Front matter (continued 7)

@El Salvador, Communications

Railroads: 602 km 0.914-meter gauge, single track; some sections abandoned, unusable, or operating at reduced capacity Highways: total: 10,000 km paved: 1,500 km unpaved: gravel 4,100 km; improved, unimproved earth 4,400 km Inland waterways: Rio Lempa partially navigable Ports: Acajutla, Cutuco Airports: total: 107 usable: 76 with permanent-surface runways: 5 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 6 Telecommunications: nationwide trunk microwave radio relay system; connection into Central American Microwave System; 116,000 telephones (21 telephones per 1,000 persons); broadcast stations - 77 AM, no FM, 5 TV, 2 shortwave; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station

@El Salvador, Defense Forces

Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force Manpower availability: males age 15-49 1,351,641; fit for military service 866,010; reach military age (18) annually 74,181 (1994 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $104 million, 1.1% of GDP (1994 est.)

@Equatorial Guinea, Geography

Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean between Cameroon and Gabon Map references: Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 28,050 sq km land area: 28,050 sq km comparative area: slightly larger than Maryland Land boundaries: total 539 km, Cameroon 189 km, Gabon 350 km Coastline: 296 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: maritime boundary dispute with Gabon because of disputed sovereignty over islands in Corisco Bay Climate: tropical; always hot, humid Terrain: coastal plains rise to interior hills; islands are volcanic Natural resources: timber, petroleum, small unexploited deposits of gold, manganese, uranium Land use: arable land: 8% permanent crops: 4% meadows and pastures: 4% forest and woodland: 51% other: 33% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: desertification natural hazards: subject to violent windstorms international agreements: party to - Nuclear Test Ban; signed, but not ratified - Law of the Sea Note: insular and continental regions rather widely separated

@Equatorial Guinea, People

Population: 409,550 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 2.59% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 40.65 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 14.73 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 102.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 52.09 years male: 49.97 years female: 54.27 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.28 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Equatorial Guinean(s) or Equatoguinean(s) adjective: Equatorial Guinean or Equatoguinean Ethnic divisions: Bioko (primarily Bubi, some Fernandinos), Rio Muni (primarily Fang), Europeans less than 1,000, mostly Spanish Religions: nominally Christian and predominantly Roman Catholic, pagan practices Languages: Spanish (official), pidgin English, Fang, Bubi, Ibo Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) total population: 50% male: 64% female: 37% Labor force: 172,000 (1986 est.) by occupation: agriculture 66%, services 23%, industry 11% (1980) note: labor shortages on plantations; 58% of population of working age (1985)

@Equatorial Guinea, Government

Names: conventional long form: Republic of Equatorial Guinea conventional short form: Equatorial Guinea local long form: Republica de Guinea Ecuatorial local short form: Guinea Ecuatorial former: Spanish Guinea Digraph: EK Type: republic in transition to multiparty democracy Capital: Malabo Administrative divisions: 7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Annobon, Bioko Norte, Bioko Sur, Centro Sur, Kie-Ntem, Litoral, Wele-Nzas Independence: 12 October 1968 (from Spain) National holiday: Independence Day, 12 October (1968) Constitution: new constitution 17 November 1991 Legal system: partly based on Spanish civil law and tribal custom Suffrage: universal adult at age NA Executive branch: chief of state: President Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO (since 3 August 1979) election last held 25 June 1989 (next to be held 25 June 1996); results - President Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO was reelected without opposition head of government: Prime Minister Silvestre SIALE BILEKA (since 17 January 1992); Vice Prime Minister Anatolio NDONG MBA (since November 1993); cabinet: Council of Ministers; appointed by the president Legislative branch: unicameral House of People's Representatives: (Camara de Representantes del Pueblo) elections last held 21 November 1993; seats - (82 total) PDGE 72, various opposition parties 10 Judicial branch: Supreme Tribunal Political parties and leaders: ruling - Democratic Party for Equatorial Guinea (PDGE), Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO, party leader; Progressive Democratic Alliance (ADP), Antonio-Ebang Mbele Abang, president; Popular Action of Equatorial Guinea (APGE),Casiano Masi Edu, leader; Liberal Democratic Convention (CLD), Alfonso Nsue MOKUY, president; Convergence for Social Democracy (CPDS),Santiago Obama Ndong, president; Social Democratic and Popular Convergence (CSDP), Secundino Oyono Agueng Ada, general secretary; Party of the Social Democratic Coalition (PCSD), Buenaventura Moswi M'Asumu, general coordinater; Liberal Party (PL), leaders unknown; Party of Progress (PP), Severo MOTO Nsa, president; Social Democratic Party (PSD), Benjamin-Gabriel Balingha Balinga Alene, general secretary; Socialist Party of Equatorial Guinea (PSGE), Tomas MICHEBE Fernandez, general secretary; National Democratic Union (UDENA), Jose MECHEBA Ikaka, president; Democratic Social Union (UDS), Jesus Nze Obama Avomo, general secretary; Popular Union (UP), Juan Bitui, president Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS (associate), NAM, OAS (observer), OAU, UDEAC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador DAMASO Obiang Ndong chancery: (temporary) 57 Magnolia Avenue, Mount Vernon, NY 10553 telephone: (914) 738-9584 or 667-6913 FAX: (914) 667-6838 US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador John E. BENNETT embassy: Calle de Los Ministros, Malabo mailing address: P.O. Box 597, Malabo telephone: [240] (9) 2185, 2406, 2507 FAX: [240] (9) 2164 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side and the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms has six yellow six-pointed stars (representing the mainland and five offshore islands) above a gray shield bearing a silk-cotton tree and below which is a scroll with the motto UNIDAD, PAZ, JUSTICIA (Unity, Peace, Justice)

@Equatorial Guinea, Economy

Overview: Agriculture, forestry, and fishing account for about half of GDP and nearly all exports. Subsistence farming predominates. Although pre-independence Equatorial Guinea counted on cocoa production for hard currency earnings, the deterioration of the rural economy under successive brutal regimes has diminished potential for agriculture-led growth. A number of AID programs sponsored by the World Bank and the international donor community have failed to revitalize export agriculture. There is little industry; businesses for the most part are owned by government officials and their family members. Commerce accounts for about 8% of GDP and the construction, public works, and service sectors for about 38%. Undeveloped natural resources include titanium, iron ore, manganese, uranium, and alluvial gold. Oil exploration, taking place under concessions offered to US, French, and Spanish firms, has been moderately successful. Increased production from recently discovered natural gas fields will provide a greater share of exports by 1995. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $280 million (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: NA National product per capita: $700 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.6% (1992 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $32.5 million expenditures: $35.9 million, including capital expenditures of $3 million (1992 est.) Exports: $52.8 million (f.o.b., 1992) commodities: coffee, timber, cocoa beans partners: Spain 55.2%, Nigeria 11.4%, Cameroon 9.1% (1992) Imports: $63.6 million (c.i.f., 1992) commodities: petroleum, food, beverages, clothing, machinery partners: Cameroon 23.1%, Spain 21.8%, France 14.1%, US 4.3% External debt: $260 million (1992 est) Industrial production: growth rate -6.5% (1992 est.); accounts for 5% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 23,000 kW production: 60 million kWh consumption per capita: 160 kWh (1991) Industries: fishing, sawmilling Agriculture: accounts for almost 50% of GDP, cash crops - timber and coffee from Rio Muni, cocoa from Bioko; food crops - rice, yams, cassava, bananas, oil palm nuts, manioc, livestock Economic aid: recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY81-89), $14 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $130 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $55 million Currency: 1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 592.05 (January 1994), 273,16 (1993), 264.69 (1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26 (1990), 319.01 (1989) note: beginning 12 January 1994, the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF 100 per French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since 1948 Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March

