$NA (continued 7)
Reading edition
Stock of money:
$5.25 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 54 $5.044 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$14.57 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 47 $11.04 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$17.83 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 61 $13.88 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$14.91 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 67 $23.06 billion (31 December 2007)
$16.16 billion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
dates, limes, bananas, alfalfa, vegetables; camels, cattle; fish
Industries:
crude oil production and refining, natural and liquefied natural gas (LNG) production; construction, cement, copper, steel, chemicals, optic fiber
Industrial production growth rate:
3.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 73
Electricity - production:
13.58 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 83
Electricity - consumption:
11.36 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 78
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
761,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 26
Oil - consumption:
81,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 83
Oil - exports:
593,700 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 25
Oil - imports:
17,290 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 118
Oil - proved reserves:
5.5 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 23
Natural gas - production:
24 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 29
Natural gas - consumption:
13.46 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 41
Natural gas - exports:
10.89 billion cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 18
Natural gas - imports:
350 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 62
Natural gas - proved reserves:
849.5 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 29
Current account balance:
$5.523 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 32 $1.933 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$37.72 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 $24.72 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
petroleum, reexports, fish, metals, textiles
Exports - partners:
China 31.7%, South Korea 17%, UAE 11.7%, Japan 11%, Thailand 7.1% (2008)
Imports:
$20.71 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 $14.34 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, livestock, lubricants
Imports - partners:
UAE 27.2%, Japan 15.6%, US 5.7%, China 4.6%, India 4.5%, South Korea 4.2%, Germany 4.2% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$11.58 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 $9.524 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$7.68 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 94 $5.297 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$NA
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$NA
Exchange rates:
Omani rials (OMR) per US dollar - 0.3845 (2008 est.), 0.3845 (2007), 0.3845 (2006), 0.3845 (2005), 0.3845 (2004)
Communications ::Oman
Telephones - main lines in use:
274,200 (2008) country comparison to the world: 116
Telephones - mobile cellular:
3.219 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 104
Telephone system:
general assessment: modern system consisting of open-wire, microwave, and radiotelephone communication stations; limited coaxial cable
domestic: fixed-line phone service gradually being introduced to remote villages using wireless local loop systems; fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership both increasing; open-wire, microwave, radiotelephone communications, and a domestic satellite system with 8 earth stations
international: country code - 968; the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) and the SEA-ME-WE-3 submarine cable provide connectivity to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Indian Ocean), 1 Arabsat (2007)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 3, FM 9, shortwave 2 (1999)
Television broadcast stations:
13 (plus 25 repeaters) (1999)
Internet country code:
.om
Internet hosts:
6,346 (2009) country comparison to the world: 133
Internet users:
465,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 110
Transportation ::Oman
Airports:
128 (2009) country comparison to the world: 45
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 10
over 3,047 m: 5
2,438 to 3,047 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 118
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 7
1,524 to 2,437 m: 52
914 to 1,523 m: 33
under 914 m: 25 (2009)
Heliports:
3 (2009)
Pipelines:
gas 4,126 km; oil 3,558 km; refined products 263 km (2008)
Roadways:
total: 42,300 km country comparison to the world: 85 paved: 16,500 km (includes 550 km of expressways)
unpaved: 25,800 km (2005)
Merchant marine:
total: 3 country comparison to the world: 142 by type: chemical tanker 1, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 1
registered in other countries: 2 (Panama 2) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Mina' Qabus, Salalah
Military ::Oman
Military branches:
Sultan's Armed Forces (SAF): Royal Army of Oman, Royal Navy of Oman, Royal Air Force of Oman (al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Sultanat) (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
18-30 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 802,455
females age 16-49: 626,841 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 675,454
females age 16-49: 563,890 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 35,647
female: 34,407 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
11.4% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 1
Transnational Issues ::Oman
Disputes - international:
boundary agreement reportedly signed and ratified with UAE in 2003 for entire border, including Oman's Musandam Peninsula and Al Madhah exclave, but details of the alignment have not been made public
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Oman is a destination country for men and women primarily from Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan who migrate willingly, but some of whom become victims of trafficking when subjected to conditions of involuntary servitude as domestic workers and laborers; mistreatment includes non-payment of wages, restrictions on movement and withholding of passports, threats, and physical or sexual abuse; Oman may also be a destination country for women from Asia, Eastern Europe, and North Africa for commercial sexual exploitation
tier rating: Tier 3 - Oman was rated as Tier 3 for the second consecutive year because it did not report any law enforcement efforts to prosecute and punish trafficking offenses in 2007 and continues to lack victim protection services or a systematic procedure to identify victims of trafficking (2008)
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Pacific Ocean (Oceans)
Introduction ::Pacific Ocean
Background:
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the world's five oceans (followed by the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Southern Ocean, and Arctic Ocean). Strategically important access waterways include the La Perouse, Tsugaru, Tsushima, Taiwan, Singapore, and Torres Straits. The decision by the International Hydrographic Organization in the spring of 2000 to delimit a fifth ocean, the Southern Ocean, removed the portion of the Pacific Ocean south of 60 degrees south.
Geography ::Pacific Ocean
Location:
body of water between the Southern Ocean, Asia, Australia, and the Western Hemisphere
Geographic coordinates:
0 00 N, 160 00 W
Map references:
Political Map of the World
Area:
total: 155.557 million sq km
note: includes Bali Sea, Bering Sea, Bering Strait, Coral Sea, East China Sea, Gulf of Alaska, Gulf of Tonkin, Philippine Sea, Sea of Japan, Sea of Okhotsk, South China Sea, Tasman Sea, and other tributary water bodies
Area - comparative:
about 15 times the size of the US; covers about 28% of the global surface; almost equal to the total land area of the world
Coastline:
135,663 km
Climate:
planetary air pressure systems and resultant wind patterns exhibit remarkable uniformity in the south and east; trade winds and westerly winds are well-developed patterns, modified by seasonal fluctuations; tropical cyclones (hurricanes) may form south of Mexico from June to October and affect Mexico and Central America; continental influences cause climatic uniformity to be much less pronounced in the eastern and western regions at the same latitude in the North Pacific Ocean; the western Pacific is monsoonal - a rainy season occurs during the summer months, when moisture-laden winds blow from the ocean over the land, and a dry season during the winter months, when dry winds blow from the Asian landmass back to the ocean; tropical cyclones (typhoons) may strike southeast and east Asia from May to December
Terrain:
surface currents in the northern Pacific are dominated by a clockwise, warm-water gyre (broad circular system of currents) and in the southern Pacific by a counterclockwise, cool-water gyre; in the northern Pacific, sea ice forms in the Bering Sea and Sea of Okhotsk in winter; in the southern Pacific, sea ice from Antarctica reaches its northernmost extent in October; the ocean floor in the eastern Pacific is dominated by the East Pacific Rise, while the western Pacific is dissected by deep trenches, including the Mariana Trench, which is the world's deepest
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench -10,924 m
highest point: sea level 0 m
Natural resources:
oil and gas fields, polymetallic nodules, sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, fish
Natural hazards:
surrounded by a zone of violent volcanic and earthquake activity sometimes referred to as the "Pacific Ring of Fire"; subject to tropical cyclones (typhoons) in southeast and east Asia from May to December (most frequent from July to October); tropical cyclones (hurricanes) may form south of Mexico and strike Central America and Mexico from June to October (most common in August and September); cyclical El Nino/La Nina phenomenon occurs in the equatorial Pacific, influencing weather in the Western Hemisphere and the western Pacific; ships subject to superstructure icing in extreme north from October to May; persistent fog in the northern Pacific can be a maritime hazard from June to December
Environment - current issues:
endangered marine species include the dugong, sea lion, sea otter, seals, turtles, and whales; oil pollution in Philippine Sea and South China Sea
Geography - note:
the major chokepoints are the Bering Strait, Panama Canal, Luzon Strait, and the Singapore Strait; the Equator divides the Pacific Ocean into the North Pacific Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean; dotted with low coral islands and rugged volcanic islands in the southwestern Pacific Ocean
Economy ::Pacific Ocean
Economy - overview:
The Pacific Ocean is a major contributor to the world economy and particularly to those nations its waters directly touch. It provides low-cost sea transportation between East and West, extensive fishing grounds, offshore oil and gas fields, minerals, and sand and gravel for the construction industry. In 1996, over 60% of the world's fish catch came from the Pacific Ocean. Exploitation of offshore oil and gas reserves is playing an ever-increasing role in the energy supplies of the US, Australia, NZ, China, and Peru. The high cost of recovering offshore oil and gas, combined with the wide swings in world prices for oil since 1985, has led to fluctuations in new drillings.
