an

ia (Keskerakond) [Edg

ion (Rahvaliit) [Vil

(Reformierakond) [An

s Party or EUVRP [Yevg

aaliit) [Tunne KELAM,

]; Social Democratic P

derates) [Ivari PADA

arliamentarians, forme

r Krei

essure group

organization

CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD

ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IF

M, ISO (correspondent)

OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN,

mber affiliate),

epresentatio

sion: Ambass

achusetts Ave. NW,

s) general

] (202)

: [1] (20

epresentatio

n: Ambassador A

tmanni 20, 1

s: use embassy

e: [372]

372] 6

descr

by Supreme Soviet in

of blue (top),

my Es

y - ov

mber of the World Tr

a modern market econo

the pegging of its cu

strong electronics a

been invited to join

04. The economy is g

nd, Sweden, Russia, a

e high current accou

state budget enjoyed a

parity - $17.35 b

eal gro

(2003

per

r parity - $12,

agriculture: 4.9% industry:

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

(20

or consumption by

st 1

10%: 29.

f family incom

(19

ate (consum

(2003

r fo

0 (200

ce - by o

ndustry 20%, servi

oyment

% (2

: $3.806

illion, including capi

ic d

f GDP

ture -

es; livestock and

ust

onics, wood and woo

chnology, tele

production

2000

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

llion k

city -

h (2

prod

l/day (2

consum

bl/day (

- ex

(20

- im

(20

gas - pr

(2001

gas - co

ion cu m

gas -

(2001

gas -

ion cu m

account

billion

ion f.o.b.

- comm

t 33%, wood and paper

ure 7%, metals, che

s - pa

12.5%, Russia 11.4%,

thuania

ion f.o.b.

- comm

nt 33.5%, chemical pr

4%, transportation e

s - pa

y 11.1%, Russia 10.2%

4.2%, Japa

foreign exch

billion

- ext

illion (

aid - r

illion

ren

an kro

ency

nge r

- 13.8564 (2003), 1

686 (2000),

al y

ndar

cations

- main li

000

s - mobil

000

hone

foreign investment

atly improved telepho

ems carry telephone, T

rnet services are avai

ut 11,000 subscriber r

embe

e of high quality voi

ailable throug

y code - 372; fiber-o

Russia provide world

ional switches are lo

oadcast

8, shortwa

illion

broadcast

visi

000

t count

net h

42 (

rvice Provi

(20

net u

000

rtation

lwa

l: 9

1.520-m/1.524-m gaug

eased from 1.520-m to

il as lines are

hwa

: 51,

(including 94 k

41,077

erw

km (

eli

59 km

and ha

Muuga, Paldiski

ant m

000 GRT or over) 21

o 12, container 4, pe

7, short-sea

wned: Net

ther countries:

por

2003

with pave

al:

3,047

to 3,0

to 2,4

o 1,5

4 m: 1 (

with unpa

al:

3,047

to 3,0

to 2,4

o 1,5

4 m: 6 (

ary E

ry bra

(including Ground For

ces (internal and bor

eliit), Maritime Bord

d Ministry of Internal

e Forces in wartime

istry of Defense in pe

in wa

litary service, with 11-month service obligation; Estonia has committed to retaini

npower - av

-49: 326,803

er - fit for mi

-49: 257,386

- reaching milit

0,884 (2

enditures -

lion (20

nditures - pe

2002

onal Issu

- inter

ject signing and ratif

border agreem

cit

or opiates and cannab

ussia, cocaine from La

, and synthetic drugs

ing domestic drug ab

ring and/or traffic

organized crime and

use of the gambling s

ast updated on

=======================

hio

ction E

kgr

countries, the anci

from colonial rule, o

1936-41. In 1974 a mil

e SELASSIE (who had

st state. Torn by blo

nd massive refugee pr

coalition of rebel

ary Democratic Fron

ted in 1994 and Ethio

1995. A two and a hal

peace treaty on 12

undary is currently o

national commission's

sensitive

phy Et

ati

rica, west

hic coo

N, 38

efere

1,127,1

7,444

,119,68

compa

than twice the

bound

: 5,3

bouti 349 km, Eritrea

600 km, Su

stl

(land

ime c

(land

ith wide topograph

ntral mountain range

ion ex

Denakil Depr

int: Ras D

l reso

ld, platinum, copper

rop

0.71% permanent crops: 0

ated

q km (1

al ha

reat Rift Valley susc

ptions; freq

nt - curr

azing; soil erosion;

eas from water-inten

age

internationa

, Climate Change, Dese

us Wastes, Ozone

ed: Environmental Modi

aphy

oastline along the Re

f Eritrea on 24 May 19

he Nile by water volu

st Ethiopia; three maj

iopia: coffee, grain s

e Eth

ula

851

his country explicitl

tality due to AIDS; t

er infant mortality a

rates, and changes i

sex than would other

4 e

stru

(male 15,189,921;

(male 17,857,758;

% (male 855,103; femal

ian

: 17.

.4 years (

17.3

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

gratio

(s)/1,000

Ethiopians who fled to

ier years is expected

nd Somali refugees, wh

in their own countrie

omes (2

1.03 mal

ars: 1.01 m

s: 1.01 ma

over: 0.8 m

n: 1 male(s)/fe

mortali

2 deaths/1,0

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,00

ectancy

ulation:

40.0

.75 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(2003

ople living w

lion (2

DS - d

0 (200

fectious

, leishmaniasis (cutan

ree of risk

onal

Ethiop

ive: E

ic g

Tigre 32%, Sidamo 9%

%, Gurage

igi

ian Orthodox 35%-40%,

gua

romigna, Guaragigna,

sh (major foreign lang

era

15 and over ca

opulati

35.1% (2

ment E

try

m: Federal Democratic

l short for

rt form:

sinia, Itali

op'iya Federalawi De

iation

nment

al re

rative d

tates (kililoch, sin

nistrations* (asted

ba* (Addis Ababa), A

e Dawa*, Gambela Hizb

eople), Oromiya (Orom

och Bihereseboch na Hi

ities an

pend

untry in Africa and o

t least 2

nal h

at of MENGISTU reg

titu

r 1994; effectiv

l sy

nal mix of national

fra

of age;

tive

ent GIRMA Woldegiorgis

rime Minister MELES Z

nisters as provided fo

ers are selected by

House of People'

ent elected by th

six-year term; elect

NA October 2007); prim

er following leg

A Woldegiorgis elected

of People's Repr

ative

consists of the House

mbers are chosen by st

he House of People's R

embers are directly e

districts to serv

14 May 2000 (next t

s and violence at s

eduling of voting in c

mali regional state be

ent of vote - NA; seat

PDO 27, EPRDF 19, SPDO

7, BGPDUF 6, BMPDO 5,

, independents 8; note

ial b

t (the president and

are recommended by t

se of People's Repre

ime minister submits t

pointment candidates s

dministrat

parties an

ic Party or ANDP [lead

ANDM [ADDISU Legesse]

on or BMPDO [leader N

nity Front or BGPDUF

Democratic Front or E

PDO, SEPDF, and TPL

ratic Front or GPRD

tic Movement or GNDM [

rganization or KSPDO

KAT [leader NA]; Oro

[JUNEDI Sado]; Sida

[leader NA]; South Om

der NA]; Tigrayan Peop

alayta, Gamo, Gofa, Da

ion or WGGPDO [leade

essure group

mocratic Union Front

Forces for Peace and

s]; Southern Ethiopi

r SEPDC [BE

organization

24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD,

IMF, IMO, Interpol, I

OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD,

U, WHO, WIPO, WMO, W

ancery: 3506 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: Los

lia A. BRAZEAL embassy: Entoto Street, Addis Ababa mailing address: P. O

descr

bands of green (top),

single yellow rays em

a light blue disk cent

independent country i

lag were so often ad

pendence that they

rican

my Et

y - ov

icken economy is based

f GDP, 60% of expor

ultural sector suffer

ractices. Coffee is cr

f some $156 million in

many farmers switchin

ritrea in 1998-2000 an

in particular coffee p

ed for debt relief fr

) initiative. Under

owns all land and pro

system continues to

entrepreneurs are u

Drought struck again l

2003. Return to norma

ricultural and GDP gro

that annual growth of

parity - $46.81 b

eal gro

(200

per

er parity - $7

agriculture: 46% industry: 12

nt (gros

f GDP

below pov

2003

or consumption by

st 1

10%: 33.

f family incom

(19

ate (consum

(200

r fo

2001

ce - by o

husbandry 80%, indust

and service

oyment

(20

: $1.813

lion, including capita

n (200

ture -

e, oilseed, sugarcane,

, shee

ust

ages, textiles, chemic

production

(2001

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

ay (200

consum

bl/day (

- ex

(20

- im

(20

roved r

bl (1 Jan

s - proved

on cu m (1

account

millio

on f.o.b.

- comm

leather products, l

s - pa

y 11.4%, Saudi Arabia

US 5.1

ion f.o.b.

- comm

petroleum and petrole

or vehicles, c

s - pa

US 17%, China 6.4%

foreign exch

illion

- ext

lion (20

aid - r

llion (

ren

r (

ency

nge r

NA (2003), 8.5678 (

000), 7.9

2001 exchange rates a

transactions regulat

al y

y - 7

cations

- main li

000

s - mobil

00 (

hone

pen-wire and microwav

for gover

icrowave radio relay;

frequencies; two dome

onal tru

code - 251; open-wire

y to Kenya and Djibo

t (1 Atlantic Ocean

oadcast

, shortwav

illion

broadcast

4 repeat

visi

000

t count

net h

rvice Provi

net u

00 (

rtation

lwa

pian segment of the

lro

e: 681 km 1

oint control of Djibo

1 km paved: 3,789 km u

and ha

ndlocked and was by

ab and Massawa; since

pia has used the port

its i

ant m

00 GRT or over) 81,

ainer 1, petroleum tan

004

por

2003

ver 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 t

3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m:

ary E

ry bra

Defense Force: Grou

ized

andlocked and has n

, Ethiopian naval fa

an pos

r - military age

mpulsory and voluntary

npower - av

49: 15,748,63

er - fit for mi

-49: 8,234,4

- reaching milit

60,868 (

enditures -

illion

nditures - pe

% (

onal Issu

- inter

agreed to abide by

delimitation decisio

e intense internatio

that the decision ign

in the delimitation, a

he 1998-2000 war - and

nce on not deviating

intains only an admin

ith the Oromo region o

with local clans i

Government, which lost

"Somaliland" seces

ties to landlocked

oundary with Sudan hav

Sudan), 23,578 (Somalia) IDPs: 132,000 (border war with Eritrea from 1998-2000 an

cit

originating in Southw

ope and North Americ

n southern Africa; cul

export, principally t

countries); the lack

s the country's utilit

ast updated on

=======================

opa

tion Eur

kgr

nce 1897, the island i

litary garrison that s

hy Euro

ati

nd in the Mozambique

thern Madagascar to

hic coo

S, 4

efere

: 28

r: 0

: 28

compa

es the size of

bound

stl

orial sea: 12 nm exclus

and

ion ex

nt: Indian

t: unnamed l

l reso

ent crops: 0% other: 100% (mangr

ated

m (199

al ha

nt - curr

aphy

fe san

Europ

ula

enous in

all French military

sited by scientist

nt Europ

try

nal long

short form:

rt form:

ong for

ency s

administered by a hi

resident

l sy

ance, where ap

descr

of Fran

Europa

rview: no eco

tions Eur

- note: 1 meteo

ation Eur

and ha

shore anc

por

003

with unpa

523 m: 1

y Europ

efense is the resp

al Issues E

rnational: clai

ast updated on

=======================

pean

ion Europ

nary st

European Union (EU) f

neighboring states

zation of 25 countri

n unprecedented pheno

ns for territorial con

few occasions even co

lish-Lithuanian C

e were examples - but

de some of their sover

. Although the EU is n

r more than a free-tra

cosur, and it has ma

ndent nations: its own

as well as an incipi

dealings with other n

ike characteristics ar

sic intelligence on t

separate entry in The

ecial status, this des

ar countr

kgr

t nations - France and Germany - both economically and politically. In 1950, the French Foreign Minister Robert SCHUMAN proposed an eventual union of all of Europe, the first step of which would be the integration of the coal an

ATOM), 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 Commissi

d 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

countries joined the EU in 2004 - Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia - bringing the current membership to 25. In order to ensure that the EU can continue to function efficiently with an expanded membershi

he EU capital in Brussels. Failure by member states to ratify the constitution or the inability of newcomer countries to meet euro currency standards might force a loosening of some EU agreements and

y Europe

ati

ern Europe and the

efere

3,976,3

compa

e-half the s

bound

11,21

ania 282 km, Andorra

roatia 999 km, Holy Se

km, Monaco 4.4 km, No

m, San Marino 39 km, S

811 km, Turkey 206

or European

stl

413

ime c

tially subarctic in t

s; hot dry summ

Baltic and Atlantic co

and sout

ion ex

rd, Denmark -7 m; Zuid

ount Blanc, Fran

l reso

natural gas, petroleu

wer, uranium,

d u

e lan

ent cr

ated

807

al ha

avalanches in mountai

c eruptions in Italy;

floes in

nt - curr

internationa

diversity, Air Pollut

pical Timber 82, Trop

Air Pollution-Ni

, Law of the Sea, De

ut not yet ratified:

ir Pollution-Persist

Europea

56,285,839 (J

% 15-64 years: 67.2% 65 years a

ian

ion gro

July 20

00 population (

0 population (

gratio

,000 population

irth

ars: 1.06 m

s: 1.01 ma

older: 0.69 m

0.96 male(s)/femal

mortali

/1,000 live birth

ectancy

ulation:

74.9

4 years (Ju

ertilit

born/woman (

adult preva

ople living w

DS - d

igi

rotestant, Orthod

gua

English, Estonian, F

lian, Latvian, Lithua

ovene, Spanish, Swedis

ges ar

nt Europ

long form:

viati

cal st

nmental and suprana

els,

er s

, Belgium, Cyprus, Cz

ce, Germany, Greece, H

embourg, Malta, Nether

Spain, Sweden, UK; n

Madeira (Portugal)

e, and Reunion (Franc

they are legally a pa

countries: Bulgaria, C

pend

tricht Treaty signed

astricht Treaty e

nal h

); note - a Union-wide

osed the creation o

titu

treaties: the Treaty

Steel Community (ECSC)

the European Economic

gy Community (Eurato

the Treaty on Europe

msterdam in 1997; and

ft Constitutional Trea

mber states two years

or national referendum

ect on 1 No

fra

of age;

tive

dent of the European

ince 22 No

uropean Parliament

roval vote of 449-14

nt of the European Com

e president-designate

he European Parliamen

year term; election la

o be he

ission (composed of 25

ommissioner responsibl

ouncil brings togeth

sident of the European

s aim is to provide th

ating to European in

policy g

ative

n Union (25 member-sta

otes is roughly propor

e Council is the main

ament (732 seats; seat

to population); mem

frage for a f

cent of vote - NA%; s

, Greens/EFA 42, EUL/

depend

10-13 June 2004 (next

ial b

Justice (ensures t

ed correctly) - 25 Ju

d for a six-year term;

can sit with 11 justic

rst Instance - 25 jus

year

parties an

of Liberals and Democr

Independence/Democ

Nigel FARAGE]; Group o

/EFA [Monica FRASS

st Group in the Europ

deral Group of the Eur

NGL [Francis WURTZ

ts or EPP-ED [Hans-Ger

Group or UEN [Brian

CAR

organization

(dialogue member), A

AS (observer

Australian Group, CBS

r), UN (

Central

nt Bank: WADB (no

ador John BRUTON chancery: 2300 M Street, NW, Washington, D.C

ll SCHNABEL embassy: 13 Zinnerstraat (Rue Zinner), B-1000 Brussels mailing

descr

ive-pointed gold star

of the peoples of Eur

Europe

y - ov

pean Union attempts to

ncy, and move toward

nally, the EU aims to

ical and economic powe

apita income (from $

nimosities, the Eur

ng and enforcing commo

e since 2003 have flou

prevent their nationa

t. In 2004, the EU ad

ntries that are, in

onomically than the ex

U), an associated orga

rency on 1 January 199

ticipate; the 10 new c

meet its fiscal and m

states

parity - $11.05 t

eal gro

2004

per

r parity - $25,

griculture: 2.3% industry: 28.

nt (gros

GDP - NA

below pov

y percentage share: lowest 10%: 2

f family incom

(2003

ate (consum

2004

r fo

1 mi

ce - by o

industry 29%, se

oyment

(2004

ture -

s, sugar beets, wine,

ep, pigs, p

ust

argest and most tec

iron and steel, alum

rmaceuticals, automobi

g, electrical power eq

nications equipment, f

, textiles and c

production

(2004

ity - pr

illion k

ity - co

illion k

city -

llion kW

city -

llion kW

prod

lion bbl/

consum

lion bbl/

- ex

lion bbl/

- im

lion bbl/

roved r

on bbl (1 J

gas - pr

llion cu

gas - co

llion cu

gas -

llion cu

gas -

llion cu

s - proved

on cu m (1 J

account

billion

- comm

les, aircraft, plastic

, iron and steel, nonf

xtiles, meat, dairy pr

era

s - pa

billion

- comm

aircraft, plastics,

tals, foodst

s - pa

foreign exch

- ext

c aid -

ren

koruna (Czech Republ

t (Hungary), lat (Latv

oland), koruna (Slovak

weden),

ency

nge r

0.886 (2003), 1.0626

al y

tions Eur

- main li

3,162

s - mobil

4,700

hone

ual country entrie

oadcast

ortwave 73 (1998); no

st stations; there is

n (Eur

broadcast

does not include repe

adcast stations; there

n (Eur

t count

note - see country e

idual cou

net h

e - sum of individual

net u

67 (Septe

ation Eur

lwa

: 222

auge: 2

gauge:

23 km

hwa

m (including 56,70

4,161

73,492 km

erw

512

and ha

celona (Spain), Bremen

and), Hamburg (Germany

slands, Spain), Le H

UK), Marseille (Fran

us (Greece), Riga

ockholm (Sweden),

paved runways: 1,834 with

rts: 9

y Europ

ary -

European Union heads

" that offers possibil

e and security coopera

some two years, this

European Security and

ice Treaty. Despite li

opment of a European m

o is creation of a ra

ian aid system, which

any, Belgium, Netherl

ss for wider coordina

1992 by France, Germa

dy deployed troops and

erzegovina, Macedoni

assumed command of the

F) in Afghanistan in

e 5,000-man Franco-G

Support Brigade and wi

FOR in Bosnia in Dece

r national command - c

de at the Helsinki EU

actually deployed in 2

Agency, tasked with

bilities, began opera

ted Kingdom, and Franc

an rapid-reactio

ast updated on

=======================

slands (Isl

lkland Islands

kgr

d by an English navig

not occur until almo

ettlement (French) wa

turned over to Spain

n the subject of a ter

ain, then between Brit

m to the islands by

3. Argentina invaded

onded with an expediti

d after fierce fight

r on 14

land Islands (

ati

a, islands in the Sou

hern Ar

hic coo

S, 5

efere

h Am

12,17

o main islands of Eas

00 smal

r: 0

12,173

compa

aller than

bound

stl

: 12 nm continental shelf: 200 n

esterly winds, cloudy

in year; average annu

nal snow all year,

ut does not

inous with some bogg

ion ex

nt: Atlant

nt: Mount U

l reso

ife, calcified sea

nt crops: 0% other: 100% (99% per

ated

al ha

persist throu

indeer were introduced to the islands in 2001 for commercial reasons; this is th

aphy

provides good natural

nd Islands (I

2,967 (Jul

NA 15-64 years: NA 65 yea

ion gro

(200

000 populati

gratio

1,000 populati

mortali

al:

NA (20

ectancy

pulation

: NA

A years (

ertilit

born/woman

adult preva

ople living w

DS - d

onal

lkland I

e: Falkl

ic g

igi

man Catholic, United F

tnesses, Lutheran, S

gua

kland Islands

orm: none conventional short form

ency s

of the UK; also c

nment

rative d

tory of the UK; also

pend

tory of the UK; also

nal h

Day, 14 J

titu

85; amended

l sy

h comm

fra

of age;

tive

en ELIZABETH II (si

onarchy is hereditary;

vernor Howard PEARCE (

SIMPKINS (since NA M

rek F. HOWAT

ncil; three members el

o members (chief execu

), and th

ative

Council (10 seats - 2

ers serve four-year t

gove

2 November 2001 (next

ent of vote - NA; seat

voter

ial b

justice is a nonresid

esides over civil and

Summary J

parties an

ll inde

essure group

organization

TU,

epresentatio

tory of the UK; also

epresentatio

tory of the UK; also

descr

the UK in the upper

at of arms centered on

s contains a white ra

y) above the sailing s

s) with a scroll at t

ESIRE T

and Islands (

y - ov

merly based on agri

fishing contributes

government began selli

ating within the Falk

es total more than $40

land's health, educati

% of the fish taken.

crops furnish winter f

ade wool to the UK a

islands are now self

Geological Survey ann

und the islands in 1

antial reserves capab

te no exploitable site

gentina and the UK i

ignty conflicts that

potential oil reserve

asing rapidly, with a

urce of income is inte

e bank. The British

sizeable ec

parity - $75 mi

eal gro

per

r parity - $25,

position

ultur

stry

ices

below pov

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

% (

r fo

0 (e

ce - by o

(mostly sheepher

oyment

ent; labor s

s: $66.

llion, including capit

(FY98/

ture -

able crops; shee

ust

ol processi

production

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

ay (200

consum

/day (2

- ex

(20

- im

(20

llion

- comm

hide

s - pa

UK 9.3%, US

llion

- comm

rink, building m

s - pa

n 30.4%, Ita

- ext

1999

aid - r

(1997

ren

nd pou

ency

nge r

US dollar - 0.6125 (

(2000), 0.618 (1999)

d is at par with

al y

l - 31

alkland Islands

- main li

0 (2

s - mobil

hone

assess

operated radiotelepho

ks provide effective

on both

ry code - 500; satel

cean) with links thr

ntr

oadcast

, shortwav

0 (1

the British Forces Broadcasting Service) note:

visi

0 (1

t count

rvice Provi

net u

f of all households

t acces

alkland Islands

0 km paved: 50 km u

and ha

rt is located in Sta

lkland Interim Port a

even permanently moore

ace; it was installed

to the Falkland Islan

por

003

with pave

to 3,0

4 m: 1 (

with unpa

4 m: 3 (

and Islands (I

ry bra

ar milit

enditures -

nditures - pe

ary -

e responsibil

es Falkland Island

- inter

hose forces briefly oc

l no longer seek se

Argentine requests f

ast updated on

=======================

oe I

tion Far

kgr

e Faroe Islands is l

rrived in the 9th cen

ally to Denmark since

government was

hy Faro

ati

nd group between the

about one-half of th

hic coo

N, 7

efere

1,399

m (some lakes

1,39

compa

the size of

bound

stl

ime c

rial se

00 nm or agreed boun

: 200 nm or agreed bou

summers; usually ov

low peaks; cliffs

ion ex

nt: Atlant

t: Slaettara

l reso

ydropower, poss

2.14% permanent crops:

ated

m (199

al ha

nt - curr

aphy

bited islands and one

ts; strategically loca

rn Atlantic; precip

o small coas

Faroe

ula

(July 2

stru

.6% (male 5,05

.6% (male 15,97

.7% (male 2,877; fema

ian

: 35.

34.6

.8 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

)/1,000 popula

: 1 male

ears: 1 ma

s: 1.13 ma

over: 0.82

: 1.05 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,000

ths/1,000 live b

deaths/1,00

ectancy

ulation:

75.6

.51 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

ople living w

DS - d

onal

se (singula

ive: F

ic g

dina

igi

lical

gua

ved from Old

lation: NA male: NA female: NA note

nt Faroe

try

nal long

short form:

ort form

ong for

ency s

m of Denmark; self

division of Den

nment

rative d

ngdom of Denmark; se

ion of Denmark); the

ns as defined by the U

municip

pend

ngdom of Denmark; se

ive divisio

nal h

est,

titu

(Danish co

l sy

fra

of age;

tive

MARGRETHE II of Denm

by High Commissione

officer (since

nes EIDESGAARD elected

mentary v

ial Democrats, Union P

is hereditary; high c

g legislative electio

leader of the majori

by the Faroese Parlia

t to be held no late

Prime Minister Joann

uary

ri appointed by t

ative

rliament or Logting (

ote on a proportiona

s to serve fo

cent of vote by party

8%, Republican Party

2%, Independence Party

Democrats 7, Republi

Party 2, Indep

ats to the Danish Parl

xt to be held 8 Febr

ty - NA; seats by part

n Pa

0 January 2004 (next t

ary

ial b

parties an

A. RANA]; Independen

Party [Anfinn KALLSB

Democratic Party [Joa

isbeth P

essure group

organization

ciate), N

epresentatio

overseas administrati

epresentatio

overseas administrati

descr

s outlined in blue ex

part of the cross is

e of the Dannebr

Faroe

y - ov

s had a strong perform

ing fish landings and

is falling and ther

ectors. The positive e

me Rule Government pr

rn help to reduce the

. However, the total

nomy extremely vulner

in excess of what is

rm. Oil finds close to

n the immediate Far

sis for a more divers

n Danish economic a

bsidy (15% of GDP) fr

living not far belo

dina

parity - $1 bil

eal gro

2001

per

r parity - $22,

r: agriculture: 27% indust

below pov

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

% (

r fo

(Octobe

ocessing, and manufacturing 33%, construction

oyment

ctobe

s: $488

llion, including capi

ion

ture -

egetables; sheep;

ust

ing, shipbuilding, co

production

1999

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

ay (200

consum

l/day (2

- ex

(20

- im

(20

lion f.o

- comm

oducts 94%, stam

s - pa

1%, Netherlands 6.1%,

% (

lion c.i

- comm

ort equipment 29%, c

nufactures 32%, fuels

s - pa

y 22.5%, Iceland 4.7

- ext

llion

aid - r

nual subsidy fro

ren

krone

ency

nge r

dollar - 6.5877 (2003

83 (2000),

al y

ndar

tions Far

- main li

00 (

s - mobil

00 (

hone

good international

ic fac

ion was completed in

mobile telephone s

y code - 298; satelli

submarine cable to

ands with Denmark and

connection to Ca

oadcast

3, shortwa

00 (

broadcast

ower repeaters)

visi

00 (

t count

rvice Provi

net u

00 (

ation Far

3 km paved: 454 km

and ha

k, Tvoroyri, Runa

ant m

000 GRT or over) 2

ainer 1, petroleum tan

-sea/pas

other countrie

nmark 2, Norway 1

por

003

unways: total: 1 914 to

y Faroe

ry bra

ar milit

enditures -

nditures - pe

ary -

e responsibil

al Issues F

- inter

ng proposals for full

over the Faroe Island

Denmark disputes wit

ands claim extending

y beyon

ast updated on

=======================

ducti

kgr

ent in 1970, after n

ratic rule was interr

by concern over a go

n community (descendan

by the British in the

ative Melanesian contr

on; the population lo

ured that Melanesians

1997 made the consti

tions in 1999 resulted

coup in May 2000 usher

Parliamentary electi

democratically electe

nment of Prime Minis

raph

ati

in the South Pacific O

rom Hawaii t

hic coo

S, 1

efere

18,27

r: 0

18,270

compa

maller tha

bound

stl

ime c

imed archipelagic

0-m depth or to the d

ar shelf

economic z

rial se

ly slight seasonal

tains of vo

ion ex

nt: Pacifi

int: Toman

l reso

copper, offshore oil

0.95% permanent crops: 4

ated

km (19

al ha

can occur from N

nt - curr

tion; soi

internationa

ty, Climate Change,

ation, Endangered Sp

ion, Ozone Layer Prot

pical T

ified: none of the

aphy

of which approximat

ple

ula

(July 20

stru

% (male 142,412;

3% (male 283,690

% (male 16,047; fema

ian

: 24

23.6

.4 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

)/1,000 populat

1.05 mal

ars: 1.04 m

rs: 1 mal

over: 0.85

: 1.01 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

66.7

.79 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(2003

ople living w

2003

DS - d

n 200 (2

onal

Fiji

tive:

ic g

tly Melanesian with a

other Pacific Islander

5% (19

igi

st 37%, Roman Catholic

othe

ly Christian, Indians

minorit

gua

icial), Fiji

era

15 and over ca

opulati

91.9% (2

nment

try

form: Republic o

nal short

nment

leader Maj. Gen. Sit

a republic on

(Viti

rative d

ndency*; Central, East

pend

er 1970

nal h

, second Monday

titu

y 1990 and amended on

ter say in government

entered into force 2

the first test of the

g - not racially pres

the nati

l sy

n Briti

fra

of age;

tive

ent Ratu Josefa ILOILO

y 2

Prime Minister Laise

mber

inted by the prime mi

and is responsible to

Council that advises

and a Great Council o

ng members of the tr

elected by the Great

me minister appoint

Josefa ILOILOVATU Ulu

cil of Chiefs; pe

ative

onsists of the Senate

e advice of the Great

ident, and one appoin

of Representatives (71

erved for ethnic India

, one reserved for

sing the whole of Fij

rve five-y

presentatives - last h

ber 2001 (next to be

mber

se of Representatives

27.5%, NFP 1.2%, MV 4

ats by party - FLP 27

GP 1, ind

ial b

are appointed by the

Court; Magist

parties an

BKV [Ratu Tevita MOM

tu Vanua or MV [Ratu

y or DNT [Fereti S. D

BOLE] (a merger of

i Waqalevu BUNE], Fiji

, Fijian Political Pa

, and New Labor Unity

ty or FLP [Mahendra CH

NA] (became part of U

or GHP [leader NA]; Ju

o 'On Famor Rotuma Par

rty or NFP (primarily

lavo Party or NVTLP [S

[Meli BOGILEKA]; Part

iji Party/Sogosogo Du

; United General Part

essure group

organization

, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, I

IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO

MIGA, OPCW, PCA, PIF

UNMISET, UPU, WCO, WFT

epresentatio

. Paula NAVUNISARAVI

] (202)

: [1] (20

in Avenue NW, Suite 24

epresentatio

on: Ambassador

1 Loftus S

ess: P. O. B

e: [679]

679] 3

descr

ag of the UK in the up

centered on the oute

ow lion above a white

featuring stalks of

and a w

omy

y - ov

rest, mineral, and fi

the Pacific island e

ce sector. Sugar expor

0 to 400,000 tourists

hange. Sugar processin

Long-term problems in

hip rights, and the g

et short-run economi

ot again erupt between

-Fij

parity - $5.012 b

eal gro

(2003

per

er parity - $5

agriculture: 16.6% industry:

below pov

(199

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

(2002

r fo

000

ce - by o

ng subsistence agric

oyment

% (

: $427.9

illion, including capi

ture -

cassava (tapioca),

e, pigs, horse

ust

hing, copra, gold, s

e indu

production

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

ay (200

consum

l/day (2

- ex

(20

- im

(20

lion f.o

- comm

ld, timber, fish, m

s - pa

8.4%, UK 13.6%, Samoa

lion c.i

- comm

achinery and transpor

, food,

s - pa

apore 19.2%, New Zeal

- ext

illion (

aid - r

millio

ren

dolla

ency

nge r

dollar - 1.8958 (2003)

86 (2000), 1

al y

ndar

icatio

- main li

000

s - mobil

900

hone

odern local, interisl

ed) public and speci

nter facilities; regio

stic

code - 679; access to

as well as between NZ

- 1 Intelsat (

oadcast

40, shortw

476

broadcast

visi

10 (

t count

net h

rvice Provi

net u

00 (

ortati

lwa

l: 5

e: 597 km 0

overnment-owned Fiji S

ing harvest season (M

hwa

: 3,4

: 1,6

1,748 km

erw

by motorized craft an

and ha

Levuka, Malau, S

ant m

000 GRT or over) 6

stralia 1, Singap

ical tanker 1

por

2003

l: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437

ys: total: 25 914 to 1,523 m:

tary

ry bra

ary Forces (RFMF): Lan

r - military age

or voluntary mili

npower - av

-49: 239,221

er - fit for mi

-49: 131,349

- reaching milit

,302 (20

enditures -

llion

nditures - pe

% (

ional Is

internati

ast updated on

=======================

uction

kgr

and then a grand duch

ries and an autonomous

complete independence

o successfully defend

t Union - albeit with

alf century, the Fi

farm/forest economy

er capita income is n

f the European Union,

the euro system at it

aphy

ati

ering the Baltic Sea,

d, between Swe

hic coo

N, 2

efere

338,1

33,67

304,47

compa

smaller t

border countries: Norway 736 km

stl

ime c

2 nm (in the Gulf

00-m depth or to the

: 12 nm; extends to co

h S

ntially subarctic bu

g influence of the N

and more tha

lling plains intersper

ion ex

int: Balt

oint: Hal

l reso

pper, lead, zinc, ch

r, li

.19% permanent crops: 0.

ated

km (199

al ha

r plants contributing to acid rain; water pollution from industrial was

internationa

tion, Air Pollution

ir Pollution-Sulfur 94

, Antarctic-Envir

g Resources, Antarctic

te Change-Kyoto Proto

nvironmental Modifica

e Dumping, Marine Lif

ip Pollution, Tropic

, Wetland

d: Air Pollution-Persis

aphy

ussia; Helsinki is n

ontinent; population

tern coa

le F

ula

2 (July

stru

% (male 466,036;

% (male 1,760,472

7% (male 323,082; fema

ian

: 40.

39.1

.2 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

)/1,000 popula

1.04 mal

ars: 1.04 m

s: 1.02 ma

over: 0.65

: 0.96 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,000

ths/1,000 live b

deaths/1,00

ectancy

ulation:

74.7

.89 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

n 0.1% (

ople living w

(200

DS - d

n 100 (2

onal

: Fi

ive: F

ic g

%, Russian 0.4%, Esto

i 0

igi

89%, Russian Orthodox

gua

l), Swedish 5.9% (offi

peaking m

era

15 and over ca

ation: 100%

ale

ment F

try

ong form: Repu

al short f

hort fo

form: Suome

nment

rative d

ingular - laani); Alan

Lansi-Suomen Laani

pend

r 1917 (f

nal h

e Day, 6 De

titu

rch

l sy

d on Swedish law; the

to review laws; ac

on, with r

fra

of age;

tive

ident Tarja HALONEN

rime Minister Matti V

e Minister Antti KALL

Prime Minister Anneli

State or Valtioneuvo

esponsible t

elected by popular vo

January 2000 and 6 Feb

he president appoints

r from the majority

amentary elections an

the ap

t coalition - K

a HALONEN elected pres

DP) 51.6%, Esko

ative

or Eduskunta (200 seat

proportional basis to

ent of vote by party -

VIHR 8%, KD 5.3%, SFP

40, VAS 19, VIHR 14,

6 March 2003 (next to

ial b

in Oikeus (judges appo

parties an

[Matti VANHANEN]; Chr

en League or VIHR [O

posed of People's D

ve [Suvi-Anne SIIMES

or Kok [Jyrki KATAINE

LIPPONEN]; Swedish P

rik EN

organization

Group, BIS, CBSS, CE,

9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, I

IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO,

AM (guest), NC, NEA, N

s Club, PCA, PFP, UN,

UNMIK, UNMIL, UNMOGIP

FTU, WHO, WIP

epresentatio

Ambassador Jukka

neral: Los Ange

] (202)

: [1] (20

chusetts Avenue NW,

epresentatio

on: Ambassador

Puistotie 14B, FI

ddress: A

: [358] (

8] (9) 6

descr

ss extending to the e

ross is shifted to the

nebrog (Da

my Fi

y - ov

industrialized, large

roughly that of the U

ic sector is manufact

ering, telecommunica

mportant, with exports

r and several mineral

rials, energy, and

cause of the climate,

ining self-sufficien

ant export earner,

al population. Rapidly

Finland was one of t

and Monetary Union (EM

the next several yea

l slowdown but will pi

omy suffers no

parity - $142.2 b

eal gro

(2003

per

r parity - $27,

griculture: 4.3% industry: 32.

nt (gros

f GDP

below pov

by percentage share: lowest 10

f family incom

6 (

ate (consum

(2003

r fo

llion (2

22%, construction 6%, commerce 14%, finance, insurance, and busines

oyment

2003

: $87.03

illion, including capi

ic d

of GDP

ture -

ar beets, potatoes

ust

ronics, shipbuilding,

ffs, chemicals, t

production

(2003

ity - pr

llion k

ity - co

llion kW

city -

llion k

city -

llion kW

prod

ay (200

consum

bl/day (2

- ex

bbl/da

- im

bbl/da

gas - pr

(2001

gas - co

ion cu m (

gas -

(2001

gas -

ion cu m (

account

billio

ion f.o.b.

- comm

nt, chemicals, metals

s - pa

den 9.9%, US 8.2%,

ands 4.

ion f.o.b.

- comm

and petroleum products

teel, machinery, text

ns (

s - pa

n 14.1%, Russia 11.7

UK 5.3%, Fra

foreign exch

billion

- ext

on (Decem

c aid -

9 millio

ren

o (

9, the European Moneta

ency to be used by fi

1 January 2002, the

y transactions withi

ency

nge r

0.886 (2003), 1.0626

000), 0.9

al y

ndar

cations

- main li

millio

s - mobil

llion

hone

: modern system wi

er-optic fixed-line n

ork provide d

ry code - 358; 1 sub

atellite earth station

via a Swedish satel

Indian Ocean regions)

tion with the other No

Norway, a

oadcast

86, shortw

llion

broadcast

431 repeat

visi

llion

t count

net h

,173

rvice Provi

net u

illion

rtation

d gauge: 5,851 km 1.524-m gaug

hwa

: 78,

(including 750

27,739

erw

Canal system of 3,577

ussia

eli

94 km

and ha

kkola, Kotka, Loviis

sikaupunk

ant m

0 GRT or over) 1,152,

ther countries:

26, chemical tanker 5

roll on/roll off 28,

owned: E

por

2003

047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 27 1,524 to 2,437 m:

ys: total: 73 914 to 1,523 m:

ary F

ry bra

avy, Ai

r - military age

voluntary and compul

ober

npower - av

-49: 1,226,8

er - fit for mi

-49: 1,013,9

- reaching milit

2,058 (2

enditures -

llion (

nditures - pe

FY98

onal Issu

internati

ast updated on

=======================

uction

kgr

a victor in World

ses in its empire, wea

tate. Nevertheless, Fr

in the world and is

it has constructed a

bilities experienced i

t years, its reconcil

ved central to the ec

introduction of a co

999. At present, Franc

e EU's military capab

ard an EU fo

aphy

ati

ring the Bay of Bisca

Spain, southeast of

Sea, between I

hic coo

N, 2

efere

547,0

545,63

metropolitan France;

rative d

1,400

compa

han twice the s

bound

: 2,8

rra 56.6 km, Belgium 6

ourg 73 km, Monaco 4

rland

stl

depth or to the depth of exploitation contiguous zone: 24 nm excl

s and mild summers, b

diterranean; occasio

westerly wind

r gently rolling hil

us, especially Pyrenee

ion ex

: Rhone Rive

nt: Mont Bl

l reso

e, zinc, uranium, anti

rospar, gypsum

3.53% permanent crops: 2

ated

q km (19

al ha

midwinter windstorms

ear the Me

d rain; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissio

internationa

tion, Air Pollution

ir Pollution-Sulfur 94

, Antarctic-Envir

ing Resources, Antar

Climate Change, Climat

ngered Species, Hazar

, Marine Life Conse

tion, Tropical Timber

nds,

d: Air Pollution-Persis

aphy

est Europ

le F

ula

3 (July 2

stru

(male 5,724,185;

(male 19,698,497;

.4% (male 4,049,970;

ian

: 38.

