Front matter (continued 6)
Reading edition
*Czech Republic, Government
Legislative branch: bicameral National Council (Narodni rada) will consist of an upper house or Senate (which has not yet been established) and a lower house or Chamber of Deputies Judicial branch: Supreme Court, Constitutional Court Leaders: Chief of State: President Vaclav HAVEL (since 26 January 1993) Head of Government: Prime Minister Vaclav KLAUS (since NA June 1992); Deputy Prime Ministers Ivan KOCARNIK, Josef LUX, Jan KALVODA (since NA June 1992) Member of: BIS, CCC, CE, CEI, CERN, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, FAO, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, IFCTU, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LORCS, NACC, NAM (guest), NSG, PCA, UN (as of 8 January 1993), UNAVEM II, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOSOM, UNPROFOR, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Michael ZANTOVSKY chancery: 3900 Spring of Freedom Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 363-6315 or 6316 US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Adrian A. BASORA embassy: Trziste 15, 125 48, Prague 1 mailing address: Unit 25402; APO AE 09213-5630 telephone: [42] (2) 536-641/6 FAX: [42] (2) 532-457 Flag: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side
*Czech Republic, Economy
Overview: The dissolution of Czechoslovakia into two independent nation states - the Czech Republic and Slovakia - on 1 January 1993 has complicated the task of moving toward a more open and decentralized economy. The old Czechoslovakia, even though highly industrialized by East European standards, suffered from an aging capital plant, lagging technology, and a deficiency in energy and many raw materials. In January 1991, approximately one year after the end of communist control of Eastern Europe, theCzech and Slovak Federal Republic launched a sweeping program to convert its almost entirely state-owned and controlled economy to a market system. In 1991-92 these measures resulted in privatization of some medium- and small-scale economic activity and the setting of more than 90% of prices by the market - but at a cost in inflation, unemployment, and lower output. For Czechoslovakia as a whole inflation in 1991 was roughly 50% and output fell 15%. In 1992, in the Czech lands, inflation dropped to an estimated 12.5% and GDP was down a more moderate 5%. For 1993 the government of the Czech Republic anticipates inflation of 15-20% and a rise in unemployment to perhaps 12% as some large-scale enterprises go into bankruptcy; GDP may drop as much as 3%, mainly because of the disruption of trade links with Slovakia. Although the governments of the Czech Republic and Slovakia had envisaged retaining the koruna as a common currency, at least in the short term, the two countries ended the currency union in February 1993. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $75.3 billion (1992 est.) National product real growth rate: -5% (1992 est.) National product per capita: $7,300 (1992 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 12.5% (1992 est.) Unemployment rate: 3.1% (1992 est.) Budget: revenues $NA; expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Exports: $8.2 billion (f.o.b., 1992) commodities: manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, fuels, minerals, and metals partners: Slovakia, Germany, Poland, Austria, Hungary, Italy, France, US, UK, CIS republics Imports: $8.9 billion (f.o.b., 1992) commodities: machinery and transport equipment, fuels and lubricants, manfactured goods, raw materials, chemicals, agricultural products partners: Slovakia, CIS republics, Germany Austria, Poland, Switzerland, Hungary, UK, Italy External debt: $3.8 billion hard currency indebtedness (December 1992) Industrial production: growth rate -4% (November 1992 over November 1991); accounts for over 60% of GDP Electricity: 16,500,000 kW capacity; 62,200 million kWh produced, 6,030 kWh per capita (1992)
*Czech Republic, Economy
Industries: fuels, ferrous metallurgy, machinery and equipment, coal, motor vehicles, glass, armaments Agriculture: largely self-sufficient in food production; diversified crop and livestock production, including grains, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruit, hogs, cattle, and poultry; exporter of forest products Illicit drugs: the former Czechoslovakia was a transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and was emerging as a transshipment point for Latin American cocaine (1992) Economic aid: the former Czechoslovakia was a donor - $4.2 billion in bilateral aid to non-Communist less developed countries (1954-89) Currency: 1 koruna (Kc) = 100 haleru Exchange rates: koruny (Kcs) per US$1 - 28.59 (December 1992), 28.26 (1992), 29.53 (1991), 17.95 (1990), 15.05 (1989), 14.36 (1988), 13.69 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year
*Czech Republic, Communications
Railroads: 9,434 km total (1988) Highways: 55,890 km total (1988) Inland waterways: NA km; the Elbe (Labe) is the principal river Pipelines: natural gas 5,400 km Ports: coastal outlets are in Poland (Gdynia, Gdansk, Szczecin), Croatia (Rijeka), Slovenia (Koper), Germany (Hamburg, Rostock); principal river ports are Prague on the Vltava, Decin on the Elbe (Labe) Merchant marine: the former Czechoslovakia had 22 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 290,185 GRT/437,291 DWT; includes 13 cargo, 9 bulk; may be shared with Slovakia Airports: total: 75 usable: 75 with permanent-surface runways: 8 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 4 Telecommunications: NA
*Czech Republic, Defense Forces
Branches: Army, Air and Air Defense Forces, Civil Defense, Railroad Units Manpower availability: males age 15-49 2,736,657; fit for military service 2,083,555; reach military age (18) annually 95,335 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: 23 billion koruny, NA% of GNP (1993 est.); note - conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars using the current exchange rate could produce misleading results
*Denmark, Geography
Location: Northwestern Europe, bordering the North Sea on a peninsula north of Germany Map references: Arctic Region, Europe, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 43,070 km2 land area: 42,370 km2 comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of Massachusetts note: includes the island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea and the rest of metropolitan Denmark, but excludes the Faroe Islands and Greenland Land boundaries: total 68 km, Germany 68 km Coastline: 3,379 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 4 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm International disputes: Rockall continental shelf dispute involving Iceland, Ireland, and the UK (Ireland and the UK have signed a boundary agreement in the Rockall area); dispute between Denmark and Norway over maritime boundary in Arctic Ocean between Greenland and Jan Mayen is before the International Court of Justice Climate: temperate; humid and overcast; mild, windy winters and cool summers Terrain: low and flat to gently rolling plains Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, fish, salt, limestone Land use: arable land: 61% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 6% forest and woodland: 12% other: 21% Irrigated land: 4,300 km2 (1989 est.) Environment: air and water pollution Note: controls Danish Straits linking Baltic and North Seas
*Denmark, People
Population: 5,175,922 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 0.23% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 12.5 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 11.42 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 1.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 7.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.51 years male: 72.63 years female: 78.56 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.68 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Dane(s) adjective: Danish Ethnic divisions: Scandinavian, Eskimo, Faroese, German Religions: Evangelical Lutheran 91%, other Protestant and Roman Catholic 2%, other 7% (1988) Languages: Danish, Faroese, Greenlandic (an Eskimo dialect), German (small minority) Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980) total population: 99% male: NA% female: NA% Labor force: 2,553,900 by occupation: private services 37.1%, government services 30.4%, manufacturing and mining 20%, construction 6.3%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 5.6%, electricity/gas/water 0.6% (1991)
*Denmark, Government
Names: conventional long form: Kingdom of Denmark conventional short form: Denmark local long form: Kongeriget Danmark local short form: Danmark Digraph: DA Type: constitutional monarchy Capital: Copenhagen Administrative divisions: metropolitan Denmark - 14 counties (amter, singular - amt) and 1 city*, (stad); Arhus, Bornholm, Frederiksborg, Fyn, Kbenhavn, Nordjylland, Ribe, Ringkbing, Roskilde, Snderjylland, Staden Kbenhavn*, Storstrm, Vejle,, Vestsjaelland, Viborg note: see separate entries for the Faroe Islands and Greenland, which are part of the Danish realm and self-governing administrative divisions Independence: 1849 (became a constitutional monarchy) Constitution: 5 June 1953 Legal system: civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations National holiday: Birthday of the Queen, 16 April (1940) Political parties and leaders: Social Democratic Party, Poul Nyrup RASMUSSEN; Conservative Party, Poul SCHLUETER; Liberal Party, Uffe ELLEMANN-JENSEN; Socialist People's Party, Holger K. NIELSEN; Progress Party, Pia KJAERSGAARD; Center Democratic Party, Mimi Stilling JAKOBSEN; Radical Liberal Party, Marianne JELVED; Christian People's Party, Jann SJURSEN; Common Course, Preben Moller HANSEN; Danish Workers' Party Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Elections: Parliament: last held 12 December 1990 (next to be held by December 1994); results - Social Democratic Party 37.4%, Conservative Party 16.0%, Liberal 15.8%, Socialist People's Party 8.3%, Progress Party 6.4%, Center Democratic Party 5.1%, Radical Liberal Party 3.5%, Christian People's Party 2.3%, other 5.2%; seats - (179 total; includes 2 from Greenland and 2 from the Faroe Islands) Social Democratic 69, Conservative 30, Liberal 29, Socialist People's 15, Progress Party 12, Center Democratic 9, Radical Liberal 7, Christian People's 4 Executive branch: monarch, heir apparent, prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral parliament (Folketing) Judicial branch: Supreme Court
*Denmark, Government
Leaders: Chief of State: Queen MARGRETHE II (since NA January 1972); Heir Apparent Crown Prince FREDERIK, elder son of the Queen (born 26 May 1968) Head of Government: Prime Minister Poul Nyrup RASMUSSEN (since NA January 1993) Member of: AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, CERN, COCOM, CSCE, EBRD, EC, ECE, EIB, ESA, FAO, G-9, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, MTCR, NACC, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OECD, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMOGIP, UNPROFOR, UNTSO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, ZC Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Peter Pedersen DYVIG chancery: 3200 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 234-4300 FAX: (202) 328-1470 consulates general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Richard B. STONE embassy: Dag Hammarskjolds Alle 24, 2100 Copenhagen O mailing address: APO AE 09716 telephone: [45] (31) 42-31-44 FAX: [45] (35) 43-0223 Flag: red with a white cross that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side, and that design element of the DANNEBROG (Danish flag) was subsequently adopted by the other Nordic countries of Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden
*Denmark, Economy
Overview: This modern economy features high-tech agriculture, up-to-date small-scale and corporate industry, extensive government welfare measures, comfortable living standards, and high dependence on foreign trade. Denmark's new center-left coalition government will concentrate on reducing the persistent high unemployment rate and the budget deficit as well as following the previous government's policies of maintaining low inflation and a current account surplus. In the face of recent international market pressure on the Danish krone, the coalition has also vowed to maintain a stable currency. The coalition hopes to lower marginal income taxes while maintaining overall tax revenues; boost industrial competitiveness through labor market and tax reforms and increased research and development funds; and improve welfare services for the neediest while cutting paperwork and delays. Prime Minister RASMUSSEN's reforms will focus on adapting Denmark to EC's economic and monetary union (EMU) criteria by 1999, although Copenhagen won from the EC the right to opt out of the EMU if a national referendum rejects it. Denmark is, in fact, one of the few EC countries likely to fit into the EMU on time. Denmark is weathering the current worldwide slump better than many West European countries. As the EC's single market (formally established on 1 January 1993) gets underway, Danish economic growth is expected to pickup to around 2% in 1993. Expected Danish approval of the Maastricht treaty on EC political and economic union in May 1993 would almost certainly reverse the drop in investment, further boosting growth. The current account surplus remains strong as limitations on wage increases and low inflation - expected to be around 1% in 1993 - improve export competitiveness. Although unemployment is high, it remains stable compared to most European countries. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $94.2 billion (1992) National product real growth rate: 1% (1992) National product per capita: $18,200 (1992) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.5% (1992) Unemployment rate: 11.4% (1992) Budget: revenues $48.8 billion; expenditures $55.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992) Exports: $37.3 billion (f.o.b., 1992) commodities: meat and meat products, dairy products, transport equipment (shipbuilding), fish, chemicals, industrial machinery partners: EC 54.3% (Germany 23.6%, UK 10.1%, France 5.7%), Sweden 10.5%, Norway 5.8%, US 4.9%, Japan 3.6% (1992) Imports: $30.3 billion (c.i.f., 1992) commodities: petroleum, machinery and equipment, chemicals, grain and foodstuffs, textiles, paper partners: EC 53.4% (Germany 23.1%, UK 8.2%, France 5.6%), Sweden 10.8%, Norway 5.4%, US 5.7%, Japan 4.1% (1992) External debt: $40 billion (1992 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 1.9% (1992)
