Front matter (continued 7)
Reading edition
*Ethiopia, Economy
Illicit drugs: transit hub for heroin originating in Southwest and Southeast Asia and destined for Europe and North America; cultivates qat (chat) for local use and regional export Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $504 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $3.4 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $8 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $2.0 billion Currency: 1 birr (Br) = 100 cents Exchange rates: birr (Br) per US$1 - 5.0000 (fixed rate) Fiscal year: 8 July - 7 July
*Ethiopia, Communications
Railroads: 781 km total; 781 km 1.000-meter gauge; 307 km 0.950-meter gauge linking Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) to Djibouti; control of railroad is shared between Djibouti and Ethiopia Highways: 39,150 km total; 2,776 km paved, 7,504 km gravel, 2,054 km improved earth, 26,816 km unimproved earth (1993 est.) Ports: none; landlocked Merchant marine: none; landlocked Airports: total: 121 usable: 82 with permanent-surface runways: 9 with runways over 3,659 m: 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 13 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 83 (1993 est.) Telecommunications: open-wire and radio relay system adequate for government use; open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti; microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti; broadcast stations - 4 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 100,000 TV sets; 9,000,000 radios; satellite earth stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 2 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT
*Ethiopia, Defense Forces
Branches: Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) Manpower availability: males age 15-49 12,793,340; fit for military service 6,640,616; reach military age (18) annually 576,329 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP
*Europa Island, Header
Affiliation: (possession of France)
*Europa Island, Geography
Location: Southern Africa, in the southern Mozambique Channel about halfway between Madagascar and Mozambique Map references: Africa Area: total area: 28 km2 land area: 28 km2 comparative area: about 0.2 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 22.2 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: claimed by Madagascar Climate: tropical Terrain: NA Natural resources: negligible Land use: arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% meadows and pastures: NA% forest and woodland: NA% other: NA% (heavily wooded) Irrigated land: 0 km2 Environment: wildlife sanctuary
*Europa Island, People
Population: uninhabited
*Europa Island, Government
Names: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Europa Island local long form: none local short form: Ile Europa Digraph: EU Type: French possession administered by Commissioner of the Republic; resident in Reunion Capital: none; administered by France from Reunion Independence: none (possession of France)
*Europa Island, Economy
Overview: no economic activity
*Europa Island, Communications
Ports: none; offshore anchorage only Airports: total: 1 usable: 1 with permanent-surface runways: 0 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,439-3,659 m: 0 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 1 Telecommunications: 1 meteorological station
*Europa Island, Defense Forces
Note: defense is the responsibility of France
*Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), Header
Affiliation: (dependent territory of the UK)
*Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), Geography
Location: in the South Atlantic Ocean, off the southern coast of Argentina Map references: Antarctic Region, South America Area: total area: 12,170 km2 land area: 12,170 km2 comparative area: slightly smaller than Connecticut note: includes the two main islands of East and West Falkland and about 200 small islands Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 1,288 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: 100 m depth exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: administered by the UK, claimed by Argentina Climate: cold marine; strong westerly winds, cloudy, humid; rain occurs on more than half of days in year; occasional snow all year, except in January and February, but does not accumulate Terrain: rocky, hilly, mountainous with some boggy, undulating plains Natural resources: fish, wildlife Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 99% forest and woodland: 0% other: 1% Irrigated land: NA km2 Environment: poor soil fertility and a short growing season Note: deeply indented coast provides good natural harbors
*Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), People
Population: 2,206 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 2.43% (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 population Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA years male: NA years female: NA years Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman Nationality: noun: Falkland Islander(s) adjective: Falkland Island Ethnic divisions: British Religions: primarily Anglican, Roman Catholic, United Free Church, Evangelist Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, Lutheran, Seventh-Day Adventist Languages: English Literacy: total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Labor force: 1,100 (est.) by occupation: agriculture 95% (mostly sheepherding)
*Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), Government
Names: conventional long form: Colony of the Falkland Islands conventional short form: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Digraph: FA Type: dependent territory of the UK Capital: Stanley Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK) Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK) Constitution: 3 October 1985 Legal system: English common law National holiday: Liberation Day, 14 June (1982) Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Elections: Legislative Council: last held 11 October 1989 (next to be held October 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (10 total, 8 elected) number of seats by party NA Executive branch: British monarch, governor, Executive Council Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) Head of Government: Governor David Everard TATHAM (since August 1992) Member of: ICFTU Diplomatic representation in US: none (dependent territory of the UK) US diplomatic representation: none (dependent territory of the UK) Flag: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Falkland Island coat of arms in a white disk centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms contains a white ram (sheep raising is the major economic activity) above the sailing ship Desire (whose crew discovered the islands) with a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto DESIRE THE RIGHT
*Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), Economy
Overview: The economy is based on sheep farming, which directly or indirectly employs most of the work force. A few dairy herds are kept to meet domestic consumption of milk and milk products, and crops grown are primarily those for providing winter fodder. Exports feature shipments of high-grade wool to the UK and the sale of postage stamps and coins. Rich stocks of fish in the surrounding waters are not presently exploited by the islanders. So far, efforts to establish a domestic fishing industry have been unsuccessful. In 1987 the government began selling fishing licenses to foreign trawlers operating within the Falklands exclusive fishing zone. These license fees amount to more than $40 million per year and are a primary source of income for the government. To encourage tourism, the Falkland Islands Development Corporation has built three lodges for visitors attracted by the abundant wildlife and trout fishing. National product: GDP $NA National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $NA Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.4% (1980-87 average) Unemployment rate: NA%; labor shortage Budget: revenues $62.7 million; expenditures $41.8 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY90) Exports: at least $14.7 million commodities: wool, hides and skins, and meat partners: UK, Netherlands, Japan (1987 est.) Imports: at least $13.9 million commodities: food, clothing, fuels, and machinery partners: UK, Netherlands Antilles (Curacao), Japan (1987 est.) External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 9,200 kW capacity; 17 million kWh produced, 8,940 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: wool and fish processing Agriculture: predominantly sheep farming; small dairy herds; some fodder and vegetable crops Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $277 million Currency: 1 Falkland pound (#F) = 100 pence Exchange rates: Falkland pound (#F) per US$1 - 0.6527 (January 1993), 0.5664 (1992), 0.5652 (1991), 0.5604 (1990), 0.6099 (1989), 0.5614 (1988); note - the Falkland pound is at par with the British pound
*Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), Economy
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
*Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), Communications
Highways: 510 km total; 30 km paved, 80 km gravel, and 400 km unimproved earth Ports: Stanley Airports: total: 5 usable: 5 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: 0 Telecommunications: government-operated radiotelephone and private VHF/CB radio networks provide effective service to almost all points on both islands; 590 telephones; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 3 FM, no TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station with links through London to other countries
*Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), Defense Forces
Branches: British Forces Falkland Islands (including Army, Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, and Royal Marines), Police Force Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
*Faroe Islands, Header
Affiliation: (part of the Danish realm)
*Faroe Islands, Geography
Location: in the north Atlantic Ocean, located half way between Norway and Iceland Map references: Arctic Region Area: total area: 1,400 km2 land area: 1,400 km2 comparative area: slightly less than eight times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 764 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm International disputes: none Climate: mild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy Terrain: rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast Natural resources: fish Land use: arable land: 2% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 98% Irrigated land: NA km2 Environment: precipitous terrain limits habitation to small coastal lowlands; archipelago of 18 inhabited islands and a few uninhabited islets Note: strategically located along important sea lanes in northeastern Atlantic
*Faroe Islands, People
Population: 48,065 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 0.67% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 18.45 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 7.57 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: -4.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 8.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.92 years male: 74.51 years female: 81.45 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.52 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Faroese (singular and plural) adjective: Faroese Ethnic divisions: Scandinavian Religions: Evangelical Lutheran Languages: Faroese (derived from Old Norse), Danish Literacy: total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Labor force: 17,585 by occupation: largely engaged in fishing, manufacturing, transportation, and commerce
*Faroe Islands, Government
Names: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Faroe Islands local long form: none local short form: Foroyar Digraph: FO Type: part of the Danish realm; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark Capital: Torshavn Administrative divisions: none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) Independence: none (part of the Danish realm; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) Constitution: Danish Legal system: Danish National holiday: Birthday of the Queen, 16 April (1940) Political parties and leaders: three-party ruling coalition: Social Democratic Party, Marita PETERSEN; Republican Party, Signer HANSEN; Home Rule Party, Hilmar KASS opposition: Cooperation Coalition Party, Pauli ELLEFSEN; Progressive and Fishing Industry Party-Christian People's Party (PFIP-CPP), leader NA; Progress Party, leader NA; People's Party, Jogvan SUND-STEIN Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal Elections: Danish Parliament: last held on 12 December 1990 (next to be held by December 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (2 total) Social Democratic 1, People's Party 1; note - the Faroe Islands elects two representatives to the Danish Parliament Faroese Parliament: last held 17 November 1990 (next to be held November 1994); results - Social Democratic 27.4%, People's Party 21.9%, Cooperation Coalition Party 18.9%, Republican Party 14.7%, Home Rule 8.8%, PFIP-CPP 5.9%, other 2.4%; seats - (32 total) two-party coalition 17 (Social Democratic 10, People's Party 7), Cooperation Coalition Party 6, Republican Party 4, Home Rule 3, PFIP-CPP 2 Executive branch: Danish monarch, high commissioner, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Cabinet (Landsstyri) Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (Lgting) Judicial branch: none
