$NA (continued 2)
Reading edition
6,200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 119
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 100 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 132
Nationality:
noun: Swede(s)
adjective: Swedish
Ethnic groups:
indigenous population: Swedes with Finnish and Sami minorities; foreign-born or first-generation immigrants: Finns, Yugoslavs, Danes, Norwegians, Greeks, Turks
Religions:
Lutheran 87%, other (includes Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim, Jewish, and Buddhist) 13%
Languages:
Swedish, small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99%
male: 99%
female: 99% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 16 years
male: 15 years
female: 17 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
7.1% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 21
Government ::Sweden
Country name:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Sweden
conventional short form: Sweden
local long form: Konungariket Sverige
local short form: Sverige
Government type:
constitutional monarchy
Capital:
name: Stockholm
geographic coordinates: 59 20 N, 18 03 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
21 counties (lan, singular and plural); Blekinge, Dalarna, Gavleborg, Gotland, Halland, Jamtland, Jonkoping, Kalmar, Kronoberg, Norrbotten, Orebro, Ostergotland, Skane, Sodermanland, Stockholm, Uppsala, Varmland, Vasterbotten, Vasternorrland, Vastmanland, Vastra Gotaland
Independence:
6 June 1523 (Gustav VASA elected king)
National holiday:
Swedish Flag Day, 6 June (1916); National Day, 6 June (1983)
Constitution:
1 January 1975
Legal system:
civil law system influenced by customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: King CARL XVI GUSTAF (since 19 September 1973); Heir Apparent Princess VICTORIA Ingrid Alice Desiree, daughter of the monarch (born 14 July 1977)
head of government: Prime Minister Fredrik REINFELDT (since 5 October 2006)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the prime minister is elected by the parliament; election last held on 17 September 2006 (next to be held in September 2010)
election results: Center-right coalition of Moderate, Center, Liberal, and Christian Democrats parties win 175 out of 349 votes; Fredrik REINFELDT becomes prime minister
Legislative branch:
unicameral Parliament or Riksdag (349 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional representation basis to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 17 September 2006 (next to be held in September 2010)
election results: percent of vote by party - Social Democrats 37.2%, Moderates 27.8%, Center Party 8.3%, Liberal People's Party 8.0%, Christian Democrats 6.9%, Left Party 6.3%, Greens 5.4%; seats by party - Social Democrats 130, Moderates 97, Center Party 29, Liberal People's Party 28, Christian Democrats 24, Left Party 22, Greens 19
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court or Hogsta Domstolen (judges are appointed by the prime minister and the cabinet)
Political parties and leaders:
Center Party [Maud OLOFSSON]; Christian Democratic Party [Goran HAGGLUND]; Environment Party the Greens [no formal leader but party spokespersons are Maria WETTERSTRAND and Peter ERIKSSON]; Left Party or V (formerly Communist) [Lars OHLY]; Liberal People's Party [Jan BJORKLUND]; Moderate Party (conservative) [Fredrik REINFELDT]; Social Democratic Party [Mona SAHLIN]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Children's Rights in Society; Swedish Confederation of Professional Employees or TCO; Swedish Federation of Trade Unions or LO
other: media
International organization participation:
ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, G-9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT, MONUC, NAM (guest), NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMOGIP, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Jonas HAFSTROM
chancery: The House of Sweden, 2900 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone: [1] (202) 467-2600
FAX: [1] (202) 467-2699
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Robert J. SILVERMAN
embassy: Dag Hammarskjolds Vag 31, SE-11589 Stockholm
mailing address: American Embassy Stockholm, US Department of State, 5750 Stockholm Place, Washington, DC 20521-5750
telephone: [46] (08) 783 53 00
FAX: [46] (08) 661 19 64
Flag description:
blue with a golden yellow cross extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag); the colors reflect those of the Swedish coat of arms - three gold crowns on a blue field
Economy ::Sweden
Economy - overview:
Aided by peace and neutrality for the whole of the 20th century, Sweden has achieved an enviable standard of living under a mixed system of high-tech capitalism and extensive welfare benefits. It has a modern distribution system, excellent internal and external communications, and a skilled labor force. In September 2003, Swedish voters turned down entry into the euro system concerned about the impact on the economy and sovereignty. Timber, hydropower, and iron ore constitute the resource base of an economy heavily oriented toward foreign trade. Privately owned firms account for about 90% of industrial output, of which the engineering sector accounts for 50% of output and exports. Agriculture accounts for only 1% of GDP and of employment. Until 2008, Sweden was in the midst of a sustained economic upswing, boosted by increased domestic demand and strong exports. This and robust finances offered the center-right government considerable scope to implement its reform program aimed at increasing employment, reducing welfare dependence, and streamlining the state's role in the economy. Despite strong finances and underlying fundamentals, the Swedish economy slid into recession in the third quarter of 2008 and growth continued downward in the fourth as deteriorating global conditions reduced export demand and consumption. On 3 February 2009, the Swedish Government announced a $6 billon rescue package for the banking sector.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$345.1 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 33 $346.5 billion (2007 est.)
$337.4 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$479 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
-0.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 202 2.7% (2007 est.)
4.5% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$38,200 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 25 $38,400 (2007 est.)
$37,400 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 1.6%
industry: 28%
services: 70.5% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
4.897 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 76
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 1.1%
industry: 28.2%
services: 70.7% (2008 est.)
Unemployment rate:
6.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 6.1% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 3.6%
highest 10%: 22.2% (2000)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
23 (2005) country comparison to the world: 134 25 (1992)
Investment (gross fixed):
19.5% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 116
Budget:
revenues: $259.9 billion
expenditures: $248.1 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
36.7% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 51.6% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 50 2.2% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
2% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 129 3.5% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
NA% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 140 4% (2004)
Stock of money:
$185.4 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 8 $217.1 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$54.55 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 28 $48.49 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$549 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 19 $630.8 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 21 $612.5 billion (31 December 2007)
$573.3 billion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
barley, wheat, sugar beets; meat, milk
Industries:
iron and steel, precision equipment (bearings, radio and telephone parts, armaments), wood pulp and paper products, processed foods, motor vehicles
Industrial production growth rate:
-1.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 150
Electricity - production:
144 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 24
Electricity - consumption:
134.5 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 23
Electricity - exports:
14.71 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
12.75 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
3,572 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 97
Oil - consumption:
351,800 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 38
Oil - exports:
219,300 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 53
Oil - imports:
542,100 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 24
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 129
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 127
Natural gas - consumption:
913 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 89
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 110
Natural gas - imports:
913 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 55
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 133
Current account balance:
$40.32 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 $38.42 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$185.9 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 26 $170.5 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
machinery 35%, motor vehicles, paper products, pulp and wood, iron and steel products, chemicals
Exports - partners:
Germany 10.4%, Norway 9.5%, Denmark 7.4%, UK 7.3%, US 6.6%, Finland 6.3%, Netherlands 5.1%, France 4.9%, Belgium 4.4% (2008)
Imports:
$167.8 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 27 $152.2 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, motor vehicles, iron and steel; foodstuffs, clothing
Imports - partners:
Germany 17.5%, Denmark 9.4%, Norway 8.6%, UK 6.2%, Finland 5.7%, Netherlands 5.6%, France 5%, Russia 4.4%, China 4.2% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$29.72 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 $31.04 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$617.3 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 17 $598.2 billion (30 June 2006)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$290.4 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 $252.3 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$333.9 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 13 $306.4 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