: 37

.1 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

)/1,000 popula

1.05 mal

ars: 1.05 m

rs: 1 mal

over: 0.69

: 0.95 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,000

ths/1,000 live b

deaths/1,00

ectancy

ulation:

75.8

.27 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(2003

ople living w

0 (200

DS - d

1,000 (2

onal

an(men), Fren

tive:

ic g

Teutonic, Slavic, Nort

e min

igi

%, Protestant 2%, Jew

iliat

gua

declining regional

lsatian, Corsican, Ca

era

15 and over ca

opulati

99% (1

nment

try

long form: Fr

al short f

orm: Republi

ort form

nment

rative d

, singular - region

rmandie, Bourgogne

Corse, Franche-Comt

guedoc-Roussillon,

Pas-de-Calais, Pays

rovence-Alpes-Cote

nce is divided into 22

vity" of Corse or Cor

; see separate entr

iana, Guadeloupe, Mart

collectivities (May

uel

dent

ipperton Island, Eu

thern and Antarctic L

New Caledonia, Tromel

not recognize cl

pend

ified b

nal h

Day, 14 J

titu

mended concerning el

ply with provisions

am Treaty, 2000 Trea

aws in 1993; amended

dential term to

l sy

indigenous concepts; r

legislat

fra

of age;

tive

ident Jacques CHIRAC

ime Minister Jean-Pier

elected by popular vo

ar term in October 200

02 (next to be held,

); prime minister nom

y and appointed

ques CHIRAC reelected

Jacques CHIRAC (RPR) 8

) 1

inisters appointed by

of the pr

ative

or Parlement consists

r metropolitan Fran

tories, and 12 for Fr

y elected by an elect

cted by thirds every

25 new seats will be a

326 for metropolita

Caledonia, 2 for Mayo

overseas territori

ers will be indirectly

-year terms, with on

ears; and the Nationa

members are elected

itarian system to s

te - percent of vote b

, UDF 33, PCF 23, RDSE

vote by party - NA%; s

21, Radical Party

ast held 26 September

nal Assembly - last he

ot later tha

ial b

ls or Cour de Cassatio

m nominations of the

onal Council or Consei

he president, three ap

bly, and three appoin

uncil of State

parties an

n Movement or MCR [Je

n Social Rally or RDSE

French Communist Part

Party or PRG (previo

Left Radical Movement

France or MPF [Phili

rles PASQUA]; Socialis

les LEMAIRE, Francine

aud LELIEVRE]; Union f

U]; Union for a Pop

, and a part of UD

essure group

st labor union (Conf

proximately 700,000

ion (Confederation Fr

pproximately 889,00

n (Confederation Gener

000 members (est.); i

Generale des Cadres)

union (Mouvement des E

companies as me

organization

AsDB, Australia Gro

EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU,

B, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,

FRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, I

MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MO

r), OECD, OPCW, OSCE,

TAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, U

NMOVIC, UNOCI, UNOMIG,

CO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, W

epresentatio

n: Ambassador J

ervoir Road NW, Wa

] (202)

: Atlanta, Boston, C

w Orleans, New Yor

: [1] (20

epresentatio

on: Ambassador

ue Gabriel, 750

ess: PSC 116

[33] (1)

] (1) 42

eneral: Marsei

descr

bands of blue (hoist

au tricolore" (French

and the French Revolu

a number of other fl

, Cote d'Ivoire, Luxem

g for all French

omy

y - ov

st of transition, fr

tured extensive gove

that relies more on

ent partially or full

nd insurers, but th

several leading firms,

ult, and Thales, and

ly power, public tr

mmunications sector is

's leaders remain comm

ocial equity by means

at reduce income dispa

c health and welfare.

taxes and introduce

ment is focusing on th

or market inflexibili

restrictions on lay-o

ension reforms and

res. The tax burden re

P in 2003). The curren

s have pushed the 2003

limit. Business inves

f capital utilization,

e steep cost

parity - $1.661 t

eal gro

(2003

per

r parity - $27,

griculture: 2.7% industry: 24.

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

% (

by percentage share: lowest 10

f family incom

7 (

ate (consum

(2003

r fo

llion (2

ce - by o

industry 24.4%, se

oyment

(2003

: $882.8

illion, including capi

n (200

ic d

of GDP

ture -

beets, potatoes, win

ucts

ust

ls, automobiles, m

xtiles, food pr

production

% (2

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

llion k

city -

lion kW

prod

bl/day (

consum

on bbl/day

- ex

bbl/da

- im

lion bbl/

roved r

on bbl (1 J

gas - pr

ion cu m (

gas - co

ion cu m (

gas -

ion cu m (

gas -

ion cu m (

s - proved

on cu m (1

account

billio

ion f.o.b.

- comm

portation equipment

tical products, iron

s - pa

9.6%, UK 9.4%, Italy

% (

ion f.o.b.

- comm

nt, vehicles, crude o

mic

s - pa

9.4%, Italy 9%, Spain

US 5.4%

foreign exch

billion

- ext

c aid -

4 billio

ren

o (

9, the European Moneta

ency to be used by fi

1 January 2002, the

y transactions withi

ency

nge r

0.886 (2003), 1.0626

000), 0.9

al y

ndar

cations

- main li

5,400

s - mobil

3,100

hone

ssment: high

cable and microwave

r-optic cable; domes

ry code - 33; satell

of 5 antennas - 2 for

telsat, 1 Inmarsat (At

unications with mor

oadcast

(this figure is an app

ers), short

illion

broadcast

,676 repeat

visi

illion

t count

net h

,761

rvice Provi

(20

net u

illion

rtation

lwa

: 32,

8 km 1.435-m gauge (1

167 km 1.000

hwa

: 894

(including 11,500

d: 0 k

erw

essible to craft of 3,

eli

,024 km; refined pro

and ha

herbourg, Dijon, Dunk

le, Mulhouse, Nantes

nt Malo, Str

ant m

000 GRT or over) 70

ical tanker 6, contain

oleum tanker 10,

ea/pass

ther countries:

ny 1, Monaco 2, New

por

2003

047 m: 13 2,438 to 3,047 m: 28 914 to 1,523 m: 82

l: 195 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,5

s: 3 (20

ary F

ry bra

, Foreign Legion, Army

Air Force (including

dar

r - military age

onsent for voluntary m

npower - av

49: 14,487,16

er - fit for mi

49: 12,044,82

- reaching milit

94,413 (

enditures -

1 millio

nditures - pe

% (

onal Issu

- inter

as da India, Europa Is

nd; Comoros claims Ma

itorial dispute betwe

aim in Antarctica (Ade

f New Caledonia, claim

cit

or and consumer of So

heroin, and Eu

ast updated on

=======================

nch

tion Fre

kgr

rench in 1604, French

ements until 1951. Th

munication satel

hy Fren

ati

, bordering the North

and S

hic coo

N, 53

efere

h Am

91,00

1,850

89,150

compa

smaller t

83 km border countries: Bra

line:

orial sea: 12 nm exclus

d; little seasonal

ains rising to hills

ion ex

nt: Atlant

: Bellevue de

l reso

(widely scattered), pe

, tanta

manent crops: 0.05% other: 99.81

ated

km (19

al ha

y showers and severe t

nt - curr

aphy

lderness; the only non

American

Frenc

ula

(July 20

stru

6% (male 28,959

.5% (male 66,38

.9% (male 5,736; fem

ian

: 28.

29.4

.2 years (

ion gro

(200

000 populati

,000 populati

gratio

)/1,000 popula

1.05 mal

ars: 1.05 m

s: 1.16 ma

over: 1.03

: 1.12 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,00

ectancy

ulation:

73.5

.38 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

ople living w

DS - d

onal

uianese (singu

e: Frenc

ic g

white 12%, East Indi

oth

igi

n Ca

gua

era

15 and over ca

opulati

82% (1

nt Frenc

try

ong form: Depa

short form:

ort form

ong for

ency s

departmen

nment

rative d

as departmen

pend

as departmen

nal h

Day, 14 J

titu

1958 (French

l sy

legal

fra

of age;

tive

dent Jacques CHIRAC o

Prefect Ange MANCINI

ident elected by popul

d by the French presid

erior; presidents of t

nted by the member

President of the G

arch 2001); President

AM (since 2

ine

ative

uncil or Conseil Gene

lar vote to serve s

uncil or Conseil Regio

pular vote to ser

uncil - last held NA

l Council - last held

ld NA

ral Council - percent

, various left-wing pa

ncil - percent of vot

2.56%, RPR 15.91%, ind

party - PS 11, variou

s 3, Walwar

cted to the French Sen

eptember 2007); resul

arty - NA; 2 seats wer

June-16 June 2002 (ne

ote by party - NA; sea

i Comm

ial b

Cour d'Appel (highes

iction over Martinique

parties an

Action or ADG [And

G [Marie-Claude VERDA

OTHILY]; Popular Nati

ialist Party or PS [Pa

UMP [Muriel ICARE]; Wa

rance) [Christine

essure group

organization

WCL

epresentatio

as departmen

epresentatio

as departmen

descr

of Fran

French

y - ov

losely to the larger

. Besides the French

% of GDP), fishing and

ivities. Forest and wo

eserves of tropical

expanding sawmill indu

ivation of crops is l

tion is largely concen

rench Guiana is heavil

employment is a seriou

ounger

parity - $1.551 b

eal gro

per

er parity - $8

position

ultur

stry

: NA (20

below pov

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

(2002

r fo

00 (

ure 18.2%, industry 21.2%, services,

oyment

s: $225

lion, including capita

ion

manioc (tapioca), sugar, cocoa, vege

ust

rocessing, forestry pr

production

ity - pr

lion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

ay (200

consum

l/day (2

- ex

(20

- im

(20

on f.o.b.

- comm

old, rum, rosewoo

s - pa

witzerland 7%

on c.i.f.

- comm

ed meat), machinery a

and ch

s - pa

inidad and Tobago,

- ext

illion

aid - r

(19

ren

o (

ency

nge r

0.886 (2003), 1.0626

000), 0.9

al y

ndar

tions Fre

- main li

00 (

s - mobil

200

hone

assess

-wire and microwave

ry code - 594; satel

(Atlant

oadcast

ng 6 repeaters), sho

ters)

000

broadcast

low-power re

visi

00 (

t count

rvice Provi

net u

0 (2

ation Fre

hwa

l: 7

d: N

: NA km

erw

by small oceangoing v

3,300 km by na

and ha

es Cannes, Saint-

por

2003

tal: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,5

with unpa

o 1,5

4 m: 5 (

y Frenc

ry bra

litary forces

npower - av

5-49: 52,29

er - fit for mi

5-49: 33,91

enditures -

nditures - pe

ary -

e responsibil

al Issues F

- inter

between Riviere Litan

dwaters o

cit

juana grown for loca

ment poin

ast updated on

=======================

ch Po

ion Frenc

kgr

ious Polynesian island

1995, France stirred u

ing on the Mururoa at

ests were suspend

y French

ati

n the South Pacific Oc

South America

hic coo

S, 1

efere

q km (118 isla

: 507

3,66

compa

n one-third the s

bound

stl

orial sea: 12 nm exclus

l, but

igh islands and low

ion ex

nt: Pacifi

nt: Mont Or

l reso

sh, cobalt

.82% permanent crops: 5.

ated

al ha

yclonic stor

nt - curr

aphy

elagoes (4 volcanic,

e of the three great p

e others are Banaba (O

French

ula

(July 20

stru

5% (male 37,372

.9% (male 92,59

.7% (male 7,616; fem

ian

: 27.

27.4

.7 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

)/1,000 popula

1.05 mal

ars: 1.04 m

s: 1.08 ma

over: 1.02

: 1.07 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,000

ths/1,000 live b

deaths/1,00

ectancy

ulation:

73.2

.18 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

ople living w

DS - d

onal

ench Pol

: French

ic g

e 12%, local French 6%

igi

n Catholic 30%, othe

gua

cial), Tahit

era

14 and over ca

opulati

98% (1

t French

try

form: Territory

short form: F

form: Polyne

Territoire de la

ench Colon

ency s

itory of Fran

nment

rative d

tory of France); the

ns as defined by the U

isions named Archipel

es Tubuai, Iles du Vent

and is administered

yne

pend

eas territo

nal h

Day, 14 J

titu

1958 (French

l sy

n Frenc

fra

of age;

tive

dent Jacques CHIRAC o

y High Commissioner

ince 24 Oc

President of the Ter

n FLOSSE (since 9 Octo

embly Lucette TAERO

nisters; president sub

ssembly for approval

ist

ident elected by popul

er appointed by the F

h Ministry of Inter

and the president of

the members o

ative

Assembly or Assemblee

s for May 2004 electio

te to serve f

23 May 2004 (next t

cted to the French Sen

eptember 2007); resul

party - NA; two sea

ly on 9 June-16 June 2

ent of vote by party

PR 1,

cent of vote by party

Republic (Gaullist) 2

1, This Count

ial b

ur d'Appel; Court of

Instance; Court of

l Admin

parties an

or the Liberation o

ARU]; New Fatherland P

Rally for the Republi

[Gaston FLOSSE]; The N

s Country is Yours (N

or Democracy or U

essure group

organization

PIF (observ

epresentatio

eas territo

epresentatio

eas territo

descr

tal bands encase a wid

disk with blue and wh

and white ray patter

d white ship rides on

used for offi

French P

y - ov

e stationed military p

hanged from a subsiste

gh proportion of the

ry or supports the tou

testing in 1996, the

ly. Tourism accounts f

ource of hard currency

arming and deep-sea c

sector primarily p

ry benefits substanti

aimed principally at

hening soci

parity - $4.58 bi

eal gro

2001

per

r parity - $17,

r: agriculture: 6% industr

below pov

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

(2002

r fo

00 (

ce - by o

industry 19%, s

oyment

% (1

es: $1

lion, including capita

ion

vanilla, vegetables, fruits; pou

ust

cultural processing,

production

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

ay (200

consum

l/day (2

- ex

(20

- im

(20

lion f.o

- comm

ut products, mother-of

s - pa

Japan 16.1%,

llion f.o

- comm

ffs, machinery

s - pa

alia 11.9%, New Zea

- ext

2000

aid - r

illion

ren

cais du Pacifi

ency

nge r

Pacifique francs (XPF)

133.26 (2001), 129.43

the rate of 119.

al y

ndar

ions Frenc

- main li

00 (

s - mobil

00 (

hone

assess

stic

ry code - 689; satel

(Pacifi

oadcast

4, shortwa

000

broadcast

ow-power rep

visi

00 (

t count

net h

3 (2

rvice Provi

net u

00 (

tion Frenc

0 km paved: 1,735 km

and ha

peete, Riki

ant m

000 GRT or over) 17

enger 2, passenger/car

roll off 1

por

2003

over 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 und

ys: total: 13 914 to 1,523 m:

s: 1 (20

French

ry bra

orces; Gendarmerie an

ary -

e responsibil

l Issues Fre

internati

ast updated on

=======================

hern and Ant

nch Southern and

kgr

nsist of two archipel

wo volcanic islands,

ain no permanent inha

udying the native faun

nd," a thin slice of t

claimed by the

h Southern and

ati

islands in the southe

rica, Antarctica, and

Lands include Ile Ams

Kerguelen in the south

d sector of Antarctica

e the French clai

hic coo

S, 6

efere

ctic

7,829

terdam, Ile Saint-Paul

Adelie Land" claim of

t is not recog

r: 0

7,82

compa

an 1.3 times the

bound

stl

ime c

rial se

one: 200 nm from Ile

f French Southern

arc

ion ex

nt: Indian

ont Ross on Iles

l reso

, cr

: 0% permanent crops:

ated

m (199

al ha

Ile Saint-Paul are

nt - curr

aphy

widely scattered acro

hern Ind

Southern and A

ula

inhabitants (J

were 145 researchers

summer (January

ch Southern and

try

rm: Territory of the

ctic

orm: French Southern

itoire des Terres Aus

nca

rres Australes et An

ency s

France since 1955; adm

eur Michel CHAMPON (s

ry General Jean-Yve

rative d

tory of France); the

ns as defined by the U

ed Ile Crozet, Iles

m; excludes "Adelie La

t recogniz

l sy

ance, where ap

epresentatio

eas territo

epresentatio

eas territo

descr

of Fran

Southern and

y - ov

limited to servicin

tations and French and

ded on Iles Kerguele

o France a

rench Southern a

country

rench Southern a

and ha

shore anc

ant m

0 GRT or over) 3,092,

rgo 2, chemical tan

leum tanker 14, roll o

rie

k 2, France 49, Japan

5 (20

por

h Southern and

efense is the resp

es French Southern

claim to "Adelie Land" in Antar

ast updated on

=======================

uction

kgr

esidents have ruled Ga

abon's current Preside

erving heads of stat

tical scene for almost

inal multiparty system

owever, the low turno

g the most recent loc

esses of formal politi

t strikes have und

he political system.

unlikely to bring cha

, and financially dep

cal conditions, a smal

considerable foreign

e prosperous and sta

aphy

ati

ering the Atlantic O

of the Congo and

hic coo

S, 11

efere

267,6

10,00

257,66

compa

maller tha

bound

: 2,5

roon 298 km, Republic

al Guine

stl

a: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm

always h

hilly interior; sava

ion ex

nt: Atlant

t: Mont Ibou

l reso

uranium, gold, timbe

.26% permanent crops: 0.

ated

km (199

al ha

nt - curr

tation;

internationa

, Climate Change, Dese

ea, Marine Dumping, O

cal Timber 83, Tropic

ified: none of the

aphy

d oil and mineral res

's wealthier countri

owed the country to ma

forest and ric

le G

ula

55,

his country explicitl

tality due to AIDS; t

er infant mortality a

rates, and changes i

sex than would other

4 e

stru

% (male 286,819;

7% (male 362,311

1% (male 23,157; fema

ian

: 18.

18.3

.8 years (

ion gro

(2004

,000 populati

1,000 populat

gratio

1,000 populat

1.03 mal

ars: 1.01 m

s: 0.99 ma

over: 0.71

: 0.98 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

54.8

.12 years

ertilit

n born/woma

adult preva

(2003

ople living w

(2003

DS - d

(200

fectious

fever,

e of risk: ve

onal

se (singular

ive: G

ic g

four major tribal gro

Africans and Europea

11,000 persons o

igi

5%, animist, Mu

gua

ng, Myene, Nzebi, Bap

era

15 and over ca

opulati

53.3% (1

nment

try

long form: Ga

al short f

hort fo

orm: Republi

nment

presidential regime

zed in

rev

rative d

Haut-Ogooue, Moyen-Og

oue-Lolo, Ogooue-M

pend

1960 (fr

nal h

ese Democratic Party

titu

14 Mar

l sy

law system and customa

Constitutional Chambe

ed compulsory

fra

of age;

tive

ent El Hadj Omar BONGO

rime Minister Jean-Fr

23 Janu

inisters appointed by

on with th

lected by popular vote

ecember 1998 (next to

pointed by

ident El Hadj Omar BON

NGO 66.6%, Pierre MAMB

BESSOL

ative

consists of the Sena

of municipal counci

ational Assembly or A

elected by direct,

year

ssembly - last held 9

ecember 2006); Senate

03 (next to be he

onal Assembly - percen

86, RNB-RPG 8, PGP 3,

, others 3; Senate - p

PDG 53, RNB 20, PGP 4

pend

ial b

r Supreme consisting

ve, and Accounts; Cons

of State Securi

parties an

rmers or CLR [General

ican Alliance or ADER

mocratic Party or PD

NZELA]; Gabonese Par

OKAWE,]; National Rall

Bucherons) [Fr. Paul M

ouis Gaston MAYILA];

re EMBONI]; Social De

ver MAGANGA

essure group

organization

DEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ,

DA, IDB, IFAD, IFC,

GA, NAM, OIC, ONUB, OP

, WCO, WHO, WIP

epresentatio

Ambassador Jules

te(s):

] (202)

: [1] (20

2034 20th Street NW

epresentatio

: Ambassador Ken

evard de la M

Centre Ville, B.

03 through 76 20 04,

241] 7

descr

al bands of green (t

omy

y - ov

ita income four times

his has supported a s

f high income inequali

poor. Gabon depended

ed offshore in the ear

of GDP. Gabon continu

timber, and manganes

wealth, poor fiscal m

of its Francophone

one-time inflationary

96. The IMF provide

5, a three-year Enhan

al rates beginning in

n in October 2000. Th

tion and fiscal disci

upport in January 1997

In 1997, an IMF miss

rspending on off-budge

ank, and slipping

nistrative reform. The

owth, but drops in pro

otential gains. In Dec

he Paris Club to resch

repayment agreement wi

-term progress depen

other adjustments in

parity - $7.301 b

eal gro

(2003

per

er parity - $5

griculture: 8.1% industry: 48.

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

(2003

r fo

000

ce - by o

%, industry 15

oyment

1997

: $1.771

illion, including capi

n (200

ic d

of GDP

ture -

palm oil, rubber; catt

ood);

ust

and refining; manga

r; food and beverage;

od; c

production

(2002

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

bl/day (2

consum

bl/day (

- ex

(20

- im

(20

roved r

n bbl (1 Ja

gas - pr

n cu m (2

gas - co

n cu m (2

gas -

(2001

gas -

(2001

s - proved

on cu m (1

account

millio

ion f.o.b.

- comm

imber, manganese

s - pa

8.7%, China 7.5

ion f.o.b.

- comm

ent, foodstuffs, che

eri

s - pa

, US 5.3%, U

foreign exch

million

- ext

illion (

aid - r

illion

ren

Africaine franc (XAF

Bank of the Centr

ency

nge r

Africaine francs (XAF)

), 733.039 (2001), 71

al y

ndar

icatio

- main li

00 (

s - mobil

000

hone

adequate service by

help of the growing

system of cable, mi

radiotelephone communi

te system with 1

y code - 241; satelli

an); fiber optic subma

ectivity to E

oadcast

11 repeaters), s

000

broadcast

low-power rep

visi

00 (

t count

net h

(20

rvice Provi

net u

00 (

ortati

m standard gauge: 814

km paved: 838 km unpave

erw

km on Ogooue

eli

; oil 1,38

and ha

ambarene, Librevill

t-G

por

2003

ver 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 t

al: 45 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,

tary

ry bra

e, National Gendarme

r - military age

mpulsory and voluntary

npower - av

-49: 314,434

er - fit for mi

-49: 162,847

- reaching milit

3,462 (2

enditures -

million

nditures - pe

(20

ional Is

- inter

e boundary in hydroca

a is hampered by disp

occupied by Gab

ast updated on

=======================

bia,

tion Gam

kgr

independence from the

of Senegambia with Se

nations signed a fri

p in 1994 overthrew th

but a 1996 constitut

parliamentary balloti

lian rule. The country

egislative elections

JAMMEH, the leader

nt in all subse

hy Gamb

ati

ering the North Atla

hic coo

N, 1

efere

11,30

10,000

1,300

compa

han twice the s

l: 740 km border coun

line:

clusive fishing zone: 200 nm contiguous zo

eason (June to Novembe

mber

Gambia River flanke

ion ex

nt: Atlant

t: unnamed l

l reso

25% permanent crops:

ated

km (19

al ha

as dropped by 30% i

nt - curr

tification; water-bo

internationa

ty, Climate Change,

ion, Endangered Specie

yer Protection, Ship

ified: none of the

aphy

enegal; smallest count

Gambi

ula

8 (July

stru

% (male 347,349;

6% (male 403,297

7% (male 21,459; fema

ian

: 17.

17.4

.7 years (

ion gro

(200

,000 populati

1,000 populat

gratio

)/1,000 popula

1.03 mal

ars: 1.01 m

s: 0.98 ma

over: 1.07

n: 1 male(s)/fe

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

52.7

.87 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(2003

ople living w

(200

DS - d

2003

malaria, yellow fever, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever,

onal

Gamb

ive: G

ic g

42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 1

4%), non

igi

istian 9%, indi

gua

Mandinka, Wolof, F

nac

era

15 and over ca

opulati

32.8% (2

ent Gam

try

ng form: Republ

l short for

nment

r multiparty

rative d

*; Banjul*, Central Ri

per Rive

pend

ary 1965

nal h

Day, 18 Feb

titu

nded July 1994; rewr

8 August 1996; reest

l sy

of English common l

compulsory ICJ jurisdic

fra

of age;

tive

dent Yahya A. J. J. J

to 1996 he was Chairm

e SAIDY (since 20 Ma

he chief of state a

President Yahya A. J

from 1994 to 1996 w

Isatou Njie SAIDY (si

th the chief of state

et appointed b

lected by popular vote

not restricted; elect

to be held

a A. J. J. JAMMEH reel

. J. JAMMEH 52.9%, O

ative

sembly (53 seats; 48 e

president; members s

17 January 2002 (next

cent of vote by party

PDOIS 2

ial b

eme

parties an

ic Reorientation and

]; Gambian People's Pa

ic Party or GPP-PPP-U

ention Party or NCP [S

r NRP [Hamat N. K. BAH

endence and Socialism

an independent elect

the GPP, NCP, and PP

essure group

organization

AS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, I

FRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, I

OPCW, UN, UNAMSIL, U

PU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WH

epresentatio

ssador (vacant); Charg

nia

1156 15th Street NW

] (202)

: [1] (20

epresentatio

n: Ambassador J

aba Avenue, F

ss: P. M. B.

20] 392856, 3

[220]

descr

l bands of red (top),

y Gamb

y - ov

rtant mineral or other

ural base. About 75% o

for its livelihood. S

e processing of pean

ly constitutes a majo

overnment-imposed pres

Gambian dalasi (curre

way from The Gambia.

peanut firm Alimenta

roundnuts; the followi

y lower prices and sal

back growth. Unemploym

gh. Shortrun economic

ned bilateral and m

nt economic manageme

advice, and on ex

uction

parity - $2.56 bi

eal gro

2003

per

er parity - $1

griculture: 46.8% industry: 9.

nt (gros

f GDP

below pov

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

2003

r fo

000

ce - by o

try, commerce, and ser

oyment

2002

: $58.63

illion, including capi

n (200

ture -

, peanuts, corn, sesa

s; cattle,

ust

, fish, and hides;

assembly, woodworking

production

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

ay (200

consum

l/day (2

- ex

(20

- im

(20

account

illion

on f.o.b.

- comm

h, cotton lint, palm

s - pa

7%, China 6.7%, Germ

7%, Thailan

on f.o.b.

- comm

res, fuel, machinery

s - pa

l 8.9%, Brazil 6.8%

5%, India

foreign exch

illion

- ext

lion (20

aid - r

millio

ren

si (

ency

nge r

- NA (2003), 19.9182

000), 11.3

al y

ndar

ations G

- main li

00 (

s - mobil

000

hone

dequate; a packet swi

ila

twork of microwave ra

y code - 220; microwa

ssau; satellite earth

ntic

oadcast

, shortwav

000

broadcast

ment-owne

visi

0 (2

t count

net h

rvice Provi

net u

00 (

tation G

0 km paved: 956 km un

erw

ia; small ocean-going

and ha

ant m

(2004

por

003

runways: total: 1 over

ry Gam

ry bra

(GNA) (including Nav

r - military age

oluntary military ser

npower - av

-49: 350,256

er - fit for mi

-49: 176,733

enditures -

000 (

nditures - pe

% (

nal Issues

- inter

ugees, cross-border

es, and political inst

thern Senegal's

ast updated on

=======================

ction G

kgr

tion of Principles on

, signed in Washington

itional period not e

lf-government in the G

Israel agreed to tran

he Palestinian Author

e Council elected in J

rning arrangements in

owers and responsibili

pursuant to the Israe

Strip and the Jericho

pursuant to the Israe

the Israel-PLO 15 J

nt in Hebron, the Isr

, and the 4 Septembe

vides that Israel will

al period for externa

of settlements and Is

ine the permanent stat

ber 1999 after a thr

ntifadah that broke ou

violence in the Wes

onse, and instability

to undermine progre

he death of longtime P

4, the election of his

d bring a turning po

phy Ga

ati

g the Mediterranean S

hic coo

N, 3

efere

dle

: 360

r: 0

360

compa

n twice the size

62 km border countries:

stl

ime c

with current stat

Interim Agreement -

hrough furth

inters, dry and w

sand- and dune-co

ion ex

t: Mediterr

Abu 'Awdah (Joz

l reso

and, nat

d u

land:

nt crop

: 50%

ated

km (199

al ha

esh water; sewage treatment; water-borne disease; soil degradat

aphy

ettlements and civilia

(February

e Gaz

ula

24,

re are more than 5,000

p (July 2

stru

(male 332,582;

3% (male 326,450

7% (male 14,847; fema

ian

: 15.

15.3

.6 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

/1,000 populat

1.05 mal

ars: 1.05 m

s: 1.04 ma

over: 0.73

: 1.04 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

70.3

.94 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

ople living w

DS - d

onal

ctiv

ic g

b and other 99.

igi

Sunni) 98.7%, Christ

gua

by Israeli settlers a

widely un

era

niti

popula

ale

ent Gaz

conventional short form: Gaza Strip local l

y Gaza

y - ov

Gaza Strip - under th

y since the Cairo Ag

third between 1992 and

Israeli closure polici

osures in response to

ed previously establis

etween Israel and the

us negative social eff

unemployment; unemploy

y under 5%; by 1995 it

hensive closures decre

srael implemented new

other security proced

nd labor. These cha

ic recovery in the Wes

1998 and 6% in 1999.

00 with the outbreak o

of Palestinian self-r

nd labor movements. I

eli military measures

the destruction of

re, widespread busines

g West Bank, the UN e

ut of the 125,000 who

, or in joint industri

bout 80,000 Palestin

their jobs. Internati

t Bank and Gaza Strip

y and allowed Finance

ncial and economic ref

not as forthc

parity - $768 m

eal gro

(2003

per

er parity - $6

lture: 9% industry: 28% services: 6

below pov

2003

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

es West Bank

r fo

(19

ce - by o

industry 21%, s

oyment

s West Bank)

: $676.6

illion, including capi

West Ban

ture -

vegetables; beef

ust

ly businesses that p

and mother-of-pearl s

small-scale modern ind

production

ity - pr

electricity sup

ity - co

city -

h (2

city -

ectricity supplie

f.o.b., inclu

- comm

s, fl

s - pa

Egypt, W

c.i.f., inclu

- comm

goods, constr

s - pa

Egypt, W

- ext

ncludes West Ba

aid - r

ncludes West Ba

ren

eli shek

ency

nge r

r US dollar - 4.55 (20

08 (2000),

al y

ndar

ations G

use: 95,729 (total for Gaza

,000 (cellular subscribers in bot

hone

assess

telephone services p

natio

oadcast

, shortwav

estinian households

broadcast

lestinian Broadcastin

visi

stinian households h

t count

rvice Provi

net u

ludes West

tation G

A km unpaved: NA km note: small

and ha

por

ternational Airport (G

of agreements stipulat

23 October 1998 Wye R

ince October 2000 by

y the Israeli Defense

with pave

7 m: 1 (2

with unpa

4 m: 1 (

ipo

003

ry Gaz

ry bra

e peace agreement, th

ntional military force

Force and a ci

enditures -

nditures - pe

nal Issues

- inter

rip are Israeli-occup

i-Palestinian Interim

rmined through fu

nternally disp

f origin): 922,674

A)) (

ast updated on

=======================

uction

kgr

day Georgia contained

eria. The area came u

and Christianity beca

y Persians, Arabs, and

1th to the 13th centur

on of 1236. Subseque

ted for influence in

sian Empire in the 19

1921) following the Ru

into the USSR until th

ad problems, some pro

as been made since th

ate legislative elect

ad protests that led

president since 1995.

AKASHVILI into power

ent P

aphy

ati

ordering the Black S

hic coo

N, 4

efere

69,70

r: 0

69,700

compa

ller than So

bound

: 1,4

nia 164 km, Azerbaijan

ey 2

stl

ime c

ta av

Mediterranean-lik

th Great Caucasus Moun

ins in the south; Kolk

Black Sea in the west;

in river valley flood

ida L

ion ex

int: Blac

nt: Mt'a Sh

l reso

manganese deposits, i

coastal climate and s

citrus

d u

land:

nt crop

84.7%

ated

q km (1

al ha

thq

nt - curr

larly in Rust'avi; hea

a; inadequate supplies

from toxic

internationa

ion, Biodiversity, C

ol, Desertification

w of the Sea, Ozone

ion, W

ified: none of the

aphy

east of the Black Sea;

ountains and the

le G

ula

2 (July

stru

% (male 461,967;

% (male 1,480,217

5% (male 290,534; fema

ian

: 37

34.5

.2 years (

ion gro

(2004

,000 populati

gratio

)/1,000 popula

1.16 mal

ars: 1.11 m

s: 0.92 ma

over: 0.67

: 0.91 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,00

ectancy

ulation:

72.3

.44 years

ertilit

n born/woma

adult preva

n 0.1% (

ople living w

(200

DS - d

n 200 (2

onal

Geor

ive: G

ic g

ian 8.1%, Russian 6.3

az 1.8%,

igi

, Muslim 11%, Russian

c 8%, un

gua

), Russian 9%, Armenia

the official lan

era

15 and over ca

opulati

98% (1

ment G

try

nal long

al short f

ong for

an Soviet Soci

t form: Sa

nment

rative d

singular - mkhare),

), and 2 autonomous

ingular - avt

eti, Kakheti, Kvemo Ka

Kvemo Svaneti, Sameg

avakheti,

Gori, K'ut'aisi, P'ot

Tsqaltubo

ve centers of the 2 au

in par

cs: Abkhazia or Ap'k

, Ajaria or Acharis

t'u

pend

91 (from S

nal h

ay (1918); note - 26 M

viet Russia, 9 April

e from the

titu

17 Oct

l sy

civil l

fra

of age;

tive

dent Mikheil SAAKASHV

ident is both the chie

ower ministries: sta

r) and

lected by popular vote

4 January 2004 (nex

eil SAAKASHVILI electe

ASHVILI 96.3%, Temu

Cabinet o

esident Mikheil SAAKAS

Zurab ZHVANIA (since 9

hief of state and head

te security (includes

head of the remaining

ative

ncil (commonly referre

seats - 150 elected by

pular vote to ser

28 March 2004 (next t

percent of vote

7.6%, Rightist Oppos

s than 7% each; seat

ats 135, Righti

ial b

es elected by the S

tion); Constitutional

nce c

parties an

[Nino BURJANADZE]; Ge

eorgian United Com

E]; Greens [Giorgi GA

ustrialists) or IWSG [

SHVILI]; National De

ational Movement Dem

composed of Nati

National Movement [Mik

HECHILADZE]; Repu

htist Opposition [Da

ists and New Right Par

Traditionalists [Aka

servatives [Koba DA

DZI

essure group

deputies from Abkha

akaway regions of Abkh

ate ousted Presiden

organization

BRD, FAO, GUUAM, IAEA,

, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IM

ver), OPCW, OSCE, PFP

O, WHO, WIPO,

epresentatio

on: Ambassador

] (202)

: [1] (20

1101 15th Street NW

ES embassy: #25 Atoneli Street, T'bilisi 0105 mailing address: 7060 Tbilisi Place,

descr

s central portion a re

; in each of the four

; the five-cross flag

4th c

my Ge

y - ov

mic activities inclu

such as citrus fruit

nganese and copper;

ducing alcoholic and

d chemicals. The coun

uding natural gas and

y resource is hydropow

suffered due to civil

nd World Bank, has ma

hieving positive GDP

he Georgian Governmen

onic failure to collec

ergy shortages; it p

n 1998, but collection

able. The country is

ts role as a transit

onstruction on the Ba

u-T'bilisi-Erzerum g

estment and job

parity - $12.18 b

eal gro

(2003

per

er parity - $2

griculture: 20.5% industry: 22

nt (gros

f GDP

below pov

2001

by percentage share: lowest 10

f family incom

1 (

ate (consum

(2003

r fo

lion (2

ce - by o

ndustry 20%, servi

oyment

2001

: $603.5

illion, including capi

ture -

ea, hazelnuts, ve

ust

hine tools, electric

per), chemicals, w

production

(20

ity - pr

llion k

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

lion kW

prod

l/day (2

consum

bl/day (

- ex

(20

- im

(20

gas - pr

n cu m (2

gas - co

ion cu m

gas -

(2001

gas -

on cu m (

account

millio

lion (20

- comm

y, chemicals; fuel re

, w

s - pa

17.3%, Turkmenistan

%, Ukraine 6.3%

llion (2

- comm

parts, transport equi

pharmac

s - pa

Turkey 9.9%, Azerbaija

e 7%, France

foreign exch

million

- ext

illion

aid - r

million (

ren

i (

ency

nge r

2.1457 (2003), 2.1957

000), 2.0

al y

ndar

cations

- main li

500

s - mobil

300

hone

assess

ilisi and K'ut'aisi h

one density is about 2

about 4 per 100 peopl

ic line between T'b

ager service

code - 995; Georgia a

etween P'ot'i and So

e is available by mi

Moscow switch; interna

service ar

oadcast

2, shortwa

illion

broadcast

repeate

visi

illion

t count

net h

0 (2

rvice Provi

net u

500

rtation

lwa

km (1,612 k

km 1.520-m gauge

0.912-m gauge (37

hwa

: 20,

: 19,

1,325 k

eli

,027 km; refined pr

and ha

P'ot'i,

ant m

000 GRT or over) 855

rgo 95, chemical tan

-functional large load

refrigerated cargo 1

enger 1, speci

ia 2, Belize 2, Brit

Ecuador 1, Egypt 3,

3, Israel 1, Italy 1,

1, Malta 1, Netherland

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Arabia 1, Syria 31,

other countrie

por

2003

,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m:

ys: total: 13 914 to 1,523 m:

ipo

003

rtation

k is in poor conditio

tivities, and fuel sh

ance an

ary G

ry bra

ding National Guard)

ritime Def

r - military age

compulsory and volun

ce obligation -

npower - av

-49: 1,156,3

er - fit for mi

-49: 906,400

- reaching milit

9,570 (2

enditures -

llion

nditures - pe

% (F

ary -

orce of Russian troo

orgia together with a

keeping battalion is d

onal Issu

- inter

oundary with Russia re

d, with several smal

OSCE observers monitor

the Akhmeti region

urks scattered throug

to Georgia; boundar

rmenian groups in Java

y from the Georgian

nstruction at the Re

egments of boundary,

delimi

nternally disp

ced from Abkhazia and

cit

of cannabis and op

used as transshipmen

to Western Eu

ast updated on

=======================

uction

kgr

economy and most pop

of the continent's ec

European power strugg

Wars in the first half

ied by the victorious

oviet Union in 1945.

tates were formed in 1

RG) and the eastern Ge

FRG embedded itself

ions, the EC, which be

DR was on the front l

ine of the USSR and t

ification in 1990. Si

funds to bring Eastern

ds. In January 1999,

common European excha

aphy

ati

ing the Baltic Sea and

s and Poland,

hic coo

N, 9

efere

357,0

7,798

349,22

compa

smaller t

bound

: 3,6

ria 784 km, Belgium 16

nce 451 km, Luxembourg

56 km, Switz

stl

usive economic zone: 200 nm continental shel

; cool, cloudy, wet

arm mountain

plands in center, Ba

ion ex

Neuendorf bei

int: Zugsp

l reso

al gas, iron ore, co

ruction materials,

3.85% permanent crops: 0

ated

q km (1

al ha

nt - curr

rning utilities and in

in, resulting from sul

ollution in the Baltic

rom rivers in eastern

stablished a mechanism

next 15 years; govern

y nature preservation

auna, and Hab

internationa

tion, Air Pollution

ir Pollution-Sulfur 94

, Antarctic-Envir

ing Resources, Antar

Climate Change, Climat

ngered Species, Envir

w of the Sea, Marine

tion, Tropical Timber

nds,

d: Air Pollution-Persis

aphy

North European Plain

e Bal

le G

ula

9 (July 2

stru

(male 6,197,490;

(male 28,119,536;

.3% (male 6,096,106;

ian

: 41.

