A (continued 9)
Reading edition
Exports: $49 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.) commodities: citrus partners: Israel, Egypt
Imports: $339 million (c.i.f., 1994 est.) commodities: food, consumer goods, construction materials partners: Israel, Egypt
External debt: $NA
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA note: $410 million (est.) disbursed from international aid pledges in 1995 (includes aid to West Bank)
Currency: 1 new Israeli shekel (NIS) = 100 new agorot
Exchange rates: new Israeli shekels (NIS) per US$1 - 3.1295 (January 1996), 3.0113 (1995), 3.0111 (1994), 2.8301 (1993), 2.4591 (1992), 2.2791 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year (since 1 January 1992)
Transportation ———————
Railways: total: NA km; note - one line, abandoned and in disrepair, little trackage remains
Highways: total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km note: small, poorly developed road network
Ports: Gaza
Airports: total: 1 with paved runways under 914 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: NA note: 10% of Palestinian households have telephones (1992 est.)
Telephone system: domestic: NA international: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: NA; note - 95% of Palestinian households have radios (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 0
Televisions: NA; note - 59% of Palestinian households have televisions (1992 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: NA
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: NA males fit for military service: NA
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
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@Georgia ———-
Beset by ethnic and civil strife since independence in 1991, Georgia began to stabilize in 1994. Separatist conflicts in Abkhazia and South Ossetia have been dormant for more than two years, although political settlements remain elusive. Russian peacekeepers are deployed in both regions and a UN Observer Mission is operating in Abkhazia. As a result of these conflicts, Georgia still has about 250,000 internally displaced people. In November 1995, Georgia held peaceful, generally free and fair nationwide presidential and parliamentary elections. Although the country continues to suffer from a crippling economic crisis, aggravated by a severe energy shortage, some progress has been made and the Georgian Government remains committed to economic reform in cooperation with the IMF and the World Bank. Violence and organized crime were sharply curtailed in 1995.
Map —-
Location: 42 00 N, 43 30 E — Southwestern Asia, bordering the Black Sea, between Turkey and Russia
Flag ——
Description: maroon field with small rectangle in upper hoist side corner; rectangle divided horizontally with black on top, white below
Geography ————-
Location: Southwestern Asia, bordering the Black Sea, between Turkey and Russia
Geographic coordinates: 42 00 N, 43 30 E
Map references: Commonwealth of Independent States
Area: total area: 69,700 sq km land area: 69,700 sq km comparative area: slightly larger than South Carolina
Land boundaries: total: 1,461 km border countries: Armenia 164 km, Azerbaijan 322 km, Russia 723 km, Turkey 252 km
Coastline: 310 km
Maritime claims: NA
International disputes: none
Climate: warm and pleasant; Mediterranean-like on Black Sea coast
Terrain: largely mountainous with Great Caucasus Mountains in the north and Lesser Caucasus Mountains in the south; Kolkhida Lowland opens to the Black Sea in the west; Mtkvari River Basin in the east; good soils in river valley flood plains, foothills of Kolkhida Lowland lowest point: Black Sea 0 m highest point: Mt'a Mqinvartsveri (Gora Kazbek) 5,048 m
Natural resources: forests, hydropower, manganese deposits, iron ore, copper, minor coal and oil deposits; coastal climate and soils allow for important tea and citrus growth
Land use: arable land: 11% permanent crops: 4% meadows and pastures: 29% forest and woodland: 38% other: 18%
Irrigated land: 4,660 sq km (1990)
Environment: current issues: air pollution, particularly in Rust'avi; heavy pollution of Mtkvari River and the Black Sea; inadequate supplies of potable water; soil pollution from toxic chemicals natural hazards: NA international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Ship Pollution; signed, but not ratified - Desertification
People ———
Population: 5,219,810 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 22% (male 595,524; female 571,207) 15-64 years: 66% (male 1,643,506; female 1,784,286) 65 years and over: 12% (male 229,910; female 395,377) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: -1.02% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 12.81 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 12.21 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -10.82 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.58 male(s)/female all ages: 0.9 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 22.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.09 years male: 63.43 years female: 72.98 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.69 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Georgian(s) adjective: Georgian
Ethnic divisions: Georgian 70.1%, Armenian 8.1%, Russian 6.3%, Azeri 5.7%, Ossetian 3%, Abkhaz 1.8%, other 5%
Religions: Christian Orthodox 75% (Georgian Orthodox 65%, Russian Orthodox 10%), Muslim 11%, Armenian Apostolic 8%, unknown 6%
Languages: Armenian 7%, Azeri 6%, Georgian 71% (official), Russian 9%, other 7%
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1989 est.) total population: 99% male: 100% female: 98%
Government —————
Name of country: conventional long form: Republic of Georgia conventional short form: Georgia local long form: Sak'art'velos Respublika local short form: Sak'art'velo former: Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic
Data code: GG
Type of government: republic
Capital: T'bilisi
Administrative divisions: 2 autonomous republics (avtomnoy respubliki, singular - avtom respublika); Abkhazia (Sokhumi), Ajaria (Bat'umi) note: the administrative centers of the autonomous republics are included in parentheses; there are no oblasts - the rayons around T'bilisi are under direct republic jurisdiction
Independence: 9 April 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday: Independence Day, 26 May (1991)
Constitution: adopted 17 October 1995
Legal system: based on civil law system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state and head of government: President Eduard Amvrosiyevich SHEVARDNADZE (previously elected Chairman of the Government Council 10 March 1992, Council has since been disbanded; previously elected Chairman of Parliament 11 October 1992); presidential election last held 5 November 1995 (next to be held NA April 2001); results - Eduard SHEVARDNADZE 74%; president's term to last five years cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers
Legislative branch: unicameral Georgian Parliament: elections last held 5 November 1995 (next to be held NA November 2000); results - CUG 24%, NDP 8%, All Georgia Revival Union 7%, all other parties received less than 5% each; seats - (235 total) number of seats by party NA
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: Citizens Union of Georgia (CUG), Eduard SHEVARDNADZE, Zurab ZHVANIA, general secretary; National Democratic Party (NDP), Irina SARISHVILI-CHANTARIA; United Republican Party, umbrella organization for parties including the GPF and the Charter 1991 Party, Notar NATADZE, chairman; Georgian Popular Front (GPF), Nodar NATADZE, chairman; Charter 1991 Party, Tedo PAATASHVILI; Georgian Social Democratic Party (GSDP), Guram MUCHAIDZE, secretary general; All Georgia Union for Revival, Alsan ABASHIDZE; Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Irakli SHENGELAYA; Democratic Georgia Union (DGU), Avtandil MARGIANI; National Independence Party (NIP), Irakliy TSERETELI, chairman; Georgian Monarchists' Party (GMP), Temur ZHORZHOLIANI; Greens Party; Agrarian Party of Georgia (APG), Roin LIPARTELIANI; United Communist Party of Georgia (UCP), Panteleimon GIORGADZE, chairman
Other political or pressure groups: supporters of ousted President Zviad GAMSAKHURDIA (deceased 1 January 1994) remain a source of opposition; separatist elements in the breakaway region of Abkhazia
International organization participation: BSEC, CCC, CIS, EBRD, ECE, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NACC, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Tedo JAPARIDZE chancery: (temporary) Suite 424, 1511 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 telephone: [1] (202) 393-5959 FAX: [1] (202) 393-6060
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador William H. COURTNEY embassy: #25 Antoneli Street, T'bilisi 380026 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [7] (8832) 98-99-67, 93-38-03 FAX: [7] (8832) 93-37-59
Flag: maroon field with small rectangle in upper hoist side corner; rectangle divided horizontally with black on top, white below
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Georgia's economy has traditionally revolved around Black Sea tourism; cultivation of citrus fruits, tea, and grapes; mining of manganese and copper; and a small industrial sector producing wine, metals, machinery, chemicals, and textiles. The country imports the bulk of its energy needs, including natural gas and oil products. Its only sizable internal energy resource is hydropower. Since 1991 the economy has sustained severe damage from civil strife. Georgia has been suffering from acute energy shortages, as it is having problems paying for even minimal imports. Georgia is pinning its hopes for long-term recovery largely on reestablishing trade ties with Russia and on developing international transportation through the key Black Sea ports of P'ot'i and Bat'umi. Statistical estimates on Georgia are subject to a particularly wide margin of error, even compared with other FSU countries. The GDP estimate below probably does not reflect much of its grass roots economic activity. GDP is supplemented by considerable EU and US humanitarian aid.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $6.2 billion (1995 estimate as extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1994)
GDP real growth rate: -11% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,080 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 70.4% industry: 10.2% services: 19.4% (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.2% monthly average (first half 1995 est.)
Labor force: 2.763 million by occupation: industry and construction 31%, agriculture and forestry 25%, other 44% (1990)
Unemployment rate: officially less than 5% but real unemployment may be more than 20%, with even larger numbers of underemployed workers
Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: steel, aircraft, machine tools, foundry equipment, electric locomotives, tower cranes, electric welding equipment, machinery for food preparation and meat packing, electric motors, process control equipment, trucks, tractors, textiles, shoes, chemicals, wood products, wine
Industrial production growth rate: -10% (1995)
Electricity: capacity: 4,410,000 kW production: 9.1 billion kWh consumption per capita: 1,526 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: citrus, grapes, tea, vegetables, potatoes; small livestock sector
Illicit drugs: illicit cultivator of cannabis and opium poppy; mostly for domestic consumption; used as transshipment point for illicit drugs to Western Europe
Exports: $140 million (c.i.f., 1995) commodities: citrus fruits, tea, wine, other agricultural products; diverse types of machinery; ferrous and nonferrous metals; textiles; chemicals; fuel re-exports partners: Russia, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan
Imports: $250 million (f.o.b., 1995) commodities: fuel, grain and other foods, machinery and parts, transport equipment partners: Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkey; note - EU and US send humanitarian food shipments
External debt: $1.2 billion (of which $135 million to Russia) (1995 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $28 million (1993) note: commitments, 1992-95, $1,200 million ($675 million disbursements)
Currency: lari introduced September 1995 replacing the coupon
Exchange rates: laris per US$1 - 1.24 (end December 1995)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways: total: 1,570 km in common carrier service; does not include industrial lines broad gauge: 1,570 km 1.520-m gauge (1990)
Highways: total: 35,100 km paved: 31,200 km unpaved: 3,900 km (1990 est.)