*Faroe Islands, Government
Leaders: Chief of State: Queen MARGRETHE II (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Bent KLINTE (since NA) Head of Government: Prime Minister Marita PETERSEN (since 18 January 1993) Member of: none Diplomatic representation in US: none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) US diplomatic representation: none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) Flag: white with a red cross outlined in blue that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the DANNEBROG (Danish flag)
*Faroe Islands, Economy
Overview: The Faroese, who have long enjoyed the affluent living standards of the Danes and other Scandinavians, now must cope with the decline of the all-important fishing industry and one of the world's heaviest per capita external debts of nearly $30,000. When the nations of the world extended their fishing zones to 200 nautical miles in the early 1970s, the Faroese no longer could continue their traditional long-distance fishing and subsequently depleted their own nearby fishing areas. The government's tight controls on fish stocks and its austerity measures have caused a recession, and subsidy cuts will force nationalization in the fishing industry, which has already been plagued with bankruptcies. Copenhagen has threatened to withhold its annual subsidy of $130 million - roughly one-third of the islands' budget revenues - unless the Faroese make significant efforts to balance their budget. To this extent the Faroe government is expected to continue its tough policies, including introducing a 20% VAT in 1993, and has agreed to an IMF economic-political stabilization plan. In addition to its annual subsidy, the Danish government has bailed out the second largest Faroe bank to the tune of $140 million since October 1992. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $662 million (1989 est.) National product real growth rate: 3% (1989 est.) National product per capita: $14,000 (1989 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2% (1988) Unemployment rate: 5%-6% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $425 million; expenditures $480 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1991 est.) Exports: $386 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: fish and fish products 88%, animal feedstuffs, transport equipment (ships) (1989) partners: Denmark 20%, Germany 18.3%, UK 14.2%, France 11.2%, Spain 7.9%, US 4.5% Imports: $322 million (c.i.f., 1990 est.) commodities: machinery and transport equipment 24.4%, manufactures 24%, food and livestock 19%, fuels 12%, chemicals 6.5% partners: Denmark 43.8%, Norway 19.8%, Sweden 4.9%, Germany 4.2%, US 1.3% External debt: $1.3 billion (1991) Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 80,000 kW capacity; 280 million kWh produced, 5,760 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: fishing, shipbuilding, handicrafts Agriculture: accounts for 27% of GDP and employs 27% of labor force; principal crops - potatoes and vegetables; livestock - sheep; annual fish catch about 360,000 metric tons Economic aid: receives an annual subsidy from Denmark of about $130 million
*Faroe Islands, Economy
Currency: 1 Danish krone (DKr) = 100 ore 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: 1 April - 31 March
*Faroe Islands, Communications
Highways: 200 km Ports: Torshavn, Tvoroyri Merchant marine: 10 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 22,015 GRT/24,007 DWT; includes 1 short-sea passenger, 5 cargo, 2 roll-on/roll-off, 2 refrigerated cargo; note - a subset of the Danish register Airports: total: 1 useable: 1 with permanent-surface runways: 1 with runways over 3659 m: 0 with runways 2440-3659 m: 0 with runways 1220-2439 m: 1 Telecommunications: good international communications; fair domestic facilities; 27,900 telephones; broadcast stations - 1 AM, 3 (10 repeaters) FM, 3 (29 repeaters) TV; 3 coaxial submarine cables
*Faroe Islands, Defense Forces
Branches: small Police Force, no organized native military forces Note: defense is the responsibility of Denmark
*Fiji, Geography
Location: Oceania, 2,500 km north of New Zealand in the South Pacific Ocean Map references: Oceania, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 18,270 km2 land area: 18,270 km2 comparative area: slightly smaller than New Jersey Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 1,129 km Maritime claims: (measured from claimed archipelagic baselines) continental shelf: 200 m depth or to depth of exploitation; rectilinear shelf claim added exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature variation Terrain: mostly mountains of volcanic origin Natural resources: timber, fish, gold, copper, offshore oil potential Land use: arable land: 8% permanent crops: 5% meadows and pastures: 3% forest and woodland: 65% other: 19% Irrigated land: 10 km2 (1989 est.) Environment: subject to hurricanes from November to January; includes 332 islands of which approximately 110 are inhabited
*Fiji, People
Population: 756,762 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 0.95% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 24.74 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 6.59 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: -8.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 18.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 64.86 years male: 62.62 years female: 67.21 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.98 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Fijian(s) adjective: Fijian Ethnic divisions: Fijian 49%, Indian 46%, European, other Pacific Islanders, overseas Chinese, and other 5% Religions: Christian 52% (Methodist 37%, Roman Catholic 9%), Hindu 38%, Muslim 8%, other 2% note: Fijians are mainly Christian, Indians are Hindu, and there is a Muslim minority (1986) Languages: English (official), Fijian, Hindustani Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1985) total population: 86% male: 90% female: 81% Labor force: 235,000 by occupation: subsistence agriculture 67%, wage earners 18%, salary earners 15% (1987)
*Fiji, Government
Names: conventional long form: Republic of Fiji conventional short form: Fiji Digraph: FJ Type: republic note: military coup leader Maj. Gen. Sitiveni RABUKA formally declared Fiji a republic on 6 October 1987 Capital: Suva Administrative divisions: 4 divisions and 1 dependency*; Central, Eastern, Northern, Rotuma*, Western, Independence: 10 October 1970 (from UK) Constitution: 10 October 1970 (suspended 1 October 1987); a new Constitution was proposed on 23 September 1988 and promulgated on 25 July 1990; the 1990 Constitution is currently still under review (February 1993) Legal system: based on British system National holiday: Independence Day, 10 October (1970) Political parties and leaders: Fijian Political Party (SVT - primarily Fijian), leader Maj. Gen. Sitivini RABUKA; National Federation Party (NFP; primarily Indian), Siddiq KOYA; Christian Fijian Nationalist Party (CFNP), Sakeasi BUTADROKA; Fiji Labor Party (FLP), Jokapeci KOROI; All National Congress (ANC), Apisai TORA; General Voters Party (GVP), Max OLSSON; Fiji Conservative Party (FCP), Isireli VUIBAU; Conservative Party of Fiji (CPF), Jolale ULUDOLE and Viliame SAVU; Fiji Indian Liberal Party, Swami MAHARAJ; Fiji Indian Congress Party, Ishwari BAJPAI; Fiji Independent Labor (Muslim), leader NA; Four Corners Party, David TULVANUAVOU Suffrage: none Elections: House of Representatives: last held 23-29 May 1992 (next to be held NA 1997); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (70 total, with ethnic Fijians allocated 37 seats, ethnic Indians 27 seats, and independents and other 6 seats) number of seats by party NA Executive branch: president, prime minister, Cabinet, Great Councils of Chiefs (highest ranking members of the traditional chiefly system) Legislative branch: the bicameral Parliament, consisting of an upper house or Senate and a lower house or House of Representatives, was dissolved following the coup of 14 May 1987; the Constitution of 23 September 1988 provides for a bicameral Parliament Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: President Ratu Sir Penaia Kanatabatu GANILAU (since 5 December 1987); Vice President Ratu Sir Kamisese MARA (since 14 April 1992); Vice President Ratu Sir Josaia TAIVAIQIA (since 14 April 1992)
*Fiji, Government
Head of Government: Prime Minister Sitiveni RABUKA (since 2 June 1992); Deputy Prime Minister Filipe BOLE (since 11 June 1992); Deputy Prime Minister Ratu Timoci VESIKULA (since 11 June 1993) Member of: ACP, AsDB, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, PCA, SPARTECA, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNOSOM, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Pita Kewa NACUVA chancery: Suite 240, 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: (202) 337-8320 consulate: New York US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Evelyn I. H. TEEGEN embassy: 31 Loftus Street, Suva mailing address: P. O. Box 218, Suva telephone: [679] 314-466 FAX: [679] 300-081 Flag: light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Fijian shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield depicts a yellow lion above a white field quartered by the cross of Saint George featuring stalks of sugarcane, a palm tree, bananas, and a white dove
*Fiji, Economy
Overview: Fiji's economy is primarily agricultural, with a large subsistence sector. Sugar exports are a major source of foreign exchange, and sugar processing accounts for one-third of industrial output. Industry, including sugar milling, contributes 13% to GDP. Fiji traditionally had earned considerable sums of hard currency from the 250,000 tourists who visited each year. In 1987, however, after two military coups, the economy went into decline. GDP dropped by 7.8% in 1987 and by another 2.5% in 1988; political uncertainty created a drop in tourism, and the worst drought of the century caused sugar production to fall sharply. In contrast, sugar and tourism turned in strong performances in 1989, and the economy rebounded vigorously. In 1990 the economy received a setback from cyclone Sina, which cut sugar output by an estimated 21%. Sugar exports recovered in 1991-92. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $1.4 billion (1992 est.) National product real growth rate: 3% (1992 est.) National product per capita: $1,900 (1992 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5% (1992 est.) Unemployment rate: 5.9% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $455 million; expenditures $546 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1993 est.) Exports: $435 million (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: sugar 40%, gold, clothing, copra, processed fish, lumber partners: EC 31%, Australia 21%, Japan 8%, US 6% Imports: $553 million (c.i.f., 1991) commodities: machinery and transport equipment 32%, food 15%, petroleum products, consumer goods, chemicals partners: Australia 30%, NZ 17%, Japan 13%, EC 6%, US 6% External debt: $428 million (December 1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 8.4% (1991 est.); accounts for 13% of GDP Electricity: 215,000 kW capacity; 420 million kWh produced, 560 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: sugar, tourism, copra, gold, silver, clothing, lumber, small cottage industries Agriculture: accounts for 23% of GDP; principal cash crop is sugarcane; coconuts, cassava, rice, sweet potatoes, bananas; small livestock sector includes cattle, pigs, horses, and goats; fish catch nearly 33,000 tons (1989) Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1980-89), $815 million Currency: 1 Fijian dollar (F$) = 100 cents
*Fiji, Economy
Exchange rates: Fijian dollars (F$) per US$1 - 1.5809 (January 1993), 1.5029 (1992), 1.4756 (1991), 1.4809 (1990), 1.4833 (1989), 1.4303 (1988) Fiscal year: calendar year
*Fiji, Communications
Railroads: 644 km 0.610-meter narrow gauge, belonging to the government-owned Fiji Sugar Corporation Highways: 3,300 km total; 1,590 km paved; 1,290 km gravel, crushed stone, or stabilized soil surface; 420 unimproved earth (1984) Inland waterways: 203 km; 122 km navigable by motorized craft and 200-metric-ton barges Ports: Lambasa, Lautoka, Savusavu, Suva Merchant marine: 7 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 40,072 GRT/47,187 DWT; includes 2 roll-on/roll-off, 2 container, 1 oil tanker, 1 chemical tanker, 1 cargo Airports: total: 25 usable: 22 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: 2 Telecommunications: modern local, interisland, and international (wire/radio integrated) public and special-purpose telephone, telegraph, and teleprinter facilities; regional radio center; important COMPAC cable link between US-Canada and New Zealand-Australia; 53,228 telephones (71 telephones per 1,000 persons); broadcast stations - 7 AM, 1 FM, no TV; 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth station