40.4

.2 years (

ion gro

(200

,000 populati

1,000 populat

gratio

)/1,000 popula

1.06 mal

ars: 1.05 m

s: 1.04 ma

over: 0.68

: 0.96 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

ths/1,000 live b

deaths/1,00

ectancy

ulation:

75.5

.68 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(2001

ople living w

(2001

DS - d

1,000 (2

onal

Germ

tive:

ic g

2.4%, other 6.1% (ma

Russian, Serbo-

igi

Catholic 34%, Muslim

gua

era

15 and over ca

ation: 99%

ale

ment G

try

form: Federal Re

al short f

rt form:

pire, German Repu

m: Bundesrepub

nment

al re

rative d

, singular - Land)

r - Freistaat); Baden

burg, Bremen, H

ern, Niedersachsen,

Saarland, Sachsen

Holstein,

pend

man Empire unificati

(UK, US, USSR, and l

I; Federal Republic o

May 1949 and included

Democratic Republic

1949 and included t

ermany and East Germa

formally relinquishe

nal h

, 3 Octob

titu

Basic Law; became cons

ople 3 Oc

l sy

h indigenous concept

the Federal Constitu

pulsory ICJ

fra

of age;

tive

sident Horst KOEHLE

elected for a five-

all members of the Fe

tes elected by the sta

(next to be held 23

te majority of the F

ion last held 22 Sept

eptemb

ancellor Gerhard SCHRO

or Joschka FISCHER (

ndesminister (Federal

the recommendatio

st KOEHLER elected pr

Convention against

cted chancellor; perc

e 5

ative

r Parlament consists o

ts; elected by popula

roportional representa

vote or three dir

ers serve four-year

(69 votes; state go

each has 3 to 6 votes

ired to vote

embly - last held 22 S

2006); note - there a

on is determined by

ts; the composition o

y time one of the 16 s

ral Assembly - percent

Alliance '90/Greens

51, CDU/CSU 248, Allia

l Council - curre

ial b

Court or Bundesverfas

y the Bundestag and

parties an

[Angelika BEER and R

nion or CDU [Angela ME

STOIBER, chairman]; F

, chairman]; Party of

Social Democratic

TEFE

essure group

employers' organizati

s, and vete

organization

Group, BIS, BSEC (ob

, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO,

, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, IC

IMO, Interpol, IOC, IO

SG, OAS (observer), O

, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHC

WADB (nonregional), WC

, WT

(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco FAX

bassy will be built near the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin; ground was broken in October 2004 and completion is scheduled for 2008 mailing address: PSC 120, B

qual horizontal bands of

my Ge

y - ov

technologically power

nomy in the world -

omies in the entire

he offing in the fores

1%. The modernization

continues to be a cos

from west to east am

ageing population

ushed social securi

s from workers. Struct

ing strict regulation

wages on a nation

problem. Corporate re

tting the foundations

challenges of Europe

articularly if labor

he government is als

igned to revitalize th

, the fall in governme

ised the deficit above

parity - $2.271 t

eal gro

(200

per

r parity - $27,

agriculture: 1% industry: 3

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

by percentage share: lowest 10

f family incom

(19

ate (consum

(2003

r fo

millio

ce - by o

industry 33.4%, se

oyment

(200

: $1.079

rillion, including cap

ic d

of GDP

ture -

ley, sugar beets, fr

, po

ust

argest and most tec

teel, coal, cement,

ools, electronics,

lding;

production

(2003

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

llion k

city -

ion kWh

prod

bl/day (

consum

on bbl/day

- ex

bbl/da

- im

lion bbl/

roved r

on bbl (1 J

gas - pr

ion cu m (

gas - co

ion cu m (

gas -

ion cu m (

gas -

ion cu m (

s - proved

on cu m (1

account

billion

ion f.o.b.

- comm

s, chemicals, meta

uffs,

s - pa

%, UK 8.4%, Italy 7.

m 5.1%, Spain 4.9%,

on f.o.b.

- comm

chemicals, foodstuf

s - pa

ds 8.4%, US 7.3%, Ital

4.7%, Aust

foreign exch

billion

- ext

2000

c aid -

6 billio

ren

o (

9, the European Moneta

ency to be used by fi

1 January 2002, the

y transactions withi

ency

nge r

0.886 (2003), 1.0626

000), 0.9

al y

ndar

cations

- main li

millio

s - mobil

illion

hone

: Germany has one

ed telecommunications

enditures since reuni

eastern part of the c

n modernized and inte

ern

served by an extensiv

onnected by modern ne

e, microwave radio

lular telephone servi

d includes roaming se

ntr

code - 49; Germany's

onsisting of extensive

earth stations in th

ERSPUTNIK satelli

oadcast

87, shortwa

illion

broadcast

,042 repeat

visi

illion

t count

net h

,119

rvice Provi

net u

llion

rtation

lwa

km (20,100 k

1 km 1.435-m gauge (2

1.000-m gauge (16 k

m gaug

hwa

: 230

(including 11,515

d: 0 k

erw

ies most goods; Main-D

Black Se

eli

s 25,293 km; oil 3,54

km (

and ha

, Bremen, Bremerhav

burg, Karlsruhe, Kie

Rostock,

ant m

00 GRT or over) 5,721

mical tanker 14, conta

arge load carrier 1,

ar carrier 2, ro

ea/pass

her countries: 2

inland 4, Icelan

por

2003

047 m: 13 2,438 to 3,047 m: 51 914 to 1,523 m: 71

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 un

s: 34 (2

ary G

ry bra

utsche Marine; includ

int Support Service,

r - military age

cripts serve a nine-m

service)

npower - av

49: 20,468,94

er - fit for mi

49: 17,338,43

- reaching milit

84,837 (

enditures -

billio

nditures - pe

% (

onal Issu

- inter

cit

r chemicals for So

ent point for and cons

n cocaine, and Europe

jor finan

ast updated on

=======================

uction

kgr

of the British colony

erritory, Ghana in 1

colonial Africa to ga

esulted in the suspens

ng of political parti

politics, was appro

te since 1981, won pr

constitutionally prev

e was succeeded by Jo

t Atta MILLS in a fr

aphy

ati

ing the Gulf of Guinea

hic coo

efere

239,4

230,94

8,520

compa

smaller t

bound

: 2,0

kina Faso 549 km, Cot

stl

continental shelf: 200 nm contiguous zon

paratively dry along s

hwest; hot an

th dissected plateau

ion ex

nt: Atlant

nt: Mount A

l reso

rial diamonds, bauxi

, hydr

6.26% permanent crops: 9

ated

km (199

al ha

tern harmattan winds

; dro

activities; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; poaching and habitat destructio

internationa

ty, Climate Change,

ation, Endangered Sp

dous Wastes, Law of

tion, Tropical Timber

ratified: Marine

aphy

e world's larges

le G

ula

757

his country explicitl

tality due to AIDS; t

er infant mortality a

rates, and changes i

sex than would other

4 e

stru

(male 3,988,800;

% (male 6,030,151

% (male 359,042; femal

ian

: 20

19.8

.3 years (

ion gro

(200

,000 populati

1,000 populat

gratio

)/1,000 populat

1.03 mal

ars: 1.02 m

s: 0.99 ma

over: 0.89

n: 1 male(s)/fe

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,00

ectancy

ulation:

55.3

.22 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(2003

ople living w

0 (200

DS - d

(2003

fectious

laria, yellow fev

e of risk: ve

onal

Ghan

ive: G

ic g

major tribes - Akan 4

3%, Yoruba 1%), Europe

igi

uslim 16%, indig

gua

, African language

omba, Ewe

era

15 and over ca

67.1% (2

opulati

le -

erians, 2,000 Sierr

ees residing i

nment

try

long form: Re

al short f

: Gold

nment

tional d

rative d

rong-Ahafo, Central, E

East, Upper West

pend

1957 (

nal h

ce Day, 6

titu

d 28 Ap

l sy

on law and customary

y ICJ jur

fra

of age;

tive

ident John Agyekum K

Alhaji Aliu MAHAMA (

t is both the chief

ern

esident John Agyekum K

Alhaji Aliu MAHAMA (

t is both the chief

ern

nisters; president nom

val by P

nd vice president elec

ur-year terms; electio

o be held De

hn Agyekum KUFUOR re

ote - John KUFUOR 53.4

ative

(230 seats; note - i

bers are elected by d

our-yea

December 2004 (next t

ent of vote by party -

NDC 92,

ial b

eme

parties an

Party or CPP [Nii

aian Living Everywhere

olidated Popular Part

Party or NCP [Sarpon

r NDC [Dr. Huudu YAHA

r NPP [Samuel Arthur

PCP [P. K. DONKOH-AY

rty or PHP [Emmanuel

vention or PNC [Edwar

PUKU, genera

essure group

organization

WAS, FAO, G-24, G-77,

, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IL

ISO, ITU, MIGA, MIN

, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD,

UNMIL, UNOCI, UPU, WCL

WTo

epresentatio

n: Ambassador A

s) general

] (202)

: [1] (20

rnational Drive NW,

epresentatio

n: Ambassador M

d 10th Lanes, 7

ess: P. O. B

233] (21) 77

33] (21

descr

bands of red (top), y

ed star centered in th

colors of Ethiopia;

coat of arms center

omy

y - ov

ural resources, Ghana

he poorer countries in

y dependent on inter

Gold, timber, and coco

xchange. The domesti

tence agriculture, wh

f the work force, mai

elief under the Heavil

. Policy priorities in

ccelerated privatizati

pts from the gold sect

Inflation should eas

nal p

parity - $44.44 b

eal gro

(2003

per

er parity - $2

griculture: 35.4% industry: 25

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

(199

by percentage share: lowest 10

f family incom

7 (

ate (consum

(200

r fo

ion (20

ce - by o

ndustry 15%, servi

oyment

1997

: $1.943

illion, including capi

ture -

cassava (tapioca), pe

as; t

ust

ght manufacturing, al

ces

production

(2000

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

lion kW

city -

lion kW

prod

l/day (2

consum

bl/day (

- ex

(20

- im

(20

roved r

on bbl (1 J

s - proved

on cu m (1

account

illion

ion f.o.b.

- comm

tuna, bauxite, alum

s - pa

10.7%, France 7.7%, Ge

urkey 4.4%, U

ion f.o.b.

- comm

ment, petrole

s - pa

9.3%, UK 7.2%, US 6.1

th Africa

foreign exch

billion

- ext

illion (

aid - r

illion

ren

i (

ency

nge r

NA (2003), 7,932.7 (

2000), 2,6

al y

ndar

icatio

- main li

300

s - mobil

900

hone

or to fair system; Int

t yet connected; exp

crowave radio relay; w

ins

y code - 233; satelli

ean); microwave radio

to its neighbors; fibe

ides connectivity

oadcast

9, shortwa

illion

broadcast

(20

visi

llion

t count

net h

rvice Provi

(20

net u

000

ortati

km narrow gauge: 953

km paved: 11,665 km unpa

erw

hes and lighters on Vo

rterial and feeder wa

eli

roducts 7

and ha

radi

ant m

000 GRT or over) 1

1, Saint Vincent and t

um tanker 3, ref

por

2003

with pave

to 3,0

to 2,4

523 m: 2

with unpa

o 1,5

4 m: 2 (

tary

ry bra

avy, Ai

r - military age

mpulsory and volunteer

npower - av

-49: 5,391,3

er - fit for mi

-49: 2,994,6

- reaching milit

44,809 (

enditures -

llion

nditures - pe

% (

ional Is

deal with refugees and returning national

nternally disp

of origin): 42,4

cit

cannabis for the int

Southwest and Southeas

American cocaine dest

and corruption have m

of a well-developed fi

s utility as a mone

ast updated on

=======================

bra

ction G

kgr

nt, Gibraltar was ced

eaty of Utrecht; the

lony in 1830. In refer

s ignored Spanish

to remain a Bri

phy Gi

ati

ordering the Strait of

and the North Atlantic

t of

hic coo

efere

: 6.5

r: 0

6.5

compa

e size of The Mal

al: 1.2 km border co

stl

ime c

rial se

th mild winters

owland borders the

ion ex

t: Mediterr

t: Rock of G

l reso

: 0% permanent crops:

ated

al ha

large concrete or natural rock water catchments collect rainwater

aphy

n Strait of Gibralta

an and Medit

e Gib

ula

(July 2

stru

% (male 2,554;

.2% (male 9,460

.8% (male 1,939; fema

ian

: 39

38.8

.2 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

1,000 populat

1.05 mal

ars: 1.04 m

s: 1.06 ma

over: 0.79

: 1.01 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,000

ths/1,000 live b

deaths/1,00

ectancy

ulation:

76.6

.54 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

ople living w

DS - d

onal

ibralta

ive: G

ic g

glish, Maltese, Port

igi

Church of England 6.

e or othe

gua

ools and for officia

n, Por

total population: above

ment G

l long form: none convent

ency s

territory

nment

ral

rative d

eas territo

pend

eas territo

nal h

tember (1967); note

hether to remain with

titu

May

l sy

lis

fra

ersal, plus other UK

six mont

tive

en ELIZABETH II (si

r and Commander-in-Chi

27 Ma

monarch is hereditary

g legislative electio

leader of the majori

ef minister b

ief Minister Peter CAR

inisters appointed fr

of Assembly by the go

e chief

ative

Assembly (18 seats -

or the Speaker, and t

rve four-y

27 November 2003 (nex

ebruar

cent of vote by party

arty - GSD

ial b

urt; Court

parties an

y [Joseph GARCIA]; Gib

]; Gibraltar Socialis

John B

essure group

Gibraltar Represent

s Asso

organization

(subbur

epresentatio

eas territo

epresentatio

eas territo

descr

of white (top, double

tle in the center of

e is a gold key cen

my Gi

y - ov

rom an extensive shi

ion as an internationa

esence has been sha

to the local economy,

ector, tourism (almos

ces fees, and duties

financial sector, th

e 25%-30% of GDP. Tele

recent years, Gibr

m a public to a priva

spending still have

of emp

parity - $500 m

eal gro

per

r parity - $17,

position

ultur

stry

: NA (20

below pov

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

% (

r fo

g non-Gibraltar

ce - by o

igible, industry

oyment

2001

s: $307

llion, including capi

0/01

ture -

ust

and finance, ship

production

ity - pr

lion kW

ity - co

ion kWh

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

ay (200

consum

bl/day (

- ex

(20

- im

(20

lion f.o

- comm

ts) petroleum 51%, m

s - pa

ce 24.8%, UK 14.3%,

7.5%, Spai

llion c.i

- comm

ctured goods,

s - pa

, Russia 8.2%, Italy

rmany 4.6%, Rom

- ext

2000

aid - r

ren

ar poun

ency

nge r

US dollar - 0.6661

(1999), 0.6037 (1998

par with the

al y

y - 3

ations G

- main li

12 (

s - mobil

7 (2

hone

adequate, automati

ternational

omatic exchan

code - 350; radiotele

th station - 1 Intel

oadcast

, shortwav

00 (

broadcast

low-power re

visi

00 (

t count

rvice Provi

net u

0 (2

tation G

9 km paved: 29 km

and ha

ral

ant m

000 GRT or over) 980

go 69, chemical tank

load carrier 3, passe

l on/ro

other countrie

1, Cyprus 3, Denmark

Hong Kong 2, Iceland

d Kingdom 6, U

por

003

unways: total: 1 1,524

ry Gib

ry bra

braltar

ary -

sibility of the UK; t

Gibraltar in 1992,

tar Re

nal Issues

- inter

ents voted overwhelmi

shared sovereignty" ar

the fate of the 300-

roves of UK plans to

ast updated on

=======================

ioso

ion Glori

kgr

ince 1892, the Glorio

d coral islands (Ile G

. A military garrison

ion on Ile

y Glorio

ati

of islands in the Ind

aga

hic coo

S, 4

efere

l: 5

rieuse, Ile du Lys, Ve

Sout

r: 0

: 5

compa

the size of The Ma

bound

stl

orial sea: 12 nm exclus

and

ion ex

nt: Indian

t: unnamed l

l reso

, coc

t crops: 0% other: 100% (all lush

ated

m (199

al ha

dic c

nt - curr

aphy

are surrounded by an

Glorios

ula

enous in

l French military gar

sited by scientist

t Glorios

try

nal long

short form: G

form: Iles

ong for

ency s

administered by a hi

resident

l sy

ance, where ap

epresentatio

session o

epresentatio

session o

descr

of Fran

Glorioso

rview: no eco

ions Glori

- note: 1 meteo

tion Glori

and ha

shore anc

por

003

with unpa

523 m: 1

Glorios

efense is the resp

l Issues Glo

rnational: clai

ast updated on

=======================

uction

kgr

ndependence from the

of the 19th century a

radually added nei

Greek-speaking popula

ed by Italy (1940) and

fighting endured in

porters of the king

defeat in 1949, Greec

dictatorship, which

d forced the king to f

democratic elections a

ic and abolished the m

or EC in 1981 (which

h member of the e

aphy

ati

dering the Aegean Se

ea, between Alb

hic coo

N, 2

efere

131,9

1,140

130,80

compa

smaller t

bound

: 1,2

ania 282 km, Bulgaria

onia

stl

676

12 nm continental shelf: 200-m dep

, wet winters;

ranges extending int

ins of

ion ex

t: Mediterr

t: Mount Oly

l reso

iron ore, bauxite,

le, salt, hydro

1.1% permanent crops: 8.

ated

q km (19

al ha

earth

nt - curr

ion; water

internationa

tion, Air Pollution

4, Antarctic-Envir

g Resources, Antarctic

te Change-Kyoto Proto

nvironmental Modifica

ne Dumping, Ozone La

Timber 83, Tropica

ified: Air Pollutio

ollution-Volatile

aphy

inating the Aegean Sea

peninsular country, po

t 2,000

le G

ula

9 (July 2

stru

% (male 792,938;

(male 3,563,703;

% (male 873,540; female

ian

: 40.

39.1

.3 years (

ion gro

(2004

,000 populati

1,000 populat

gratio

)/1,000 popula

1.06 mal

ars: 1.06 m

rs: 1 mal

over: 0.79

: 0.97 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,000

deaths/1,00

ths/1,000 live b

ectancy

ulation:

.59 years

76.4

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(2001

ople living w

(200

DS - d

n 100 (2

onal

: Gr

tive:

ic g

98%, o

ment states there are

igi

98%, Muslim 1

gua

fficial), En

era

15 and over ca

96.5% (2

opulati

le -

ren are trafficked to

exual exploitatio

nment

try

long form: He

al short f

form: Ella

Kingdom

orm: Ellinik

nment

; monarchy rejected by

rative d

singular - nomos) and

s), Achaia, Aitolia k

, Chalkidiki, Chanion

nia, Evvoia, Florina

ia, Ioannina, Iraklei

erkyra, Kilkis, Korin

hi, Lefkas, Lesvos, Ma

hynnis, Rodopi, Samo

ikala, Voiotia,

pend

the Ottom

nal h

e Day, 25 M

titu

mended March 19

l sy

oman law; judiciary

nd administ

fra

ge; universal

tive

ident Konstandinos (

10 Marc

elected by Parliament

February 2000 (next t

he Greek Constitution

ident appoints leader

election to become pr

ern

ime Minister Konstandi

nted by the president

ime mi

tandinos STEPHANOPOULO

Parliamen

ative

or Vouli ton Ellinon (

popular vote to se

last held 7 March 200

ent of vote by party -

3.3%; seats by party -

ynasp

ial b

rt; Special Supreme

y the president afte

ial c

parties an

and Progress (Synaspis

ece or KKE [Aleka PAPA

standinos KARAMANLIS];

iorgos PAPANDREOU];

os KARA

essure group

ion of Greek Worke

ation of Greek Indust

l Servants Confedera

ASP

organization

BSEC, CE, CERN, EAPC

ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFT

IMF, IMO, Interpol, IO

NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS

urity Council (tempor

NMIK, UNOMIG, UPU, WCO

ToO, W

epresentatio

n: Ambassador Y

Atlanta, Hou

Boston, Chicago, Los

Fran

] (202)

: [1] (20

chusetts Avenue NW,

91 Vasilissis Sophias Avenue, 10160 Athens mailing address: PSC 108, APO AE 09842-0108 t

descr

stripes of blue altern

he upper hoist-side c

bolizes Greek Orthod

n of th

omy

y - ov

apitalist economy wi

0% of GDP and with per

omies. Tourism provide

th of the work force,

eficiary of EU aid, e

economy grew by abou

e of an investment bo

Athens Olympic Games.

eet the EU's Growth an

% of GDP since 2000;

also above the euro

economy include pri

ng pension and other r

tic ineff

parity - $213.6 b

eal gro

(2003

per

r parity - $20,

agriculture: 6.7% industry: 2

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

or consumption by

st 1

%: 25.3% (

f family incom

7 (

ate (consum

(2003

r fo

lion (20

ce - by o

ndustry 20%, servi

oyment

(2003

: $76.84

illion, including capi

ic d

of GD

ture -

ugar beets, olives, to

beef, dair

ust

acco processing, text

mining,

production

(2003

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion k

city -

llion kW

city -

llion kW

prod

l/day (2

consum

bl/day (2

- ex

bbl/day

- im

bbl/da

roved r

n bbl (1 J

gas - pr

n cu m (2

gas - co

ion cu m (

gas -

(2001

gas -

ion cu m (

s - proved

on cu m (1

account

billio

ion f.o.b.

- comm

manufactured goods

als, t

s - pa

10.5%, UK 7%, US 6.5%

e 4.2%, Tur

ion f.o.b.

- comm

port equipment,

s - pa

12.2%, France 6.6%, R

erlands 5.2%, Japan

foreign exch

billion

- ext

illion (

aid - r

ion from

ren

o (

9, the European Moneta

ency to be used by fi

1 January 2002, the

y transactions withi

ency

nge r

0.886 (2003), 1.0626

000), 305.

al y

ndar

cations

- main li

,100

s - mobil

,200

hone

equate, modern network

ne and interna

adio relay trunk syst

marine cable to

code - 30; tropospher

h stations - 2 Intelsa

telsat, and 1 Inmarsa

oadcast

88, shortw

illion

broadcast

wer repeaters); also

io and Televisio

visi

illion

t count

net h

977

rvice Provi

(20

net u

,400

rtation

lwa

km (764 km

ge: 1,565 km

km 1.000-m gauge;

bined 1.435-m and 1.0

em)

hwa

: 117

(including 470 k

9,594 km

erw

km) crosses the Isthm

e by 325

eli

km; oil 94

and ha

fsis, Irakleion (Cre

a, Lavrion, Patrai,

loniki

ant m

0 GRT or over) 30,186,

her countries: 2

m 1, Cyprus 1, Israel

nds 1, Norway 2, Panam

ngdom 2, Uni

go 57, chemical tanker

container 49, liquefi

refrigerated cargo 1

enger 38, spec

por

airport at Spata opene

047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 16 914 to 1,523 m: 16

ys: total: 14 914 to 1,523 m:

s: 7 (20

ary G

ry bra

ic Navy, Hellenic Air

or recruitment after reaching January of the year of inductee's 18th birthday, thus including 17 year olds; 17 years of age for v

npower - av

-49: 2,638,9

er - fit for mi

-49: 2,004,3

- reaching milit

3,496 (2

enditures -

9 milli

nditures - pe

% (

onal Issu

- inter

resumed discussions t

rial, and boundary dis

urkey; dispute with th

its

cit

or traffickers smuggl

and Southwest Asia to

; some South American

ney laundering related

ized

ast updated on

=======================

een

ction G

kgr

island, Greenland is

land in the 10th centu

the 18th century and

rk in 1953. It joined

n) with Denmark in 197

ringent fishing quotas

9 by the Danish parlia

ear. Denmark continues

's foreig

phy Gr

ati

a, island between the

c Ocean, nort

hic coo

N, 4

efere

ic R

2,166,0

m (410,449 sq km ice

red) (20

compa

an three times t

bound

stl

087

ime c

rial se

00 nm or agreed boun

: 200 nm or agreed bou

ctic; cool summ

loping icecap cover

s, barren,

ion ex

nt: Atlant

int: Gunnb

l reso

zinc, molybdenum, go

es, hydropower, p

: 0% permanent crops:

ated

al ha

t over northern two-

nt - curr

tic environment; pres

life, including wha

aphy

tic Ocean between Nor

fined to small settle

f the population lives

cond large

e Gre

ula

(July 2

stru

.5% (male 7,34

.5% (male 20,89

% (male 1,585; femal

ian

: 33.

34.8

.9 years (

ion gro

(2004

1,000 populat

000 populatio

gratio

)/1,000 populat

1.02 mal

ars: 1.05 m

s: 1.18 ma

over: 0.87

: 1.12 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

65.7

.98 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

ople living w

DS - d

onal

Greenl

ve: Gre

ic g

it and Greenland-bor

2% (Janu

igi

lical

gua

East Inuit),

opulation: NA male: NA female: N

ment G

try

nal long

l short for

form: Kala

ong for

ency s

m of Denmark; self

division of Den

nment

cracy within a con

(Go

rative d

sdele); Avannaa (

d), Kitaa (

18 municipalit

pend

ngdom of Denmark; fo

mark, but Greenland a

greements relat

nal h

(longe

titu

(Danish co

l sy

fra

of age;

tive

MARGRETHE II of Denm

High Commissioner Pe

alition - Siumut an

Hans ENOKSEN ele

ime Minister Hans ENOK

Government is elect

the basis of the

y is hereditary; high

minister is elected by

y party); election la

e held Dec

ative

or Landstinget (31 sea

basis of proportional

year

ves were elected to th

ber 2001 (next to be

rty - NA%; seats by p

atig

cent of vote by party

Atassut Party 20.4%

seats by party - Siumu

emokratiit 5, K

on 3 December 2002

mber

ial b

t (appeals can be mad

the High Court or Supre

parties an

ity, a conservative pa

Denmark) [Augusta SAL

qatigiit or IA (Eskimo

e independence from De

]; Issituup (Polar Par

didate List, an indep

platform [leader NA];

party advocating mor

r autonomy from Den

essure group

organization

NIB,

epresentatio

overseas administrati

epresentatio

overseas administrati

descr

ands of white (top) an

side of center - the t

bottom ha

my Gr

y - ov

ritically dependent o

om the Danish Governme

revenues. The publi

prises and the munic

e economy. Despite

rals exploration act

roduction can material

ear-term potential, a

rt season an

parity - $1.1 b

eal gro

(2001

per

r parity - $20,

position

ultur

stry

ices

below pov

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

(1999

r fo

(1999

oyment

2000

s: $646

llion, including capi

ion

ture -

and greenhouse vegeta

ust

y shrimp and Greenland

ns, small shi

production

ity - pr

lion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

ay (200

consum

l/day (2

- ex

(20

- im

(20

lion f.o

- comm

products 94%

s - pa

Japan 14.2%, Ch

lion c.i

- comm

ort equipment, manuf

eum pr

s - pa

Norway 7.5%, Sw

- ext

llion

aid - r

subsidy from

ren

K) is the offici

ency

nge r

dollar - 6.5877 (2003

83 (2000),

al y

ndar

ations G

- main li

00 (

s - mobil

47 (

hone

dequate domestic and

, cables and microwav

lized

wave radio rela

y code - 299; satelli

t, 2 Americom GE-2

oadcast

2, shortwa

(1998

broadcast

on, some local low-pow

r Force) sta

visi

(1998

t count

net h

2 (2

rvice Provi

net u

00 (

tation G

hwa

are no roads betw

and ha

), Ilulissat (Jakobs

aq, Nuuk (Godthab),

olsteinsbor

ant m

000 GRT or over) 4

d: Denmark 1

cargo 2,

por

2003

,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m

with unpa

to 2,4

o 1,5

4 m: 2 (

ry Gre

fense is the respon

nal Issues

Canada and Denmark over Hans Island in the Kennedy C

ast updated on

=======================

uction

kgr

t independent coun

s seized by a Marxist

later the island was

ribbean nations, whic

hundreds of Cuban ad

tuted the fo

aphy

ati

ween the Caribbean Se

Trinidad

hic coo

N, 6

efere

rica and th

: 344

r: 0

344

compa

size of Wa

bound

stl

orial sea: 12 nm exclus

ered by northe

rigin with ce

ion ex

nt: Caribb

Mount Saint C

l reso

cal fruit, de

.88% permanent crops: 29

ated

al ha

ane belt; hurricane se

nt - curr

internationa

ty, Climate Change,

ion, Endangered Specie

otection

ified: none of the

aphy

f the islands of the

t Vincent and the Gr

le G

ula

(July 2

stru

5% (male 15,580

% (male 29,321;

.5% (male 1,467; fem

ian

: 20.

21.4

.4 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

s)/1,000 popula

: 1 male

ars: 1.02 m

s: 1.12 ma

over: 0.88

: 1.08 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

62.7

.31 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

ople living w

DS - d

onal

Grenad

ive: G

ic g

k and European 13%, E

e of Arawak/C

igi

Anglican 13.8%, ot

gua

ficial), Fr

era

15 and over ca

opulati

98% (1

ment G

l long form: none convent

nment

rchy with Westminst

t Ge

rative d

endency*; Carriacou

avid, Saint George, S

t Pa

pend

ry 1974

nal h

e Day, 7 Fe

titu

cembe

l sy

English c

fra

of age;

tive

en ELIZABETH II (si

General Daniel WILLIAM

rime Minister Keith M

nted by the governor g

ime mi

monarch is heredita

arch; following legi

party or the leader o

d prime minister by

ative

consists of the Senat

vernment and three

use of Representatives

ar vote to serve

on 27 November 2003 (

mber

se of Representatives

eats by party

ial b

e States Supreme Cou

s in G

parties an

Party or GULP [Herber

r NDC [leader vacant]

; People Labor Movem

essure group

organization

, FAO, G-77, IBRD, I

, IMF, IMO, Interpol,

, OAS, OECS, OPANAL,

, UNIDO, UPU,

NTOINE consulate(s) general: New York FAX: [1] (202) 265-2468 telephone: [1]

RAMER, is accredited to Grenada embassy: Lance-aux-Epines Stretch, Saint George's mailing address: P. O. Box

descr

diagonally into yell

ngles (hoist side and

; there are seven yell

n the top red border,

one on a red disk sup

also a symbolic nutmeg

he world's second-larg

seven stars represent

isi

my Gr

y - ov

rism as its main sour

construction of an in

ances in constructio

elopment of an offsho

uted to growth in

parity - $440 m

eal gro

(2002

per

er parity - $5

agriculture: 7.7% industry:

below pov

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

(2001

r fo

00 (

ce - by o

ndustry 14%, servi

oyment

% (2

s: $85.

illion, including capi

ion

ture -

meg, mace, citrus,

, corn, v

ust

extiles, light assemb

truc

production

(1997

ity - pr

lion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

ay (200

consum

l/day (2

- ex

(20

- im

(20

lion (2

- comm

eg, fruit and vegeta

s - pa

.8%, Netherlands 8.5

.4%, UK 6.4%, Belgium

tts and Nevis 4.3%, T

lion (20

- comm

d goods, machiner

s - pa

Tobago 26.8%, UK 5.

- ext

illion

aid - r

illion

ren

bbean dol

ency

nge r

per US dollar - 2.7 (

7 (2000),

al y

ndar

cations

- main li

00 (

s - mobil

0 (2

hone

automatic, islandw

and VHF and UHF ra

code - 1-473; new SHF

nd Saint Vincent; VHF

oadcast

3, shortwa

00 (

broadcast

visi

00 (

t count

net h

(20

rvice Provi

(20

net u

00 (

rtation

km paved: 638 km unpa

and ha

e, Saint

ant m

por

003

with pave

to 3,0

to 2,4

4 m: 1 (

ary G

ry bra

y forces; Royal Gr

enditures -

nditures - pe

onal Issu

- inter

cit

cultivation; lesser t

and coca

ast updated on

=======================

ade

ction G

kgr

French possession si

with the Netherlands;

is part of the Nether

amed Saint-Martin and

phy Gu

ati

ween the Caribbean Sea

theast of

hic coo

N, 6

efere

rica and th

1,780

an archipelago of ni

, Grande-Terre, Marie

Saint-Barthelemy, Iles

ch part of the isl

: 74

1,70

compa

e size of W

border countries: Netherlands

line:

orial sea: 12 nm exclus

by trade winds; mod

anic in origin with

imestone formation; m

e volcanic

ion ex

nt: Caribb

int: Soufr

l reso

eaches and climate

1.24% permanent crops: 3

ated

km (19

al ha

tober); Soufriere de G

nt - curr

aphy

Riviere Salee, divides

ger, western Basse-T

n Gran

e Gua

ula

(July 20

stru

4% (male 55,386

6% (male 146,772

% (male 16,730; fema

ian

: 31.

30.6

.3 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

)/1,000 populat

1.05 mal

ars: 1.05 m

s: 0.98 ma

over: 0.72

: 0.97 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,000

ths/1,000 live b

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

74.5

.03 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

ople living w

DS - d

onal

uadelou

ve: Gua

ic g

white 5%, East Indian,

igi

Hindu and pagan Afri

gua

cial) 99%, C

era

15 and over ca

opulati

90% (1

ent Gua

try

g form: Departme

l short for

rt form:

: Departement d

ency s

departmen

nment

se-

rative d

as departmen

pend

as departmen

nal h

Day, 14 J

titu

1958 (French

l sy

legal

fra

of age;

tive

dent Jacques CHIRAC o

y Prefect Paul GIROT

st 2

on res

ident elected by popul

d by the French presid

nterior; the preside

e elected by the mem

esident of the General

; President of the Re

ince 2 A

ine

ative

uncil or Conseil Gene

ar vote to serve six

uncil or Conseil Regio

pular vote to ser

uncil - last held 22

onal Council - last he

held N

ts two representative

September 1995 (next

by party - NA; seats

four representatives

st held 9 June-16 June

ote by party - NA; sea

ent right

ral Council - percent

t-wing candidates 11

5, PCG 3, UDF 1; Reg

ote by party - PS 58.

PS 29,

ial b

r d'Appel with jurisdi

iana, and

parties an

deloupe or PCG [Mona C

Party or PRG [Flavien

PPDG [Henri BANGOU];

avrot DAVRAIN]; Union

Union for a Popular M

essure group

or the Liberation of

Guadeloupe Workers or

UGTG; Movement for Ind

cialist Rene

organization

, W

epresentatio

as departmen

epresentatio

as departmen

descr

of Fran

y Guad

y - ov

y depends on agricul

ces. It also depend

Tourism is a key indu

singly large number of

al sugarcane crop is s

ananas (which now supp

and flowers. Other ve

al consumption, althou

d food, mainly from

production. Most manu

oyment is especially

odically devast

parity - $3.513 b

eal gro

per

er parity - $8

agriculture: 15% industry:

below pov

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

2003

r fo

900

ce - by o

oyment

% (1

s: $225

lion, including capita

ion

, sugarcane, tropical fruits an

ust

cement, rum,

production

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

ay (200

consum

bl/day (

- ex

(20

- im

(20

lion f.o

- comm

s, sug

s - pa

artinique 18%

lion c.i

- comm

hicles, clothing and

ction m

s - pa

%, US 3%, Japan 2%, N

- ext

rend 20

aid - r

ntial annual Frenc

ren

; French f

ency

nge r

0.886 (2003), 1.0626

000), 0.9

al y

ndar

ations G

- main li

000

s - mobil

500

hone

nt: domestic fac

stic

ry code - 590; satel

ean); microwave radio

minica, and

oadcast

7, shortwa

000

broadcast

l low-power re

visi

000

t count

rvice Provi

net u

00 (

tation G

67 km paved: NA km u

and ha

(on Saint Barthelemy),

ant m

,000 GRT or over)

other countrie

-owned:

e: pas

por

003

tal: 8 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,5

with unpa

4 m: 1 (

ry Gua

ry bra

ar milit

ary -

e responsibil

nal Issues

internati

ast updated on

=======================

ducti

kgr

US by Spain in 1898. C

en by the US three ye

island is one of t

S bases in

raph

ati

North Pacific Ocean,

Hawaii to t

hic coo

N, 1

efere

: 549

r: 0

549

compa

the size of

bound

stl

ime c

rial se

economic z

rally warm and humid,

n from January to June

tle seasonal tem

rrounded by coral r

ateau (source of most

rrow coastal plains i

mountain

ion ex

nt: Pacifi

nt: Mount L

l reso

eveloped), tourism (

.09% permanent crops: 16

ated

al ha

ring rainy season;

estructive typhoon

nt - curr

bird population by the

nake, an exotic,

aphy

st island in the Maria

on in western No

ple

ula

(July 20

stru

8% (male 25,577

% (male 54,220;

.3% (male 4,912; fem

ian

: 28.

: 28

.4 years (

ion gro

(2004

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

1,000 populat

1.06 mal

ars: 1.07 m

s: 1.04 ma

over: 0.89

: 1.04 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,000

ths/1,000 live b

eaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

75.0

.34 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

ople living w

DS - d

onal

Guaman

ive: G

ic g

o 26%, white 10%, Chi

othe

igi

c 85%, other

gua

Chamorro,

era

15 and over ca

opulati

99% (1

nment

try

long form: Te

nal short

ong for

ency s

ted territory of the U

US under the jurisdic

, US Department

nment

na (A

rative d

rritory

pend

rritory

nal h

first Monday

titu

ct of 1 A

l sy

S; US federa

fra

versal; US citizens,

ntial e

tive

ident George W. BUSH

resident Richard B. C

x P. P. CAMACHO electe

AMACHO (Republican P

Democratic

ent and vice preside

ar term; governor an

ticket by popular vo

vember 2002 (next to be

overnor Felix P. P. C

Governor Kaleo MOYLAN

artments; heads appoin

of the Gua

ative

e (15 seats; members

erve two-

5 November 2002 (next

ne nonvoting delega

ion last held 5 Novemb

ults - Madeleine BORD

e; percent of vote by

y 35.4%; seats by part

cent of vote by party

arty 9, Repu

ial b

rt (judge is appoint

ourt (judges appointed

gove

parties an

rols the legislature)

Party (party of Govern

essure group

organization

subbureau)

epresentatio

rritory

epresentatio

rritory

descr

rk blue with a narrow

red-bordered, point

ne, outrigger canoe wi

erimposed in bold red

onal

omy

y - ov

on US military spend

dicrafts. Total US gra

ounted to $1 billion i

industry has grown

new hotels and the e

urists visit Guam each

tbacks because of th

normally make up almo

al goods are imported.

ilian economic sector

ry dow

parity - $3.2 b

eal gro

per

r parity - $21,

agriculture: 7% industry: 1

below pov

2001

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

1999

r fo

(2000

ce - by o

10%, trade 24%, other

l government 2

oyment

2000

s: $340

llion, including capi

ture -

getables; eggs, p

ust

m, construction, tr

ting and publishing, fo

production

ity - pr

lion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

ay (200

consum

bl/day (

- ex

(20

- im

(20

n f.o.b. (

- comm

of refined petroleum

h, food and be

s - pa

h Korea 17.9%, Si

on f.o.b.