@Equatorial Guinea, Communications

Highways: total: 2,760 km (2,460 km on Rio Muni and 300 km on Bioko) paved: NA unpaved: NA Ports: Malabo, Bata Merchant marine: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 6,412 GRT/6,699 DWT, cargo 1, passenger-cargo 1 Airports: total: 3 usable: 3 with permanent-surface runways: 2 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 1 Telecommunications: poor system with adequate government services; international communications from Bata and Malabo to African and European countries; 2,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 2 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station

@Equatorial Guinea, Defense Forces

Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Guard, National Police Manpower availability: males age 15-49 86,957; fit for military service 44,174 Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP

@Eritrea, Geography

Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Red Sea between Djibouti and Sudan Map references: Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 121,320 sq km land area: 121,320 sq km comparative area: slightly larger than Pennsylvania Land boundaries: total 1,630 km, Djibouti 113 km, Ethiopia 912 km, Sudan 605 km Coastline: 1,151 km (land and island coastline is 2,234 km) Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: hot, dry desert strip along Red Sea coast; cooler and wetter in the central highlands (up to 61 cm of rainfall annually); semiarid in western hills and lowlands; rainfall heaviest during June-September except on coast desert Terrain: dominated by extension of Ethiopian north-south trending highlands, descending on the east to a coastal desert plan, on the northwest to hilly terrain and on the southwest to flat-to-rolling plains Natural resources: gold, potash, zinc, copper, salt, probably oil, fish Land use: arable land: 3% permanent crops: 2% (coffee) meadows and pastures: 40% forest and woodland: 5% other: 50% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: famine; deforestation; soil erosion; overgrazing; loss of infrastructure from civil warfare natural hazards: frequent droughts international agreements: NA Note: strategic geopolitical position along world's busiest shipping lanes and close to Arabian oilfields, Eritrea retained the entire coastline of Ethiopia along the Red Sea upon de jure independence from Ethiopia on 27 April 1993

@Eritrea, People

Population: 3,782,543 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 3.41% (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Eritrean(s) adjective: Eritrean Ethnic divisions: ethnic Tigrays 50%, Tigre and Kunama 40%, Afar 4%, Saho (Red Sea coast dwellers) 3% Religions: Muslim, Coptic Christian, Roman Catholic, Protestant Languages: Tigre and Kunama, Cushitic dialects, Tigre, Nora Bana, Arabic Literacy: total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Labor force: NA

@Eritrea, Government

Names: conventional long form: State of Eritrea conventional short form: Eritrea local long form: none local short form: none former: Eritrea Autonomous Region in Ethiopia Digraph: ER Type: transitional government note: on 29 May 1991 ISSAIAS Afeworke, secretary general of the Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF), announced the formation of the Provisional Government in Eritrea (PGE), in preparation for the 23-25 April 1993 referendum on independence for the autonomous region of Eritrea; the result was a landslide vote for independence that was announced on 27 April 1993 Capital: Asmara (formerly Asmera) Administrative divisions: 7 provinces; Akale Guzay, Baraka, Denakil, Hamasen, Samhar, Seraye, Sahil (1993) Independence: 27 May 1993 (from Ethiopia; formerly the Eritrea Autonomous Region) National holiday: National Day (independence from Ethiopia), 24 May (1993) Constitution: transitional "constitution" decreed 19 May 1993 Legal system: NA Suffrage: NA Executive branch: chief of state and head of government: President ISSAIAS Afeworke (since 22 May 1993) cabinet: State Council; the collective executive authority note: election to be held before 20 May 1997 Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly: EPLF Central Committee serves as the country's legislative body until multinational elections are held (before 20 May 1997) Judicial branch: Judiciary Political parties and leaders: Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF) (Christian Muslim), ISSAIAS Aferworke, PETROS Solomon; Eritrean Liberation Front (ELF) (Muslim), ABDULLAH Muhammed; Eritrean Liberation Front - United Organization (ELF-UO), Mohammed Said NAWUD; Eritrean Liberation Front - Revolutionary Council (ELF-RC), Ahmed NASSER Other political or pressure groups: Eritrean Islamic Jihad (EIJ); Islamic Militant Group Member of: OAU, ACP, AfDB, ECA, ILO, IMO, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), ITU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WMO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador-designate Hagos GEBREHIWOT chancery: Suite 400, 910 17th Street NW, Washington DC 20006 telephone: (202) 429-1991 FAX: (202) 429-9004 US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Robert G. HOUDEK embassy: 34 Zera Yacob St., Asmara mailing address: P.O. Box 211, Asmara telephone: [291] (1) 123-720 FAX: [291] (1) 127-584 Flag: red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) dividing the flag into two right triangles; the upper triangle is green, the lower one is blue; a gold wreath encircling a gold olive branch is centered on the hoist side of the red triangle

@Eritrea, Economy

Overview: With independence from Ethiopia on 27 April 1993, Eritrea faces the bitter economic problems of a small, desperately poor African country. Most of the population will continue to depend on subsistence farming. Domestic output is substantially augmented by worker remittances from abroad. Government revenues come from custom duties and income and sales taxes. Eritrea has inherited the entire coastline of Ethiopia and has long-term prospects for revenues from the development of offshore oil, offshore fishing and tourism. For the time being, Ethiopia will be largely dependent on Eritrean ports for its foreign trade. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $1.7 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $500 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Exports: $NA commodities: NA partners: NA Imports: $NA commodities: NA partners: NA External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: capacity: NA kW production: NA kWh consumption per capita: NA kWh Industries: food processing, beverages, clothing and textiles Agriculture: products - sorghum, livestock (including goats), fish, lentils, vegetables, maize, cotton, tobacco, coffee, sisal (for making rope) Economic aid: $NA Currency: 1 birr (Br) = 100 cents; at present, Ethiopian currency used Exchange rates: 1 birr (Br) per US$1 - 5.000 (fixed rate since 1992) Fiscal year: NA