*Denmark, Economy
Electricity: 11,215,000 kW capacity; 34,170 million kWh produced, 6,610 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: food processing, machinery and equipment, textiles and clothing, chemical products, electronics, construction, furniture, and other wood products, shipbuilding Agriculture: accounts for 4% of GDP and employs 5.6% of labor force (includes fishing and forestry); farm products account for nearly 15% of export revenues; principal products - meat, dairy, grain, potatoes, rape, sugar beets, fish; self-sufficient in food production Economic aid: donor - ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89) $5.9 billion Currency: 1 Danish krone (DKr) = 100 re Exchange rates: Danish kroner (DKr) per US$1 - 6.236 (January 1993), 6.036 (1992), 6.396 (1991), 6.189 (1990), 7.310 (1989), 6.732 (1988) Fiscal year: calendar year
*Denmark, Communications
Railroads: 2,770 km; Danish State Railways (DSB) operate 2,120 km (1,999 km rail line and 121 km rail ferry services); 188 km electrified, 730 km double tracked; 650 km of standard-gauge lines are privately owned and operated Highways: 66,482 km total; 64,551 km concrete, bitumen, or stone block; 1,931 km gravel, crushed stone, improved earth Inland waterways: 417 km Pipelines: crude oil 110 km; petroleum products 578 km; natural gas 700 km Ports: Alborg, Arhus, Copenhagen, Esbjerg, Fredericia; numerous secondary and minor ports Merchant marine: 328 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,043,277 GRT/7,230,634 DWT; includes 13 short-sea passenger, 102 cargo, 19 refrigerated cargo, 47 container, 37 roll-on/roll-off, 1 railcar carrier, 33 oil tanker, 18 chemical tanker, 36 liquefied gas, 4 livestock carrier, 17 bulk, 1 combination bulk; note - Denmark has created its own internal register, called the Danish International Ship register (DIS); DIS ships do not have to meet Danish manning regulations, and they amount to a flag of convenience within the Danish register; by the end of 1990, 258 of the Danish-flag ships belonged to the DIS Airports: total: 118 usable: 109 with permanent-surface runways: 28 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 9 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 7 Telecommunications: excellent telephone, telegraph, and broadcast services; 4,509,000 telephones; buried and submarine cables and microwave radio relay support trunk network; broadcast stations - 3 AM, 2 FM, 50 TV; 19 submarine coaxial cables; 7 earth stations operating in INTELSAT, EUTELSAT, and INMARSAT
*Denmark, Defense Forces
Branches: Royal Danish Army, Royal Danish Navy, Royal Danish Air Force, Home Guard Manpower availability: males age 15-49 1,368,211; fit for military service 1,176,559; reach military age (20) annually 37,248 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $2.8 billion, 2% of GDP (1992)
*Djibouti, Geography
Location: Eastern Africa, at the entrance to the Red Sea between Ethiopia and Somalia Map references: Africa, Middle East, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 22,000 km2 land area: 21,980 km2 comparative area: slightly larger than Massachusetts Land boundaries: total 508 km, Erithea 113 km, Ethiopia 337 km, Somalia 58 km Coastline: 314 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: possible claim by Somalia based on unification of ethnic Somalis Climate: desert; torrid, dry Terrain: coastal plain and plateau separated by central mountains Natural resources: geothermal areas Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 9% forest and woodland: 0% other: 91% Irrigated land: NA km2 Environment: vast wasteland Note: strategic location near world's busiest shipping lanes and close to Arabian oilfields; terminus of rail traffic into Ethiopia
*Djibouti, People
Population: 401,579 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 2.7% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 43.05 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 16.06 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 113.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 48.78 years male: 47.01 years female: 50.59 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.27 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Djiboutian(s) adjective: Djiboutian Ethnic divisions: Somali 60%, Afar 35%, French, Arab, Ethiopian, and Italian 5% Religions: Muslim 94%, Christian 6% Languages: French (official), Arabic (official), Somali, Afar Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) total population: 48% male: 63% female: 34% Labor force: NA by occupation: a small number of semiskilled laborers at the port and 3,000 railway workers note: 52% of population of working age (1983)
*Djibouti, Government
Names: conventional long form: Republic of Djibouti conventional short form: Djibouti former: French Territory of the Afars and Issas French Somaliland Digraph: DJ Type: republic Capital: Djibouti Administrative divisions: 5 districts (cercles, singular - cercle); `Ali Sabih, Dikhil, Djibouti, Obock, Tadjoura Independence: 27 June 1977 (from France) Constitution: multiparty constitution approved in referendum September 1992 Legal system: based on French civil law system, traditional practices, and Islamic law National holiday: Independence Day, 27 June (1977) Political parties and leaders: ruling party: People's Progress Assembly (RPP), Hassan GOULED Aptidon other parties: Democratic Renewal Party (PRD), Mohamed Jama ELABE; Democratic National Party (PND), ADEN Robleh Awaleh Other political or pressure groups: Front for the Restoration of Unity and Democracy (FRUD) and affiliates; Movement for Unity and Democracy (MUD) Suffrage: universal adult at age NA Elections: National Assembly: last held 18 December 1992; results - RPP is the only party; seats - (65 total) RPP 65 President: last held 24 April 1987 (next to be held April 1993); results - President Hassan GOULED Aptidon was reelected without opposition Executive branch: president, prime minister, Council of Ministers Legislative branch: unicameral Chamber of Deputies (Chambre des Deputes) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme) Leaders: Chief of State: President HASSAN GOULED Aptidon (since 24 June 1977) Head of Government: Prime Minister BARKAT Gourad Hamadou (since 30 September 1978) Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IGADD, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNESCO, UNCTAD, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO
*Djibouti, Government
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Roble OLHAYE chancery: Suite 515, 1156 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 telephone: (202) 331-0270 US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Charles R. BAQUET III embassy: Plateau du Serpent, Boulevard Marechal Joffre, Djibouti mailing address: B. P. 185, Djibouti telephone: [253] 35-39-95 FAX: [253] 35-39-40 Flag: two equal horizontal bands of light blue (top) and light green with a white isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bearing a red five-pointed star in the center
*Djibouti, Economy
Overview: The economy is based on service activities connected with the country's strategic location and status as a free trade zone in northeast Africa. Djibouti provides services as both a transit port for the region and an international transshipment and refueling center. It has few natural resources and little industry. The nation is, therefore, heavily dependent on foreign assistance to help support its balance of payments and to finance development projects. An unemployment rate of over 30% continues to be a major problem. Per capita consumption dropped an estimated 35% over the last five years because of recession and a high population growth rate (including immigrants and refugees). National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $358 million (1990 est.) National product real growth rate: 1.2% (1990 est.) National product per capita: $1,030 (1990 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.7% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: over 30% (1989) Budget: revenues $170 million; expenditures $203 million, including capital expenditures of $70 million (1991 est.) Exports: $186 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: hides and skins, coffee (in transit) partners: Africa 50%, Middle East 40%, Western Europe 9% Imports: $360 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: foods, beverages, transport equipment, chemicals, petroleum products partners: Western Europe 54%, Middle East 20%, Asia 19% External debt: $355 million (December 1990) Industrial production: growth rate 10.0% (1990); manufacturing accounts for 11% of GDP Electricity: 115,000 kW capacity; 200 million kWh produced, 580 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: limited to a few small-scale enterprises, such as dairy products and mineral-water bottling Agriculture: accounts for only 3% of GDP; scanty rainfall limits crop production to mostly fruit and vegetables; half of population pastoral nomads herding goats, sheep, and camels; imports bulk of food needs Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY78-89), $39 million; Western (non-US) countries, including ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.1 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $149 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $35 million Currency: 1 Djiboutian franc (DF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Djiboutian francs (DF) per US$1 - 177.721 (fixed rate since 1973)
*Djibouti, Economy
Fiscal year: calendar year
*Djibouti, Communications
Railroads: the Ethiopian-Djibouti railroad extends for 97 km through Djibouti Highways: 2,900 km total; 280 km paved; 2,620 km improved or unimproved earth (1982) Ports: Djibouti Merchant marine: 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,369 GRT/3,030 DWT Airports: total: 13 usable: 11 with permanent-surface runways: 2 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 5 Telecommunications: telephone facilities in the city of Djibouti are adequate as are the microwave radio relay connections to outlying areas of the country; international connections via submarine cable to Saudi Arabia and by satellite to other countries; one ground station each for Indian Ocean INTELSAT and ARABSAT; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 2 FM, 1 TV
*Djibouti, Defense Forces
Branches: Djibouti National Army (including Navy and Air Force), National Security Force (Force Nationale de Securite), National Police Force Manpower availability: males age 15-49 97,943; fit for military service 57,187 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $26 million, NA% of GDP (1989)
*Dominica, Geography
Location: in the eastern Caribbean, about halfway between Puerto Rico and Trinidad and Tobago Map references: Central America and the Caribbean, South America, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 750 km2 land area: 750 km2 comparative area: slightly more than four times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 148 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds; heavy rainfall Terrain: rugged mountains of volcanic origin Natural resources: timber Land use: arable land: 9% permanent crops: 13% meadows and pastures: 3% forest and woodland: 41% other: 34% Irrigated land: NA km2 Environment: flash floods a constant hazard; occasional hurricanes
*Dominica, People
Population: 86,547 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 1.31% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 20.82 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 5.06 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: -2.63 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 10.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.72 years male: 73.89 years female: 79.71 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.03 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Dominican(s) adjective: Dominican Ethnic divisions: black, Carib Indians Religions: Roman Catholic 77%, Protestant 15% (Methodist 5%, Pentecostal 3%, Seventh-Day Adventist 3%, Baptist 2%, other 2%), none 2%, unknown 1%, other 5% Languages: English (official), French patois Literacy: age 15 and over having ever attended school (1970) total population: 94% male: 94% female: 94% Labor force: 25,000 by occupation: agriculture 40%, industry and commerce 32%, services 28% (1984)
*Dominica, Government