*Fiji, Defense Forces
Branches: Fiji Military Force (FMF; including a naval division, police) Manpower availability: males age 15-49 194,634; fit for military service 107,304; reach military age (18) annually 7,834 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $22.4 million, about 2% of GDP (FY91/92)
*Finland, Geography
Location: Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea between Sweden and Russia Map references: Arctic Region, Europe, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 337,030 km2 land area: 305,470 km2 comparative area: slightly smaller than Montana Land boundaries: total 2,628 km, Norway 729 km, Sweden 586 km, Russia 1,313 km Coastline: 1,126 km (excludes islands and coastal indentations) Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 6 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm territorial sea: 4 nm International disputes: none Climate: cold temperate; potentially subarctic, but comparatively mild because of moderating influence of the North Atlantic Current, Baltic Sea, and more than 60,000 lakes Terrain: mostly low, flat to rolling plains interspersed with lakes and low hills Natural resources: timber, copper, zinc, iron ore, silver Land use: arable land: 8% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 76% other: 16% Irrigated land: 620 km2 (1989 est.) Environment: permanently wet ground covers about 30% of land; population concentrated on small southwestern coastal plain Note: long boundary with Russia; Helsinki is northernmost national capital on European continent
*Finland, People
Population: 5,050,942 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 0.37% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 12.61 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 9.91 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 1.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 5.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.65 years male: 71.85 years female: 79.62 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.79 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Finn(s) adjective: Finnish Ethnic divisions: Finn, Swede, Lapp, Gypsy, Tatar Religions: Evangelical Lutheran 89%, Greek Orthodox 1%, none 9%, other 1% Languages: Finnish 93.5% (official), Swedish 6.3% (official), small Lapp- and Russian-speaking minorities Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980) total population: 100% male: NA% female: NA% Labor force: 2.533 million by occupation: public services 30.4%, industry 20.9%, commerce 15.0%, finance, insurance, and business services 10.2%, agriculture and forestry 8.6%, transport and communications 7.7%, construction 7.2%
*Finland, Government
Names: conventional long form: Republic of Finland conventional short form: Finland local long form: Suomen Tasavalta local short form: Suomi Digraph: FI Type: republic Capital: Helsinki Administrative divisions: 12 provinces (laanit, singular - laani); Ahvenanmaa, Hame, Keski-Suomi, Kuopio, Kymi, Lappi, Mikkeli, Oulu, Pohjois-Karjala, Turku ja Pori, Uusimaa, Vaasa Independence: 6 December 1917 (from Soviet Union) Constitution: 17 July 1919 Legal system: civil law system based on Swedish law; Supreme Court may request legislation interpreting or modifying laws; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations National holiday: Independence Day, 6 December (1917) Political parties and leaders: government coalition: Center Party, Esko AHO; National Coalition (conservative) Party, Perti SALOLAINEN; Swedish People's Party, (Johan) Ole NORRBACK; Finnish Christian League, Toimi KANKAANNIEMI other parties: Social Democratic Party, Antero KEKKONEN, Acting Chairman; Leftist Alliance (Communist) People's Democratic League and Democratic Alternative, Claes ANDERSON; Green League, Pekka SAURI; Rural Party, Tina MAKELA; Liberal People's Party, Kalle MAATTA Other political or pressure groups: Finnish Communist Party-Unity, Yrjo HAKANEN; Constitutional Rightist Party; Finnish Pensioners Party; Communist Workers Party, Timo LAHDENMAKI Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Elections: President: last held 31 January - 1 February and 15 February 1988 (next to be held January 1994); results - Mauno KOIVISTO 48%, Paavo VAYRYNEN 20%, Harri HOLKERI 18% Parliament: last held 17 March 1991 (next to be held March 1995); results - Center Party 24.8%, Social Democratic Party 22.1%, National Coalition (Conservative) Party 19.3%, Leftist Alliance (Communist) 10.1%, Green League 6.8%, Swedish People's Party 5.5%, Rural 4.8%, Finnish Christian League 3.1%, Liberal People's Party 0.8%; seats - (200 total) Center Party 55, Social Democratic Party 48, National Coalition (Conservative) Party 40, Leftist Alliance (Communist) 19, Swedish People's Party 12, Green League 10, Finnish Christian League 8, Rural 7, Liberal People's Party 1
*Finland, Government
Executive branch: president, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Council of State (Valtioneuvosto) Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (Eduskunta) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Korkein Oikeus) Leaders: Chief of State: President Mauno KOIVISTO (since 27 January 1982) Head of Government: Prime Minister Esko AHO (since 26 April 1991); Deputy Prime Minister Ilkka KANERVA (since 26 April 1991) Member of: AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, CERN, COCOM (cooperating country), CSCE, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, ESA (associate), FAO, G-9, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, MTCR, NAM (guest), NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNMOGIP, UNOSOM, UNPROFOR, UNTSO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jukka VALTASAARI chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: (202) 363-2430 FAX: (202) 363-8233 consulates general: Los Angeles and New York consulates: Chicago and Houston US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador John H. KELLY embassy: Itainen Puistotie 14A, SF-00140, Helsinki mailing address: APO AE 09723 telephone: [358] (0) 171931 FAX: [358] (0) 174681 Flag: white with a blue cross that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the DANNEBROG (Danish flag)
*Finland, Economy
Overview: Finland has a highly industrialized, largely free market economy, with per capita output two-thirds of the US figure. Its key economic sector is manufacturing - principally the wood, metals, and engineering industries. Trade is important, with the export of goods representing about 30% of GDP. Except for timber and several minerals, Finland depends on imports of raw materials, energy, and some components for manufactured goods. Because of the climate, agricultural development is limited to maintaining self-sufficiency in basic products. The economy, which experienced an average of 4.9% annual growth between 1987 and 1989, sank into deep recession in 1991 as growth contracted by 6.5%. The recession - which continued in 1992 with growth contracting by 3.5% - has been caused by economic overheating, depressed foreign markets, and the dismantling of the barter system between Finland and the former Soviet Union under which Soviet oil and gas had been exchanged for Finnish manufactured goods. The Finnish Government has proposed efforts to increase industrial competitiveness and efficiency by an increase in exports to Western markets, cuts in public expenditures, partial privatization of state enterprises, and changes in monetary policy. In June 1991 Helsinki had tied the markka to the EC's European Currency Unit (ECU) to promote stability. Ongoing speculation resulting from a lack of confidence in the government's policies forced Helsinki to devalue the markka by about 12% in November 1991 and to indefinitely break the link in September 1992. By boosting the competitiveness of Finnish exports, these measures presumably have kept the economic downturn from being even more severe. Unemployment probably will remain a serious problem during the next few years - monthly figures in early 1993 are approaching 20% - with the majority of Finnish firms facing a weak domestic market and the troubled German and Swedish export markets. Declining revenues, increased transfer payments, and extensive funding to bail out the banking system are expected to push the central government's budget deficit to nearly 13% in 1993. Helsinki continues to harmonize its economic policies with those of the EC during Finland's current EC membership bid. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $79.4 billion (1992) National product real growth rate: -3.5% (1992) National product per capita: $15,900 (1992) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.1% (1992) Unemployment rate: 13.1% (1992) Budget: revenues $26.8 billion; expenditures $40.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992) Exports: $24.0 billion (f.o.b., 1992) commodities: timber, paper and pulp, ships, machinery, clothing and footwear partners: EC 53.2% (Germany 15.6%, UK 10.7%), EFTA 19.5% (Sweden 12.8%), US 5.9%, Japan 1.3%, Russia 2.8% (1992) Imports: $21.2 billion (c.i.f., 1992) commodities: foodstuffs, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, transport equipment, iron and steel, machinery, textile yarn and fabrics, fodder grains
*Finland, Economy
partners: EC 47.2% (Germany 16.9%, UK 8.7%), EFTA 19.0% (Sweden 11.7%), US 6.1%, Japan 5.5%, Russia 7.1% (1992) External debt: $25 billion (1992) Industrial production: growth rate 7.6% (1992 est.) Electricity: 13,500,000 kW capacity; 55,300 million kWh produced, 11,050 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: metal products, shipbuilding, forestry and wood processing (pulp, paper), copper refining, foodstuffs, chemicals, textiles, clothing Agriculture: accounts for 5% of GDP (including forestry); livestock production, especially dairy cattle, predominates; forestry is an important export earner and a secondary occupation for the rural population; main crops - cereals, sugar beets, potatoes; 85% self-sufficient, but short of foodgrains and fodder grains; annual fish catch about 160,000 metric tons Economic aid: donor - ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $2.7 billion Currency: 1 markkaa (FMk) or Finmark = 100 pennia Exchange rates: markkaa (FMk) per US$1 - 5.4193 (January 1993), 4.4794 (1992), 4.0440 (1991), 3.8235 (1990), 4.2912 (1989), 4.1828 (1988) Fiscal year: calendar year
*Finland, Communications
Railroads: 5,924 km total; Finnish State Railways (VR) operate a total of 5,863 km 1.524-meter gauge, of which 480 km are multiple track and 1,445 km are electrified Highways: about 103,000 km total, including 35,000 km paved (bituminous, concrete, bituminous-treated surface) and 38,000 km unpaved (stabilized gravel, gravel, earth); additional 30,000 km of private (state-subsidized) roads Inland waterways: 6,675 km total (including Saimaa Canal); 3,700 km suitable for steamers Pipelines: natural gas 580 km Ports: Helsinki, Oulu, Pori, Rauma, Turku Merchant marine: 87 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 935,260 GRT/973,995 DWT; includes 3 passenger, 11 short-sea passenger, 17 cargo, 1 refrigerated cargo, 26 roll-on/roll-off, 14 oil tanker, 6 chemical tanker, 2 liquefied gas, 7 bulk Airports: total: 160 usable: 157 with permanent-surface runways: 66 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 25 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 22 Telecommunications: good service from cable and microwave radio relay network; 3,140,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 6 AM, 105 FM, 235 TV; 1 submarine cable; INTELSAT satellite transmission service via Swedish earth station and a receive-only INTELSAT earth station near Helsinki
*Finland, Defense Forces
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Frontier Guard (including Coast Guard) Manpower availability: males age 15-49 1,323,381; fit for military service 1,091,613; reach military age (17) annually 33,828 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1.93 billion, about 2% of GDP (1992)
*France, Geography