Transportation ::Pacific Ocean
Ports and terminals:
Bangkok (Thailand), Hong Kong (China), Kao-hsiung (Taiwan), Los Angeles (US), Manila (Philippines), Pusan (South Korea), San Francisco (US), Seattle (US), Shanghai (China), Singapore, Sydney (Australia), Vladivostok (Russia), Wellington (NZ), Yokohama (Japan)
Transportation - note:
Inside Passage offers protected waters from southeast Alaska to Puget Sound (Washington state); the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial waters of littoral states and offshore waters in the South China Sea as high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; hijacked vessels are often disguised and cargoes stolen; crew and passengers are often held for ransom, murdered, or cast adrift
Transnational Issues ::Pacific Ocean
Disputes - international:
some maritime disputes (see littoral states)
page last updated on October 22, 2009
======================================================================
@Pakistan (South Asia)
Introduction ::Pakistan
Background:
The Indus Valley civilization, one of the oldest in the world and dating back at least 5,000 years, spread over much of what is presently Pakistan. During the second millennium B.C., remnants of this culture fused with the migrating Indo-Aryan peoples. The area underwent successive invasions in subsequent centuries from the Persians, Greeks, Scythians, Arabs (who brought Islam), Afghans, and Turks. The Mughal Empire flourished in the 16th and 17th centuries; the British came to dominate the region in the 18th century. The separation in 1947 of British India into the Muslim state of Pakistan (with West and East sections) and largely Hindu India was never satisfactorily resolved, and India and Pakistan fought two wars - in 1947-48 and 1965 - over the disputed Kashmir territory. A third war between these countries in 1971 - in which India capitalized on Islamabad's marginalization of Bengalis in Pakistani politics - resulted in East Pakistan becoming the separate nation of Bangladesh. In response to Indian nuclear weapons testing, Pakistan conducted its own tests in 1998. The dispute over the state of Kashmir is ongoing, but discussions and confidence-building measures have led to decreased tensions since 2002. Mounting public dissatisfaction with President MUSHARRAF, coupled with the assassination of the prominent and popular political leader, Benazir BHUTTO, in late 2007, and MUSHARRAF's resignation in August 2008, led to the September presidential election of Asif ZARDARI, BHUTTO's widower. Pakistani government and military leaders are struggling to control Islamist militants, many of whom are located in the tribal areas adjacent to the border with Afghanistan. The November 2008 Mumbai attacks again inflamed Indo-Pakistan relations. The Pakistani Government is also faced with a deteriorating economy as foreign exchange reserves decline, the currency depreciates, and the current account deficit widens.
Geography ::Pakistan
Location:
Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea, between India on the east and Iran and Afghanistan on the west and China in the north
Geographic coordinates:
30 00 N, 70 00 E
Map references:
Asia
Area:
total: 796,095 sq km country comparison to the world: 36 land: 770,875 sq km
water: 25,220 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly less than twice the size of California
Land boundaries:
total: 6,774 km
border countries: Afghanistan 2,430 km, China 523 km, India 2,912 km, Iran 909 km
Coastline:
1,046 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Climate:
mostly hot, dry desert; temperate in northwest; arctic in north
Terrain:
flat Indus plain in east; mountains in north and northwest; Balochistan plateau in west
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: K2 (Mt. Godwin-Austen) 8,611 m
Natural resources:
land, extensive natural gas reserves, limited petroleum, poor quality coal, iron ore, copper, salt, limestone
Land use:
arable land: 24.44%
permanent crops: 0.84%
other: 74.72% (2005)
Irrigated land:
182,300 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
233.8 cu km (2003)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 169.39 cu km/yr (2%/2%/96%)
per capita: 1,072 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
frequent earthquakes, occasionally severe especially in north and west; flooding along the Indus after heavy rains (July and August)
Environment - current issues:
water pollution from raw sewage, industrial wastes, and agricultural runoff; limited natural fresh water resources; most of the population does not have access to potable water; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
Geography - note:
controls Khyber Pass and Bolan Pass, traditional invasion routes between Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent
People ::Pakistan
Population:
176,242,949 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 6
Age structure:
0-14 years: 37.2% (male 33,739,547/female 31,868,065)
15-64 years: 58.6% (male 52,849,607/female 50,378,198)
65 years and over: 4.2% (male 3,475,927/female 3,931,605) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 20.8 years
male: 20.6 years
female: 21 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.947% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 63
Birth rate:
27.62 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 57
Death rate:
7.68 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 118
Net migration rate:
-0.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 110
Urbanization:
urban population: 36% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female
total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 65.14 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 32 male: 65.24 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 65.05 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 64.49 years country comparison to the world: 167 male: 63.4 years
female: 65.64 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.6 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 55
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 128
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
96,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 47
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
5,100 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 43
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
animal contact disease: rabies
note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Pakistani(s)
adjective: Pakistani
Ethnic groups:
Punjabi 44.68%, Pashtun (Pathan) 15.42%, Sindhi 14.1%, Sariaki 8.38%, Muhagirs 7.57%, Balochi 3.57%, other 6.28%
Religions:
Muslim 95% (Sunni 75%, Shia 20%), other (includes Christian and Hindu) 5%
Languages:
Punjabi 48%, Sindhi 12%, Siraiki (a Punjabi variant) 10%, Pashtu 8%, Urdu (official) 8%, Balochi 3%, Hindko 2%, Brahui 1%, English (official; lingua franca of Pakistani elite and most government ministries), Burushaski, and other 8%
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 49.9%
male: 63%
female: 36% (2005 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 7 years
male: 7 years
female: 6 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
2.6% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 155
Government ::Pakistan
Country name:
conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Pakistan
conventional short form: Pakistan
local long form: Jamhuryat Islami Pakistan
local short form: Pakistan
former: West Pakistan
Government type:
federal republic
Capital:
name: Islamabad
geographic coordinates: 33 42 N, 73 10 E
time difference: UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, in 2009 - begins third Wednesday in April; ends first Sunday in November; note - a new policy of daylight saving time was initiated by the government in 2008; the specific date of the start of DST has varied over the last two years
Administrative divisions:
4 provinces, 1 territory*, and 1 capital territory**; Balochistan, Federally Administered Tribal Areas*, Islamabad Capital Territory**, North-West Frontier Province, Punjab, Sindh
note: the Pakistani-administered portion of the disputed Jammu and Kashmir region consists of two administrative entities: Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan
Independence:
14 August 1947 (from British India)
National holiday:
Republic Day, 23 March (1956)
Constitution:
12 April 1973; suspended 5 July 1977, restored 30 December 1985; suspended 15 October 1999, restored in stages in 2002; amended 31 December 2003; suspended 3 November 2007; restored on 15 December 2007
Legal system:
based on English common law with provisions to accommodate Pakistan's status as an Islamic state; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal; joint electorates and reserved parliamentary seats for women and non-Muslims
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Asif Ali ZARDARI (since 9 September 2008)
note: following President Pervez MUSHARRAF's resignation on 18 August 2008, elections were held on 6 September in which Asif Ali ZARDARI won a clear majority; ZARDARI'S inauguration as president of Pakistan on 9 September solidified the country's return to civilian government after more than eight years of military rule
head of government: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza GILANI (since 25 March 2008)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president upon the advice of the prime minister
elections: the president is elected by secret ballot through an Electoral College comprising the members of the Senate, National Assembly, and the provincial assemblies for a five-year term; election last held on 6 September 2008 (next to be held not later than 2013); note - any person who is a Muslim and not less than 45 years of age and is qualified to be elected as a member of the National Assembly can contest the presidential election; the prime minister is selected by the National Assembly; election last held on 24 March 2008
election results: Asif Ali ZARDARI elected president; ZARDARI 481 votes, SIDDIQUE 153 votes, SYED 44 votes; Syed Yousuf Raza GILANI elected prime minister; GILANI 264 votes, Pervaiz ELAHI 42 votes; several abstentions
Legislative branch:
bicameral parliament or Majlis-e-Shoora consists of the Senate (100 seats; members indirectly elected by provincial assemblies and the territories' representatives in the National Assembly to serve six-year terms; one half are elected every three years) and the National Assembly (342 seats; 272 members elected by popular vote; 60 seats reserved for women; 10 seats reserved for non-Muslims; serve five-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held on 3 March 2009 (next to be held in March 2012); National Assembly - last held on 18 February 2008 with by-elections on 26 June 2008 (next to be held in 2013)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PPPP 27, PML-Q 21, MMA 9, PML-N 7, ANP 6, MQM 6, JUI-F 4, BNP-A 2, JWP 1, NPP 1, PKMAP 1, PML-F 1, PPP 1, independents 13; National Assembly - percent of votes by party - NA; seats by party - PPPP 124, PML-N 91, PML 54, MQM 25, ANP 13, MMA 7, PML-F 5, BNP-A 1, NPP 1, PPP-S 1, independents 17; note - 3 seats remain unfilled
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (justices appointed by the president); Federal Islamic or Sharia Court
Political parties and leaders:
Awami National Party or ANP [Asfandyar Wali KHAN]; Balochistan National Party-Hayee Group or BNP-H [Dr. Hayee BALOCH]; Balochistan National Party-Awami or BNP-A [Moheem Khan BALOCH]; Balochistan National Party-Mengal or BNP-M [Sardar Ataullah MENGAL]; Jamhoori Watan Party or JWP; Jamiat Ahle Hadith or JAH [Sajid MIR]; Jamaat-i Islami or JI [Qazi Hussain AHMED]; Jamiat Ulema-i Islam Fazlur Rehman or JUI-F [Fazlur REHMAN]; Jamiat Ulema-i Islam Sami-ul HAQ or JUI-S [Sami ul-HAQ]; Jamiat Ulema-i Pakistan or JUP [Shah Faridul HAQ]; Muttahida Majlis-e Amal or MMA [Qazi Hussain AHMED]; Muttahida Qaumi Movement or MQM [Altaf HUSSAIN]; National Alliance or NA [Ghulam Mustapha JATOI] (merged with PML); National Peoples Party or NPP; Pakhtun Khwa Milli Awami Party or PKMAP [Mahmood Khan ACHAKZAI]; Pakistan Awami Tehrik or PAT [Tahir ul QADRI]; Pakistan Muslim League-Functional or PML-F [Pir PAGARO]; Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Sharif or PML-N [Nawaz SHARIF]; Pakistan Muslim League or PML [Chaudhry Shujaat HUSSAIN]; Pakistan Peoples Party-SHERPAO or PPP-S [Aftab Ahmed Khan SHERPAO]; Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians or PPPP [Bilawal Bhutto ZARDARI, chairman; Asif Ali ZARDARI, co-chairman]; Pakistan Tehrik-e Insaaf or PTI [Imran KHAN]; Tehrik-i Islami [Allama Sajid NAQVI]
note: political alliances in Pakistan can shift frequently
Political pressure groups and leaders:
other: military (most important political force); ulema (clergy); landowners; industrialists; small merchants
International organization participation:
ADB, ARF, C, CP, ECO, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, PCA, SAARC, SACEP, SCO (observer), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Husain HAQQANI
chancery: 3517 International Court, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 243-6500
FAX: [1] (202) 686-1544
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York, Sunnyvale (California)