Names: conventional long form: Commonwealth of Dominica conventional short form: Dominica Digraph: DO Type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Roseau Administrative divisions: 10 parishes; Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint Luke, Saint Mark, Saint Patrick, Saint Paul, Saint Peter Independence: 3 November 1978 (from UK) Constitution: 3 November 1978 Legal system: based on English common law National holiday: Independence Day, 3 November (1978) Political parties and leaders: Dominica Freedom Party (DFP), (Mary) Eugenia CHARLES; Dominica Labor Party (DLP), Rosie DOUGLAS; United Workers Party (UWP), Edison JAMES Other political or pressure groups: Dominica Liberation Movement (DLM), a small leftist group Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Elections: House of Assembly: last held 28 May 1990 (next to be held May 1995); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (30 total; 9 appointed senators and 21 elected representatives) DFP 11, UWP 6, DLP 4 President: last held 20 December 1988 (next to be held December 1993); results - President Sir Clarence Augustus SEIGNORET was reelected by the House of Assembly Executive branch: president, prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral House of Assembly Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: President Sir Clarence Augustus SEIGNORET (since 19 December 1983) Head of Government: Prime Minister (Mary) Eugenia CHARLES (since 21 July 1980, elected for a third term 28 May 1990) Member of: ACCT, ACP, C, CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, LORCS, NAM (observer), OAS, OECS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WMO Diplomatic representation in US: there is no chancery in the US US diplomatic representation: no official presence since the Ambassador resides in Bridgetown (Barbados), but travels frequently to Dominica
*Dominica, Government
Flag: green with a centered cross of three equal bands - the vertical part is yellow (hoist side), black, and white - the horizontal part is yellow (top), black, and white; superimposed in the center of the cross is a red disk bearing a sisserou parrot encircled by 10 green five-pointed stars edged in yellow; the 10 stars represent the 10 administrative divisions (parishes)
*Dominica, Economy
Overview: The economy is dependent on agriculture and thus is highly vulnerable to climatic conditions. Agriculture accounts for about 30% of GDP and employs 40% of the labor force. Principal products include bananas, citrus, mangoes, root crops, and coconuts. In 1991, GDP grew by 2.1%. The tourist industry remains undeveloped because of a rugged coastline and the lack of an international airport. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $174 million (1991 est.) National product real growth rate: 2.1% (1991 est.) National product per capita: $2,100 (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.5% (1991) Unemployment rate: 15% (1991) Budget: revenues $70 million; expenditures $84 million, including capital expenditures of $26 million (FY91 est.) Exports: $66.0 million (c.i.f., 1991) commodities: bananas, soap, bay oil, vegetables, grapefruit, oranges partners: UK 50%, CARICOM countries, US, Italy Imports: $110.0 million (c.i.f., 1991) commodities: manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, food, chemicals partners: US 27%, CARICOM, UK, Canada External debt: $87 million (1991) Industrial production: growth rate 4.5% in manufacturing (1988 est.); accounts for 18% of GDP Electricity: 7,000 kW capacity; 16 million kWh produced, 185 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: soap, coconut oil, tourism, copra, furniture, cement blocks, shoes Agriculture: accounts for 26% of GDP; principal crops - bananas, citrus, mangoes, root crops, coconuts; bananas provide the bulk of export earnings; forestry and fisheries potential not exploited Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $120 million Currency: 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.70 (fixed rate since 1976) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
*Dominica, Communications
Highways: 750 km total; 370 km paved, 380 km gravel and earth Ports: Roseau, Portsmouth Airports: total: 2 usable: 2 with permanent-surface runways: 2 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 0 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 1 Telecommunications: 4,600 telephones in fully automatic network; VHF and UHF link to Saint Lucia; new SHF links to Martinique and Guadeloupe; broadcast stations - 3 AM, 2 FM, 1 cable TV
*Dominica, Defense Forces
Branches: Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force Manpower availability: NA Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP
*Dominican Republic, Geography
Location: in the northern Caribbean Sea, about halfway between Cuba and Puerto Rico Map references: Central America and the Caribbean, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 48,730 km2 land area: 48,380 km2 comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of New Hampshire Land boundaries: total 275 km, Haiti 275 km Coastline: 1,288 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or the outer edge of continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 6 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation Terrain: rugged highlands and mountains with fertile valleys interspersed Natural resources: nickel, bauxite, gold, silver Land use: arable land: 23% permanent crops: 7% meadows and pastures: 43% forest and woodland: 13% other: 14% Irrigated land: 2,250 km2 (1989) Environment: subject to occasional hurricanes (July to October); deforestation Note: shares island of Hispaniola with Haiti (western one-third is Haiti, eastern two-thirds is the Dominican Republic)
*Dominican Republic, People
Population: 7,683,940 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 1.86% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 25.68 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 6.38 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: -0.68 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 53.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 67.98 years male: 65.87 years female: 70.21 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.89 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Dominican(s) adjective: Dominican Ethnic divisions: mixed 73%, white 16%, black 11% Religions: Roman Catholic 95% Languages: Spanish Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) total population: 83% male: 85% female: 82% Labor force: 2,300,000 to 2,600,000 by occupation: agriculture 49%, services 33%, industry 18% (1986)
*Dominican Republic, Government
Names: conventional long form: Dominican Republic conventional short form: none local long form: Republica Dominicana local short form: none Digraph: DR Type: republic Capital: Santo Domingo Administrative divisions: 29 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 district* (distrito);, Azua, Baoruco, Barahona, Dajabon, Distrito Nacional*, Duarte, Elias Pina, El, Seibo, Espaillat, Hato Mayor, Independencia, La Altagracia, La Romana, La Vega, Maria Trinidad Sanchez, Monsenor Nouel, Monte Cristi, Monte Plata, Pedernales, Peravia, Puerto Plata, Salcedo, Samana, Sanchez Ramirez, San Cristobal, San Juan, San Pedro De Macoris, Santiago, Santiago Rodriguez, Valverde Independence: 27 February 1844 (from Haiti) Constitution: 28 November 1966 Legal system: based on French civil codes National holiday: Independence Day, 27 February (1844) Political parties and leaders: Major parties: Social Christian Reformist Party (PRSC), Joaquin BALAGUER Ricardo; Dominican Liberation Party (PLD), Juan BOSCH Gavino; Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD), Jose Franciso PENA Gomez; Independent Revolutionary Party (PRI), Jacobo MAJLUTA Minor parties: National Veterans and Civilian Party (PNVC), Juan Rene BEAUCHAMPS Javier; Liberal Party of the Dominican Republic (PLRD), Andres Van Der HORST; Democratic Quisqueyan Party (PQD), Elias WESSIN Chavez; National Progressive Force (FNP), Marino VINICIO Castillo; Popular Christian Party (PPC), Rogelio DELGADO Bogaert; Dominican Communist Party (PCD), Narciso ISA Conde; Dominican Workers' Party (PTD), Ivan RODRIGUEZ; Anti-Imperialist Patriotic Union (UPA), Ignacio RODRIGUEZ Chiappini; Alliance for Democracy Party (APD), Maximilano Rabelais PUIG Miller, Nelsida MARMOLEJOS, Vicente BENGOA note: in 1983 several leftist parties, including the PCD, joined to form the Dominican Leftist Front (FID); however, they still retain individual party structures Other political or pressure groups: Collective of Popular Organzations (COP), leader NA Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory or married persons regardless of age note: members of the armed forces and police cannot vote
*Dominican Republic, Government
Elections: Chamber of Deputies: last held 16 May 1990 (next to be held May 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (120 total) PLD 44, PRSC 41, PRD 33, PRI 2 President: last held 16 May 1990 (next to be held May 1994); results - Joaquin BALAGUER (PRSC) 35.7%, Juan BOSCH Gavino (PLD) 34.4% Senate: last held 16 May 1990 (next to be held May 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (30 total) PRSC 16, PLD 12, PRD 2 Executive branch: president, vice president, Cabinet Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress (Congreso Nacional) consists of an upper chamber or Senate (Senado) and lower chamber or Chamber of Deputies (Camara de Diputados) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema) Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Joaquin BALAGUER Ricardo (since 16 August 1986, fifth elected term began 16 August 1990); Vice President Carlos A. MORALES Troncoso (since 16 August 1986) Member of: ACP, CARICOM (observer), ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), LORCS, NAM (guest), OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jose del Carmen ARIZA Gomez chancery: 1715 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 332-6280 consulates general: Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Mayaguez (Puerto Rico), Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Juan (Puerto Rico) consulates: Charlotte Amalie (Virgin Islands), Detroit, Houston, Jacksonville, Minneapolis, Mobile, Ponce (Puerto Rico), and San Francisco US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Robert S. PASTORINO embassy: corner of Calle Cesar Nicolas Penson and Calle Leopoldo Navarro, Santo Domingo mailing address: APO AA 34041-0008 telephone: (809) 541-2171 and 541-8100 FAX: (809) 686-7437 Flag: a centered white cross that extends to the edges, divides the flag into four rectangles - the top ones are blue (hoist side) and red, the bottom ones are red (hoist side) and blue; a small coat of arms is at the center of the cross
*Dominican Republic, Economy
Overview: The economy is largely dependent on trade; imported components average 60% of the value of goods consumed in the domestic market. Rapid growth of free trade zones has established a significant expansion of manufacturing for export, especially wearing apparel. Over the past decade, tourism has also increased in importance and is a major earner of foreign exchange and a source of new jobs. Agriculture remains a key sector of the economy. The principal commercial crop is sugarcane, followed by coffee, cotton, cocoa, and tobacco. Domestic industry is based on the processing of agricultural products, oil refining, minerals, and chemicals. Unemployment is officially reported at about 30%, but there is considerable underemployment. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $8.4 billion (1992 est.) National product real growth rate: 5% (1992 est.) National product per capita: $1,120 (1992 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6% (1992 est.) Unemployment rate: 30% (1992 est.) Budget: revenues $1.4 billion; expenditures $1.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1993 est.) Exports: $600 million (f.o.b., 1992) commodities: ferronickel, sugar, gold, coffee, cocoa partners: US 60%, EC 19%, Puerto Rico 8% (1990) Imports: $2 billion (c.i.f., 1992 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, petroleum, cotton and fabrics, chemicals and pharmaceuticals partners: US 50% External debt: $4.7 billion (1992 est.) Industrial production: growth rate -1.5% (1991); accounts for 20% of GDP Electricity: 2,283,000 kW capacity; 5,000 million kWh produced, 660 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: tourism, sugar processing, ferronickel and gold mining, textiles, cement, tobacco Agriculture: accounts for 15% of GDP and employs 49% of labor force; sugarcane is the most important commercial crop, followed by coffee, cotton, cocoa, and tobacco; food crops - rice, beans, potatoes, corn, bananas; animal output - cattle, hogs, dairy products, meat, eggs; not self-sufficient in food Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY85-89), $575 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $655 million Currency: 1 Dominican peso (RD$) = 100 centavos
*Dominican Republic, Economy
Exchange rates: Dominican pesos (RD$) per US$1 - 12.7 (1992), 12.692 (1991), 8.525 (1990), 6.340 (1989), 6.113 (1988) Fiscal year: calendar year
*Dominican Republic, Communications
Railroads: 1,655 km total in numerous segments; 4 different gauges from 0.558 m to 1.435 m Highways: 12,000 km total; 5,800 km paved, 5,600 km gravel and improved earth, 600 km unimproved Pipelines: crude oil 96 km; petroleum products 8 km Ports: Santo Domingo, Haina, San Pedro de Macoris, Puerto Plata Merchant marine: 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,587 GRT/1,165 DWT Airports: total: 36 usable: 30 with permanent-surface runways: 12 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 4 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 8 Telecommunications: relatively efficient domestic system based on islandwide microwave relay network; 190,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 120 AM, no FM, 18 TV, 6 shortwave; 1 coaxial submarine cable; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
*Dominican Republic, Defense Forces
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Police Manpower availability: males age 15-49 2,064,244; fit for military service 1,302,644; reach military age (18) annually 80,991 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $110 million, 0.7% of GDP (1993 est.)