@Eritrea, Communications

Railroads: 307 km total; 307 km 1.000-meter gauge; 307 km 0.950-meter gauge (nonoperational) linking Ak'ordat and Asmara (formerly Asmera) with the port of Massawa (formerly Mits'iwa; 1993 est.) Highways: total: 3,845 km paved: 807 km unpaved: gravel 840 km; improved earth 402 km; unimproved earth 1,796 km Ports: Assab (formerly Aseb), Massawa (formerly Mits'iwa) Merchant marine: none Airports: total: 5 usable: 5 with permanent-surface runways: 2 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 2 Telecommunications: NA

@Eritrea, Defense Forces

Branches: Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF) Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP

@Estonia, Geography

Location: Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Sweden and Russia Map references: Arctic Region, Asia, Europe, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 45,100 sq km land area: 43,200 sq km comparative area: slightly larger than New Hampshire and Vermont combined note: includes 1,520 islands in the Baltic Sea Land boundaries: total 557 km, Latvia 267 km, Russia 290 km Coastline: 1,393 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: maritime, wet, moderate winters, cool summers Terrain: marshy, lowlands Natural resources: shale oil, peat, phosphorite, amber Land use: arable land: 22% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 11% forest and woodland: 31% other: 36% Irrigated land: 110 sq km (1990) Environment: current issues: air heavily polluted with sulfur dioxide from oil-shale burning power plants in northeast; contamination of soil and ground water with petroleum products, chemicals at military bases natural hazards: NA international agreements: party to - Hazardous Wastes, Ship Pollution; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change Population: 1,616,882 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 0.52% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 13.98 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 12.04 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 3.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 19.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.96 years male: 64.98 years female: 75.19 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 2 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Estonian(s) adjective: Estonian Ethnic divisions: Estonian 61.5%, Russian 30.3%, Ukrainian 3.17%, Byelorussian 1.8%, Finn 1.1%, other 2.13% (1989) Religions: Lutheran Languages: Estonian (official), Latvian, Lithuanian, Russian, other Literacy: age 9-49 can read and write (1989) total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% Labor force: 750,000 (1992) by occupation: industry and construction 42%, agriculture and forestry 20%, other 38% (1990)

@Estonia, Government

Names: conventional long form: Republic of Estonia conventional short form: Estonia local long form: Eesti Vabariik local short form: Eesti former: Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic Digraph: EN Type: republic Capital: Tallinn Administrative divisions: 15 counties (maakonnad, singular - maakond) and 6 municipalities*: Harju maakond (Tallinn), Hiiu maakond (Kardla), Ida-Viru maakond (Johvi), Jarva maakond (Paide), Jogeva maakond (Jogeva), Kohtla-Jarve*, Laane maakond (Haapsalu), Laane-Viru maakond (Rakvere), Narva*, Parnu*, Parnu maakond (Parnu), Polva maakond (Polva), Rapla maakond (Rapla), Saare maakond (Kuessaare), Sillamae*, Tallinn*, Tartu*, Tartu maakond (Tartu), Valga maakond (Valga), Viljandi maakond (Viljandi), Voru maakond (Voru) note: county centers are in parentheses Independence: 6 September 1991 (from Soviet Union) National holiday: Independence Day, 24 February (1918) Constitution: adopted 28 June 1992 Legal system: based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Lennart MERI (since 21 October 1992); election last held 20 September 1992; (next to be held NA 1997); results - no candidate received majority; newly elected Parliament elected Lennart MERI (21 October 1992) head of government: Prime Minister Mart LAAR (since 21 October 1992) cabinet: Council of Ministers; appointed by the prime minister, authorized by the legislature Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (Riigikogu): elections last held 20 September 1992; (next to be held NA); results - Fatherland 21%, Safe Haven 14%, Popular Front 13%, M 10%, ENIP 8%, ERP 7%, ERL 7%, EP 2%, other 18%; seats - (101 total) Fatherland 29, Safe Haven 18, Popular Front 15, M 12, ENIP 10, ERP 8, ERL 8, EP 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: National Coalition Party 'Pro Patria' (Isamaa of Fatherland), Mart LAAR, president, made up of 4 parties: Christian Democratic Party (KDE), Aivar KALA, chairman; Christian Democratic Union (KDL), Illar HALLASTE, chairman; Conservative People's Party (KR), Enn TARTO, chairman; Republican Coalition Party (VK), Leo STARKOV, chairman; Moderates (M), made up of two parties: Estonian Social Democratic Party (ESDB), Marju LAURISTIN, chairman; Estonian Rural Center Pary (EMK), Ivar RAIG, chairman; Estonian National Independence Party (ENIP), Tunne KELAM, chairman; Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Paul-Eerik RUMMO, chairman; Safe Haven, made up of three parties: Estonian Coalition Party (EK), Tiit VAHI, chairman; Estonian Rural Union (EM), Arvo SIRENDI, chairman; Estonian Democratic Justice Union/Estonian Pensioners' League (EDO/EPU), Harri KARTNER, chairman; Estonian Centrist Party (EK), Edgar SAVISAAR, chairman; Estonian Democratic Labor Party (EDT), Vaino VALJAS, chairman; Estonian Green Party (ERL), Tonu OJA; Estonian Royalist Party (ERP), Kalle KULBOK, chairman; Entrepreneurs' Party (EP), Tiit MADE; Estonian Citizen (EKL), Juri TOOMEPUU, chairman Member of: BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NACC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Toomas Hendrik ILVES chancery: 1030 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005, Suite 1000 telephone: (202) 789-0320 FAX: (202) 789-0471 consulate(s) general: New York US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Robert C. FRASURE embassy: Kentmanni 20, Tallin EE 0001 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: 011-[372] (6) 312-021 through 024 FAX: [372] (6) 312-025 Flag: pre-1940 flag restored by Supreme Soviet in May 1990 - three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), black, and white