Location: Western Europe, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean between Spain and Germany Map references: Europe, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 547,030 km2 land area: 545,630 km2 comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of Colorado note: includes Corsica and the rest of metropolitan France, but excludes the overseas administrative divisions Land boundaries: total 2,892.4 km, Andorra 60 km, Belgium 620 km, Germany 451 km, Italy 488 km, Luxembourg 73 km, Monaco 4.4 km, Spain 623 km, Switzerland 573 km Coastline: 3,427 km (mainland 2,783 km, Corsica 644 km) Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 12-24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: Madagascar claims Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, and Tromelin Island; Comoros claims Mayotte; Mauritius claims Tromelin Island; Seychelles claims Tromelin Island; Suriname claims part of French Guiana; Mexico claims Clipperton Island; territorial claim in Antarctica (Adelie Land); Saint Pierre and Miquelon is focus of maritime boundary dispute between Canada and France Climate: generally cool winters and mild summers, but mild winters and hot summers along the Mediterranean Terrain: mostly flat plains or gently rolling hills in north and west; remainder is mountainous, especially Pyrenees in south, Alps in east Natural resources: coal, iron ore, bauxite, fish, timber, zinc, potash Land use: arable land: 32% permanent crops: 2% meadows and pastures: 23% forest and woodland: 27% other: 16% Irrigated land: 11,600 km2 (1989 est.) Environment: most of large urban areas and industrial centers in Rhone, Garonne, Seine, or Loire River basins; occasional warm tropical wind known as mistral Note: largest West European nation
*France, People
Population: 57,566,091 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 0.48% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 13.24 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 9.3 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 0.87 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 6.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78 years male: 74.04 years female: 82.16 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.8 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Frenchman(men), Frenchwoman(women) adjective: French Ethnic divisions: Celtic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic, North African, Indochinese, Basque minorities Religions: Roman Catholic 90%, Protestant 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim (North African workers) 1%, unaffiliated 6% Languages: French 100%, rapidly declining regional dialects and languages (Provencal, Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque, Flemish) Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980) total population: 99% male: NA% female: NA% Labor force: 24.17 million by occupation: services 61.5%, industry 31.3%, agriculture 7.2% (1987)
*France, Government
Names: conventional long form: French Republic conventional short form: France local long form: Republique Francaise local short form: France Digraph: FR Type: republic Capital: Paris Administrative divisions: 22 regions (regions, singular - region); Alsace, Aquitaine, Auvergne, Basse-Normandie, Bourgogne, Bretagne, Centre, Champagne-Ardenne, Corse, Franche-Comte, Haute-Normandie, Ile-de-France, Languedoc-Roussillon, Limousin, Lorraine, Midi-Pyrenees, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Pays de la Loire, Picardie, Poitou-Charentes, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, Rhone-Alpes note: the 22 regions are subdivided into 96 departments; see separate entries for the overseas departments (French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Reunion) and the territorial collectivities (Mayotte, Saint Pierre and Miquelon) Dependent areas: Bassas da India, Clipperton Island, Europa Island, French Polynesia, French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, New Caledonia, Tromelin Island, Wallis and Futuna note: the US does not recognize claims to Antarctica Independence: 486 (unified by Clovis) Constitution: 28 September 1958, amended concerning election of president in 1962, ammended to comply with provisions of EC Maastricht Treaty in 1992 Legal system: civil law system with indigenous concepts; review of administrative but not legislative acts National holiday: National Day, Taking of theBastille, 14 July (1789) Political parties and leaders: Rally for the Republic (RPR), Jacques CHIRAC; Union for French Democracy (UDF, federation of UREI, UC, RDE), Valery Giscard d'ESTAING; Republican Party (PR), Gerard LONGUET; Center for Social Democrats (CDS), Pierre MEHAIGNERIE; Radical (RAD), Yves GALLAND; Socialist Party (PS), Michel ROCARD; Left Radical Movement (MRG), Emile ZUCCARELLI; Communist Party (PCF), Georges MARCHAIS; National Front (FN), Jean-Marie LE PEN; Union of Republican and Independents (UREI); Centrist Union (UC); (RDE) Other political or pressure groups: Communist-controlled labor union (Confederation Generale du Travail) nearly 2.4 million members (claimed); Socialist-leaning labor union (Confederation Francaise Democratique du Travail or CFDT) about 800,000 members est.; independent labor union (Force Ouvriere) 1 million members (est.); independent white-collar union (Confederation Generale des Cadres) 340,000 members (claimed); National Council of French Employers (Conseil National du Patronat Francais - CNPF or Patronat) Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
*France, Government
Elections: President: last held 8 May 1988 (next to be held by May 1995); results - Second Ballot Francois MITTERRAND 54%, Jacques CHIRAC 46% Senate: last held NA September 1992 (next to be held September 1995 - nine-year term, elected by thirds every three years); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (321 total; 296 metropolitan France, 13 for overseas departments and territories, and 12 for French nationals abroad) RPR 91, UDF 142 (UREI 51, UC 68, RDE 23), PS 66, PCF 16, independents 2, other 4 National Assembly: last held 21 and 28 March 1993 (next to be held NA 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (577 total) RPR 247, UDF 213, PS 67, PCF 24, independents 26 Executive branch: president, prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament (Parlement) consists of an upper house or Senate (Senat) and a lower house or National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale) Judicial branch: Constitutional Court (Cour Constitutionnelle) Leaders: Chief of State: President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981) Head of Government: Prime Minister Edouard BALLADUR (since 29 March 1993) Member of: ACCT, AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, Australia Group, BDEAC, BIS, CCC, CDB (non-regional), CE, CERN, COCOM, CSCE, EBRD, EC, ECA (associate), ECE, ECLAC, EIB, ESA, ESCAP, FAO, FZ, GATT, G-5, G-7, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, MINURSO, MTCR, NACC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, PCA, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNPROFOR, UNRWA, UN Security Council, UNTAC, UN Trusteeship Council, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jacques ANDREANI chancery: 4101 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: (202) 944-6000 consulates general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico) US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Pamela HARRIMAN embassy: 2 Avenue Gabriel, 75382 Paris Cedex 08, Unit 21551 mailing address: APO AE 09777 telephone: [33] (1) 4296-12-02 or 4261-80-75 FAX: [33] (1) 4266-9783 consulates general: Bordeaux, Marseille, Strasbourg
*France, Government
Flag: three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), white, and red; known as the French Tricouleur (Tricolor); the design and colors have been the basis for a number of other flags, including those of Belgium, Chad, Ireland, Cote d'Ivoire, and Luxembourg; the official flag for all French dependent areas
*France, Economy
Overview: One of the world's most developed economies, France has substantial agricultural resources and a highly diversified modern industrial sector. Large tracts of fertile land, the application of modern technology, and subsidies have combined to make it the leading agricultural producer in Western Europe. France is largely self-sufficient in agricultural products and is a major exporter of wheat and dairy products. The industrial sector generates about one-quarter of GDP, and the growing services sector has become crucial to the economy. The French economy is entering its fourth consecutive year of sluggish growth after a strong expansion in the late 1980s. Growth averaged only 1.3% in 1990-92 and is expected to drop to between zero and -0.5% in 1993. The government budget deficit rose to 3.2% of GDP in 1992 and is expected to be far larger than planned in the 1993 budget. Paris remains committed to maintaining the franc-deutsch mark parity, which has kept French interest rates high despite France's low inflation. Although the pace of economic integration within the European Community has slowed down, integration presumably will remain a major force shaping the fortunes of the various economic sectors. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $1.08 trillion (1992) National product real growth rate: 1.1% (1992) National product per capita: $18,900 (1992) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.1% (1992 est.) Unemployment rate: 10.5% (end 1992) Budget: revenues $220.5 billion; expenditures $249.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $47 billion (1993 budget) Exports: $212.7 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: machinery and transportation equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs, agricultural products, iron and steel products, textiles and clothing partners: Germany 18.6%, Italy 11.0%, Spain 11.0%, Belgium-Luxembourg 9.1%, UK 8.8%, Netherlands 7.9%, US 6.4%, Japan 2.0%, former USSR 0.7% (1991 est.) Imports: $230.3 billion (c.i.f., 1991) commodities: crude oil, machinery and equipment, agricultural products, chemicals, iron and steel products partners: Germany 17.8%, Italy 10.9%, US 9.5%, Netherlands 8.9%, Spain 8.8%, Belgium-Luxembourg 8.5%, UK 7.5%, Japan 4.1%, former USSR 1.3% (1991 est.) External debt: $270 billion (December 1992) Industrial production: growth rate 0.2% (1992 est.) Electricity: 110,000,000 kW capacity; 426,000 million kWh produced, 7,430 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: steel, machinery, chemicals, automobiles, metallurgy, aircraft, electronics, mining, textiles, food processing, tourism
*France, Economy
Agriculture: accounts for 4% of GDP (including fishing and forestry); one of the world's top five wheat producers; other principal products - beef, dairy products, cereals, sugar beets, potatoes, wine grapes; self-sufficient for most temperate-zone foods; shortages include fats and oils and tropical produce, but overall net exporter of farm products; fish catch of 850,000 metric tons ranks among world's top 20 countries and is all used domestically Economic aid: donor - ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $75.1 billion Currency: 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.4812 (January 1993), 5.2938 (1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453 (1990), 6.3801 (1989), 5.9569 (1988) Fiscal year: calendar year
*France, Communications
Railroads: French National Railways (SNCF) operates 34,322 km 1.435-meter standard gauge; 12,434 km electrified, 15,132 km double or multiple track; 99 km of various gauges (1.000-meter), privately owned and operated Highways: 1,551,400 km total; 33,400 km national highway; 347,000 km departmental highway; 421,000 km community roads; 750,000 km rural roads; 5,401 km of controlled-access divided autoroutes; about 803,000 km paved Inland waterways: 14,932 km; 6,969 km heavily traveled Pipelines: crude oil 3,059 km; petroleum products 4,487 km; natural gas 24,746 km Ports: coastal - Bordeaux, Boulogne, Brest, Cherbourg, Dunkerque, Fos-Sur-Mer, Le Havre, Marseille, Nantes, Sete, Toulon; inland - Rouen Merchant marine: 130 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,224,945 GRT/5,067,252 DWT; includes 7 short-sea passenger, 10 cargo, 20 container, 1 multifunction large-load carrier, 27 roll-on/roll-off, 36 oil tanker, 11 chemical tanker, 6 liquefied gas, 2 specialized tanker, 10 bulk; note - France also maintains a captive register for French-owned ships in the Kerguelen Islands (French Southern and Antarctic Lands) and French Polynesia Airports: total: 471 usable: 461 with permanent-surface runways: 256 with runways over 3,659 m: 3 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 37 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 136 Telecommunications: highly developed; extensive cable and microwave radio relay networks; large-scale introduction of optical-fiber systems; satellite systems for domestic traffic; 39,200,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 41 AM, 800 (mostly repeaters) FM, 846 (mostly repeaters) TV; 24 submarine coaxial cables; 2 INTELSAT earth stations (with total of 5 antennas - 2 for the Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 3 for the Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT); HF radio communications with more than 20 countries; INMARSAT service; EUTELSAT TV service
*France, Defense Forces
Branches: Army, Navy (including Naval Air), Air Force, National Gendarmerie Manpower availability: males age 15-49 14,662,761; fit for military service 12,247,950; reach military age (18) annually 386,504 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $36.6 billion, 3.1% of GDP (1993 est.)