Pipelines: crude oil 370 km; refined products 300 km; natural gas 440 km (1992)
Ports: Bat'umi, P'ot'i, Sokhumi
Merchant marine: total: 23 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 307,765 GRT/483,567 DWT ships by type: bulk 8, cargo 2, oil tanker 12, short-sea passenger 1 (1995 est.)
Airports: total: 28 with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1 with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 7 with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 4 with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 with paved runways under 914 m: 1 with unpaved runways over 3 047 m: 1 with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1 with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1 with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 5 with unpaved runways under 914 m: 6 (1994 est.)
Transportation note: transportation network is in poor condition and disrupted by ethnic conflict, criminal activities, and fuel shortages; network lacks maintenance and repair
Communications ———————
Telephones: 672,000 (1993 est.)
Telephone system: poor service; 339,000 unsatisfied applications for telephones (December 1990 est.) domestic: NA international: landline to CIS members and Turkey; satellite earth station - 1 Eutelsat; leased connections with other countries via the Moscow international gateway switch; international electronic mail and telex service available
Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 3
Televisions: NA
Defense ———-
Branches: Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Republic Security Forces (internal and border troops)
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 1,288,291 males fit for military service: 1,021,632 males reach military age (18) annually: 40,654 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $60 million to $65 million, NA% of GDP (1995)
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@Germany ———-
Map —-
Location: 51 00 N, 9 00 E — Central Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, between the Netherlands and Poland, south of Denmark
Flag ——
Description: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and yellow
Geography ————-
Location: Central Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, between the Netherlands and Poland, south of Denmark
Geographic coordinates: 51 00 N, 9 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area: total area: 356,910 sq km land area: 349,520 sq km comparative area: slightly smaller than Montana note: includes the formerly separate Federal Republic of Germany, the German Democratic Republic, and Berlin, following formal unification on 3 October 1990
Land boundaries: total: 3,621 km border countries: Austria 784 km, Belgium 167 km, Czech Republic 646 km, Denmark 68 km, France 451 km, Luxembourg 138 km, Netherlands 577 km, Poland 456 km, Switzerland 334 km
Coastline: 2,389 km
Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: temperate and marine; cool, cloudy, wet winters and summers; occasional warm, tropical foehn wind; high relative humidity
Terrain: lowlands in north, uplands in center, Bavarian Alps in south lowest point: Freepsum Lake -2 m highest point: Zugspitze 2,962 m
Natural resources: iron ore, coal, potash, timber, lignite, uranium, copper, natural gas, salt, nickel
Land use: arable land: 34% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 16% forest and woodland: 30% other: 19%
Irrigated land: 4,800 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment: current issues: emissions from coal-burning utilities and industries and lead emissions from vehicle exhausts (the result of continued use of leaded fuels) contribute to air pollution; acid rain, resulting from sulfur dioxide emissions, is damaging forests; heavy pollution in the Baltic Sea from raw sewage and industrial effluents from rivers in eastern Germany natural hazards: NA international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Desertification, Tropical Timber 94
Geographic note: strategic location on North European Plain and along the entrance to the Baltic Sea
People ———
Population: 83,536,115 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 16.15% (male 6,928,750; female 6,563,026) 15-64 years: 68.52% (male 29,339,780; female 27,902,549) 65 years and over: 15.33% (male 4,658,014; female 8,143,996) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.67% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 9.66 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 12.21 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 8.25 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.57 male(s)/female all ages: 0.96 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 6 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.95 years male: 72.8 years female: 79.27 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.3 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: German(s) adjective: German
Ethnic divisions: German 95.1%, Turkish 2.3%, Italians 0.7%, Greeks 0.4%, Poles 0.4%, other 1.1% (made up largely of people fleeing the war in the former Yugoslavia)
Religions: Protestant 45%, Roman Catholic 37%, unaffiliated or other 18%
Languages: German
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1977 est.) total population: 99% male: NA% female: NA%
Government —————
Name of country: conventional long form: Federal Republic of Germany conventional short form: Germany local long form: Bundesrepublik Deutschland local short form: Deutschland
Data code: GM
Type of government: federal republic
Capital: Berlin note: the shift from Bonn to Berlin will take place over a period of years, with Bonn retaining many administrative functions and several ministries
Administrative divisions: 16 states (laender, singular - land); Baden-Wuerttemberg, Bayern, Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hessen, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Niedersachsen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Rheinland-Pfalz, Saarland, Sachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein, Thueringen
Independence: 18 January 1871 (German Empire unification); divided into four zones of occupation (UK, US, USSR, and later, France) in 1945 following World War II; Federal Republic of Germany (FRG or West Germany) proclaimed 23 May 1949 and included the former UK, US, and French zones; German Democratic Republic (GDR or East Germany) proclaimed 7 October 1949 and included the former USSR zone; unification of West Germany and East Germany took place 3 October 1990; all four power rights formally relinquished 15 March 1991
National holiday: German Unity Day (Day of Unity), 3 October (1990)
Constitution: 23 May 1949, known as Basic Law; became constitution of the united German people 3 October 1990
Legal system: civil law system with indigenous concepts; judicial review of legislative acts in the Federal Constitutional Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Roman HERZOG (since 1 July 1994) was elected by the Federal Convention including members of the Bundestag and an equal number of members elected by the Land Parliaments head of government: Chancellor Dr. Helmut KOHL (since 4 October 1982) was elected by an absolute majority of the Bundestag cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the president upon the proposal of the chancellor
Legislative branch: bicameral chamber (no official name for the two chambers as a whole) Federal Assembly (Bundestag): election last held 16 October 1994 (next to be held by NA 1998); results - CDU 34.2%, SPD 36.4%, Alliance 90/Greens 7.3%, CSU 7.3%, FDP 6.9%, PDS 4.4%, Republicans 1.9%; seats - (usually 656 total, but 672 for the 1994 term) CDU 244, SPD 252, Alliance 90/Greens 49, CSU 50, FDP 47, PDS 30; elected by direct popular vote under a system combining direct and proportional representation; a party must win 5% of the national vote or three direct mandates to gain representation Federal Council (Bundesrat): State governments are directly represented by votes; each has 3 to 6 votes depending on size and are required to vote as a block; current composition: votes - (68 total) SPD-led states 41, CDU-led states 27
Judicial branch: Federal Constitutional Court (Bundesverfassungsgericht), half the judges are elected by the Bundestag and half by the Bundesrat
Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Helmut KOHL, chairman; Christian Social Union (CSU), Theo WAIGEL, chairman; Free Democratic Party (FDP), Wolfgang GERHARDT, chairman; Social Democratic Party (SPD), Oskar LA FONTAINE, chairman; Alliance '90/Greens, Krista SAGER, Juergen TRITTIN, cochairpersons; Party of Democratic Socialism (PDS), Lothar BISKY, chairman; Republikaner, Rolf SCHLIERER, chairman; National Democratic Party (NPD), Ellen-Doris SCHERER; Communist Party (DKP), Rolf PRIEMER and Heinz STEHR, cochairpersons
Other political or pressure groups: expellee, refugee, and veterans groups
International organization participation: AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, Australia Group, BDEAC, BIS, CBSS, CCC, CDB (non-regional), CE, CERN, EBRD, ECE, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 5, G- 7, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MTCR, NACC, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OSCE, PCA, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNAMIR, UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNOMIG, UNPROFOR, UPU, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Juergen CHROBOG chancery: 4645 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 298-4000 FAX: [1] (202) 298-4249 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Seattle
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Charles E. REDMAN embassy: Deichmanns Aue 29, 53170 Bonn mailing address: APO AE 09080, PSC 117, Bonn telephone: [49] (228) 3391 FAX: [49] (228) 339-2663 branch office: Berlin consulate(s) general: Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Leipzig, Munich, and Stuttgart
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and yellow
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Germany, the world's third-most powerful economy, faces its own unique problem of bringing its eastern area up to scratch after 45 years of communist rule. Despite substantial progress toward economic integration, the eastern states will continue to rely on subsidies from the federal government into the next century. Assistance to the east of about $100 billion annually has helped the region average nearly 8% annual economic growth since 1991, even though the overall German economy has averaged less than 2% growth. The economic recovery in the east has been led by the construction industries, with growth increasingly supported by the service sectors and light manufacturing industries. Western Germany, which accounts for 90% of overall German GDP and has three times the per capita income of eastern Germany, is perennially the first- or second-largest exporter, after the US, in the world. Nonetheless, business and political leaders have in recent years become increasingly concerned about Germany's apparent decline in attractiveness as a business location. They cite the increasing preference of German companies to locate manufacturing facilities - long the strength of the postwar economy - to foreign countries, including the US, rather than in Germany, so they can be closer to their markets and avoid Germany's high production costs. The conditions under which European economic integration - especially movement toward a single European currency - will proceed will be another key issue facing Germany in the next few years.