Swedish kronor (SEK) per US dollar - 6.4074 (2008 est.), 6.7629 (2007), 7.3731 (2006), 7.4731 (2005), 7.3489 (2004)
Communications ::Sweden
Telephones - main lines in use:
5.323 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 30
Telephones - mobile cellular:
10.988 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 57
Telephone system:
general assessment: highly developed telecommunications infrastructure; ranked among leading countries for fixed-line, mobile-cellular, Internet and broadband penetration
domestic: coaxial and multiconductor cables carry most of the voice traffic; parallel microwave radio relay systems carry some additional telephone channels
international: country code - 46; submarine cables provide links to other Nordic countries and Europe; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Eutelsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Sweden shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Norway)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 1, FM 124, shortwave 0 (2008)
Television broadcast stations:
252 (2008)
Internet country code:
.se
Internet hosts:
3.886 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 20
Internet users:
8.1 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 32
Transportation ::Sweden
Airports:
249 (2009) country comparison to the world: 26
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 152
over 3,047 m: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 12
1,524 to 2,437 m: 76
914 to 1,523 m: 25
under 914 m: 36 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 97
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 92 (2009)
Heliports:
2 (2009)
Pipelines:
gas 786 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 11,633 km country comparison to the world: 20 standard gauge: 11,528 km 1.435-m gauge (7,531 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 65 km 1.000-m gauge (65 km electrified) (2008)
Roadways:
total: 425,300 km country comparison to the world: 14 paved: 139,300 km (includes 1,740 km of expressways)
unpaved: 286,000 km (2008)
Waterways:
2,052 km (2007) country comparison to the world: 43
Merchant marine:
total: 195 country comparison to the world: 34 by type: bulk carrier 6, cargo 23, carrier 1, chemical tanker 45, passenger 4, passenger/cargo 36, petroleum tanker 15, roll on/roll off 37, specialized tanker 3, vehicle carrier 25
foreign-owned: 41 (Denmark 4, Estonia 2, Finland 12, Germany 5, Italy 9, Norway 7, UK 2)
registered in other countries: 207 (Antigua and Barbuda 1, Bahamas 4, Barbados 7, Bermuda 20, Cook Islands 8, Cyprus 2, Denmark 6, Finland 2, France 9, Germany 1, Gibraltar 13, Isle of Man 1, Italy 1, Liberia 10, Malaysia 3, Malta 2, Marshall Islands 1, Netherlands 28, Netherlands Antilles 1, Norway 34, Panama 6, Portugal 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2, Singapore 20, UK 17, US 5) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Brofjorden, Goteborg, Helsingborg, Lulea, Malmo, Stenungsund, Stockholm, Trelleborg, Visby
Military ::Sweden
Military branches:
Swedish Armed Forces (Forsvarsmakten): Army (Armen), Royal Swedish Navy (Marinen), Swedish Air Force (Svenska Flygvapnet) (2008)
Military service age and obligation:
18-47 years of age for male compulsory or voluntary military service; conscript service obligation: 7.5 months (Army), 7-15 months (Navy), 8-12 months (Air Force); after completing initial service, soldiers have a reserve commitment until age 47; women are eligible for voluntary military service (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 2,052,890
females age 16-49: 1,980,550 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,705,746
females age 16-49: 1,645,070 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 62,262
female: 59,340 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.5% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 106
Transnational Issues ::Sweden
Disputes - international:
none
page last updated on November 11, 2009
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@Switzerland (Europe)
Introduction ::Switzerland
Background:
The Swiss Confederation was founded in 1291 as a defensive alliance among three cantons. In succeeding years, other localities joined the original three. The Swiss Confederation secured its independence from the Holy Roman Empire in 1499. A constitution of 1848, subsequently modified in 1874, replaced the confederation with a centralized federal government. Switzerland's sovereignty and neutrality have long been honored by the major European powers, and the country was not involved in either of the two World Wars. The political and economic integration of Europe over the past half century, as well as Switzerland's role in many UN and international organizations, has strengthened Switzerland's ties with its neighbors. However, the country did not officially become a UN member until 2002. Switzerland remains active in many UN and international organizations but retains a strong commitment to neutrality.
Geography ::Switzerland
Location:
Central Europe, east of France, north of Italy
Geographic coordinates:
47 00 N, 8 00 E
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 41,277 sq km country comparison to the world: 135 land: 39,997 sq km
water: 1,280 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey
Land boundaries:
total: 1,852 km
border countries: Austria 164 km, France 573 km, Italy 740 km, Liechtenstein 41 km, Germany 334 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
temperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy winters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers
Terrain:
mostly mountains (Alps in south, Jura in northwest) with a central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Lake Maggiore 195 m
highest point: Dufourspitze 4,634 m
Natural resources:
hydropower potential, timber, salt
Land use:
arable land: 9.91%
permanent crops: 0.58%
other: 89.51% (2005)
Irrigated land:
250 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
53.3 cu km (2005)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 2.52 cu km/yr (24%/74%/2%)
per capita: 348 cu m/yr (2002)
Natural hazards:
avalanches, landslides; flash floods
Environment - current issues:
air pollution from vehicle emissions and open-air burning; acid rain; water pollution from increased use of agricultural fertilizers; loss of biodiversity
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - note:
landlocked; crossroads of northern and southern Europe; along with southeastern France, northern Italy, and southwestern Austria, has the highest elevations in the Alps
People ::Switzerland
Population:
7,604,467 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 94
Age structure:
0-14 years: 15.6% (male 616,561/female 571,610)
15-64 years: 68.1% (male 2,609,673/female 2,567,245)
65 years and over: 16.3% (male 514,761/female 724,617) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 41 years
male: 40 years
female: 42 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.276% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 176
Birth rate:
9.59 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 203
Death rate:
8.59 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 91
Net migration rate:
1.76 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 46
Urbanization:
urban population: 73% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female
total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 4.18 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 209 male: 4.64 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 3.68 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 80.85 years country comparison to the world: 11 male: 78.03 years
female: 83.83 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.45 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 188
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.6% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 69
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
25,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 74
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 500 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 88
Nationality:
noun: Swiss (singular and plural)
adjective: Swiss
Ethnic groups:
German 65%, French 18%, Italian 10%, Romansch 1%, other 6%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 41.8%, Protestant 35.3%, Muslim 4.3%, Orthodox 1.8%, other Christian 0.4%, other 1%, unspecified 4.3%, none 11.1% (2000 census)
Languages:
German (official) 63.7%, French (official) 20.4%, Italian (official) 6.5%, Serbo-Croatian 1.5%, Albanian 1.3%, Portuguese 1.2%, Spanish 1.1%, English 1%, Romansch (official) 0.5%, other 2.8% (2000 census)
note: German, French, Italian, and Romansch are all national and official languages
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99%
male: 99%
female: 99% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 15 years
male: 15 years
female: 15 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
5.8% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 45
Government ::Switzerland
Country name:
conventional long form: Swiss Confederation
conventional short form: Switzerland
local long form: Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft (German); Confederation Suisse (French); Confederazione Svizzera (Italian); Confederaziun Svizra (Romansh)
local short form: Schweiz (German); Suisse (French); Svizzera (Italian); Svizra (Romansh)
Government type:
formally a confederation but similar in structure to a federal republic
Capital:
name: Bern
geographic coordinates: 46 57 N, 7 26 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
26 cantons, singular - canton in French; cantoni, singular - cantone in Italian; Kantone, singular - Kanton in German); Aargau, Appenzell Ausser-Rhoden, Appenzell Inner-Rhoden, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Bern, Fribourg, Geneve, Glarus, Graubunden, Jura, Luzern, Neuchatel, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Sankt Gallen, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Solothurn, Thurgau, Ticino, Uri, Valais, Vaud, Zug, Zurich