@Estonia, Economy

Overview: Bolstered by a widespread national desire to reintegrate into Western Europe, the Estonian government has pursued a program of market reforms and rough stabilization measures, which is rapidly transforming the economy. Two years after independence - and one year after the introduction of the kroon - Estonians are beginning to reap tangible benefits; inflation is low; production declines appear to have bottomed out; and living standards are rising. Economic restructuring is clearly underway with the once-dominant energy-intensive heavy industrial sectors giving way to labor-intensive light industry and the underdeveloped service sector. The private sector is growing rapidly; the share of the state enterprises in retail trade has steadily declined and by June 1993 accounted for only 12.5% of total turnover, and 70,000 new jobs have reportedly been created as a result of new business start-ups. Estonia's foreign trade has shifted rapidly from East to West with the Western industrialized countries now accounting for two-thirds of foreign trade. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $8.8 billion (1993 estimate from the UN International Comparison Program, as extended to 1991 and published in the World Bank's World Development Report 1993; and as extrapolated to 1993 using official Estonian statistics, which are very uncertain because of major economic changes since 1990) National product real growth rate: -5% (1993 est.) National product per capita: $5,480 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.6% per month (1993 average) Unemployment rate: 3.5% (May 1993); but large number of underemployed workers Budget: revenues: $223 million expenditures: $142 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992) Exports: $765 million (f.o.b., 1993) commodities: textile 14%, food products 11%, vehicles 11%, metals 11% (1993) partners: Russia, Finland, Latvia, Germany, Ukraine Imports: $865 million (c.i.f., 1993) commodities: machinery 18%, fuels 15%, vehicles 14%, textiles 10% (1993) partners: Finland, Russia, Sweden, Germany, Netherlands External debt: $650 million (end of 1991) Industrial production: growth rate -27% (1993) Electricity: capacity: 3,700,000 kW production: 22.9 billion kWh consumption per capita: 14,245 kWh (1992) Industries: accounts for 42% of labor force; oil shale, shipbuilding, phosphates, electric motors, excavators, cement, furniture, clothing, textiles, paper, shoes, apparel Agriculture: employs 20% of work force; very efficient by Soviet standards; net exports of meat, fish, dairy products, and potatoes; imports of feedgrains for livestock; fruits and vegetables Illicit drugs: transshipment point for illicit drugs from Central and Southwest Asia and Latin America to Western Europe; limited illicit opium producer; mostly for domestic consumption Economic aid: recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (1992), $10 million Currency: 1 Estonian kroon (EEK) = 100 cents (introduced in August 1992) Exchange rates: kroons (EEK) per US$1 - 13.9 (January 1994), 13.2 (1993); note - kroons are tied to the German Deutschmark at a fixed rate of 8 to 1 Fiscal year: calendar year

@Estonia, Communications

Railroads: 1,030 km; does not include industrial lines (1990) Highways: total: 30,300 km paved or gravelled: 29,200 km unpaved: earth 1,100 km (1990) Inland waterways: 500 km perennially navigable Pipelines: natural gas 420 km (1992) Ports: coastal - Tallinn, Novotallin, Parnu; inland - Narva Merchant marine: 69 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 406,405 GRT/537,016 DWT, bulk 6, cargo 50, container 2, oil tanker 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 6, short-sea passenger 4 Airports: total: 29 usable: 18 with permanent-surface runways: 11 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 10 with runways 1,060-2,439 m: 8 note: a C-130 can land on a 1,060-m airstrip Telecommunications: Estonia's telephone system is antiquated and supports about 400,000 domestic telephone circuits, i.e. 25 telephones for each 100 persons; improvements are being made piecemeal, with emphasis on business needs and international connections; there are still about 150,000 unfulfilled requests for telephone service; broadcast stations - 3 TV (provide Estonian programs as well Moscow Ostenkino's first and second programs); international traffic is carried to the other former USSR republics by land line or microwave and to other countries partly by leased connection to the Moscow international gateway switch, and partly by a new Tallinn-Helsinki fiber optic submarine cable which gives Estonia access to international circuits everywhere; substantial investment has been made in cellular systems which are operational throughout Estonia and also Latvia and which have access to the international packet switched digital network via Helsinki

@Estonia, Defense Forces

Branches: Ground Forces, Maritime Border Guard, National Guard (Kaitseliit), Security Forces (internal and border troops), Coast Guard Manpower availability: males age 15-49 392,135; fit for military service 308,951; reach military age (18) annually 11,789 (1994 est.) Defense expenditures: 124.4 million kroons, NA% of GDP (forecast for 1993); note - conversion of the military budget into US dollars using the current exchange rate could produce misleading results

@Ethiopia, Geography

Location: Eastern Africa, between Somalia and Sudan Map references: Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 1,127,127 sq km land area: 1,119,683 sq km comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Texas Land boundaries: total 5,311 km, Djibouti 337 km, Eritrea 912 km, Kenya 830 km, Somalia 1,626 km, Sudan 1,606 km Coastline: none - landlocked Maritime claims: none - landlocked International disputes: southern half of the boundary with Somalia is a Provisional Administrative Line; territorial dispute with Somalia over the Ogaden Climate: tropical monsoon with wide topographic-induced variation Terrain: high plateau with central mountain range divided by Great Rift Valley Natural resources: small reserves of gold, platinum, copper, potash Land use: arable land: 12% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 41% forest and woodland: 24% other: 22% Irrigated land: 1,620 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: current issues: deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; famine natural hazards: geologically active Great Rift Valley susceptible to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions; frequent droughts international agreements: party to - Endangered Species; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban Note: landlocked - entire coastline along the Red Sea was lost with the de jure independence of Eritrea on 27 April 1993

@Ethiopia, People

Population: 54,927,108 (July 1994 est.) note: Ethiopian demographic data, except population and population growth rate, include Eritrea Population growth rate: 3.4% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 45.01 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 13.89 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 2.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 106.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 52.67 years male: 51 years female: 54.38 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.81 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Ethiopian(s) adjective: Ethiopian Ethnic divisions: Oromo 40%, Amhara and Tigrean 32%, Sidamo 9%, Shankella 6%, Somali 6%, Afar 4%, Gurage 2%, other 1% Religions: Muslim 45%-50%, Ethiopian Orthodox 35%-40%, animist 12%, other 5% Languages: Amharic (official), Tigrinya, Orominga, Guaraginga, Somali, Arabic, English (major foreign language taught in schools) Literacy: age 10 and over can read and write (1984) total population: 24% male: 33% female: 16% Labor force: 18 million by occupation: agriculture and animal husbandry 80%, government and services 12%, industry and construction 8% (1985)

@Ethiopia, Government

Names: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Ethiopia local long form: none local short form: Ityop'iya Digraph: ET Type: transitional government note: on 28 May 1991 the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) toppled the authoritarian government of MENGISTU Haile-Mariam and took control in Addis Ababa; the Transitional Government of Ethiopia (TGE), announced a two-year transitional period Capital: Addis Ababa Administrative divisions: 14 administrative regions (astedader akababiwach, singular - astedader akababi) Addis Ababa, Afar, Amhara, Benishangul, Gambela, Gurage-Hadiya-Kambata, Harer, Kefa, Omo, Oromo, Sidamo, Somali, Tigray, Wolayta Independence: oldest independent country in Africa and one of the oldest in the world - at least 2,000 years National holiday: National Day, 28 May (1991) (defeat of Mengistu regime) Constitution: to be redrafted by 1993 Legal system: NA Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President MELES Zenawi (since 1 June 1991); election last held 10 September 1987; next election planned after new constitution drafted; results - MENGISTU Haile-Mariam elected by the now defunct National Assembly, but resigned and left Ethiopia on 21 May 1991 head of government: Prime Minister TAMIRAT Layne (since 6 June 1991) cabinet: Council of Ministers; designated by the chairman of the Council of Representatives Legislative branch: unicameral Constituent Assembly: elections were held on 5 June 1994 (next to be held NA); results - NA; a major task of the new Assembly will be to ratify the constitution to drafted by the end of 1994 Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), MELES Zenawi; Oromo People's Democratic Organization (OPDO), Kuma DEMEKSA Other political or pressure groups: Oromo Liberation Front (OLF); Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Party (EPRP); numerous small, ethnic-based groups have formed since Mengistu's resignation, including several Islamic militant groups Member of: ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IGADD, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador BERHANE Gebre-Christos chancery: 2134 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 234-2281 or 2282 FAX: (202) 328-7950 US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Marc A. BAAS embassy: Entoto Street, Addis Ababa mailing address: P. O. Box 1014, Addis Ababa telephone: [251] (1) 550-666 FAX: [251] (1) 552-191 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and red; Ethiopia is the oldest independent country in Africa, and the colors of her flag were so often adopted by other African countries upon independence that they became known as the pan-African colors