consulate(s): Chicago, Houston
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Anne W. PATTERSON
embassy: Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5, Islamabad
mailing address: P. O. Box 1048, Unit 62200, APO AE 09812-2200
telephone: [92] (51) 208-0000
FAX: [92] (51) 2276427
consulate(s) general: Karachi
consulate(s): Lahore, Peshawar
Flag description:
green with a vertical white band (symbolizing the role of religious minorities) on the hoist side; a large white crescent and star are centered in the green field; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam
Economy ::Pakistan
Economy - overview:
Pakistan, an impoverished and underdeveloped country, has suffered from decades of internal political disputes, low levels of foreign investment, and declining exports of manufactures. Faced with untenable budgetary deficits, high inflation, and hemorrhaging foreign exchange reserves, the government agreed to an International Monetary Fund Standby Arrangement in November 2008. Between 2004-07, GDP growth in the 6-8% range was spurred by gains in the industrial and service sectors, despite severe electricity shortfalls. Poverty levels decreased by 10% since 2001, and Islamabad steadily raised development spending in recent years. In 2008 the fiscal deficit - a result of chronically low tax collection and increased spending - exceeded Islamabad's target of 4% of GDP. Inflation remains the top concern among the public, jumping from 7.7% in 2007 to 20.8% in 2008, primarily because of rising world fuel and commodity prices. In addition, the Pakistani rupee has depreciated significantly as a result of political and economic instability.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$431.2 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 28 $417 billion (2007 est.)
$393.4 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$164.6 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
3.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 114 6% (2007 est.)
6% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$2,500 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 173 $2,500 (2007 est.)
$2,400 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 20.4%
industry: 26.6%
services: 53% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
50.58 million country comparison to the world: 11 note: extensive export of labor, mostly to the Middle East, and use of child labor (2008 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 43%
industry: 20.3%
services: 36.6% (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate:
13.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 5.6% (2007 est.)
note: substantial underemployment exists
Population below poverty line:
24% (FY05/06 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 3.9%
highest 10%: 26.5% (2005)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
30.6 (FY07/08) country comparison to the world: 110 41 (FY98/99)
Investment (gross fixed):
20% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 110
Budget:
revenues: $22.3 billion
expenditures: $32.35 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
51.2% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 36 71.4% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
20.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 204 7.6% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
15% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 42 10% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$52.76 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$18.42 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$65.05 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$23.49 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 54 $70.26 billion (31 December 2007)
$45.52 billion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
cotton, wheat, rice, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables; milk, beef, mutton, eggs
Industries:
textiles and apparel, food processing, pharmaceuticals, construction materials, paper products, fertilizer, shrimp
Industrial production growth rate:
4.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 56
Electricity - production:
90.8 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 33
Electricity - consumption:
72.2 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 35
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
61,870 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 59
Oil - consumption:
383,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 35
Oil - exports:
30,090 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 86
Oil - imports:
319,500 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 34
Oil - proved reserves:
339 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 53
Natural gas - production:
37.5 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 23
Natural gas - consumption:
37.5 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 21
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 134
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 99
Natural gas - proved reserves:
885.3 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 26
Current account balance:
-$15.68 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 175 -$8.297 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$21.09 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 $18.12 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
textiles (garments, bed linen, cotton cloth, yarn), rice, leather goods, sports goods, chemicals, manufactures, carpets and rugs
Exports - partners:
US 16%, UAE 11.7%, Afghanistan 8.6%, UK 4.5%, China 4.2% (2008)
Imports:
$38.19 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 57 $28.76 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
petroleum, petroleum products, machinery, plastics, transportation equipment, edible oils, paper and paperboard, iron and steel, tea
Imports - partners:
China 14.1%, Saudi Arabia 12%, UAE 11.2%, Kuwait 5.4%, India 4.8%, US 4.7%, Malaysia 4.1% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$8.903 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 $15.69 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$46.39 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 55 $38.8 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$25.44 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 $20.01 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$1.017 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 $982 million (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
Pakistani rupees (PKR) per US dollar - 70.64 (2008 est.), 60.6295 (2007), 60.35 (2006), 59.515 (2005), 58.258 (2004)
Communications ::Pakistan
Telephones - main lines in use:
4.546 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 33
Telephones - mobile cellular:
91.44 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 9
Telephone system:
general assessment: the telecommunications infrastructure is improving dramatically with foreign and domestic investments in fixed-line and mobile networks; mobile-cellular subscribership has skyrocketed, reaching some 91 million in 2009, up from only about 300,000 in 2000; fiber systems are being constructed throughout the country to aid in network growth; main line availability has risen only marginally over the same period and there are still difficulties getting main line service to rural areas
domestic: microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, fiber-optic cable, cellular, and satellite networks
international: country code - 92; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 and SEA-ME-WE-4 submarine cable systems that provide links to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean); 3 operational international gateway exchanges (1 at Karachi and 2 at Islamabad); microwave radio relay to neighboring countries (2009)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 31, FM 68, shortwave NA (2006)
Television broadcast stations:
20 (5 state-run channels and 15 privately-owned satellite channels) (2006)
Internet country code:
.pk
Internet hosts:
226,236 (2009) country comparison to the world: 61
Internet users:
18.5 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 20
Transportation ::Pakistan
Airports:
145 (2009) country comparison to the world: 38
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 98
over 3,047 m: 16
2,438 to 3,047 m: 19
1,524 to 2,437 m: 38
914 to 1,523 m: 17
under 914 m: 8 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 47
1,524 to 2,437 m: 11
914 to 1,523 m: 12
under 914 m: 24 (2009)
Heliports:
19 (2009)
Pipelines:
gas 10,402 km; oil 2,076 km; refined products 792 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 7,791 km country comparison to the world: 28 broad gauge: 7,479 km 1.676-m gauge (293 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 312 km 1.000-m gauge (2007)
Roadways:
total: 259,197 km country comparison to the world: 20 paved: 172,827 km (includes 711 km of expressways)
unpaved: 86,370 km (2007)
Merchant marine:
total: 15 country comparison to the world: 105 by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 10, petroleum tanker 4
registered in other countries: 19 (Comoros 4, Malta 2, Marshall Islands 1, Panama 9, Saint Kitts and Nevis 3) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Karachi, Port Muhammad Bin Qasim
Military ::Pakistan
Military branches:
Army (includes National Guard), Navy (includes Marines and Maritime Security Agency), Pakistan Air Force (Pakistan Fiza'ya) (2008)
Military service age and obligation:
17-23 years of age for voluntary military service; soldiers cannot be deployed for combat until age 18; the Pakistani Air Force and Pakistani Navy have inducted their first female pilots and sailors (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 42,633,765
females age 16-49: 40,114,017 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 33,690,322
females age 16-49: 32,602,910 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 2,089,936
female: 1,964,090 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
3% of GDP (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 52
Transnational Issues ::Pakistan
Disputes - international:
various talks and confidence-building measures cautiously have begun to defuse tensions over Kashmir, particularly since the October 2005 earthquake in the region; Kashmir nevertheless remains the site of the world's largest and most militarized territorial dispute with portions under the de facto administration of China (Aksai Chin), India (Jammu and Kashmir), and Pakistan (Azad Kashmir and Northern Areas); UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) has maintained a small group of peacekeepers since 1949; India does not recognize Pakistan's ceding historic Kashmir lands to China in 1964; India and Pakistan have maintained their 2004 cease fire in Kashmir and initiated discussions on defusing the armed stand-off in the Siachen glacier region; Pakistan protests India's fencing the highly militarized Line of Control and construction of the Baglihar Dam on the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir, which is part of the larger dispute on water sharing of the Indus River and its tributaries; to defuse tensions and prepare for discussions on a maritime boundary, India and Pakistan seek technical resolution of the disputed boundary in Sir Creek estuary at the mouth of the Rann of Kutch in the Arabian Sea; Pakistani maps continue to show the Junagadh claim in India's Gujarat State; by 2005, Pakistan, with UN assistance, repatriated 2.3 million Afghan refugees leaving slightly more than a million, many of whom remain at their own choosing; Pakistan has proposed and Afghanistan protests construction of a fence and laying of mines along portions of their porous border; Pakistan has sent troops into remote tribal areas to monitor and control the border with Afghanistan and to stem terrorist or other illegal activities
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 1,043,984 (Afghanistan)
IDPs: undetermined (government strikes on Islamic militants in South Waziristan); 34,000 (October 2005 earthquake; most of those displaced returned to their home villages in the spring of 2006) (2007)
Illicit drugs:
significant transit area for Afghan drugs, including heroin, opium, morphine, and hashish, bound for Iran, Western markets, the Gulf States, Africa, and Asia; financial crimes related to drug trafficking, terrorism, corruption, and smuggling remain problems; opium poppy cultivation estimated to be 2,300 hectares in 2007 with 600 of those hectares eradicated; federal and provincial authorities continue to conduct anti-poppy campaigns that utilizes forced eradication, fines, and arrests
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Palau (Australia-Oceania)
Introduction ::Palau
Background:
After three decades as part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific under US administration, this westernmost cluster of the Caroline Islands opted for independence in 1978 rather than join the Federated States of Micronesia. A Compact of Free Association with the US was approved in 1986 but not ratified until 1993. It entered into force the following year when the islands gained independence.