*French Guiana, Header
Affiliation: (overseas department of France)
*French Guiana, Geography
Location: northern South America, bordering on the North Atlantic Ocean between Suriname and Brazil Map references: South America, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 91,000 km2 land area: 89,150 km2 comparative area: slightly smaller than Indiana Land boundaries: total 1,183 km, Brazil 673 km, Suriname 510 km Coastline: 378 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: Suriname claims area between Riviere Litani and Riviere Marouini (both headwaters of the Lawa) Climate: tropical; hot, humid; little seasonal temperature variation Terrain: low-lying coastal plains rising to hills and small mountains Natural resources: bauxite, timber, gold (widely scattered), cinnabar, kaolin, fish Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 82% other: 18% Irrigated land: NA km2 Environment: mostly an unsettled wilderness
*French Guiana, People
Population: 133,376 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 4.42% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 26.46 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 4.72 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 22.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 16.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.87 years male: 71.59 years female: 78.32 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.54 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: French Guianese (singular and plural) adjective: French Guianese Ethnic divisions: black or mulatto 66%, Caucasian 12%, East Indian, Chinese, Amerindian 12%, other 10% Religions: Roman Catholic Languages: French Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1982) total population: 82% male: 81% female: 83% Labor force: 23,265 by occupation: services, government, and commerce 60.6%, industry 21.2%, agriculture 18.2% (1980)
*French Guiana, Government
Names: conventional long form: Department of Guiana conventional short form: French Guiana local long form: none local short form: Guyane Digraph: FG Type: overseas department of France Capital: Cayenne Administrative divisions: none (overseas department of France) Independence: none (overseas department of France) Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: French legal system National holiday: National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789) Political parties and leaders: Guianese Socialist Party (PSG), Gerard HOLDER; Rally for the Republic (RPR), Paulin BRUNE; Union of the Center Rally (URC); Union for French Democracy (UDF), Claude Ho A CHUCK; Guyana Democratic Front (FDG), Georges OTHILY Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Elections: French National Assembly: last held 24 September 1989 (next to be held March 1993); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (2 total) PSG 1, RPR 1 French Senate: last held 24 September 1989 (next to be held September 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (1 total) PSG 1 Regional Council: last held 22 March 1992 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (31 total) PSG 16 Executive branch: French president, commissioner of the republic Legislative branch: unicameral General Council and a unicameral Regional Council Judicial branch: Court of Appeals (highest local court based in Martinique with jurisdiction over Martinique, Guadeloupe, and French Guiana) Leaders: Chief of State: President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981) Head of Government: Prefect Jean-Francois CORDET (since NA 1992) Member of: FZ, WCL Diplomatic representation in US: as an overseas department of France, the interests of French Guiana are represented in the US by France
*French Guiana, Government
US diplomatic representation: none (overseas department of France) Flag: the flag of France is used
*French Guiana, Economy
Overview: The economy is tied closely to that of France through subsidies and imports. Besides the French space center at Kourou, fishing and forestry are the most important economic activities, with exports of fish and fish products (mostly shrimp) accounting for more than 60% of total revenue in 1987. The large reserves of tropical hardwoods, not fully exploited, support an expanding sawmill industry that provides sawn logs for export. Cultivation of crops - rice, cassava, bananas, and sugarcane - is limited to the coastal area, where the population is largely concentrated. French Guiana is heavily dependent on imports of food and energy. Unemployment is a serious problem, particularly among younger workers. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $421 million (1986) National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $4,390 (1986) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.1% (1987) Unemployment rate: 13% (1990) Budget: revenues $735 million; expenditures $735 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1987) Exports: $64.8 million (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: shrimp, timber, rum, rosewood essence partners: France 36%, US 14%, Japan 6% (1990) Imports: $435 million (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: food (grains, processed meat), other consumer goods, producer goods, petroleum partners: France 62%, Trinidad and Tobago 9%, US 4%, FRG 3% (1987) External debt: $1.2 billion (1988) Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 92,000 kW capacity; 185 million kWh produced, 1,450 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: construction, shrimp processing, forestry products, rum, gold mining Agriculture: some vegetables for local consumption; rice, corn, manioc, cocoa, bananas, sugar; livestock - cattle, pigs, poultry Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.51 billion Currency: 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.4812 (January 1993), 5.2938 (1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453 (1990), 6.3801 (1989), 5.9569 (1988) Fiscal year: calendar year
*French Guiana, Communications
Highways: 680 km total; 510 km paved, 170 km improved and unimproved earth Inland waterways: 460 km, navigable by small oceangoing vessels and river and coastal steamers; 3,300 km navigable by native craft Ports: Cayenne Airports: total: 10 usable: 10 with permanent-surface runways: 4 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 1 Telecommunications: fair open-wire and microwave radio relay system; 18,100 telephones; broadcast stations - 5 AM, 7 FM, 9 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
*French Guiana, Defense Forces
Branches: French Forces, Gendarmerie Manpower availability: males 15-49 39,005; fit for military service 25,477 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP Note: defense is the responsibility of France
*French Polynesia, Header
Affiliation: (overseas territory of France)
*French Polynesia, Geography
Location: Oceania, halfway between Australia and South America Map references: Oceania Area: total area: 3,941 km2 land area: 3,660 km2 comparative area: slightly less than one-third the size of Connecticut Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 2,525 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical, but moderate Terrain: mixture of rugged high islands and low islands with reefs Natural resources: timber, fish, cobalt Land use: arable land: 1% permanent crops: 19% meadows and pastures: 5% forest and woodland: 31% other: 44% Irrigated land: NA km2 Environment: occasional cyclonic storm in January; includes five archipelagoes Note: Makatea in French Polynesia is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati and Nauru
*French Polynesia, People
Population: 210,333 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 2.26% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 27.89 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 5.27 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 15 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.33 years male: 67.95 years female: 72.84 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.32 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: French Polynesian(s) adjective: French Polynesian Ethnic divisions: Polynesian 78%, Chinese 12%, local French 6%, metropolitan French 4% Religions: Protestant 54%, Roman Catholic 30%, other 16% Languages: French (official), Tahitian (official) Literacy: age 14 and over but definition of literacy not available (1977) total population: 98% male: 98% female: 98% Labor force: 76,630 employed (1988)
*French Polynesia, Government
Names: conventional long form: Territory of French Polynesia conventional short form: French Polynesia local long form: Territoire de la Polynesie Francaise local short form: Polynesie Francaise Digraph: FP Type: overseas territory of France since 1946 Capital: Papeete Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 5 archipelagic divisions named Archipel des Marquises, Archipel des Tuamotu, Archipel des Tubuai, Iles du Vent, and Iles Sous-le-Vent note: Clipperton Island is administered by France from French Polynesia Independence: none (overseas territory of France) Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: based on French system National holiday: National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789) Political parties and leaders: People's Rally (Tahoeraa Huiraatira; Gaullist), Gaston FLOSSE; Polynesian Union Party (Te Tiarama; centrist), Alexandre LEONTIEFF; New Fatherland Party (Ai'a Api), Emile VERNAUDON; Polynesian Liberation Front (Tavini Huiraatira), Oscar TEMARU; other small parties Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Elections: French National Assembly: last held 5 and 12 June 1988 (next to be held 21 and 28 March 1993); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (2 total) People's Rally (Gaullist) 1, New Fatherland Party 1 French Senate: last held 24 September 1989 (next to be held September 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (1 total) party NA Territorial Assembly: last held 17 March 1991 (next to be held March 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (41 total) People's Rally (Gaullist) 18, Polynesian Union Party 14, New Fatherland Party 5, other 4 Executive branch: French president, high commissioner of the republic, president of the Council of Ministers, vice president of the Council of Ministers, Council of Ministers Legislative branch: unicameral Territorial Assembly Judicial branch: Court of Appeal, Court of the First Instance, Court of Administrative Law
*French Polynesia, Government
Leaders: Chief of State: President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981); High Commissioner of the Republic Michel JAU (since NA 1992) Head of Government: President of the Council of Ministers Gaston FLOSSE (since 10 May 1991); Vice President of the Council of Ministers Joel BUILLARD (since 12 September 1991) Member of: ESCAP (associate), FZ, ICFTU, SPC, WMO Diplomatic representation in US: as an overseas territory of France, French Polynesian interests are represented in the US by France US diplomatic representation: none (overseas territory of France) Flag: the flag of France is used
*French Polynesia, Economy
Overview: Since 1962, when France stationed military personnel in the region, French Polynesia has changed from a subsistence economy to one in which a high proportion of the work force is either employed by the military or supports the tourist industry. Tourism accounts for about 20% of GDP and is a primary source of hard currency earnings. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $1.2 billion (1991 est.) National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $6,000 (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.9% (1989) Unemployment rate: 14.9% (1988 est.) Budget: revenues $614 million; expenditures $957 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1988) Exports: $88.9 million (f.o.b., 1989) commodities: coconut products 79%, mother-of-pearl 14%, vanilla, shark meat partners: France 54%, US 17%, Japan 17% Imports: $765 million (c.i.f., 1989) commodities: fuels, foodstuffs, equipment partners: France 53%, US 11%, Australia 6%, NZ 5% External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 75,000 kW capacity; 275 million kWh produced, 1,330 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: tourism, pearls, agricultural processing, handicrafts Agriculture: coconut and vanilla plantations; vegetables and fruit; poultry, beef, dairy products Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-88), $3.95 billion Currency: 1 CFP franc (CFPF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (CFPF) per US$1 - 99.65 (January 1993), 96.24 (1992), 102.57 (1991), 99.00 (1990), 115.99 (1989), 108.30 (1988); note - linked at the rate of 18.18 to the French franc Fiscal year: calendar year
*French Polynesia, Communications
Highways: 600 km (1982) Ports: Papeete, Bora-bora Merchant marine: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,127 GRT/6,710 DWT; includes 2 passenger-cargo, 1 refrigerated cargo; note - a captive subset of the French register Airports: total: 43 usable: 41 with permanent-surface runways: 23 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 12 Telecommunications: 33,200 telephones; 84,000 radio receivers; 26,400 TV sets; broadcast stations - 5 AM, 2 FM, 6 TV; 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth station
*French Polynesia, Defense Forces
Branches: French forces (including Army, Navy, Air Force), Gendarmerie Note: defense is responsibility of France
*French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Header
Affiliation: (overseas territory of France)
*French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Geography
Location: in the southern Indian Ocean, about equidistant between Africa, Antarctica, and Australia Map references: Antarctic Region, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 7,781 km2 land area: 7,781 km2 comparative area: slightly less than 1.5 times the size of Delaware note: includes Ile Amsterdam, Ile Saint-Paul, Iles Kerguelen, and Iles Crozet; excludes Terre Adelie claim of about 500,000 km2 in Antarctica that is not recognized by the US Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 1,232 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm from Iles Kerguelen only territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: Terre Adelie claim in Antarctica is not recognized by the US Climate: antarctic Terrain: volcanic Natural resources: fish, crayfish Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% Irrigated land: 0 km2 Environment: Ile Amsterdam and Ile Saint-Paul are extinct volcanoes Note: remote location in the southern Indian Ocean
*French Southern and Antarctic Lands, People
Population: no indigenous inhabitants; note - there are researchers whose numbers vary from 150 in winter (July) to 200 in summer (January)
*French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Government
Names: conventional long form: Territory of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands conventional short form: French Southern and Antarctic Lands local long form: Territoire des Terres Australes et Antarctiques Francaises local short form: Terres Australes et Antarctiques Francaises Digraph: FS Type: overseas territory of France since 1955; governed by High Administrator Bernard de GOUTTES (since May 1990), who is assisted by a 7-member Consultative Council and a 12-member Scientific Council Capital: none; administered from Paris, France Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 3 districts named Ile Crozet, Iles Kerguelen, and Iles Saint-Paul et Amsterdam; excludes Terre Adelie claim in Antarctica that is not recognized by the US Independence: none (overseas territory of France) Flag: the flag of France is used
*French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Economy
Overview: Economic activity is limited to servicing meteorological and geophysical research stations and French and other fishing fleets. The fishing catches landed on Iles Kerguelen by foreign ships are exported to France and Reunion. Budget: revenues $17.5 million; expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992)
*French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Communications
Ports: none; offshore anchorage only Merchant marine: 16 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 292,490 GRT/514,389 DWT; includes 2 cargo, 4 refrigerated cargo, 4 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 2 oil tanker, 3 bulk, 1 multifunction large load carrier; note - a captive subset of the French register Telecommunications: NA
*French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Defense Forces
Note: defense is the responsibility of France
*Gabon, Geography