note: 6 of the cantons - Appenzell Ausser-Rhoden, Appenzell-Inner-Rhoden, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Nidwalden, Obwalden - are styled half cantons because they elect only one member to the Council of States and, in popular referendums where a majority of popular votes and a majority of cantonal votes are required, these six cantons only have a half vote
Independence:
1 August 1291 (founding of the Swiss Confederation)
National holiday:
Founding of the Swiss Confederation, 1 August (1291)
Constitution:
revision of Constitution of 1874 approved by the Federal Parliament 18 December 1998, adopted by referendum 18 April 1999, officially entered into force 1 January 2000
Legal system:
civil law system influenced by customary law; judicial review of legislative acts, except with respect to federal decrees of general obligatory character; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Hans-Rudolf MERZ (since 1 January 2009); Vice President Doris LEUTHARD (since 1 January 2009); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government representing the Federal Council; the Federal Council is the formal chief of state and head of government whose council members, rotating in one-year terms as federal president, represent the Council
head of government: President Hans-Rudolf MERZ (since 1 January 2009); Vice President Doris LEUTHARD (since 1 January 2009);
cabinet: Federal Council or Bundesrat (in German), Conseil Federal (in French), Consiglio Federale (in Italian) elected by the Federal Assembly usually from among its members for a four-year term
elections: president and vice president elected by the Federal Assembly from among the members of the Federal Council for a one-year term (they may not serve consecutive terms); election last held on 10 December 2008 (next to be held in December 2009)
election results: Hans-Rudolf MERZ elected president; percent of Federal Assembly vote - 88.5%; Doris LEUTHARD elected vice president; percent of Federal Assembly vote - 87.4%
Legislative branch:
bicameral Federal Assembly or Bundesversammlung (in German), Assemblee Federale (in French), Assemblea Federale (in Italian) consists of the Council of States or Standerat (in German), Conseil des Etats (in French), Consiglio degli Stati (in Italian) (46 seats; membership consists of 2 representatives from each canton and 1 from each half canton; to serve four-year terms) and the National Council or Nationalrat (in German), Conseil National (in French), Consiglio Nazionale (in Italian) (200 seats; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms)
elections: Council of States - last held in most cantons in October 2007 (each canton determines when the next election will be held); National Council - last held on 21 October 2007 (next to be held in October 2011)
election results: Council of States - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CVP 15, FDP 12, SVP 7, SPS 9, other 3; National Council - percent of vote by party - SVP 29%, SPS 19.5%, FDP 15.6%, CVP 14.6%, Greens 9.6%, other 11.7%; seats by party - SVP 62, SPS 43, FDP 31, CVP 31, Green Party 20, other small parties 13
Judicial branch:
Federal Supreme Court (judges elected for six-year terms by the Federal Assembly)
Political parties and leaders:
Green Party (Gruene Partei der Schweiz or Gruene, Parti Ecologiste Suisse or Les Verts, Partito Ecologista Svizzero or I Verdi, Partida Ecologica Svizra or La Verda) [Ueli LEUENBERGER]; Christian Democratic People's Party (Christlichdemokratische Volkspartei der Schweiz or CVP, Parti Democrate-Chretien Suisse or PDC, Partito Democratico-Cristiano Popolare Svizzero or PDC, Partida Cristiandemocratica dalla Svizra or PCD) [Christophe DARBELLAY]; Radical Free Democratic Party (Freisinnig-Demokratische Partei der Schweiz or FDP, Parti Radical-Democratique Suisse or PRD, Partitio Liberal-Radicale Svizzero or PLR) [Fulvio PELLI]; Social Democratic Party (Sozialdemokratische Partei der Schweiz or SPS, Parti Socialist Suisse or PSS, Partito Socialista Svizzero or PSS, Partida Socialdemocratica de la Svizra or PSS) [Christian LEVRAT]; Swiss People's Party (Schweizerische Volkspartei or SVP, Union Democratique du Centre or UDC, Unione Democratica de Centro or UDC, Uniun Democratica dal Center or UDC) [Toni BRUNNER]; and other minor parties
Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA
International organization participation:
ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Australia Group, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EFTA, ESA, FAO, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MONUC, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Urs ZISWILER
chancery: 2900 Cathedral Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 745-7900
FAX: [1] (202) 387-2564
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco
consulate(s): Boston
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Leigh CARTER
embassy: Sulgeneckstrasse 19, CH-3007 Bern
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [41] (031) 357 70 11
FAX: [41] (031) 357 73 44
Flag description:
red square with a bold, equilateral white cross in the center that does not extend to the edges of the flag; various medieval legends purport to describe the origin of the flag; a white cross used as identification for troops of the Swiss Confederation is first attested at the Battle of Laupen (1339)
Economy ::Switzerland
Economy - overview:
Switzerland is a peaceful, prosperous, and stable modern market economy with low unemployment, a highly skilled labor force, and a per capita GDP among the highest in the world. Switzerland's economy benefits from a highly developed service sector led by financial services and a manufacturing industry that specializes in high-technology, knowledge-based production. The Swiss in recent years have brought their economic practices largely into conformity with the EU's to enhance their international competitiveness, but some trade protectionism remains, particularly for its small agricultural sector. Switzerland remains a safehaven for investors, because it has maintained a degree of bank secrecy and has kept up the franc's long-term external value. The global financial crisis and resulting economic downturn could, however, put Switzerland in a recession in 2009, particularly as global export demand stalls. Switzerland's largest banks suffered significant losses in 2008 and the country's largest bank accepted a government rescue deal in late 2008. The Swiss National Bank, beginning in October 2008, cut interest rates on several consecutive occasions, effectively instituting a zero-rate policy in a bid to boost the economy.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$318.1 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 $312.4 billion (2007 est.)
$301.6 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$500.3 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
1.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 165 3.6% (2007 est.)
3.6% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$42,000 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 $41,400 (2007 est.)
$40,100 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 1.5%
industry: 34%
services: 64.5% (2003 est.)
Labor force:
4.053 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 88
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 3.9%
industry: 22.8%
services: 73.2% (2005)
Unemployment rate:
2.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 30 2.8% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.9%
highest 10%: 25.9% (2000)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
33.7 (2008) country comparison to the world: 93 33.1 (1992)
Investment (gross fixed):
21.2% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 94
Budget:
revenues: $189.8 billion
expenditures: $185.2 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
40.2% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 57.2% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 24 0.7% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
0.05% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 133 2.05% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
3.34% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 142 3.15% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$207 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 $213.9 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of quasi money:
$477.6 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 $450.7 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$864.4 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 13 $855.4 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 14 $1.275 trillion (31 December 2007)
$1.213 trillion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
grains, fruits, vegetables; meat, eggs
Industries:
machinery, chemicals, watches, textiles, precision instruments, tourism, banking, and insurance
Industrial production growth rate:
6.5% (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 34
Electricity - production:
63.93 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 40
Electricity - consumption:
57.62 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 42
Electricity - exports:
32.74 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
31.6 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
3,244 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 100
Oil - consumption:
275,600 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 48
Oil - exports:
10,310 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 95
Oil - imports:
247,200 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 41
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl country comparison to the world: 128
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 126
Natural gas - consumption:
3.429 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 69
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 108
Natural gas - imports:
3.429 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 38
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 132
Current account balance:
$41.21 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 10 $43.95 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$241.3 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 20 $200.5 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
machinery, chemicals, metals, watches, agricultural products
Exports - partners:
Germany 19.8%, US 9.6%, Italy 8.7%, France 8.6%, UK 5.2% (2008)
Imports:
$227.4 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 20 $187.7 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery, chemicals, vehicles, metals; agricultural products, textiles