Geography ::Palau
Location:
Oceania, group of islands in the North Pacific Ocean, southeast of the Philippines
Geographic coordinates:
7 30 N, 134 30 E
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 459 sq km country comparison to the world: 197 land: 459 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
1,519 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 3 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November
Terrain:
varying geologically from the high, mountainous main island of Babelthuap to low, coral islands usually fringed by large barrier reefs
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Ngerchelchuus 242 m
Natural resources:
forests, minerals (especially gold), marine products, deep-seabed minerals
Land use:
arable land: 8.7%
permanent crops: 4.35%
other: 86.95% (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Natural hazards:
typhoons (June to December)
Environment - current issues:
inadequate facilities for disposal of solid waste; threats to the marine ecosystem from sand and coral dredging, illegal fishing practices, and overfishing
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
westernmost archipelago in the Caroline chain, consists of six island groups totaling more than 300 islands; includes World War II battleground of Beliliou (Peleliu) and world-famous rock islands
People ::Palau
Population:
20,796 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 217
Age structure:
0-14 years: 22.9% (male 2,458/female 2,314)
15-64 years: 70.8% (male 8,207/female 6,521)
65 years and over: 6.2% (male 401/female 895) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 32.2 years
male: 32 years
female: 32.7 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.428% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 159
Birth rate:
11.2 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 172
Death rate:
7.89 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 111
Net migration rate:
0.96 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 58
Urbanization:
urban population: 81% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.26 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.45 male(s)/female
total population: 1.14 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 13.14 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 136 male: 14.83 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 11.36 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 71.22 years country comparison to the world: 129 male: 68.08 years
female: 74.54 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.82 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 155
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Palauan(s)
adjective: Palauan
Ethnic groups:
Palauan (Micronesian with Malayan and Melanesian admixtures) 69.9%, Filipino 15.3%, Chinese 4.9%, other Asian 2.4%, white 1.9%, Carolinian 1.4%, other Micronesian 1.1%, other or unspecified 3.2% (2000 census)
Religions:
Roman Catholic 41.6%, Protestant 23.3%, Modekngei 8.8% (indigenous to Palau), Seventh-Day Adventist 5.3%, Jehovah's Witness 0.9%, Latter-Day Saints 0.6%, other 3.1%, unspecified or none 16.4% (2000 census)
Languages:
Palauan 64.7% official in all islands except Sonsoral (Sonsoralese and English are official), Tobi (Tobi and English are official), and Angaur (Angaur, Japanese, and English are official), Filipino 13.5%, English 9.4%, Chinese 5.7%, Carolinian 1.5%, Japanese 1.5%, other Asian 2.3%, other languages 1.5% (2000 census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 92%
male: 93%
female: 90% (1980 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 15 years
male: 14 years
female: 15 years (2000)
Education expenditures:
10.3% of GDP (2002) country comparison to the world: 4
Government ::Palau
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Palau
conventional short form: Palau
local long form: Beluu er a Belau
local short form: Belau
former: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Palau District
Government type:
constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 1 October 1994
Capital:
name: Melekeok
geographic coordinates: 7 29 N, 134 38 E
time difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
16 states; Aimeliik, Airai, Angaur, Hatohobei, Kayangel, Koror, Melekeok, Ngaraard, Ngarchelong, Ngardmau, Ngatpang, Ngchesar, Ngeremlengui, Ngiwal, Peleliu, Sonsorol
Independence:
1 October 1994 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)
National holiday:
Constitution Day, 9 July (1979)
Constitution:
1 January 1981
Legal system:
based on Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Johnson TORIBIONG (since 15 January 2009); Vice President Kerai MARIUR (since 15 January 2009); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Johnson TORIBIONG (since 15 January 2009); Vice President Kerai MARIUR (since 15 January 2009)
cabinet: NA
elections: president and vice president elected on separate tickets by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012)
election results: Johnson TORIBIONG (51%) defeats Elias Camsek CHIN (49%) for president; Kerai MARIUR elected vice president
Legislative branch:
bicameral National Congress or Olbiil Era Kelulau (OEK) consists of the Senate (9 seats; members elected by popular vote on a population basis to serve four-year terms) and the House of Delegates (16 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012); House of Delegates - last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012)
election results: Senate - percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 9; House of Delegates - percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 16
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court; Court of Common Pleas; Land Court
Political parties and leaders:
none
Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA
International organization participation:
ACP, ADB, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IOC, IPU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Hersey KYOTA
chancery: 1701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20006
telephone: [1] (202) 452-6814
FAX: [1] (202) 452-6281
consulate(s): Tamuning (Guam)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Charge d'Affaires Mark BEZNER
embassy: Koror (no street address)
mailing address: P. O. Box 6028, Republic of Palau 96940
telephone: [680] 488-2920, 2990
FAX: [680] 488-2911
Flag description:
light blue with a large yellow disk (representing the moon) shifted slightly to the hoist side
Economy ::Palau
Economy - overview:
The economy consists primarily of tourism, subsistence agriculture, and fishing. The government is the major employer of the work force relying heavily on financial assistance from the US. The Compact of Free Association with the US, entered into after the end of the UN trusteeship on 1 October 1994, provided Palau with up to $700 million in US aid for the following 15 years in return for furnishing military facilities. Business and tourist arrivals numbered 85,000 in 2007. The population enjoys a per capita income roughly 50% higher than that of the Philippines and much of Micronesia. Long-run prospects for the key tourist sector have been greatly bolstered by the expansion of air travel in the Pacific, the rising prosperity of leading East Asian countries, and the willingness of foreigners to finance infrastructure development.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$164 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 217 $124.5 million (2004 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP estimate includes US subsidy
GDP (official exchange rate):
$164 million (2008)
GDP - real growth rate:
5.5% (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 76
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$8,100 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 120 $7,600 (2005 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 6.2%
industry: 12%
services: 81.8% (2003)
Labor force:
9,777 (2005) country comparison to the world: 209
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 20%
industry: NA%
services: NA% (1990)
Unemployment rate:
4.2% (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 52
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $114.8 million
expenditures: $99.5 million (2008 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.7% (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 30
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
coconuts, copra, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes; fish
Industries:
tourism, craft items (from shell, wood, pearls), construction, garment making
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Current account balance:
$15.09 million (FY03/04) country comparison to the world: 61
Exports:
$5.882 million (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 213
Exports - commodities:
shellfish, tuna, copra, garments
Imports:
$107.3 million (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 206
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, fuels, metals; foodstuffs
Debt - external:
$0 (FY99/00) country comparison to the world: 204
Exchange rates:
the US dollar is used
Communications ::Palau
Telephones - main lines in use:
7,500 (2008) country comparison to the world: 209
Telephones - mobile cellular:
12,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 211
Telephone system:
general assessment: NA
domestic: fixed-line and mobile-cellular services available with a combined subscribership of more than 90 per 100 persons
international: country code - 680; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2001)
Television broadcast stations:
1 (cable) (2005)
Internet country code:
.pw
Internet hosts:
2 (2009) country comparison to the world: 228
Transportation ::Palau
Airports:
3 (2009) country comparison to the world: 195
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2009)
Roadways:
note: estimated to have 60 km of roads as of 1996
Ports and terminals:
Koror
Military ::Palau
Military branches:
no regular military forces; Palau National Police (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 5,973 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 5,177
females age 16-49: 3,936 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 207
female: 214 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
NA
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of the US; under a Compact of Free Association between Palau and the US, the US military is granted access to the islands for 50 years, but it has not stationed any military forces there (2008)
Transnational Issues ::Palau
Disputes - international:
maritime delineation negotiations continue with Philippines, Indonesia
page last updated on October 28, 2009
======================================================================
@Panama (Central America and Caribbean)
Introduction ::Panama
Background:
Explored and settled by the Spanish in the 16th century, Panama broke with Spain in 1821 and joined a union of Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela - named the Republic of Gran Colombia. When the latter dissolved in 1830, Panama remained part of Colombia. With US backing, Panama seceded from Colombia in 1903 and promptly signed a treaty with the US allowing for the construction of a canal and US sovereignty over a strip of land on either side of the structure (the Panama Canal Zone). The Panama Canal was built by the US Army Corps of Engineers between 1904 and 1914. In 1977, an agreement was signed for the complete transfer of the Canal from the US to Panama by the end of the century. Certain portions of the Zone and increasing responsibility over the Canal were turned over in the subsequent decades. With US help, dictator Manuel NORIEGA was deposed in 1989. The entire Panama Canal, the area supporting the Canal, and remaining US military bases were transferred to Panama by the end of 1999. In October 2006, Panamanians approved an ambitious plan to expand the Canal. The project, which began in 2007 and could double the Canal's capacity, is expected to be completed in 2014-15.