GDP: Germany: purchasing power parity - $1.4522 trillion (1995 est.) western: purchasing power parity - $1.3318 trillion (1995 est.) eastern: purchasing power parity - $120.4 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: Germany: 1.8% (1995 est.) western: 1.5% (1995 est.) eastern: 6.3% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: Germany: $17,900 (1995 est.) western: $21,100 (1995 est.) eastern: $6,600 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 1% industry: 34.2% services: 64.8% (1994)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): western: 2% (1995 est.) eastern: 2% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 36.75 million by occupation: industry 41%, agriculture 6%, other 53% (1987)
Unemployment rate: western: 8.7% (December 1995) eastern: 14.9% (December 1995)
Budget: revenues: $690 billion expenditures: $780 billion, including capital expenditures of $96.5 billion (1994)
Industries: western: among world's largest and technologically advanced producers of iron, steel, coal, cement, chemicals, machinery, vehicles, machine tools, electronics, food and beverages eastern: metal fabrication, chemicals, brown coal, shipbuilding, machine building, food and beverages, textiles, petroleum refining
Industrial production growth rate: western: 2.8% (1994) eastern: NA%
Electricity: capacity: 115,430,000 kW production: 493 billion kWh consumption per capita: 5,683 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: western: potatoes, wheat, barley, sugar beets, fruit, cabbage; cattle, pigs, poultry eastern: wheat, rye, barley, potatoes, sugar beets, fruit; pork, beef, chicken, milk, hides
Illicit drugs: source of precursor chemicals for South American cocaine processors; transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and Latin American cocaine for West European markets
Exports: $437 billion (f.o.b., 1994) commodities: manufactures 89.3% (including machines and machine tools, chemicals, motor vehicles, iron and steel products), agricultural products 5.5%, raw materials 2.7%, fuels 1.3% (1993) partners: EC 47.9% (France 11.7%, Netherlands 7.4%, Italy 7.5%, UK 7.7%, Belgium-Luxembourg 6.6%), EFTA 15.5%, US 7.7%, Eastern Europe 5.2%, OPEC 3.0% (1993)
Imports: $362 billion (f.o.b., 1994) commodities: manufactures 75.1%, agricultural products 10.0%, fuels 8.3%, raw materials 5.0% (1993) partners: EC 46.4% (France 11.3%, Netherlands 8.4%, Italy 8.1%, UK 6.0%, Belgium-Luxembourg 5.7%), EFTA 14.3%, US 7.3%, Japan 6.3%, Eastern Europe 5.1%, OPEC 2.6% (1993)
External debt: $NA
Economic aid: donor: ODA, $6.954 billion (1993)
Currency: 1 deutsche mark (DM) = 100 pfennige
Exchange rates: deutsche marks (DM) per US$1 - 1.4617 (January 1996), 1.4331 (1995), 1.6228 (1994), 1.6533 (1993), 1.5617 (1992), 1.6595 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways: total: 43,966 km standard gauge: 43,531 km 1.435-m; 40,355 km are owned by Deutsche Bahn AG (DB); 17,015 km of the DB system are electrified and 16,941 km are double- or more-tracked narrow gauge: 389 km 1.000-m gauge (DB operates 146 km of 1.000-m gauge); 7 km 0.900-m gauge; 39 km 0.750-m gauge note: in addition to the DB system there are 54 privately-owned industrial or excursion railways, ranging in route length from 2 km to 632 km, with a total length of 3,465 km (1995)
Highways: total: 636,282 km paved: 531,018 km (including 10,955 km of expressways) unpaved: 105,264 km (1991 est.)
Waterways: western: 5,222 km, of which almost 70% are usable by craft of 1,000-metric-ton capacity or larger; major rivers include the Rhine and Elbe; Kiel Canal is an important connection between the Baltic Sea and North Sea eastern: 2,319 km (1988)
Pipelines: crude oil 3,644 km; petroleum products 3,946 km; natural gas 97,564 km (1988)
Ports: Berlin, Bonn, Brake, Bremen, Bremerhaven, Cologne, Dresden, Duisburg, Emden, Hamburg, Karlsruhe, Kiel, Lubeck, Magdeburg, Mannheim, Rostock, Stuttgart
Merchant marine: total: 452 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,054,327 GRT/6,367,036 DWT ships by type: bulk 6, cargo 193, chemical tanker 15, combination bulk 4, combination ore/oil 5, container 166, liquefied gas tanker 12, multifunction large-load carrier 6, oil tanker 11, passenger 3, railcar carrier 3, refrigerated cargo 7, roll-on/roll-off cargo 14, short-sea passenger 7 (1995 est.)
Airports: total: 617 with paved runways over 3 047 m: 13 with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 65 with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 67 with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 51 with paved runways under 914 m: 351 with unpaved runways over 3 047 m: 2 with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 6 with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 7 with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 55 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 55 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 44 million
Telephone system: Germany has one of the world's most technologically advanced telecommunications systems; as a result of intensive capital expenditures since reunification, the formerly backward system of the eastern part of the country is being rapidly modernized and integrated with that of the western part domestic: the region which was formerly West Germany is served by an extensive system of automatic telephone exchanges connected by modern networks of fiber-optic cable, coaxial cable, microwave radio relay, and a domestic satellite system; cellular telephone service is widely available and includes roaming service to many foreign countries; since the reunification of Germany, the telephone system of the eastern region has been upgraded and enjoys many of the advantages of the national system international: satellite earth stations - 14 Intelsat (12 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean), 1 Eutelsat, 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region), 2 Intersputnik (1 Atlantic Ocean region and 1 Indian Ocean region); 6 submarine cable connections; 2 HF radiotelephone communication centers; tropospheric scatter links
Radio broadcast stations: western: AM 80, FM 470, shortwave 0 eastern: AM 23, FM 17, shortwave 0
Radios: 70 million (1991 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 246 (repeaters 6,000); note - there are 15 Russian repeaters in eastern Germany
Televisions: 44.8 million (1992 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Army, Navy (includes Naval Air Arm), Air Force, Border Police, Coast Guard
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 21,540,919 males fit for military service: 18,537,347 males reach military age (18) annually: 449,292 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $42.8 billion, 1.5% of GDP (1995)
======================================================================
@Ghana ——-
Map —-
Location: 8 00 N, 2 00 W — Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Cote d'Ivoire and Togo
Flag ——
Description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green with a large black five-pointed star centered in the yellow band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia; similar to the flag of Bolivia, which has a coat of arms centered in the yellow band
Geography ————-
Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Cote d'Ivoire and Togo
Geographic coordinates: 8 00 N, 2 00 W
Map references: Africa
Area: total area: 238,540 sq km land area: 230,020 sq km comparative area: slightly smaller than Oregon
Land boundaries: total: 2,093 km border countries: Burkina Faso 548 km, Cote d'Ivoire 668 km, Togo 877 km
Coastline: 539 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; warm and comparatively dry along southeast coast; hot and humid in southwest; hot and dry in north
Terrain: mostly low plains with dissected plateau in south-central area lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Afadjato 880 m
Natural resources: gold, timber, industrial diamonds, bauxite, manganese, fish, rubber
Land use: arable land: 5% permanent crops: 7% meadows and pastures: 15% forest and woodland: 37% other: 36%
Irrigated land: 80 sq km (1989)
Environment: current issues: recent drought in north severely affecting agricultural activities; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; poaching and habitat destruction threatens wildlife populations; water pollution; inadequate supplies of potable water natural hazards: dry, dusty, harmattan winds occur from January to March; droughts international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Desertification, Marine Life Conservation
Geographic note: Lake Volta is the world's largest artificial lake; northeasterly harmattan wind (January to March)
People ———
Population: 17,698,271 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 43% (male 3,856,673; female 3,819,946) 15-64 years: 54% (male 4,658,142; female 4,814,060) 65 years and over: 3% (male 262,159; female 287,291) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.29% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 35 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 11.15 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.94 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female all ages: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 80.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 56.17 years male: 54.18 years female: 58.22 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 4.59 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Ghanaian(s) adjective: Ghanaian
Ethnic divisions: black African 99.8% (major tribes - Akan 44%, Moshi-Dagomba 16%, Ewe 13%, Ga 8%), European and other 0.2%
Religions: indigenous beliefs 38%, Muslim 30%, Christian 24%, other 8%
Languages: English (official), African languages (including Akan, Moshi-Dagomba, Ewe, and Ga)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.) total population: 64.5% male: 75.9% female: 53.5%
Government —————
Name of country: conventional long form: Republic of Ghana conventional short form: Ghana former: Gold Coast
Data code: GH
Type of government: constitutional democracy
Capital: Accra
Administrative divisions: 10 regions; Ashanti, Brong-Ahafo, Central, Eastern, Greater Accra, Northern, Upper East, Upper West, Volta, Western
Independence: 6 March 1957 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 6 March (1957)
Constitution: new constitution approved 28 April 1992
Legal system: based on English common law and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state and head of government: President Jerry John RAWLINGS (since 3 November 1992); elected for a four-year term by direct universal suffrage; the president can appoint a vice president; election last held 3 November 1992 (next to be held NA December 1996) cabinet: Cabinet; president nominates members subject to approval by the Parliament
Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament: elections last held 29 December 1992 (next to be held NA December 1996); results - opposition boycotted the election, the National Democratic Congress won 198 of the total 200 seats and 2 seats were won by independents; because of interim bye-elections, the National Democratic Congress and its remaining coalition partner, Every Ghanian Living Everywhere (EGLE), now control 189 seats; former coalition partner, NCP, has 8 seats; independents hold 3
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: National Democratic Congress (NDC), Jerry John RAWLINGS; New Patriotic Party (NPP), Peter Ala ADJETY; People's Heritage Party (PHP), Alex ERSKINE; National Convention Party (NCP), Kow ARKAAH; Every Ghanian Living Everywhere (EGLE), Ashang OKINE; Peoples Convention Party (PCP), B.K. NKETSIA; Peoples National Convention (PNC), Alhaji Asuma BANDA
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, MINURSO, NAM, OAU, UN, UNAMIR, UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNPREDEP, UNPROFOR, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ekwow SPIO-GARBRAH chancery: 3512 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 686-4520 FAX: [1] (202) 686-4527 consulate(s) general: New York
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Edward BRYNN embassy: Ring Road East, East of Danquah Circle, Accra mailing address: P. O. Box 194, Accra telephone: [233] (21) 775348 FAX: [233] (21) 775747
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green with a large black five-pointed star centered in the yellow band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia; similar to the flag of Bolivia, which has a coat of arms centered in the yellow band
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Well endowed with natural resources, Ghana has twice the per capita output of the poorer countries in West Africa. Heavily reliant on international assistance, Ghana has made steady progress in liberalizing its economy since 1983. Overall growth continued at a rate of approximately 5% in 1995, due largely to increased gold, timber, and cocoa production - major sources of foreign exchange. The economy, however, continues to revolve around subsistence agriculture, which accounts for almost half of GDP and employs 55% of the work force, mainly small landholders. Public sector wage increases, regional peacekeeping commitments, and the containment of internal unrest in the underdeveloped north have placed substantial demands on the government's budget and have led to inflationary deficit financing, depreciation of the cedi, and rising public discontent with Ghana's austerity program.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $25.1 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 5% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,400 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 47% industry: 16% services: 37% (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 69% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 3.7 million by occupation: agriculture and fishing 54.7%, industry 18.7%, sales and clerical 15.2%, professional 3.7%, services, transportation, and communications 7.7%
Unemployment rate: 10% (1993 est.)