Location: Western Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean at the Equator between the Congo and Equatorial Guinea Map references: Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 267,670 km2 land area: 257,670 km2 comparative area: slightly smaller than Colorado Land boundaries: total 2,551 km, Cameroon 298 km, Congo 1,903 km, Equatorial Guinea 350 km Coastline: 885 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: maritime boundary dispute with Equatorial Guinea because of disputed sovereignty over islands in Corisco Bay Climate: tropical; always hot, humid Terrain: narrow coastal plain; hilly interior; savanna in east and south Natural resources: petroleum, manganese, uranium, gold, timber, iron ore Land use: arable land: 1% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 18% forest and woodland: 78% other: 2% Irrigated land: NA km2 Environment: deforestation
*Gabon, People
Population: 1,122,550 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 1.45% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 28.63 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 14.08 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 97.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 54.19 years male: 51.46 years female: 57.01 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.02 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Gabonese (singular and plural) adjective: Gabonese Ethnic divisions: Bantu tribes including four major tribal groupings (Fang, Eshira, Bapounou, Bateke), Africans and Europeans 100,000, including 27,000 French Religions: Christian 55-75%, Muslim less than 1%, animist Languages: French (official), Fang, Myene, Bateke, Bapounou/Eschira, Bandjabi Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) total population: 61% male: 74% female: 48% Labor force: 120,000 salaried by occupation: agriculture 65.0%, industry and commerce 30.0%, services 2.5%, government 2.5% note: 58% of population of working age (1983)
*Gabon, Government
Names: conventional long form: Gabonese Republic conventional short form: Gabon local long form: Republique Gabonaise local short form: Gabon Digraph: GB Type: republic; multiparty presidential regime (opposition parties legalized 1990) Capital: Libreville Administrative divisions: 9 provinces; Estuaire, Haut-Ogooue, Moyen-Ogooue, Ngounie, Nyanga, Ogooue-Ivindo, Ogooue-Lolo, Ogooue-Maritime, Woleu-Ntem Independence: 17 August 1960 (from France) Constitution: 21 February 1961, revised 15 April 1975 Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court; compulsory ICJ jurisdiction not accepted National holiday: Renovation Day, 12 March (1968) (Gabonese Democratic Party established) Political parties and leaders: Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG, former sole party), El Hadj Omar BONGO, president; National Recovery Movement - Lumberjacks (Morena-Bucherons); Gabonese Party for Progress (PGP); National Recovery Movement (Morena-Original); Association for Socialism in Gabon (APSG); Gabonese Socialist Union (USG); Circle for Renewal and Progress (CRP); Union for Democracy and Development (UDD) Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Elections: National Assembly: last held on 28 October 1990 (next to be held by NA); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (120 total, 111 elected) PDG 62, National Recovery Movement - Lumberjacks (Morena-Bucherons) 19, PGP 18, National Recovery Movement (Morena-Original) 7, APSG 6, USG 4, CRP 1, independents 3 President: last held on 9 November 1986 (next to be held December 1993); results - President Omar BONGO was reelected without opposition Executive branch: president, prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme) Leaders: Chief of State: President El Hadj Omar BONGO (since 2 December 1967) Head of Government: Prime Minister Casimir OYE-MBA (since 3 May 1990)
*Gabon, Government
Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CCC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-24, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS (associate), NAM, OAU, OIC, OPEC, UDEAC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: (vacant) chancery: 2034 20th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: (202) 797-1000 US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador John C. WILSON IV embassy: Boulevard de la Mer, Libreville mailing address: B. P. 4000, Libreville telephone: (241) 762003/4, or 743492 FAX: [241] 745-507 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and blue
*Gabon, Economy
Overview: The economy, dependent on timber and manganese until the early 1970s, is now dominated by the oil sector. In 1981-85, oil accounted for about 45% of GDP, 80% of export earnings, and 65% of government revenues on average. The high oil prices of the early 1980s contributed to a substantial increase in per capita national income, stimulated domestic demand, reinforced migration from rural to urban areas, and raised the level of real wages to among the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa. The subsequent slide of Gabon's economy, which began with falling oil prices in 1985, was reversed in 1989-90, but debt servicing obligations continue to limit prospects for further domestic development. Real growth in 1991-92 was weak because of a combination of an overstaffed bureaucracy, a large budget deficit, and the continued underdevelopment of the whole economy outside the petroleum sector. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $4.6 billion (1991) National product real growth rate: 13% (1990 est.) National product per capita: $4,200 (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.7% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $1.4 billion; expenditures $1.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $247 million (1990 est.) Exports: $2.2 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: crude oil 80%, manganese 7%, wood 7%, uranium 2% partners: France 48%, US 15%, Germany 2%, Japan 2% Imports: $702 million (c.i.f., 1991 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, chemical products, petroleum products, construction materials, manufactures, machinery partners: France 64%, African countries 7%, US 5%, Japan 3% External debt: $4.4 billion (1991) Industrial production: growth rate - 10% (1988 est.); accounts for 45% of GDP, including petroleum Electricity: 315,000 kW capacity; 995 million kWh produced, 920 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: petroleum, food and beverages, lumbering and plywood, textiles, mining - manganese, uranium, gold, cement Agriculture: accounts for 10% of GDP (including fishing and forestry); cash crops - cocoa, coffee, palm oil; livestock not developed; importer of food; small fishing operations provide a catch of about 20,000 metric tons; okoume (a tropical softwood) is the most important timber product Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-90), $68 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-90), $2,342 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $27 million Currency: 1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes
*Gabon, Economy
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) Fiscal year: calendar year
*Gabon, Communications
Railroads: 649 km 1.437-meter standard-gauge single track (Transgabonese Railroad) Highways: 7,500 km total; 560 km paved, 960 km laterite, 5,980 km earth Inland waterways: 1,600 km perennially navigable Pipelines: crude oil 270 km; petroleum products 14 km Ports: Owendo, Port-Gentil, Libreville Merchant marine: 2 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 18,563 GRT/25,330 DWT Airports: total: 68 usable: 56 with permanent-surface runways: 10 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 22 Telecommunications: adequate system of cable, radio relay, tropospheric scatter links and radiocommunication stations; 15,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 6 AM, 6 FM, 3 (5 repeaters) TV; satellite earth stations - 3 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 12 domestic satellite
*Gabon, Defense Forces
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Presidential Guard, National Gendarmerie, National Police Manpower availability: males age 15-49 269,066; fit for military service 135,836; reach military age (20) annually 9,680 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $102 million, 3.2% of GDP (1990 est.)
*The Gambia, Geography
Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean almost completely surrounded by Senegal Map references: Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 11,300 km2 land area: 10,000 km2 comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of Delaware Land boundaries: total 740 km, Senegal 740 km Coastline: 80 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 18 nm continental shelf: not specified exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: short section of boundary with Senegal is indefinite Climate: tropical; hot, rainy season (June to November); cooler, dry season (November to May) Terrain: flood plain of the Gambia River flanked by some low hills Natural resources: fish Land use: arable land: 16% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 9% forest and woodland: 20% other: 55% Irrigated land: 120 km2 (1989 est.) Environment: deforestation Note: almost an enclave of Senegal; smallest country on the continent of Africa
*The Gambia, People
Population: 930,249 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 3.07% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 46.85 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 16.1 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 126.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 49.61 years male: 47.41 years female: 51.87 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.35 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Gambian(s) adjective: Gambian Ethnic divisions: African 99% (Mandinka 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 16%, Jola 10%, Serahuli 9%, other 4%), non-Gambian 1% Religions: Muslim 90%, Christian 9%, indigenous beliefs 1% Languages: English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous vernaculars Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) total population: 27% male: 39% female: 16% Labor force: 400,000 (1986 est.) by occupation: agriculture 75.0%, industry, commerce, and services 18.9%, government 6.1% note: 55% population of working age (1983)
*The Gambia, Government
Names: conventional long form: Republic of The Gambia conventional short form: The Gambia Digraph: GA Type: republic under multiparty democratic rule Capital: Banjul Administrative divisions: 5 divisions and 1 city*; Banjul*, Lower River, MacCarthy Island, North Bank,, Upper River, Western Independence: 18 February 1965 (from UK; The Gambia and Senegal signed an agreement on 12 December 1981 that called for the creation of a loose confederation to be known as Senegambia, but the agreement was dissolved on 30 September 1989) Constitution: 24 April 1970 Legal system: based on a composite of English common law, Koranic law, and customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations National holiday: Independence Day, 18 February (1965) Political parties and leaders: People's Progressive Party (PPP), Dawda K. JAWARA, secretary general; National Convention Party (NCP), Sheriff DIBBA; Gambian People's Party (GPP), Hassan Musa CAMARA; United Party (UP), leader NA; People's Democratic Organization of Independence and Socialism (PDOIS), leader NA; People's Democratic Party (PDP), Jabel SALLAH Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Elections: House of Representatives: last held on 11 March 1987 (next to be held by March 1992); results - PPP 56.6%, NCP 27.6%, GPP 14.7%, PDOIS 1%; seats - (43 total, 36 elected) PPP 31, NCP 5 President: last held on 11 March 1987 (next to be held March 1992); results - Sir Dawda JAWARA (PPP) 61.1%, Sherif Mustapha DIBBA (NCP) 25.2%, Assan Musa CAMARA (GPP) 13.7% Executive branch: president, vice president, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral House of Representatives Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Alhaji Sir Dawda Kairaba JAWARA (since 24 April 1970); Vice President Saihou SABALLY (since NA) Member of: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ousman A. SALLAH
*The Gambia, Government
chancery: Suite 720, 1030 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 telephone: (202) 842-1356 or 842-1359 US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Arlene RENDER embassy: Pipeline Road (Kairaba Avenue), Fajara, Banjul mailing address: P. M. B. No. 19, Banjul telephone: [220] 92856 or 92858, 91970, 91971 FAX: (220) 92475 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue with white edges, and green
*The Gambia, Economy
Overview: The Gambia has no important mineral or other natural resources and has a limited agricultural base. It is one of the world's poorest countries with a per capita income of about $325. About 75% of the population is engaged in crop production and livestock raising, which contribute 30% to GDP. Small-scale manufacturing activity - processing peanuts, fish, and hides - accounts for less than 10% of GDP. Tourism is a growing industry. The Gambia imports one-third of its food, all fuel, and most manufactured goods. Exports are concentrated on peanut products (about 75% of total value). National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $292 million (1991 est.) National product real growth rate: 3% (1991) National product per capita: $325 (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 12% (1992 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $94 million; expenditures $80 million, including capital expenditures of $25 million (FY91 est.) Exports: $133 million (f.o.b., FY91 est.) commodities: peanuts and peanut products, fish, cotton lint, palm kernels partners: Japan 60%, Europe 29%, Africa 5%, US 1%, other 5% (1989) Imports: $174 million (f.o.b., FY91 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, manufactures, raw materials, fuel, machinery and transport equipment partners: Europe 57%, Asia 25%, USSR and Eastern Europe 9%, US 6%, other 3% (1989) External debt: $336 million (December 1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 6.7%; accounts for 5.8% of GDP (FY90) Electricity: 30,000 kW capacity; 65 million kWh produced, 75 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: peanut processing, tourism, beverages, agricultural machinery assembly, woodworking, metalworking, clothing Agriculture: accounts for 30% of GDP and employs about 75% of the population; imports one-third of food requirements; major export crop is peanuts; other principal crops - millet, sorghum, rice, corn, cassava, palm kernels; livestock - cattle, sheep, goats; forestry and fishing resources not fully exploited Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $93 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $535 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $39 million Currency: 1 dalasi (D) = 100 bututs Exchange rates: dalasi (D) per US$1 - 8.673 (October 1992), 8.803 (1991), 7.883 (1990), 7.5846 (1989), 6.7086 (1988), 7.0744 (1987)
*The Gambia, Economy
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
*The Gambia, Communications
Highways: 3,083 km total; 431 km paved, 501 km gravel/laterite, and 2,151 km unimproved earth Inland waterways: 400 km Ports: Banjul Airports: total: 1 usable: 1 with permanent-surface runways: 1 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 0 Telecommunications: adequate network of radio relay and wire; 3,500 telephones; broadcast stations - 3 AM, 2 FM; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
*The Gambia, Defense Forces
Branches: Army, Navy, National Gendarmerie, National Police Manpower availability: males age 15-49 201,026; fit for military service 101,642 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP
*Gaza Strip, Header
Note: The war between Israel and the Arab states in June 1967 ended with Israel in control of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Sinai, and the Golan Heights. As stated in the 1978 Camp David accords and reaffirmed by President Bush's post-Gulf crisis peace initiative, the final status of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, their relationship with their neighbors, and a peace treaty between Israel and Jordan are to be negotiated among the concerned parties. Camp David further specifies that these negotiations will resolve the respective boundaries. Pending the completion of this process, it is US policy that the final status of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip has yet to be determined. In the US view, the term West Bank describes all of the area west of the Jordan River under Jordanian administration before the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. With respect to negotiations envisaged in the framework agreement, however, it is US policy that a distinction must be made between Jerusalem and the rest of the West Bank because of the city's special status and circumstances. Therefore, a negotiated solution for the final status of Jerusalem could be different in character from that of the rest of the West Bank.