Geography ::Panama
Location:
Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Colombia and Costa Rica
Geographic coordinates:
9 00 N, 80 00 W
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 75,420 sq km country comparison to the world: 117 land: 74,340 sq km
water: 1,080 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than South Carolina
Land boundaries:
total: 555 km
border countries: Colombia 225 km, Costa Rica 330 km
Coastline:
2,490 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm or edge of continental margin
Climate:
tropical maritime; hot, humid, cloudy; prolonged rainy season (May to January), short dry season (January to May)
Terrain:
interior mostly steep, rugged mountains and dissected, upland plains; coastal areas largely plains and rolling hills
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Volcan Baru 3,475 m
Natural resources:
copper, mahogany forests, shrimp, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 7.26%
permanent crops: 1.95%
other: 90.79% (2005)
Irrigated land:
430 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
148 cu km (2000)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.82 cu km/yr (67%/5%/28%)
per capita: 254 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
occasional severe storms and forest fires in the Darien area
Environment - current issues:
water pollution from agricultural runoff threatens fishery resources; deforestation of tropical rain forest; land degradation and soil erosion threatens siltation of Panama Canal; air pollution in urban areas; mining threatens natural resources
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
Geography - note:
strategic location on eastern end of isthmus forming land bridge connecting North and South America; controls Panama Canal that links North Atlantic Ocean via Caribbean Sea with North Pacific Ocean
People ::Panama
Population:
3,360,474 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 134
Age structure:
0-14 years: 29.3% (male 501,950/female 481,750)
15-64 years: 63.9% (male 1,085,435/female 1,061,530)
65 years and over: 6.8% (male 106,934/female 122,875) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 27 years
male: 26.6 years
female: 27.3 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.503% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 87
Birth rate:
20.18 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 96
Death rate:
4.66 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 195
Net migration rate:
-0.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 111
Urbanization:
urban population: 73% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female
total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 12.67 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 139 male: 13.53 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 11.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 77.25 years country comparison to the world: 59 male: 74.47 years
female: 80.16 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.53 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 92
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 53
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
20,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 80
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 1,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 77
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: intermediate
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne disease: dengue fever and malaria (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Panamanian(s)
adjective: Panamanian
Ethnic groups:
mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 70%, Amerindian and mixed (West Indian) 14%, white 10%, Amerindian 6%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant 15%
Languages:
Spanish (official), English 14%; note - many Panamanians bilingual
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 91.9%
male: 92.5%
female: 91.2% (2000 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 13 years
male: 13 years
female: 14 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
3.8% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 114
Government ::Panama
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Panama
conventional short form: Panama
local long form: Republica de Panama
local short form: Panama
Government type:
constitutional democracy
Capital:
name: Panama City
geographic coordinates: 8 58 N, 79 32 W
time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
11 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 territory* (comarca); Bocas del Toro, Comarca Kuna Yala, Comarca Ngobe-Bugle, Chiriqui, Cocle, Colon, Darien, Herrera, Los Santos, Panama, San Blas* (Kuna Yala), and Veraguas
Independence:
3 November 1903 (from Colombia; became independent from Spain 28 November 1821)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 3 November (1903)
Constitution:
11 October 1972; revised in 1978, 1983, 1994, and 2004
Legal system:
based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Justice; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Ricardo MARTINELLI Berrocal (since 1 July 2009); Vice President Juan Carlos VARELA (since 1 July 2009); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Ricardo MARTINELLI Berrocal (since 1 July 2009); Vice President Juan Carlos VARELA (since 1 July 2009)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms (not eligible for immediate reelection; president and vice president must sit out two additional terms (10 years) before becoming eligible for reelection); election last held 3 May 2009 (next to be held in 2014)
election results: Ricardo MARTINELLI Berrocal elected president; percent of vote - Ricardo MARTINELLI Berrocal 60%, Balbina HERRERA 38%, Guillermo ENDARA Galimany 2%
note: government coalition - PRD (Democratic Revolutionary Party), PP (Popular Party)
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (71 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 3 May 2009 (next to be held May 2014)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PRD 26, Panamenista 22, CD 14, PU 4, Independent 2, MOLIRENA 2, PP 1
note: legislators from outlying rural districts are chosen on a plurality basis while districts located in more populous towns and cities elect multiple legislators by means of a proportion-based formula
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (nine judges appointed for 10-year terms); five superior courts; three courts of appeal
Political parties and leaders:
Democratic Change or CD [Ricardo MARTINELLI]; Democratic Revolutionary Party or PRD [Martin TORRIJOS Espino]; Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement or MOLIRENA [Sergio GONZALEZ-Ruiz]; Panamenista Party [Juan Carlos VARELA] (formerly the Arnulfista Party); Patriotic Union Party or UP (combination of the Liberal National Party or PLN and the Solidarity Party or PS)[Guillermo "Billy" FORD and Anibal GALINDO]; Popular Party or PP [Rene ORILLAC] (formerly Christian Democratic Party or PDC)
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Chamber of Commerce; National Civic Crusade; National Council of Organized Workers or CONATO; National Council of Private Enterprise or CONEP; National Union of Construction and Similar Workers (SUNTRACS); Panamanian Association of Business Executives or APEDE; Panamanian Industrialists Society or SIP; Workers Confederation of the Republic of Panama or CTRP
International organization participation:
BCIE, CAN (observer), CSN (observer), FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, SICA, UN, UNASUR (observer), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Jaime Eduardo ALEMAN Healy
chancery: 2862 McGill Terrace NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 483-1407
FAX: [1] (202) 483-8416
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco, Tampa
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Barbara J. STEPHENSON
embassy: Edificio 783, Avenida Demetrio Basilio Lakas Panama, Apartado Postal 0816-02561, Zona 5, Panama City
mailing address: American Embassy Panama, Unit 0945, APO AA 34002
telephone: [507] 207-7000
FAX: [507] 317-5568
Flag description:
divided into four, equal rectangles; the top quadrants are white (hoist side) with a blue five-pointed star in the center and plain red; the bottom quadrants are plain blue (hoist side) and white with a red five-pointed star in the center
Economy ::Panama
Economy - overview:
Panama's dollarized economy rests primarily on a well-developed services sector that accounts for 80% of GDP. Services include operating the Panama Canal, banking, the Colon Free Zone, insurance, container ports, flagship registry, and tourism. Economic growth will be bolstered by the Panama Canal expansion project that began in 2007 and is scheduled to be completed by 2014 at a cost of $5.3 billion - about 25% of current GDP. The expansion project will more than double the Canal's capacity, enabling it to accommodate ships that are now too large to transverse the transoceanic crossway, and should help to reduce the high unemployment rate. Strong economic performance has reduced the national poverty level to 29% in 2008; however, Panama has the second most unequal income distribution in Latin America. The government has implemented tax reforms, as well as social security reforms, and backs regional trade agreements and development of tourism. Not a CAFTA signatory, Panama in December 2006 independently negotiated a free trade agreement with the US, which, when implemented, will help promote the country's economic growth.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$38.92 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 99 $35.64 billion (2007 est.)
$31.96 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$23.09 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
9.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 11.5% (2007 est.)
8.5% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$11,800 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 94 $10,900 (2007 est.)