Budget: revenues: $1.05 billion expenditures: $1.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $178 million (1993)
Industries: mining, lumbering, light manufacturing, aluminum, food processing
Industrial production growth rate: 2.8% (1994 est.)
Electricity: capacity: 1,180,000 kW production: 6.1 billion kWh consumption per capita: 323 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: cocoa, rice, coffee, cassava (tapioca), peanuts, corn, shea nuts, bananas; timber
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; transit hub for Southwest and Southeast Asian heroin destined for Europe and the US
Exports: $1 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.) commodities: cocoa 40%, gold, timber, tuna, bauxite, aluminum, manganese ore, and diamonds partners: Germany , US , UK , Netherlands , Japan (1995)
Imports: $1.7 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.) commodities: petroleum, consumer goods, foods, intermediate goods, capital equipment partners: UK, US, Germany, Japan, Netherlands (1995)
External debt: $4.6 billion (December 1993 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $472 million (1993)
Currency: 1 new cedi (C) = 100 pesewas
Exchange rates: new cedis per US$1 - 1,246.11 (September 1995), 956.71 (1994), 649.06 (1993), 437.09 (1992), 367.83 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways: total: 953 km; note - undergoing major renovation (1995 est.) narrow gauge: 953 km 1.067-m gauge; 32 km double track
Highways: total: 38,145 km paved: 7,476 km (including 21 km of expressways) unpaved: 30,669 km (1990 est.)
Waterways: Volta, Ankobra, and Tano Rivers provide 168 km of perennial navigation for launches and lighters; Lake Volta provides 1,125 km of arterial and feeder waterways
Pipelines: none
Ports: Takoradi, Tema
Merchant marine: total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 27,427 GRT/35,894 DWT ships by type: cargo 2, refrigerated cargo 1 (1995 est.)
Airports: total: 12 with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 3 with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1 with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2 with paved runways under 914 m: 2 with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2 with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 70,000 (1988 est.)
Telephone system: poor to fair system domestic: primarily microwave radio relay international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 4 (repeaters 8)
Televisions: 250,000 (1993 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Police Force, Palace Guard, Civil Defense
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 4,135,538 males fit for military service: 2,303,423 males reach military age (18) annually: 176,332 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $30 million, 0.8% of GDP (1994)
======================================================================
@Gibraltar ————-
(dependent territory of the UK)
Map —-
Location: 36 11 N, 5 22 W — Southwestern Europe, bordering the Strait of Gibraltar, which links the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, on the southern coast of Spain
Flag ——
Description: two horizontal bands of white (top, double width) and red with a three-towered red castle in the center of the white band; hanging from the castle gate is a gold key centered in the red band
Geography ————-
Location: Southwestern Europe, bordering the Strait of Gibraltar, which links the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, on the southern coast of Spain
Geographic coordinates: 36 11 N, 5 22 W
Map references: Europe
Area: total area: 6.5 sq km land area: 6.5 sq km comparative area: about 11 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries: total: 1.2 km border country: Spain 1.2 km
Coastline: 12 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 3 nm
International disputes: source of friction between Spain and the UK
Climate: Mediterranean with mild winters and warm summers
Terrain: a narrow coastal lowland borders the Rock of Gibraltar lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Rock of Gibraltar 426 m
Natural resources: NEGL
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment: current issues: limited natural freshwater resources, so large concrete or natural rock water catchments collect rain water natural hazards: NA international agreements: NA
Geographic note: strategic location on Strait of Gibraltar that links the North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea
People ———
Population: 28,765 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 20% (male 3,109; female 2,728) 15-64 years: 66% (male 10,668; female 8,292) 65 years and over: 14% (male 1,582; female 2,386) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.54% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 13.94 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 8.73 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0.21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.14 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.29 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female all ages: 1.15 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 6.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.83 years male: 74.5 years female: 81.31 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.26 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Gibraltarian(s) adjective: Gibraltar
Ethnic divisions: Italian, English, Maltese, Portuguese, Spanish
Religions: Roman Catholic 74%, Protestant 11% (Church of England 8%, other 3%), Muslim 8%, Jewish 2%, none or other 5% (1981)
Languages: English (used in schools and for official purposes), Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Russian
Literacy: NA
Government —————
Name of country: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Gibraltar
Data code: GI
Type of government: dependent territory of the UK
Capital: Gibraltar
Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK)
National holiday: Commonwealth Day (second Monday of March)
Constitution: 30 May 1969
Legal system: English law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal, plus other UK subjects resident six months or more
Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (of the United Kingdom since 6 February 1952), a hereditary monarch, is represented by Governor and Commander in Chief Field Marshal Sir John CHAPPLE (since NA March 1993) head of government: Chief Minister Joe BOSSANO (since 25 March 1988) was appointed by the governor Gibraltar Council: advises the governor cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed from the elected members of the House of Assembly by the governor in consultation with the chief minister
Legislative branch: unicameral House of Assembly: elections last held 16 January 1992 (next to be held NA January 1996); results - SL 73.3%, SD 20.2%, NP 4.7%, independents 1.8%; seats - (18 total, 15 elected) SL 8, SD 7
Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders: Gibraltar Socialist Labor Party (SL), Joe BOSSANO; Gibraltar Labor Party/Association for the Advancement of Civil Rights (GCL/AACR), leader Adolfo CANEPA; Gibraltar Social Democrats (SD), Peter CARUANA; Gibraltar National Party (NP), Joe GARCIA
Other political or pressure groups: Housewives Association; Chamber of Commerce; Gibraltar Representatives Organization
International organization participation: Interpol (subbureau)
Diplomatic representation in US: none (dependent territory of the UK)
US diplomatic representation: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Flag: two horizontal bands of white (top, double width) and red with a three-towered red castle in the center of the white band; hanging from the castle gate is a gold key centered in the red band
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Gibraltar benefits from an extensive shipping trade and offshore banking. The British military presence has been sharply reduced and now contributes about 11% to the local economy. The financial sector accounts for 15% of GDP; tourism, shipping services fees, and duties on consumer goods also generate revenue. Because more than 70% of the economy is in the public sector, changes in government spending have a major impact on the level of employment.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $205 million (1993 est.)
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $6,600 (1993 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%
Labor force: 14,800 (including non-Gibraltar laborers) note: UK military establishments and civil government employ nearly 50% of the labor force
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues: $116 million expenditures: $124 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992-93)
Industries: tourism, banking and finance, construction, commerce; support to large UK naval and air bases; tobacco, mineral waters, beer, canned fish
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity: capacity: 47,000 kW production: 90 million kWh consumption per capita: 2,539 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: none
Exports: $57 million (f.o.b., 1992) commodities: (principally reexports) petroleum 51%, manufactured goods 41%, other 8% partners: UK, Morocco, Portugal, Netherlands, Spain, US, FRG
Imports: $420 million (c.i.f., 1992) commodities: fuels, manufactured goods, and foodstuffs partners: UK, Spain, Japan, Netherlands
External debt: $318 million (1987)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Gibraltar pound (LG) = 100 pence
Exchange rates: Gibraltar pounds (LG) per US$1 - 0.6535 (January 1996), 0.6335 (1995), 0.6529 (1994), 0.6658 (1993), 0.5664 (1992), 0.5652 (1991); note - the Gibraltar pound is at par with the British pound
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Transportation ———————
Railways: total: NA km; 1.000-m gauge system in dockyard area only
Highways: total: 49.9 km (including 12.9 km public highways) paved: 49.9 km unpaved: 0 km
Pipelines: none
Ports: Gibraltar
Merchant marine: total: 19 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 357,730 GRT/635,769 DWT ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 3, chemical tanker 1, container 1, oil tanker 13 (1995 est.)
Airports: total: 1 with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 19,529 (1993 est.)