*Gaza Strip, Geography
Location: Middle East, bordering the eastern Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Israel Map references: Middle East Area: total area: 380 km2 land area: 380 km2 comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: total 62 km, Egypt 11 km, Israel 51 km Coastline: 40 km Maritime claims: Israeli occupied with status to be determined International disputes: Israeli occupied with status to be determined Climate: temperate, mild winters, dry and warm to hot summers Terrain: flat to rolling, sand- and dune-covered coastal plain Natural resources: negligible Land use: arable land: 13% permanent crops: 32% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 55% Irrigated land: 200 km2 Environment: desertification
*Gaza Strip, People
Population: 705,834 (July 1993 est.) note: in addition, there are 4,000 Jewish settlers in the Gaza Strip (1993 est.) Population growth rate: 3.56% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 45.66 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 5.71 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: -4.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 38.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 67.26 years male: 66.01 years female: 68.57 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 7.51 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: NA adjective: NA Ethnic divisions: Palestinian Arab and other 99.8%, Jewish 0.2% Religions: Muslim (predominantly Sunni) 99%, Christian 0.7%, Jewish 0.3% Languages: Arabic, Hebrew (spoken by Israeli settlers), English (widely understood) Literacy: total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Labor force: NA by occupation: small industry, commerce and business 32.0%, construction 24.4%, service and other 25.5%, agriculture 18.1% (1984) note: excluding Israeli Jewish settlers
*Gaza Strip, Government
Note: The Gaza Strip is currently governed by Israeli military authorities and Israeli civil administration. It is US policy that the final status of the Gaza Strip will be determined by negotiations among the concerned parties. These negotiations will determine how this area is to be governed. Names: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Gaza Strip local long form: none local short form: Qita Ghazzah Digraph: GZ
*Gaza Strip, Economy
Overview: In 1990 roughly 40% of Gaza Strip workers were employed across the border by Israeli industrial, construction, and agricultural enterprises, with worker remittances accounting for about one-third of GNP. The construction, agricultural, and industrial sectors account for about 15%, 12%, and 8% of GNP, respectively. Gaza depends upon Israel for some 90% of its external trade. Unrest in the territory in 1988-93 (intifadah) has raised unemployment and substantially lowered the standard of living of Gazans. The Persian Gulf crisis and its aftershocks also have dealt severe blows to Gaza since August 1990. Worker remittances from the Gulf states have plunged, unemployment has increased, and exports have fallen dramatically. The area's economic outlook remains bleak. National product: GNP - exchange rate conversion - $380 million (1991 est.) National product real growth rate: -30% (1991 est.) National product per capita: $590 (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 20% (1990 est.) Budget: revenues $33.8 million; expenditures $33.3 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY88) Exports: $30 million (f.o.b., 1989) commodities: citrus partners: Israel, Egypt Imports: $255 million (c.i.f., 1989) commodities: food, consumer goods, construction materials partners: Israel, Egypt External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate 10% (1989); accounts for about 8% of GNP Electricity: power supplied by Israel Industries: generally small family businesses that produce textiles, soap, olive-wood carvings, and mother-of-pearl souvenirs; the Israelis have established some small-scale modern industries in an industrial center Agriculture: accounts for about 12% of GNP; olives, citrus and other fruits, vegetables, beef, dairy products Economic aid: NA Currency: 1 new Israeli shekel (NIS) = 100 new agorot Exchange rates: new Israeli shekels (NIS) per US$1 - 2.6480 (November 1992), 2.4591 (1992), 2.2791 (1991), 2.0162 (1990), 1.9164 (1989), 1.5989 (1988), 1.5946 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year (since 1 January 1992)
*Gaza Strip, Communications
Railroads: one line, abandoned and in disrepair, some trackage remains Highways: small, poorly developed indigenous road network Ports: facilities for small boats to service the city of Gaza Airports: total: 1 useable: 1 with permanent-surface runways: 0 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 0 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 0 Telecommunications: broadcast stations - no AM, no FM, no TV
*Gaza Strip, Defense Forces
Branches: NA Manpower availability: males age 15-49 136,311; fit for military service NA (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP
*Georgia, Header
Note: Georgia is currently besieged by conflicts driven by separatists in its Abkazian and South Ossetian enclaves, and supporters of ousted President GAMAKHURDIA control much of western Georgia
*Georgia, Geography
Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Turkey and Russia Map references: Africa, Asia, Middle East, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 69,700 km2 land area: 69,700 km2 comparative area: slightly larger than South Carolina Land boundaries: total 1,461 km, Armenia 164 km, Azerbaijan 322 km, Russia 723 km, Turkey 252 km Coastline: 310 km Maritime claims: note: 12 nm in 1973 USSR-Turkish Protocol concerning the sea boundary between the two states in the Black Sea; Georgia claims the coastline along the Black Sea as its international waters, although it cannot control this area and the Russian navy and commercial ships transit freely International disputes: none Climate: warm and pleasant; Mediterranean-like on Black Sea coast Terrain: largely mountainous with Great Caucasus Mountains in the north and Lesser Caucasus Mountains in the south; Kolkhida Lowland opens to the Black Sea in the west; Kura River Basin in the east; good soils in river valley flood plains, foothills of Kolkhida lowland Natural resources: forest lands, hydropower, manganese deposits, iron ores, copper, minor coal and oil deposits; coastal climate and soils allow for important tea and citrus growth Land use: arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% meadows and pastures: NA% forest and woodland: NA% other: NA% Irrigated land: 4,660 km2 (1990) Environment: air pollution, particularly in Rustavi; heavy pollution of Kura River, Black Sea
*Georgia, People
Population: 5,634,296 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 0.85% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 16.48 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 8.68 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 0.64 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) note - this data may be low because of movement of Ossetian, Russian, and Abkhaz refugees due to ongoing conflicts Infant mortality rate: 24.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.58 years male: 68.89 years female: 76.46 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.21 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Georgian(s) adjective: Georgian Ethnic divisions: Georgian 70.1%, Armenian 8.1%, Russian 6.3%, Azeri 5.7%, Ossetian 3%, Abkhaz 1.8%, other 5% Religions: Georgian Orthodox 65%, Russian Orthodox 10%, Muslim 11%, Armenian Orthodox 8%, unknown 6% Languages: Armenian 7%, Azerbaijani 6%, Georgian 71% (official), Russian 9%, other 7% Literacy: age 9-49 can read and write (1970) total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% Labor force: 2.763 million by occupation: industry and construction 31%, agriculture and forestry 25%, other 44% (1990)
*Georgia, Government
Names: conventional long form: Republic of Georgia conventional short form: Georgia local long form: Sakartvelo Respublika local short form: Sakartvelo former: Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic Digraph: GG Type: republic Capital: T'bilisi (Tbilisi) Administrative divisions: 2 autonomous republics (avtomnoy respubliki, singular - avtom respublika); Abkhazia (Sukhumi), Ajaria (Batumi) note: the administrative centers of the autonomous republics are included in parentheses; there are no oblasts - the rayons around T'bilisi are under direct republic jurisdiction; also included is the South Ossetia Autonomous Oblast Independence: 9 April 1991 (from Soviet Union) Constitution: adopted NA 1921; currently amending constitution for Parliamentary and popular review by late 1995 Legal system: based on civil law system National holiday: Independence Day, 9 April 1991 Political parties and leaders: All-Georgian Merab Kostava Society, Vazha ADAMIA, chairman; All-Georgian Traditionalists' Union, Akakiy ASATIANI, chairman; Georgian National Front - Radical Union, Ruslan GONGADZE, chairman; Georgian Social Democratic Party, Guram MUCHAIDZE, chairman; Green Party, Zurab ZHVANIA, chairman; Monarchist-Conservative Party (MCP), Temur ZHORZHOLIANI, chairman; Georgian Popular Front (GPF), Nodar NATADZE, chairman; National Democratic Party (NDP), Georgi CHANTURIA, chairman; National Independence Party (NIP), Irakli TSERETELI and Irakli BATIASHVILI, chairmen; Charter 1991 Party, Tedo PAATASHVILI, chairman; Democratic Georgia Party, Georgiy SHENGELAYA, Chairman; Peace Bloc; Unity; October 11 Other political or pressure groups: supporters of ousted President GAMSAKHURDIA boycotted the October elections and remain an important source of opposition and instability Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Elections: Chairman of Parliament: last held NA October 1992 (next to be held NA); results - Eduard SHEVARDNADZE 95%
*Georgia, Government
Georgian Parliament (Supreme Soviet): last held 11 October 1992 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (225 total) number of seats by party NA; note - representatives of 26 parties elected; Peace Bloc, October 11, Unity, National Democratic Party, and the Greens Party won the largest representation Executive branch: chairman of Parliament, Council of Ministers, prime minister Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: Chairman of Parliament Eduard Amvrosiyevich SHEVARDNADZE (since 10 March 1992) Head of Government: Prime Minister Tengiz SIGUA (since NA January 1992); First Deputy Prime Minister Roman GOTSIRIDZE (since NA); Deputy Prime Ministers Aleksandr KAVADZE, Avtandil MARGIANI, Zurab KERVALISHVILI (since NA) Member of: BSEC, CSCE, EBRD, IBRD, IMF, NACC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: NA chancery: NA telephone: NA US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Kent N. BROWN embassy: #25 Antoneli Street, T'bilisi mailing address: APO AE 09862 telephone: (7) 8832-74-46-23 Flag: maroon field with small rectangle in upper hoist side corner; rectangle divided horizontally with black on top, white below
*Georgia, Economy