Imports - partners:
Germany 33.3%, Italy 11%, France 9.4%, US 5.8%, Netherlands 4.6%, Austria 4% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$74.07 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 20 $75.37 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$1.305 trillion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 12 $1.565 trillion (31 December 2007)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$405.1 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 12 $365.8 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$726.3 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 $659.9 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
Swiss francs (CHF) per US dollar - 1.0774 (2008 est.), 1.1973 (2007), 1.2539 (2006), 1.2452 (2005), 1.2435 (2004)
Communications ::Switzerland
Telephones - main lines in use:
4.82 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 32
Telephones - mobile cellular:
8.78 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 65
Telephone system:
general assessment: highly developed telecommunications infrastructure with excellent domestic and international services
domestic: ranked among leading countries for fixed-line teledensity and infrastructure; mobile-cellular subscribership roughly 115 per 100 persons; extensive cable and microwave radio relay networks
international: country code - 41; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 3, FM 106 (plus many low-power stations), shortwave 3 (2008)
Television broadcast stations:
106 (2007)
Internet country code:
.ch
Internet hosts:
3.697 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 21
Internet users:
5.739 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 41
Transportation ::Switzerland
Airports:
66 (2009) country comparison to the world: 74
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 43
over 3,047 m: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 4
1,524 to 2,437 m: 14
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 17 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 23
under 914 m: 23 (2009)
Heliports:
1 (2009)
Pipelines:
gas 1,662 km; oil 94 km; refined products 7 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 4,888 km country comparison to the world: 36 standard gauge: 3,397 km 1.435-m gauge (3,142 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 1,481 km 1.000-m gauge (1,378 km electrified); 10 km 0.800-m gauge (10 km electrified) (2008)
Roadways:
total: 71,298 km country comparison to the world: 66 paved: 71,298 km (includes 1,758 of expressways) (2006)
Waterways:
65 km (Rhine River between Basel-Rheinfelden and Schaffhausen-Bodensee) (2008) country comparison to the world: 103
Merchant marine:
total: 35 country comparison to the world: 82 by type: bulk carrier 13, cargo 9, chemical tanker 6, container 6, specialized tanker 1
registered in other countries: 106 (Antigua and Barbuda 8, Bahamas 1, France 3, Italy 8, Liberia 13, Malta 20, Marshall Islands 12, Panama 25, Portugal 2, Russia 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 6, Singapore 2, Tonga 1, UK 1, Vanuatu 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Basel
Military ::Switzerland
Military branches:
Swiss Armed Forces: Land Forces, Swiss Air Force (Schweizer Luftwaffe) (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
19 years of age for male compulsory military service; 18 years of age for voluntary male and female military service; the Swiss Constitution states that "every Swiss male is obliged to do military service"; every Swiss male has to serve at least 260 days in the armed forces; conscripts receive 18 weeks of mandatory training, followed by seven 3-week intermittent recalls for training during the next 10 years (2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,852,580
females age 16-49: 1,807,667 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,510,259
females age 16-49: 1,475,993 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 48,076
female: 44,049 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
1% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 139
Transnational Issues ::Switzerland
Disputes - international:
none
Illicit drugs:
a major international financial center vulnerable to the layering and integration stages of money laundering; despite significant legislation and reporting requirements, secrecy rules persist and nonresidents are permitted to conduct business through offshore entities and various intermediaries; transit country for and consumer of South American cocaine, Southwest Asian heroin, and Western European synthetics; domestic cannabis cultivation and limited ecstasy production
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Syria (Middle East)
Introduction ::Syria
Background:
Following World War I, France acquired a mandate over the northern portion of the former Ottoman Empire province of Syria. The French administered the area as Syria until granting it independence in 1946. The new country lacked political stability, however, and experienced a series of military coups during its first decades. Syria united with Egypt in February 1958 to form the United Arab Republic. In September 1961, the two entities separated, and the Syrian Arab Republic was reestablished. In November 1970, Hafiz al-ASAD, a member of the Socialist Ba'th Party and the minority Alawite sect, seized power in a bloodless coup and brought political stability to the country. In the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, Syria lost the Golan Heights to Israel. During the 1990s, Syria and Israel held occasional peace talks over its return. Following the death of President al-ASAD, his son, Bashar al-ASAD, was approved as president by popular referendum in July 2000. Syrian troops - stationed in Lebanon since 1976 in an ostensible peacekeeping role - were withdrawn in April 2005. During the July-August 2006 conflict between Israel and Hizballah, Syria placed its military forces on alert but did not intervene directly on behalf of its ally Hizballah.
Geography ::Syria
Location:
Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Lebanon and Turkey
Geographic coordinates:
35 00 N, 38 00 E
Map references:
Middle East
Area:
total: 185,180 sq km country comparison to the world: 88 land: 183,630 sq km
water: 1,550 sq km
note: includes 1,295 sq km of Israeli-occupied territory
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than North Dakota
Land boundaries:
total: 2,253 km
border countries: Iraq 605 km, Israel 76 km, Jordan 375 km, Lebanon 375 km, Turkey 822 km
Coastline:
193 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
Climate:
mostly desert; hot, dry, sunny summers (June to August) and mild, rainy winters (December to February) along coast; cold weather with snow or sleet periodically in Damascus
Terrain:
primarily semiarid and desert plateau; narrow coastal plain; mountains in west
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: unnamed location near Lake Tiberias -200 m
highest point: Mount Hermon 2,814 m
Natural resources:
petroleum, phosphates, chrome and manganese ores, asphalt, iron ore, rock salt, marble, gypsum, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 24.8%
permanent crops: 4.47%
other: 70.73% (2005)
Irrigated land:
13,330 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
46.1 cu km (1997)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 19.95 cu km/yr (3%/2%/95%)
per capita: 1,048 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
dust storms, sandstorms
Environment - current issues:
deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; water pollution from raw sewage and petroleum refining wastes; inadequate potable water
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification
Geography - note:
there are 42 Israeli settlements and civilian land use sites in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights (August 2005 est.)
People ::Syria
Population:
20,178,485 country comparison to the world: 57 note: in addition, about 40,000 people live in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights - 20,000 Arabs (18,000 Druze and 2,000 Alawites) and about 20,000 Israeli settlers (July 2009 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 35.9% (male 3,724,770/female 3,510,182)
15-64 years: 60.8% (male 6,285,866/female 5,980,029)
65 years and over: 3.4% (male 318,646/female 358,992) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 21.7 years
male: 21.6 years
female: 21.9 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.129% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 50
Birth rate:
25.9 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 65
Death rate:
4.61 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 198
Net migration rate:
NA (2009 est.)
Urbanization:
urban population: 54% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 3.1% 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: 1.05 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female
total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 25.87 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 84 male: 26.13 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 25.59 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 71.19 years country comparison to the world: 131 male: 69.8 years
female: 72.68 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.12 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 67
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.1% (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 160
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
fewer than 500 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 151
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 200 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 117
Nationality:
noun: Syrian(s)
adjective: Syrian
Ethnic groups:
Arab 90.3%, Kurds, Armenians, and other 9.7%
Religions:
Sunni Muslim 74%, other Muslim (includes Alawite, Druze) 16%, Christian (various denominations) 10%, Jewish (tiny communities in Damascus, Al Qamishli, and Aleppo)
Languages:
Arabic (official); Kurdish, Armenian, Aramaic, Circassian widely understood; French, English somewhat understood
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 79.6%
male: 86%
female: 73.6% (2004 census)
Education expenditures:
3.9% of GDP (1999) country comparison to the world: 109
Government ::Syria
Country name:
conventional long form: Syrian Arab Republic
conventional short form: Syria
local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Arabiyah as Suriyah