Telephone system: adequate, automatic domestic system and adequate international facilities domestic: automatic exchange facilities international: radiotelephone; microwave radio relay; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 6, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 4
Televisions: NA
Defense ———-
Branches: British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
======================================================================
@Glorioso Islands ————————
(possession of France)
Map —-
Location: 11 30 S, 47 20 E — Southern Africa, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, northwest of Madagascar
Flag ——
Description: the flag of France is used
Geography ————-
Location: Southern Africa, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, northwest of Madagascar
Geographic coordinates: 11 30 S, 47 20 E
Map references: Africa
Area: total area: 5 sq km land area: 5 sq km comparative area: about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC note: includes Ile Glorieuse, Ile du Lys, Verte Rocks, Wreck Rock, and South Rock
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 35.2 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: claimed by Madagascar
Climate: tropical
Terrain: NA lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 12 m
Natural resources: guano, coconuts
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% (all lush vegetation and coconut palms)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km
Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: periodic cyclones international agreements: NA
People ———
Population: uninhabited
Government —————
Name of country: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Glorioso Islands local long form: none local short form: Iles Glorieuses
Data code: GO
Type of government: French possession administered by Commissioner of the Republic, resident in Reunion
Capital: none; administered by France from Reunion
Independence: none (possession of France)
Flag: the flag of France is used
Economy ———-
Economic overview: no economic activity
Transportation ———————
Ports: none; offshore anchorage only
Airports: total: 1 with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Defense ———-
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of France
======================================================================
@Greece ———
Map —-
Location: 39 00 N, 22 00 E — Southern Europe, bordering the Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea, between Albania and Turkey
Flag ——
Description: nine equal horizontal stripes of blue alternating with white; there is a blue square in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a white cross; the cross symbolizes Greek Orthodoxy, the established religion of the country
Geography ————-
Location: Southern Europe, bordering the Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea, between Albania and Turkey
Geographic coordinates: 39 00 N, 22 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area: total area: 131,940 sq km land area: 130,800 sq km comparative area: slightly smaller than Alabama
Land boundaries: total: 1,210 km border countries: Albania 282 km, Bulgaria 494 km, Turkey 206 km, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 228 km
Coastline: 13,676 km
Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation territorial sea: 6 nm
International disputes: complex maritime, air, and territorial disputes with Turkey in Aegean Sea; Cyprus question; dispute with The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia over name; border demarcation with Albania, the treatment of Albania's ethnic Greek minority, and migrant Albanian workers in Greece remain unresolved issues
Climate: temperate; mild, wet winters; hot, dry summers
Terrain: mostly mountains with ranges extending into sea as peninsulas or chains of islands lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Olympus 2,917 m
Natural resources: bauxite, lignite, magnesite, petroleum, marble
Land use: arable land: 23% permanent crops: 8% meadows and pastures: 40% forest and woodland: 20% other: 9%
Irrigated land: 11,900 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment: current issues: air pollution; water pollution natural hazards: severe earthquakes international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Desertification
Geographic note: strategic location dominating the Aegean Sea and southern approach to Turkish Straits; a peninsular country, possessing an archipelago of about 2,000 islands
People ———
Population: 10,538,594 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 16% (male 899,029; female 837,308) 15-64 years: 68% (male 3,571,918; female 3,542,556) 65 years and over: 16% (male 736,818; female 950,965) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.42% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 9.78 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 9.53 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 3.98 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female all ages: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 7.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.1 years male: 75.6 years female: 80.78 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.37 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Greek(s) adjective: Greek
Ethnic divisions: Greek 98%, other 2% note: the Greek Government states there are no ethnic divisions in ======================================================================
@Greenland ————-
(part of the Danish realm)
Map —-
Location: 72 00 N, 40 00 W — Northern North America, island between the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Canada
Flag ——
Description: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a large disk slightly to the hoist side of center - the top half of the disk is red, the bottom half is white
Geography ————-
Location: Northern North America, island between the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Canada
Geographic coordinates: 72 00 N, 40 00 W
Map references: Arctic Region
Area: total area: 2,175,600 sq km land area: 383,600 sq km (ice free) comparative area: slightly more than three times the size of Texas
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 44,087 km
Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: arctic to subarctic; cool summers, cold winters
Terrain: flat to gradually sloping icecap covers all but a narrow, mountainous, barren, rocky coast lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Gunnbjorn 3,700 m
Natural resources: zinc, lead, iron ore, coal, molybdenum, cryolite, uranium, fish
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 1% forest and woodland: 0% other: 99%
Irrigated land: 0 sq km
Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: continuous permafrost over northern two-thirds of the island international agreements: NA
Geographic note: dominates North Atlantic Ocean between North America and Europe; sparse population confined to small settlements along coast
People ———
Population: 58,203 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 27% (male 7,871; female 7,723) 15-64 years: 68% (male 21,755; female 17,961) 65 years and over: 5% (male 1,307; female 1,586) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 17.06 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 7.11 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.21 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female all ages: 1.13 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 23.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.24 years male: 63.97 years female: 72.53 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.22 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Greenlander(s) adjective: Greenlandic
Ethnic divisions: Greenlander 86% (Eskimos and Greenland-born whites), Danish 14%
Religions: Evangelical Lutheran
Languages: Eskimo dialects, Danish
Literacy: NA
Government —————
Name of country: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Greenland local long form: none local short form: Kalaallit Nunaat
Data code: GL
Type of government: part of the Danish realm; self-governing overseas administrative division
Capital: Nuuk (Godthab)
Administrative divisions: 3 municipalities (kommuner, singular - kommun); Nordgronland, Ostgronland, Vestgronland
Independence: none (part of the Danish realm; self-governing overseas administrative division)
National holiday: Birthday of the Queen, 16 April (1940)
Constitution: 5 June 1953 (Danish constitution)
Legal system: Danish
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II (of Denmark since 14 January 1972), a constitutional monarch, is represented by High Commissioner Steen SPORE (since NA 1993) head of government: Prime Minister Lars Emil JOHANSEN (since 15 March 1991) was elected by the Landsting cabinet: Landsstyre is formed from the Landsting on basis of strength of parties
Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (Landsting): election last held on 4 March 1995 (next to be held NA 5 March 1999); results - Siumut 38.5%, Inuit Ataqatigiit 20.3%, Atassut Party 29.7%; seats - (31 total) Siumut 12, Atassut Party 10, Inuit Ataqatigiit 6, conservative splinter grouping 2, independent 1 Danish Folketing: election last held on 21 September 1994 (next to be held by NA September 1998); Greenland elects two representatives to the Folketing; results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (2 total) Liberals 1, Social Democrats 1; note - Greenlandic representatives are affiliated with Danish political parties
Judicial branch: High Court (Landsret)
Political parties and leaders: two-party ruling coalition; Siumut (Forward Party, a moderate socialist party that advocates more distinct Greenlandic identity and greater autonomy from Denmark), Lars Emil JOHANSEN, chairman; Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA) (Eskimo Brotherhood, a Marxist-Leninist party that favors complete independence from Denmark rather than home rule), Josef MOTZFELDT; Atassut Party (Solidarity, a more conservative party that favors continuing close relations with Denmark), Daniel SKIFTE; Akulliit Party, Bjarne KREUTZMANN; Issituup (Polar Party), Nicolai HEINRICH
Diplomatic representation in US: none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
US diplomatic representation: none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Flag: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a large disk slightly to the hoist side of center - the top half of the disk is red, the bottom half is white
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Greenland's economic situation at present is difficult. Unemployment is increasing, and prospects for economic growth in the immediate future are dim. Following the closing of the Black Angel lead and zinc mine in 1989, Greenland became almost completely dependent on fishing and fish processing, the sector accounting for 95% of exports. Prospects for fisheries are not bright, as the important shrimp catches will at best stabilize and cod catches have dropped. Resumption of mining and hydrocarbon activities is not around the corner, thus leaving only tourism with some potential for the near future. The public sector, i.e., the central government and its commercial entities and the municipalities, plays a dominant role in Greenland, accounting for about two-thirds of total employment. About half the government's revenues come from grants from the Danish Government, an important supplement of GDP.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $892 million (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $15,500 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.3% (1993 est.)
Labor force: 22,800
Unemployment rate: 6.6% (1993 est.)
Budget: revenues: $667 million expenditures: $635 million, including capital expenditures of $103.8 million (1993 est.)
Industries: fish processing (mainly shrimp), lead, zinc, handicrafts, small shipyards
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity: capacity: 84,000 kW production: 210 million kWh consumption per capita: 3,361 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: forage crops, small garden vegetables; sheep; 1988 fish catch of 133,500 metric tons
Exports: $330.5 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.) commodities: fish and fish products 95% partners: Denmark 79%, Benelux 9%, Germany 5%
Imports: $369.6 million (c.i.f., 1993 est.) commodities: manufactured goods 28%, machinery and transport equipment 24%, food and live animals 12.4%, petroleum products 12% partners: Denmark 65%, Norway 8.8%, US 4.6%, Germany 3.8%, Japan 3.8%, Sweden 2.4%
External debt: $297.1 million (1993)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA note: substantial annual subsidy from Denmark
Currency: 1 Danish krone (DKr) = 100 oere
Exchange rates: Danish kroner (DKr) per US$1 - 5.652 (January 1996), 5.602 (1995), 6.361 (1994), 6.484 (1993), 6.036 (1992), 6.396 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 150 km paved: 60 km unpaved: 90 km
Ports: Faeringehavn, Frederikshaab, Holsteinsborg, Nanortalik, Narsaq, Nuuk (Godthaab), Sondre Stromfjord
Merchant marine: total: 1 short-sea passenger (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,162 GRT/610 DWT (1995 est.)
Airports: total: 8 with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1 with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1 with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1 with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 with paved runways under 914 m: 1 with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1 with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 17,900 (1984 est.)
Telephone system: adequate domestic and international service provided by cables and microwave radio relay domestic: microwave radio relay international: 2 coaxial submarine cables; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 5, FM 7 (repeaters 35), shortwave 0
Radios: 23,000 (1991 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 4 (repeaters 9)
Televisions: 12,000 (1991 est.)