- comm

leum products, food

s - pa

n 22.2%, South Korea

- ext

2003

aid - r

ansfer payments from t

into which Guamanians

sions of a special law

the US Treasury, recei

civilian Federal empl

ren

llar

ency

nge r

dollar

al y

r - 30 S

icatio

- main li

34 (

s - mobil

00 (

hone

odern system, integra

g, including free

al system, including c

access to

y code - 1-671; satel

n); submarine cables t

ications hub for MCI,

ing the U

oadcast

, shortwav

000

broadcast

visi

000

t count

rvice Provi

(20

net u

00 (

ortati

hwa

l: 8

d: 6

ed: 2

o 685 km of roads c

ated on federal gov

and ha

a H

ant m

por

003

l: 4 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047

with unpa

4 m: 1 (

tary

efense is the resp

ional Is

internati

ast updated on

=======================

ate

ction G

kgr

n flourished in Guat

first millennium A.

h colony, Guatemala w

d half of the 20th cen

nd civilian governmen

6, the government sig

onflict, which had le

and had created some

phy Gu

ati

dering the North Pac

nd bordering the Gulf

en Hondura

hic coo

N, 9

efere

rica and th

108,8

: 460

108,43

compa

maller tha

bound

: 1,6

ize 266 km, El Salvad

exico

stl

usive economic zone: 200 nm continental shel

mid in lowlands;

narrow coastal plain

au (P

ion ex

nt: Pacifi

: Volcan Taju

l reso

rare woods, fish,

2.54% permanent crops: 5

ated

q km (1

al ha

in mountains, wit

coast extremely susce

ropical

nt - curr

eten rainforest; soil

internationa

reaty, Biodiversity,

ol, Desertification

tion, Hazardous Wastes

r Protection, Ship

ified: none of the

aphy

harbors o

e Gua

ula

6 (July 2

stru

(male 3,118,396;

(male 3,898,939;

% (male 221,154; femal

ian

: 18.

18.1

.6 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

)/1,000 populat

1.05 mal

ars: 1.05 m

s: 1.02 ma

over: 0.87

: 1.03 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

64.3

.13 years

ertilit

n born/woma

adult preva

(2003

ople living w

(2003

DS - d

(200

onal

Guatem

ve: Gua

ic g

dian-Spanish or assim

Ladino), approximat

ian, approximately 43

igi

rotestant, indige

gua

an languages 40% (23

including Quiche, Ca

na, an

era

15 and over ca

opulati

63.3% (2

ment G

try

ng form: Republ

l short for

rt form:

rm: Republica

nment

nal democra

tem

rative d

rtamentos, singular

z, Chimaltenango, Ch

Huehuetenango, Izabal,

, Retalhuleu, Sacatepe

chitepequez, Tot

pend

er 1821 (f

nal h

Day, 15 Sep

titu

e 14 January 1986; no

nt SERRANO; reinstated

ident; amended

l sy

dicial review of leg

pulsory ICJ

fra

rsal (active duty memb

estricted to their bar

tive

dent Oscar Jose Rafae

e President Eduardo S

the president is both

f gove

President Oscar Jose

04); Vice President

); note - the presiden

head of

f Ministers appoin

lected by popular vote

November 2003; runoff

held NA No

r BERGER Perdomo elect

rdomo (GANA) 54.1%, Al

ative

f the Republic or Con

e elected by popular v

9 November 2003 (next

er 2003 election, the

eased from

cent of vote by party

41, UNE 33, P

ial b

r Corte de Constitutci

udges are elected for

ach serving one year

one is elected by Cong

tice, one appointed

unsel of Universidad S

Abogados); Supreme Cou

thirteen members serv

ident of the Court eac

nt of the Supreme C

ges around the count

year

parties an

velopment or DIA [Edu

AIZ Andrade]; Grand Na

mo]; Green Party or

lan Christian Democrac

National Revolutionar

etary general]; Guatem

tt]; Movement for Gu

ueva]; Movement for P

]; National Advancemen

y general]; National

eros]; New Nation Alli

NG, and several splint

d [led by three co-e

ttom, Rodolfo BAUER P

ot Party or PP [reti

Liberator Party or PL

ent or MR [Alfredo SK

ionista Part

essure group

or UNAGRO; Alliance Ag

no Unity or CUC; Coor

al, Industrial, and Fi

al Support

organization

, G-77, IADB, IAEA, I

IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, I

LAES, LAIA (observer

W, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UN

U, WHO, WIPO,

2220 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los An

R. HAMILTON embassy: 7-01 Avenida Reforma, Zone 10, Guatemala City mailin

descr

bands of light blue (

oat of arms centered

a green and red quet

the inscription LIBER

e of independence from

ifles and a pair of cr

a w

my Gu

y - ov

st and most populous o

per capita roughly on

The agricultural sec

o-thirds of exports,

and bananas are the

ds, which ended 36 yea

oreign investment, bu

ion scandals continu

bution of income remai

opulation below the

ncreasing government

rom international do

te financial operati

d narrowing the

parity - $56.5 bi

eal gro

(2003

per

er parity - $4

griculture: 22.5% industry: 18

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

2002

by percentage share: lowest 10

f family incom

8 (

ate (consum

(2003

r fo

lion (20

ce - by o

ndustry 15%, servi

oyment

(2003

: $2.741

illion, including capi

n (200

ic d

of GDP

ture -

nas, coffee, beans, c

, ch

ust

clothing, furniture,

rubber

production

% (

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

lion kW

city -

ion kWh

prod

bl/day (

consum

bl/day (

- ex

(20

- im

(20

roved r

n bbl (1 J

s - proved

on cu m (1

account

billio

ion f.o.b.

- comm

as, fruits and veget

etroleum,

s - pa

vador 10.8%, Nic

ion f.o.b.

- comm

transport equipment,

tilizers,

s - pa

, South Korea 7.8%, E

% (

foreign exch

billion

- ext

illion (

aid - r

lion (20

ren

US dollar (USD)

ency

nge r

lar - 7.9409 (2003),

32 (2000), 7

al y

ndar

ations G

- main li

000

s - mobil

,100

hone

airly modern network

tem

stic

y code - 502; connect

ellite earth station

oadcast

487, shortw

000

broadcast

27 repeat

visi

millio

t count

net h

60 (

rvice Provi

net u

000

tation G

km narrow gauge: 886

hwa

: 14,

(including 74 km

9,247 k

erw

le year round; addit

h-water se

eli

80 km

and ha

rrios, Puerto Quetzal

Cas

ant m

por

2003

with pave

al:

to 3,0

to 2,4

o 1,5

4 m: 2 (

with unpa

al:

to 3,0

to 2,4

1,523

m: 323 (

ry Gua

ry bra

ncludes Marin

ears of age for compulsory and voluntary military ser

npower - av

-49: 3,421,6

er - fit for mi

-49: 2,233,5

- reaching milit

56,865 (

enditures -

million

nditures - pe

% (

nal Issues

- inter

continue to settle in

um in 2002 creating sm

malan maritime corrid

sputed Sapodilla Cays,

but agreement was n

temala to continue to

ers of Guatemalans ent

nsit t

nternally disp

nment's scorched-ear

igenous peo

cit

for cocaine and hero

nd cannabis for mostl

kes Guatemala a major

ine); money laundering

problem; remains on

Countries and Territor

iciencies in money-lau

ast updated on

=======================

ern

ction G

kgr

and the other Channel

edieval Dukedom of Nor

land. The islands were

rman troops in

phy Gu

ati

s in the English Chann

hic coo

N, 2

efere

: 78

ney, Guernsey, Herm,

er is

r: 0

: 78

compa

f the size of

bound

stl

ime c

rial se

fishing

nters and cool summers

with low hill

ion ex

nt: Atlant

unnamed locatio

l reso

d u

e lan

ent cr

: NA

ated

al ha

nt - curr

aphy

er harbor at S

e Gue

ula

(July 2

stru

.6% (male 5,16

.7% (male 21,49

.6% (male 4,812; fema

ian

: 40.

39.6

.5 years (

ion gro

(200

,000 populati

gratio

)/1,000 popula

1.03 mal

ars: 1.03 m

s: 0.98 ma

over: 0.72

: 0.94 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,000

ths/1,000 live b

deaths/1,00

ectancy

ulation:

77.1

.27 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

ople living w

DS - d

onal

annel Is

: Channel

ic g

descent with small

an cou

igi

lic, Presbyterian, Ba

hod

gua

n-French dialect spoke

era

niti

popula

ale

ment G

try

ng form: Bailiw

l short for

ency s

crown de

nment

Pete

rative d

dependency); there

ns as defined by the U

ding Saint Peter Port

Saint Pierre du Bois,

, Sain

pend

ish crown

nal h

n Day, 9

titu

tatutes, partly com

l sy

statute; justice is ad

fra

of age;

tive

en ELIZABETH II (si

ant Governor and Comma

OLEY (sinc

ie MORGAN elected chie

States of De

is hereditary; lieute

minister is elected by

ief Minister Laurie MO

cil elected by the S

ative

eliberation (45 seats;

rs); note - Alderney a

lia

21 April 2004 (next

cent of vote - NA; se

ial b

parties an

ll inde

essure group

organization

epresentatio

ish crown

epresentatio

ish crown

descr

ss of Saint George (pa

of the flag and a yel

r superimposed on th

my Gu

y - ov

banking, fund managem

of total income in t

facturing, and horticu

been declining. Ligh

r tax haven. The evolv

hanging the environmen

rat

parity - $1.3 b

eal gro

(1999

per

r parity - $20,

r: agriculture: 3% industr

below pov

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

2000

r fo

20 (

oyment

(1999

: $381.3

illion, including capi

ture -

flowers, sweet pepp

sey c

ust

sm, b

production

ity - pr

ity - co

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

- comm

nd ferns, sweet pep

eta

s - pa

ed as inte

- comm

, oil, machine

s - pa

ed as inte

- ext

aid - r

ren

; note - there is a

ency

nge r

US dollar - 0.6661 (

(1999), 0.6037 (1998

par with the

al y

ndar

cations

- main li

00 (

s - mobil

00 (

hone

assess

stic

nal: 1 sub

oadcast

, shortwav

broadcast

visi

t count

rvice Provi

net u

rtation

NA km paved: NA

and ha

r Port, Sa

ant m

por

003

s: total: 2 914 to 1,523 m:

ary G

efense is the resp

onal Issu

internati

ast updated on

=======================

uction

kgr

wo presidents since g

ansana CONTE came to p

government after t

. Guinea did not hold

CONTE (head of the mi

the civilian governme

03. Unrest in Sierra

ea on several occasion

y and creating human

aphy

ati

dering the North At

sau and Si

hic coo

N, 1

efere

245,8

r: 0

245,85

compa

smaller t

te d'Ivoire 610 km, Guinea-Bissau 386 km, Liberia 563

line:

orial sea: 12 nm exclus

mid; monsoonal-type

esterly winds; dry se

asterly har

tal plain, hilly to

ion ex

nt: Atlant

nt: Mont Ni

l reso

iamonds, gold, urani

.63% permanent crops: 2.

ated

km (199

al ha

ttan haze may reduce

nt - curr

adequate supplies

l contamination and

st region; poor mining

nmenta

internationa

ty, Climate Change,

ion, Endangered Specie

Layer Protection

ified: none of the

aphy

ortant tributary the

uinean h

le G

ula

2 (July

stru

(male 2,075,652;

% (male 2,417,440

% (male 127,654; femal

ian

: 17.

17.4

.9 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

gratio

nt(s)/1,000

conflict in neighbori

150,000 Liberian and S

1.03 mal

ars: 1.02 m

rs: 1 mal

over: 0.78

n: 1 male(s)/fe

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,00

ectancy

ulation:

48.4

.99 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(2003

ople living w

0 (200

DS - d

(200

fectious

laria, yellow fev

e of risk: ve

onal

Guin

ive: G

ic g

0%, Soussou 20%, sma

igi

istian 8%, indi

gua

each ethnic group h

era

15 and over ca

opulati

21.9% (1

nment

try

ong form: Repu

al short f

ort form

French

orm: Republi

nment

rative d

special zone (zone sp

Dabola, Dalaba, Dingu

oual, Gueckedou, Kan

Koundara, Kouroussa

Mandiana, Nzerekore, P

ue,

pend

1958 (fr

nal h

e Day, 2 Oc

titu

1990 (Loi

l sy

law system, customary

g revised; has not a

sdic

fra

of age;

tive

sident Lansana CONT

il 1984, elected presi

rime Minister Cellou

mber

f Ministers appoin

lected by popular vote

e a majority of the v

st held 21 December 20

rime minister is appo

ana CONTE reelected pr

P) 95.3%, Mamadou B

ative

National Assembly or

members are elected by

ive-yea

d 30 June 2002 (nex

ent of vote by party -

s by party - PUP

ial b

ppeal or C

parties an

inea-African Democrati

ssim GUSHEIN]; Nationa

ARRY]; Party for Uni

governing party; Peopl

Rally for the Guinea

gress and Renewal or

s of Guinea or UP

ion of Republican Forc

essure group

organization

ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IB

IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,

TU, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM

O, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNOCI

O, WMO,

Rafiou Alpha Oumar BARRY FAX: [1] (202) 478-3010 telephone: [1]

ie R. WALKLEY embassy: Rue Ka 038, Conakry mailing address: B. P. 603, C

descr

ands of red (hoist sid

r pan-African c

omy

y - ov

or mineral, hydropow

ns an underdeveloped

f the world's bauxit

e producer. The minin

in 1999. Long-run imp

iteracy, and the legal

e out of poverty. Fig

borders, as well as r

disruptions, includi

ning companies have re

created food shortage

receiving multilatera

istance in 2003. Grow

of a slowly improving

investor c

parity - $19.02 b

eal gro

2003

per

er parity - $2

griculture: 24.9% industry: 38

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

2003

by percentage share: lowest 10

f family incom

3 (

ate (consum

(200

r fo

lion

ce - by o

ndustry and servic

oyment

2002

: $410.7

illion, including capi

n (200

ture -

es, palm kernels, cass

; cattle, shee

ust

s; alumina refining; l

l processin

production

% (

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

ay (200

consum

l/day (2

- ex

(20

- im

(20

account

millio

on f.o.b.

- comm

ld, diamonds, coffee

s - pa

ain 10.7%, US 10.1%,

m 6.4%, Germany 5.6%

on f.o.b.

- comm

metals, machinery,

ain and othe

s - pa

.3%, Belgium 7.1%, It

ote d'Ivoire 4.8

foreign exch

illion

- ext

llion (2

aid - r

million

ren

n fran

ency

nge r

dollar - NA (2003), 1,

.87 (2000), 1

al y

ndar

cations

- main li

00 (

s - mobil

500

hone

oor to fair system of

cation stations, and n

adio relay and radiot

ry code - 224; satel

(Atlant

oadcast

nactive), FM 1 (plus 7

000

broadcast

er statio

visi

00 (

t count

net h

rvice Provi

net u

00 (

rtation

lwa

l: 8

ge: 175 km 1

662 km 1.000

hwa

: 30,

: 5,0

5,467 km (

erw

by shallow-draft n

and ha

onakry,

ant m

000 GRT or over) 5

petroleum tanker 1

ed: Iraq 1

por

2003

with pave

3,047

to 3,0

,437 m: 3

with unpa

al:

to 2,4

o 1,5

4 m: 2 (

ary G

ry bra

e, Republican Guard,

, General Directorat

r - military age

mpulsory military serv

n - 2 yea

npower - av

-49: 2,108,9

er - fit for mi

-49: 1,064,9

enditures -

millio

nditures - pe

% (

onal Issu

- inter

g disparate rebel grou

te rebel groups, warlo

ierra Leone have creat

ms trafficking, ethni

in border areas; in 2

oundary commission to

own o

nternally disp

origin): 133,175 (Lib

,064 (Cot

order incursions from

Ivoire)

ast updated on

=======================

nea-

tion Gui

kgr

from Portugal in 19

le upheaval. The found

tem and command econo

VIEIRA as president

y system was implemen

980s and early 1990s f

ed president in the

coup attempt and civil

er in 1999. In Febr

power when opposition

ounds of transparent p

loodless coup in Septe

resident. Guinea-Bissa

licated by its cripple

civi

hy Guin

ati

ing the North Atlantic

hic coo

N, 1

efere

36,12

8,120

28,000

compa

three times the s

4 km border countries: Gui

line:

orial sea: 12 nm exclus

hot and humid; monso

h southwesterly winds;

theasterly ha

al plain rising

ion ex

nt: Atlant

ed location in the n

try

l reso

es, bauxite, unexploit

0.67% permanent crops: 8

ated

km (199

al ha

ttan haze may reduce

; brus

nt - curr

il erosion; overg

internationa

, Climate Change, Dese

w of the Se

ified: none of the

aphy

swampy along its weste

her

Guine

ula

3 (July

stru

% (male 288,760;

4% (male 367,728

9% (male 17,570; fema

ian

: 18.

18.3

.5 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

gratio

)/1,000 populat

1.03 mal

ears: 1 ma

s: 0.92 ma

over: 0.75

: 0.94 male(s)/f

mortali

2 deaths/1,0

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,00

ectancy

ulation:

45.0

.92 years

ertilit

born/woman

adult preva

2003

ople living w

(2001

DS - d

(200

fectious

laria, yellow fev

e of risk: ve

onal

Guin

ive: G

ic g

30%, Fula 20%, Manj

opean and mula

igi

fs 50%, Muslim 4

gua

cial), Crioulo,

era

15 and over ca

opulati

27.4% (2

nt Guine

try

g form: Republic

short form:

t form: Gu

m: Republica d

Portugue

nment

ultiparty s

rative d

ingular - regiao); Ba

Oio, Quinara, Tombali;

med Bolam

pend

nilaterally declared

4 (recognized

nal h

Day, 24 Sep

titu

May 1991, 4 December

1993, a

l sy

fra

of age;

tive

sident Henrique ROS

- a September 2003 cou

LA; General Verissimo

nt from 14 to 2

lected by popular vote

November 1999 and 16 J

minister appointed

h party leaders

up led to the dissol

YALA in September 20

as interim president

n 28 September 2003 wi

aker go

ba YALA elected presi

YALA (PRS) 72%, Malan

ine

ime Minister Carlos GO

ative

People's Assembly or

mbers are elected by p

; note - President YAL

ovember 2002, election

in February 2003 but

September, and were l

arch

28 March 2004 (next

ent of vote by party -

APU 1.3%, 13 other pa

5, PRS 35, PUSD

ial b

remo Tribunal da Jus

ointed by the presid

t of appeals in crim

n each of nine regions

isions; hear all felon

00); 24 Sectoral Co

wyers; they hear civil

or crimin

parties an

Independence of Guinea

ES Junior]; Front fo

a or FLING [Francois

vement or RGB-MB [Hel

tonieta Rosa GOMES]; I

or LIPE [Alhaje Buba

ocracy and Progress or

rty for Democratic Con

ovation Party or PRS

ANDINGA, president, D

tform or UP [coaliti

United Social Demo

sco Jos

essure group

organization

ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-

RM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IF

TU, NAM, OIC, OPCW (s

ADB (regional), WAEMU

epresentatio

assador (vacant); Cha

no DA

reet NW, Suite 519,

] (202)

: [1] (20

epresentatio

ed operations on 14 Ju

en forces loyal to the

S embassy Dakar is re

one - [221] 823-4296;

descr

l bands of yellow (

he hoist side; there i

ed band; uses the popu

Eth

Guinea

y - ov

countries in the world

nd fishing. Cashew

years, and the coun

nea-Bissau exports fis

uts, palm kernels, an

food. However, intermi

rnment troops and a mi

infrastructure and cau

the civil war led to

covery in 1999-2002.

alization were the mos

djustment program unde

y policy and the deve

to reinvigorate the ec

t of petroleum, phosp

r-term prospect. Howev

vide much-needed reven

istribution is one of

and international dono

omic development from

indecision, however

03 and dim pros

parity - $1.063 b

eal gro

2003

per

er parity - $8

agriculture: 62% industry:

below pov

by percentage share: lowest 10

ate (consum

2002

r fo

000

ce - by o

re 82% (2

oyment

(19

nues

including capital

ture -

ssava (tapioca), cash

cotton; t

ust

ucts processing,

production

(1997

ity - pr

ion kWh

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

ay (200

consum

l/day (2

- ex

(20

- im

(20

n f.o.b. (

- comm

p, peanuts, palm k

s - pa

geria 12.1%, It

on f.o.b.

- comm

and transport equipm

s - pa

14.6%, Portugal 14.6%

4.9%

- ext

illion (

aid - r

million

ren

Africaine franc (XOF

al Bank of the West Af

issau peso (

ency

nge r

Africaine francs (XOF)

), 733.039 (2001), 71

, Guinea-Bissau adopte

ce 1 January 1999, the

te of 655.957 XO

al y

ndar

tions Gui

- main li

00 (

s - mobil

0 (2

hone

sessment:

of microwave radio r

, and cellular

al: country

oadcast

ut of service), FM

00 (

broadcast

(19

visi

t count

net h

rvice Provi

net u

00 (

ation Gui

km paved: 453 km unpave

erw

navigable for some di

-water access to mu

and ha

uba, Cach

ant m

por

2003

with pave

3,047

to 2,4

523 m: 1

with unpa

al:

to 2,4

o 1,5

m: 20 (2

y Guine

ry bra

Armed Force (FARP; in

, paramili

r - military age

r compulsory milit

npower - av

-49: 326,864

er - fit for mi

-49: 185,801

enditures -

illion

nditures - pe

% (

al Issues G

- inter

gees and cross-border

lity from a separatis

ance

ast updated on

=======================

uction

kgr

lony in the 17th cent

ssion. The abolition o

eas and the importatio

sugar plantations. Th

led to turbulent pol

UK in 1966, but until

list-oriented governm

sident, in what is co

ection since independe

ucceeded by his wife

alth. Her successor

ted in

aphy

ati

, bordering the North

e and V

hic coo

N, 59

efere

h Am

214,9

18,12

196,85

compa

smaller t

border countries: Brazil 1,119 km

stl

ime c

rial se

economic z

0 nm or to the outer

moderated by northeast

d-August, mid-Nove

ands; low coastal pl

ion ex

nt: Atlant

t: Mount Ror

l reso

monds, hardwood ti

.44% permanent crops: 0.

ated

q km (1

al ha

constant threat d

nt - curr

m sewage and agricu

s; defor

internationa

ty, Climate Change,

ion, Endangered Specie

r Protection, Ship Pol

pical T

ified: none of the

aphy

ountry in South Amer

ortions of its western

enezuela and Sur

le G

ula

his country explicitl

tality due to AIDS; t

er infant mortality a

rates, and changes i

sex than would other

4 e

stru

5% (male 95,431

3% (male 243,224

1% (male 16,000; fema

ian

: 26.

25.6

.8 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

)/1,000 populat

1.05 mal

ars: 1.04 m

s: 1.02 ma

over: 0.79

: 1.01 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

60.1

.84 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(2003

ople living w

(2003

DS - d

(200

onal

se (singular

ive: G

ic g

ck 36%, Amerindian 7

igi

Hindu 35%, Musl

gua

ian dialects, Cr

era

5 and over has ev

opulati

98.5% (2

nment

try

form: Co-operative

al short f

Britis

nment

ithin the

rge

rative d

ini, Cuyuni-Mazaruni,

equibo Islands-West De

taro-Siparuni, Upper

Upper E

pend

1966 (f

nal h

ay, 23 Feb

titu

tobe

l sy

n law with certain adm

epted compulsory

fra

of age;

tive

dent Bharrat JAGDEO (

ncy after resignation

ime Minister Samuel HI

Ministers appointe

e to the l

lected by the majority

gislative elections,

; elections last held

); prime minister app

sident Bharrat JAGDEO

tive vo

ative

sembly (68 seats, 65 e

he National Assembly,

esident; members se

9 March 2001 (next to

cent of vote by party

7, GAP and WPA

ial b

cature; Judicial Cour

parties an

AFG (includes Guyana

iance or WPA) [Ruper

aul HARDY]; Guyana Lab

l Congress or PNC/R [

ressive Party/Civic or

build or ROAR [Ravi DE

Working People's Al

NARA

essure group

Committee or CLAC; Gu

GCIO; Trades Unio

he CLAC are small an

ani

organization

FAO, G-77, IADB, IBR

, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, I

S, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OIC

IDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WF

epresentatio

on: Ambassador

acy Place NW, Was

s) general

] (202)

: [1] (20

epresentatio

on: Ambassador

and Duke Streets, K

s: P. O. Box 1

592] 225-490

592] 2

descr

osceles triangle (ba

, yellow arrowhead; th

ed and yellow, and a

e yellow a

omy

y - ov

xhibited moderate econ

the agricultural and

for business initiati

low inflation, and t

ations. Growth then s

hortage of skilled l

vernment is juggling a

d for expanded public

enefit in the near ter

privat

parity - $2.797 b

eal gro

(2003

per

er parity - $4

griculture: 37.2% industry: 22

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

(2003

r fo

0 (200

ce - by o

A, industry N

oyment

derstate

: $263.4

million, including ca

millio

wheat, vegetable oils; beef, pork,

ust

e milling, timber,

production

(1997

ity - pr

lion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

ay (200

consum

bl/day (

- ex

(20

- im

(20

account

millio

on f.o.b.

- comm

alumina, rice, shrimp

s - pa

8%, UK 13.5%, Portug

a 6.1%

on f.o.b.

- comm

machinery, p

s - pa

d Tobago 19.2%, Italy

% (

foreign exch

illion

- ext

illion

aid - r

avily Indebted Poor Co

on (1997)

ren

e dolla

ency

nge r

S dollar - NA (2003),

43 (2000), 1

al y

ndar

cations

- main li

00 (

s - mobil

00 (

hone

fair system for lo

e radio relay netw

code - 592; troposphe

tation - 1 Intels

oadcast

, shortwav

000

public station; two private stations w

visi

00 (

t count

net h

rvice Provi

net u

000

rtation

lwa

l: 1

ge: 139 km 1

ted to ore trans

e: 48 km 0.

hwa

: 7,9

d: 5

7,380 km

erw

ara, and Essequibo r

150 km, 100 km, and 8

and ha

own, Linden, New

ant m

000 GRT or over) 7

ed: Barbado

other countrie

container 1, ref

por

2003

with pave

to 2,4

4 m: 5 (

al: 41 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,

ary G

ry bra

Ground Forces, Coast G

e's M

npower - av

-49: 209,545

er - fit for mi

-49: 157,264

enditures -

illion

nditures - pe

% (

onal Issu

- inter

t of the Essequibo

ny discussion of a mar

ention to join Barbad

inidad and Tobago's m

their waters; Surinam

nd Kutari/Koetari rive

of the Courantyne;

the long-standing dis

torial sea boundary i

cit

or narcotics from Sou

ope and the US; pr

ast updated on

=======================

uction

kgr

merindians - who in

as discovered by Col

by Spanish settlers

e French established a

ded to the French the

e French colony, b

ries, became one of

rough the heavy import

ironmental degradati

y half million slaves

a prolonged struggle,

s independence in 1804

for most of its hist

the Western

aphy

ati

e-third of the island

nd the North Atlant

can Re

hic coo

N, 7

efere

rica and th

27,75

27,560

: 190

compa

maller tha

360 km border countries:

ine: 1

ental shelf: to depth of exploitation contiguo

here mountains in ea

ugh and m

ion ex

nt: Caribb

: Chaine de l

l reso

cium carbonate, gold

8.3% permanent crops: 11

ated

km (199

al ha

f the hurricane belt

ctober; occasional fl

dic d

nt - curr

on (much of the remai

riculture and used a

upplies of p

internationa

, Climate Change, Dese

rine Life Conservation,

t ratified: Ha

aphy

paniola with Dominic

astern two-thirds is

le H

ula

56,

his country explicitl

tality due to AIDS; t

er infant mortality a

rates, and changes i

sex than would other

4 e

stru

(male 1,646,216;

% (male 2,018,914

% (male 133,241; femal

ian

: 18.

17.6

.7 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

gratio

)/1,000 popula

1.05 mal

ars: 1.04 m

s: 0.95 ma

over: 0.89

: 0.99 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

50.5

.12 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(2003

ople living w

0 (200

DS - d

(2003

n: Haitian(s) ad

ic g

mulatto a

igi

rotestant 16% (Baptis

her 1%), none 1%

f of the populati

gua

cial), Creol

era

15 and over ca

opulati

51.2% (2

nment

try

long form: Re

al short f

hort fo

form: Repub

nment

d gove

-au-

rative d

ements, singular - de

ord, Nord-Est, Nord-Ou

pend

1804 (fr

nal h

e Day, 1 Ja

titu

; suspended June 19

; in October 1991 gov

tution; returned to

ber

l sy

aw system; accepts com

fra

of age;

tive

rim President Bonifa

uary

RISTIDE resigned as p

hief of the Supreme C

ded Ar

terim Prime Minister G

by extraconstitution

ross-section of politi

n by the prime ministe

pres

-Bertrand ARISTIDE ele

an-Bertrand

lected by popular vote

November 2000 (next

appointed by the pre

nal A

ative

embly or Assemblee Nat

ers elected by popular

cted every two years

embers are elected by

- the National Assemb

the terms of all Depu

red; no replacements

is currently

te - percent of vote b

dent 1; Chamber of Dep

by party - FL 73, MO

minor parties an

ast held for two-thir

y boycotted by the op

on for remaining one-t

in 2004); Chamber of D

on 30 July boycotted

vember 2000 (next to be

ial b

rt or Cour

parties an

eration and Advancem

sembly of Progressive

]; Convention for De

Democratic Convergenc

KOM, OPL, PANPRA, RND

ENOIT, Edgard LEBLANC

Luc MESADIEU]; Democr

r MODELH [Francois LA

(composed of MDN, MR

Osner FEVRY and Marie

Party or PDCH [Osner

ratic Party or PADEMH

Movement or MODEREH [D

Together [Dr. Gerard B

TIDE]; Liberal Party o

for National Develop

for National Reconst

the Installation of De

Front for the Reconst

er ETIENNE]; National

b DELPE]; New Christi

MESADIEU]; Popular Pa

2000 [Claude ROMAIN

s Organization or

essure group

ions of Haitian Work

n of Haitian Workers

ns or FOS; Group o

4 [Andy APAID]; Natio

Movement or MPP [Chav

Gathering Power or PRO

organization

FAO, G-77, IADB, I

, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IL

IGA, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW

UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WH

epresentatio

ge d'Affaires Raymond

chusetts Avenue NW,

Boston, Chicago, Miami

rto

] (202)

: [1] (20

epresentatio

on: Ambassador

S Truman Boulevar

: P. O. Box 176

22-0354, 222-0269,

3-1641 or 222

descr

bands of blue (top) a

g the coat of arms, wh

two cannons above a s

A FORCE (Union

omy

y - ov

try in the Western H

abject poverty. Two-

ulture sector, whic

e farming. Following l

th irregularities, i

EU - suspended almost

imated 1.2% in 2001 a

nd loan disbursements

of 2003. Haiti also

investment, and a sev

s from all donors will

conomic problems. Ext

the flight of Presid

rished

parity - $12.3 bi

eal gro

2003

per

er parity - $1

agriculture: 30% industry:

below pov

2003

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

(200

: shortage of skilled labor,

ce - by o

%, industry 9%

oyment

nt and underemploymen

do not have forma

: $231.6

illion, including capi

ture -

sugarcane, rice,

ust

milling, textiles, c

based on im

production

ity - pr

lion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

ay (200

consum

bl/day (

- ex

(20

- im

(20

account

illion

on f.o.b.

- comm

s, coffee,

s - pa

an Republic 6.5%,

ion f.o.b.

- comm

ds, machinery and tran

mate

s - pa

n Republic 5.9%, C

foreign exch

llion

- ext

illion

aid - r

illion

ren

de (

ency

nge r

r - 40.5 (2003), 29.

707 (2000),

al y

r - 30 S

icatio

- main li

000

s - mobil

000

hone

: domestic facilit

facilities s

le and microwave radi

ry code - 509; satel

(Atlant

oadcast

26, shortw

000

broadcast

able TV ser

visi

00 (

t count

net h

rvice Provi

net u

00 (

ortati

km paved: 1,011 km unpa

and ha

s, Jacmel, Jeremie,

e, Port-de-Pa

ant m

por

2003

with pave

to 3,0

523 m: 3

with unpa

o 1,5

4 m: 5 (

tary

ry bra

ational P

itian Army, Navy, an

l exist on paper unt

tionally

ligation: 18 years of age for voluntary

npower - av

-49: 1,792,1

er - fit for mi

-49: 975,341

- reaching milit

7,429 (2

enditures -

millio

nditures - pe

% (

ional Is

- inter

ontrol illegal migra

civil unrest continue

l to neighboring co

tered Nava

cit

hipment point for coca

ial money-laundering

ers favor Haiti fo

s; pervasiv

ast updated on

=======================

nd and McDo

ard Island and

kgr

rren, sub-Antarctic i

ia in 1947. Populated

slands have been design

d Island and M

ati

n Ocean, about two-t

ar to An

hic coo

S, 7

efere

ctic

: 412

r: 0

412

compa

two times the siz

bound

stl

orial sea: 12 nm exclus

arc

-covered, bleak and mo

Ben) and an active v

lands - sma

ion ex

nt: Indian

Mawson Peak, on

l reso

: 0% permanent crops:

ated

m (199

al ha

active volcano,

nt - curr

Island and Mc

ninhabited (J

rd Island and

try

rm: Territory of Hea

form: Heard Island

ency s

lia; administered f

ivision of the Departm

Heri

l sy

tralia, where a

epresentatio

ritory of

epresentatio

ritory of

descr

of Austra

Island and M

y - ov

ic activity, but the

fishing aroun

eard Island and

country

eard Island and

s: none; offshor

Island and Mc

ary -

nsibility of Austral

ries

es Heard Island an

internati

ast updated on

=======================

e (Vatic

Holy See (V

kgr

role ruled portions o

nd years until the mid

were seized by the n

pe's holdings were fur

ed. Disputes between

resolved in 1929 by t

independent state of V

cial status in Italy.

and Italy modified

luding the primacy of

n. Present concerns o

nternational develop

health of Pope JOHN P

ation, and the applica

nge and globalization.

ofess the Ca

oly See (Va

ati

e, an enclave

hic coo

N, 1

efere

: 0.4

r: 0

0.44

compa

e size of The Mall

al: 3.2 km border co

stl

(land

ime c

(land

winters (September to

(May to

ion ex

t: unnamed

t: unnamed l

l reso

permanent crops: 0% othe

ated

m (199

al ha

nt - curr

internationa

e of the sele

ed: Air Pollution, Env

aphy

lave in Rome, Italy; w

ty, 13 buildings in Ro

residence) enjoy ex

y See (Vat

ula

uly 20

ion gro

(200

adult preva

ople living w

DS - d

onal

tive:

ic g

s, Swis

igi

n Ca

gua

French, variou

NA total population: 1

Holy See (V

try

m: The Holy See (Stat

rt form: Holy Se

: Santa Sede (Ci

ta Sede (Stato della

nment

esia

can

rative d

pend

m Italy); note - the

ary 1929 acknowledged,

he Vatican and establ

origin of the Papal S

iderably in extent, ma

nal h

Pope JOHN PAUL II,

titu

omulgated by Pope John

ruary 2001 (replaces t

l sy

f Canon Law and

fra

dinals less th

tive

e JOHN PAUL II (sin

cretary of State Cardi

ember

al Commission app

ted for life by the

October 1978 (next to

; secretary of state

ts: Karol WOJT

ative

Pontifica

ial b

unals responsible fo

n City; three other t

ng to th

were established by th

n 1 M

parties an

essure group

influence exercised

organization

ICFTU, IOM (observer)

E, UN (observer), UNC

rver), WTr

Archbishop Gabriel MONTALVO telephone: [1] (202) 333-7121 FAX: [1] (20

assy: Villa Domiziana, Via delle Terme Deciane 26, 00153 Rome mailing address: P

descr

f yellow (hoist side

Peter and the papal

ly See (Va

y - ov

rcial economy is supp

rom Roman Catholic di

pecial collections (kn

tamps, coins, medals,

o museums; and the s

estate income also

e incomes and living s

of counterparts who wo

below pov

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

r fo

ce - by o

with a small amount

, nuns, guards, and

e the

: $245.2

illion, including capi

ust

of coins, medals, p

nd staff uniforms;

ial ac

ity - pr

ity - co

city -

electricity s

aid - r

ren

o (

ency

nge r

0.886 (2003),1.1324

000), 0.9

al y

ndar

ns Holy See

- main li

s - mobil

hone

ssment: auto

ied into It

untry code - 39;

oadcast

, shortwav

broadcast

visi

t count

net h

rvice Provi

net u

on Holy See

hwa

ll city

and ha

por

(2003

oly See (V

ry bra

ps (Corpo della

ary -

nsibility of Italy;

o the Vatican City to

ct th

Issues Holy Se

internati

ast updated on

=======================

ndu

ction H

kgr

empire in the New Wor

1821. After two and on

y elected civilian gov

, Honduras proved a ha

Marxist Nicaraguan Go

forces fighting agai

ated by Hurricane Mitc

d caused approximatel

phy Ho

ati

ring the Caribbean Sea

g the Gulf of Fonseca

Salvador an

hic coo

N, 8

efere

rica and th

112,0

111,89

: 200

compa

arger than

bound

: 1,5

temala 256 km, El Sal

stl

shelf: natural extension of territory or to 200 nm c

lowlands, tempe

in interior, narr

ion ex

nt: Caribb

t: Cerro Las

l reso

copper, lead, zinc, ir

hydr

.55% permanent crops: 3.

ated

km (199

al ha

y mild, earthquakes; e

s and floods along

nt - curr

ding; deforestation re

for agricultural pu

erosion hastened by u

practices such as farm

luting Lago de Yojoa

, as well as several r

y me

internationa

ty, Climate Change,

ion, Endangered Specie

ping, Ozone Layer Prot

83, Tropical Tim

ified: none of the

aphy

ific coast but a lon

ally uninhabited ea

e Hon

ula

23,

his country explicitl

tality due to AIDS; t

er infant mortality a

rates, and changes i

sex than would other

4 e

stru

(male 1,434,555;

% (male 1,866,219

% (male 118,404; femal

ian

: 19

18.6

.4 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

)/1,000 populat

1.05 mal

ars: 1.04 m

s: 0.98 ma

over: 0.9 m

n: 1 male(s)/fe

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

64.9

.37 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(2003

ople living w

(2003

DS - d

(200

onal

Hond

ive: H

ic g

dian and European) 90

whit

igi

c 97%, Protes

gua

Amerindia

era

15 and over ca

opulati

76.3% (2

ment H

try

ong form: Repu

l short for

ort form

orm: Republi

nment

constitutio

uci

rative d

amentos, singular - de

ayagua, Copan, Cortes

ios, Intibuca, Islas

e, Olancho, Santa

pend

er 1821 (f

nal h

Day, 15 Sep

titu

ffective 20 Januar

l sy

anish civil law with i

recent judicial refo

s in favor of the ora

risdiction, wi

fra

ge; universal

tive

ent Ricardo (Joest) MA

esident Vicente WILL

Vice President Armida

nuary 2002); Third Vic

2002); note - the pre

nd head of

President Ricardo (J

ice President Vicente

ond Vice President Ar

ce 27 January 2002);

ce 27 January 2002); n

of state and he

net appointed

lected by popular vote

November 2001 (next

ardo (Joest) MADURO (

NEDA Ponce (PL) 4

ative

Congress or Congreso

roportionally to the

candidate receives to

5 November 2001 (next

ent of vote by party -

, PUD 5, PDC

ial b

ice or Corte Suprema

year terms by the

parties an

Party or PDC [Juan Ra

Party or PUD [Matias

TTI Bain]; National

ic Party or PINU-SD [

uras or PN [Jose Celin

of Honduran

essure group

ense of Human Rights

ran Workers or CTH; Co

or CCOP; General Worke

Private Enterprise

ran Campesinos or AN

ular Bloc or BP; Unite

rs or

organization

, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IB

IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,

S, LAIA (observer), MI

y), PCA, RG, UN, UNCTA

HO, WIPO, WM

on, Detroit, Jacksonville consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Phoenix, San Fra

bassy: Avenida La Paz, Apartado Postal No. 3453, Tegucigalpa mailing address: American E

descr

l bands of blue (top)

d stars arranged in an

stars represent the

Central America - Co

and Nicaragua; simi

ures a round emblem

OR EN LA AMERICA CENTR

o the flag of Nicara

the word REPUBLICA D

the bottom, centere

my Ho

y - ov

poorest countries in

y unequal distribution

ing on expanded trade

sin Initiative and on

Countries (HIPC) initi

croeconomic targets, i

ize its energy and tel

nt on the status of th

ommodity prices, part

f the high

parity - $17.55 b

eal gro

2003

per

er parity - $2

griculture: 12.8% industry: 31

nt (gros

f GDP

below pov

1993

by percentage share: lowest 10

f family incom

3 (

ate (consum

(2003

r fo

lion (20

ce - by o

ndustry 21%, servi

oyment

(200

: $1.342

illion, including capi

ion

ic d

of GDP

ture -

, citrus; beef;

ust

extiles, clothin

production

(2003

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

lion kW

prod

ay (200

consum

bl/day (

- ex

(20

- im

(20

account

millio

ion f.o.b.