local short form: Suriyah
former: United Arab Republic (with Egypt)
Government type:
republic under an authoritarian military-dominated regime
Capital:
name: Damascus
geographic coordinates: 33 30 N, 36 18 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins 1 April; ends 30 September
Administrative divisions:
14 provinces (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Hasakah, Al Ladhiqiyah (Latakia), Al Qunaytirah, Ar Raqqah, As Suwayda', Dar'a, Dayr az Zawr, Dimashq, Halab, Hamah, Hims, Idlib, Rif Dimashq (Damascus), Tartus
Independence:
17 April 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under French administration)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 17 April (1946)
Constitution:
13 March 1973
Legal system:
based on a combination of French and Ottoman civil law; Islamic law is used in the family court system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Bashar al-ASAD (since 17 July 2000); Vice President Farouk al-SHARA (since 11 February 2006) oversees foreign policy; Vice President Najah al-ATTAR (since 23 March 2006) oversees cultural policy
head of government: Prime Minister Muhammad Naji al-UTRI (since 10 September 2003); Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Abdallah al-DARDARI (since 14 June 2005)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
elections: president approved by popular referendum for a second seven-year term (no term limits); referendum last held on 27 May 2007 (next to be held in May 2014); the president appoints the vice presidents, prime minister, and deputy prime ministers
election results: Bashar al-ASAD approved as president; percent of vote - Bashar al-ASAD 97.6%
Legislative branch:
unicameral People's Council or Majlis al-Shaab (250 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 22-23 April 2007 (next to be held in 2011)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NPF 172, independents 78
Judicial branch:
Supreme Judicial Council (appoints and dismisses judges; headed by the president); national level - Supreme Constitutional Court (adjudicates electoral disputes and rules on constitutionality of laws and decrees; justices appointed for four-year terms by the president); Court of Cassation; Appeals Courts (Appeals Courts represent an intermediate level between the Court of Cassation and local level courts); local level - Magistrate Courts; Courts of First Instance; Juvenile Courts; Customs Courts; specialized courts - Economic Security Courts (hear cases related to economic crimes); Supreme State Security Court (hear cases related to national security); Personal Status Courts (religious; hear cases related to marriage and divorce)
Political parties and leaders:
legal parties: National Progressive Front or NPF [President Bashar al-ASAD, Dr. Suleiman QADDAH] (includes Arab Socialist Renaissance (Ba'th) Party [President Bashar al-ASAD]; Socialist Unionist Democratic Party [Fadlallah Nasr Al-DIN]; Syrian Arab Socialist Union or ASU [Safwan QUDSI]; Syrian Communist Party (two branches) [Wissal Farha BAKDASH, Yusuf Rashid FAYSAL]; Syrian Social Nationalist Party [Ali QANSU]; Unionist Socialist Party [Fayez ISMAIL])
opposition parties not legally recognized: Arab Democratic Socialist Union Party [Hasan Abdul AZIM]; Arab Socialist Movement; Democratic Ba'th Party [Ibrahim MAHKOS]; National Democratic Front [Hasan Abdul AZIM, spokesman] (includes five parties - Arab Democratic Socialist Union Party [Hasan Abdul AZIM], Arab Socialist Movement, Democratic Ba'th Party [Ibrahim MAHKOS], People's Democratic Party [Riad al TURK], Revolutionary Workers' Party [Abdul Hafeez al HAFEZ]); People's Democratic Party; Revolutionary Workers' Party [Abdul Hafeez al HAFEZ]
Kurdish parties (considered illegal): Azadi Party [Kheirudin MURAD]; Future Party [Masha'l TAMMO]; Kurdish Democratic Alliance (includes four parties); Kurdish Democratic Front (includes three parties); Yekiti Party [Hasan SALEH, Fu'ad ALEYKO]
other parties: Nahda Party [Abdul Aziz al MISLET]; Syrian Democratic Party [Mustafa QALAAJI]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Damascus Declaration National Council [Riyad SEIF, secretary general] (a broad alliance of opposition groups and individuals including: Committee for Revival of Civil Society [Michel KILO, Riyad SEIF]; Communist Action Party [Fateh JAMOUS]; Kurdish Democratic Alliance; Kurdish Democratic Front; Liberal Nationalists' Movement; National Democratic Rally; and Syrian Human Rights Society or HRAS [Fawed FAWUZ]); National Salvation Front (alliance between former Vice President Abd al-Halim KHADDAM, the SMB, and other small opposition groups); Syrian Muslim Brotherhood or SMB [Sadr al-Din al-BAYANUNI] (operates in exile in London; endorsed the Damascus Declaration, but is not an official member)
International organization participation:
ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Imad MOUSTAPHA
chancery: 2215 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 232-6313
FAX: [1] (202) 265-4585
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Maura CONNELLY
embassy: Abou Roumaneh, Al-Mansour Street, No. 2, Damascus
mailing address: P. O. Box 29, Damascus
telephone: [963] (11) 3391-4444
FAX: [963] (11) 3391-3999
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black, colors associated with the Arab Liberation flag; two small, green, five-pointed stars in a horizontal line centered in the white band; former flag of the United Arab Republic where the two stars represented the constituent states of Syria and Egypt; similar to the flag of Yemen, which has a plain white band, Iraq, which has an Arabic inscription centered in the white band, and that of Egypt, which has a gold Eagle of Saladin centered in the white band; the current design dates to 1980
Economy ::Syria
Economy - overview:
The Syrian economy grew by an estimated 2.4% in real terms in 2008 led by the petroleum and agricultural sectors, which together account for about one-half of GDP. Higher crude oil prices countered declining oil production and led to higher budgetary and export receipts. Damascus has implemented modest economic reforms in the past few years, including cutting lending interest rates, opening private banks, consolidating all of the multiple exchange rates, raising prices on some subsidized items, most notably gasoline and cement, and establishing the Damascus Stock Exchange - which is set to begin operations in 2009. In October 2007, for example, Damascus raised the price of subsidized gasoline by 20%, then instituted a rationing system in 2008. In addition, President ASAD signed legislative decrees to encourage corporate ownership reform, and to allow the Central Bank to issue Treasury bills and bonds for government debt. Nevertheless, the economy remains highly controlled by the government. Long-run economic constraints include declining oil production, high unemployment and inflation, rising budget deficits, and increasing pressure on water supplies caused by heavy use in agriculture, rapid population growth, industrial expansion, and water pollution.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$99.06 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 $94.26 billion (2007 est.)
$88.65 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$55.02 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
5.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 85 6.3% (2007 est.)
5.2% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$4,600 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 $4,600 (2007 est.)
$4,600 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 18.5%
industry: 26.9%
services: 54.6% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
5.593 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 69
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 19.2%
industry: 14.5%
services: 66.3% (2006 est.)
Unemployment rate:
8.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 116 9% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
11.9% (2006 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Investment (gross fixed):
21.7% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 90
Budget:
revenues: $11.23 billion
expenditures: $12.85 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
25.4% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 32% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
15.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 195 12.2% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
NA% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 101 5% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
NA% (31 December 2008)
Stock of money:
$73.54 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 17 $15.21 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$73.93 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 24 $12.29 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$84.31 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 41 $15.19 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
wheat, barley, cotton, lentils, chickpeas, olives, sugar beets; beef, mutton, eggs, poultry, milk
Industries:
petroleum, textiles, food processing, beverages, tobacco, phosphate rock mining, cement, oil seeds crushing, car assembly
Industrial production growth rate:
2.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 100
Electricity - production:
36.5 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 59
Electricity - consumption:
27.35 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 61
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
1.4 billion kWh (2007)
Oil - production:
426,100 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 33
Oil - consumption:
256,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 50
Oil - exports:
155,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 58
Oil - imports:
58,710 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 84
Oil - proved reserves:
2.5 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 32
Natural gas - production:
6.04 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 47
Natural gas - consumption:
6.18 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 56
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m country comparison to the world: 109
Natural gas - imports:
140 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 64
Natural gas - proved reserves:
240.7 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 42
Current account balance:
-$791 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 $402 million (2007 est.)