@Ethiopia, Economy

Overview: With the independence of Eritrea on 27 April 1993, Ethiopia continues to face difficult economic problems as one of the poorest and least developed countries in Africa. (The accompanying analysis and figures predate the independence of Eritrea.) Its economy is based on subsistence agriculture, which accounts for about 45% of GDP, 90% of exports, and 80% of total employment; coffee generates 60% of export earnings. The manufacturing sector is heavily dependent on inputs from the agricultural sector. Over 90% of large-scale industry, but less than 10% of agriculture, is state run; the government is considering selling off a portion of state-owned plants. Favorable agricultural weather largely explains the 4.5% growth in output in FY89, whereas drought and deteriorating internal security conditions prevented growth in FY90. In 1991 the lack of law and order, particularly in the south, interfered with economic development and growth. In 1992, because of some easing of civil strife and aid from the outside world, the economy substantially improved. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $22.7 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: 7.8% (FY93 est) National product per capita: $400 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 21% (1992 est) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $1.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992 est.) Exports: $189 million (f.o.b., FY91) commodities: coffee, leather products, gold, petroleum products partners: Germany, Japan, Saudi Arabia, France, Italy Imports: $472 million (c.i.f., FY91) commodities: capital goods, consumer goods, fuel partners: US, Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Japan External debt: $3.48 billion (1991) Industrial production: growth rate -3.3% (FY92); accounts for 12% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 330,000 kW production: 650 million kWh consumption per capita: 10 kWh (1991) Industries: food processing, beverages, textiles, chemicals, metals processing, cement Agriculture: accounts for 47% of GDP and is the most important sector of the economy even though frequent droughts and poor cultivation practices keep farm output low; famines not uncommon; export crops of coffee and oilseeds grown partly on state farms; estimated 50% of agricultural production at subsistence level; principal crops and livestock - cereals, pulses, coffee, oilseeds, sugarcane, potatoes and other vegetables, hides and skins, cattle, sheep, goats Illicit drugs: transit hub for heroin originating in Southwest and Southeast Asia and destined for Europe and North America as well as cocaine destined for southern African markets; cultivates qat (chat) for local use and regional export Economic aid: recipient: 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 billion Currency: 1 birr (Br) = 100 cents Exchange rates: birr (Br) per US$1 - 5.0000 (fixed rate since 1992); fixed at 2.070 before 1992 Fiscal year: 8 July - 7 July

@Ethiopia, Communications

Highways: total: 24,127 km paved: 3,289 km unpaved: gravel 6,664 km; improved earth 1,652 km; unimproved earth 12,522 km (1993) Ports: none; landlocked Merchant marine: 12 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 62,627 GRT/88,909 DWT, cargo 8, livestock carrier 1, oil tanker 2, roll on/roll off cargo 1 Airports: total: 120 usable: 84 with permanent-surface runways: 10 with runways over 3,659 m: 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 15 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 83 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 13,229,078; fit for military service 6,867,582; reach military age (18) annually 596,691 (1994 est.) Defense expenditures: $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 sq km land area: 28 sq km 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 sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: NA international agreements: NA Note: 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: Southern South America, in the South Atlantic Ocean, off the southern coast of Argentina Map references: Antarctic Region, South America Area: total area: 12,170 sq km land area: 12,170 sq km 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 sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: NA international agreements: NA Note: deeply indented coast provides good natural harbors; short growing season

@Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), People

Population: 2,261 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 2.43% (1994 est.) Birth rate: NA Death rate: NA Net migration rate: NA Infant mortality rate: NA Life expectancy at birth: NA Total fertility rate: NA 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) National holiday: Liberation Day, 14 June (1982) Constitution: 3 October 1985 Legal system: English common law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) head of government: Governor David Everard TATHAM (since August 1992) cabinet: Executive Council; 3 members elected by the Legislative Council, 2 ex-officio members (chief executive and the financial secretary), and the governor Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council: elections 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 Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: NA 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: $42.8 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: capacity: 9,200 kW production: 17 million kWh consumption per capita: 8,940 kWh (1992) Industries: wool and fish processing Agriculture: predominantly sheep farming; small dairy herds; some fodder and vegetable crops Economic aid: recipient: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1992-93), $87 million Currency: 1 Falkland pound (#F) = 100 pence Exchange rates: Falkland pound (#F) per US$1 - 0.6699 (January 1994), 0.6658 (1993), 0.5664 (1992), 0.5652 (1991), 0.5604 (1990), 0.6099 (1989); note - the Falkland pound is at par with the British pound Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March

@Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), Communications

Highways: total: 510 km paved: 30 km unpaved: gravel 80 km; unimproved earth 400 km 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: Nordic States, Northern Europe in the north Atlantic Ocean, located half way between Norway and Iceland Map references: Arctic Region Area: total area: 1,400 sq km land area: 1,400 sq km 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 sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: NA international agreements: NA Note: archipelago of 18 inhabited islands and a few uninhabited islets; strategically located along important sea lanes in northeastern Atlantic; precipitous terrain limits habitation to small coastal lowlands

@Faroe Islands, People

Population: 48,427 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 0.83% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 17.97 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 7.56 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: -2.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 8.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.1 years male: 74.71 years female: 81.62 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.47 children born/woman (1994 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) National holiday: Birthday of the Queen, 16 April (1940) Constitution: 5 June 1953 (Danish constitution) Legal system: Danish Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal Executive branch: 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) cabinet: Landsstyri; elected by the local legislature Legislative branch: unicameral Faroese Parliament (Lgting): elections 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 Danish Parliament: elections 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 Judicial branch: none 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 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% value-added tax (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: 2.5% (1993 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: capacity: 80,000 kW production: 280 million kWh consumption per capita: 5,760 kWh (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: recipient: receives an annual subsidy from Denmark of about $130 million Currency: 1 Danish krone (DKr) = 100 oere Exchange rates: Danish kroner (DKr) per US$1 - 6.771 (January 1994), 6.484 (1993), 6.036 (1992), 6.396 (1991), 6.189 (1990), 7.310 (1989) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March