Defense ———-
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of Denmark
======================================================================
@Grenada ———-
Map —-
Location: 12 07 N, 61 40 W — Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Trinidad and Tobago
Flag ——
Description: a rectangle divided diagonally into yellow triangles (top and bottom) and green triangles (hoist side and outer side) with a red border around the flag; there are seven yellow five-pointed stars with three centered in the top red border, three centered in the bottom red border, and one on a red disk superimposed at the center of the flag; there is also a symbolic nutmeg pod on the hoist-side triangle (Grenada is the world's second-largest producer of nutmeg, after Indonesia); the seven stars represent the seven administrative divisions
Geography ————-
Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Trinidad and Tobago
Geographic coordinates: 12 07 N, 61 40 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area: total area: 340 sq km land area: 340 sq km comparative area: twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 121 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; tempered by northeast trade winds
Terrain: volcanic in origin with central mountains lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Saint Catherine 840 m
Natural resources: timber, tropical fruit, deepwater harbors
Land use: arable land: 15% permanent crops: 26% meadows and pastures: 3% forest and woodland: 9% other: 47%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: lies on edge of hurricane belt; hurricane season lasts from June to November international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling
Geographic note: the administration of the islands of the Grenadines group is divided between Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada
People ———
Population: 94,961 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 43% (male 20,975; female 20,246) 15-64 years: 52% (male 26,089; female 23,068) 65 years and over: 5% (male 2,112; female 2,471) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.55% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 29.13 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.74 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -17.87 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.13 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female all ages: 1.07 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 11.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.89 years male: 68.39 years female: 73.44 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.78 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Grenadian(s) adjective: Grenadian
Ethnic divisions: black African
Religions: Roman Catholic, Anglican, other Protestant sects
Languages: English (official), French patois
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1970 est.) total population: 98% male: 98% female: 98%
Government —————
Name of country: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Grenada
Data code: GJ
Type of government: parliamentary democracy
Capital: Saint George's
Administrative divisions: 6 parishes and 1 dependency*; Carriacou and Petit Martinique*, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mark, Saint Patrick
Independence: 7 February 1974 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 7 February (1974)
Constitution: 19 December 1973
Legal system: based on English common law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), a hereditary monarch, is represented by Governor General Reginald Oswald PALMER (since 6 August 1992) head of government: Prime Minister Keith MITCHELL (since 22 June 1995) was appointed from members of the House of Assembly by the governor general cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the governor general on advice of the prime minister
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament Senate: consists of a 13-member body, 10 appointed by the government and three by the leader of the opposition House of Representatives: elections last held on 20 June 1995 (next to be held by NA October 2000); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (15 total) NDC 5, GULP 2, NNP 8
Judicial branch: West Indies Associate States Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: National Democratic Congress (NDC), George BRIZAN; Grenada United Labor Party (GULP), Sir Eric GAIRY; The National Party (TNP), Ben JONES; New National Party (NNP), Keith MITCHELL; Maurice Bishop Patriotic Movement (MBPM), Terrence MARRYSHOW; New Democratic Party (NDP), James MITCHELL; Unity Labor Party (ULP), Vincent BEACHE
International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WToO
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Denneth MODESTE chancery: 1701 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 265-2561
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: the ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Grenada; Charge d'Affaires Dennis CARTER embassy: Point Salines, Saint George's mailing address: P. O. Box 54, Saint George's, Grenada, W.I. telephone: [1] (809) 444-1173 through 1178 FAX: [1] (809) 444-4820
Flag: a rectangle divided diagonally into yellow triangles (top and bottom) and green triangles (hoist side and outer side) with a red border around the flag; there are seven yellow five-pointed stars with three centered in the top red border, three centered in the bottom red border, and one on a red disk superimposed at the center of the flag; there is also a symbolic nutmeg pod on the hoist-side triangle (Grenada is the world's second-largest producer of nutmeg, after Indonesia); the seven stars represent the seven administrative divisions
Economy ———-
Economic overview: The economy is essentially agricultural and centers on the traditional production of spices and tropical plants. Agriculture accounts for about 10% of GDP and 80% of exports and employs 24% of the labor force. Tourism is the leading foreign exchange earner, followed by agricultural exports. Manufacturing remains relatively undeveloped, but is growing due to a favorable private investment climate since 1983. The economy achieved an impressive average annual growth rate of 5.5% in 1986-91 but has slowed since 1992. The new MITCHELL government has moved forward with a plan to eliminate personal income tax in the hope of spurring domestic consumption.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $284 million (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 3% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $3,000 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 10.2% industry: 40.3% services: 49.5% (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 36,000 by occupation: services 31%, agriculture 24%, construction 8%, manufacturing 5%, other 32% (1985)
Unemployment rate: 14% (1995 est.)
Budget: revenues: $75.7 million (1996 est.) expenditures: $126.7 million, including capital expenditures of $51 million (1996 est.)
Industries: food and beverages, textiles, light assembly operations, tourism, construction
Industrial production growth rate: 1.8% (1992 est.)
Electricity: capacity: 12,500 kW production: 60 million kWh consumption per capita: 639 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: bananas, cocoa, nutmeg, mace, citrus, avocados, root crops, sugarcane, corn, vegetables
Illicit drugs: produces and exports marijuana for US markets
Exports: $24.2 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities: bananas, cocoa, nutmeg, fruit and vegetables, clothing, mace partners: Caricom 32.3%, UK 20%, US 13%, Netherlands 8.8% (1991)
Imports: $162.2 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities: food 25%, manufactured goods 22%, machinery 20%, chemicals 10%, fuel 6% (1989) partners: US 31.2%, Caricom 23.6%, UK 13.8%, Japan 7.1% (1991)
External debt: $89.1 million (1995 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.70 (fixed rate since 1976)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 994 km paved: 597 km unpaved: 397 km (1988 est.)
Ports: Grenville, Saint George's
Merchant marine: none
Airports: total: 3 with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1 with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1 with paved runways under 914 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 5,650 (1988 est.)
Telephone system: automatic, islandwide telephone system domestic: interisland VHF and UHF radiotelephone links international: new SHF radiotelephone links to Trinidad and Tobago and Saint Vincent; VHF and UHF radio links to Trinidad
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 80,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1 (1988 est.)
Televisions: 30,000 (1993 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Royal Grenada Police Force, Coast Guard
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: NA males fit for military service: NA
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
======================================================================
@Guadeloupe —————
(overseas department of France)
Map —-
Location: 16 15 N, 61 35 W — Caribbean, islands in the eastern Caribbean Sea, southeast of Puerto Rico
Flag ——
Description: three horizontal bands, a narrow green band (top), a wide red band, and a narrow green band; the green bands are separated from the red band by two narrow white stripes; a five-pointed gold star is centered in the red band toward the hoist side; the flag of France is used for official occasions
Geography ————-
Location: Caribbean, islands in the eastern Caribbean Sea, southeast of Puerto Rico
Geographic coordinates: 16 15 N, 61 35 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area: total area: 1,780 sq km land area: 1,706 sq km comparative area: 10 times the size of Washington, DC note: Guadeloupe is an archipelago of nine inhabited islands, of which Basse-Terre, Grande-Terre, and Marie-Galante are the three largest
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 306 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: subtropical tempered by trade winds; moderately high humidity
Terrain: Basse-Terre is volcanic in origin with interior mountains; Grand-Terre is low limestone formation; most of the seven other islands are volcanic in origin lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Soufriere 1,467 m
Natural resources: cultivable land, beaches and climate that foster tourism
Land use: arable land: 18% permanent crops: 5% meadows and pastures: 13% forest and woodland: 40% other: 24%
Irrigated land: 30 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: hurricanes (June to October); La Soufriere is an active volcano international agreements: NA
People ———
Population: 407,768 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 26% (male 53,118; female 51,219) 15-64 years: 66% (male 132,846; female 136,147) 65 years and over: 8% (male 14,617; female 19,821) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.2% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 17.78 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.59 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female all ages: 0.97 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 8.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.4 years male: 74.37 years female: 80.58 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.92 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Guadeloupian(s) adjective: Guadeloupe
Ethnic divisions: black or mulatto 90%, white 5%, East Indian, Lebanese, Chinese less than 5%
Religions: Roman Catholic 95%, Hindu and pagan African 4%, Protestant sects 1%
Languages: French (official) 99%, Creole patois
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1982 est.) total population: 90% male: 90% female: 90%
Government —————
Name of country: conventional long form: Department of Guadeloupe conventional short form: Guadeloupe local long form: Departement de la Guadeloupe local short form: Guadeloupe
Data code: GP
Type of government: overseas department of France
Capital: Basse-Terre
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 (of France) Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May 1995), represented by Prefect Michel DIEFENBACHER (since NA March 1995), who was appointed by the French Ministry of Interior head of government: President of the General Council Dominique LARIFLA (since NA); President of the Regional Council Lucette MICHAUX-CHEVRY (since 22 March 1992)
Legislative branch: unicameral General Council and unicameral Regional Council General Council: elections last held 22 March 1992 (next to be held by NA 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (43 total) FRUI.G 13, RPR/DUD 13, PPDG 8, FGPS 3, PCG 3, UPLG 1, PSG 1, independent 1 Regional Council: elections last held 31 January 1994 (next to be held by 16 March 1998); results - RPR/FGPS-dissadents 48.30%, FGPS 17.09%, FRUI.G 7.44%, PPDG 8.90%, UPLG 7.75% PCG 6.05%; seats - (41 total) RPR/FGPS-dissadents 22, FGPS/FRUI.G 9, PPDG 5, PCG 3, UPLG 2 French Senate: elections last held in September 1995 (next to be held NA September 2004); Guadeloupe elects two representatives; results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (2 total) PPDG 1, FGPS 1 French National Assembly: elections last held on 21 and 28 March 1993 (next to be held NA March 1998); Guadeloupe elects four representatives; results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (4 total) FGPS 1, RPR 1, PPDG 1, independent 1
Judicial branch: Court of Appeal (Cour d'Appel) with jurisdiction over Guadeloupe, French Guiana, and Martinique
Political parties and leaders: Rally for the Republic (RPR), Daniel BEAUBRUN; Communist Party of Guadeloupe (PCG), Christian Medard CELESTE; Socialist Party (FGPS), Georges LOUISOR; Popular Union for the Liberation of Guadeloupe (UPLG), Claude MAKOUKE; FGPS Dissidents (FRUI.G), Dominique LARIFLA; Union for French Democracy (UDF), Marcel ESDRAS; Progressive Democratic Party (PPDG), Henri BANGOU
Other political or pressure groups: Movement for Independent Guadeloupe (MPGI); General Union of Guadeloupe Workers (UGTG); General Federation of Guadeloupe Workers (CGT-G); Christian Movement for the Liberation of Guadeloupe (KLPG)
International organization participation: FZ, WCL, WFTU
Diplomatic representation in US: none (overseas department of France)
US diplomatic representation: none (overseas department of France)
Flag: three horizontal bands, a narrow green band (top), a wide red band, and a narrow green band; the green bands are separated from the red band by two narrow white stripes; a five-pointed gold star is centered in the red band toward the hoist side; the flag of France is used for official occasions
Economy ———-
Economic overview: The economy depends on agriculture, tourism, light industry, and services. It is also dependent upon France for large subsidies and imports. Tourism is a key industry, with most tourists from the US. In addition, an increasingly large number of cruise ships visit the islands. The traditionally important sugarcane crop is slowly being replaced by other crops, such as bananas (which now supply about 50% of export earnings), eggplant, and flowers. Other vegetables and root crops are cultivated for local consumption, although Guadeloupe is still dependent on imported food, which comes mainly from France. Light industry consists mostly of sugar and rum production. Most manufactured goods and fuel are imported. Unemployment is especially high among the young.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $3.7 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $9,200 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 6% industry: 9% services: 85% (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.7% (1990)
Labor force: 129,700 by occupation: agriculture 15%, industry 20%, services 65% (1993)
Unemployment rate: 31.3% (1995)
Budget: revenues: $395 million expenditures: $407 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1995)
Industries: construction, cement, rum, sugar, tourism
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity: capacity: 320,000 kW production: 650 million kWh consumption per capita: 1,421 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: bananas, sugarcane, tropical fruits and vegetables; cattle, pigs, goats
Exports: $130 million (f.o.b., 1993) commodities: bananas, sugar, rum partners: France 70%, Martinique 17% (1991)
Imports: $1.4 billion (c.i.f., 1993) commodities: foodstuffs, fuels, vehicles, clothing and other consumer goods, construction materials partners: France 60%, EC, US, Japan (1991)
External debt: $NA
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA note: substantial annual French subsidies
Currency: 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.0056 (January 1996), 4.9915 (1995), 5.5520 (1994), 5.6632 (1993), 5.2938 (1992), 5.6421 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways: total: NA km; privately owned, narrow-gauge plantation lines
Highways: total: 2,082 km (national 329 km, regional 582 km, community/local 1171 km) paved: 1,742 km unpaved: 340 km (1985 est.)