Exports:
$13.97 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 $11.75 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
crude oil, minerals, petroleum products, fruits and vegetables, cotton fiber, textiles, clothing, meat and live animals, wheat
Exports - partners:
Iraq 30.9%, Germany 9.8%, Lebanon 9.7%, Italy 6.4%, France 5.5%, Egypt 5.4%, Saudi Arabia 5.1% (2008)
Imports:
$15.97 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 $12.27 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and transport equipment, electric power machinery, food and livestock, metal and metal products, chemicals and chemical products, plastics, yarn, paper
Imports - partners:
Saudi Arabia 11.7%, China 8.7%, Russia 6.4%, Italy 5.9%, Egypt 5.8%, UAE 5.8%, Turkey 4.3%, Iran 4.2% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$6.765 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 $6.507 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$7.167 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 $6.633 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
Syrian pounds (SYP) per US dollar - 46.5281 (2008 est.), 50.0085 (2007), 51.689 (2006), 50 (2005), 48.5 (2004)
note: data for 2004-06 are the public sector rate; data for 2002-03 are the parallel market rate in 'Amman and Beirut; the official rate for repaying loans was 11.25 Syrian pounds per US dollars during 2004-06,
Communications ::Syria
Telephones - main lines in use:
3.633 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 42
Telephones - mobile cellular:
7.056 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 71
Telephone system:
general assessment: fair system currently undergoing significant improvement and digital upgrades, including fiber-optic technology
domestic: the number of fixed-line connections has increased markedly since 2000; mobile-cellular service growing with telephone subscribership reaching 40 per 100 persons in 2008;
international: country code - 963; submarine cable connection to Egypt, Lebanon, and Cyprus; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region); coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey; participant in Medarabtel
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 14, FM 2, shortwave 1 (1998)
Television broadcast stations:
44 (plus 17 repeaters) (1995)
Internet country code:
.sy
Internet hosts:
7,879 (2009) country comparison to the world: 125
Internet users:
3.565 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 54
Transportation ::Syria
Airports:
104 (2009) country comparison to the world: 58
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 29
over 3,047 m: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 16
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 5 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 75
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 15
under 914 m: 59 (2009)
Heliports:
7 (2009)
Pipelines:
gas 2,900 km; oil 2,000 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 2,052 km country comparison to the world: 72 standard gauge: 1,801 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge: 251 km 1.050-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 97,401 km country comparison to the world: 43 paved: 19,490 km (includes 1,103 km of expressways)
unpaved: 77,911 km (2006)
Waterways:
900 km (not economically significant) (2008) country comparison to the world: 69
Merchant marine:
total: 77 country comparison to the world: 58 by type: bulk carrier 5, cargo 65, carrier 4, container 1, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 1
foreign-owned: 7 (Jordan 2, Lebanon 3, Romania 2)
registered in other countries: 196 (Barbados 1, Bolivia 2, Cambodia 48, Comoros 4, Cyprus 2, Dominica 2, Georgia 49, Hong Kong 1, North Korea 1, Lebanon 2, Libya 2, Malta 6, Moldova 1, Panama 32, Saint Kitts and Nevis 7, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 13, Sierra Leone 18, Slovakia 2, Togo 2, unknown 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Latakia, Tartus
Military ::Syria
Military branches:
Syrian Armed Forces: Syrian Arab Army, Syrian Arab Navy, Syrian Arab Air and Air Defense Forces (includes Air Defense Command) (2008)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 30 months (18 months in the Syrian Arab Navy); women are not conscripted but may volunteer to serve (2004)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 5,251,875
females age 16-49: 4,966,367 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 4,360,934
females age 16-49: 4,344,895 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 213,513
female: 201,055 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
5.9% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 12
Transnational Issues ::Syria
Disputes - international:
Golan Heights is Israeli-occupied with the almost 1,000-strong UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) patrolling a buffer zone since 1964; lacking a treaty or other documentation describing the boundary, portions of the Lebanon-Syria boundary are unclear with several sections in dispute; since 2000, Lebanon has claimed Shabaa farms in the Golan Heights; 2004 Agreement and pending demarcation settles border dispute with Jordan; approximately two million Iraqis have fled the conflict in Iraq with the majority taking refuge in Syria and Jordan
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 1-1.4 million (Iraq); 522,100 (Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA))
IDPs: 305,000 (most displaced from Golan Heights during 1967 Arab-Israeli War) (2007)
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Syria is a destination and transit country for women and children trafficked for commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor; a significant number of women and children in the large and expanding Iraqi refugee community in Syria are reportedly forced into commercial sexual exploitation by Iraqi gangs or, in some cases, their families; women from Indonesia, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Ethiopia, and Sierra Leone are recruited for work in Syria as domestic servants, but some face conditions of involuntary servitude, including long hours, non-payment of wages, withholding of passports, restrictions on movement, threats, and physical or sexual abuse
tier rating: Tier 3 - Syria again failed to report any law enforcement efforts to punish trafficking offenses in 2007; in addition, the government did not offer protection services to victims of trafficking and may have arrested, prosecuted, or deported some victims for prostitution or immigration violations; Syria has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2008)
Illicit drugs:
a transit point for opiates, hashish, and cocaine bound for regional and Western markets; weak anti-money-laundering controls and bank privatization may leave it vulnerable to money laundering
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Taiwan (East & Southeast Asia)
Introduction ::Taiwan
Background:
In 1895, military defeat forced China to cede Taiwan to Japan. Taiwan reverted to Chinese control after World War II. Following the Communist victory on the mainland in 1949, 2 million Nationalists fled to Taiwan and established a government using the 1946 constitution drawn up for all of China. Over the next five decades, the ruling authorities gradually democratized and incorporated the local population within the governing structure. In 2000, Taiwan underwent its first peaceful transfer of power from the Nationalist to the Democratic Progressive Party. Throughout this period, the island prospered and became one of East Asia's economic "Tigers." The dominant political issues continue to be the relationship between Taiwan and China - specifically the question of Taiwan's eventual status - as well as domestic political and economic reform.
Geography ::Taiwan
Location:
Eastern Asia, islands bordering the East China Sea, Philippine Sea, South China Sea, and Taiwan Strait, north of the Philippines, off the southeastern coast of China
Geographic coordinates:
23 30 N, 121 00 E
Map references:
Southeast Asia
Area:
total: 35,980 sq km country comparison to the world: 138 land: 32,260 sq km
water: 3,720 sq km
note: includes the Pescadores, Matsu, and Quemoy islands
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Maryland and Delaware combined
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
1,566.3 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical; marine; rainy season during southwest monsoon (June to August); cloudiness is persistent and extensive all year
Terrain:
eastern two-thirds mostly rugged mountains; flat to gently rolling plains in west
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: South China Sea 0 m
highest point: Yu Shan 3,952 m
Natural resources:
small deposits of coal, natural gas, limestone, marble, and asbestos
Land use:
arable land: 24%
permanent crops: 1%
other: 75% (2001)
Irrigated land:
NA
Total renewable water resources:
67 cu km (2000)
Natural hazards:
earthquakes; typhoons
Environment - current issues:
air pollution; water pollution from industrial emissions, raw sewage; contamination of drinking water supplies; trade in endangered species; low-level radioactive waste disposal
Environment - international agreements:
party to: none of the selected agreements because of Taiwan's international status
Geography - note:
strategic location adjacent to both the Taiwan Strait and the Luzon Strait
People ::Taiwan
Population:
22,974,347 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 49
Age structure:
0-14 years: 16.7% (male 1,996,905/female 1,844,611)
15-64 years: 72.6% (male 8,416,300/female 8,267,675)
65 years and over: 10.7% (male 1,183,382/female 1,265,474) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 36.5 years
male: 35.9 years
female: 37.1 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.227% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 181
Birth rate:
8.99 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 210
Death rate:
6.76 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 143
Net migration rate:
0.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 74
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.09 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/female
total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 5.35 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 185 male: 5.64 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 5.04 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 77.96 years country comparison to the world: 52 male: 75.12 years
female: 81.05 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.14 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 220
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Taiwan (singular and plural)
note: example - he or she is from Taiwan; they are from Taiwan
adjective: Taiwan
Ethnic groups:
Taiwanese (including Hakka) 84%, mainland Chinese 14%, indigenous 2%
Religions:
mixture of Buddhist and Taoist 93%, Christian 4.5%, other 2.5%
Languages:
Mandarin Chinese (official), Taiwanese (Min), Hakka dialects
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 96.1%
male: NA
female: NA (2003)
Education expenditures:
NA
Government ::Taiwan
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Taiwan
local long form: none
local short form: T'ai-wan
former: Formosa
Government type:
multiparty democracy
Capital:
name: Taipei
geographic coordinates: 25 03 N, 121 30 E
time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
includes main island of Taiwan plus smaller islands nearby and off coast of China's Fujian Province; Taiwan is divided into 18 counties (hsien, singular and plural), 5 municipalities (shih, singular and plural), and 2 special municipalities (chih-hsia-shih, singular and plural)
note: Taiwan uses a variety of romanization systems; while a modified Wade-Giles system still dominates, the city of Taipei has adopted a Pinyin romanization for street and place names within its boundaries; other local authorities use different romanization systems; names for administrative divisions that follow are taken from the Taiwan Yearbook 2007 published by the Government Information Office in Taipei.