@Faroe Islands, Communications

Highways: total: 200 km paved: NA unpaved: NA Ports: Torshavn, Tvoroyri Merchant marine: 7 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 19,943 GRT/18,399 DWT, cargo 5, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1, short-sea passenger 1 note: a subset of the Danish register Airports: total: 1 usable: 1 with permanent-surface runways: 1 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 0 with runways 1,220-2,439 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, Melanesia, 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 sq km land area: 18,270 sq km 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 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: current issues: deforestation; soil erosion natural hazards: cyclonic storms can occur from November to January international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection Note: includes 332 islands of which approximately 110 are inhabited

@Fiji, People

Population: 764,382 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 1.05% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 24.18 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 6.5 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: -7.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 18.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 65.14 years male: 62.88 years female: 67.51 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.92 children born/woman (1994 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 est.) 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) National holiday: Independence Day, 10 October (1970) 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 under review; the review will be complete by 1997 Legal system: based on British system Suffrage: none Executive branch: chief of state: President Ratu Sir Kamisese MARA (since 12 January 1994); First Vice President Ratu Sir Josaia TAIVAIQIA (since 12 January 1994); Second Vice President Ratu Inoke TAKIVEIKATA (since 12 January 1994); note - President GANILAU died on 15 December 1993 and Vice President MARA became acting president; MARA was elected president by the Great Council of Chiefs on 12 January 1994 head of government: Prime Minister Sitiveni RABUKA (since 2 June 1992) Presidential Council: appointed by the governor general Great Council of Chiefs: (highest ranking members of the traditional chiefly system) cabinet: Cabinet; appointed by prime minister from members of Parliament and responsible to Parliament Legislative branch: the bicameral Parliament was dissolved following the coup of 14 May 1987 Senate: nonelective body containing 34 seats, 24 reserved for Melanesians, 9 for Indians and others, 1 for the island of Rotuma House of Representatives: elections last held 18-25 February 1994 (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 SVT 31, NFP 20, FLP 7, FA 5, GVP 4, independents 2, ANC 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Fijian Political Party (SVT - primarily Fijian), leader Maj. Gen. Sitivini RABUKA; National Federation Party (NFP; primarily Indian), Jai Ram REDDY; Christian Fijian Nationalist Party (CFNP), Sakeasi BUTADROKA; Fiji Labor Party (FLP), Mahendra CHAUDHRY; 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; Fijian Association (FA), Josevata KAMIKAMICA Member of: ACP, AsDB, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, PCA, SPARTECA, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNOMUR, UNTAC, 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 FAX: (202) 337-1996 consulate(s): New York US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: (vacant); Charge d'Affaires William ROPE 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 and tourism are the major sources of foreign exchange. Industry contributes 13% to GDP, with sugar processing accounting for one-third of industrial activity. Roughly 250,000 tourists visit each year. Political uncertainty and drought, however, contribute to substantial fluctuations in earnings from tourism and sugar. In 1992, growth was approximately 3%, based on growth in tourism and a lessening of labor-management disputes in the sugar and gold-mining sectors. In 1993, the government's budgeted growth rate of 3% was not achieved because of a decline in non-sugar agricultural output and damage from Cyclone Kina. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $3 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: 1% (1993 est.) National product per capita: $4,000 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.6% (1993 est.) Unemployment rate: 5.9% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues: $455 million expenditures: $546 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1993 est.) Exports: $417 million (f.o.b., 1992) commodities: sugar 40%, clothing, processed fish, gold, lumber partners: EC 26%, Australia 15%, Pacific Islands 11%, Japan 6% Imports: $517 million (c.i.f., 1992 est) commodities: machinery and transport equipment, petroleum products, food, consumer goods, chemicals partners: Australia 30%, NZ 17%, Japan 13%, EC 6%, US 6% External debt: $670 million (1994 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 7.5% (1992 est.); accounts for 13% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 215,000 kW production: 420 million kWh consumption per capita: 560 kWh (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: recipient: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1980-89), $815 million Currency: 1 Fijian dollar (F$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Fijian dollars (F$) per US$1 - 1.5239 (January 1994), 1.5418 (1993), 1.5030 (1992), 1.4756 (1991), 1.4809 (1990), 1.4833 (1989) Fiscal year: calendar year

@Fiji, Communications

Railroads: 644 km 0.610-meter narrow gauge, belonging to the government-owned Fiji Sugar Corporation Highways: total: 3,300 km paved: 1,590 km unpaved: gravel, crushed stone, stabilized earth 1,290 km; unimproved earth 420 km (1984) Inland waterways: 203 km; 122 km navigable by motorized craft and 200-metric-ton barges Ports: Labasa, Lautoka, Savusavu, Suva Merchant marine: 8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 44,911 GRT/54,490 DWT, cargo 1, chemical tanker 2, container 2, oil tanker 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2 Airports: total: 25 usable: 22 with permanent-surface runways: 3 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 NZ-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: Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF; including a naval division, police) Manpower availability: males age 15-49 197,767; fit for military service 109,026; reach military age (18) annually 8,154 (1994 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $22.4 million, about 2% of GDP (FY91/92)

@Finland, Geography

Location: Nordic State, 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 sq km land area: 305,470 sq km 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 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: current issues: air pollution from manufacturing and power plants contributing to acid rain; water pollution from industrial wastes, agricultural chemicals; habitat loss threatens wildlife populations natural hazards: NA international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea Note: long boundary with Russia; Helsinki is northernmost national capital on European continent; population concentrated on small southwestern coastal plain

@Finland, People

Population: 5,068,931 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 0.34% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 12.41 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 9.84 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 0.81 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 5.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.93 years male: 72.18 years female: 79.86 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.79 children born/woman (1994 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 est.) 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) National holiday: Independence Day, 6 December (1917) 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 Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Martti AHTISAARI (since 1 March 1994); election last held 31 January - 6 February 1994 (next to be held January 2000); results - Martti AHTISAARI 54%, Elisabeth REHN 46% head of government: Prime Minister Esko AHO (since 26 April 1991); Deputy Prime Minister Pertti SALOLAINEN (since at least January 1992) cabinet: Council of State (Valtioneuvosto); appointed by the president, responsible to Parliament Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (Eduskunta): elections 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 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Korkein Oikeus) 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, Paavo LIPPONEN, 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 Member of: AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, CERN, COCOM (cooperating), CSCE, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, ESA (associate), FAO, G-9, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, MTCR, NAM (guest), NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNMOGIP, UNPROFOR, UNTSO, UPU, WFTU, 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 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York 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 4.1% - 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 European Union's (EU) 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. The devaluations have boosted the competitiveness of Finnish exports to the extent the recession bottomed out in 1993 with renewed economic growth expected in 1994. Unemployment probably will remain a serious problem during the next few years, 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 pushed the central government's budget deficit to nearly 13% in 1993. Helsinki continues to harmonize its economic policies with those of the EU during Finland's current EU membership bid. In early 1995, Finland is expected to join the European Union (formerly the European Community), thus broadening European economic unity. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $81.1 billion (1993) National product real growth rate: -2.6% (1993) National product per capita: $16,100 (1993) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.1% (1992) Unemployment rate: 22% (1993) Budget: revenues: $26.8 billion expenditures: $40.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992) Exports: $23.4 billion (f.o.b., 1993) 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: $18 billion (c.i.f., 1993 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, transport equipment, iron and steel, machinery, textile yarn and fabrics, fodder grains 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: $30 billion (December 1993) Industrial production: growth rate 7.6% (1992 est.) Electricity: capacity: 13,500,000 kW production: 55.3 billion kWh consumption per capita: 11,050 kWh (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 markka (FMk) or Finmark = 100 pennia Exchange rates: markkaa (FMk) per US$1 - 5.6920 (January 1994), 5.7123 (1993), 4.4794 (1992), 4.0440 (1991), 3.8235 (1990), 4.2912 (1989) Fiscal year: calendar year