*Ecuador, Geography
Location: Western South America, bordering the Pacific Ocean at the Equator between Colombia and Peru Map references: South America, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 283,560 km2 land area: 276,840 km2 comparative area: slightly smaller than Nevada note: includes Galapagos Islands Land boundaries: total 2,010 km, Colombia 590 km, Peru 1,420 km Coastline: 2,237 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: claims continental shelf between mainland and Galapagos Islands territorial sea: 200 nm International disputes: three sections of the boundary with Peru are in dispute Climate: tropical along coast becoming cooler inland Terrain: coastal plain (Costa), inter-Andean central highlands (Sierra), and flat to rolling eastern jungle (Oriente) Natural resources: petroleum, fish, timber Land use: arable land: 6% permanent crops: 3% meadows and pastures: 17% forest and woodland: 51% other: 23% Irrigated land: 5,500 km2 (1989 est.) Environment: subject to frequent earthquakes, landslides, volcanic activity; deforestation; desertification; soil erosion; periodic droughts Note: Cotopaxi in Andes is highest active volcano in world
*Ecuador, People
Population: 10,461,072 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 2.07% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 26.54 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 5.8 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 40.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.61 years male: 67.09 years female: 72.25 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.19 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Ecuadorian(s) adjective: Ecuadorian Ethnic divisions: mestizo (mixed Indian and Spanish) 55%, Indian 25%, Spanish 10%, black 10% Religions: Roman Catholic 95% Languages: Spanish (official), Indian languages (especially Quechua) Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) total population: 86% male: 88% female: 84% Labor force: 2.8 million by occupation: agriculture 35%, manufacturing 21%, commerce 16%, services and other activities 28% (1982)
*Ecuador, Government
Names: conventional long form: Republic of Ecuador conventional short form: Ecuador local long form: Republica del Ecuador local short form: Ecuador Digraph: EC Type: republic Capital: Quito Administrative divisions: 21 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Azuay, Bolivar, Canar, Carchi, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, El Oro, Esmeraldas, Galapagos, Guayas, Imbabura, Loja, Los Rios, Manabi, Morona-Santiago, Napo, Pastaza, Pichincha, Sucumbios, Tungurahua, Zamora-Chinchipe Independence: 24 May 1822 (from Spain) Constitution: 10 August 1979 Legal system: based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Independence Day, 10 August (1809) (independence of Quito) Political parties and leaders: Center-Right parties: Social Christian Party (PSC), Jaime NEBOT Saadi, president; Republican Unity Party (PUR), President Sixto DURAN-BALLEN, leader; Conservative Party (CE), Vice President Alberto DAHIK, president Center-Left parties: Democratic Left (ID), Andres VALLEJO Arcos, Rodrigo BORJA Cevallos, leaders; Popular Democracy (DP), Jamil MANUAD Witt, president; Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party (PLRE), Carlos Luis PLAZA Aray, director; Radical Alfarista Front (FRA), Jaime ASPIAZU Seminario, director Populist parties: Roldista Party (PRE), Abdala BUCARAM Ortiz, director; Concentration of Popular Forces (CFP), Rafael SANTELICES, director; Popular Revolutionary Action (APRE), Frank VARGAS Passos, leader; Assad Bucaram Party (PAB), Avicena BUCARAM, leader; People, Change, and Democracy (PCD), Raul AULESTIA, director Far-Left parties: Popular Democratic Movement (MPD), Jorge Fausto MORENO, director; Ecuadorian Socialist Party (PSE), Leon ROLDOS, leader; Broad Leftist Front (FADI), Jose Xavier GARAYCOA, president; Ecuadorian National Liberation (LN), Alfredo CASTILLO, director Communists: Communist Party of Ecuador (PCE, pro-North Korea), Rene Leon Mague MOSWUERRA, secretary general (5,00 members); Communist Party of Ecuador/Marxist-Leninist (PCMLE, Maoist), leader NA (3,000 members) Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal, compulsory for literate persons ages 18-65, optional for other eligible voters
*Ecuador, Government
Elections: President: runoff election held 5 July 1992 (next to be held NA 1996); results - Sixto DURAN-BALLEN elected as president and Alberto DAHIK elected as vice president National Congress: last held 17 May 1992 (next to be held NA May 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (77 total) PSC 20, PRE 15, PUR 12, ID 7, PC 6, DP 5, PSE 3, MPD 3, PLRE 2, CFP 2, FRA 1, APRE 1 Executive branch: president, vice president, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral National Congress (Congreso Nacional) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema) Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Sixto DURAN-BALLEN (since 10 August 1992); Vice President Alberto DAHIK (since 10 August 1992) Member of: AG, ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA, LORCS, NAM, OAS, ONUSAL, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Edgar TERAN chancery: 2535 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: (202) 234-7200 consulates general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, and San Francisco consulate: San Diego US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: (vacant); Charge d'Affaires James F. MACK embassy: Avenida 12 de Octubre y Avenida Patria, Quito mailing address: P. O. Box 538, Quito, or APO AA 34039-3420 telephone: [593] (2) 562-890 FAX: [593] (2) 502-052 consulate general: Guayaquil Flag: three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double width), blue, and red with the coat of arms superimposed at the center of the flag; similar to the flag of Colombia that is shorter and does not bear a coat of arms
*Ecuador, Economy
Overview: Ecuador has substantial oil resources and rich agricultural areas. Growth has been uneven because of natural disasters, fluctuations in global oil prices, and government policies designed to curb inflation. Banana exports, second only to oil, have suffered as a result of EC import quotas and banana blight. The new President Sixto DURAN-BALLEN, has a much more favorable attitude toward foreign investment than did his predecessor. Ecuador has implemented trade agreements with Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, and Venezuela and has applied for GATT membership. At the end of 1991, Ecuador received a standby IMF loan of $105 million, which will permit the country to proceed with the rescheduling of Paris Club debt. In September 1992, the government launched a new, macroeconomic program that gives more play to market forces; as of March 1993, the program seemed to be paying off. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $11.8 billion (1992) National product real growth rate: 3% (1992) National product per capita: $1,100 (1992) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 70% (1992) Unemployment rate: 8% (1992) Budget: revenues $1.9 billion; expenditures $1.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992) Exports: $3.0 billion (f.o.b., 1992) commodities: petroleum 42%, bananas, shrimp, cocoa, coffee partners: US 53.4%, Latin America, Caribbean, EC countries Imports: $2.4 billion (f.o.b., 1992) commodities: transport equipment, vehicles, machinery, chemicals partners: US 32.7%, Latin America, Caribbean, EC countries, Japan External debt: $12.7 billion (1992) Industrial production: growth rate 3.9% (1991); accounts for almost 40% of GDP, including petroleum Electricity: 2,921,000 kW capacity; 7,676 million kWh produced, 700 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: petroleum, food processing, textiles, metal works, paper products, wood products, chemicals, plastics, fishing, timber Agriculture: accounts for 18% of GDP and 35% of labor force (including fishing and forestry); leading producer and exporter of bananas and balsawood; other exports - coffee, cocoa, fish, shrimp; crop production - rice, potatoes, manioc, plantains, sugarcane; livestock sector - cattle, sheep, hogs, beef, pork, dairy products; net importer of foodgrains, dairy products, and sugar Illicit drugs: minor illicit producer of coca following the successful eradication campaign of 1985-87; significant transit country, however, for derivatives of coca originating in Colombia, Bolivia, and Peru; importer of precursor chemicals used in production of illicit narcotics; important money-laundering hub
*Ecuador, Economy
Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $498 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $2.15 billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $64 million Currency: 1 sucre (S/) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: sucres (S/) per US$1 - 1,453.8 (August 1992), 1,046.25 (1991), 869.54 (December 1990), 767.75 (1990), 526.35 (1989), 301.61 (1988) Fiscal year: calendar year
*Ecuador, Communications
Railroads: 965 km total; all 1.067-meter-gauge single track Highways: 28,000 km total; 3,600 km paved, 17,400 km gravel and improved earth, 7,000 km unimproved earth Inland waterways: 1,500 km Pipelines: crude oil 800 km; petroleum products 1,358 km Ports: Guayaquil, Manta, Puerto Bolivar, Esmeraldas Merchant marine: 45 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 333,380 GRT/483,862 DWT; includes 2 passenger, 4 cargo, 17 refrigerated cargo, 4 container, 1 roll-on/roll-off, 15 oil tanker, 1 liquefied gas, 1 bulk Airports: total: 174 usable: 173 with permanent-surface runways: 52 with runway over 3,659 m: 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 6 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 21 Telecommunications: domestic facilities generally adequate; 318,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 272 AM, no FM, 33 TV, 39 shortwave; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
*Ecuador, Defense Forces
Branches: Army (Ejercito Ecuatoriano), Navy (Armada Ecuatoriana), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Ecuatoriana), National Police Manpower availability: males age 15-49 2,655,520; fit for military service 1,798,122; reach military age (20) annually 109,413 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP
*Egypt, Geography
Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea, between Sudan and Libya Map references: Africa, Middle East, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 1,001,450 km2 land area: 995,450 km2 comparative area: slightly more than three times the size of New Mexico Land boundaries: total 2,689 km, Gaza Strip 11 km, Israel 255 km, Libya 1,150 km, Sudan 1,273 km Coastline: 2,450 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: not specified territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: administrative boundary with Sudan does not coincide with international boundary creating the "Hala'ib Triangle," a barren area of 20,580 km2, the dispute over this area escalated in 1993 Climate: desert; hot, dry summers with moderate winters Terrain: vast desert plateau interrupted by Nile valley and delta Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, manganese, limestone, gypsum, talc, asbestos, lead, zinc Land use: arable land: 3% permanent crops: 2% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 95% Irrigated land: 25,850 km2 (1989 est.) Environment: Nile is only perennial water source; increasing soil salinization below Aswan High Dam; hot, driving windstorm called khamsin occurs in spring; water pollution; desertification Note: controls Sinai Peninsula, only land bridge between Africa and remainder of Eastern Hemisphere; controls Suez Canal, shortest sea link between Indian Ocean and Mediterranean; size and juxtaposition to Israel establish its major role in Middle Eastern geopolitics
*Egypt, People
Population: 59,585,529 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 2.3% (1993 est.) note: the US Bureau of the Census has lowered its 1993 estimate of growth to 2.0% on the basis of a 1992 Egyptian government survey, whereas estimates of other observers go as high as 2.9% Birth rate: 33 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 9 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: NEGL Infant mortality rate: 78.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 60.46 years male: 58.61 years female: 62.41 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.35 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Egyptian(s) adjective: Egyptian Ethnic divisions: Eastern Hamitic stock 90%, Greek, Italian, Syro-Lebanese 10% Religions: Muslim (mostly Sunni) 94% (official estimate), Coptic Christian and other 6% (official estimate) Languages: Arabic (official), English and French widely understood by educated classes Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) total population: 48% male: 63% female: 34% Labor force: 15 million (1989 est.) by occupation: government, public sector enterprises, and armed forces 36%, agriculture 34%, privately owned service and manufacturing enterprises 20% (1984) note: shortage of skilled labor; 2,500,000 Egyptians work abroad, mostly in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Arab states (1988 est.)