counties: Changhua, Chiayi [county], Hsinchu [county], Hualien, Kaohsiung [county], Kinmen, Lienchiang, Miaoli, Nantou, Penghu, Pingtung, Taichung [county], Tainan [county], Taipei [county], Taitung, Taoyuan, Yilan, and Yunlin
municipalities: Chiayi [city], Hsinchu [city], Keelung, Taichung [city], Tainan [city]
special municipalities: Kaohsiung [city], Taipei [city]
National holiday:
Republic Day (Anniversary of the Chinese Revolution), 10 October (1911)
Constitution:
adopted on 25 December 1946; effective 25 December 1947; amended in 1991, 1992, 1994, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2005
Legal system:
based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
20 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President MA Ying-jeou (since 20 May 2008); Vice President Vincent SIEW (since 20 May 2008)
head of government: Premier (President of the Executive Yuan) WU Den-yih (since 10 September 2009); Vice Premier (Vice President of Executive Yuan) Eric Liluan CHU (since 10 September 2009)
cabinet: Executive Yuan - (ministers appointed by president on recommendation of premier)
elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 22 March 2008 (next to be held in March 2012); premier appointed by the president; vice premiers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the premier
election results: MA Ying-jeou elected president; percent of vote - MA Ying-jeou 58.45%, Frank HSIEH 41.55%
Legislative branch:
unicameral Legislative Yuan (113 seats - 73 district members elected by popular vote, 34 at-large members elected on basis of proportion of islandwide votes received by participating political parties, 6 elected by popular vote among aboriginal populations; to serve four-year terms); parties must receive 5% of vote to qualify for at-large seats
elections: Legislative Yuan - last held 12 January 2008 (next to be held in December 2011 or January 2012)
election results: Legislative Yuan - percent of vote by party - KMT 53.5%, DPP 38.2%, NPSU 2.4%, PFP 0.3%, others 1.6%, independents 4%; seats by party - KMT 81, DPP 27, NPSU 3, PFP 1, independent 1
Judicial branch:
Judicial Yuan (justices appointed by the president with consent of the Legislative Yuan)
Political parties and leaders:
Democratic Progressive Party or DPP [TSAI Ing-wen]; Kuomintang or KMT (Nationalist Party) [WU Po-hsiung], MA Ying-jeou elected in July 2009, takes office on 12 September 2009; Non-Partisan Solidarity Union or NPSU [LIN Pin-kuan]; People First Party or PFP [James SOONG]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Organization for Taiwan Nation Building; World United Formosans for Independence
other: environmental groups; independence movement; various business groups
note: debate on Taiwan independence has become acceptable within the mainstream of domestic politics on Taiwan; political liberalization and the increased representation of opposition parties in Taiwan's legislature have opened public debate on the island's national identity; a broad public consensus has developed that the government enjoys popular sovereignty and - whatever the ultimate outcome regarding unification or independence - that Taiwan's people must have the deciding voice; public opinion polls consistently show a substantial majority of Taiwan people supports maintaining Taiwan's status quo for the foreseeable future; advocates of Taiwan independence oppose the stand that the island will eventually unify with mainland China; goals of the Taiwan independence movement include establishing a sovereign nation on Taiwan and entering the UN; advocates of eventual unification predicate their goal on the democratic transformation of the mainland
International organization participation:
ADB, APEC, BCIE, ICC, IOC, ITUC, WCL, WFTU, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none; commercial and cultural relations with the people in the United States are maintained through an unofficial instrumentality, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO), a private nonprofit corporation that performs citizen and consular services similar to those at diplomatic posts
representative: Jason C. YUAN
office: 4201 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016
telephone: [1] 202 895-1800
Taipei Economic and Cultural Offices (branch offices): Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Guam, Houston, Honolulu, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Seattle
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none; commercial and cultural relations with the people on Taiwan are maintained through an unofficial instrumentality, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), a private nonprofit corporation that performs citizen and consular services similar to those at diplomatic posts
director: William A. STANTON
office: #7 Lane 134, Hsin Yi Road, Section 3, Taipei, Taiwan
telephone: [1] [886] (02) 2162-2000
FAX: [1] [886] (07) 238-7744
other offices: Kaohsiung
Flag description:
red field with a dark blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a white sun with 12 triangular rays
Economy ::Taiwan
Economy - overview:
Taiwan has a dynamic capitalist economy with gradually decreasing government guidance of investment and foreign trade. In keeping with this trend, some large, state-owned banks and industrial firms have been privatized. Exports have provided the primary impetus for industrialization. The island runs a large trade surplus, and its foreign reserves are among the world's largest. Recently opened cross-strait travel, transportation, and tourism links are likely to increase Taiwan and China's economic interdependence. In 2008 China overtook the US to become Taiwan's second-largest source of imports, after Japan. China is also the island's number one destination for foreign direct investment. Growth fell to 0.1% in 2008 because of the global slowdown.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$713.7 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 20 $713 billion (2007 est.)
$674.5 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$391.4 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
0.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 197 5.7% (2007 est.)
4.8% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$31,100 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 $31,200 (2007 est.)
$29,600 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 1.7%
industry: 25.1%
services: 73.2% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
10.85 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 47
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 5.1%
industry: 36.8%
services: 58% (2008 est.)
Unemployment rate:
4.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 50 3.9% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
0.95% (2007 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 6.7%
highest 10%: 41.1% (2002 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):
20.6% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 102
Budget:
revenues: $73.02 billion
expenditures: $77.96 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
29.4% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 32.4% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 1.8% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
1.5% (January 2009)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
4.06% (2008 est.)
Stock of quasi money:
$618 billion (November 2008) country comparison to the world: 7 $NA (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$677.8 billion (November 2008) country comparison to the world: 17 $NA (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 20 $654 billion (28 December 2007)
$654 billion (28 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
rice, corn, vegetables, fruit, tea; pigs, poultry, beef, milk; fish
Industries:
electronics, petroleum refining, armaments, chemicals, textiles, iron and steel, machinery, cement, food processing, vehicles, consumer products, pharmaceuticals
Industrial production growth rate:
-1.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 147
Electricity - production:
225 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 18
Electricity - consumption:
233 billion kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 15
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
12,310 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 82
Oil - consumption:
959,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 20
Oil - exports:
303,500 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 41
Oil - imports:
1.251 million bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 14
Oil - proved reserves:
2.38 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 93
Natural gas - production:
360 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 71
Natural gas - consumption:
12.44 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 45
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 99
Natural gas - imports:
12.08 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 18
Natural gas - proved reserves:
6.229 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 86
Current account balance:
$24.89 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 $32.98 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$254.9 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 19 $246.5 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
electronics, flat panels, machinery, metals, textiles, plastics, chemicals, auto parts (2008)
Exports - partners:
China 29.2%, US 12%, Hong Kong 9.8%, Japan 6.9%, Singapore 4.6% (2008 est.)