- comm

rimp, lobster, meat

s - pa

vador 3.5%, Guat

ion f.o.b.

- comm

ort equipment, indus

cts, fuels, fo

s - pa

alvador 4.5%,

foreign exch

billion

- ext

billion

aid - r

million

ren

ira

ency

nge r

r - 17.3453 (2003), 1

392 (2000),

al y

ndar

cations

- main li

500

s - mobil

500

hone

ssment: inad

stic

y code - 504; satelli

an); connected to Cent

oadcast

53, shortwa

illion

broadcast

17 repeat

visi

000

t count

net h

4 (2

rvice Provi

net u

600

rtation

w gauge: 279 km 1.067-m gauge

km paved: 2,775 km unpav

erw

igable only by s

and ha

lla, Puerto Cortes, Sa

ant m

000 GRT or over) 598

ther countries:

ina 1, Bahrain 1, Bri

ands 1, China 4, Costa

ece 16, Hong Kong 3,

dan 1, South Korea 9,

Islands 3, Mexico 1,

1, Saint Kitts and Nev

i Arabia 1, Singapore

, Turkey 2, Turks and

Vanuatu 1,

o 139, chemical tanker

d gas 1, livestock ca

roleum tanker 54, refr

4, short-sea

por

2003

2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 9

al: 104 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1

ary H

ry bra

uding Naval Infa

r - military age

voluntary 2-3 year m

npower - av

-49: 1,642,0

er - fit for mi

-49: 977,130

- reaching milit

6,143 (2

enditures -

millio

nditures - pe

% (

onal Issu

- inter

n the delimitation o

Salvador-Honduras bo

ical resolution of bol

's request to revise

ruling advised a tri

the Gulf of Fonseca

Pacific; El Salvador

tioned by the ICJ, off

ms Sapodilla Cays off

f a joint ecological

bbean in the failed

a filed a claim again

01 at the ICJ over a c

Carib

cit

or drugs and narcotic

n small plots and used

on is a major problem

ast updated on

=======================

ction H

kgr

1841, Hong Kong was

rious adjacent lands w

to an agreement signe

Hong Kong became t

n (SAR) of China on

promised that, under

na's socialist econom

nd that Hong Kong will

s except foreign and d

phy Ho

ati

dering the South

hic coo

N, 1

efere

heas

1,092

: 50

1,04

compa

e size of Wa

tal: 30 km regional

stl

ime c

rial se

ol and humid in wint

summer, warm an

s with steep slopes

ion ex

t: South Ch

int: Tai M

l reso

deepwater ha

.05% other: 93.94% (2001

ated

km (19

al ha

onal t

nt - curr

ollution from r

internationa

ne Dumping (as

aphy

an 200

e Hon

ula

5 (July

stru

% (male 510,702;

% (male 2,461,914

5% (male 394,697; fema

ian

: 39.

39.3

.6 years (

ion gro

(200

,000 populati

gratio

)/1,000 popula

1.09 mal

ars: 1.1 ma

s: 0.96 ma

over: 0.85

: 0.97 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,000

ths/1,000 live b

deaths/1,00

ectancy

ulation:

78.7

.3 years (

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(2003

ople living w

(200

DS - d

n 200 (2

onal

inese/Ho

: Chinese

ic g

95%, o

igi

f local religions

gua

ese), English;

era

5 and over has ev

opulati

: 89.6

ment H

try

m: Hong Kong Special

l short for

rt form:

m: Xianggang T

viati

ency s

nistrative r

nment

ed de

rative d

dministrative r

pend

dministrative r

nal h

ary of the Founding of

(1949); note - 1 July

dministrative Regio

titu

n March 1990 by Chin

ng Kong's "min

l sy

English c

fra

rs of age; universal f

ory of Hong Kong for

ited to about 200,000

800-member election co

nicipal organizations,

tive

ent of China HU Jintao

ef Executive TUNG Chee-

uncil consists of sev

rs; including Chief S

2001), Financial Secre

retary of Justice Els

wa was elected to a se

ion committee dominate

n is scheduled t

ative

Council or LEGCO (60

y functional constit

members serve

2 September 2004 (next

cent of vote by party

(pro-Beijing 34) DAB

U 1; (pro-democracy

CTU 2, ADPL 1, Fro

ial b

in the Hong Kong Speci

parties an

ocracy and People's

kee, chairman]; Citi

Alliance for the Bett

; Democratic Party [LE

y LAU Wai-hing, chai

N Pei-chun

s include: pro-democ

Livelihood, Democrati

ic Alliance for the Be

essive Alliance

essure group

amber of Commerce

ation of Hong Kong; C

) [LAU Chin-shek, pre

deration of Hong Kong

hina) [CHENG Yiu-tong,

Support of the Patriot

chairman]; Hong Kong

Hong Kong General Ch

hers' Union [CHEUNG Ma

rnard CHAN,

, ICFTU, IHO, IMF, IMO (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC,

n the US: none (special adm

s KEITH consulate(s) general: 26 Garden Road, Hong Kong mailing address: PSC

stylized, white, five-petal

my Ho

y - ov

ee market economy

atural resources are l

mported. Imports an

d GDP in dollar value

ministration on 1 July

ties with China. Hong

y with China because C

has increased competi

ies, and Hong Kong's r

r of growth. Per capit

g economies of Weste

in 1989-1997, but H

6 years because of th

al downturn of 2001-

(SARS) outbreak als

tourism from the main

ictions, a return of c

s resulted in the resu

ate

parity - $213 b

eal gro

(2003

per

r parity - $28,

griculture: 0.1% industry: 12.

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

(200

r fo

lion (2

ce - by o

nstruction 2.9%, whole

s 43.5%, financing, in

communications 7.8%

above data exclude pub

oyment

% (

: $26.17

illion, including capi

ion

ture -

bles, poultr

ust

tourism, banking, sh

toys, watc

production

(200

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

llion kW

city -

llion kW

prod

ay (200

consum

bl/day (2

- ex

(20

- im

(20

gas - pr

(2001

gas - co

ion cu m (

gas -

(2001

gas -

ion cu m (

account

billion

.b., including ree

- comm

and appliances, texti

s, toys, plastics

s - pa

US 18.7%, Jap

illion (

- comm

y and appliances, t

raw materials, semima

large share

s - pa

9%, Taiwan 6.9%, US 5.

4.8%

foreign exch

billion

- ext

illion (

ren

ng doll

ency

nge r

US dollar - 7.7868 (

7.7912 (2000)

al y

l - 31

ations H

- main li

,300

s - mobil

,400

hone

odern facilities prov

rnationa

adio relay links and

y code - 852; satelli

cean and 2 Indian Oce

cess to 5 internatio

s to ASEAN member na

dle East, and

oadcast

, shortwav

illion

broadcast

visi

illion

t count

net h

993

rvice Provi

(20

net u

,800

tation H

km paved: 1,831 km un

and ha

g K

ant m

0 GRT or over) 20,478,

ther countries:

lia 2, Belgium 1, Bri

Denmark 3, France 2,

Japan 22, South Korea

Philippines 17, Sin

ted Kingdom 22,

r 1, bulk 364, cargo

mbination ore/oil 3, c

al large load carrier

roll on/roll off 4,

anker 2, vehi

por

003

with pave

3,047

to 2,4

4 m: 1 (

o 152

ipo

003

ry Hon

ry bra

s military forces; H

ation Army (PLA) inclu

y, and PLA Air Force;

of the Central Militar

ve control of the adja

r - military age

of age (2

npower - av

-49: 1,878,5

er - fit for mi

-49: 1,404,7

- reaching milit

1,821 (2

enditures -

n is funded by Ch

nditures - pe

(FY

ary -

he responsib

nal Issues

- inter

cit

enforcement efforts,

ing transit of heroin

kets; modern banking s

rising indigenous us

y among y

ast updated on

=======================

and I

ion Howla

kgr

early in the 19th c

the US in 1857. Both U

about 1890. Earhart Li

t coast that was part

since been rebuilt; it

lia EARHART. The islan

Interior as a Natio

y Howlan

ati

North Pacific Ocean,

and A

hic coo

N, 17

efere

: 1.6

r: 0

1.6

compa

the size of The Ma

bound

stl

orial sea: 12 nm exclus

rainfall, constant

l, sandy, coral island

f; depressed

ion ex

nt: Pacifi

nt: unnamed

l reso

d until late 1800s),

: 0% permanent crops:

ated

m (199

al ha

eef surrounding the i

nt - curr

fresh wat

aphy

red with grasses, p

all area of trees in t

d foraging habitat fo

rine w

Howland

ula

nha

ans evacuated in 1942

World War II; occupie

andoned after the wa

rom US Fish and Wild

o scientists and educa

ildlife Service

nt Howla

long form: none conventiona

ency s

ory of the US; admini

ildlife Service of th

f the National Wil

l sy

e US, where ap

descr

of the

Howlan

rview: no eco

ation How

and ha

rage only; note - th

ong the middle

por

in 1937 for scheduled

of Amelia EARHART and

owland Island, but wer

longer servicea

rtation

y beacon near the mid

troyed during World Wa

emory of famed avia

y Howla

ary -

ibility of the US; vis

al Issues H

internati

ast updated on

=======================

uction

kgr

he polyglot Austro-Hu

War I. The country fe

. In 1956, a revolt an

ere met with a massive

leadership of Janos K

ts economy, introduc

ld its first multipart

t economy. It joined N

aphy

ati

pe, northwes

hic coo

N, 2

efere

93,03

: 690

92,340

compa

smaller t

bound

: 2,1

tria 366 km, Croatia

151 km, Slovakia 677

ine

stl

(land

ime c

(land

cloudy, humid win

ng plains; hills and

kian

ion ex

nt: Tisza

oint: Kek

l reso

ural gas, fertile

0.09% other: 47.85% (200

d: 2,100 sq k

te management, energy efficiency, and air, soil, and water pollution with

internationa

tion, Air Pollution

Air Pollution-Volat

iversity, Climate Chan

ation, Endangered Sp

us Wastes, Law of the

ection, Ship Pol

ified: Air Pollutio

Air Pollut

aphy

location astride mai

kan Peninsula as well

he north-south flowing

e country into t

le H

ula

5 (July 2

stru

(male 826,032;

(male 3,407,931;

% (male 545,488; fema

ian

: 38.

35.9

.1 years (

ion gro

(2004

,000 populati

1,000 populat

gratio

)/1,000 popula

1.06 mal

ars: 1.06 m

s: 0.97 ma

over: 0.57

: 0.91 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,000

ths/1,000 live b

deaths/1,00

ectancy

ulation:

68.0

.69 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(2001

ople living w

(200

DS - d

n 100 (2

onal

Hungar

ive: H

ic g

a 4%, German 2.6%, S

nian

igi

Calvinist 20%, Luthera

gua

98.2%, o

era

15 and over ca

opulati

99.3% (2

ment H

try

ong form: Repu

al short f

form: Magya

t form: Ma

nment

entary

rative d

ingular - megye), 20 u

, and 1 capital

kun, Baranya, Bekes,

yor-Moson-Sopron,

, Komarom-Esztergom,

-Bereg, Tolna, V

escsaba, Debrecen, Du

posvar, Kecskemet, M

Sopron, Szeged, Sze

tabanya, Veszpr

l city:

pend

ation by Kin

nal h

hen's Day,

titu

ive 20 August 1949, re

n ensured legal righ

on the authority of

principle of parliame

eamlined the

l sy

based on W

fra

of age;

tive

Ferenc MADL (sin

inisters elected by t

ndation of

erenc MADL elected

(but by a simple majo

URCSANY elected prime

ve vote -

, the president mus

e first two rounds or

t elected by the Na

on last held 6 June 20

ster elected by the Na

resident; election last

Prime Minister Feren

mber

ative

ssembly or Orszaggyul

ar vote under a syst

tation to serve

and 21 April 2002 (ne

ent of vote by party (

ntary representation

P 46.11%, SzDSz 4.92%,

164, MSzP 178,

ial b

(judges are elected b

ne-yea

parties an

rats or SzDSz [Gabor K

MPP [Viktor ORBAN,

MDF [Ibolya DAVID];

NP [Erzsebet PUSZTAI

SzP [Istvan HILLER,

or MMP [Gyula T

essure group

organization

S, CE, CEI, CERN, E

U (new member), FAO, G

RM, IDA, IEA, IFC, I

O, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO,

ECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA,

, UNMIK, UNOMIG, UPU,

U, WHO, WIPO, W

I FAX: [1] (202) 966-8135 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York teleph

abadsag ter 12, H-1054 Budapest mailing address: pouch: American Embassy Budapest, 5270 Budapest Plac

qual horizontal bands of

my Hu

y - ov

transition from a c

a per capita income o

s. Hungary continues

joined the European

ts for over 80% of GD

garian firms are wide

ent totaling more than

bt was upgraded in 200

e Central European

d substantially, from

persisted around the

economic partner. Sh

public sector deficit

ity of the l

parity - $139.8 b

eal gro

(2003

per

r parity - $13,

griculture: 3.3% industry: 32.

nt (gros

f GDP

below pov

(1993

by percentage share: lowest 10

f family incom

4 (

ate (consum

(2003

r fo

millio

ce - by o

industry 27%, se

oyment

(2003

s: $35

illion, including capi

ic d

f GDP

ture -

r seed, potatoes, sug

, dairy

ust

construction materia

especially pharmaceut

production

(2003

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

llion kW

city -

llion kW

prod

bl/day (

consum

bl/day (2

- ex

bbl/day

- im

bbl/da

roved r

on bbl (1 J

gas - pr

ion cu m (

gas - co

ion cu m (

gas -

n cu m (

gas -

ion cu m (

s - proved

on cu m (1

account

billio

ion f.o.b.

- comm

ent 57.6%, other man

erials 1.9%, fuels and

s - pa

ia 8%, Italy 5.8%, F

ands 4.

ion f.o.b.

- comm

t 51.6%, other manufac

d products 2.9%, raw

s - pa

7.1%, China 6.9%, Aus

%, Japan 4

foreign exch

billion

- ext

illion (

aid - r

0 milli

ren

nt (

ency

nge r

r - 224.307 (2003),

179 (2000),

al y

ndar

cations

- main li

,400

s - mobil

,800

hone

e telephone system has

all requests for tel

is digitalized and hi

by fiber-optic cable

m for fiber-optic sub

vy use is made of mobi

y code - 36; Hungary

eighboring countries;

lite earth stations -

regions), 1 Inmarsat,

) system of gr

oadcast

57, shortw

illion

broadcast

low-power rep

visi

illion

t count

net h

071

rvice Provi

(20

net u

llion

rtation

lwa

: 7,9

e: 36 km 1

2 km 1.435-m gauge (

219 km 0.760

hwa

: 188

(including 438

106,523

erw

st on Danube

eli

990 km; refined pr

and ha

s, Gyor-Gonyu, Csepe

r over) 7,568 GRT/10,025 DWT by type: cargo

: 43 (20

,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 3

with unpa

al:

to 3,0

to 2,4

4 m: 9 (

1,523

ipo

003

ary H

ry bra

orces, A

18 years of age for voluntary military service;

npower - av

-49: 2,519,0

er - fit for mi

-49: 2,011,7

- reaching milit

4,426 (2

enditures -

llion (2

nditures - pe

(200

onal Issu

- inter

status law extendi

ethnic Hungarians in

law; Slovakia and

ys to resolve dif

droelectric dam on the

o the ICJ for

cit

r Southwest Asian hero

destined for Western

cals, particularly

proving, but remain

to organized crime

ast updated on

=======================

uction

kgr

and Celtic (Scottish

nd 10th centuries A.D

ioning legislative a

ndependent for over 3

Norway and Denmark.

astated the Iceland

ver the next quarter

igrated, mostly to Can

was granted in 1874 a

racy, longevity, incom

ate by worl

aphy

ati

nd between the Greenl

ean, northw

hic coo

N, 1

efere

ic R

103,0

2,750

100,25

compa

maller tha

bound

stl

ime c

rial se

nm or to the edge of

economic z

d by North Atlantic

damp, coo

persed with mountain

nted by bay

ion ex

nt: Atlant

dalshnukur 2,119 m (a

l reso

r, geothermal p

0.07% permanent crops:

ated

al ha

and volcan

nt - curr

fertilizer runoff;

atm

internationa

ion, Biodiversity, C

ol, Desertification

to Protocol, Law of t

, Ship Pollution, Tran

ified: Air Pollutio

ntal Modification, Ma

aphy

etween Greenland and

javik is the northernm

overed by glaciers tha

le I

ula

(July 20

stru

5% (male 33,522

.8% (male 98,09

.7% (male 15,552; fem

ian

: 33.

33.3

.3 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

)/1,000 popula

1.04 mal

ars: 1.03 m

s: 1.03 ma

over: 0.83

n: 1 male(s)/fe

mortali

deaths/1,000

ths/1,000 live b

deaths/1,00

ectancy

ulation:

78.1

.27 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(2001

ople living w

2001

DS - d

n 100 (2

onal

Icelan

ive: I

ic g

of descendants of

of foreig

igi

87.1%, other Protesta

ther 7.

gua

Nordic languages,

era

15 and over ca

ation: 99.9

ale

ment I

try

ong form: Repu

al short f

ort form

form: Lydhv

nment

utional

kja

rative d

, Hofudhborgarsvaedhi

dhurland, Sudhurnes, V

pend

e a sovereign state un

944 (from

nal h

ce Day, 17

titu

, effective

l sy

d on Danish law; has

urisd

fra

of age;

tive

dent Olafur Ragnar GR

rime Minister Halldor

- Former Prime Ministe

er Foreign Minister

inted by the prime mi

lia

which is largely a cer

r-year term; election

e 2008); prime minis

sid

fur Ragnar GRIMSSON w

TSSON 12.5%, Astt

ative

or Althing (63 seats;

to serve fo

10 May 2003 (next t

cent of vote by party

tic Alliance 31.0%, P

8.8%, Liberal Party

, Social Democratic A

reen Alliance 5,

ial b

tirettur (justices ar

ice); eight district

ife by the Mini

parties an

IP [David ODDSSON];

IGFUSSON]; Liberal

sive Party or PP [Hall

(includes People's A

P, Women's List) or SD

essure group

organization

CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD,

, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC

O, ITU, MIGA, NATO, NC

UNESCO, UPU, WCO, WEU

epresentatio

on: Ambassador

s) general

] (202)

: [1] (20

1156 15th Street NW, W

epresentatio

n: Ambassador J

fasvegur 21,

mbassy, PSC 1003, Box

e: [354]

354] 5

descr

outlined in white ex

l part of the cross i

e of the Dannebr

my Ic

y - ov

-type economy is basic

lfare system (includ

loyment, and remarkab

ce of other natural

power), the economy

h provides 70% of expo

. The economy remains

to fluctuations in wo

sh products, aluminu

clude reducing the bud

eign borrowing, contai

ing policies, diversi

d industries. The gove

marily because of Ice

eir fishing resources.

manufacturing and ser

w developments in s

ancial services are ta

ng, with the recent tr

h had been remarkably

be sustained in 200

th resumed in 2003, an

parity - $8.678 b

eal gro

(2003

per

r parity - $30,

ure: 9.2% (includes fishing 12%) indu

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

(2003

r fo

000

ce - by o

ing and fish processin

ion 10.7%, servi

oyment

(2003

: $4.205

illion, including capi

ion

ic d

of GDP

ture -

getables, mutton,

ust

minum smelting, ferr

al power

production

(2003

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

ay (200

consum

bl/day (

- ex

/day

- im

bbl/day

account

millio

ion f.o.b.

- comm

s 70%, animal product

osil

s - pa

4%, Netherlands 11.2%

orway 4.5%, F

llion (2

- comm

nt, petroleum product

s - pa

rk 8%, US 7.5%, UK 7

ands 6.2%, It

foreign exch

million

- ext

illion

c aid -

ren

ic kron

ency

nge r

US dollar - 76.709 (2

78.6159 (2000)

al y

ndar

cations

- main li

700

s - mobil

100

hone

ent: extensive

etwork consists of co

icrowave rad

y code - 354; satelli

ean), 1 Inmarsat (Atl

nd shares the Inmarsat

es (Denmark, Finland

oadcast

including repeaters

000

broadcast

low-power rep

visi

00 (

t count

net h

175

rvice Provi

(20

net u

000

rtation

hwa

: 12,

ed gravel

9,092 k

and ha

dhur, Isafjordhur,

fjordhur, Straumsv

ant m

000 GRT or over) 4

ther countries:

petroleum

por

2003

with pave

3,047

to 2,4

523 m: 1

with unpa

al:

to 2,4

1,523

m: 61 (2

ary I

ry bra

ed forces; Pol

npower - av

5-49: 75,56

er - fit for mi

5-49: 66,50

enditures -

ary -

the US-manned Iceland

tered at

onal Issu

- inter

helf dispute involvin

e UK have signed a bou

dormant; dispute with

ian line boundary with

Ireland over the Faro

ndary out

ast updated on

=======================

uction

kgr

ilization, one of th

,000 years. Aryan tri

.; their merger with t

Indian culture. Arab

urkish in the 12th we

the late 15th centur

litical control of vir

the British army play

nt resistance to Bri

awaharlal NEHRU led t

ivided into the secula

of Pakistan. A thir

ulted in East Pakista

Fundamental concerns

akistan over Kashmir,

ation, extensive pov

this despite impress

ent and

aphy

ati

ing the Arabian Sea a

Burma an

hic coo

N, 7

efere

3,287,5

,973,19

314,4

compa

han one-third t

bound

: 14,

gladesh 4,053 km, Bhu

m, Nepal 1,690 km

stl

ime c

rial se

nm or to the edge of

ous zon

economic z

l monsoon in south

lateau) in south, flat

erts in west, H

ion ex

nt: Indian

nt: Kanchen

l reso

reserves in the world

ium ore, chromite, n

limestone,

d u

land:

nt crop

42.86

ated

sq km (1

al ha

ds, as well as wides

al rains; severe thun

nt - curr

erosion; overgrazing

rial effluents and ve

age and runoff of agri

throughout the coun

verstraining na

internationa

vironmental Protocol,

reaty, Biodiversity, C

ol, Desertification

tion, Hazardous Wastes

ip Pollution, Tropic

, Wetland

ified: none of the

aphy

subcontinent; near i

e ro

le I

ula

607 (July

stru

(male 173,869,856;

(male 349,785,804;

% (male 25,885,725; fe

ian

: 24.

24.4

.4 years (

ion gro

(200

,000 populati

gratio

)/1,000 populat

1.05 mal

ars: 1.06 m

s: 1.07 ma

over: 1.03

: 1.07 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

63.2

.77 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(2001

ople living w

lion (20

DS - d

0 (200

onal

Indi

tive:

ic g

idian 25%, Mongoloid

igi

2%, Christian 2.3%, S

hist, Jain, Pa

gua

te status but is the m

l, and commercial comm

primary tongue of 30%

uages: Bengali, Telugu

Kannada, Oriya, Punja

Hindustani is a popula

hout northern India

era

15 and over ca

opulati

48.3% (2

nment

try

long form: Re

al short f

nment

al re

rative d

territories*; Andama

achal Pradesh, Assam

d Nagar Haveli*, Daman

achal Pradesh, Jammu

akshadweep*, Madhya

zoram, Nagaland, Oriss

il Nadu, Tripura, Utta

t B

pend

t 1947 (

nal h

ay, 26 Jan

titu

nuary

l sy

n law; limited judicia

sory ICJ jurisdictio

fra

of age;

tive

dent Abdul KALAM (sin

Singh SHEKHAWAT (s

lected by an electoral

h houses of Parliament

-year term; election

July 2007); vice pre

for a five-year term;

e held NA August 2007)

rs of the majority par

st held April - May 20

me Minister Manmohan SI

inisters appointed by

on of the pr

bdul KALAM elected

- 89.6%; Bhairon Sing

ent of Parliame

ative

r Sansad consists of t

nsisting of not more t

ted by the president,

s of the state and te

terms) and the People

cted by popular vot

mbers serve f

ssembly - last held 2

to be hel

le's Assembly - percen

45, BJP 138, CPI(M) 43

, CPI 10, NCP 9, JDU

4, MDMK 4, indepe

ial b

are appointed by the p

they reach

parties an

Munnetra Kazhagam or

Forward Bloc or AIFB

Parishad [Brindaban

I]; Bharatiya Janata

l or BJD [Naveen PATNA

ndu Bhushan BARDHAN

or CPI/ML [Dipankar B

DHI]; Dravida Munnet

il Nadu) [M. KARUNANI

der NA]; Indian Nati

cular) [H. D. Deve GOW

; Jharkhand Mukti Mor

faction) [K. M. MANI];

malarchi Dravida Munn

[G. M. BANATWALA]; Na

; Pattali Makkal Katc

or RJD [Laloo Prasad

[Abani ROY]; Samajwad

i Akali Dal or SAD [G.

mil Maanila Congress [

RS [leader NA]; Telu

; Trinamool Congres

essure group

or militant/chauvin

ndu Parishad, Bajra

arious separatist gr

onal autonomy, inclu

at Con

organization

(dialogue partner), B

-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA,

IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF,

MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OAS

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR

UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WH

epresentatio

ion: Ambassad

Chicago, Houston, New

] (202)

: [1] (20

usetts Avenue NW, Wash

at 2536 Massachusetts

epresentatio

n: Ambassador D

th, Chanakyapuri,

s: use embassy

[91] (11)

] (11) 2

Chennai (Madras), Kolk

descr

l bands of saffron (s

a blue chakra (24-sp

ar to the flag of Nig

centered in

omy

y - ov

passes traditional vi

ts, a wide range of mo

ervices. Government co

investment, and pri

slowly. The economy h

6% since 1990, reduci

dia is capitalizing o

skilled in the Englis

tware services and so

ld Bank and others wor

eficit, running at app

parity - $3.033 t

eal gro

(2003

per

er parity - $2

agriculture: 23.6% industry:

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

2002

by percentage share: lowest 10

f family incom

8 (

ate (consum

(2003

r fo

llion

ce - by o

industry 17%, s

oyment

% (

: $86.69

billion, including ca

billio

ic d

of GDP

ture -

, cotton, jute, tea,

ffalo, sheep, go

ust

, food processing,

mining, petroleum,

production

(2003

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

lion kW

city -

llion k

prod

bl/day (2

consum

on bbl/day

- ex

(20

- im

(20

roved r

n bbl (1 Ja

gas - pr

ion cu m (

gas - co

ion cu m (

gas -

(2001

gas -

(2001

s - proved

on cu m (1

account

billio

ion f.o.b.

- comm

and jewelry, enginee

r manu

s - pa

UK 5.3%, Hong Kong 4.8

ion f.o.b.

- comm

nery, gems, fert

s - pa

, UK 4.8%, China 4.3%

foreign exch

billion

- ext

illion (

aid - r

llion (

ren

rupee

ency

nge r

dollar - 46.5806 (2

44.9416 (2000)

al y

l - 31

icatio

- main li

million

s - mobil

4,400

hone

recent deregulation

ws and policies have

e service provided thr

rvices primarily con

ent is taking place wi

te-public investors,

even for each 100 pers

n rural areas and a n

est growth is in cellu

in fixe

f domestic service, a

d from increased com

ed in large part by w

oth CDMA and GSM) i

into four metropolita

ut three private serv

rovider; in recent ye

e form of fiber-opti

tic satellite systems

T), with 5 satellites

ture termi

ry code - 91; satell

) and 1 Inmarsat (Indi

ating from Mumbai (Bom

(Madras), Jalandhar,

am; 5 submarine cables

Cochin and Mumbai (Bom

) with landing site at

E) with landing site a

nding sites at Mumba

icom linking Singapore

increase in the bandwi

data tra

oadcast

91, shortwa

llion

82 stations have 1 kW or greater power and 48

visi

llion

t count

net h

71 (

rvice Provi

(20

net u

million

ortati

lwa

km (15,994 k

45,099 km 1

km 1.000-m gauge; 3,2

m gaug

hwa

3,319

1,517

802,567 km

erw

500

or rivers and 485 km

ed vesse

eli

etroleum gas 1,195 km;

5,567 k

and ha

ochin, Jawaharal Ne

mbai (Bombay),

ant m

00 GRT or over) 6,555

o 77, chemical tanker

l 2, container 10,

petroleum tanker 93

enger 2, speci

ther countries:

ed: China 2

por

2003

047 m: 14 2,438 to 3,047 m: 47 914 to 1,523 m: 74

with unpa

al:

to 3,0

to 2,4

m: 45 (2

1,523

ipo

2003

tary

ry bra

g naval air arm), Ai

ramilitary forces (inc

ational Security Guard

tier Force, Central

curity Force, Railway

Securi

r - military age

or voluntary mili

npower - av

49: 293,677,1

er - fit for mi

49: 172,153,3

- reaching milit

,174,415

enditures -

8 millio

nditures - pe

% (

ional Is

- inter

orld's most highly mi

under the de facto a

ammu and Kashmir), and

ut recent discussions

are beginning to defu

's ceding lands to Chi

th Pakistan over Indus

ir Creek Estuary at t

maritime boundary deli

adh claim in Indian Gu

oundary with China is

in resolution with di

; Joint Border Committ

on of minor dispute

gladesh remain stall

dary, to exchange 162

locate divided villag

igration, and violenc

ence off high-traffic

h Bangladesh over vol

land in the Bay of B

India seeks cooperati

galand insurgents; jo

mall disputed sections

stricter border regim

illegal cross-border

nternally disp

origin): 92,394 (Chin

nd Kashmir conflicts;

us)

cit

ucer of licit opium

ined quantity of opium

rkets; transit point

g countries; illicit p

s money laundering thr

ast updated on

=======================

ian

tion Ind

kgr

he third largest of t

ean and Atlantic Ocea

tic Ocean). Four criti

Suez Canal (Egyp

rait of Hormuz (Iran

laysia). The decision

ion in the spring of 2

ean, removed the porti

60 degr

hy Indi

ati

en Africa, the Sout

tra

hic coo

S, 8

efere

l Map of

.556 mill

Sea, Arabian Sea, Bay

ht, Gulf of Aden, Gu

Persian Gulf, Red Se

a, and other trib

compa

imes the si

stl

526

cember to April), sou

l cyclones occur

e northern Indian Ocea

uthern In

ounterclockwise gyre (

southern Indian Ocea

the northern Indian

t Asia from hot, risin

and southwest-to-north

ver northern Asia fro

rtheast monsoon and n

ean floor is dominated

y the Southeast Indian

Ridge, and Ni

ion ex

t: Java Tre

oint: sea

l reso

fish, shrimp, sand a

its, polymet

al ha

ose navigational haza

nt - curr

cies include the dugo

in the Arabian Sea, Pe

aphy

lude Bab el Mandeb, S

ccess to the Suez Cana

y Indi

y - ov

ides major sea routes

Asia with Europe and

traffic of petroleum

the Persian Gulf and I

importance to the b

nd export. Fishing fle

an also exploit the I

reserves of hydrocarb

f Saudi Arabia, Iran

d 40% of the world's o

Ocean. Beach sands ric

sits are actively ex

y India, South Africa,

Thai

ation Ind

and ha

dia), Colombo (Sri

onesia), Kolkata (Cal

Bombay; India), Richa

al Issues I

l: some maritime disput

ast updated on

=======================

don

ction I

kgr

lonize Indonesia in t

pied by Japan from 19

nce after Japan's surr

tent negotiations, rec

e Netherlands agreed t

's largest archipelagi

widespread poverty,

tion to popularly-ele

oritarianism, implem

essing charges of cr

and police accounta

ving armed separatist

phy In

ati

chipelago between the

fic

hic coo

S, 12

efere

heas

1,919,4

93,00

,826,44

compa

an three times t

bound

: 2,8

t Timor 228 km, Malay

ea 8

stl

716

chipelagic straight baselines territorial

umid; more moder

ds; larger islands ha

ion ex

nt: Indian

nt: Puncak

l reso

ral gas, nickel, tim

ls, coal, g

1.32% permanent crops: 7

ated

q km (19

al ha

severe droughts, ts

es, for

nt - curr

ollution from industri

areas; smoke and ha

internationa

, Climate Change, Dese

tes, Law of the Sea, O

cal Timber 83, Tropic

ed: Climate Change-Kyo

erva

aphy

islands (6,000 inhabit

tride or along major

o Pacif

e Ind

ula

52 (July

stru

(male 35,635,790;

(male 78,097,767;

1% (male 5,308,986; f

ian

: 26.

25.7

.6 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

1,000 populat

1.05 mal

ars: 1.04 m

rs: 1 mal

over: 0.78

n: 1 male(s)/fe

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

66.8

.8 years (

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(2003

ople living w

0 (200

DS - d

(200

onal

Indone

ve: Ind

ic g

se 14%, Madurese 7.5%

igi

t 5%, Roman Catholic

her 1%

gua

ficial, modified for

the most widely spoke

era

15 and over ca

opulati

: 83.4

ment I

try

ng form: Republ

l short for

rt form:

nds East Indies;

form: Repub

nment

rative d

i-propinsi, singular

h istimewa, singular -

district** (daerah kh

, Gorontalo, Irian Jay

awa Tengah, Jawa Tim

limantan Tengah, Kalim

auan Riau, Lampung, Ma

Tenggara Timur, Papua

lawesi Tengah, Sulaw

rat, Sumatera Sela

th the implementation

57 districts or reg

responsible for pro

pend

ependence proclaime

ognizes Indonesi

nal h

e Day, 17 A

titu

ted by Federal Cons

tution of 1950, re

l sy

law, substantially

iminal procedures and

pulsory ICJ

fra

ersal and married per

tive

ident Susilo Bambang

e President Muhammad

the president is both

f gove

nd vice president were

e cit

resident Susilo Bamba

e President Muhammad

the president is both

f gove

et appointed b

silo Bambang YUDHOYO

ote; MEGAWATI Sukarn

ative

Representatives or D

ers serve five-year te

Perwakilan Daerah or

providing legislative

People's Consultati

yat or MPR) has rol

and in amending con

bers in DPR and DPD;

nal p

5 April 2004 (next to

cent of vote by party

8.2%, PD 7.5%, PKS 7

- Golkar 128, PDI-P

2, PKS 45

tion rules, the numbe

number of votes

ial b

hkamah Agung (justi

of candidates approved

l Court or Makhama Kon

ugust 2003; in March

e and financial respo

he Ministry of Just

parties an

tar Party or PBB [Y

Party or PD [Subur B

y or Golkar [Yusuf KAL

ruggle or PDI-P [ME

nal Awakening Party

andate Party or PAN [

rty or PKS [MAHFUD, a

ty or PPP [Hamz

essure group

organization

, BIS, CP, FAO, G-15,

, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFR

bserver), ISO, ITU, M

L, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNI

U, WHO, WIPO,

epresentatio

Ambassador SOEMA

chusetts Avenue NW,

] (202)

Chicago, Houston, Los

Fran

: [1] (20

epresentatio

on: Ambassador

dan Merdeka Selatan

: Unit 8129, Bo

[62] (21)

2] (21)

s) general

descr

bands of red (top) an

h is shorter; also s

h is white (

my In

y - ov

lyglot nation, faces

m recent acts of terr

ions, endemic corrupti

ntract disputes, wea

lly poor climate for

om its IMF program at

" that commits the go

acroeconomic policies

Investors, however, co

economic problems and

e growth remain inter

rnational and domestic

economi

parity - $758.8 b

eal gro

(2003

per

er parity - $3

griculture: 16.6% industry: 43

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

or consumption by

st 1

10%: 26.

f family incom

(20

ate (consum

(2003

r fo

millio

ce - by o

ndustry 16%, servi

oyment

(2003

: $40.91

illion, including capi

ic d

of GDP

ture -

), peanuts, rubber, co

ltry, beef

ust

gas, textiles, appar

tilizers, plywood, r

production

(2003

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

on bbl/day

consum

on bbl/day

- ex

(20

- im

(20

roved r

on bbl (1 J

gas - pr

n cu m (2

gas - co

ion cu m

gas -

ion cu m

gas -

(2001

s - proved

on cu m (1 J

account

billion

ion f.o.b.

- comm

cal appliances, plyw

s - pa

Singapore 8.9%, South

ion f.o.b.