*Egypt, Government
Names: conventional long form: Arab Republic of Egypt conventional short form: Egypt local long form: Jumhuriyat Misr al-Arabiyah local short form: none former: United Arab Republic (with Syria) Digraph: EG Type: republic Capital: Cairo Administrative divisions: 26 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Ad Daqahliyah, Al Bahr al Ahmar, Al Buhayrah, Al Fayyum, Al Gharbiyah, Al Iskandariyah, Al Isma'iliyah, Al Jizah, Al Minufiyah, Al Minya, Al Qahirah, Al Qalyubiyah, Al Wadi al Jadid, Ash Sharqiyah, As Suways, Aswan, Asyu't, Bani Suwayf, Bur Sa'id, Dumyat, Janub Sina, Kafr ash Shaykh, Matruh, Qina, Shamal Sina, Suhaj Independence: 28 February 1922 (from UK) Constitution: 11 September 1971 Legal system: based on English common law, Islamic law, and Napoleonic codes; judicial review by Supreme Court and Council of State (oversees validity of administrative decisions); accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations National holiday: Anniversary of the Revolution, 23 July (1952) Political parties and leaders: National Democratic Party (NDP), President Mohammed Hosni MUBARAK, leader, is the dominant party; legal opposition parties are Socialist Liberal Party (SLP), Kamal MURAD; Socialist Labor Party, Ibrahim SHUKRI; National Progressive Unionist Grouping (NPUG), Khalid MUHYI-AL-DIN; Umma Party, Ahmad al-SABAHI; New Wafd Party (NWP), Fu'ad SIRAJ AL-DIN; Misr al-Fatah Party (Young Egypt Party), Ali al-Din SALIH; The Greens Party, Hasan RAJABD; Nasserist Arab Democratic Party, Muhammad Rif'at al-MUHAMI; Democratic Unionist Party, Mohammed 'Abd-al-Mun'im TURK; Democratic Peoples' Party, Anwar AFISI note: formation of political parties must be approved by government Other political or pressure groups: Islamic groups are illegal, but the largest one, the Muslim Brotherhood, is tolerated by the government; trade unions and professional associations are officially sanctioned Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Elections: Advisory Council: last held 8 June 1989 (next to be held June 1995); results - NDP 100%; seats - (258 total, 172 elected) NDP 172
*Egypt, Government
People's Assembly: last held 29 November 1990 (next to be held November 1995); results - NDP 78.4%, NPUG 1.4%, independents 18.7%; seats - (437 total, 444 elected) NDP 348, NPUG 6, independents 83; note - most opposition parties boycotted President: last held 5 October 1987 (next to be held October 1993); results - President Hosni MUBARAK was reelected Executive branch: president, prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral People's Assembly (Majlis al-Cha'b); note - there is an Advisory Council (Majlis al-Shura) that functions in a consultative role Judicial branch: Supreme Constitutional Court Leaders: Chief of State: President Mohammed Hosni MUBARAK (was made acting President on 6 October 1981 upon the assassination of President SADAT and sworn in as president on 14 October 1981) Head of Government: Prime Minister Atef Mohammed Najib SEDKY (since 12 November 1986) Member of: ABEDA, ACC, ACCT (associate), AfDB, AFESD, AG (observer), AL, AMF, CAEU, CCC, EBRD, ECA, ESCWA, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, MINURSO, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OAU, OIC, PCA, UN, UNAVEM II, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOMOZ, UNOSOM, UNPROFOR, UPU, UNRWA, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ahmed MAHER El Sayed chancery: 2310 Decatur Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 232-5400 consulates general: Chicago, Houston, New York, and San Francisco US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Robert PELLETREAU embassy: Lazougi Street, Garden City, Cairo mailing address: APO AE 09839 telephone: [20] (2) 355-7371 FAX: [20] (2) 355-7375 consulate general: Alexandria Flag: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black with the national emblem (a shield superimposed on a golden eagle facing the hoist side above a scroll bearing the name of the country in Arabic) centered in the white band; similar to the flag of Yemen, which has a plain white band; also similar to the flag of Syria that has two green stars and to the flag of Iraq, which has three green stars (plus an Arabic inscription) in a horizontal line centered in the white band
*Egypt, Economy
Overview: Egypt has one of the largest public sectors of all the Third World economies, most industrial plants being owned by the government. Overregulation holds back technical modernization and foreign investment. Even so, the economy grew rapidly during the late 1970s and early 1980s, but in 1986 the collapse of world oil prices and an increasingly heavy burden of debt servicing led Egypt to begin negotiations with the IMF for balance-of-payments support. Egypt's first IMF standby arrangement concluded in mid-1987 was suspended in early 1988 because of the government's failure to adopt promised reforms. Egypt signed a follow-on program with the IMF and also negotiated a structural adjustment loan with the World Bank in 1991. In 1991-92 the government made solid progress on administrative reforms such as liberalizing exchange and interest rates but resisted implementing major structural reforms like streamlining the public sector. As a result, the economy has not gained momentum and unemployment has become a growing problem. In 1992-93 tourism has plunged 20% or so because of sporadic attacks by Islamic extremists on tourist groups. President MUBARAK has cited population growth as the main cause of the country's economic troubles. The addition of about 1.4 million people a year to the already huge population of 60 million exerts enormous pressure on the 5% of the land area available for agriculture. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $41.2 billion (1992 est.) National product real growth rate: 2.1% (1992 est.) National product per capita: $730 (1992 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 21% (1992 est.) Unemployment rate: 20% (1992 est.) Budget: revenues $12.6 billion; expenditures $15.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $4 billion (FY92 est.) Exports: $3.6 billion (f.o.b., FY92 est.) commodities: crude oil and petroleum products, cotton yarn, raw cotton, textiles, metal products, chemicals partners: EC, Eastern Europe, US, Japan Imports: $10.0 billion (c.i.f., FY92 est.) commodities: machinery and equipment, foods, fertilizers, wood products, durable consumer goods, capital goods partners: EC, US, Japan, Eastern Europe External debt: $38 billion (December 1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 7.3% (FY89 est.); accounts for 18% of GDP Electricity: 14,175,000 kW capacity; 47,000 million kWh produced, 830 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: textiles, food processing, tourism, chemicals, petroleum, construction, cement, metals
*Egypt, Economy
Agriculture: accounts for 20% of GDP and employs more than one-third of labor force; dependent on irrigation water from the Nile; world's sixth-largest cotton exporter; other crops produced include rice, corn, wheat, beans, fruit, vegetables; not self-sufficient in food for a rapidly expanding population; livestock - cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats; annual fish catch about 140,000 metric tons Illicit drugs: a transit point for Southwest Asian and Southeast Asian heroin and opium moving to Europe and the US; popular transit stop for Nigerian couriers; large domestic consumption of hashish and heroin from Lebanon and Syria Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $15.7 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-88), $10.1 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $2.9 billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $2.4 billion Currency: 1 Egyptian pound (#E) = 100 piasters Exchange rates: Egyptian pounds (#E) per US$1 - 3.345 (November 1992), 2.7072 (1990), 2.5171 (1989), 2.2233 (1988), 1.5183 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
*Egypt, Communications
Railroads: 5,110 km total; 4,763 km 1,435-meter standard gauge, 347 km 0.750-meter gauge; 951 km double track; 25 km electrified Highways: 51,925 km total; 17,900 km paved, 2,500 km gravel, 13,500 km improved earth, 18,025 km unimproved earth Inland waterways: 3,500 km (including the Nile, Lake Nasser, Alexandria-Cairo Waterway, and numerous smaller canals in the delta); Suez Canal, 193.5 km long (including approaches), used by oceangoing vessels drawing up to 16.1 meters of water Pipelines: crude oil 1,171 km; petroleum products 596 km; natural gas 460 km Ports: Alexandria, Port Said, Suez, Bur Safajah, Damietta Merchant marine: 168 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,097,707 GRT/1,592,885 DWT; includes 25 passenger, 6 short-sea passenger, 2 passenger-cargo, 88 cargo, 3 refrigerated cargo, 14 roll-on/roll-off, 13 oil tanker, 16 bulk, 1 container Airports: total: 92 usable: 82 with permanent-surface runways: 66 with runways over 3,659 m: 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 44 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 24 Telecommunications: large system by Third World standards but inadequate for present requirements and undergoing extensive upgrading; about 600,000 telephones (est.) - 11 telephones per 1,000 persons; principal centers at Alexandria, Cairo, Al Mansurah, Ismailia Suez, and Tanta are connected by coaxial cable and microwave radio relay; international traffic is carried by satellite - one earth station for each of Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT, Indian Ocean INTELSAT, ARABSAT and INMARSAT; by 5 coaxial submarine cables, microwave troposcatter (to Sudan), and microwave radio relay (to Libya, Israel, and Jordan); broadcast stations - 39 AM, 6 FM, and 41 TV
*Egypt, Defense Forces
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Command Manpower availability: males age 15-49 14,513,752; fit for military service 9,434,020; reach military age (20) annually 581,858 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $2.05 billion, 5% of GDP (FY92/93)
*El Salvador, Geography
Location: Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean between Guatemala and Honduras Map references: Central America and the Caribbean, North America, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 21,040 km2 land area: 20,720 km2 comparative area: slightly smaller than Massachusetts Land boundaries: total 545 km, Guatemala 203 km, Honduras 342 km Coastline: 307 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 200 nm; overflight and navigation permitted beyond 12 nm International disputes: land boundary dispute with Honduras mostly resolved by 11 September 1992 International Court of Justice (ICJ) decision; ICJ referred the maritime boundary in the Golfo de Fonseca to an earlier agreement in this century and advised that some tripartite resolution among El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua likely would be required Climate: tropical; rainy season (May to October); dry season (November to April) Terrain: mostly mountains with narrow coastal belt and central plateau Natural resources: hydropower, geothermal power, petroleum Land use: arable land: 27% permanent crops: 8% meadows and pastures: 29% forest and woodland: 6% other: 30% Irrigated land: 1,200 km2 (1989) Environment: the Land of Volcanoes; subject to frequent and sometimes very destructive earthquakes; deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution Note: smallest Central American country and only one without a coastline on Caribbean Sea
*El Salvador, People
Population: 5,636,524 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 2.04% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 33.12 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 6.53 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: -6.21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 42.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 66.5 years male: 63.93 years female: 69.2 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.87 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Salvadoran(s) adjective: Salvadoran Ethnic divisions: mestizo 94%, Indian 5%, white 1% Religions: Roman Catholic 75% note: Roman Catholic about 75%; there is extensive activity by Protestant groups throughout the country; by the end of 1992, there were an estimated 1 million Protestant evangelicals in El Salvador Languages: Spanish, Nahua (among some Indians) Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) total population: 73% male: 76% female: 70% Labor force: 1.7 million (1982 est.) by occupation: agriculture 40%, commerce 16%, manufacturing 15%, government 13%, financial services 9%, transportation 6%, other 1% note: shortage of skilled labor and a large pool of unskilled labor, but manpower training programs improving situation (1984 est.)