Overview: Among the former Soviet republics, Georgia has been noted for its Black Sea tourist industry, its large output of citrus fruits and tea, and an industrial sector that accounted, however, for less than 2% of the USSR's output. Another salient characteristic of the economy has been a flourishing private sector (compared with the other republics). About 25% of the labor force is employed in agriculture. Mineral resources consist of manganese and copper, and, to a lesser extent, molybdenum, arsenic, tungsten, and mercury. Except for very small quantities of domestic oil, gas, and coal, fuel must be imported from neighboring republics. Oil and its products have been delivered by pipeline from Azerbaijan to the port of Batumi for export and local refining. Gas has been supplied in pipelines from Krasnodar and Stavropol'. The dismantling of central economic controls has been delayed by political factionalism, marked by bitter armed struggles. In early 1993 the Georgian economy was operating at well less than half capacity due to disruptions in fuel supplies and vital transportation links as a result of conflicts in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, antigovernment activity in Western Georgia, and Azerbaijani pressure against Georgian assistance for Armenia. To restore economic viability, Georgia must establish domestic peace and must maintain economic ties to the other former Soviet republics while developing new links to the West. National product: GDP $NA National product real growth rate: -35% (1992 est.) National product per capita: $NA Inflation rate (consumer prices): 50% per month (January 1993 est.) Unemployment rate: 3% but large numbers of underemployed workers Budget: revenues $NA; expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Exports: $NA commodities: citrus fruits, tea, other agricultural products; diverse types of machinery; ferrous and nonferrous metals; textiles partners: Russia, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan (1992) Imports: $NA commodities: machinery and parts, fuel, transport equipment, textiles partners: Russia, Ukraine (1992) External debt: $650 million (1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate -50% (1992) Electricity: 4,875,000 kW capacity; 15,800 million kWh produced, about 2,835 kWh per capita (1992)
*Georgia, Economy
Industries: heavy industrial products include raw steel, rolled steel, cement, lumber; machine tools, foundry equipment, electric mining locomotives, tower cranes, electric welding equipment, machinery for food preparation, meat packing, dairy, and fishing industries; air-conditioning electric motors up to 100 kW in size, electric motors for cranes, magnetic starters for motors; devices for control of industrial processes; trucks, tractors, and other farm machinery; light industrial products, including cloth, hosiery, and shoes Agriculture: accounted for 97% of former USSR citrus fruits and 93% of former USSR tea; berries and grapes; sugar; vegetables, grains, potatoes; cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, poultry; tobacco Illicit drugs: illicit producers of cannabis and opium; mostly for domestic consumption; used as transshipment point for illicit drugs to Western Europe Economic aid: NA Currency: coupons introduced in April 1993 to be followed by introduction of the lari at undetermined future date; Russian ruble remains official currency until introduction of the lari Exchange rates: rubles per US$1 - 415 (24 December 1992) but subject to wide fluctuations Fiscal year: calendar year
*Georgia, Communications
Railroads: 1,570 km, does not include industrial lines (1990) Highways: 33,900 km total; 29,500 km hard surfaced, 4,400 km earth (1990) Pipelines: crude oil 370 km, refined products 300 km, natural gas 440 km (1992) Ports: coastal - Batumi, Poti, Sukhumi Merchant marine: 47 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 658,192 GRT/1,014,056 DWT; includes 16 bulk cargo, 30 oil tanker, and 1 specialized liquid carrier Airports: total: 37 useable: 26 with permanent-surface runways: 19 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 10 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 9 Telecommunications: poor telephone service; as of 1991, 672,000 republic telephone lines providing 12 lines per 100 persons; 339,000 unsatisfied applications for telephones (31 January 1992); international links via landline to CIS members and Turkey; low capacity satellite earth station and leased international connections via the Moscow international gateway switch; international electronic mail and telex service established Note: transportation network is disrupted by ethnic conflict, criminal activities, and fuel shortages
*Georgia, Defense Forces
Branches: Army, National Guard, Interior Ministry Troops Manpower availability: males age 15-49 1,338,606; fit for military service 1,066,309; reach military age (18) annually 43,415 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GNP Note: Georgian forces are poorly organized and not fully under the government's control
*Germany, Geography
Location: Western Europe, bordering the North Sea between France and Poland Map references: Arctic Region, Europe, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 356,910 km2 land area: 349,520 km2 comparative area: slightly smaller than Montana note: includes the formerly separate Federal Republic of Germany, the German Democratic Republic, and Berlin following formal unification on 3 October 1990 Land boundaries: total 3,621 km, Austria 784 km, Belgium 167 km, Czech Republic 646 km, Denmark 68 km, France 451 km, Luxembourg 138 km, Netherlands 577 km, Poland 456 km, Switzerland 334 km Coastline: 2,389 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200 m depth or to depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm in North Sea and Schleswig-Holstein coast of Baltic Sea (extends, at one point, to 16 nm in the Helgolander Bucht); 12 nm in remainder of Baltic Sea International disputes: none Climate: temperate and marine; cool, cloudy, wet winters and summers; occasional warm, tropical foehn wind; high relative humidity Terrain: lowlands in north, uplands in center, Bavarian Alps in south Natural resources: iron ore, coal, potash, timber, lignite, uranium, copper, natural gas, salt, nickel Land use: arable land: 34% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 16% forest and woodland: 30% other: 19% Irrigated land: 4,800 km2 (1989 est.) Environment: air and water pollution; groundwater, lakes, and air quality in eastern Germany are especially bad; significant deforestation in the eastern mountains caused by air pollution and acid rain
*Germany, Geography
Note: strategic location on North European Plain and along the entrance to the Baltic Sea
*Germany, People
Population: 80,767,591 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 0.4% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 11 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 11 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 7 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76 years male: 73 years female: 79 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.4 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: German(s) adjective: German Ethnic divisions: German 95.1%, Turkish 2.3%, Italians 0.7%, Greeks 0.4%, Poles 0.4%, other 1.1% (made up largely of people fleeing the war in the former Yugoslavia) Religions: Protestant 45%, Roman Catholic 37%, unaffiliated or other 18% Languages: German Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1977 est.) total population: 99% male: NA% female: NA% Labor force: 36.75 million by occupation: industry 41%, agriculture 6%, other 53% (1987)
*Germany, Government
Names: conventional long form: Federal Republic of Germany conventional short form: Germany local long form: Bundesrepublik Deutschland local short form: Deutschland Digraph: GM Type: federal republic Capital: Berlin note: the shift from Bonn to Berlin will take place over a period of years with Bonn retaining many administrative functions and several ministries Administrative divisions: 16 states (laender, singular - land); Baden-Wuerttemberg, Bayern, Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hessen, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Niedersachsen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Rheinland-Pfalz, Saarland, Sachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein, Thuringen Independence: 18 January 1871 (German Empire unification); divided into four zones of occupation (UK, US, USSR, and later, France) in 1945 following World War II; Federal Republic of Germany (FRG or West Germany) proclaimed 23 May 1949 and included the former UK, US, and French zones; German Democratic Republic (GDR or East Germany) proclaimed 7 October 1949 and included the former USSR zone; unification of West Germany and East Germany took place 3 October 1990; all four power rights formally relinquished 15 March 1991 Constitution: 23 May 1949, provisional constitution known as Basic Law Legal system: civil law system with indigenous concepts; judicial review of legislative acts in the Federal Constitutional Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: German Unity Day, 3 October (1990) Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Helmut KOHL, chairman; Christian Social Union (CSU), Theo WAIGEL, chairman; Free Democratic Party (FDP), Klaus KINKEL, chairman; Social Democratic Party (SPD); Green Party, Ludger VOLMER, Christine WEISKE, co-chairmen (after the 2 December 1990 election the East and West German Green Parties united); Alliance 90 united to form one party in September 1991, Petra MORAWE, chairwoman; Party of Democratic Socialism (PDS), Gregor GYSI, chairman; Republikaner, Franz SCHOENHUBER; National Democratic Party (NPD), Walter BACHMANN; Communist Party (DKP), Rolf PRIEMER Other political or pressure groups: expellee, refugee, and veterans groups Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
*Germany, Government
Elections: Federal Diet: last held 2 December 1990 (next to be held October 1994); results - CDU 36.7%, SPD 33.5%, FDP 11.0%, CSU 7.1%, Green Party (West Germany) 3.9%, PDS 2.4%, Republikaner 2.1%, Alliance 90/Green Party (East Germany) 1.2%, other 2.1%; seats - (662 total, 656 statutory with special rules to allow for slight expansion) CDU 268, SPD 239, FDP 79, CSU 51, PDS 17, Alliance 90/Green Party (East Germany) 8; note - special rules for this election allowed former East German parties to win seats if they received at least 5% of vote in eastern Germany Executive branch: president, chancellor, Cabinet Legislative branch: bicameral parliament (no official name for the two chambers as a whole) consists of an upper chamber or Federal Council (Bundesrat) and a lower chamber or Federal Diet (Bundestag) Judicial branch: Federal Constitutional Court (Bundesverfassungsgericht) Leaders: Chief of State: President Dr. Richard von WEIZSACKER (since 1 July 1984) Head of Government: Chancellor Dr. Helmut KOHL (since 4 October 1982) Member of: AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, Australian Group, BDEAC, BIS, CBSS, CCC, CDB (non-regional), CE, CERN, COCOM, CSCE, EBRD, EC, ECE, EIB, ESA, FAO, G-5, G-7, G-10, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, MTCR, NACC, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNHCR, UNTAC, UPU, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Juergen RUHFUS chancery: 4645 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: (202) 298-4000 consulates general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Seattle consulates: Manila (Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands) and Wellington (America Samoa) US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Robert M. KIMMITT embassy: Deichmanns Avenue, 5300 Bonn 2, Unit 21701 mailing address: APO AE 09080 telephone: [49] (228) 3391 FAX: [49] (228) 339-2663 branch office: Berlin consulates general: Frankfurt, Hamburg, Leipzig, Munich, and Stuttgart Flag: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and yellow