@Finland, Communications

Railroads: 5,924 km total; Finnish State Railways (VR) operate a total of 5,863 km 1,524-mm gauge, of which 480 km are multiple track and 1,710 km are electrified Highways: total: 76,631 km (1991) paved: bituminous concrete, bituminous treated soil 46,745 km unpaved: gravel 29,886 km 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: 93 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,040,905 GRT/1,143,276 DWT, bulk 7, cargo 20, chemical tanker 5, liquefied gas 3, oil tanker 15, passenger 3, refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 30, short-sea passenger 9 Airports: total: 160 usable: 157 with permanent-surface runways: 66 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 26 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 20 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 1,323,322; fit for military service 1,089,300; reach military age (17) annually 33,594 (1994 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1.6 billion, about 1.5% of GDP (1993)

@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 sq km land area: 545,630 sq km 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 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: current issues: some forest damage from acid rain; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution from urban wastes, agricultural runoff natural hazards: NA international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Law of the Sea Note: largest West European nation; occasional warm tropical wind known as mistral

@France, People

Population: 57,840,445 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 0.47% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 13.13 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 9.3 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 0.86 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 6.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.19 years male: 74.27 years female: 82.3 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.8 children born/woman (1994 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 est.) 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) National holiday: National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789) Constitution: 28 September 1958, amended concerning election of president in 1962, amended to comply with provisions of EC Maastricht Treaty in 1992; amended to tighten immigration laws 1993 Legal system: civil law system with indigenous concepts; review of administrative but not legislative acts Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981); election last held 8 May 1988 (next to be held by May 1995); results - Second Ballot Francois MITTERRAND 54%, Jacques CHIRAC 46% head of government: Prime Minister Edouard BALLADUR (since 29 March 1993) cabinet: Council of Ministers; appointed by the president on the suggestion of the prime minister Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament (Parlement) Senate (Senat): elections last held 27 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 (Assemblee Nationale): elections 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 Judicial branch: Constitutional Court (Cour Constitutionnelle) 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), Henri EMMAMUELLI, interim party leader; Left Radical Movement (MRG), Jean-Francois HORY; Communist Party (PCF), Robert HUE; National Front (FN), Jean-Marie LE PEN; Union of Republican and Independents (UREI); Centrist Union (UC); Democratic Assembly (RDE); The Greens, Antoine WAECHTER, Jean-Louis VIDAL, Guy CAMBOT; Generation Ecology (GE), Brice LALONDE Other political or pressure groups: Communist-controlled labor union (Confederation Generale du Travail - CGT) 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) 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, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, MINURSO, MTCR, NACC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, ONUSAL, PCA, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNOSOM, 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 consulate(s) 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 C. HARRIMAN embassy: 2 Avenue Gabriel, 75382 Paris Cedex 08 mailing address: Unit 21551, Paris; APO AE 09777 telephone: [33] (1) 4296-12-02 or 42-61-80-75 FAX: [33] (1) 4266-9783 consulate(s) general: Bordeaux, Marseille, Strasbourg Flag: three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), white, and red; known as the French Tricouleur (Tricolor); the design and colors are similar to 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. Largely self-sufficient in agricultural products, France 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. Although French GDP contracted by 0.7% in 1993, the economy showed signs of life by yearend. GDP growth, however, will remain sluggish in 1994 - perhaps reaching only 1.0%. Rapidly increasing unemployment will still pose a major problem for the government. Paris remains committed to maintaining the franc-deutsche 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 - $1.05 trillion (1993) National product real growth rate: -0.7% (1993) National product per capita: $18,200 (1993) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.1% (1993) Unemployment rate: 12.2% (May 1994) Budget: revenues: $220.5 billion expenditures: $249.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $47 billion (1993 budget) Exports: $270.5 billion (f.o.b., 1993) 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: $250.2 billion (c.i.f., 1993) 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: $300 billion (1993 est.) Industrial production: growth rate -4.3% (1993) Electricity: capacity: 110 million kW production: 426 billion kWh consumption per capita: 7,430 kWh (1992) Industries: steel, machinery, chemicals, automobiles, metallurgy, aircraft, electronics, mining, textiles, food processing, tourism 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 - 5.9205 (January 1994), 5.6632 (1993), 5.2938 (1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453 (1990), 6.3801 (1989) Fiscal year: calendar year

@France, Communications

Railroads: French National Railways (SNCF) operates 34,322 km 1,435-mm standard gauge; 12,434 km electrified, 15,132 km double or multiple track; 99 km of various gauges (1,000-mm), privately owned and operated Highways: total: 1,510,750 km paved: 747,750 km (including 7,450 km of controlled access divided highway) unpaved: 763,000 km 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: 124 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,226,175 GRT/5,109,375 DWT, bulk 9, cargo 10, chemical tanker 8, container 21, liquefied gas 6, multifunction large-load carrier 1, oil tanker 37, passenger 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 21, short-sea passenger 7, specialized tanker 3 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: 472 usable: 461 with permanent-surface runways: 258 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 14,717,461; fit for military service 12,265,874; reach military age (18) annually 376,485 (1994 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $33.0 billion, 3.3% of GDP (1993)

@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 sq km land area: 89,150 sq km 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 sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: NA international agreements: NA Note: mostly an unsettled wilderness