$10,000 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 6.4%
industry: 17.2%
services: 76.4% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
1.392 million country comparison to the world: 131 note: shortage of skilled labor, but an oversupply of unskilled labor (2008 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 15%
industry: 18%
services: 67% (2006)
Unemployment rate:
5.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 6.4% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
28.6% (2006 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 0.8%
highest 10%: 41.4% (2006)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
56.1 (2003) country comparison to the world: 12 48.5 (1997)
Investment (gross fixed):
25.7% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 47
Budget:
revenues: $6.02 billion
expenditures: $5.923 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
45% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 45 69.2% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
8.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 137 4.2% (2007 est.)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
8.16% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 103 8.25% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$3.764 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 61 $3.054 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$15.84 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 44 $14.26 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$19.8 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 59 $17.4 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$6.568 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 80 $6.219 billion (31 December 2007)
$5.716 billion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
bananas, rice, corn, coffee, sugarcane, vegetables; livestock; shrimp
Industries:
construction, brewing, cement and other construction materials, sugar milling
Industrial production growth rate:
14.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 2
Electricity - production:
6.322 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 104
Electricity - consumption:
5.17 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 105
Electricity - exports:
124.9 million kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
8.74 million kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 141
Oil - consumption:
94,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 77
Oil - exports:
4,803 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 106
Oil - imports:
87,100 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 71
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 144
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 142
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 152
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 133
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 145
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 146
Current account balance:
-$2.792 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 -$1.422 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$10.29 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 86 $9.338 billion (2007 est.)
note: includes the Colon Free Zone
Exports - commodities:
bananas, shrimp, sugar, coffee, clothing
Exports - partners:
US 39.2%, Netherlands 10.7%, Costa Rica 5.8%, Sweden 5.4%, UK 5.4%, Spain 5%, China 4.1% (2008)
Imports:
$15 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 82 $12.52 billion (2007 est.)
note: includes the Colon Free Zone
Imports - commodities:
capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods, chemicals
Imports - partners:
US 29.6%, Costa Rica 5%, China 5%, Japan 4.2% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$2.693 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 97 $1.935 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$11.26 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 82 $10.45 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$NA
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$NA
Exchange rates:
balboas (PAB) per US dollar - 1 (2008 est.), 1 (2007), 1 (2006), 1 (2005), 1 (2004)
note: the US dollar is the legal currency
Communications ::Panama
Telephones - main lines in use:
495,800 (2008) country comparison to the world: 97
Telephones - mobile cellular:
3.805 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 95
Telephone system:
general assessment: domestic and international facilities well developed
domestic: mobile-cellular telephone subscribership has increased rapidly with combined fixed and mobile-cellular teledensity reaching 130 per 100 persons in 2008
international: country code - 507; landing point for the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1), the MAYA-1, and PAN-AM submarine cable systems that together provide links to the US and parts of the Caribbean, Central America, and South America; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to the Central American Microwave System (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 101, FM 134, shortwave 0 (1998)
Television broadcast stations:
38 (including repeaters) (1998)
Internet country code:
.pa
Internet hosts:
8,067 (2009) country comparison to the world: 124
Internet users:
934,500 (2008) country comparison to the world: 92
Transportation ::Panama
Airports:
117 (2009) country comparison to the world: 52
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 54
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 5
914 to 1,523 m: 17
under 914 m: 30 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 63
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 11
under 914 m: 51 (2009)
Heliports:
3 (2009)
Railways:
total: 76 km country comparison to the world: 128 standard gauge: 76 km 1.435-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 11,978 km country comparison to the world: 132 paved: 4,300 km
unpaved: 7,678 km (2002)
Waterways:
800 km (includes 82 km Panama Canal) (2008) country comparison to the world: 72
Merchant marine:
total: 6,323 country comparison to the world: 1 by type: barge carrier 2, bulk carrier 2,143, cargo 1,208, carrier 13, chemical tanker 565, combination ore/oil 6, container 790, liquefied gas 189, passenger 44, passenger/cargo 71, petroleum tanker 557, refrigerated cargo 265, roll on/roll off 128, specialized tanker 29, vehicle carrier 313
foreign-owned: 5,394 (Albania 2, Argentina 8, Australia 4, Azerbaijan 1, Bahamas 9, Bangladesh 2, Belgium 2, British Virgin Islands 1, Bulgaria 3, Burma 1, Canada 18, Chile 12, China 532, Colombia 4, Croatia 3, Cuba 10, Cyprus 19, Denmark 40, Dominican Republic 1, Ecuador 4, Egypt 17, Estonia 5, Finland 2, France 5, Gabon 1, Germany 44, Gibraltar 1, Greece 510, Hong Kong 130, India 27, Indonesia 31, Iran 7, Israel 3, Italy 28, Japan 2,335, Jordan 13, North Korea 1, South Korea 303, Kuwait 2, Latvia 8, Lebanon 5, Lithuania 7, Malaysia 12, Maldives 1, Malta 3, Mexico 2, Monaco 16, Netherlands 14, Nigeria 10, Norway 89, Oman 2, Pakistan 9, Peru 16, Philippines 7, Poland 11, Portugal 9, Qatar 1, Romania 7, Russia 18, Saudi Arabia 16, Singapore 100, Spain 50, Sri Lanka 1, Sweden 6, Switzerland 25, Syria 32, Taiwan 320, Thailand 10, Tunisia 1, Turkey 94, Turks and Caicos Islands 1, Ukraine 10, UAE 109, UK 59, US 126, Venezuela 10, Vietnam 30, Yemen 6)
registered in other countries: 3 (Marshall Islands 1, Sierra Leone 1, Venezuela 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Balboa, Colon, Cristobal
Military ::Panama
Military branches:
no regular military forces; Panamanian public forces include: Panamanian National Police (PNP), National Air-Naval Service (SENAN), National Border Service (SENAFRONT) (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 851,044 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 705,160
females age 16-49: 710,521 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 31,089
female: 29,939 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
1% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 138
Military - note:
on 10 February 1990, the government of then President ENDARA abolished Panama's military and reformed the security apparatus by creating the Panamanian Public Forces; in October 1994, Panama's Legislative Assembly approved a constitutional amendment prohibiting the creation of a standing military force but allowing the temporary establishment of special police units to counter acts of "external aggression"
Transnational Issues ::Panama
Disputes - international:
organized illegal narcotics operations in Colombia operate within the remote border region with Panama
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Panama is a source, transit, and destination country for women and children trafficked for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation; the majority of victims are Panamanian women and children trafficked within the country into the sex trade; rural children in Panama may be trafficked internally to urban areas for labor exploitation
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Panama is on the Tier 2 Watch List for failing to show evidence of increasing efforts to combat human trafficking, particularly with respect to prosecuting, convicting, and sentencing human traffickers for their crimes, and for failing to provide adequate victim assistance (2008)
Illicit drugs:
major cocaine transshipment point and primary money-laundering center for narcotics revenue; money-laundering activity is especially heavy in the Colon Free Zone; offshore financial center; negligible signs of coca cultivation; monitoring of financial transactions is improving; official corruption remains a major problem
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Papua New Guinea (East & Southeast Asia)
Introduction ::Papua New Guinea
Background:
The eastern half of the island of New Guinea - second largest in the world - was divided between Germany (north) and the UK (south) in 1885. The latter area was transferred to Australia in 1902, which occupied the northern portion during World War I and continued to administer the combined areas until independence in 1975. A nine-year secessionist revolt on the island of Bougainville ended in 1997 after claiming some 20,000 lives.
Geography ::Papua New Guinea
Location:
Oceania, group of islands including the eastern half of the island of New Guinea between the Coral Sea and the South Pacific Ocean, east of Indonesia
Geographic coordinates:
6 00 S, 147 00 E
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 462,840 sq km country comparison to the world: 54 land: 452,860 sq km
water: 9,980 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than California
Land boundaries:
total: 820 km
border countries: Indonesia 820 km
Coastline:
5,152 km
Maritime claims:
measured from claimed archipelagic baselines
territorial sea: 12 nm
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical; northwest monsoon (December to March), southeast monsoon (May to October); slight seasonal temperature variation
Terrain:
mostly mountains with coastal lowlands and rolling foothills
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Wilhelm 4,509 m
Natural resources:
gold, copper, silver, natural gas, timber, oil, fisheries
Land use:
arable land: 0.49%
permanent crops: 1.4%
other: 98.11% (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Total renewable water resources:
801 cu km (1987)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.1 cu km/yr (56%/43%/1%)
per capita: 17 cu m/yr (1987)
Natural hazards:
active volcanism; situated along the Pacific "Ring of Fire"; the country is subject to frequent and sometimes severe earthquakes; mud slides; tsunamis
Environment - current issues:
rain forest subject to deforestation as a result of growing commercial demand for tropical timber; pollution from mining projects; severe drought
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
shares island of New Guinea with Indonesia; one of world's largest swamps along southwest coast
People ::Papua New Guinea
Population:
6,057,263 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 106
Age structure:
0-14 years: 36.9% (male 1,137,796/female 1,099,365)
15-64 years: 59% (male 1,836,272/female 1,735,298)
65 years and over: 4.1% (male 114,789/female 133,743) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 21.7 years
male: 21.8 years
female: 21.6 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.069% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 54
Birth rate:
27.55 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 58
Death rate:
6.86 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 138
Net migration rate:
NA (2009 est.)