*El Salvador, Government
Names: conventional long form: Republic of El Salvador conventional short form: El Salvador local long form: Republica de El Salvador local short form: El Salvador Digraph: ES Type: republic Capital: San Salvador Administrative divisions: 14 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Ahuachapan, Cabanas, Chalatenango, Cuscatlan, La Libertad, La Paz, La Union, Morazan, San Miguel, San Salvador, Santa Ana, San Vicente, Sonsonate, Usulutan Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain) Constitution: 20 December 1983 Legal system: based on civil and Roman law, with traces of common law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821) Political parties and leaders: National Republican Alliance (Arena), Armando CALDERON Sol, president; Christian Democratic Party (PDC), Fidel CHAVEZ Mena, secretary general; National Conciliation Party (PCN), Ciro CRUZ Zepeda, president; Democratic Convergence (CD) is a coalition of three parties - the Social Democratic Party (PSD), Carlos Diaz BARRERA, secretary general; Democratic Nationalist Union (UDN), Mario AGUINADA Carranza, secretary general; and the Popular Social Christian Movement (MPSC), Dr. Ruben Ignacio ZAMORA Rivas; Authentic Christian Movement (MAC), Guillermo Antonia GUEVARA Lacayo, president; Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLM), Jorge Shafik HANDAL, general coordinator, has five factions - Popular Liberation Forces (FPL), Salvador SANCHEZ Ceren; Armed Forces of National Resistance (FARN), Ferman CIENFUEGOS; People's Revolutionary Army (ERP), Joaquin VILLA LOBOS Huezo; Salvadoran Communist Party/Armed Forces of Liberation (PCES/FAL), Jorge Shafik HANDAL; and Central American Workers' Revolutionary Party (PRTC)/Popular Liberation Revolutionary Aermed Forces (FARLP), Francisco JOVEL Other political or pressure groups: FMLN labor front organizations: National Union of Salvadoran Workers (UNTS), leftist umbrella front group, leads FMLN front network; National Federation of Salvadoran Workers (FENASTRAS), best organized of front groups and controlled by FMLN's National Resistance (RN); Social Security Institute Workers Union (STISSS), one of the most militant fronts, is controlled by FMLN's Armed Forces of National Resistance (FARN) and RN; Association of Telecommunications Workers (ASTTEL); Unitary Federation of Salvadoran Unions (FUSS), leftist; Treasury Ministry Employees (AGEMHA)
*El Salvador, Government
FMLN nonlabor front organizations: Committee of Mothers and Families of Political Prisoners, Disappeared Persons, and Assassinated of El Salvador (COMADRES); Nongovernmental Human Rights Commission (CDHES); Committee of Dismissed and Unemployed of El Salvador (CODYDES); General Association of Salvadoran University Students (AGEUS); National Association of Salvadoran Educators (ANDES-21 DE JUNIO); Salvadoran Revolutionary Student Front (FERS), associated with the Popular Forces of Liberation (FPL); Association of National University Educators (ADUES); Salvadoran University Students Front (FEUS); Christian Committee for the Displaced of El Salvador (CRIPDES), an FPL front; The Association for Communal Development in El Salvador (PADECOES), controlled by the People's Revolutionary Army (ERP); Confederation of Cooperative Associations of El Salvador (COACES) labor organizations: Federation of Construction and Transport Workers Unions (FESINCONSTRANS), independent; Salvadoran Communal Union (UCS), peasant association; Democratic Workers Central (CTD), moderate; General Confederation of Workers (CGT), moderate; National Union of Workers and Peasants (UNOC), moderate labor coalition of democratic labor organizations; United Workers Front (FUT) business organizations: National Association of Private Enterprise (ANEP), conservative; Productive Alliance (AP), conservative; National Federation of Salvadoran Small Businessmen (FENAPES), conservative Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Elections: Legislative Assembly: last held 10 March 1991 (next to be held March 1994); results - ARENA 44.3%, PDC 27.96%, CD 12.16%, PCN 8.99%, MAC 3.23%, UDN 2.68%; seats - (84 total) ARENA 39, PDC 26, PCN 9, CD 8, UDN 1, MAC 1 President: last held 19 March 1989 (next to be held March 1994); results - Alfredo CRISTIANI (ARENA) 53.8%, Fidel CHAVEZ Mena (PDC) 36.6%, other 9.6% Executive branch: president, vice president, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly (Asamblea Legislativa) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema) Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President (Felix) Alfredo CRISTIANI Buchard (since 1 June 1989); Vice President (Jose) Francisco MERINO Lopez (since 1 June 1989) Member of: BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), LORCS, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Miguel Angel SALAVERRIA chancery: 2308 California Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 265-9671 through 3482 consulates general: Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, and San Francisco
*El Salvador, Government
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Charge d'Affaires Peter F. ROMERO embassy: Final Boulevard, Station Antigua Cuscatlan, San Salvador mailing address: APO AA 34023 telephone: [503] 78-4444 FAX: [503] 78-6011 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL; similar to the flag of Nicaragua, which has a different coat of arms centered in the white band - it features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; also similar to the flag of Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band
*El Salvador, Economy
Overview: The agricultural sector accounts for 24% of GDP, employs about 40% of the labor force, and contributes about 66% to total exports. Coffee is the major commercial crop, accounting for 45% of export earnings. The manufacturing sector, based largely on food and beverage processing, accounts for 18% of GDP and 15% of employment. Economic losses because of guerrilla sabotage total more than $2 billion since 1979. The costs of maintaining a large military seriously constrain the government's efforts to provide essential social services. Nevertheless, growth in national output during the period 1990-92 exceeded growth in population for the first time since 1987. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $5.9 billion (1992 est.) National product real growth rate: 4.6% (1992 est.) National product per capita: $1,060 (1992 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 17% (1992 est.) Unemployment rate: 7.5% (1991) Budget: revenues $846 million; expenditures $890 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992 est.) Exports: $693 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.) commodities: coffee 45%, sugar, shrimp, cotton partners: US 33%, Guatemala, Germany, Costa Rica Imports: $1.47 billion (c.i.f., 1992 est.) commodities: raw materials, consumer goods, capital goods partners: US 43%, Guatemala, Mexico, Venezuela, Germany External debt: $2.6 billion (December 1992) Industrial production: growth rate 4.7% (1991); accounts for 22% of GDP Electricity: 713,800 kW capacity; 2,190 million kWh produced, 390 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: food processing, beverages, petroleum, nonmetallic products, tobacco, chemicals, textiles, furniture Agriculture: accounts for 24% of GDP and 40% of labor force (including fishing and forestry); coffee most important commercial crop; other products - sugarcane, corn, rice, beans, oilseeds, beef, dairy products, shrimp; not self-sufficient in food Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-90), $2.95 billion, plus $250 million for 1992-96; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $525 million Currency: 1 Salvadoran colon (C) = 100 centavos
*El Salvador, Economy
Exchange rates: Salvadoran colones (C) per US$1 - 8.7600 (January 1993), 9.1700 (1992), 8.0300 (1991), fixed rate of 5.000 (1986-1989) Fiscal year: calendar year
*El Salvador, Communications
Railroads: 602 km 0.914-meter gauge, single track; 542 km in use Highways: 10,000 km total; 1,500 km paved, 4,100 km gravel, 4,400 km improved and unimproved earth Inland waterways: Rio Lempa partially navigable Ports: Acajutla, Cutuco Airports: total: 105 usable: 74 with permanent-surface runways: 5 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 5 Telecommunications: nationwide trunk microwave radio relay system; connection into Central American Microwave System; 116,000 telephones (21 telephones per 1,000 persons); broadcast stations - 77 AM, no FM, 5 TV, 2 shortwave; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
*El Salvador, Defense Forces
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force Manpower availability: males age 15-49 1,305,853; fit for military service 836,192; reach military age (18) annually 71,101 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $104 million, 3%-4% of GDP (1993 est.)
*Equatorial Guinea, Geography
Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean between Cameroon and Gabon Map references: Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 28,050 km2 land area: 28,050 km2 comparative area: slightly larger than Maryland Land boundaries: total 539 km, Cameroon 189 km, Gabon 350 km Coastline: 296 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: maritime boundary dispute with Gabon because of disputed sovereignty over islands in Corisco Bay Climate: tropical; always hot, humid Terrain: coastal plains rise to interior hills; islands are volcanic Natural resources: timber, petroleum, small unexploited deposits of gold, manganese, uranium Land use: arable land: 8% permanent crops: 4% meadows and pastures: 4% forest and woodland: 51% other: 33% Irrigated land: NA km2 Environment: subject to violent windstorms Note: insular and continental regions rather widely separated
*Equatorial Guinea, People
Population: 399,055 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 2.6% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 41.1 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 15.11 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 104.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 51.63 years male: 49.56 years female: 53.76 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.33 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Equatorial Guinean(s) or Equatoguinean(s) adjective: Equatorial Guinean or Equatoguinean Ethnic divisions: Bioko (primarily Bubi, some Fernandinos), Rio Muni (primarily Fang), Europeans less than 1,000, mostly Spanish Religions: nominally Christian and predominantly Roman Catholic, pagan practices Languages: Spanish (official), pidgin English, Fang, Bubi, Ibo Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) total population: 50% male: 64% female: 37% Labor force: 172,000 (1986 est.) by occupation: agriculture 66%, services 23%, industry 11% (1980) note: labor shortages on plantations; 58% of population of working age (1985)
*Equatorial Guinea, Government
Names: conventional long form: Republic of Equatorial Guinea conventional short form: Equatorial Guinea local long form: Republica de Guinea Ecuatorial local short form: Guinea Ecuatorial former: Spanish Guinea Digraph: EK Type: republic in transition to multiparty democracy Capital: Malabo Administrative divisions: 7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Annobon, Bioko Norte, Bioko Sur, Centro Sur, Kie-Ntem, Litoral, Wele-Nzas Independence: 12 October 1968 (from Spain) Constitution: new constitution 17 November 1991 Legal system: partly based on Spanish civil law and tribal custom National holiday: Independence Day, 12 October (1968) Political parties and leaders: ruling - Democratic Party for Equatorial Guinea (PDGE), Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO, party leader Suffrage: universal adult at age NA Elections: President: last held 25 June 1989 (next to be held 25 June 1996); results - President Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO was reelected without opposition Chamber of People's Representatives: last held 10 July 1988 (next to be held 10 July 1993); results - PDGE is the only party; seats - (41 total) PDGE 41 Executive branch: president, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral House of Representatives of the People (Camara de Representantes del Pueblo) Judicial branch: Supreme Tribunal Leaders: Chief of State: President Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO (since 3 August 1979) Head of Government: Prime Minister Silvestre SIALE BILEKA (since 17 January 1992); Deputy Prime Minister Miguel OYONO NDONG MIFUMU (since 22 January 1992)
*Equatorial Guinea, Government
Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CEEAC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS (associate), NAM, OAS (observer), OAU, UDEAC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Damaso OBIANG NDONG chancery: (temporary) 57 Magnolia Avenue, Mount Vernon, NY 10553 telephone: (914) 667-9664 US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador John E. BENNETT embassy: Calle de Los Ministros, Malabo mailing address: P.O. Box 597, Malabo telephone: [240] (9) 2185 FAX: [240] (9) 2164 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side and the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms has six yellow six-pointed stars (representing the mainland and five offshore islands) above a gray shield bearing a silk-cotton tree and below which is a scroll with the motto UNIDAD, PAZ, JUSTICIA (Unity, Peace, Justice)
*Equatorial Guinea, Economy