@French Guiana, People

Population: 139,299 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 4.27% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 25.83 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 4.67 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 21.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 15.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.2 years male: 71.93 years female: 78.63 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.5 children born/woman (1994 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) 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) National holiday: National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789) Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: French legal system Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981) head of government: Prefect Jean-Francois CORDET (since NA 1992); President of the General Council Elie CASTOR (since NA); President of the Regional Council Antoine KARAM (22 March 1993) cabinet: Council of Ministers Legislative branch: unicameral General Council and a unicameral Regional Council General Council: elections last held 25 September and 8 October 1988 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (19 total) PSG 12, URC 7 Regional Council: elections last held 22 March 1992 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (31 total) PSG 16 French Senate: elections last held 24 September 1989 (next to be held September 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (1 total) PSG 1 French National Assembly: elections last held 21 and 28 March 1993 (next to be held NA 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (2 total) RPR 1, independent 1 Judicial branch: Court of Appeals (highest local court based in Martinique with jurisdiction over Martinique, Guadeloupe, and French Guiana) Political parties and leaders: Guianese Socialist Party (PSG), Elie CASTRO; Conservative Union for the Republic (UPR), Leon BERTRAND; Rally for the Center Right (URC); Rally for the Republic (RPR); Guyana Democratic Front (FDG), Georges OTHILY; Walwari Committee, Christine TAUBIRA-DELANON Member of: FZ, WCL Diplomatic representation in US: none (overseas department of France) 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 1992. 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 sugar cane - 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: $59 million (f.o.b., 1992) commodities: shrimp, timber, rum, rosewood essence partners: France 52%, Spain 15%, US 5% (1992) Imports: $1.5 billion (c.i.f., 1992) commodities: food (grains, processed meat), other consumer goods, producer goods, petroleum partners: France 77%, Germany 11%, US 5% (1992) External debt: $1.2 billion (1988) Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: capacity: 92,000 kW production: 185 million kWh consumption per capita: 1,450 kWh (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: recipient: 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 - 5.9205 (January 1994), 5.6632 (1993), 5.2938 (1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453 (1990), 6.3801 (1989) Fiscal year: calendar year

@French Guiana, Communications

Highways: total: 680 km paved: 510 km unpaved: improved, unimproved earth 170 km 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 age 15-49 40,506; fit for military service 26,394 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, Polynesia halfway between Australia and South America Map references: Oceania Area: total area: 3,941 sq km land area: 3,660 sq km 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 sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: occasional cyclonic storms in January international agreements: NA Note: includes five archipelagoes; 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: 215,129 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 2.25% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 27.75 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 5.27 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 14.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.54 years male: 68.14 years female: 73.06 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.31 children born/woman (1994 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) National holiday: National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789) Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: based on French system Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981); High Commissioner of the Republic Michel JAU (since NA February 1992) head of government: President of the Territorial Government of French Polynesia Gaston FLOSSE (since 10 May 1991); Deputy to the French Assembly and President of the Territorial Assembly Jean JUVENTIN (since NA November 1992); Territorial Vice President and Minister of Health Michel BUILLARD (since 12 September 1991) cabinet: Council of Ministers; president submits a list of members of the Assembly for approval by them to serve as ministers Legislative branch: unicameral Territorial Assembly: elections last held 17 March 1991 (next to be held March 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (41 total) People's Rally for the Republic (Gaullist) 18, Polynesian Union Party 12, New Fatherland Party 7, other 4 French Senate: elections last held 24 September 1989 (next to be held September 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (1 total) party NA French National Assembly: elections last held 21 and 28 March 1993 (next to be held NA March 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (2 total) People's Rally for the Republic (Gaullist) 2 Judicial branch: Court of Appeal, Court of the First Instance, Court of Administrative Law Political parties and leaders: People's Rally for the Republic (Tahoeraa Huiraatira), Gaston FLOSSE; Polynesian Union Party includes Te Tiarama, Alexandre LEONTIEFF, and Pupu Here Ai'a Te Nuneao Ia Ora, Jean JUVENTIN; New Fatherland Party (Ai'a Api), Emile VERNAUDON; Polynesian Liberation Front (Tavini Huiraatira), Oscar TEMARU; Independent Party (Ia Mana Te Nunaa), James SALMON; other small parties Member of: ESCAP (associate), FZ, ICFTU, SPC, WMO Diplomatic representation in US: none (overseas territory of 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 - $1.5 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $7,000 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): -0.6% (1991) Unemployment rate: 10% (1990 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: capacity: 75,000 kW production: 275 million kWh consumption per capita: 1,330 kWh (1992) Industries: tourism, pearls, agricultural processing, handicrafts Agriculture: coconut and vanilla plantations; vegetables and fruit; poultry, beef, dairy products Economic aid: recipient: 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 - 107.63 (January 1994), 102.96 (1993), 96.24 (1992), 102.57 (1991), 99.00 (1990), 115.99 (1989); note - linked at the rate of 18.18 to the French franc Fiscal year: calendar year

@French Polynesia, Communications

Highways: total: 600 km (1982) paved: NA unpaved: NA Ports: Papeete, Bora-bora Merchant marine: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,127 GRT/6,710 DWT, passenger-cargo 2, refrigerated cargo 1 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: Southern Africa, 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 sq km land area: 7,781 sq km 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 sq km 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 sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: Ile Amsterdam and Ile Saint-Paul are extinct volcanoes international agreements: NA 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

Highways: total: NA paved: NA unpaved: NA Ports: none; offshore anchorage only Merchant marine: 21 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 441,962 GRT/813,779 DWT, bulk 3, cargo 2, chemical tanker 1, liquified gas 2, multifunction large load carrier 1, oil tanker 4, refrigerated cargo 4, roll-on/roll-off cargo 4 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 sq km land area: 257,670 sq km 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 sq km Environment: current issues: deforestation; poaching natural hazards: NA international agreements: party to - Endangered Species, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea

@Gabon, People

Population: 1,139,006 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 1.46% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 28.46 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 13.9 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 94.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 54.67 years male: 51.88 years female: 57.53 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.97 children born/woman (1994 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 est.) 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) National holiday: Renovation Day, 12 March (1968) (Gabonese Democratic Party established) Constitution: adopted 14 March 1991 Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court; compulsory ICJ jurisdiction not accepted Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President El Hadj Omar BONGO (since 2 December 1967); election last held on 5 December 1993 (next to be held NA 1998); results - President Omar BONGO was reelected with 51% of the vote head of government: Prime Minister Casimir OYE-MBA (since 3 May 1990) cabinet: Council of Ministers; appointed by the prime minister in consultation with the president Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale): elections last held on 21 and 28 October and 4 November 1990 (next to be held by NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (120 total) PDG 62, Morena-Bucherons/RNB 19, PGP 18, National Recovery Movement (Morena-Original) 7, APSG 6, USG 4, CRP 1, independents 3 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme) Political parties and leaders: Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG, former sole party), Jaques ADIAHENOT, Secretary General; National Recovery Movement - Lumberjacks (Morena-Bucherons/RNB), Fr. Paul M'BA-ABESSOLE, leader; Gabonese Party for Progress (PGP), Pierre-Louis AGONDHO-OKAWE, President; National Recovery Movement (Morena-Original), Pierre ZONGUE-NGUEMA, Chairman; Association for Socialism in Gabon (APSG), leader NA; Gabonese Socialist Union (USG), leader NA; Circle for Renewal and Progress (CRP), leader NA; Union for Democracy and Development (UDD), leader NA; Rally of Democrats (RD), leader NA; Forces of Change for Democratic Union, leader NA Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CCC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-24, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, 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: Ambassador Paul BOUNDOUKOU-LATHA chancery: 2034 20th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: (202) 797-1000 US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph 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