Urbanization:
urban population: 12% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female
total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 45.23 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 57 male: 49.17 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 41.09 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 66.34 years country comparison to the world: 160 male: 64.08 years
female: 68.72 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.62 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 54
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
1.5% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 43
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
54,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 63
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 1,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 78
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Papua New Guinean(s)
adjective: Papua New Guinean
Ethnic groups:
Melanesian, Papuan, Negrito, Micronesian, Polynesian
Religions:
Roman Catholic 27%, Evangelical Lutheran 19.5%, United Church 11.5%, Seventh-Day Adventist 10%, Pentecostal 8.6%, Evangelical Alliance 5.2%, Anglican 3.2%, Baptist 2.5%, other Protestant 8.9%, Bahai 0.3%, indigenous beliefs and other 3.3% (2000 census)
Languages:
Tok Pisin, English, and Hiri Motu are official languages; some 860 indigenous languages spoken (over one-tenth of the world's total)
note: Tok Pisin, a creole language, is widely used and understood; English is spoken by 1%-2%; Hiri Motu is spoken by less than 2%
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 57.3%
male: 63.4%
female: 50.9% (2000 census)
Education expenditures:
NA
People - note:
the indigenous population of Papua New Guinea is one of the most heterogeneous in the world; PNG has several thousand separate communities, most with only a few hundred people; divided by language, customs, and tradition, some of these communities have engaged in low-scale tribal conflict with their neighbors for millennia; the advent of modern weapons and modern migrants into urban areas has greatly magnified the impact of this lawlessness
Government ::Papua New Guinea
Country name:
conventional long form: Independent State of Papua New Guinea
conventional short form: Papua New Guinea
local short form: Papuaniugini
former: Territory of Papua and New Guinea
abbreviation: PNG
Government type:
constitutional parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm
Capital:
name: Port Moresby
geographic coordinates: 9 30 S, 147 10 E
time difference: UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
20 provinces; Bougainville (autonomous region), Central, Chimbu, Eastern Highlands, East New Britain, East Sepik, Enga, Gulf, Madang, Manus, Milne Bay, Morobe, National Capital, New Ireland, Northern, Sandaun, Southern Highlands, Western, Western Highlands, West New Britain
Independence:
16 September 1975 (from the Australian-administered UN trusteeship)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 16 September (1975)
Constitution:
16 September 1975
Legal system:
based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by governor general Sir Paulius MATANE (since 29 June 2004)
head of government: Prime Minister Sir Michael SOMARE (since 2 August 2002); Deputy Prime Minister Puka TEMU (since 29 August 2007)
cabinet: National Executive Council appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister
elections: the monarch is hereditary; the governor general is nominated by parliament and appointed by the chief of state; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of the majority coalition usually is appointed prime minister by the governor general acting in accordance with a decision of the parliament
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Parliament (109 seats, 89 filled from open electorates and 20 from provinces and national capital district; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms); constitution allows up to 126 seats
elections: last held from 30 June to 10 July 2007; next to be held in June 2012
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - National Alliance 27, PNGP 8, PAP 6, URP 6, PANGU 5, PDM 5, independents 19, others 33; note - election to 1 seat was nullified
note: 15 other parties won 4 or fewer seats; association with political parties is fluid
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on the proposal of the National Executive Council after consultation with the minister responsible for justice; other judges are appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission)
Political parties and leaders:
National Alliance Party or NA [Michael SOMARE]; Papua and Niugini Union Party or PANGU PATI [Andrew KUMBAKOR]; Papua New Guinea Party or PNGP [Sir Mekere MORAUTA]; People's Democratic Movement or PDM [Michael OGIO]; People's Action Party or PAP [Gabriel KAPRIS]; United Resources Party or URP [William DUMA] (2007)
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Ahora [Andrew MAMOKO] (represents local tribes); Centre for Environment Law and Community Rights or Celcor [Damien ASE]; Community Coalition Against Corruption
International organization participation:
ACP, ADB, APEC, ARF, ASEAN (observer), C, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Evan Jeremy PAKI
chancery: 1779 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 805, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 745-3680
FAX: [1] (202) 745-3679
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Teddy B. TAYLOR
embassy: Douglas Street, Port Moresby, N.C.D.
mailing address: 4240 Port Moresby PI, US Department of State, Washington DC 20521-4240
telephone: [675] 321-1455
FAX: [675] 321-3423
Flag description:
divided diagonally from upper hoist-side corner; the upper triangle is red with a soaring yellow bird of paradise centered; the lower triangle is black with five, white, five-pointed stars of the Southern Cross constellation centered
Economy ::Papua New Guinea
Economy - overview:
Papua New Guinea is richly endowed with natural resources, but exploitation has been hampered by rugged terrain and the high cost of developing infrastructure. Agriculture provides a subsistence livelihood for 75% of the population. Mineral deposits, including copper, gold, and oil, account for nearly two-thirds of export earnings. The government of Prime Minister SOMARE has expended much of its energy remaining in power. He was the first prime minister ever to serve a full five-year term. The government also brought stability to the national budget, largely through expenditure control; however, it relaxed spending constraints in 2006 and 2007 as elections approached. Numerous challenges still face the government including regaining investor confidence, restoring integrity to state institutions, promoting economic efficiency by privatizing moribund state institutions, and balancing relations with Australia, its former colonial ruler. Other socio-cultural challenges could upend the economy including a worsening HIV/AIDS epidemic, currently the highest rate in all of East Asia and the Pacific, and chronic law and order and land tenure issues. Australia supplied more than $300 million in aid in FY07/08, which accounts for nearly 20% of the national budget. A consortium led by a major American oil company hopes to begin the commercialization of the country's estimated 227 billion cubic meters of natural gas reserves through the construction of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) production facility by 2010. The project has the potential to double the GDP of Papua New Guinea.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$13.17 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 138 $12.3 billion (2007 est.)
$11.65 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$8.092 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 5.6% (2007 est.)
2.3% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$2,300 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 181 $2,200 (2007 est.)
$2,100 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 33.3%
industry: 36.3%
services: 30.4% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
3.639 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 94
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 85%
industry: NA%
services: NA% (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate:
1.9% (2004) country comparison to the world: 17
Population below poverty line:
37% (2002 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 1.7%
highest 10%: 40.5% (1996)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
50.9 (1996) country comparison to the world: 19
Investment (gross fixed):
19.4% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 118
Budget:
revenues: $2.62 billion
expenditures: $2.797 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
32.2% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 69 59.3% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
10.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 159 0.9% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
7% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 55 7.38% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
9.27% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 86 9.78% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$2.005 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 71 $1.685 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$1.726 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 86 $1.482 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$2.065 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 92 $1.486 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$NA (31 December 2007)
$6.632 billion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
coffee, cocoa, copra, palm kernels, tea, sugar, rubber, sweet potatoes, fruit, vegetables, vanilla; shell fish, poultry, pork
Industries:
copra crushing, palm oil processing, plywood production, wood chip production; mining of gold, silver, and copper; crude oil production, petroleum refining; construction, tourism
Industrial production growth rate:
5.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 43
Electricity - production:
2.885 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 127
Electricity - consumption:
2.683 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 129
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
38,100 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 65
Oil - consumption:
33,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 110
Oil - exports:
32,490 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 84
Oil - imports:
14,380 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 127
Oil - proved reserves:
88 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 70
Natural gas - production:
100 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 79
Natural gas - consumption:
100 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 102
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 131
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 144
Natural gas - proved reserves:
226.5 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 43
Current account balance:
$710 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 50 $193.6 million (2007 est.)
Exports:
$5.719 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 104 $4.748 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
oil, gold, copper ore, logs, palm oil, coffee, cocoa, crayfish, prawns
Exports - partners:
Australia 27.2%, Japan 9.2%, China 5.1% (2008)
Imports:
$3.124 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 136 $2.629 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, fuels, chemicals
Imports - partners:
Australia 42.6%, Singapore 15.6%, China 11%, Japan 5.8%, Malaysia 4.3% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$1.987 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 110 $2.087 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$2.511 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 133 $1.646 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$NA
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$NA
Exchange rates:
kina (PGK) per US dollar - 2.6956 (2008 est.), 3.03 (2007), 3.0643 (2006), 3.08 (2005), 3.2225 (2004)
Communications ::Papua New Guinea
Telephones - main lines in use:
60,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 158
Telephones - mobile cellular:
600,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 152
Telephone system:
general assessment: services are minimal; facilities provide radiotelephone and telegraph, coastal radio, aeronautical radio, and international radio communication services
domestic: access to telephone services is not widely available; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is 11 per 100 persons
international: country code - 675; submarine cables to Australia and Guam; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean); international radio communication service (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 8, FM 19, shortwave 28 (1998)
Television broadcast stations:
3 (all in the Port Moresby area; stations at Mt. Hagen, Goroka, Lae, and Rabaul are planned) (2004)
Internet country code:
.pg
Internet hosts:
3,432 (2009) country comparison to the world: 140
Internet users:
120,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 147
Transportation ::Papua New Guinea
Airports:
560 (2009) country comparison to the world: 12
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 21
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 14
914 to 1,523 m: 4
under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 539
1,524 to 2,437 m: 9
914 to 1,523 m: 63
under 914 m: 467 (2009)
Heliports:
2 (2009)
Pipelines:
oil 195 km (2008)
Roadways:
total: 19,600 km country comparison to the world: 111 paved: 686 km
unpaved: 18,914 km (2000)
Waterways:
11,000 km (2006) country comparison to the world: 12
Merchant marine:
total: 21 country comparison to the world: 98 by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 17, petroleum tanker 2
foreign-owned: 6 (UAE 6) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Kimbe, Lae, Madang, Rabaul, Wewak
Military ::Papua New Guinea
Military branches:
Papua New Guinea Defense Force (PNGDF; includes Maritime Operations Element, Air Operations Element) (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
16 years of age for voluntary military service (with parental consent); no conscription (2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,481,417
females age 16-49: 1,385,040 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,110,175
females age 16-49: 1,127,758 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 64,636
female: 62,803 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.4% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 118
Transnational Issues ::Papua New Guinea
Disputes - international:
relies on assistance from Australia to keep out illegal cross-border activities from primarily Indonesia, including goods smuggling, illegal narcotics trafficking, and squatters and secessionists
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 10,177 (Indonesia) (2007)
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Papua New Guinea is a country of destination for women and children from Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and China trafficked for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation; internal trafficking of women and children for the purposes of sexual exploitation and involuntary domestic servitude occurs as well
tier rating: Tier 3 - Papua New Guinea does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the current legal framework does not contain elements of crimes that characterize trafficking; the government lacks victim protection services or a systematic procedure to identify victims of trafficking; the government did not prosecute anyone in 2007 for trafficking; Papua New Guinea has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2008)
Illicit drugs:
major consumer of cannabis
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Paracel Islands (East & Southeast Asia)
Introduction ::Paracel Islands
Background:
The Paracel Islands are surrounded by productive fishing grounds and by potential oil and gas reserves. In 1932, French Indochina annexed the islands and set up a weather station on Pattle Island; maintenance was continued by its successor, Vietnam. China has occupied the Paracel Islands since 1974, when its troops seized a South Vietnamese garrison occupying the western islands. China built a military installation on Mischief Reef in 1999. The islands are claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam.