- comm

ipment, chemicals

s - pa

12.8%, China 9.1%, US

th Korea 4.7%, Saud

foreign exch

billion

- ext

illion (

aid - r

finished its IMF progr

eral aid through the

pledged $2.8 billion

(200

ren

ian rup

ency

nge r

er US dollar - 8,577

001), 8,421.77 (200

al y

- previously was 1 A

1, has been chang

ations I

- main li

illion

s - mobil

illion

hone

omestic service fair,

microwave system and

llite communi

ry code - 62; satell

ian Ocean and 1

oadcast

43, shortwa

illion

broadcast

(19

visi

millio

t count

net h

36 (

rvice Provi

(20

net u

lion

tation I

lwa

: 6,4

m 1.067-m gauge (125

m gaug

hwa

: 342

: 158

84,030 km

erw

579

m, Java and Madura 82

es) 241 km, Irian J

eli

ndensate/gas 128 km;

6 km; refined produ

and ha

arta, Kupang, Makassa

ant m

00 GRT or over) 3,192

rgo 398, chemical ta

tock carrier 1, passen

28, refrigerated cargo

, specialized tanker

ther countries:

1, Germany 1, Greece 1

, Monaco 2, Panama 1,

, United Kingdom

por

2003

,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 4

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 un

s: 22 (2

ry Ind

ry bra

ces (TNI): Army (TN

, Naval Air arm),

r - military age

compulsory and volun

ce obligation -

npower - av

49: 66,458,80

er - fit for mi

49: 38,728,02

- reaching milit

196,424 (

enditures -

llion

nditures - pe

% (

nal Issues

- inter

Boundary Committee co

dary, but several sec

onesia and East Timor

ral island of Palau B

a northern maritime bo

donesia refuse repat

Australia settled some

ng issues remain; ICJ'

laysia in 2002 prompt

lish a presence on its

sts, squatters, and i

roblems for Pa

nternally disp

ment offensives again

l Kalimantan, Maluku

nces)

cit

annabis largely for d

sshipment point for

ast updated on

=======================

ducti

kgr

1935, Iran became an I

rchy was overthrown a

ive clerical forces e

with ultimate politic

eligious scholar. Ira

a group of Iranian s

4 November 1979 and h

Iran fought a bloody,

ded into the Persian

anian military forces

state sponsor of terro

ere in the world and

d export controls bec

g the elections of a

90s, attempts to fost

ssatisfaction have flo

vented reform measur

easures, and consolida

overn

raph

ati

the Gulf of Oman, the

between Ira

hic coo

N, 5

efere

dle

.648 mil

636 mill

12,00

compa

larger th

bound

: 5,4

Afghanistan 936

km, Azerbaijan-Naxciva

09 km, Turkey 499 km

stl

an also borders the

ime c

rial se

helf: natural

ous zon

e: bilateral agreement

ian

iarid, subtropical

rim; high, central

discontinuous plai

ion ex

nt: Caspia

t: Kuh-e Dam

l reso

s, coal, chromium, co

se, zin

.72% permanent crops: 1.

ated

q km (19

al ha

oods; dust storms, sa

nt - curr

ally in urban areas,

and industrial effl

ication; oil pollutio

drought; soil degr

of potable water; wa

dustrial wast

internationa

, Climate Change, Dese

tes, Marine Dumping, O

ied: Environmental Mo

ne Life C

aphy

the Persian Gulf and S

e pathways for cr

ple

ula

4 (July 2

stru

(male 9,935,527;

(male 23,608,621;

8% (male 1,645,246; f

ian

: 23.

23.3

.7 years (

ion gro

(200

,000 populati

gratio

)/1,000 populat

1.05 mal

ars: 1.06 m

s: 1.04 ma

over: 0.98

: 1.04 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

68.3

.07 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

n 0.1% (

ople living w

(2001

DS - d

2001

onal

Iran

ive: I

ic g

%, Gilaki and Mazanda

loch 2%, Turkm

igi

i Muslim 9%, Zoroastri

Baha

gua

ialects 58%, Turkic a

Balochi 1%, Arabic 1%

era

15 and over ca

opulati

73% (2

nment

try

g form: Islamic

nal short

hort fo

er:

m: Jomhuri-ye

nment

atic r

rative d

, singular - ostan);

Sharqi, Bushehr, Chah

Golestan, Hamadan, H

n, Khuzestan, Kohgi

Markazi, Mazandaran

chestan, Tehra

pend

lamic Republic o

nal h

Day, 1 Ap

lidays celebrated w

ebruary (1979); Noru

onal Monarchy Day

titu

ised 1989 to expand po

e the prime

l sy

difies Islamic prin

fra

of age;

tive

eme Leader Ayatollah

4 Jun

the Islamic Revolutio

ts; president elected

on last held 8 June 20

Ali) Mohammad KHATA

vote - (Ali) Mohamma

Ministers selected b

; the Supreme Leader

the more sensi

esident (Ali) Mohammad

Vice President Dr. M

26 Augu

ative

amic Consultat

mi (290 seats, note -

000 election; members

four-ye

0 February 2004 with a

e held Feb

ercent of vote - NA

ists 190, reformers

ies 5, and 2 seat

ial b

a special clerical c

special admin

parties an

ies are a relatively

ost conservatives stil

oups rather than part

2nd Khordad front, wh

ss formal pressure gr

success at elections

in the coalition in

(IIPF); Executives o

ty Party; Islamic Labo

amic Revolution Orga

ty (Ruhaniyun); the co

venth Majles election

e group, the Builders

he new Majles afte wi

n Febru

y Association (Ruhaniyat), Islamic Coalition Party (Motalefeh), and Islamic Engineers Society; active pro-reform student groups include the Organization for Strengthening Unity; opposition groups include Freedom Movement of Iran, the National Front, Marz-e

organization

77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,

IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO,

AM, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, P

UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU

epresentatio

as an Interests Sec

ian Interests Section,

Washington, DC 20007;

FAX [1] (2

epresentatio

ecting power in I

descr

l bands of green (top

lized representation o

mbol of martyrdom) in

AR (God is Great) in

ng the bottom edge of

he top edge o

omy

y - ov

ked by a bloated, ine

oil sector, and stati

ughout. Most economic

sector activity is t

d services. President

rm plans of former Pre

atively high oil pric

some $22 billion in fo

nomic hardships such a

2003 a major earthqua

rn Iran, killing mor

parity - $478.2 b

eal gro

(2003

per

er parity - $7

griculture: 12.5% industry: 41

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

2002

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

(200

ion note: shortage of s

ce - by o

ndustry 25%, servi

oyment

(200

: $40.38

illion, including capi

n (200

ic d

of GDP

ture -

ins, sugar beets, frui

s, wool

ust

als, textiles, cement

cessing (particular

uction), metal fab

production

ing oil (

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

on bbl/day

consum

on bbl/day

- ex

ion bbl/

- im

(20

roved r

on bbl (1 J

gas - pr

ion cu m

gas - co

ion cu m (

gas -

on cu m (

gas -

on cu m (

s - proved

on cu m (1

account

billion

ion f.o.b.

- comm

cal and petrochemica

, ca

s - pa

.7%, Italy 6.3%, Tai

orea 5.

ion f.o.b.

- comm

als and intermediate

consumer goods, techn

s - pa

.6%, China 8.4%, Ital

ssia 4.8%, Jap

foreign exch

billion

- ext

illion (

aid - r

lion (20

ren

n rial

ency

nge r

8,193.89 (2003), 6,9

.43 (2000), 1

sing a managed floati

ltiple exchange r

al y

ch - 2

icatio

- main li

1,100

s - mobil

,500

hone

nadequate but current

l of not only improvi

e of the urban servi

several thousand vi

nec

of heavy investing i

r of long-distance ch

grown substantially; m

the number of main lin

oubled; and thousan

served; moreover, the

by the installation o

code - 98; HF radio a

Pakistan, Afghanistan

d Uzbekistan; submarin

iber-Optic Link Arou

AE) fiber-optic line

ortion of Iran to Turk

jan; satellite earth s

nma

oadcast

5, shortwa

llion

broadcast

low-power rep

visi

illion

t count

net h

9 (2

rvice Provi

net u

llion

ortati

lwa

: 7,2

e: 94 km 1

km 1.435-m gauge (189

hwa

: 167

(including 890

73,048

erw

n River and Lak

eli

gas 16,998 km; liquid

efined products

and ha

oyed in fighting duri

-e Anzali, Bushehr, B

ar-e Mahshahr, Bandar

zireh-ye Khark, Jazir

limited operation sin

ant m

00 GRT or over) 4,715

argo 36, chemical t

i-functional large lo

n/roll off 8, sho

ther countries:

por

2003

,047 m: 39 2,438 to 3,047 m: 25 914 to 1,523 m:

8 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 unde

s: 13 (2

tary

ry bra

ran regular forces (i

ir Defense Command),

ncludes Ground Forces,

ons], and Basij [Popul

orcemen

tary service; 16 years of age for volunteers; soldiers as young as 9 were recruited

npower - av

49: 20,937,34

er - fit for mi

49: 12,434,81

- reaching milit

12,569 (

enditures -

lion (20

nditures - pe

(2003

ional Is

- inter

istan's limiting flo

ies in periods of drou

in Iran; creation of a

until full sovereignt

direct talks and soli

er Iran's occupation o

nds alone among litto

the Caspian Sea int

nternally disp

origin): 1,223,823

q) (

cit

interdiction efforts

r Southwest Asian hero

remains a persistent p

stics there are at lea

ax anti-money-lau

ast updated on

=======================

ducti

kgr

Ottoman Empire, Iraq

orld War I; in 1920, i

er UK administration.

ined its independence

imed in 1958, but in

ed the country, the la

with Iran led to an i

88). In August 1990,

, UN coalition forces

1. Following Kuwait'

) required Iraq to scr

range missiles and to

d Iraqi noncompliance

ars resulted in the US

ster of the SADDAM Hu

, helping to restore

stablishment of a free

ealing with a robust i

transferred sovereignt

ne 2004 and the elect

l-YAWR, was held

raph

ati

g the Persian Gulf, b

hic coo

N, 4

efere

dle

437,0

4,910

432,16

compa

than twice the

bound

: 3,6

1,458 km, Jordan 181

Syria 605 km,

stl

ime c

rial se

l shelf: n

to cool winters with

ntainous regions alon

d winters with occasio

, sometimes causing

and sout

reedy marshes along I

eas; mountains along

ion ex

nt: Persia

peak 3,611 m; note - t

r Kuh-e Hajji-

l reso

ural gas, phos

3.15% permanent crops: 0

ated

q km (19

al ha

s, sandsto

nt - curr

ntrol projects have

east of An Nasiriyah b

d rivers; a once siza

these areas for thous

, the destruction of t

he area's wildlife p

ter; development of th

ent upon agreements w

pollution; soil degrad

deserti

internationa

: Law of

atified: Environm

aphy

Shatt al Arab waterway

ian

ple

ula

1 (July 2

stru

(male 5,198,966;

% (male 7,280,167

(male 357,651; femal

ian

: 19.

19.1

.3 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

1,000 populat

1.05 mal

ars: 1.03 m

s: 1.03 ma

over: 0.89

: 1.02 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

67.0

.48 years

ertilit

n born/woma

adult preva

n 0.1% (

ople living w

n 500 (2

DS - d

onal

: Ir

tive:

ic g

h 15%-20%, Turkoman,

igi

-65%, Sunni 32%-37%),

gua

cial in Kurdish regio

era

15 and over ca

opulati

24.4% (2

nment

try

long form: Re

nal short

ort form

m: Al Jumhuriy

nment

i Interim Government

e 2

rative d

fazat, singular - muh

l Qadisiyah, An Najaf,

dad, Dahuk, Dhi Qar, D

alah ad D

pend

League of Nations m

- on 28 June 2004 th

sovereignty to the I

nal h

y (1968); note - this

n regime but the Iraqi

re a new nat

titu

signed 8 March 2004;

AL) was enacted 8 Mar

ed Iraqi Transitional

w constitut

l sy

lamic law under the I

tional Administ

fra

years of a

tive

une 2004); note - the President and Deputy Presidents comprise the Presidency Council head of government: Interim Iraqi Government (IG) Prime Minister Ayad ALLAWI (s

ative

tional Council f

ial b

ed by the Prime Minis

ency C

parties an

ical parties included

tical parties continue

political landscape; A

[Ibrahim al-JA'FARI];

Iraqi National Accord

s or INC [Ahmad CHALAB

mmad ' Ali al-YAQUBI];

n in Iraq or SCIRI [A

y Movement or CMM [Sha

lliance or IIA [Fal

or IID [Adnan PACHACHI

Muhsin Abd al-HAMID, H

t or INUM [Ahmad al-KU

Harith Sulayman al-DAR

arty or KDP [Masud BAR

or PUK [Jal

ily concentrated in Baghdad and in areas west and north of the capital; the diverse, multigroup insurgency is led princi

organization

EU, FAO, G-77, IAEA,

ILO, IMF, IMO, Interp

, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UN

O, WMO, WTO (o

epresentatio

sion: Ambass

Street, NW, Washi

] (202)

: [1] (20

epresentatio

n: Ambassador J

sy: B

ddress: A

53-0584 ext. 4354; no

descr

l bands of red (top),

ed stars in a horizont

ALLAHU AKBAR (God is

e right of the middle

tar - was added in J

similar to the flag o

emen, which has a plai

gold Eagle of Saladin

ased upon the Ara

omy

reduced economic activity. Although government policies supporting large military and internal security forces and allocating resources to key supporters of the regime have hurt the economy, implementation of the UN's oil-for-food program beginning in December 1996 helped improve conditions for the average Iraqi citizen. Iraq was allowed to export limited amounts of oil in exchange for food, medicine, and some infrastructure spare parts. In December 1999, the UN Security Council authorized Iraq to export under the program as much oil as required to meet humanitarian needs. The drop in GDP in 2001-02 was largely the result of the global economic slowdown and lower oil prices. Per capita food imports increased significantly, while medical supplies and health care services steadily

parity - $37.92 b

eal gro

(2003

per

er parity - $1

agriculture: 6% industry: 1

below pov

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

(200

r fo

lion (2

ce - by o

A, industry N

oyment

2003

: $12.8

llion NA, including ca

4 bu

ture -

vegetables, dates,

ust

, textiles, construc

ces

production

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

note - prewar produ

January 2

consum

bl/day (2

- ex

bbl/day (J

- im

(20

roved r

on bbl (1 J

gas - pr

ion cu m

gas - co

ion cu m

gas -

(2001

gas -

(2001

s - proved

on cu m (1 J

account

billion

ion f.o.b.

- comm

s - pa

, Canada 8%, Italy 7.

ion f.o.b.

- comm

icine, ma

s - pa

3.4%, Vietnam 10.7%, U

% (

- ext

illion (

aid - r

in foreign aid pledg

ren

r (NID) as of

ency

ior to 22 J

nge r

r US dollar - 1,890

al y

ndar

icatio

n unknown number of telephone lines were damaged

s - mobil

00 (

hone

t: the 2003 war s

throughout Iraq inc

overseeing the repair

n of mobile and sat

ili

switches and lines de

sabotage remains a pro

be in place w

y code - 964; satelli

Ocean and 1 Indian

), and 1 Arabsat (inop

elay to Jordan, Kuwai

is probably

regulated media growth, there are approximately

illion

broadcast

(20

visi

illion

t count

rvice Provi

net u

00 (

ortati

km standard gauge: 1,96

hwa

: 45,

: 38,

7,151 km

erw

(not all

(2,815 km), Tigris Riv

are principal w

eli

418 km; refined prod

and ha

ayr, and Al Basrah hav

ant m

000 GRT or over) 83

ssenger/cargo 1, pet

oll

other countrie

por

mber were damaged duri

2003

with pave

al:

3,047

to 3,0

o 1,5

m: 10 (2

to 2,4

with unpa

al:

4 m: 9 (

3,047

to 3,0

1,523

to 2,4

ipo

003

tary

ry bra

f 2003 the Coalition

g and training a New

fensive mission and ca

ernment established a

Force; at that time

my (IAF-A); plans also

Army Air Corps (IAAC

re are no plans to re

primary new focu

ich is a change of di

army not involved in

vil Defense Corps (IC

ING) and subordinated

orces Pre-war Iraqi m

Coalition forces duri

uently looted or scr

nterim Government is creating a new professional Iraqi military force of men

npower - av

-49: 6,547,7

er - fit for mi

-49: 3,654,9

- reaching milit

04,527 (

enditures -

illion

nditures - pe

ional Is

- inter

t Iraqis in monitoring

s and creation of mar

l remain in hiatus unt

key has expressed con

s in

y of origin): 150,000 (Palestinian Territories) IDPs: 1,340

ast updated on

=======================

uction

kgr

on the island from 600

the late 8th century

ed the Danes in 1014.

and set off more tha

e marked by fierce

d 1916 Easter Monday

errilla warfare tha

UK for 26 southern c

mained part of the U

m the British Common

n 1973. Irish govern

of Ireland and have c

ps. A peace settlement

day Agreement and app

with some

aphy

ati

ying five-sixths of t

tic Ocean, west

hic coo

N, 8

efere

70,28

1,390

68,890

compa

rger than W

tal: 360 km border

ine: 1

orial sea: 12 nm exclus

modified by North At

consistently humid; o

ng interior plain sur

ins; sea cliff

ion ex

nt: Atlant

t: Carraunto

l reso

opper, lead, zinc, s

one, d

5.2% permanent crops: 0.

ated

al ha

nt - curr

ecially of lakes, fr

internationa

tion, Air Pollution

, Biodiversity, Cli

ol, Desertification

tion, Hazardous Wastes

rotection, Ship Pollut

ber 94, Wetl

ified: Air Pollutio

Marine Life

aphy

n major air and sea

Europe; over 40% of t

97 km o

le I

ula

8 (July

stru

(male 430,905;

% (male 1,342,233

5% (male 199,379; fema

ian

: 33.

32.6

.2 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

)/1,000 popula

1.07 mal

ars: 1.07 m

rs: 1 mal

over: 0.78

: 0.99 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

ths/1,000 live b

deaths/1,00

ectancy

ulation:

74.7

.15 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(2001

ople living w

(200

DS - d

n 100 (2

onal

Irishwoman(women), Ir

tive:

ic g

c, En

igi

Church of Ireland 2.

gua

ge generally used, Ir

eas located along t

era

15 and over ca

ation: 98%

ale

ment I

l long form: none convent

nment

rative d

Cavan, Clare, Cork, D

ny, Laois, Leitrim, Li

an, Offaly, Roscomm

estmeath, We

, and Monaghan are p

pend

1921 (from

nal h

rick's Da

titu

adopted 1 July 1

l sy

on law, substantially

iew of legislative act

compulsory IC

fra

of age;

tive

dent Mary MCALEESE (s

ime Minister Bertie AH

nted by the president

and approval of the Ho

MCALEESE elected pres

44.8%, Mary

lition - Fianna Fail

ocr

lected by popular vote

October 1997 (next s

LEESE appointed to a s

for the 2004 preside

the House of Represent

pres

ative

r Oireachtas consists

49 elected by the

by five vocational pa

members serve five-ye

Dail Eireann (166 seat

basis of proportional

year

te - percent of vote b

0, Fine Gael 15, Labo

nts and others 6; Hous

ty - Fianna Fail 41.5%

6.5%, Progressive Dem

ats by party - Fianna

ssive Democrats 8, Gre

ers

st held 16 and 17 July

of Representatives -

be held b

ial b

appointed by the pre

minister a

parties an

HERN]; Fine Gael [End

r Party [Pat RABITTE];

Fein [Gerry ADAMS];

Workers' Party

essure group

organization

CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, E

ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA

OC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MI

S (observer), OECD, O

UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR

PU, WCO, WEU (observer

epresentatio

ion: Ambassad

chusetts Avenue NW,

Boston, Chicago, New Y

] (202)

: [1] (20

epresentatio

on: Ambassador

in Road, Ballsb

s: use embassy

: [353] (

53] (1)

descr

bands of green (hoi

flag of Cote d'Ivoire

ed - orange (hoist si

ag of Italy, which is

ist side), w

my Ir

y - ov

odern, trade-dependen

in 1995-2002. The glob

hnology sector, presse

e the most important s

. Industry accounts f

loys 28% of the labor

ine for Ireland's grow

e in consumer spendi

Per capita GDP is 10%

s and the second high

e past decade, the

f national economic pr

on, reduce government

mote foreign investme

rrency system in Janu

EU n

parity - $116.2 b

eal gro

(2003

per

r parity - $29,

agriculture: 5% industry: 4

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

1997

or consumption by

st 1

10%: 27.

f family incom

9 (

ate (consum

(2003

r fo

millio

ce - by o

dustry 29%, servic

oyment

(2003

: $53.22

llion, including capit

ion

ic d

of GDP

ture -

oes, sugar beets, whea

ust

wing, textiles, cl

inery, transportation

al; s

production

(2003

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

lion kW

city -

ion kWh

prod

ay (200

consum

bl/day (2

- ex

bbl/day

- im

bbl/da

roved r

1 Janua

gas - pr

on cu m (

gas - co

ion cu m (

gas -

(2001

gas -

ion cu m (

s - proved

on cu m (1

account

billio

ion f.o.b.

- comm

nt, computers, chemic

, animal pro

s - pa

Belgium 12.6%, Germa

5.1%, Ital

ion f.o.b.

- comm

ipment, other machi

and petroleum product

s - pa

Germany 7.9%, Neth

foreign exch

billion

- ext

llion

c aid -

3 millio

ren

o (

9, the European Moneta

ency to be used by fi

1 January 2002, the

y transactions withi

ency

nge r

0.886 (2003), 1.0626

000), 0.9

al y

ndar

cations

- main li

millio

s - mobil

llion

hone

dern digital system us

microwave

ry code - 353; satel

(Atlant

oadcast

06, shortw

illion

broadcast

-power repe

visi

illion

t count

net h

228

rvice Provi

(20

net u

illion

rtation

lwa

: 3,3

km 1.600-m gauge

m 0.914-m gauge (oper

at to power stations

hwa

: 92,

(including 115

5,457 km

erw

asure craft

eli

795 km

and ha

, Dublin, Foynes, Galw

erf

ant m

000 GRT or over) 28

ther countries:

Germany 3, It

o 22, chemical tanker

1, short-sea

por

2003

,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m:

ys: total: 21 914 to 1,523 m:

ary I

ry bra

g Naval Servic

of age for voluntary military service; enlistees under the

npower - av

-49: 1,029,5

er - fit for mi

-49: 827,811

- reaching milit

0,083 (2

enditures -

llion (

nditures - pe

(FY

onal Issu

and, Denmark, and the UK over the Faroe Isla

cit

or and consumer of ha

nds and of European-pr

point for heroin and

e recent legislation,

reaux de change, tr

re financial communi

ast updated on

=======================

uction

kgr

, the British withdrew

partitioned the area

t rejected by the Ara

Arabs in a series of w

the two sides. The t

war are not included

ise noted. On 25 April

ant to the 1979 Isra

an officials signed

les (also known as the

alestinian self-rule.

h Jordan were resolved

f Peace. In addition,

from southern Lebanon,

with the framework es

1991, bilateral nego

estinian representativ

. On 24 June 2002, US

ving the Israeli-Pales

solution. However, pro

een undermined by Pale

ber 2000. The confli

election in January 2

eader following the N

r AR

aphy

ati

g the Mediterranean S

hic coo

N, 3

efere

dle

20,77

: 440

20,330

compa

maller tha

bound

: 1,0

pt 266 km, Gaza Strip

Syria 76 km,

stl

l sea: 12 nm continental sh

dry in southern and

outh; low coastal pla

Rift

ion ex

int: Dead

int: Har M

l reso

ore, natural gas, pho

e, cla

6.39% permanent crops: 4

ated

q km (1

al ha

during spring and sum

thq

rious constraints; desertification; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; gr

internationa

, Climate Change, Dese

tes, Ozone Layer Prote

ed: Climate Change-Kyo

erva

aphy

settlements and civi

he Israeli-occupied Go

East Jerusalem (Febr

important fr

le I

ula

99,

187,000 Israeli settl

raeli-occupied Golan H

d fewer than 177,000

4 e

stru

% (male 847,591;

% (male 1,976,539

% (male 262,781; femal

ian

: 29.

28.3

0 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

)/1,000 popula

1.05 mal

ars: 1.05 m

s: 1.01 ma

over: 0.75

: 0.99 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,000

ths/1,000 live b

deaths/1,00

ectancy

ulation:

77.0

.37 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(2001

ople living w

(199

DS - d

2001

onal

Isra

ive: I

ic g

e/America-born 32.1

a-born 12.6%), non-Jew

igi

14.6% (mostly Sunni M

.2% (19

gua

rabic used officiall

ommonly used f

era

15 and over ca

opulati

93.6% (2

nment

try

long form: St

al short f

ort form

form: Medin

nment

entary

ael proclaimed Jerusa

e nearly all other co

y in T

rative d

singular - mehoz); Cen

Southern

pend

eague of Nations ma

istra

nal h

14 May (1948); not

y 1948, but the Jewis

may occur in

titu

; some of the function

ion of Establishment (

sset), and the Isra

l sy

mon law, British Manda

ish, Christian, and M

informed the UN Secret

compulsory I

fra

of age;

tive

sident Moshe KATZAV

s largely a ceremonial

n-year term; election

2007); following legi

esset member - traditi

sk of forming a govern

003 (next schedulde to

ime Minister Ariel SHA

cted by prime ministe

e KATZAV elected presi

of 60 votes, other ca

here were three abst

nister after Likud Pa

; Likud won 38 seats a

ui, the National Rel

onal

ative

parliament (120 seat

to serve fo

8 January 2003 (next s

cent of vote by party

2.3%, Shas 8.2%, Nati

daism 4.3%, National

Peace and Equality

ssembly 2.3%, Yisra'e

, Green Leaf Party 1.

- Likud 38, Labor 1

tz 6, National Religio

Front for Peace and Eq

Assembly 3, YBA 2,

ial b

ces appointed for li

parties an

eace and Equality (Had

longer active) [Boa

nger active) [Michael

Party [Ariel SHARON]

; National Democratic

igious Party [Ephraim

) [Avigdor LIBERMAN] (

u); One Nation [Davi

ef "Tommy" LAPID]; U

United Torah Judaism

el Ba'Aliya or YBA (me

RAN

essure group

dvocating Jewish settl

Now supports territo

ip; Yesha (settler) Co

territorial compromi

rights

organization

CE (observer), CERN

O, ICC, ICCt (signato

ILO, IMF, IMO, Interp

OPCW (signatory), OS

, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WH

lanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, and San Francisco FAX: [1]

ing address: PSC 98, Box 29, APO AE 09830 telephone: [972] (3) 519-7369/7453/7454/7457/7458/7551/7575 FAX: [972] (3) 516-4390 consulat

descr

agram (six-pointed li

David) centered betwe

he top and bottom

omy

y - ov

logically advanced

participation. It dep

ials, and military equ

ael has intensively de

rs over the past 20

s of grain but is lar

products. Cut diamo

tural products (fruits

ael usually posts si

vered by large transfe

Roughly half of the go

hich is its major so

er Israeli-Palestinian

gy, construction, an

the face of growing

01 and 2002. The econ

ourism and foreign dir

nsumer confidence - as

ports - booste

parity - $120.9 b

eal gro

(2003

per

r parity - $19,

griculture: 2.8% industry: 37.

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

2001

by percentage share: lowest 10

f family incom

5 (

ate (consum

(2003

r fo

lion (20

2%, construction 7.5%, commerce 12.8%, transport, storage, and communications 6.2%, fin

oyment

(200

: $44.98

illion, including capi

ic d

of GD

ture -

cotton; beef, poul

ust

ects (including avia

and manufactures, medi

otash and phosphates,

c soda, cement,

production

(200

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

llion kW

city -

h (2

prod

day (20

consum

bl/day (2

- ex

(20

- im

(20

roved r

n bbl (1 Ja

gas - pr

n cu m (2

gas - co

n cu m (2

gas -

(2001

gas -

(2001

s - proved

on cu m (1

account

millio

ion f.o.b.

- comm

ent, software, cut d

micals, texti

s - pa

um 7.4%, Hong K

ion f.o.b.

- comm

tary equipment, inv

els, grain,

s - pa

3%, Germany 8%, UK 6

4.1%

foreign exch

billion

- ext

illion (

aid - r

on from US

ren

S); note - NIS is the

al Organization for St

ency

nge r

er US dollar - 4.5541

4.0773 (2000)

al y

ndar

cations

- main li

millio

s - mobil

millio

hone

st highly developed sy

not the

of coaxial cable and

tems ar

y code - 972; 3 subma

telsat (2 Atlantic Oc

oadcast

15, shortw

illion

broadcast

ow-power repe

visi

illion

t count

net h

516

rvice Provi

(20

net u

lion

rtation

m standard gauge: 640

hwa

: 16,

(including 56 k

d: NA

eli

; oil 1,50

and ha

at (Eilat), Hadera,

ant m

000 GRT or over) 75

: conta

ther countries:

por

2003

,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1

al: 23 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,

s: 3 (20

ary I

ry bra

s (IDF): Ground Corp

l)), Navy, Air Force

rically there have be

ary s

r - military age

compulsory (Jews,

Circassians) military

service; conscript s

, 21 months fo

npower - av

e 15-49:

5-49: 1,532,2

er - fit for mi

e 15-49:

5-49: 1,250,9

- reaching milit

s: 5

53,515 (2

enditures -

billio

nditures - pe

% (

onal Issu

- inter

rip are Israeli-occup

i-Palestinian Interim

d through further nego

ebanon claims the Shab

nternally disp

villagers displaced

el)

cit

about cocaine and her

banon and, increas

aunderi

ast updated on

=======================

uction

kgr

-state in 1861 when t

Sardinia and Sicily,

n era of parliamentar

0s when Benito MUSSOLI

sastrous alliance wi

d War II. A democratic

conomic revival follow

e European Economic C

ont of European ec

he European Monetary U

al immigration, organi

ggish economic growth,

southern Italy compar

aphy

ati

peninsula extendi

Sea, northea

hic coo

N, 1

efere

301,2

des Sardini

7,210

294,02

compa

larger th

bound

: 1,9

ria 430 km, France 488

no 39 km, Slovenia 232

stl

12 nm continental shelf: 200-m dep

anean; Alpine in far n

untainous; some plai

ion ex

t: Mediterr

lanc (Monte Bianco) d

peak of

l reso

potash, marble, bar

pyrite (sulfur), nat

fish, ar

d u

land:

nt crop

62.68

ated

q km (19

al ha

lude landslides, m

eruptions, flooding; l

ioxide; coastal and inland rivers polluted from industrial and agricultural effluents;

internationa

tion, Air Pollution

ir Pollution-Sulfur 94

, Antarctic-Envir

ing Resources, Antar

Climate Change, Climat

ngered Species, Envir

w of the Sea, Marine

tion, Tropical Timber

nds,

d: Air Pollution-Persis

aphy

ominating central Me

air approaches

le I

ula

7 (July 2

stru

(male 4,181,946;

(male 19,590,497;

.1% (male 4,608,479;

ian

: 41.

39.8

3 years (

ion gro

(200

,000 populati

1,000 populat

gratio

)/1,000 popula

1.07 mal

ars: 1.06 m

s: 1.02 ma

over: 0.71

: 0.96 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,000

ths/1,000 live b

deaths/1,00

ectancy

ulation:

76.6

.66 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(2001

ople living w

0 (200

DS - d

1,000 (2

onal

Ital

ive: I

ic g

mall clusters of Ge

n the north and Al

lians in

igi

Catholic with mature

growing Muslim i

gua

rman (parts of Trentin

speaking), French (

Aosta region), Slove

the Trieste-

era

15 and over ca

opulati

98.3% (2

nment

try

long form: It

al short f

orm: Repubbl

Kingdom

ort form

nment

rative d

ingular - regione) and

singular - regione

, Campania, Emilia-R

ria, Lombardia, Marc

ilia, Toscana, Trentin

'Aosta*

pend

m of Italy proclaimed

d unti

nal h

Day, 2 Ju

titu

47; effective 1 Janua

l sy

tem; appeals treated a

conditions in Constit

pulsory ICJ

fra

ersal (except in sena

m age

tive

ent Carlo Azeglio CIAM

lected by an electoral

ment and 58 regional

ion last held 13 May 1

ter appointed by the p

arli

rime Minister (referr

il of Ministers) Silvi

e 2

inisters nominated by

by the

o Azeglio CIAMPI elect

college

overnment coalition

thern League, and Unio

rats of t

ative

r Parlamento consists

seats elected by popul

83 are elected by r

addition, there a

cluding former presi

r terms) and the Chamb

s; 475 are directly el

entation; members s

ast held 13 May 2001

last held 13 May 200

te - percent of vote b

ties 172 (Forza Italia

a 17), Olive Tree 108

, Greens 10), Per le

percent of vote by par

337 (Forza Italia 176

e 28), Olive Tree 214

79), Rifondazione Co

ial b

or Corte Costituzio

inted by the president

elected by the ordin

me Co

parties an

Coalition [Francesco

ce (including Italian

ocrats for Europe, Th

g Green Federation

Communist Party; Cent

RLUSCONI] (formerly

rza Italia, National A

ristian Democratic Ce

League; Democrats of

or FI [Silvio BERLUSC

IO]; Italian Communist

newal or RI [Lamberto

form La Margherita (o

rats or SDI [Enrico

; National Alliance o

[Umberto BOSSI]; Socia

ca ROMAGNOLI]; South T

[Elmar Pichler ROLLE

ation, Italian Social

lian Popular Party, It

, The Democrats) [Fr

SI]; The Radicals (for

Marco PANNELLA]; Union

MASTELLA]; Union of

or UDC [Ma

essure group

and merchants associ

ganized farm group

an Catholic Church; t

erazione Generale Ital

ich is left wing, Conf

or CISL [Savino PEZ

d Unione Italiana del

which is la

organization

Group, BIS, BSEC (ob

, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO,

C, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM

, IMO, Interpol, IOC

INURSO, NAM (guest)

, OSCE, Paris Club, PC

UNMEE, UNMIK, UNMOGIP,

IPO, WMO, W

ate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Miami, New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and San Francisco FAX

Via Vittorio Veneto 119/A, 00187-Rome mailing address: PSC 59, Box 100, APO AE 09624 telephone:

descr

bands of green (hoist

Ireland, which is lon

ange; also similar t

the colors reversed

, and

French flag brought

omy

y - ov

ed industrial economy

utput as France and th

d into a developed ind

, and a less develop

th 20% unemployment. M

han 75% of energy requ

Italy has pursued a

irements of the Econom

om lower interest an

enacted numerous shor

ness and long-term gr

plementing needed stru

x burden and overhauli

ous pension system, b

and opposition f

parity - $1.55 tr

eal gro

(2003

per

r parity - $26,

griculture: 2.2% industry: 28.

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

by percentage share: lowest 10

f family incom

3 (

ate (consum

(2003

r fo

llion (2

ce - by o

industry 32%, se

oyment

(2003

s: $668

illion, including capi

ic d

of GD

ture -

apes, potatoes, sugar

f, dairy pr

ust

ron and steel, chemic

hicles, clothing,

production

% (2

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

lion kW

city -

llion kW

prod

bl/day (

consum

on bbl/day

- ex

bbl/da

- im

lion bbl/

roved r

on bbl (1 J

gas - pr

ion cu m (

gas - co

ion cu m (

gas -

n cu m (2

gas -

ion cu m (

s - proved

on cu m (1

account

billio

ion f.o.b.

- comm

textiles and clothing,

ort equipment, chemica

rals and nonf

s - pa

e 12.3%, US 8.5%, Sp

ion f.o.b.

- comm

, chemicals, transpo

d nonferrous metals,

erages an

s - pa

11.2%, Netherlands 5.8

4.3%, US

foreign exch

billion

- ext

illion N

c aid -

illion (2

ren

o (

9, the European Moneta

ency to be used by fi

1 January 2002, the

y transactions withi

ency

nge r

0.886 (2003), 1.0626

000), 0.9

al y

ndar

icatio

- main li

million

s - mobil

million

hone

odern, well developed

telex, and

ity cable and microw

ry code - 39; satell

l of 5 antennas - 3 f

Inmarsat (Atlantic

21 subma

oadcast

about 4,600, sh

illion

broadcast

,728 repeat

visi

illion

t count

net h

,511

rvice Provi

and Holy S

net u

illion

ortati

lwa

km (11,651 k

0 km 1.435-m gauge (1

1.000-m gauge (88 km

(188 km elec

hwa

: 479

(including 6,621

d: 0 k

erw

ial traffic; of limite

and ra

eli

km; oil 1,1

and ha

oli, Bari, Brindisi, G

zo (Sicily), Naples, P

no, Savona, Taran

ant m

00 GRT or over) 8,970

4, France 3, Greece 5

ands 4, Panama 2, Swi

dom 5, Unit

ther countries:

o 40, chemical tanker

iquefied gas 43, l

load carrier 1, passe

, refrigerated cargo 4

1, specialized tanker

por

2003

047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 32 914 to 1,523 m: 30

al: 38 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,

s: 4 (20

tary

ry bra

ce (Aeronautica Mil

abi

r - military age

of age (2

npower - av

49: 14,408,39

er - fit for mi

49: 12,279,51

- reaching milit

85,601 (

enditures -

8 millio

nditures - pe

% (

ional Is

- inter

cit

and consumer of Lati

oin entering the Eu

ganized crime an

ast updated on

=======================

uction

kgr

dependence within the

conomic conditions du

a drop off in tourism

ists voted out of off

tions durin

aphy

ati

in the Caribbean

hic coo

N, 7

efere

rica and th

10,99

10,831

: 160

compa

aller than

bound

stl

ime c

imed archipelagic

economic z

00 nm or to edge of

ous zon

rial se

, humid; temp

ith narrow, discont

ion ex

nt: Caribb

: Blue Mounta

l reso

gypsum,

d u

land:

nt crop

73.77

ated

km (199

al ha

specially Jul

aters polluted by industrial waste, sewage, and oil spills; damage to

internationa

ty, Climate Change,

ion, Endangered Specie

mping, Marine Life Co

Ship Polluti

ified: none of the

aphy

tween Cayman Trench a

nes for the

le J

ula

0 (July

stru

% (male 390,966;

% (male 883,053

9% (male 82,788; fema

ian

: 26.