Ports: Basse-Terre, Gustavia, Marigot, Pointe-a-Pitre
Merchant marine: none
Airports: total: 9 with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1 with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2 with paved runways under 914 m: 6 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 64,916 (1984 est.)
Telephone system: domestic facilities inadequate domestic: NA international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); microwave radio relay to Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, and Martinique
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 8 (private stations licensed to broadcast FM 30), shortwave 0
Radios: 100,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 9
Televisions: 150,000 (1993 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: French Forces, Gendarmerie
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of France
======================================================================
@Guam ——
(territory of the US)
Map —-
Location: 13 28 N, 144 47 E — Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines
Flag ——
Description: territorial flag is dark blue with a narrow red border on all four sides; centered is a red-bordered, pointed, vertical ellipse containing a beach scene, outrigger canoe with sail, and a palm tree with the word GUAM superimposed in bold red letters; US flag is the national flag
Geography ————-
Location: Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines
Geographic coordinates: 13 28 N, 144 47 E
Map references: Oceania
Area: total area: 541.3 sq km land area: 541.3 sq km comparative area: three times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 125.5 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical marine; generally warm and humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season from January to June, rainy season from July to December; little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain: volcanic origin, surrounded by coral reefs; relatively flat coralline limestone plateau (source of most fresh water) with steep coastal cliffs and narrow coastal plains in north, low-rising hills in center, mountains in south lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Lamlam 406 m
Natural resources: fishing (largely undeveloped), tourism (especially from Japan)
Land use: arable land: 11% permanent crops: 11% meadows and pastures: 15% forest and woodland: 18% other: 45%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: frequent squalls during rainy season; relatively rare, but potentially very destructive typhoons (especially in August) international agreements: NA
Geographic note: largest and southernmost island in the Mariana Islands archipelago; strategic location in western North Pacific Ocean
People ———
Population: 156,974 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 2.34% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 24.24 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 3.86 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: NA male(s)/female under 15 years: NA male(s)/female 15-64 years: NA male(s)/female 65 years and over: NA male(s)/female all ages: NA male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: 15.17 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.29 years male: 72.42 years female: 76.13 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.25 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Guamanian(s) adjective: Guamanian
Ethnic divisions: Chamorro 47%, Filipino 25%, white 10%, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and other 18%
Religions: Roman Catholic 98%, other 2%
Languages: English, Chamorro, Japanese
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99%
Government —————
Name of country: conventional long form: Territory of Guam conventional short form: Guam
Data code: GQ
Type of government: organized, unincorporated territory of the US with policy relations between Guam and the US under the jurisdiction of the Office of Territorial and International Affairs, US Department of the Interior
Capital: Agana
Administrative divisions: none (territory of the US)
Independence: none (territory of the US)
National holiday: Guam Discovery Day (first Monday in March) (1521); Liberation Day, 21 July
Constitution: Organic Act of 1 August 1950
Legal system: modeled on US; federal laws apply
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; US citizens, but do not vote in US presidential elections
Executive branch: chief of state: President (of the United States) William Jefferson CLINTON (since 20 January 1993); Vice President Albert GORE, Jr. (since 20 January 1993) head of government: Governor Carl GUTIERREZ (since 8 November 1994) and Lieutenant Governor Madeleine BORDALLO (since 8 November 1994) were elected for a four-year term by popular vote; election last held 8 November 1994 (next to be held NA November 1998); results - Carl GUTIERREZ (Democrat) defeated Tommy TANAKA (Republican) with 54.6% of the vote cabinet: executive departments; heads appointed by the governor with the consent of the Guam legislature
Legislative branch: unicameral Legislature: elections last held 8 November 1994 (next to be held NA November 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (21 total) Democrats 14, Republican 7 US House of Representatives: elections last held 8 November 1994 (next to be held NA November 1996); Guam elects one delegate; results - Robert UNDERWOOD was reelected as delegate; seats - (1 total) Democrat 1
Judicial branch: Federal District Court, judge is appointed by the president; Territorial Superior Court, judges appointed for eight-year terms by the governor
Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party (controls the legislature); Republican Party (party of the Governor)
International organization participation: ESCAP (associate), IOC, SPC
Diplomatic representation in US: none (territory of the US)
US diplomatic representation: none (territory of the US)
Flag: territorial flag is dark blue with a narrow red border on all four sides; centered is a red-bordered, pointed, vertical ellipse containing a beach scene, outrigger canoe with sail, and a palm tree with the word GUAM superimposed in bold red letters; US flag is the national flag
Economy ———-
Economic overview: The economy depends mainly on US military spending and on revenues from tourism. Over the past 20 years, the tourist industry has grown rapidly, creating a construction boom for new hotels and the expansion of older ones. Visitors numbered about 900,000 in 1992. The slowdown in Japanese economic growth has been reflected in less vigorous growth in the tourism sector. About 60% of the labor force works for the private sector and the rest for government. Most food and industrial goods are imported, with about 75% from the US. Guam faces the problem of building up the civilian economic sector to offset the impact of military downsizing.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $2 billion (1991 est.)
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $14,000 (1991 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4% (1992 est.)
Labor force: 46,930 (1990) by occupation: federal and territorial government 40%, private 60% (trade 18%, services 15.6%, construction 13.8%, other 12.6%) (1990)
Unemployment rate: 2% (1992 est.)
Budget: revenues: $525 million expenditures: $395 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1991)
Industries: US military, tourism, construction, transshipment services, concrete products, printing and publishing, food processing, textiles
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity: capacity: 300,000 kW production: 750 million kWh consumption per capita: 4,797 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: fruits, copra, vegetables; eggs, pork, poultry, beef
Exports: $34 million (f.o.b., 1984) commodities: mostly transshipments of refined petroleum products, construction materials, fish, food and beverage products partners: US 25%, Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands 63%, other 12%
Imports: $493 million (c.i.f., 1984) commodities: petroleum and petroleum products, food, manufactured goods partners: US 23%, Japan 19%, other 58%
External debt: $NA
Economic aid: recipient: although Guam receives no foreign aid, it does receive large transfer payments from the general revenues of the US Federal Treasury into which Guamanians pay no income or excise taxes; under the provisions of a special law of Congress, the Guamanian Treasury, rather than the US Treasury, receives federal income taxes paid by military and civilian Federal employees stationed in Guam
Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: US currency is used
Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September
Transportation ———————
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 674 km (all-weather roads) paved: NA km unpaved: NA km
Ports: Apra Harbor
Merchant marine: none
Airports: total: 4 with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2 with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1 with paved runways under 914 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 26,317 (1989 est.)
Telephone system: domestic: NA international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean); submarine cables to US and Japan
Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 3, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 3
Televisions: 75,000 (1993 est.)