Geography ::Paracel Islands
Location:
Southeastern Asia, group of small islands and reefs in the South China Sea, about one-third of the way from central Vietnam to the northern Philippines
Geographic coordinates:
16 30 N, 112 00 E
Map references:
Southeast Asia
Area:
total: NA sq km
land: NA sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
NA
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
518 km
Maritime claims:
NA
Climate:
tropical
Terrain:
mostly low and flat
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: South China Sea 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Rocky Island 14 m
Natural resources:
none
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (2005)
Irrigated land:
0 sq km
Natural hazards:
typhoons
Environment - current issues:
NA
Geography - note:
composed of 130 small coral islands and reefs divided into the northeast Amphitrite Group and the western Crescent Group
People ::Paracel Islands
Population:
no indigenous inhabitants
note: there are scattered Chinese garrisons
Government ::Paracel Islands
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Paracel Islands
Economy ::Paracel Islands
Economy - overview:
The islands have the potential for oil and gas development. Waters around the islands support commercial fishing, but the islands themselves are not populated on a permanent basis. China announced plans in 1997 to open the islands for tourism.
Transportation ::Paracel Islands
Airports:
1 (2009) country comparison to the world: 227
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)
Ports and terminals:
small Chinese port facilities on Woody Island and Duncan Island being expanded
Military ::Paracel Islands
Military - note:
occupied by China
Transnational Issues ::Paracel Islands
Disputes - international:
occupied by China, also claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam
page last updated on September 22, 2009
======================================================================
@Paraguay (South America)
Introduction ::Paraguay
Background:
Paraguay achieved its independence from Spain in 1811. In the disastrous War of the Triple Alliance (1865-70) - between Paraguay and Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay - Paraguay lost two-thirds of all adult males and much of its territory. The country stagnated economically for the next half century. Following the Chaco War of 1932-35 with Bolivia, Paraguay gained a large part of the Chaco lowland region. The 35-year military dictatorship of Alfredo STROESSNER ended in 1989, and, despite a marked increase in political infighting in recent years, Paraguay has held relatively free and regular presidential elections since then.
Geography ::Paraguay
Location:
Central South America, northeast of Argentina
Geographic coordinates:
23 00 S, 58 00 W
Map references:
South America
Area:
total: 406,752 sq km country comparison to the world: 59 land: 397,302 sq km
water: 9,450 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than California
Land boundaries:
total: 3,995 km
border countries: Argentina 1,880 km, Bolivia 750 km, Brazil 1,365 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
subtropical to temperate; substantial rainfall in the eastern portions, becoming semiarid in the far west
Terrain:
grassy plains and wooded hills east of Rio Paraguay; Gran Chaco region west of Rio Paraguay mostly low, marshy plain near the river, and dry forest and thorny scrub elsewhere
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: junction of Rio Paraguay and Rio Parana 46 m
highest point: Cerro Pero (Cerro Tres Kandu) 842 m
Natural resources:
hydropower, timber, iron ore, manganese, limestone
Land use:
arable land: 7.47%
permanent crops: 0.24%
other: 92.29% (2005)
Irrigated land:
670 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
336 cu km (2000)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.49 cu km/yr (20%/8%/71%)
per capita: 80 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
local flooding in southeast (early September to June); poorly drained plains may become boggy (early October to June)
Environment - current issues:
deforestation; water pollution; inadequate means for waste disposal pose health risks for many urban residents; loss of wetlands
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
landlocked; lies between Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil; population concentrated in southern part of country
People ::Paraguay
Population:
6,995,655 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 101
Age structure:
0-14 years: 36.7% (male 1,304,115/female 1,260,560)
15-64 years: 58.1% (male 2,043,509/female 2,023,317)
65 years and over: 5.2% (male 168,554/female 195,600) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 21.9 years
male: 21.6 years
female: 22.2 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.364% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 37
Birth rate:
28.17 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 53
Death rate:
4.46 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 201
Net migration rate:
-0.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 89
Urbanization:
urban population: 60% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 24.68 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 89 male: 28.77 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 20.38 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 75.77 years country comparison to the world: 73 male: 73.19 years
female: 78.49 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.75 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 51
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.6% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 70
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
21,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 78
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 1,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 79
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: intermediate
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne disease: dengue fever and malaria (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Paraguayan(s)
adjective: Paraguayan
Ethnic groups:
mestizo (mixed Spanish and Amerindian) 95%, other 5%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 89.6%, Protestant 6.2%, other Christian 1.1%, other or unspecified 1.9%, none 1.1% (2002 census)
Languages:
Spanish (official), Guarani (official)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 94%
male: 94.9%
female: 93% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 12 years
male: 12 years
female: 12 years (2005)
Education expenditures:
4% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 104
Government ::Paraguay
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Paraguay
conventional short form: Paraguay
local long form: Republica del Paraguay
local short form: Paraguay
Government type:
constitutional republic
Capital:
name: Asuncion
geographic coordinates: 25 16 S, 57 40 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
17 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1 capital city*; Alto Paraguay, Alto Parana, Amambay, Asuncion*, Boqueron, Caaguazu, Caazapa, Canindeyu, Central, Concepcion, Cordillera, Guaira, Itapua, Misiones, Neembucu, Paraguari, Presidente Hayes, San Pedro
Independence:
14 May 1811 (from Spain)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 14 May 1811 (observed 15 May)
Constitution:
promulgated 20 June 1992
Legal system:
based on Argentine codes, Roman law, and French codes; judicial review of legislative acts in Supreme Court of Justice; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal and compulsory up to age 75
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Fernando Armindo LUGO Mendez (since 15 August 2008); Vice President Federico FRANCO (since 15 August 2008); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Fernando Armindo LUGO Mendez (since 15 August 2008); Vice President Federico FRANCO (since 15 August 2008)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a single five-year term; election last held 20 April 2008 (next to be held April 2013)
election results: Fernando Armindo LUGO Mendez elected president; percent of vote - Fernando Armindo LUGO Mendez 40.8%, Blanca OVELAR 30.6%, Lino OVIEDO 21.9%, Pedro FADUL 2.4%, other 4.3%
Legislative branch:
bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (45 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (80 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: Chamber of Senators - last held 20 April 2008 (next to be held in April 2013); Chamber of Deputies - last held 20 April 2008 (next to be held in April 2013)
election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ANR 15, PLRA 14, UNACE 9, PPQ 4, other 3; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ANR 30, PLRA 27, UNACE 15, PPQ 3, APC 2, other 3
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (nine judges appointed on the proposal of the Council of Magistrates or Consejo de la Magistratura)
Political parties and leaders:
Alianza Patriotica por el Cambio (Patriotic Alliance for Change) or APC [Fernando LUGO]; Asociacion Nacional Republicana - Colorado Party or ANR [Lilian SAMANIEGO]; Movimiento Union Nacional de Ciudadanos Eticos or UNACE [Lino Cesar OVIEDO Silva]; Patria Querida (Beloved Fatherland Party) or PPQ [Pedro Nicolas Maraa FADUL Niella]; Partido del Movimiento al Socialismo or P-MAS; Partido Encuentro Nacional or PEN [Emilio CAMACHO Paredes]; Partido Liberal Radical Autentico or PLRA [Gustavo CARDOZO]; Partido Pais Solidario or PPS [Carlos Alberto FILIZZOLA Pallares]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Ahorristas Estafados or AE; National Coordinating Board of Campesino Organizations or MCNOC [Luis AGUAYO]; National Federation of Campesinos or FNC [Odilon ESPINOLA]; National Workers Central or CNT [Secretary General Juan TORRALES]; Paraguayan Workers Confederation or CPT; Roman Catholic Church; Unitary Workers Central or CUT [Jorge Guzman ALVARENGA Malgarejo]
International organization participation:
CAN (associate), FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador James SPALDING Hellmers
chancery: 2400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 483-6960 through 6962
FAX: [1] (202) 234-4508
consulate(s) general: Kansas City (Kansas), Los Angeles, Miami, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Ambassador Liliana AYALDE
embassy: 1776 Avenida Mariscal Lopez, Casilla Postal 402, Asuncion