Overview: The economy, devastated during the regime of former President Macias NGUEMA, is based on agriculture, forestry, and fishing, which account for about half of GDP and nearly all exports. Subsistence agriculture predominates, with cocoa, coffee, and wood products providing income, foreign exchange, and government revenues. There is little industry. Commerce accounts for about 8% of GDP and the construction, public works, and service sectors for about 38%. Undeveloped natural resources include titanium, iron ore, manganese, uranium, and alluvial gold. Oil exploration, taking place under concessions offered to US, French, and Spanish firms, has been moderately successful. Increased production from recently discovered natural gas deposits will provide a greater share of exports by 1995. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $144 million (1991 est.) National product real growth rate: -1% (1991 est.) National product per capita: $380 (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.4% (1990) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $26 million; expenditures $30 million, including capital expenditures of $3 million (1991 est.) Exports: $37 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: coffee, timber, cocoa beans partners: Spain 38.2%, Italy 12.2%, Netherlands 11.4%, FRG 6.9%, Nigeria 12.4% (1988) Imports: $63.0 million (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: petroleum, food, beverages, clothing, machinery partners: France 25.9%, Spain 21.0%, Italy 16%, US 12.8%, Netherlands 8%, FRG 3.1%, Gabon 2.9%, Nigeria 1.8% (1988) External debt: $213 million (1990) Industrial production: growth rate 6.8% (1990 est.) Electricity: 23,000 kW capacity; 60 million kWh produced, 160 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: fishing, sawmilling Agriculture: cash crops - timber and coffee from Rio Muni, cocoa from Bioko; food crops - rice, yams, cassava, bananas, oil palm nuts, manioc, livestock Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY81-89), $14 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89) $130 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $55 million Currency: 1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 274.06 (January 1993), 264.69 (1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26 (1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85 (1988)
*Equatorial Guinea, Economy
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
*Equatorial Guinea, Communications
Highways: Rio Muni - 2,460 km; Bioko - 300 km Ports: Malabo, Bata Merchant marine: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 6,413 GRT/6,699 DWT; includes 1 cargo and 1 passenger-cargo Airports: total: 3 usable: 3 with permanent-surface runways: 2 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 1 Telecommunications: poor system with adequate government services; international communications from Bata and Malabo to African and European countries; 2,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 2 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station
*Equatorial Guinea, Defense Forces
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Guard, National Police Manpower availability: males age 15-49 84,323; fit for military service 42,812 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP
*Eritrea, Geography
Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Red Sea between Djibouti and Sudan Map references: Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 121,320 km2 land area: 121,320 km2 comparative area: slightly larger than Pennsylvania Land boundaries: total 1,630 km, Djibouti 113 km, Ethiopia 912 km, Sudan 605 km Coastline: 1,151 km (land and island coastline is 2,234 km) Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: hot, dry desert strip along Red Sea coast; cooler and wetter in the central highlands (up to 61 cm of rainfall annually); semiarid in western hills and lowlands; rainfall heaviest during June-September except on coast desert Terrain: dominated by extension of Ethiopian north-south trending highlands, descending on the east to a coastal desert plan, on the northwest to hilly terrain and on the southwest to flat-to-rolling plains Natural resources: gold, potash, zinc, copper, salt, probably oil, fish Land use: arable land: 3% permanent crops: 2% (coffee) meadows and pastures: 40% forest and woodland: 5% other: 50% Irrigated land: NA km2 Environment: frequent droughts, famine; deforestation; soil eroision; overgrazing; loss of infrastructure from civil warfare Note: strategic geopolitical position along world's busiest shipping lanes and close to Arabian oilfields, Eritrea retained the entire coastline of Ethiopia along the Red Sea upon de jure independence from Ethiopia on 27 April 1993
*Eritrea, People
Population: 3,467,087 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 3.46% (1993 est.) Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA years male: NA years female: NA years Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman Nationality: noun: Eritrean(s) adjective: Eritrean Ethnic divisions: ethnic Tigrays 50%, Tigre and Kunama 40%, Afar 4%, Saho (Red Sea coast dwellers) 3% Religions: Muslim, Coptic Christian, Roman Catholic, Protestant Languages: Tigre and Kunama, Cushitic dialects, Tigre, Nora Bana, Arabic Literacy: NA% Labor force: NA
*Eritrea, Government
Names: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Eritrea local long form: none local short form: none former: Eritrea Autonomous Region in Ethiopia Digraph: ER Type: transitional government note: on 29 May 1991 ISSAIAS Afeworke, secretary general of the Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF), announced the formation of the Provisional Government in Eritrea (PGE), in preparation for the 23-25 April 1993 referendum on independence for the autonomous region of Eritrea; the result was a landslide vote for independence that was announced on 27 April 1993 Capital: Asmara (formerly Asmera) Administrative divisions: NA Independence: 27 April 1993 (from Ethiopia; formerly the Eritrea Autonomous Region) Constitution: transitional "constitution" decreed 19 May 1993 Legal system: NA National holiday: National Day (independence from Ethiopia), 24 May (1993) Political parties and leaders: Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF) (Christian Muslim), ISSAIAS Aferworke, PETROS Soloman; Eritrean Liberation Front (ELF) (Muslim), ABDULLAH Muhammed; Eritrean Liberation Front - United Organization (ELF-UO), leader NA Other political or pressure groups: Oromo Liberation Front (OLF); Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Party (EPRP); numerous small, ethnic-based groups have formed since Mengistu's resignation, including several Islamic militant groups Suffrage: NA Elections: multinational election before 20 May 1997 Executive branch: president, Eritrean National Council Legislative branch: National Assembly Judicial branch: Judiciary Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President ISSAIAS Aferworke Member of: OAU, UN, UNCTAD
*Eritrea, Government
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: NA chancery: NA telephone: NA US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Joseph P. O'NEILL embassy: NA mailing address: NA telephone: 251-4-113-720 FAX: NA Flag: red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) dividing the flag into two right triangles; the upper triangle is green, the lower one is blue; a gold wreath encircling a gold olive branch is centered on the hoist side of the red triangle
*Eritrea, Economy
Overview: With independence from Ethiopia on 27 April 1993, Eritrea faces the bitter economic problems of a small, desperately poor African country. Most of the population will continue to depend on subsistence farming. Domestic output is substantially augmented by worker remittances from abroad. Government revenues come from custom duties and income and sales taxes. Eritrea has inherited the entire coastline of Ethiopia and has long-term prospects for revenues from the devlopment of offshore oil, offshore fishing and tourist development. For the time being, Ethiopia will be largely dependent on Eritrean ports for its foreign trade. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $400 million (1992 est.) National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $115 (1992 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $NA; expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Exports: $NA commodities: NA partners: NA Imports: $NA commodities: NA partners: NA External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: NA kW capacity; NA kWh produced, NA kWh per capita Industries: food processing, beverages, clothing and textiles Agriculture: NA Economic aid: NA Currency: NA Exchange rates: NA Fiscal year: NA
*Eritrea, Communications
Railroads: 307 km total; 307 km 1.000-meter gauge; 307 km 0.950-meter gauge (nonoperational) linking Ak'ordat and Asmera with the port of Mits'iwe (1993 est.) Highways: 3,845 km total; 807 km paved, 840 km gravel, 402 km improved earth, 1,796 km unimproved earth Ports: Assab (formerly Aseb), Massawa (formerly Mits'iwa) Merchant marine: 14 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 71,837 GRT/90,492 DWT; includes 9 cargo, 1 roll-on/roll off, 1 livestock carrier, 2 oil tanker, 1 refrigerated cargo Airports: total: 5 usable: 5 with permanent-surface runways: 2 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 2 Telecommunications: NA
*Eritrea, Defense Forces
Branches: Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF) Manpower availability: males age 15-49 NA; fit for military service NA; reach military age (18) annually NA Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP
*Estonia, Geography
Location: Northeastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Sweden and Russia Map references: Arctic Region, Asia, Europe, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 45,100 km2 land area: 43,200 km2 comparative area: slightly larger than New Hampshire and Vermont combined note: includes 1,520 islands in the Baltic Sea Land boundaries: total 557 km, Latvia 267 km, Russia 290 km Coastline: 1,393 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: international small border strips along the northern (Narva) and southern (Petseri) sections of eastern border with Russia ceded to Russia in 1945 by the Estonian SSR Climate: maritime, wet, moderate winters Terrain: marshy, lowlands Natural resources: shale oil, peat, phosphorite, amber Land use: arable land: 22% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 11% forest and woodland: 31% other: 36% Irrigated land: 110 km2 (1990) Environment: air heavily polluted with sulphur dioxide from oil-shale burning power plants in northeast; radioactive wastes dumped in open reservoir in Sillamae, a few dozen meters from Baltic Sea; contamination of soil and ground water with petroleum products, chemicals at military bases
*Estonia, People
Population: 1,608,469 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 0.52% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 14.05 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 12.13 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 3.28 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 19.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.75 years male: 64.75 years female: 74.99 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.01 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Estonian(s) adjective: Estonian Ethnic divisions: Estonian 61.5%, Russian 30.3%, Ukrainian 3.17%, Belarusian 1.8%, Finn 1.1%, other 2.13% (1989) Religions: Lutheran Languages: Estonian (official), Latvian, Lithuanian, Russian, other Literacy: age 9-49 can read and write (1970) total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% Labor force: 796,000 by occupation: industry and construction 42%, agriculture and forestry 20%, other 38% (1990)
*Estonia, Government
Names: conventional long form: Republic of Estonia conventional short form: Estonia local long form: Eesti Vabariik local short form: Eesti former: Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic Digraph: EN Type: republic Capital: Tallinn Administrative divisions: none (all districts are under direct republic jurisdiction) Independence: 6 September 1991 (from Soviet Union) Constitution: adopted 28 June 1992 Legal system: based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts National holiday: Independence Day, 24 February (1918) Political parties and leaders: Popular Front of Estonia (Rahvarinne), NA chairman; Estonian Christian Democratic Party, Aivar KALA, chairman; Estonian Christian Democratic Union, Illar HALLASTE, chairman; Estonian Heritage Society (EMS), Trivimi VELLISTE, chairman; Estonian National Independence Party (ENIP), Lagle PAREK, chairman; Estonian Social Democratic Party, Marju LAURISTIN, chairman; Estonian Green Party, Tonu OJA; Independent Estonian Communist Party, Vaino VALJAS; People's Centrist Party, Edgar SAVISAAR, chairman; Estonian Royalist Party (ERP), Kalle KULBOK, chairman; Entrpreneurs' Party (EP), Tiit MADE; Estonian Fatherland Party, Mart LAAR, chairman; Safe Home; Moderates; Estonian Citizen Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Elections: President: last held 20 September 1992; (next to be held NA); results - no candidate received majority; newly elected Parliament elected Lennart MERI (NA October 1992) Parliament: last held 20 September 1992; (next to be held NA); results - Fatherland 21%, Safe Home 14%, Popular Front 13%, Moderates 10%, Estonian National Independence Party 8%, Royalists 7%, Estonian Citizen 7%, Estonian Entrepreneurs 2%, other 18%; seats - (101 total) Fatherland 29, Safe Home 18, Popular Front 15, Moderates 12, ENIP 10, Royalists 8, Estonian Citizen 8, Estonian Entrepreneurs 1 Congress of Estonia: last held March 1990 (next to be held NA); note - Congress of Estonia was a quasi-governmental structure which disbanded itself October 1992 after the new Parliament and government were installed Executive branch: president, prime minister, cabinet
*Estonia, Government
Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (Riigikogu) Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: President Lennart MERI (since NA October 1992) Head of Government: Prime Minister Mart LAAR (since NA October 1992) Member of: CBSS, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ILO, IMF, IMO, NACC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Toomas Hendrik IIVES chancery: (temporary) 630 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2415, New York, NY 10111 telephone: (212) 247-2131 consulate general: New York US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Robert C. FRASURE embassy: Kentmanni 20, Tallin EE 0001 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: 011-[358] (49) 303-182 (cellular) FAX: [358] (49) 306-817 (cellular) note: dialing to Baltics still requires use of an international operator unless you use the cellular phone lines Flag: pre-1940 flag restored by Supreme Soviet in May 1990 - three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), black, and white
*Estonia, Economy
Overview: As of June 1993 Estonia ranks first among the 15 former Soviet republics in moving from its obsolete command economy to a modern market economy. Yet serious problems remain. In contrast to the estimated 30% drop in output in 1992, GDP should grow by a small percent in 1993. Of key importance has been the introduction of the kroon in August 1993 and the subsequent reductions in inflation to 1%-2% per month. Starting in July 1991, under a new law on private ownership, small enterprises, such as retail shops and restaurants, were sold to private owners. The auctioning of large-scale enterprises is progressing with the proceeds being held in escrow until the prior ownership (that is, Estonian or the Commonwealth of Independent States) can be established. Estonia ranks first in per capita consumption among the former Soviet republics. Agriculture is well developed, especially meat production, and provides a surplus for export. Only about one-fifth of the work force is in agriculture. The major share of the work force engages in manufacturing both capital and consumer goods based on raw materials and intermediate products from the other former Soviet republics. These manufactures are of high quality by ex-Soviet standards and are exported to the other republics. Estonia's mineral resources are limited to major deposits of shale oil (60% of the old Soviet total) and phosphorites (400 million tons). Estonia has a large, relatively modern port and produces more than half of its own energy needs at highly polluting shale oil power plants. It has advantages in the transition, not having suffered so long under the Soviet yoke and having better chances of developing profitable ties to the Nordic and West European countries. Like Latvia, but unlike Lithuania, the large portion of ethnic Russians (30%) in the population poses still another difficulty in the transition to an independent market economy. National product: GDP $NA National product real growth rate: -30% (1992 est.) National product per capita: $NA Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1%-2% per month (first quarter 1993) Unemployment rate: 3% (March 1993); but large number of underemployed workers Budget: revenues $223 million; expenditures $142 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992) Exports: $NA commodities: textile 11%, wood products and timber 9%, dairy products 9% partners: Russia and the other former Soviet republics 50%, West 50% (1992) Imports: $NA commodities: machinery 45%, oil 13%, chemicals 12% partners: Finland 15%, Russia 18% External debt: $650 million (end of 1991) Industrial production: growth rate -40% (1992) Electricity: 3,700,000 kW capacity; 22,900 million kWh produced, 14,245 kWh per capita (1992)
*Estonia, Economy
Industries: accounts for 30% of labor force; oil shale, shipbuilding, phosphates, electric motors, excavators, cement, furniture, clothing, textiles, paper, shoes, apparel Agriculture: employs 20% of work force; very efficient; net exports of meat, fish, dairy products, and potatoes; imports of feedgrains for livestock; fruits and vegetables Illicit drugs: transshipment point for illicit drugs from Central and Southwest Asia to Western Europe; limited illicit opium producer; mostly for domestic production Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (1992), $10 million Currency: 1 Estonian kroon (EEK) = 100 NA; (introduced in August 1992) Exchange rates: kroons (EEK) per US$1 - 12 (January 1993) Fiscal year: calendar year
*Estonia, Communications
Railroads: 1,030 km (includes NA km electrified); does not include industrial lines (1990) Highways: 30,300 km total (1990); 29,200 km hard surfaced; 1,100 km earth Inland waterways: 500 km perennially navigable Pipelines: natural gas 420 km (1992) Ports: coastal - Tallinn, Novotallin, Parnu; inland - Narva Merchant marine: 68 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 394,501 GRT/526,502 DWT; includes 52 cargo, 6 roll-on/roll-off, 2 short-sea passenger, 6 bulk, 2 container Airports: total: 29 useable: 18 with permanent-surface runways: 11 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 10 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 8 Telecommunications: 300,000 telephone subscribers in 1990 with international direct dial service available to Finland, Germany, Austria, UK and France; 21 telephone lines per 100 persons as of 1991; broadcast stations - 3 TV (provide Estonian programs as well as Moscow Ostenkino's first and second programs); international traffic is carried to the other former USSR republics by landline or microwave and to other countries by leased connection to the Moscow international gateway switch via 19 incoming/20 outgoing international channels, by the Finnish cellular net, and by an old copper submarine cable to Finland soon to be replaced by an undersea fiber optic cable system; there is also a new international telephone exchange in Tallinn handling 60 channels via Helsinki; 2 analog mobile cellular networks with international roaming capability to Scandinavia are operating in major cities
*Estonia, Defense Forces
Branches: Ground Forces, Maritime Border Guard, National Guard (Kaitseliit), Security Forces (internal and border troops) Manpower availability: males age 15-49 387,733; fit for military service 306,056; reach military age (18) annually 11,570 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: 124.4 million kroons, NA% of GDP (forecast for 1993); note - conversion of the military budget into US dollars using the current exchange rate could produce misleading results
*Ethiopia, Geography
Location: Eastern Africa, between Somalia and Sudan Map references: Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 1,127,127 km2 land area: 1,119,683 km2 comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Texas Land boundaries: total 5,311 km, Djibouti 337 km, Erithea 912 km, Kenya 830 km, Somalia 1,626 km, Sudan 1,606 km Coastline: none - landlocked Maritime claims: none - landlocked International disputes: southern half of the boundary with Somalia is a Provisional Administrative Line; possible claim by Somalia based on unification of ethnic Somalis; territorial dispute with Somalia over the Ogaden Climate: tropical monsoon with wide topographic-induced variation; some areas prone to extended droughts Terrain: high plateau with central mountain range divided by Great Rift Valley Natural resources: small reserves of gold, platinum, copper, potash Land use: arable land: 12% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 41% forest and woodland: 24% other: 22% Irrigated land: 1,620 km2 (1989 est.) Environment: geologically active Great Rift Valley susceptible to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; frequent droughts; famine Note: landlocked - entire coastline along the Red Sea was lost with the de jure independence of Eritrea on 27 April 1993
*Ethiopia, People
Population: 53,278,446 (July 1993 est.) note: Ethiopian demographic data, except population and population growth rate, include Eritrea Population growth rate: 3.41% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 45.37 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 14.23 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 2.94 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 108.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 52.21 years male: 50.6 years female: 53.88 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.88 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Ethiopian(s) adjective: Ethiopian Ethnic divisions: Oromo 40%, Amhara and Tigrean 32%, Sidamo 9%, Shankella 6%, Somali 6%, Afar 4%, Gurage 2%, other 1% Religions: Muslim 45-50%, Ethiopian Orthodox 35-40%, animist 12%, other 5% Languages: Amharic (official), Tigrinya, Orominga, Guaraginga, Somali, Arabic, English (major foreign language taught in schools) Literacy: age 10 and over can read and write (1983) total population: 62% male: NA% female: NA% Labor force: 18 million by occupation: agriculture and animal husbandry 80%, government and services 12%, industry and construction 8% (1985)
*Ethiopia, Government
Names: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Ethiopia local long form: none local short form: Ityop'iya Digraph: ET Type: transitional government note: on 28 May 1991 the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) toppled the authoritarian government of MENGISTU Haile-Mariam and took control in Addis Ababa; the Transitional Government of Ethiopia (TGE), announced a two-year transitional period Capital: Addis Ababa Administrative divisions: 14 administrative regions (astedader akababiwach, singular - astedader akababi) Addis Ababa, Afar, Amhara, Benishangul, Gambela, Gurage-Hadiya-Kambata, Harer, Kefa, Omo, Oromo, Sidamo, Somali, Tigray, Wolayta Independence: oldest independent country in Africa and one of the oldest in the world - at least 2,000 years Constitution: to be redrafted by 1993 Legal system: NA National holiday: National Day, 28 May (1991) (defeat of Mengistu regime) Political parties and leaders: NA Other political or pressure groups: Oromo Liberation Front (OLF); Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Party (EPRP); numerous small, ethnic-based groups have formed since Mengistu's resignation, including several Islamic militant groups Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Elections: President: last held 10 September 1987; next election planned after new constitution drafted; results - MENGISTU Haile-Mariam elected by the now defunct National Assembly, but resigned and left Ethiopia on 21 May 1991 Constituent Assembly: now planned for January 1994 (to ratify constitution to be drafted by end of 1993) Executive branch: president, prime minister, Council of Ministers Legislative branch: unicameral Constituent Assembly Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: President MELES Zenawi (since 1 June 1991)
*Ethiopia, Government
Head of Government: Prime Minister TAMIRAT Layne (since 6 June 1991) Member of: ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IGADD, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador BERHANE Gebre-Christos chancery: 2134 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 234-2281 or 2282 US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Marc A. BAAS embassy: Entoto Street, Addis Ababa mailing address: P. O. Box 1014, Addis Ababa telephone: [251] (1) 550-666 FAX: [251] (1) 551-166 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and red; Ethiopia is the oldest independent country in Africa, and the colors of her flag were so often adopted by other African countries upon independence that they became known as the pan-African colors
*Ethiopia, Economy
Overview: With the independence of Eritrea on 27 April 1993, Ethiopia continues to face difficult economic problems as one of the poorest and least developed countries in Africa. (The accompanying analysis and figures predate the independence of Eritrea.) Its economy is based on subsistence agriculture, which accounts for about 45% of GDP, 90% of exports, and 80% of total employment; coffee generates 60% of export earnings. The manufacturing sector is heavily dependent on inputs from the agricultural sector. Over 90% of large-scale industry, but less than 10% of agriculture, is state run; the government is considering selling off a portion of state-owned plants. Favorable agricultural weather largely explains the 4.5% growth in output in FY89, whereas drought and deteriorating internal security conditions prevented growth in FY90. In 1991 the lack of law and order, particularly in the south, interfered with economic development and growth. In 1992, because of some easing of civil strife and aid from the outside world, the economy substantially improved. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $6.6 billion (FY92 est.) National product real growth rate: 6% (FY92 est.) National product per capita: $130 (FY92 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.8% (1989) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $1.4 billion; expenditures $2.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $565 million (FY91) Exports: $276 million (f.o.b., FY90) commodities: coffee, leather products, gold, petroleum products partners: EC, Djibouti, Japan, Saudi Arabia, US Imports: $1.0 billion (c.i.f., FY90) commodities: capital goods, consumer goods, fuel partners: EC, Eastern Europe, Japan, US External debt: $3.48 billion (1991) Industrial production: growth rate 2.3% (FY89 est.); accounts for 12% of GDP Electricity: 330,000 kW capacity; 650 million kWh produced, 10 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: food processing, beverages, textiles, chemicals, metals processing, cement Agriculture: accounts for 47% of GDP and is the most important sector of the economy even though frequent droughts and poor cultivation practices keep farm output low; famines not uncommon; export crops of coffee and oilseeds grown partly on state farms; estimated 50% of agricultural production at subsistence level; principal crops and livestock - cereals, pulses, coffee, oilseeds, sugarcane, potatoes and other vegetables, hides and skins, cattle, sheep, goats