Defense ———-
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the US
======================================================================
@Guatemala ————-
Map —-
Location: 15 30 N, 90 15 W — Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Honduras and Belize and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between El Salvador and Mexico
Flag ——
Description: three equal vertical bands of light blue (hoist side), white, and light blue with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms includes a green and red quetzal (the national bird) and a scroll bearing the inscription LIBERTAD 15 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 1821 (the original date of independence from Spain) all superimposed on a pair of crossed rifles and a pair of crossed swords and framed by a wreath
Geography ————-
Location: Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Honduras and Belize and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between El Salvador and Mexico
Geographic coordinates: 15 30 N, 90 15 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area: total area: 108,890 sq km land area: 108,430 sq km comparative area: slightly smaller than Tennessee
Land boundaries: total: 1,687 km border countries: Belize 266 km, El Salvador 203 km, Honduras 256 km, Mexico 962 km
Coastline: 400 km
Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: border with Belize in dispute; talks to resolve the dispute are stalled
Climate: tropical; hot, humid in lowlands; cooler in highlands
Terrain: mostly mountains with narrow coastal plains and rolling limestone plateau (Peten) lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Volcan Tajumulco 4,211 m
Natural resources: petroleum, nickel, rare woods, fish, chicle
Land use: arable land: 12% permanent crops: 4% meadows and pastures: 12% forest and woodland: 40% other: 32%
Irrigated land: 780 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment: current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution natural hazards: numerous volcanoes in mountains, with frequent violent earthquakes; Caribbean coast subject to hurricanes and other tropical storms international agreements: party to - Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Law of the Sea
Geographic note: no natural harbors on west coast
People ———
Population: 11,277,614 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 43% (male 2,464,498; female 2,362,457) 15-64 years: 54% (male 3,026,834; female 3,031,278) 65 years and over: 3% (male 184,927; female 207,620) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.48% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 33.96 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 7.15 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.98 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female all ages: 1.01 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 50.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 65.24 years male: 62.64 years female: 67.97 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 4.5 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Guatemalan(s) adjective: Guatemalan
Ethnic divisions: Mestizo - mixed Amerindian-Spanish ancestry (in local Spanish called Ladino) 56%, Amerindian or predominantly Amerindian 44%
Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestant, traditional Mayan
Languages: Spanish 60%, Indian language 40% (23 Indian dialects, including Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.) total population: 55.6% male: 62.5% female: 48.6%
Government —————
Name of country: conventional long form: Republic of Guatemala conventional short form: Guatemala local long form: Republica de Guatemala local short form: Guatemala
Data code: GT
Type of government: republic
Capital: Guatemala
Administrative divisions: 22 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, Chimaltenango, Chiquimula, El Progreso, Escuintla, Guatemala, Huehuetenango, Izabal, Jalapa, Jutiapa, Peten, Quetzaltenango, Quiche, Retalhuleu, Sacatepequez, San Marcos, Santa Rosa, Solola, Suchitepequez, Totonicapan, Zacapa
Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain)
National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
Constitution: 31 May 1985, effective 14 January 1986 note: suspended 25 May 1993 by President SERRANO; reinstated 5 June 1993 following ouster of president
Legal system: civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state and head of government: President Alvaro Enrique ARZU Irigoyen (since 14 January 1996); Vice President Luis Alberto FLORES Asturias (since 14 January 1996); results - Alvaro Enrique ARZU Irigoyen (PAN) 51.2%, Jorge PORTILLO Cabrera (FRG) 48.8%; ARZU was elected for a four-year term by universal suffrage; election runoff held on 14 January 1996 (next to be held November 2000) cabinet: Council of Ministers was named by the president
Legislative branch: unicameral Congress of the Republic (Congreso de la Republica): elections were held on 12 November 1995 to select 80 new congressmen (next election will be held in November 2000); results - seats (80 total) PAN 43, FRG 21, FDNG 6, DCG 4, UCN 3, UD 2, MLN 1 note: on 11 November 1993 the congress approved a procedure that reduced its number from 116 seats to 80; the procedure provided for a special election in mid-1994 to elect an interim congress of 80 members to serve until replaced in the November 1995 general election; the plan was approved in a general referendum in January 1994 and the special election was held on 14 August 1994
Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia); additionally the Court of Constitutionality is presided over by the President of the Supreme Court, judges are elected for a five-year term by Congress
Political parties and leaders: National Centrist Union (UCN), (vacant); Solidarity Action Movement (MAS), Oliverio GARCIA Rodas; Christian Democratic Party (DCG), Alfonso CABRERA Hidalgo; National Advancement Party (PAN), Alvaro ARZU Irigoyen; National Liberation Movement (MLN), Mario SANDOVAL Alarcon; Social Democratic Party (PSD), Mario SOLORZANO Martinez; Revolutionary Party (PR), Carlos CHAVARRIA Perez; Guatemalan Republican Front (FRG), Efrain RIOS Montt; Democratic Union (UD), Jose CHEA Urruela; New Guatemalan Democratic Front (FDNG), Jorge GONZALEZ del Valle
Other political or pressure groups: Coordinating Committee of Agricultural, Commercial, Industrial, and Financial Associations (CACIF); Mutual Support Group (GAM); Agrarian Owners Group (UNAGRO); Committee for Campesino Unity (CUC); leftist guerrilla movement known as Guatemalan National Revolutionary Union (URNG) has four main factions - Guerrilla Army of the Poor (EGP); Revolutionary Organization of the People in Arms (ORPA); Rebel Armed Forces (FAR); Guatemalan Labor Party (PGT/O)
International organization participation: BCIE, CACM, CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIH, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Pedro LAMPORT Kelsall chancery: 2220 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 745-4952 through 4954 FAX: [1] (202) 745-1908 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and San Francisco
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Marilyn McAFEE embassy: 7-01 Avenida de la Reforma, Zone 10, Guatemala City mailing address: APO AA 34024 telephone: [502] (2) 311541 FAX: [502] (2) 318885
Flag: three equal vertical bands of light blue (hoist side), white, and light blue with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms includes a green and red quetzal (the national bird) and a scroll bearing the inscription LIBERTAD 15 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 1821 (the original date of independence from Spain) all superimposed on a pair of crossed rifles and a pair of crossed swords and framed by a wreath
Economy ———-
Economic overview: The economy is based on family and corporate agriculture, which accounts for 25% of GDP, employs about 60% of the labor force, and supplies two-thirds of exports. Manufacturing, predominantly in private hands, accounts for about 20% of GDP and 12% of the labor force. In both 1990 and 1991, the economy grew by 3%, the fourth and fifth consecutive years of mild growth. In 1992 growth picked up to almost 5% as government policies favoring competition and foreign trade and investment took stronger hold. In 1993-94, despite political unrest, this momentum continued, foreign investment held up, and annual growth averaged 4%. Strong international prices for Guatemala's traditional commodity exports featured 4.9% growth in 1995. Given the markedly uneven distribution of land and income, the government faces major obstacles in its program of economic modernization and the reduction of poverty.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $36.7 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 4.9% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $3,300 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 25% industry: 20% services: 55%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 3.2 million (1994 est.) by occupation: agriculture 60%, services 13%, manufacturing 12%, commerce 7%, construction 4%, transport 3%, utilities 0.7%, mining 0.3% (1985)
Unemployment rate: 4.9%; underemployment 30%-40% (1994 est.)
Budget: revenues: $1.6 billion expenditures: $1.88 billion, including capital expenditures of $570 million (1996 est.)
Industries: sugar, textiles and clothing, furniture, chemicals, petroleum, metals, rubber, tourism
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity: capacity: 700,000 kW production: 2.3 billion kWh consumption per capita: 211 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: sugarcane, corn, bananas, coffee, beans, cardamom; cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens
Illicit drugs: transit country for cocaine shipments; illicit producer of opium poppy and cannabis for the international drug trade; the government has an active eradication program for cannabis and opium poppy
Exports: $2.3 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities: coffee, sugar, bananas, cardamom, beef partners: US 30%, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Germany, Honduras
Imports: $2.85 billion (c.i.f., 1995 est.) commodities: fuel and petroleum products, machinery, grain, fertilizers, motor vehicles partners: US 44%, Mexico, Venezuela, Japan, Germany
External debt: $3.1 billion (1995 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $84 million (1993)
Currency: 1 quetzal (Q) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: free market quetzales (Q) per US$1 - 5.9346 (December 1995), 5.8103 (1995), 5.7512 (1994), 5,6354 (1993), 5.1706 (1992), 5.0289 (1991); note - black-market rate 2.800 (May 1989)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways: total: 884 km (102 km privately owned) narrow gauge: 884 km 0.914-m gauge (single track)
Highways: total: 12,033 km paved: 3,117 km (including 125 km of expressways) unpaved: 8,916 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: 260 km navigable year round; additional 730 km navigable during high-water season
Pipelines: crude oil 275 km
Ports: Champerico, Puerto Barrios, Puerto Quetzal, San Jose, Santo Tomas de Castilla
Merchant marine: none
Airports: total: 463 with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1 with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1 with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2 with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 5 with paved runways under 914 m: 320 with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1 with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 9 with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 124 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 210,000 (1993 est.)
Telephone system: fairly modern network centered in the city of ======================================================================
@Guernsey ————
(British crown dependency)
Map —-
Location: 49 28 N, 2 35 W — Western Europe, islands in the English Channel, northwest of France
Flag ——
Description: white with the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of England) extending to the edges of the flag
Geography ————-
Location: Western Europe, islands in the English Channel, northwest of France
Geographic coordinates: 49 28 N, 2 35 W
Map references: Europe
Area: total area: 194 sq km land area: 194 sq km comparative area: slightly larger than Washington, DC note: includes Alderney, Guernsey, Herm, Sark, and some other smaller islands
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 50 km
Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm territorial sea: 3 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: temperate with mild winters and cool summers; about 50% of days are overcast
Terrain: mostly level with low hills in southwest lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Sark 114 m
Natural resources: cropland
Land use: arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% meadows and pastures: NA% forest and woodland: NA% other: NA%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: NA international agreements: NA
Geographic note: large, deepwater harbor at Saint Peter Port
People ———
Population: 62,920 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 18% (male 5,592; female 5,439) 15-64 years: 67% (male 20,636; female 21,472) 65 years and over: 15% (male 3,925; female 5,856) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.28% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 13.06 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 9.73 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 9.44 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female all ages: 0.92 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 9.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.22 years male: 75.28 years female: 81.27 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.56 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Channel Islander(s) adjective: Channel Islander
Ethnic divisions: UK and Norman-French descent
Religions: Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Baptist, Congregational, Methodist
Languages: English, French, Norman-French dialect spoken in country districts
Literacy: NA
Government —————
Name of country: conventional long form: Bailiwick of Guernsey conventional short form: Guernsey
Data code: GK
Type of government: British crown dependency
Capital: Saint Peter Port
Administrative divisions: none (British crown dependency)
Independence: none (British crown dependency)
National holiday: Liberation Day, 9 May (1945)
Constitution: unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice
Legal system: English law and local statute; justice is administered by the Royal Court
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (of the United Kingdom since 6 February 1952) is a hereditary monarch head of government: Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief Vice-Admiral Sir John COWARD (since NA 1994) and Bailiff Mr. Graham Martyn DOREY (since February 1992) were appointed by the queen cabinet: Advisory and Finance Committee (other committees); appointed by the Assembly of the States
Legislative branch: unicameral Assembly of the States: elections last held NA (next to be held NA); results - no percent of vote by party since all are independents; seats - (60 total, 33 elected), all independents
Judicial branch: Royal Court
Political parties and leaders: none; all independents
International organization participation: none
Diplomatic representation in US: none (British crown dependency)
US diplomatic representation: none (British crown dependency)
Flag: white with the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of England) extending to the edges of the flag
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Financial services account for about 55% of total income. Tourism, manufacturing, and horticulture, mainly tomatoes and cut flowers, have been declining. Bank profits (1992) registered a record 26% growth. Fund management and insurance are the two other major income generators.
GDP: $NA
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $NA
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7% (1988)
Labor force: NA
Unemployment rate: 3%-4% (1994 est.)
Budget: revenues: $238.3 million expenditures: $223.7 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1993 est.)
Industries: tourism, banking
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity: capacity: 173,000 kW production: 525 million kWh consumption per capita: 9,060 kWh (1992)
Agriculture: tomatoes, greenhouse flowers, sweet peppers, eggplant, other vegetables, fruit; Guernsey cattle
Exports: $NA commodities: tomatoes, flowers and ferns, sweet peppers, eggplant, other vegetables partners: UK (regarded as internal trade)
Imports: $NA commodities: coal, gasoline, and oil partners: UK (regarded as internal trade)