26.2

.6 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

000 populatio

gratio

)/1,000 populat

1.05 mal

ars: 1.05 m

rs: 1 mal

over: 0.8 m

n: 1 male(s)/fe

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

74.0

.21 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(2003

ople living w

(2003

DS - d

2003

onal

Jama

ive: J

ic g

dian 1.3%, white 0.2

othe

igi

ch of God 21.2%, Bapti

9%, Pentecostal 7.6%,

1.1%, Jehovah's Witnes

ther including some

gua

, patoi

era

5 and over has ev

opulati

91.6% (2

ment J

l long form: none convent

nment

al parliamen

rative d

n, Hanover, Kingston,

nn, Saint Catherine,

Saint Thomas, Tre

ment purposes, Kingsto

to the present single

and Saint And

pend

t 1962

nal h

y, first Monday

titu

gust

l sy

mon law; has not acc

sdic

fra

of age;

tive

en ELIZABETH II (si

or General Sir Howard

st 1

ime Minister Percival

arch

nted by the governor g

ime mi

monarch is heredita

narch on the recomm

legislative election

leader of the majority

s appointed prime mi

prime minister is re

ative

consists of the Sen

rnor general on the r

e leader of the oppos

d the opposition is al

ntatives (60 seats;

to serve fi

16 October 2002 (next

cent of vote by party

arty - PNP

ial b

s appointed by the g

rime minister);

parties an

or JLP [Edward SEAGA

nth BENNETT]; People's

l James

essure group

vement or NBM; Ra

al cultists, p

organization

FAO, G-15, G-77, IADB,

CRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS

observer), ISO, ITU,

AD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU

WTo

epresentatio

on: Ambassador

general: Miam

] (202)

: [1] (20

ampshire Avenue NW,

epresentatio

n: Ambassador S

ual Life Center, 2 O

gst

s: use embassy

(876) 929-485

] (876)

descr

divides the flag into

nd black (hoist si

my Ja

y - ov

is heavily dependent

. The country continue

tourism, remittances,

wn, particularly after

ber 2001, stunted econ

n 2003, with one of th

onomy faces serious l

reased foreign comp

xchange rate; a siza

nemployment; and a gro

ailouts to ailing sect

is close to 150%. I

ed to remain in the do

ave led to increased

by the drug trade. In

ospect of having to ac

ebt payments while sim

ime problem that is ha

parity - $10.61 b

eal gro

(2003

per

er parity - $3

griculture: 6.7% industry: 37.

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

(200

by percentage share: lowest 10

f family incom

9 (

ate (consum

(200

r fo

illion

ce - by o

industry 19%, s

oyment

(200

: $2.596

illion, including capi

n (200

ic d

of GD

ture -

coffee, citrus, yams

crustaceans

ust

mina, textiles, agro

ctures, rum, cement,

telecomm

production

2000

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

ay (200

consum

bl/day (

- ex

(20

- im

(20

account

millio

ion f.o.b.

- comm

ar, bananas, rum, cof

aring apparel

s - pa

ada 10.8%, France 7.9

%, Netherland

ion f.o.b.

- comm

r goods, industrial su

l goods, machinery an

ction m

s - pa

d Tobago 9.7%, German

%, Japan 4

foreign exch

billion

- ext

illion (

aid - r

llion

ren

n dolla

ency

nge r

US dollar - 57.7409 (

42.7011 (2000)

al y

l - 31

cations

- main li

400

s - mobil

llion

hone

fully automatic dome

stic

y code - 1-876; satel

c Ocean); 3 coaxi

oadcast

13, shortw

millio

broadcast

visi

000

t count

net h

0 (2

rvice Provi

(20

net u

000

rtation

lwa

l: 2

ge: 272 km 1

belonging to the Jamai

rrier service until 1

the remaining track

to transport

km paved: 13,109 km unpa

and ha

very Bay, Kingston, M

ky Point, Port Es

ant m

00 GRT or over) 74,

2, Iceland 1, Latvia 1

troleum tanker 1, r

ea/pass

por

2003

l: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 914 to 1,

ys: total: 24 914 to 1,523 m:

ary J

ry bra

ce: Ground Forces,

ears of age for voluntary military service; younger r

npower - av

-49: 764,266

er - fit for mi

-49: 533,768

- reaching milit

7,126 (2

enditures -

llion

nditures - pe

% (

onal Issu

- inter

cit

oint for cocaine from

licit cultivation of c

bis eradication progra

oney-laundering activi

maica for illicit fi

ast updated on

=======================

n M

ction J

kgr

inous island was name

ly discovered it in 16

ed only occasionally

llowing centuries, t

ty in 1929. The lon

lcano resumed activi

active volc

phy Ja

ati

d between the Greenlan

theast o

hic coo

N, 8

efere

ic R

: 373

r: 0

373

compa

n twice the size

bound

stl

ne: 10 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the d

th frequent storms

d, partly cove

ion ex

nt: Norweg

akon VII Toppen/B

l reso

: 0% permanent crops:

ated

m (199

al ha

ano Haakon VII Toppen

resumed

nt - curr

aphy

island with so

e Jan

ula

enous in

e the Long Range Navig

al services radio sta

ment J

l long form: none convent

ency s

since August 1994,

overnor (fylkesmann)

egated to a station co

ommunicat

l sy

rway, where ap

descr

of Norw

my Ja

y - ov

anic island with no

ctivity is limited to

s radio and meteorol

ations J

A, shortwave NA note: there is one ra

ers (ISPs): 13 (Jan May

tation J

and ha

shore anc

por

003

with unpa

,437 m: 1

ry Jan

efense is the resp

nal Issues

internati

ast updated on

=======================

uction

kgr

ogunate (military dict

on from foreign influe

years this policy e

ing of its indigenous

h the United States in

ensively modernize and

ly 20th centuries, Ja

defeat the forces of

mosa (Taiwan), and sou

ied Manchuria and i

f China. Japan attack

entry into World War

east Asia. After its d

come an economic powe

ror retains his throne

rests in networks of

ness executives. The

ng in the 1990s follo

, but Japan still re

nd globally. In 2005,

nent member of the

aphy

ati

hain between the North

east of the Ko

hic coo

N, 1

efere

377,8

Islands (Ogasawara-

ri-shima, Ryukyu Isla

slands (K

3,091

374,74

compa

maller tha

bound

stl

751

ime c

; between 3 nm and 12

or Soya, Tsugaru, O

of the Korea or

ous zon

economic z

al in south to coo

gged and

ion ex

nt: Hachir

nt: Mount F

l reso

mineral res

2.19% permanent crops: 0

ated

q km (19

al ha

me active volcanoes

tremors) every yea

nt - curr

ower plant emissions

s and reservoirs degr

fe; Japan is one of th

ber, contributing to

in Asia an

internationa

vironmental Protocol,

eals, Antarctic Treaty

-Kyoto Protocol, Deser

l Modification, Hazar

Ozone Layer Protect

Tropical Timber 94

aphy

cation in no

le J

ula

02 (July

stru

(male 9,337,867;

(male 42,697,264;

% (male 10,169,190; f

ian

: 42.

40.5

.1 years (

ion gro

(200

,000 populati

gratio

1,000 populat

1.05 mal

ars: 1.05 m

s: 1.01 ma

over: 0.72

: 0.96 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,000

s/1,000 live bi

deaths/1,00

ectancy

ulation:

77.7

.51 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

n 0.1% (

ople living w

(2003

DS - d

2003

onal

se (singular

ive: J

ic g

% (Korean 511,262, Chi

pino 89,851,

azilians of Japanese o

in industries; some h

igi

and Buddhist 84%,

tian

gua

era

15 and over ca

opulati

: 99%

nment

al long form: none conve

nment

archy with a parli

rative d

Akita, Aomori, Chiba,

ma, Hiroshima, Hokka

awa, Kagoshima, Kana

yazaki, Nagano, Nagasa

ka, Saga, Saitama, Sh

okyo, Tottori, Toyama

chi, Y

pend

onal founding b

nal h

eror AKIHITO, 2

titu

l sy

an civil law system

view of legislative ac

y ICJ jurisdictio

fra

of age;

tive

peror AKIHITO (sin

nates prime minister;

commands parliamenta

s, leader of majorit

House of Representativ

monarch is

appointed by th

ime Minister Junichiro

ative

kai consists of the H

- members elected fo

ree years; 144 mem

by proportional repr

hugi-in (480 seats -

n single-seat constitu

resentation in 1

e of Councillors - per

LDP 115, DPJ 82, Kome

n of seats as of Octo

24, JCP 9, S

ives - percent of vote

09%, JCP 1.88%, SDP 1.

177, Komeito 34, JCP

eats as of December 2

P 9, SDP 6, ot

merged with Democrat

servative New Party

llowing election in

uncillors - last held

use of Representatives

lection by N

ial b

justice is appointe

inet; all other justic

parties an

apan or DPJ [Katsuya

eneral]; Japan Commun

yoshi ICHIDA, secret

sident; Tetsuzo FUYUSH

arty or LDP [Junichi

ary general]; Social D

irperson; Seiji MATAIC

essure group

organization

, ASEAN (dialogue par

RN (observer), CP, EBR

, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IC

IMO, Interpol, IOC, IO

OAS (observer), OECD,

N Security Council (te

UNITAR, UNMOVIC, UNRWA

, WMO, WT

epresentatio

ion: Ambassad

] (202)

aipan (Northern

Anchorage, Atlanta, Bo

), Honolulu, Houston,

rtland (Oregon), San

chusetts Avenue NW,

: [1] (20

ome, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8420 mailing address: Unit 45004, Box 258, APO AP 96337-5004 telephone: [81] (03) 3224-50

descr

disk (representing th

omy

ant sector of the economy, is heavily dependent on imported raw materials and fuels. The much smaller agricultural sector is highly subsidized and protected, with crop yields among the highest in the world. Usually self-sufficient in rice, Japan must import about 50% of its requirements of other grain and fodder crops. 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 eff

parity - $3.582 t

eal gro

(2003

per

r parity - $28,

griculture: 1.3% industry: 25.

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

by percentage share: lowest 10

f family incom

9 (

ate (consum

(200

r fo

millio

ce - by o

dustry 25%, servic

oyment

% (

: $1.327

trillion, including

y) of about $71 b

ic d

of GD

ture -

vegetables, fruit,

ts, eg

ust

and technologically

tronic equipment, ma

hips, chemicals, tex

production

(2003

ity - pr

illion k

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

bl/day (

consum

on bbl/day

- ex

bbl/day

- im

lion bbl/

roved r

on bbl (1 J

gas - pr

ion cu m (

gas - co

ion cu m (

gas -

(2001

gas -

ion cu m (

s - proved

on cu m (1

account

billion

ion f.o.b.

- comm

iconductors, office

s - pa

, South Korea 7.3%, T

% (

ion f.o.b.

- comm

nt, fuels, foodstuffs

terial

s - pa

%, South Korea 4.7%,

foreign exch

billion

- ext

2002

c aid -

billion

ren

ency

nge r

5.933 (2003), 125.388

000), 113.

al y

l - 31

icatio

- main li

million

s - mobil

8,600

hone

xcellent domestic and

f modern technology an

ry code - 81; satell

Ocean and 1 Indian O

, and 1 Inmarsat (Pac

ables to China, Phili

Guam)

oadcast

ters, FM 89 plus 485

millio

epeaters note: in addition, US Forces are serve

visi

illion

t count

net h

2,065

rvice Provi

(20

net u

illion

ortati

lwa

km (16,519 k

4 km 1.435-m gauge (

.372-m gauge (77 km e

km electrified); 11

ified)

hwa

1,161

(including 6,455

627,423

erw

ng vessels use i

eli

170 km; oil/gas/

and ha

iba, Hachinohe, Hako

wasaki, Kinuura, Kobe

Sakai, Sakaide, Shi

ant m

0 GRT or over) 10,149,

rgo 39, chemical tank

l 1, container 14, liq

petroleum tanker 170

short-sea/passenger

her countries: 1

1, Panama 1, Philip

por

2003

,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 37 914 to 1,523 m: 2

otal: 31 over 3047 m: 1 914 to 1,5

s: 15 (2

tary

ry bra

Force (Army), Mariti

efense Force (Air

r - military age

or voluntary mili

npower - av

49: 29,179,09

er - fit for mi

49: 25,189,43

- reaching milit

00,931 (

enditures -

1 millio

nditures - pe

(20

ional Is

- inter

e over the islands of

omai group, known in

ssia as the "Southern

1945, now administere

primary sticking poi

World War II hostilit

s highlight dispute

do/Take-shima) also c

e intensified their

u Tai) adminis

ast updated on

=======================

vis

tion Jar

kgr

e British in 1821, the

858, but abandoned in

e UK annexed the isl

further exploitation

in 1935. Abandoned af

National Wildlife Refu

Interior; a day beaco

f the we

hy Jarv

ati

South Pacific Ocean,

d the Coo

hic coo

S, 16

efere

: 4.5

r: 0

4.5

compa

the size of The Ma

bound

stl

orial sea: 12 nm exclus

ainfall, constant

d surrounded by a

ion ex

nt: Pacifi

nt: unnamed

l reso

d until late 1800s),

: 0% permanent crops:

ated

m (199

al ha

eef surrounding the i

nt - curr

fresh wat

aphy

prostrate vines, and

roosting, and foragin

, and mari

Jarvi

ula

nha

tlement on western sid

ion from 1935 until Wo

in 1957 during the Int

left in 1958; public

and Wildlife Servi

ts and educators; visi

Service (Ju

nt Jarvi

long form: none conventiona

ency s

ory of the US; admini

ildlife Service of th

f the National Wil

l sy

e US, where ap

descr

of the

Jarvis

rview: no eco

ation Jar

and ha

rage only; note - th

iddle of the west coa

corner of

rtation

con near the middl

y Jarvi

ary -

ibility of the US; vis

al Issues J

internati

ast updated on

=======================

uction

kgr

and the other Channel

edieval Dukedom of Nor

nd. These islands wer

rman troops in

aphy

ati

in the English Channe

hic coo

N, 2

efere

: 116

r: 0

116

compa

ds the size of

bound

stl

torial sea: 3 nm exclu

ld winters an

with low, rugged hi

ion ex

nt: Atlant

t: unnamed l

l reso

ble

: 0% permanent crops:

ated

al ha

nt - curr

aphy

nmost of Channel Is

ncentrated in

le J

ula

(July 2

stru

.7% (male 8,26

.1% (male 30,23

.2% (male 6,016; fema

ian

: 40.

39.6

.1 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

)/1,000 popula

1.08 mal

ars: 1.07 m

s: 0.99 ma

over: 0.77

: 0.97 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,000

ths/1,000 live b

eaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

76.6

.74 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

ople living w

DS - d

onal

annel Is

: Channel

ic g

rman-Fren

igi

olic, Baptist, Congr

st, Pre

gua

ench (official), Norma

ntry d

era

niti

popula

ale

nment

try

ong form: Bail

al short f

ency s

crown de

nment

t He

rative d

ish crown

pend

ish crown

nal h

n Day, 9

titu

tatutes, partly com

l sy

statute; justice is ad

fra

f age; uni

tive

en ELIZABETH II (si

onarch is hereditary;

pointed by

eutenant Governor and

n CHESHIRE (since 24 J

ILHACHE (since N

appointed by the A

ative

the States (55 voting

terms), 12 constable

rms), 29 deputies (ele

puty bailiff; and 3 no

torney General, and th

d by the

t held NA (nex

cent of vote - NA; se

ial b

ected by an electoral

parties an

ll inde

essure group

epresentatio

ish crown

epresentatio

ish crown

descr

red cross extending

adrant, surmounted by

three lions of E

omy

y - ov

largely on internatio

rism. Potatoes, caul

important export crop

d of dairy cattle i

nt export income earn

untries. In 1996 the f

sland's output. Touris

ts for 24% of GDP.

ged light industry to

ctronics industry has

ing of knitwear. All r

ted, as well as a larg

d death duties make t

parity - $2.2 b

eal gro

per

r parity - $24,

r: agriculture: 5% industr

below pov

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

% (

r fo

50 (

oyment

(1998

s: $601

llion, including capi

n (200

ture -

ower, tomatoes; b

ust

nking and f

production

city -

electricity sup

- comm

d electrical goods,

s - pa

- comm

t equipment, manufactu

fuels, c

s - pa

- ext

aid - r

ren

); note - there is

ency

nge r

ollar - 0.6661 (2002),

the Jersey pound is a

al y

l - 31

cations

- main li

00 (

s - mobil

00 (

hone

assess

stic

al: 3 subma

oadcast

1, shortwa

broadcast

visi

t count

rvice Provi

net u

rtation

577 km paved: NA

and ha

nt Aubin,

por

003

unways: total: 1 1,524

ary J

efense is the resp

onal Issu

internati

ast updated on

=======================

ston

ion Johns

kgr

ingdom of Hawaii anne

S that mined the guano

nd Islands were design

over the atoll in 193

d control in 1948.

tests in the 1950s and

maintained as a storag

tions destruction is n

y is progressing, with

y Johnst

ati

he North Pacific Oc

u, Hawaii, about one

the Marsha

hic coo

N, 1

efere

: 2.8

r: 0

2.8

compa

e size of The Mall

bound

stl

ime c

rial se

economic z

y dry; consistent nort

nal temperat

tly

ion ex

nt: Pacifi

int: Summi

l reso

until depletion abou

ic wi

: 0% permanent crops:

ated

m (199

al ha

nt - curr

fresh wat

aphy

the North Pacific Ocea

l islands, which have

(Akau) and East Islan

ral dredging; the egg-

to the public; a for

-closed Johnston Atoll

facilities dismantled

low-growing

Johnsto

ula

digenous

s, there was an averag

or personnel present;

ased significantly w

CAP) departed; as of

ove 200 personnel, inc

ice, and civilian cont

4 e

nt Johns

long form: none conventiona

ency s

ry of the US; administ

s, Hickam Air Force

e US Department of the

ildlife Re

l sy

e US, where ap

descr

of the

Johnst

y - ov

limited to providing

ctors located on the

goods must

tions Joh

: 512 KB satellite link to Hawaii teleport; 20 (P

cuit to US Department of Defense-run Nonsecure

ation Joh

and ha

ton I

por

003

unways: total: 1 2,438

y Johns

efense is the resp

al Issues J

internati

ast updated on

=======================

uction

kgr

story since indepe

, Jordan was ruled by

successfully navigat

s (US, USSR, and UK)

ternal Palestinian pop

ts. In 1989 he reins

political liberalizati

th Israel. King ABDALL

incess MUNA - assumed

uary 1999. Since then,

n aggressive economic

Trade Organization

opean Free Trade Assoc

mentary and municipal

e Prime Minister and g

their commitment to ac

the new cabinet includ

as min

aphy

ati

northwest o

hic coo

N, 3

efere

dle

92,30

: 329

91,971

compa

smaller t

bound

: 1,6

181 km, Israel 238 km

km, West

stl

ime c

rial se

rainy season in west

in east, highland ar

ast and West Banks

ion ex

int: Dead

int: Jabal

l reso

s, potash

2.67% permanent crops:

ated

km (199

al ha

periodic e

ral fresh water resources; deforestation;

internationa

ty, Climate Change,

ion, Endangered Specie

umping, Ozone Layer

ified: none of the

aphy

the head of the Gulf o

e longest border with

t B

le J

ula

2 (July

stru

% (male 1,009,60

% (male 1,829,984

% (male 100,896; femal

ian

: 22.

22.8

.5 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

)/1,000 popula

1.06 mal

ars: 1.04 m

s: 1.15 ma

over: 0.96

: 1.1 male(s)/fe

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

75.5

.69 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

n 0.1% (

ople living w

2003

DS - d

n 500 (2

onal

Jordan

ive: J

ic g

rcassian 1%,

igi

istian 6% (majority G

olics, Syrian Orthod

Protestant denominati

m and Druze popul

gua

lish widely understood

era

15 and over ca

opulati

86.3% (2

nment

try

form: Hashemite

al short f

ort form

l Mamlakah al Urdu

: Tran

nment

utional

rative d

afazat, singular - m

l Karak, Al Mafraq, '

d, Jarash, M

pend

eague of Nations ma

istra

nal h

ce Day, 25

titu

nuar

l sy

w and French codes;

specially provided H

pulsory ICJ

fra

of age;

tive

ABDALLAH II (since 7

son of King ABDALLA

t the

ime Minister Faisal al

inted by the prime mi

the m

onarch is hereditary;

he m

ative

ssembly or Majlis al

the House of Notable

ed by the monarch from

bers serve four-year t

so called the House

members elected by po

entation to serve four

for women and are a

el if no wome

presentatives - last h

held N

resentatives has been

times since 1974; in

ns in 22 years were h

ntil 1992; King ABDA

ons un

se of Representatives

nd others 89.6%, Islam

pendents and others 9

six quota seats was

did

ial b

Supreme Court (cou

parties an

un al-NASSER, secreta

secretary general]; B

H, secretary general];

secretary general];

ecretary general]; C

eneral]; Constitutiona

emocratic Arab Islami

reen Party [Muhamma

mocratic Left Party [M

ocratic Popular Unity

neral]; Jordanian Pro

eral]; Jordanian Peopl

S, secretary general]

etary general]; Musl

on (Haqq) Party [Muham

Constitutional Part

rab) Socialist Ba'th P

Pan-Arab (Democrat

, secretar

essure group

ommittee [Ali Abu SU

Bar Association [Sale

iation [Sayf al-SHARI

l-Majid DHUNAYBAT,

organization

EU, FAO, G-77, IAEA,

, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, I

AS, MIGA, MINUSTAH, M

, PCA, UN, UNAMSIL,

NMISET, UNOCI, UNOMIG,

O, WMO,

epresentatio

n: Ambassador K

rnational Drive NW,

] (202)

: [1] (20

epresentatio

assador (vacant); Cha

: Abdou

Box 354, Amman 11118

AE 09

: [962] (

62] (6)

descr

al bands of black (t

ite, representing the

e Fatimid Caliphate; a

resenting the Great Ar

e seven-pointed star

Sura (Al-Fatiha) of th

present faith in One

al justice, virtue, an

rab Revolt fla

omy

y - ov

b country with inadeq

esources such as oi

amental problems, but

n 1999, has undertake

effort to improve liv

has worked closely wi

licy, and made subs

ernment also has liber

e Jordan's membership

the US (2000), and an

ese measures have help

the foreign investmen

economic blow to Jorda

oil (worth $300-$600

ided temporary aid to

foreign aid expires,

etail petroleum produc

ng challenges include

cit, broader investmen

res, and the encou

parity - $23.64 b

eal gro

(2003

per

er parity - $4

agriculture: 3.6% industry: 2

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

2001

by percentage share: lowest 10

f family incom

4 (

ate (consum

(2003

r fo

illion

ce - by o

ustry 12.5%, servic

oyment

; actual rate is

: $2.397

illion, including capi

n (200

ic d

of GDP

ture -

s, tomatoes, melons,

ust

armaceuticals, petro

t manufactur

production

(2003

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion k

city -

ion kW

city -

lion kW

prod

day (20

consum

bl/day (2

- ex

(20

- im

(20

roved r

bl (1 Jan

gas - pr

on cu m (

gas - co

on cu m (

gas -

(2001

gas -

(2001

s - proved

on cu m (1

account

illion

ion f.o.b.

- comm

es, fertilizers, p

res, phar

s - pa

Switzerland 6.5%, In

% (

ion f.o.b.

- comm

fabrics, machinery,

ctured

s - pa

hina 7.9%, Germany 7.

foreign exch

billion

- ext

illion (

aid - r

million

ren

an dina

ency

nge r

S dollar - 0.709 (2003

09 (2000),

al y

ndar

cations

- main li

600

s - mobil

,300

hone

ervice has improved r

hing equipment, but

eded in the rural area

is needed by

radio relay transmis

employed on trunk line

stems; Internet se

y code - 962; satelli

and 29 land and marit

Saudi Arabia and micr

connection to intern

Around the Globe); pa

l links tota

oadcast

, shortwav

illion

broadcast

96 repeat

visi

000

t count

net h

0 (2

rvice Provi

net u

000

rtation

km narrow gauge: 505

45 km paved: 7,245 k

eli

; oil 743

and ha

'Aq

ant m

000 GRT or over) 7

ther countries:

-owned:

, container 1, r

ea/pass

por

2003

over 3,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 und

with unpa

4 m: 2 (

ipo

003

ary J

ry bra

s (JAF) (Royal Jordan

ordanian Air Force,

e - Public Security Di

rior but comes under J

uat

voluntary military service; conscription at age 18 was suspended in

npower - av

-49: 1,636,5

er - fit for mi

-49: 1,153,3

- reaching milit

9,471 (2

enditures -

2 milli

nditures - pe

% (2

onal Issu

- inter

e settled wit

nternally disp

origin): 1,740,170

(1967 Arab-Isr

ast updated on

=======================

de Nov

on Juan de

kgr

15th century Spanish

French possession si

no and phosphate. Pre

ees a meteorol

Juan de

ati

d in the Mozambique Ch

ween Madagasca

hic coo

S, 4

efere

: 4.4

r: 0

4.4

compa

the size of The Ma

bound

stl

usive economic zone: 200 nm continental shel

and

ion ex

nt: Indian

t: unnamed l

l reso

ts and other

permanent crops: 0% othe

ated

m (199

al ha

dic c

nt - curr

aphy

fe san

uan de N

ula

enous in

l French military gar

onally visited by scie

Juan de N

try

nal long

hort form: Jua

form: Ile

ong for

ency s

administered by a hi

resident

l sy

ance, where ap

epresentatio

session o

epresentatio

session o

descr

of Fran

uan de No

y - ov

ns of guano are

ons Juan de

- note: 1 meteo

ion Juan de

and ha

shore anc

por

003

with unpa

523 m: 1

Juan de N

efense is the resp

Issues Juan

rnational: clai

ast updated on

=======================

zak

ction K

kgr

x of Turkic and Mong

on in the 13th century

area was conquered

became a Soviet Repub

ltural "Virgin Lands"

lp cultivate Kazakhst

ants (mostly Russians

es) skewed the ethni

er natives. Independen

emigrate. Current issu

entity; expanding th

resources and exportin

le economic growth ou

rengthening relations

r foreig

phy Ka

ati

t of China; a small po

eastern-m

hic coo

N, 6

efere

2,717,3

47,50

,669,80

compa

han four times

bound

: 12,

a 1,533 km, Kyrgyzstan

an 379 km, Uzb

stl

ote - Kazakhstan bor

s of water (1,070 km

894

nters and hot summer

a to the Altai Mounta

to oases and dese

ion ex

t: Vpadina

Tangiri Shyngy (Pik

l reso

etroleum, natural g

, nickel, cobalt, cop

xite, gol

d u

land:

nt crop

91.97

ated

q km (19

al ha

he south, mudsli

nt - curr

hemical sites associat

anges scattered throu

s and animals; industr

se the two main river

verted for irrigation

ful layer of chemical

es are then picked up

orms; pollution in t

of agricultural chemi

re and wasteful i

internationa

ution, Biodiversit

gered Species, Hazardo

on, Ship

tified: Climate Ch

aphy

ases approximately 6,

Cosmodrome; in Januar

nded the le

e Kaz

ula

4 (July 2

stru

(male 1,884,369;

(male 5,028,455;

% (male 404,940; femal

ian

: 28.

26.6

0 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

)/1,000 populat

1.06 mal

ars: 1.04 m

s: 0.95 ma

over: 0.54

: 0.94 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

60.7

.73 years

ertilit

n born/woma

adult preva

(2001

ople living w

(200

DS - d

n 200 (2

onal

Kazakh

ve: Kaz

ic g

, Russian 30%, Ukrai

ur 1.4%, other 6

igi

Orthodox 44%, Prot

gua

language) 64.4%, Russ

designated the "lan

ion") 95%

era

15 and over ca

opulati

97.7% (1

ent Kaz

try

ng form: Republ

l short for

rm: Qazaqstan

h Soviet Soci

hort fo

nment

ian presidential rul

he execut

overnment moved from

mber

rative d

ar, singular - oblys

lmaty Oblysy, Almaty

ysy, Astana Qalasy*,

al), Bayqongyr Qalas

zaqstan Oblysy (Shymk

ostanay Oblysy, Qyzy

Oskemen), Soltusti

k), Zhambyl O

e divisions have th

s (exceptions have th

arentheses); in 199

entered into an agreem

20 years an area of 6,

ch facilities and t

, formerl

pend

991 (from the

nal h

Day, 16 Dec

titu

al referendum 30

onstitution was ado

l sy

civil l

fra

of age;

tive

ent Nursultan A. NAZAR

February 1990, electe

ime Minister Daniyal A

ime Minister Akhmetzha

f Ministers appoin

rsultan A. NAZARBAYE

ni KASYMOV 4.7%, E

RBAYEV arranged a re

dential powers: on

ments, appoint and d

all referenda at his d

heads of regi

lected by popular vote

January 1999, a year b

held NA 2006); note -

nded to 2000 by a nati

minister and first

d by the

ative

consists of the Senat

resident; other member

4 oblasts, the capital

x-year terms; note - f

(77 seats; 10 out of

winning party's lists

serve five-

te - percent of vote b

es nominated by loca

ty - NA%; seats by par

Ak Zhol (Bright Path)

- most independent ca

prises and other pro-

ndirect) last held 17

5); Majilis - last h

ext to be held

ial b

mbers); Constitution

parties an

MADINOV]; AIST (Agra

"Bright Path" [Bulat

Alikhan BAYMENOV,

Together" [Dariga NA

ALIYEV]; Civic Party

Party or KPK [Serikb

t People's Party of

c Choice Party of K

c Party of Kazakhstan

n NAZARBAYEV, chairman

aniyat [Altyns

n Kazakhstan were regi

fall

essure group

YEVA]; Almaty Helsink

e Trade Unions [Serg

on Human Rights [Yevg

s Movement or Pokole

can Network of Inter

ncy International

organization

ECO, FAO, IAEA, IBRD,

IMO, Interpol, IOC, IO

(observer), OIC, OPCW

, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU

(obse

epresentatio

: Ambassador Kan

] (202)

te(s):

: [1] (20

th Street NW, Was

epresentatio

on: Ambassador

Fumanova, Samal-

s: use embassy

[7] (3272

(3272)

descr

epresenting the endle

bove a golden steppe e

a "national orna

y Kaza

y - ov

gest of the former

ussia, possesses enorm

upplies of other miner

ural - livestock an

rial sector rests o

natural resources

or specializing in co

al machinery, and so

December 1991 and the

onal heavy industry

n of the economy, wit

1994. In 1995-97, the

form and privatization

of assets into the pr

rowth in 2000-01 - and

booming energy secto

, and foreign investm

ipeline in 2001, fro

he Black Sea, substa

y has embarked upon

the economy away fro

ing light industry. Ad

nfluence of foreign

nment has engaged in

over the terms of prod

ns con

parity - $105.5 b

eal gro

(2003

per

er parity - $6

griculture: 7.7% industry: 37.

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

2001

by percentage share: lowest 10

f family incom

4 (

ate (consum

(2003

r fo

millio

ce - by o

ndustry 30%, servi

oyment

(2003

: $6.729

illion, including capi

ic d

of GDP

ture -

pring wheat), c

ust

manganese, chromite

d, silver, phosphates,

agricultural machin

ction m

production

(2003

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

lion kW

city -

lion kW

prod

bl/day (2

consum

bl/day (2

- ex

(20

- im

(20

roved r

on bbl (1 J

gas - pr

ion cu m (

gas - co

ion cu m

gas -

on cu m (

gas -

on cu m (

s - proved

on cu m (1

account

million

ion f.o.b.

- comm

s 58%, ferrous meta

grain, wool, m

s - pa

.2%, Switzerland 13%,

ion f.o.b.

- comm

ent 41%, metal produ

s - pa

ny 8.7%, China 6.

foreign exch

billion

- ext

illion (

aid - r

assistance progra

ren

ency

nge r

- 149.576 (2003), 15

133 (2000),

al y

ndar

ations K

- main li

,900

s - mobil

millio

hone

service is poor; e

y landline and microw

are available in

y code - 7; internati

s and China carried by

other countries by

) fiber-optic cable; s

Inte

oadcast

17, shortw

illion

broadcast

ine repeat

visi

illion

t count

net h

84 (

rvice Provi

wn international

net u

000

tation K

d gauge: 13,601 km 1.520-m gaug

1 km paved: 77,020 km

erw

(Syrdariya) and Ertis

eli

10,370 km; oil 10,15

km (

and ha

tyrau (Gur'yev), Oske

Semey (Sem

ant m

,000 GRT or over)

roll on/r

26 Netherland

por

2003

with pave

al:

3,047

to 3,0

o 1,5

m: 10 (2

to 2,4

with unpa

al:

m: 217 (

3,047

to 3,0

1,523

to 2,4

ipo

003

ry Kaz

ry bra

Air Defense Forces, N

r - military age

mpulsory military serv

minimum age for volu

npower - av

-49: 4,233,6

er - fit for mi

-49: 3,381,6

- reaching milit

69,004 (

enditures -

nistry of Defense

nditures - pe

of Defense expe

nal Issues

- inter

have resolved their b

heir borders to contro

d trade; delimitation

elimitations with Turk

emarcations underwa

complete; creation of

aspian Sea is under d

een signed with Azerba

solution has been made

any of the li

cit

ultivation of cannabi

ation of opium poppy a

vernment eradication o

ian narcotics bound fo

ast updated on

=======================

uction

kgr

d liberation struggle

ce until his death in

MOI took power in a co

acto one-party state f

an National Union (KAN

MOI acceded to interna

zation in late 1991. T

islodge KANU from powe

arred by violence and

cted the will of the K

ecember of 2002 follo

, running as the candi

up, the National Rain

ENYATTA and assumed th

d on an anticorr

aphy

ati

ring the Indian Ocean

hic coo

N, 38

efere

582,6

13,40

569,25

compa

than twice the

bound

: 3,4

iopia 861 km, Somalia

69 km, Uga

stl

usive economic zone: 200 nm continental shel

cal along coast t

tral highlands bisecte

platea

ion ex

nt: Indian

nt: Mount K

l reso

a ash, salt, rubies,

fe, hy

.08% permanent crops: 0.

ated

km (199

al ha

t; flooding duri

ation of water quality from increased use of pesticides and fertilizers; water hyacint

internationa

, Climate Change, Dese

stes, Law of the Sea,

ne Layer Protection, S

ified: none of the

aphy

ds comprise one of

on regions in Africa;

s second highest pea

varied wildlife of s

le K

ula

021

his country explicitl

tality due to AIDS; t

er infant mortality a

rates, and changes i

sex than would other

4 e

stru

(male 6,575,409;

% (male 9,126,847

% (male 399,050; femal

ian

: 18.

.7 years (

18.5

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

gratio

nt(s)/1,00

NHCR, by the end of

neighboring countrie

Sudan 68,000

1.03 mal

ars: 1.02 m

s: 1.02 ma

over: 0.76

: 1.01 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

ths/1,000 live b

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

44.7

.1 years (

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(2003

ople living w

lion (2

DS - d

0 (200

fectious

, malaria, sc

e of risk: ve

onal

Keny

tive:

ic g

Luo 13%, Kalenjin 12%

15%, non-African (Asi

igi

Catholic 33%, indigeno

oth

of Kenyans are Christ

population that adhere

s vary

gua

Kiswahili (official)

gua

era

15 and over ca

opulati

79.7% (2

nment

try

long form: Re

al short f

ritish Ea

nment

rative d

a*; Central, Coast, E

Nyanza, Rift

pend

ber 1963

nal h

Day, 12 Dec

titu

mended as a republi

3, 1986, 1988, 1991,

l sy

utory law, Kenyan an

c law; judicial review

diction, with reserv

ng Kenya a de jure one

fra

of age;

tive

ent Mwai KIBAKI (since

AWORI (since 25 Septe

he chief of state a

esident Mwai KIBAKI (s

dy AWORI (since 25 Sep

he chief of state a

et appointed b

lected by popular vote

ing the largest numbe

l candidate must also

of Kenya's seven pro

on last held 27 Decemb

ice president appoin

ident Mwai KIBAKI elec

63%, Uhuru

ative

Assembly or Bunge (2

ote to serve five-ye

o are appointed by the

ortion to their parlia

icio m

December 2002 (next to

cent of vote by party

D-P 14, other 7; ex-of

nt - NARC 7, K

ial b

justice is appointed

parties an

ation of Democracy-P

irman]; Kenya African

onal Rainbow Coalition

vernin

essure group

labor unions; Muslim

Council or NCEC, a

nongovernment organiza

ouncil of Churches of

olic and other Chris

ms or SUPKEM [Shaykh A

organization

B, FAO, G-15, G-77, I

CRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,

M, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MIN

NCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR

U, WCO, WHO, WIP

epresentatio

on: Ambassador

) general:

] (202)

: [1] (20

Street NW, Wash

sy: US Embassy, United Nations Ave., Gigiti; P. O. Box 606 Village Market Nairobi mailing ad

descr

l bands of black (top

white; a large warr

is superimpos

omy

y - ov

trade and finance in

ption, notably in the

primary goods whose pr

ended Kenya's Enhance

ernment's failure to m

drought from 1999 to

ater and energy rat

As a result, GDP cont

umed loans in 2000 to

lending in 2001 when t

icorruption measures.

weak commodity prices,

ed Kenya's economic

02 because of errati

or support, and politi

27 December 2002 elect

d, and a new oppositio

roblems facing the na

t corruption, and enco

owth edging

parity - $33.03 b

eal gro

(2003

per

er parity - $1

griculture: 19.7% industry: 18

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

2000

or consumption by

st 1

10%: 37.

f family incom

9 (

ate (consum

(2003

r fo

llion (2

ce - by o

re 75% (2

oyment

2001

: $2.761

illion, including capi

ic d

of GDP

ture -

heat, sugarcane, fru

eef, pork,

ust

r goods (plastic, f

arettes, flour), ag

il refining,

production

2003

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

lion kW

prod

ay (200

consum

bl/day (

- ex

(20

- im

(20

account

millio

ion f.o.b.

- comm

roducts, coffee, pet

s - pa

%, US 9.4%, Netherlan

, Tanzania

ion f.o.b.

- comm

rtation equipment, pe

and steel, resi

s - pa

ia 9.6%, South Africa

a 5.1%, Japan 4.9%,

foreign exch

billion

- ext

illion (

aid - r

illion

ren

shillin

ency

nge r

US dollar - 75.9356 (

76.1755 (2000)

al y

y - 3

icatio

- main li

400

s - mobil

,800

hone

reliable; little attem

vice to

rimarily microwave rad

y a very small apertur

y code - 254; satelli

oadcast

18, shortw

illion

broadcast

visi

000

t count

net h

5 (2

rvice Provi

(20

net u

000

ortati

km narrow gauge: 2,778

2 km paved: 7,737 km u

erw

system is within bou

eli

oducts 752

and ha

Lamu,

ant m

000 GRT or over) 6

other countrie

eum tanker 1, r

por

2003

,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m:

l: 206 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 914 to 1,

tary

ry bra

avy, Ai

r - military age

of age (e

npower - av

-49: 8,313,0

er - fit for mi

-49: 5,150,4

enditures -

illion

nditures - pe

% (

ional Is

- inter

ve boundary still ex

Triangle"; Kenya has

orth-south civil war;

tem cattle rustling a

Army alon

nternally disp

rigin): 154,272 (Somal

97 (

ttacks on opposition

cit

of small plots of mari

destined for Europe a

ansits on way to Sou

undering activity give

l center, massive corr

narcotics-assoc

ast updated on

=======================

gman

tion Kin

kgr

ef in 1922. Its shelt

g boats on Hawaii-to-

There are no terrestr

ash, but it does suppo

. In 2001, the waters

eef were designated a

hy King

ati

North Pacific Ocean,

nd Ameri

hic coo

N, 16

efere

l: 1

r: 0

: 1

compa

e size of The Mall

bound

stl

orial sea: 12 nm exclus

erated by pre

d near

ion ex

nt: Pacifi

nt: unnamed

l reso

l and aqua

: 0% permanent crops:

ated

m (199

al ha

the time, maximum ele

n Reef a mar

nt - curr

aphy

h deep interior lagoon

Kingm

ninhabited (J

ent Kin

long form: none conventio

ency s

ory of the US; admini

d Wildlife Service of

000, the Department of

ministrative jurisdic

f the Navy; Executive

ed Kingman Reef Nation

irector, US Fish and

rotect the terrestrial

the 12-nautical-mile

l sy

e US, where ap

descr

of the

y King

rview: no eco

ation Kin

and ha

shore anc

por

halfway station betwe

Airways for flying b

y Kingm

efense is the resp

al Issues K

internati

ast updated on

=======================

rib

ction K

kgr

ere granted self-rule

in 1979 under the new

s to the sparsely inha

1979 treaty of frie

phy Ki

ati

oral atolls in the Pac

tal Tarawa is about o

ote - on 1 January 199

ory lies in the same t

) even though the Phoe

urisdiction lie on

tional

hic coo

N, 17

efere

: 811

sland groups - Gilbert

ix Is

r: 0

811

compa

he size of W

bound

stl

orial sea: 12 nm exclus

ot and humid, moder

ral atolls surround

ion ex

nt: Pacifi

unnamed locatio

l reso

duction discon

.74% permanent crops: 50

ated

al ha

any time, but usual

low level of some of

ve to change

nt - curr

agoon of south Taraw

raditional practices s

umping; ground

internationa

ty, Climate Change,

ion, Hazardous Wastes,

zone Layer

ified: none of the

aphy

are inhabited; Bana

e three great phospha

ers are Makatea in Fren

e Kir

ula

(July 20

stru

3% (male 20,087

.3% (male 28,52

.3% (male 1,434; fem

ian

: 19.

19.4

.3 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

1,000 populat

1.05 mal

ars: 1.03 m

s: 0.97 ma

over: 0.75

: 0.99 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,000

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

58.3

.44 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

ople living w

DS - d

onal

bati (singul

ve: I-K

ic g

icronesian with

igi

Protestant (Congre

Muslim, Baha'i, Latte

od (

gua

, English

era

niti

popula

ale

ment K

try

ong form: Repu

l short for

Gilber

ounced kee

nment

rative d

ds, Line Islands, Phoe

districts (Banaba, C

erts, Southern Gilbert

h of the inhabited isl

aba, Beru, Butaritar

Marakei, Nikunau, Nono

Tamana, Tar

pend

1979 (

nal h

ce Day, 12

titu

uly

l sy

fra

of age;

tive

dent Anote TONG (sinc

O; note - the preside

head of

e of Parliament cho

g their members and

lection; president is

election last held 4

uly 2007); vice presi

sid

e TONG 47.4%, Harry TO

inet appointed by the

the House o

esident Anote TONG (si

O; note - the preside

head of

ative

rliament or Maneaba Ni

vote, one ex officio

to represent Banaba,

our-yea

elections last held 2

6 December 2002 (next

cent of vote by party

ndents 7, other 2 (inc

elections were held in

3 and the second r

ial b

Court; 26 Magistrates'

ppointed by

parties an

rty or BTK [Taberanna

eburoro TITO]; Maurin

Progressive Party or

ition of formally orga

closely resemble fact

arty headquarters, for

uct

essure group

organization

RD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM

CW, PIF, Sparteca, UN,

epresentatio

e an embassy in the U

te in H

epresentatio

n embassy in Kiribati;

dited to

descr

d with a yellow frig

the lower half is blu

ripes to repr

my Ki

y - ov

3 scattered coral ato

ommercially viable p

of independence from t

bulk of production an

y in recent years. E

age of skilled workers

nternational markets.

The financial sector

e expansion of priva

from UK, Japan, Aust

f GDP. Remittances fro

an $5 milli

ty - $79 million - su

om external sou

eal gro

(2001

per

er parity - $8

agriculture: 30% industry:

below pov

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

(2001

r fo

ive, not including sub

oyment

ployment 70

s: $28.

illion, including cap

ture -

ruit, sweet potatoe

ust

g, han

production

(1991

ity - pr

ion kW

ity - co

llion k

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

ay (200

consum

/day (2

- ex

(20

- im

(20

ion f.o.

- comm

coconuts, s

s - pa

.3%, US 8.3%, Philippi

ion c.i.

- comm

and equipment, misce

ds,

s - pa

26.7%, New Zealand 8

- ext

lion (1

aid - r

gely from UK and

ren

ian dol

ency

nge r

r US dollar - 1.5419

, 1.7248 (200

al y

cations

- main li

0 (2

s - mobil

hone

assess

stic

te earth station - 1 I

686; Kiribati is bein

communications Network

hone

oadcast

M 2, sh

ave station may

00 (

broadcast

ted to be ac

visi

0 (1

t count

rvice Provi

net u

0 (2

rtation

km paved: NA km unpav

erw

rk of canals in L

and ha

o, English H

ant m

000 GRT or over) 1

assenger 1

por

2003

unways: total: 3 1,524

al: 17 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,

ary K

ry bra

forces; Police For

and paramilitary dut

all i

enditures -

nditures - pe

ary -

ve military forces;

by Austra

onal Issu

internati

ast updated on

=======================

ea,

tion Kor

al unification of Korea under Pyongyang's control. KIM's son, the current ruler KIM Jong Il, was officially designated as KIM's future successor in 1980 and assumed a growing political and managerial role until his father's death in 1994, when he assumed full power without opposition. After decades of economic mismanagement and resource misallocation, the North since the mid-1990s has relied heavily on international food aid to feed its population while continuing to expend resources to maintain an army of about 1 million. North Korea's long-range missile development and research into nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons and massive conventional armed forces are of major concern to the international community. In December 2002,

hy Kore

ati

n half of the Korean

a of Japan, between

hic coo

N, 1

efere

120,5

: 130

120,41

compa

aller than

border countries: China 1,416 km,

stl

ime c

rial se

economic z

ary line 50 nm in th

ne limit in the Yello

raft without per

rainfall concen

ntains separated by

ide in west, dis

ion ex

nt: Sea of

nt: Paektu-

l reso

zinc, graphite, magnes

salt, fluorsp

0.76% permanent crops: 2

ated

q km (19

al ha

ften followed by sever

uring the

nt - curr

quate supplies of pota

ation; soil erosi

internationa

Treaty, Biodiversi

tion, Ozone Layer Prot

ot ratified:

aphy

ordering China, Sout

or is isolated and

Korea

ula

3 (July 2

stru

(male 2,836,991;

% (male 7,575,590

% (male 583,463; femal

ian

: 31.

30.2

.6 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

1,000 populat

1.05 mal

ars: 1.03 m

s: 0.97 ma

over: 0.52

: 0.94 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

hs/1,000 live b

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

68.3

.92 years

ertilit

n born/woma

adult preva

ople living w

DS - d

onal

Kore

tive:

ic g

there is a small Chine

c Jap

igi

ist and Confucianis

gyo (Religion of

igious activities no

eligious groups exist

ious

gua

era

15 and over ca

opulati

ale

ent Kor

try

rm: Democratic Peopl

short form:

hort fo

Choson-minjujuu

s generally use the te

r co

iation

nment

ate one-man

ngy

rative d

ular and plural) and

ar and

o (Chagang), Hamgyong-

Hamgyong), Hwanghae-

uth Hwanghae), Kan

P'yongan), P'yongan-

g-do (Y

ong-si (Kaesong), Naj

'o), P'yongyang

pend

1945 (fr

nal h

ratic People's Republ

mber

titu

ly revised 27 December

2 and Sep

l sy

l law system with Ja

; no judicial review o

compulsory IC

fra

of age;

tive

Jong Il (since Jul

berstamp Supreme Pe

Chairman of the Nation

on's "highest administ

Nam President of it

presenting state and

A appointed PAK

Jong Il and KIM Yong

ons and ra

remier PAK Pong Ju (s

m Gi (since 5 Septemb

003), RO Tu Chol (si

egak), members, exce

Forces, are app

st held in September 2

mber

ative

ople's Assembly or Ch

d by popular vote to

cent of vote by party

a list of candidates

seats are held

August 2003 (next to

ial b

are elected by the Sup

parties an

Workers' Party or KWP

ties - Chondoist Chon

control); Social Demo

an] (under

essure group

organization

ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, I

CO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU,

epresentatio

a Permanent Mission

epresentatio

in Pyongyang represe

cting

descr

of blue (top), red (t

in white; on the hoist

with a red fi

y Kore

y - ov

e world's most central

rate economic conditio

eyond repair as a

pare parts shortages.

n parallel. The nation

because of a lack of

lated problems, and

assive international f

escape mass starvation

the victim of prolo

onditions. Large-scale

or investment and civ

tical tensions with k

threatened the flow of

ell. Black market pri

in official prices an

ulnerable groups, su

to buy goods. The re

s' market activities i

sion of mar

parity - $29.58 b

eal gro

2003

per

er parity - $1

agriculture: 30.2% industry:

below pov

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

2003

r fo

ce - by o

36%, nonagr

oyment

(20

nues

including capital

ture -

soybeans, pulses; ca

ust

chine building, elect

, magnesite, graphite,

allurgy; textiles, fo

production

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

ay (200

consum

bl/day (

- ex

(20

- im

(20

ion f.o.b.

- comm

ical products, manu

extiles and f

s - pa

%, China 28.4%,

ion c.i.f.

- comm

l, machinery and equi

s - pa

14.6%, Japan 11.2%, Ge

% (

- ext

lion (1

aid - r

million in food aid

additional aid from

mental org

ren

orean w

ency

nge r

n won per US dollar -

, 2.15 (May 1994), 2

(January 1990); market

0 (December 2002),

al y

ndar

tions Kor

- main li

llion

s - mobil

hone

assess

stic

y code - 850; satelli

) and 1 Russian (India

nections through

oadcast

4, shortwav

illion

broadcast

(19

visi

llion

t count

rvice Provi

net u

ation Kor

ard gauge: 5,214 km 1.435-m gau

km paved: 1,997 km unpav

te: most navigable onl

eli

54 km

and ha

ngnam (Hamhung), Kim

im, Sonbong (formerly

ant m

000 GRT or over) 921

go 166, combination

stock carrier 3, mult

cargo 1, petroleum ta

/roll off 2, sho

other countrie

1, Belize 1, Bolivia

eece 4, Italy 1, Leban

l 1, Romania 8, Saint

ia 1, Turkey 5, Ukra

por

2003

,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 23 914 to 1,523 m:

with unpa

al:

to 3,0

to 2,4

4 m: 8 (

1,523

ipo

2003

y Korea

ry bra

(includes Army, Nav

ity F

r - military age

of age (2

npower - av

-49: 6,181,0

er - fit for mi

-49: 3,694,8

- reaching milit

89,014 (

enditures -

4 milli

nditures - pe

% (2

al Issues K

- inter

islands in Yalu an

a section of bounda

ite; China has been a

North Koreans escap

ion into northern Chin

wide Demilitarized Zo

1953; periodic mariti

nternally disp

(government repress

cit

1970's into the 20

public of (North) Kore

of the government, we

arcotics, including tw

, police investigatio

ea to large illicit s

ding an attempt by the

r 150 kg of heroin to

t to North Korea eme

icit drugs targeting m

n Far East

ast updated on

=======================

ea,

tion Kor

kgr

nt kingdom under Chine

. Following its victor

cupied Korea; five ye

insula. After World Wa

half of the Korea

nment was installed i

, US and other UN forc

Korean attacks suppor

in 1953, splitting

about the 38th paral

conomic growth with pe

e level of North Korea

e-woo to the presiden

s. South Korea today

une 2000, a historic f

he South's President

eader KIM

hy Kore

ati

n half of the Korean

an and the

hic coo

N, 1

efere

98,48

98,190

: 290

compa

larger th

: 238 km border countr

stl

ime c

; between 3 nm and 12

l shelf: n

ous zon

economic z

infall heavier in

tains; wide coastal p

ion ex

nt: Sea of

int: Halla

l reso

ite, molybdenum, lead

7.18% permanent crops: 1

ated

q km (19

al ha

ing high winds and flo

common in

nt - curr

cities; acid rain; wa

nd industrial effluen

internationa

vironmental Protocol,

reaty, Biodiversity, C

ol, Desertification

tion, Hazardous Wastes

rotection, Ship Pollut

ber 94, Wetl

ified: none of the

aphy

ocation on

Korea

ula

5 (July 2

stru

(male 5,223,344;

(male 17,625,302;

2% (male 1,597,085; f

ian

: 33.

32.8

.7 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

1,000 populat

1.09 mal

ars: 1.12 m

s: 1.03 ma

over: 0.67

: 1.01 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,000

ths/1,000 live b

deaths/1,00

ectancy

ulation:

71.9

.54 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

n 0.1% (

ople living w

(200

DS - d

n 200 (2

un: Korean(s) a

ic g

cept for about

igi

hristian 26%, Buddhis

gua

ly taught in junior

era

15 and over ca

opulati

: 96.6

ent Kor

try

long form: Re

short form:

form: Tae

viati

s generally use the te

r co

hort fo

nment

rative d

ular and plural) and

, singular

, Cholla-bukto (North

'ungch'ong-bukto (

outh Ch'ungch'ong), K

Kyongsang), Kyongsang

ties: Inch'on-gwa

(Kwangju), Pusan-

), Taegu-gwangyoksi (T

lsan-gwangy

pend

1945 (fr

nal h

Day, 15 A

titu

uly

l sy

continental Europea

aw, and Chinese

fra

of age;

tive

dent ROH Moo-hyun (si

ime Minister LEE Hae-c

s KIM Jin-pyo (since

ruary 2004), and OH M

elected by popular vo

held 19 December 200

minister appointed by

deputy prime ministers

nister's re

ults of the 19 Decemb

ident; percent of vot

-chang (GNP) 4

il appointed by the

's recom

ative

Assembly or Kukhoe

terms; 243 in single-s

ional repr

ent of vote by party -

; seats by party - Ur

others

5 April 2004 (next to

scheduled for

ial b

ces appointed by pre

onstitutional Court (

on nominations by Nat

of the

parties an

y or DLP [KIM Hye-kyu

P [PARK Geun-hye, ch

DP [HAHN Hwa-kap, cha

Hak-won, chairman]; Ur

im ch

essure group

ndustries; Federation

of Trade Unions; Kore

rs Association; Korean

abor Unions; National

ration of Farmers' A

of Student

organization

, ASEAN (dialogue par

EA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, I

IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, I

RSO, NAM (guest), NEA

E (partner), PCA, UN,

, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO,

NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Sa

ILL embassy: 82 Sejong-no, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-710 mailing address: American Embass

descr

p) and blue yin-yang

lack trigram from the

ch corner of t

y Kore

y - ov

s, South Korea has a

integration into the

ago GDP per capita was

s of Africa and Asia.

a's and equal to the l

uccess through the lat

vernment/business ti

tions, sponsorship of

. The government prom

logy at the expense

nd investment over c

97-99 exposed longstan

model, including hig

wing, and an undiscip

gative 6.6% in 1998, t

.2% in 2000. Growth fe

g global economy, fal

needed corporate and

er spending and export

te anemic global growt

. In 2003 the Natio

ng the six-day wor

parity - $857.8 b

eal gro

(2003

per

r parity - $17,

agriculture: 3.6% industry: 3

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

2001

y percentage share: lowest 10%: 2

f family incom

6 (

ate (consum

(2003

r fo

millio

ce - by o

industry 19.1%, se

oyment

(2003

: $135.5

billion, including ca

billio

ic d

of GDP

ture -

arley, vegetables,

, milk,

ust

nications, automobile

ilding

production

(2003

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

ay (200

consum

on bbl/day

- ex

bbl/da

- im

lion bbl/

gas - pr

(2001

gas - co

ion cu m (

gas -

(2001

gas -

ion cu m (

account

billion

ion f.o.b.

- comm

less telecommunicati

ers, steel, ship

s - pa

.8%, Japan 9%, Hon

ion f.o.b.

- comm

cs and electronic eq

ent, organic che

s - pa

%, China 12.3%, Saud

foreign exch

billion

- ext

illion (

c aid -

200 m

ren

orean w

ency

nge r

S dollar - 1,191.61 (2

1,130.96 (2000)

al y

ndar

tions Kor

- main li

million

s - mobil

1,800

hone

xcellent domestic and

stic

y code - 82; fiber-op

rea-Japan submarine

(2 Pacific Ocean and

Pacific Oc

oadcast

50, shortwa

illion

(additionally 119 Cable Operators;

visi

illion

t count

net h

206

rvice Provi

(20

net u

millio

ation Kor

dard gauge: 3,125 km 1.435-m g

hwa

: 86,

(including 1,996

2,182 km (

te: most navigable onl

eli

refined produc

and ha

Kunsan, Masan, Mok

hang, Ul

ant m

00 GRT or over) 5,978

ther countries:

ain 1, China 1, Gib

Malaysia 1, Panama 1

dines 1, United Kingd

go 174, chemical tank

uefied gas 19, passen

20, roll on/roll off

tanker 6, veh

por

2003

047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 21 914 to 1,523 m: 12

ys: total: 91 914 to 1,523 m:

s: 206 (

y Korea

ry bra

e, Marine Corps, Nat

st G

ry military service; conscript service obligation - 24-28 months, depending on t

npower - av

49: 14,233,89

er - fit for mi

-49: 8,966,2

- reaching milit

41,697 (

enditures -

billio

nditures - pe

% (

al Issues K

- inter

Line within the 4-km

om South Korea since 1

rea over the Northern

er Liancourt Rocks (T

er fishing rights in g

ast updated on

=======================

uction

kgr

ign relations and de

asty from 1899 until

d overrun by Iraq on 2

l bombardment, a US-le

February 1991 that li

e than $5 billion to r

during

aphy

ati

g the Persian Gulf, b

hic coo

N, 4

efere

dle

17,82

r: 0

17,820

compa

maller tha

km border countries: Iraq

stl

ime c

rial se

ely hot summers; s

tly undulatin

ion ex

nt: Persia

t: unnamed l

l reso

ish, shrimp,

.73% permanent crops: 0.

ated

km (19

al ha

common from October t

roads and houses; san

year, but are most co

some of world's largest and most sophisticated desalination facilitie

Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Waste

rategic location at

le K

e: includes 1,291,354 non

stru

% (male 316,237;

% (male 1,007,298

7% (male 38,408; fema

ian

: 25.

28.2

2 years (

ion gro

ts a return to pre-Gul

ates (2

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

)/1,000 populat

1.04 mal

ars: 1.04 m

s: 1.77 ma

over: 1.76

: 1.52 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

deaths/1,000

ths/1,000 live b

ectancy

ulation:

75.8

.86 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(200

ople living w

DS - d

onal

Kuwa

ive: K

ic g

ab 35%, South Asian 9

igi

, Shi'a 30%), Christi

gua

ial), English

era

15 and over ca

opulati

81.7% (2

nment

try

long form: St

al short f

rt form:

form: Dawla

nment

nstitution

rative d

azat, singular - muha

'Asimah, Al J

pend

1961 (

nal h

ay, 25 Feb

titu

promulgated 1

l sy

Islamic law significan

ed compulsory

fra

een naturalized for 30

ce before 1920 and th

l citizens are eligi

ho do not meet the pre

for 30 years were el

tive

JABIR al-Ahmad al-Jab

Prince SAAD al-Abdul

ime Minister SABAH al-

First Deputy Prime M

l-Ahmad Al Sabah (sin

K al-Hamad Al Sabah (s

al-SHARAR

inisters appointed by

d by th

monarch is heredita

nisters appoint

ative

ssembly or Majlis al-

ar vote to serve

d 6 July 2003 (next

rcent of vote - NA;

14, liberals 3, and

are also ex officio

ial b

ourt o

parties an

of political p

roups act as de facto parties: Bedouins, merchants, Sunni

organization

MF, BDEAC, CAEU, FAO,

tory), ICRM, IDA, IDB,

l, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAS,

NCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,

O, WMO,

epresentatio

bassador SALIM al-Ab

] (202)

: [1] (20

lden Street NW, W

epresentatio

on: Ambassador

14, Al-Masjed Al-Aqsa

), Kuw

Box 77 Safat 13001 Ku

80-

[965] 539

965] 5

descr

bands of green (top),

on the hoist side; d

he Arab revolt f

omy

y - ov

h, relatively open eco

98 billion barrels -

nearly half of GDP, 9

income. Kuwait's clima

ntly, with the except

imports. About 75% o

Kuwait continues its

op fields in the north

parity - $41.46 b

eal gro

(2003

per

r parity - $19,

: agriculture: 0.4% industr

nt (gros

GDP

below pov

or consumption by

st 1

st 10

ate (consum

(2003

r fo

mil

present about 80% of

ce - by o

, industries N

oyment

(2003

: $29.41

illion, including capi

ic d

of GDP

ture -

lly no c

ust

micals, desalinatio

ction m

production

2002

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

h (2

city -

h (2

prod

on bbl/day

consum

bl/day (2

- ex

ion bbl/d

- im

(20

roved r

on bbl (1 J

gas - pr

on cu m (

gas - co

on cu m (

gas -

(2002

gas -

(2002

s - proved

on cu m (1 J

account

billion

ion f.o.b.

- comm

ned products

s - pa

rea 14.9%, US 11.5%,

% (

ion f.o.b.

- comm

materials, vehicles

s - pa

, Germany 9.6%, China

Italy 5%, Fra

foreign exch

billion

- ext

illion (

aid - r

(20

ren

i dina

ency

nge r

dollar - 0.298 (2003),

68 (2000), 0

al y

l - 31

cations

- main li

900

s - mobil

illion

hone

: the quality of s

e exchanges provide a

affic is carried by m

pen-wire and fiber-o

tes throughout Kuwait,

with pay

code - 965; coaxial c

a; linked to Bahrain

cable; satellite eart

ndian Ocean), 1 Inmars

rab

oadcast

1, shortwa

millio

broadcast

al satellite c

visi

000

t count

net h

7 (2

rvice Provi

net u

000

rtation

km paved: 3,587 km unpa

eli

40 km; refined pr

and ha

uwaykh, Kuwait, Mina'

, Mina

ant m

0 GRT or over) 2,319,

other countrie

d: India 1,

iner 6, liquefied gas

ker 21, roll

por

003

l: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047

with unpa

to 2,4

4 m: 2 (

ipo

003

ary K

ry bra

Air Force (includin

onal

r - military age

mpulsory and voluntary

npower - av

-49: 880,461

er - fit for mi

-49: 531,556

- reaching milit

8,849 (2

enditures -

4 milli

nditures - pe

% (

onal Issu

- inter

bia continue negotia

o maritime boundary e

ian

ast updated on

=======================

rgy

ction K

kgr

try of incredible na

yrgyzstan was annexed

e from the Soviet Un

rivatization of sta

acy and political f

and combati

phy Ky

ati

sia, west

hic coo

N, 7

efere

198,5

7,200

191,30

compa

aller than

bound

: 3,8

a 858 km, Kazakhstan 1

ekistan

stl

(land

ime c

(land

polar in high Tien

lley); temperate in n

nd associated valley

re n

ion ex

Kara-Daryya (K

ngish Chokusu (Pi

l reso

significant deposits

oitable coal, oil, a

ine, mercury, bism

d u

e lan

nt crop

the world's largest

st (

r: 9

ated

q km (19

al ha

nt - curr

ny people get their

and wells; as a resul

asing soil salinity

cti

internationa

ion, Biodiversity, C

, Desertification, Ha

Prot

ified: none of the

aphy

ountainous, dominated

glaciers, and h

e Kyr

ula

9 (July

stru

% (male 835,599;

% (male 1,535,447

% (male 120,555; femal

ian

: 23.

22.2

4 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

)/1,000 populat

1.05 mal

ars: 1.04 m

s: 0.96 ma

over: 0.63

: 0.96 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

63.8

.05 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

n 0.1% (

ople living w

(200

DS - d

n 200 (2

onal

Kyrgyz

ve: Kyr

ic g

3.8%, Russian 12.5%,

, other 5.7%

igi

ssian Orthodox

gua

language, Russian

, the Kyrgyzstani legi

age, equal in

era

15 and over ca

opulati

96% (1

ent Kyr

try

long form: Ky

l short for

hort fo

iz Soviet Soc

orm: Kyrgyz

nment

rative d

r, singular - oblasty

k Shaary*, Chuy Oblast

, Osh Oblasty, Talas O

rak

e divisions have th

s (exceptions have th

wing in pa

pend

991 (from S

nal h

e Day, 31 A

titu

ote - amendment propo

al referendum on 2 Feb

he president at the exp

l sy

civil l

fra

of age;

tive

ident Askar AKAYEV (

rime Minister Nikolay

inister Kurmanbek BAK

rators were killed in

Deputy Prime Minister

19 Marc

inisters appointed by

on of the pr

r AKAYEV reelected pre

murbek TEKEBAYEV 14%,

marred by seriou

eelected by popular vo

9 October 2000 (next

ed by the president; n

that he will not see

erm expir

ative

uncil or Jorgorku Ke

epresentatives (70 sea

erve five-year terms

embers are elected by

- in accordance with

o become unicameral wi

ary 2005

mbly of People's Repre

eats by party - NA; an

rty - NA%; seats by p

Supreme Council were

Communists 6, My Cou

ents 73,

e became bicameral f

lection results inclu

tatives and the L

of People's Represen

h 2000 (next to be h

- last held 20 Februa

unicameral body or Jor

Februa

ial b

s are appointed for

the recommendatio

ourt; Higher Cou

parties an

[Toychubek KASYMOV];

YKOV]; Agrarian Part

tan (Forward, Kyrgyzst

arty [Emil ALIYEV];

k BEKNAZAROV]; Ata-Mek

t Party of Kyrgyzsta

f Kyrgyzstan or DDK [

ve and Democratic Pa

arty [Topchubek TURG

LEBAYEV]; Jany Kyrgyz

iran El [Dooronbek SA

]; Kyrgyzstan Keleche

ritual Restoration) [C

rty of Action) [Jooma

stan or KCP [Bakytbe

[Muratbek IMANALIEV

gul I

essure group

e Unions; Kyrgyz Com

National Unity Democra

epre

organization

BRD, ECO, FAO, IAE

, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRC

ondent), ITU, MIGA, NA

UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD,

WFTU, WHO, WIPO

epresentatio

n: Ambassador B

] (202)

te(s):

: [1] (20

consin Avenue NW,

epresentatio

n: Ambassador S

rospect Mira,

s: use embassy

] (312) 551-241

6] (312)

descr

ellow sun in the c

rgyz tribes; on the ob

the reverse, clockwis

ssed by two sets of t

he roof of the trad

y Kyrg

y - ov

, mountainous countr

Cotton, tobacco, wool,

although only tobacco

trial exports include

electricity. Kyrgy

ng out market reforms

land reform. Kyrgyzs

into the World Trade

has been lowered to an

% in 2003. Much of th

old. Drops in producti

viet Union in Decembe

recover and export

uished itself by adopt

he drop in output at

in GDP in 2002, but G

ernment has made stead

deficit and aims to r

04. The government a

ons have been engag

duction and economic g

tic industry and succe

re keys to f

parity - $7.808 b

eal gro

(2003

per

er parity - $1

griculture: 38.7% industry: 22

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

2003

by percentage share: lowest 10

f family incom

6 (

ate (consum

(2003

r fo

llion

ce - by o

ndustry 15%, servi

oyment

(1999

: $371.5

illion, including capi

ture -

oes, vegetables, grape

oats, ca

ust

iles, food processing

furniture, electric m

production

2000

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

llion k

city -

lion kW

prod

l/day (2

consum

bl/day (

- ex

(20

- im

(20

gas - pr

n cu m (2

gas - co

ion cu m (

gas -

(2001

gas -

n cu m (

account

millio

on f.o.b.

- comm

obacco; gold, mercury

r; machin

s - pa

20.3%, Russia 16.7%,

hina 4%

on f.o.b.

- comm

ery and equipment,

s - pa

stan 24%, China 10.3

rmany 5.

foreign exch

million

- ext

lion (20

aid - r

n from the

ren

tani so

ency

nge r

3.6484 (2003), 46.9371

000), 39.0

al y

ndar

ations K

- main li

800

s - mobil

00 (

hone

oorly developed; abou

for househo

microwave radio relay;

mited to Bi

ry code - 996; conne

e or microwave radio

onnections with Mosco

e; satellite earth sta

ted internationally by

iber-op

oadcast

ter stations), FM 14

000

broadcast

throughout the count

an, Kazakhstan,

visi

000

t count

net h

99 (

rvice Provi

net u

000

tation K

km broad gauge: 470 k

hwa

: 18,

(including 140

1,646 km

erw

km (

eli

m; oil 13

and ha

Ysyk-Kol o

por

2003

over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524

al: 44 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,

ry Kyr

ry bra

efense, Security Fo

r - military age

r compulsory milit

npower - av

-49: 1,347,3

er - fit for mi

-49: 1,091,5

- reaching milit

9,759 (2

enditures -

millio

nditures - pe

% (

nal Issues

- inter

is fully demarcate

y complete with only

lley delay completion

ion is underway with

es and elsewhere conti

0 km of

cit

vation of cannabis an

rnment eradication of

ian narcotics bound fo

ast updated on

=======================

ducti

kgr

ntrol of Siam (Thaila

e 19th century when i

Siamese Treaty of 1907

In 1975, the Communist

ing a six-century-old

socialization were r

rprise, a liberalizati

admission into

raph

ati

northeast of Thaila

hic coo

N, 1

efere

heas

236,8

6,000

230,80

compa

larger

bound

: 5,0

rma 235 km, Cambodia

754 km, Vie

stl

(land

ime c

(land

iny season (May to N

ber to

untains; some pl

ion ex

nt: Mekong

int: Phou

l reso

er, gypsum, tin,

d u

e lan

nt crop

95.85

ated

igation - 2,169 sq km;

km (199

al ha

s, dr

nt - curr

deforestation; soil

not have access

internationa

ty, Climate Change,

ation, Endangered Sp

of the Sea, Ozon

ified: none of the

aphy

the country is mou

River forms a large

y with

ple

ula

7 (July

stru

(male 1,277,152;

% (male 1,642,895

2% (male 87,995; fema

ian

: 18.

18.3

9 years (

ion gro

(200

1,000 populat

,000 populati

gratio

1,000 populat

1.04 mal

ars: 1.01 m

s: 0.97 ma

over: 0.83

: 0.98 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,00

aths/1,000 live

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

52.7

.75 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(2003

ople living w

(200

DS - d

n 200 (2

fectious

ue fever, malaria,

e of risk: ve

onal

o(s) or

e: Lao o

ic g

68%, Lao Theung (up

ing the Hmong and

ese/Chi

igi

and other 40% (inclu

nation

gua

ch, English, and var

era

15 and over ca

opulati

: 55.5

nment

try

form: Lao People's

nal short

hort fo

athalanalat Paxath

nment

nist

nti

rative d

g, singular and plur

ngular and plural),

r and plural); Attap

Khammouan, Louangna

Salavan, Savannakhet,

isomboun**, Xek

pend

1949 (fr

nal h

ay, 2 Dece

titu

ted 14 A

l sy

customs, French legal

ialist

fra

of age;

tive

ent Gen. KHAMTAI Sipha

ent Lt. Gen. CHOUMMAL

rime Minister BOUNGNA

uty Prime Minister Bou

Prime Minister Maj. G

e Minister THONGLOUN S

ime Minister SOMSAVA

uary

nisters appointed by t

ational

t elected by the Na

on last held 24 Februa

ster appointed by th

tional Assembly fo

MTAI Siphandon electe

Assembly

ative

sembly (109 seats; mem

year terms; note -

99 to 109 for t

24 February 2002 (nex

cent of vote by party

ed (independent, no

ial b

(the president of the

ional Assembly on the

nding Committee; the

and the judges are ap

Standing

parties an

nary Party or LPRP [KH

other partie

essure group

l groups proscribed;

country

organization

, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD,

Interpol, IOC, ITU, MI

DO, UPU, WFTU, WHO,

ser

epresentatio

: Ambassador PHA

] (202)

: [1] (20

Street NW, Wash

H embassy: 19 Rue Bartholonie, B. P. 114, Vientiane mailing address: American Embassy,

descr

s of red (top), blue

te disk centered

omy

y - ov

aos - one of the fe

gan decentralizing co

1986. The results, sta

ng - growth averaged

d drop caused by the

spite this high growt

ive infrastructure; i

stem, and limited e

lectricity is availab

iculture accounts for

t. The economy will co

other international

nt in food proce

parity - $10.32 b

eal gro

(2003

per

er parity - $1

griculture: 49.4% industry: 24

w poverty line:

by percentage share: lowest 10

f family incom

(19

ate (consum

(200

r fo

lion (2

ce - by o

re 80% (1

oyment

(1997

: $298.5

illion, including capi

ture -

tables, corn, coffee

rice, water buffalo,

ust

ng, timber, electri

nstruction, ga

production

(2001

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

lion kW

city -

h (2

prod

ay (200

consum

l/day (2

- ex

(20

- im

(20

account

illion

lion (20

- comm

roducts, coffee,

s - pa

am 15.9%, France 7.3%

(20

on f.o.b.

- comm

pment, vehicles, f

s - pa

China 12.8%, Vie

foreign exch

illion

- ext

billio

aid - r

lion (20

ren

ency

nge r

10,443 (2003), 10,0

.64 (2000), 7

al y

r - 30 S

icatio

- main li

00 (

s - mobil

00 (

hone

rvice to general publi

hones currently in ser

1; the government reli

mmunicate wit

iotelephone c

ry code - 856; satel

k (Indian O

oadcast

1, shortwa

000

broadcast

visi

00 (

t count

net h

rvice Provi

net u

00 (

ortati

hwa

: 21,

: 9,6

2,052 km (

erw

g and tributaries; 2,

ble by craft drawing

eli

oducts 540

and ha

ant m

000 GRT or over) 2

cargo 1 (

por

2003

with pave

to 3,0

to 2,4

523 m: 3

with unpa

al:

to 2,4

1,523

m: 21 (2

tary

ry bra

PA; including Riveri

years of age for compulsory military service; cons

npower - av

-49: 1,456,5

er - fit for mi

-49: 783,800

- reaching milit

8,563 (2

enditures -

millio

nditures - pe

% (

ional Is

- inter

ries with Cambodia, T

with Thailand several

dispute; ongoing disp

; concern among Mekong

f dams on the Mekong R

cit

illicit opium producer

tares, a 19% decreas

n 2003 - 200 metric to

n producer; transshipm

ced in Burma; illicit

amphetamine

ast updated on

=======================

uction

kgr

of independence betwe

y the USSR in 1940.

following the breakup

sian troops left in 1

30% of the population

both NATO and the EU

aphy

ati

ering the Baltic Sea

hua

hic coo

N, 2

efere

64,58

1,000

63,589

compa

rger than W

bound

: 1,1

rus 141 km, Estonia 33

ia 2

stl

usive economic zone: 200 nm continental shel

wet, moder

ion ex

int: Balt

int: Gaizi

l reso

mite, amber, hydropow

9.67% permanent crops: 0

ated

s often too wet, and i

ely 16,000 sq km or 85

oved by drain

al ha

nt - curr

t has benefited fro

country regained in

es are improvement of

usehold and hazardous

tion; in 2001, Latvia

environment committin

ental direc

internationa

ion, Biodiversity, C

Endangered Species, H

on, Ship Pollu

d: Air Pollution-Persis

aphy

composed of fertile,

lls in

le L

ula

6 (July

stru

(male 177,223;

2% (male 772,496

8% (male 118,035; fema

ian

: 38.

35.6

.9 years (

ion gro

(2004

,000 populati

1,000 populat

gratio

)/1,000 populat

1.05 mal

ars: 1.05 m

s: 0.94 ma

over: 0.48

: 0.86 male(s)/f

mortali

deaths/1,000

hs/1,000 live bi

deaths/1,000

ectancy

ulation:

65.9

.09 years

ertilit

n born/woman

adult preva

(2001

ople living w

(200

DS - d

n 500 (2

onal

Latv

ive: L

ic g

an 29.6%, Belarusian

thuanian 1.4%,

igi

n Catholic, Ru

gua

al), Lithuanian

era

15 and over ca

opulati

99.8% (2

nment

try

ong form: Repu

al short f

ort form

an Soviet Soc

form: Latvi

nment

entary

rative d

- rajons) and 7 munici

s, Balvu Rajons, Bausk

ls Rajons, Dobeles Ra

gava*, Jelgavas Rajon

s, Liepaja*, Liepajas

nas Rajons, Ogres R

ons, Riga*, Rigas Rajo

Valkas Rajons, Valmie

pils

pend

991 (from S

nal h

November (1918); note

red itself independen

clared the renewal of

e facto independence

titu

October 1998 amendmen

91 Constitutional Law,

onsti

l sy

civil l

fra

; universal for

tive

ent Vaira VIKE-FREIBER

ime Minister Aigars KA

inisters nominated by

by the P

eelected by Parliament

June 2003 (next to b

r appointed b

aira VIKE-FREIBERGA

Vaira VIKE-FREIBERG

ative

or Saeima (100 seats;

vote to serve

October 2002 (next to b

cent of vote by party

16.7%, ZZS 9.5%, First

Era 26, PCTVL 24, Peo

arty 10

ial b

' appointments are co

parties an

and Farmers Union or

dulis EMSIS (Green P

S]; For Human Rights

]; For Our Latvia or

cratic Party or LNDP

t [Aivars GARDA]; Lat

Democrats) or LSDSP [A

of Latgale or LG; New

Party or JP [Sergejs

[Janis JURKANS]; Peop

ocratic Union or SDS [

d Freedom/LNNK or TB/

tic Welfare Party or

ican Party of

essure group

e Protection of Rus

andr K

organization

CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD

ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, ID

M, ISO (correspondent)

OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UN

filiate), WHO,

epresentatio

on: Ambassador

] (202)

[1] (202) 7

th Street NW, Was

epresentatio

: Ambassador Cat

ina Boulevard

ican Embassy Riga, PS

e: [371]

371] 7

descr

s of maroon (top), wh

omy

y - ov

l economy recovered

rgely due to the SKE

adual reorientation

Latvia's trade depe

banks, and real estat

till holds sizable s

ficially joined the Wo

paring for EU members

The current account a

concerns, but the go

n revenue collection

parity - $23.9 bi

eal gro

(2003

per

r parity - $10,

agriculture: 4.5% industry:

nt (gros

of GDP

below pov

by percentage share: lowest 10

f family incom

(19

ate (consum

(2003

r fo

lion (20

ce - by o

ndustry 25%, servi

oyment

(2003

: $3.691

illion, including capi

ic d

of GDP

ture -

otatoes, vegetables;

ust

t and railroad car

ry, fertilizers, was

uticals, processed fo

orts for energy

production

2003

ity - pr

llion kW

ity - co

llion kW

city -

lion kW

city -

llion k

prod

ay (200

consum

bl/day (

- ex

(20

- im

(20

gas - pr

(2001

gas - co

on cu m (

gas -

(2001

gas -

on cu m (

account

millio

n f.o.b.

- comm

, machinery and equipm

dst

s - pa

.8%, Sweden 10.5%, L

k 6%, Russia

ion f.o.b.

- comm

ipment, chemicals

s - pa

nia 9.7%, Russia 8.7%

%, Poland 5.1%,

foreign exch

billion

- ext

illion (

aid - r

millio

ren

an la

ency

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