Imports:
$236.7 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 19 $216.1 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
electronics, machinery, petroleum, precision instruments, organic chemicals, metals (2008)
Imports - partners:
Japan 19.3%, China 13%, US 10.9%, Saudi Arabia 6.3%, South Korea 5.5% (2008 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$296.4 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 4 $275 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$93.02 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 $97.85 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$102.3 billion (2008) country comparison to the world: 34 $52.65 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$107.1 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 25 $96.81 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
New Taiwan dollars (TWD) per US dollar - 31.53 (2008 est.), 32.84 (2007), 32.534 (2006), 31.71 (2005), 34.418 (2004)
Communications ::Taiwan
Telephones - main lines in use:
14.273 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 19
Telephones - mobile cellular:
25.412 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 33
Telephone system:
general assessment: provides telecommunications service for every business and private need
domestic: thoroughly modern; completely digitalized
international: country code - 886; numerous submarine cables provide links throughout Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Europe, and the US; satellite earth stations - 2
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 21, FM 143, shortwave 1 (2008)
Television broadcast stations:
76 (5 television networks with 46 digital and 30 analog stations) (2007)
Internet country code:
.tw
Internet hosts:
5.704 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 15
Internet users:
15.143 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 25
Transportation ::Taiwan
Airports:
42 (2009) country comparison to the world: 101
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 38
over 3,047 m: 8
2,438 to 3,047 m: 8
1,524 to 2,437 m: 11
914 to 1,523 m: 7
under 914 m: 4 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 4
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
under 914 m: 2 (2009)
Heliports:
4 (2009)
Pipelines:
gas 406 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 1,588 km country comparison to the world: 81 standard gauge: 345 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge: 1,093 km 1.067-m gauge; 150 km .762-m gauge
note: the 150 km of .762 gauge track belongs primarily to Taiwan Sugar Corporation and Taiwan Forestry Bureau; some to other entities (2007)
Roadways:
total: 40,262 km country comparison to the world: 88 paved: 38,171 km (includes 976 km of expressways)
unpaved: 2,091 km (2007)
Merchant marine:
total: 102 country comparison to the world: 50 by type: bulk carrier 32, cargo 19, chemical tanker 1, container 24, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 14, refrigerated cargo 7, roll on/roll off 2
foreign-owned: 3 (Canada 2, France 1)
registered in other countries: 536 (Bolivia 1, Cambodia 1, Honduras 2, Hong Kong 11, Indonesia 2, Italy 13, Kiribati 5, Liberia 91, Marshall Islands 1, Panama 320, Philippines 1, Sierra Leone 1, Singapore 72, Thailand 1, UK 11, unknown 3) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Chilung (Keelung), Kaohsiung, Taichung
Military ::Taiwan
Military branches:
Army, Navy (includes Marine Corps), Air Force, Coast Guard Administration, Armed Forces Reserve Command, Combined Service Forces Command, Armed Forces Police Command
Military service age and obligation:
19-35 years of age for male compulsory military service; service obligation 14 months (reducing to 1 year in 2009); women may enlist; women in Air Force service are restricted to noncombat roles; reserve obligation to age 30 (Army); the Ministry of Defense has announced plans to implement an incremental voluntary enlistment system beginning 2010, with 10% fewer conscripts each year thereafter, although nonvolunteers will still be required to perform alternative service or go through 3-4 months of military training (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 6,283,134
females age 16-49: 6,098,599 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 5,106,730
females age 16-49: 5,008,563 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 165,738
female: 154,123 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
2.2% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 75
Transnational Issues ::Taiwan
Disputes - international:
involved in complex dispute with China, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei over the Spratly Islands; the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea" has eased tensions but falls short of a legally binding "code of conduct" desired by several of the disputants; Paracel Islands are occupied by China, but claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam; in 2003, China and Taiwan became more vocal in rejecting both Japan's claims to the uninhabited islands of the Senkaku-shoto (Diaoyu Tai) and Japan's unilaterally declared exclusive economic zone in the East China Sea where all parties engage in hydrocarbon prospecting
Illicit drugs:
regional transit point for heroin, methamphetamine, and precursor chemicals; transshipment point for drugs to Japan; major problem with domestic consumption of methamphetamine and heroin; rising problems with use of ketamine and club drugs
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Tajikistan (Central Asia)
Introduction ::Tajikistan
Background:
The Tajik people came under Russian rule in the 1860s and 1870s, but Russia's hold on Central Asia weakened following the Revolution of 1917. Bolshevik control of the area was fiercely contested and not fully reestablished until 1925. Much of present-day Sughd province was transferred from the Uzbek SSR to the newly formed Tajik SSR in 1929. Ethnic Uzbeks form a substantial minority in Sughd province. Tajikistan became independent in 1991 following the breakup of the Soviet Union, and experienced a civil war between regional factions from 1992-97. There have been no major security incidents in recent years, although the country remains the poorest in the former Soviet sphere. Attention by the international community since the beginning of the NATO intervention in Afghanistan has brought increased economic development and security assistance, which could create jobs and strengthen stability in the long term. Tajikistan is in the early stages of seeking World Trade Organization membership and has joined NATO's Partnership for Peace.
Geography ::Tajikistan
Location:
Central Asia, west of China
Geographic coordinates:
39 00 N, 71 00 E
Map references:
Asia
Area:
total: 143,100 sq km country comparison to the world: 95 land: 141,510 sq km
water: 2,590 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Wisconsin
Land boundaries:
total: 3,651 km
border countries: Afghanistan 1,206 km, China 414 km, Kyrgyzstan 870 km, Uzbekistan 1,161 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
midlatitude continental, hot summers, mild winters; semiarid to polar in Pamir Mountains
Terrain:
Pamir and Alay Mountains dominate landscape; western Fergana Valley in north, Kofarnihon and Vakhsh Valleys in southwest
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Syr Darya (Sirdaryo) 300 m
highest point: Qullai Ismoili Somoni 7,495 m
Natural resources:
hydropower, some petroleum, uranium, mercury, brown coal, lead, zinc, antimony, tungsten, silver, gold
Land use:
arable land: 6.52%
permanent crops: 0.89%
other: 92.59% (2005)
Irrigated land:
7,220 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
99.7 cu km (1997)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 11.96 cu km/yr (4%/5%/92%)
per capita: 1,837 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
earthquakes; floods
Environment - current issues:
inadequate sanitation facilities; increasing levels of soil salinity; industrial pollution; excessive pesticides
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
landlocked; mountainous region dominated by the Trans-Alay Range in the north and the Pamirs in the southeast; highest point, Qullai Ismoili Somoni (formerly Communism Peak), was the tallest mountain in the former USSR
People ::Tajikistan
Population:
7,349,145 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 96
Age structure:
0-14 years: 34.3% (male 1,282,681/female 1,238,607)
15-64 years: 62.1% (male 2,260,552/female 2,303,034)
65 years and over: 3.6% (male 112,334/female 151,937) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 21.9 years
male: 21.5 years
female: 22.4 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.878% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 68
Birth rate:
26.9 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 60
Death rate:
6.83 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 140
Net migration rate:
-1.28 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 129
Urbanization:
urban population: 26% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 41.03 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 64 male: 45.9 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 35.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 65.33 years country comparison to the world: 166 male: 62.29 years
female: 68.52 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.99 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 73
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.3% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 87
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
10,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 103
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 500 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 98
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne disease: malaria (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Tajikistani(s)
adjective: Tajikistani
Ethnic groups:
Tajik 79.9%, Uzbek 15.3%, Russian 1.1%, Kyrgyz 1.1%, other 2.6% (2000 census)
Religions:
Sunni Muslim 85%, Shia Muslim 5%, other 10% (2003 est.)
Languages:
Tajik (official), Russian widely used in government and business
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99.5%
male: 99.7%
female: 99.2% (2000 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 11 years
male: 12 years
female: 10 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
3.4% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 132
Government ::Tajikistan
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Tajikistan
conventional short form: Tajikistan
local long form: Jumhurii Tojikiston
local short form: Tojikiston
former: Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Dushanbe
geographic coordinates: 38 35 N, 68 48 E
time difference: UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
2 provinces (viloyatho, singular - viloyat) and 1 autonomous province* (viloyati mukhtor); Viloyati Khatlon (Qurghonteppa), Viloyati Mukhtori Kuhistoni Badakhshon* [Gorno-Badakhshan] (Khorugh), Viloyati Sughd (Khujand)
note: the administrative center name follows in parentheses
Independence:
9 September 1991 (from the Soviet Union)
National holiday:
Independence Day (or National Day), 9 September (1991)
Constitution:
6 November 1994
Legal system:
based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Emomali RAHMON (since 6 November 1994; head of state and Supreme Assembly chairman since 19 November 1992)
head of government: Prime Minister Oqil OQILOV (since 20 January 1999)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president, approved by the Supreme Assembly
elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 6 November 2006 (next to be held in November 2013); prime minister appointed by the president
election results: Emomali RAHMON reelected president; percent of vote - Emomali RAHMON 79.3%, Olimjon BOBOEV 6.2%, other 14.5%
Legislative branch:
bicameral Supreme Assembly or Majlisi Oli consists of the National Assembly (upper chamber) or Majlisi Milliy (34 seats; 25 members selected by local deputies, 8 appointed by the president; 1 seat reserved for the former president; to serve five-year terms) and the Assembly of Representatives (lower chamber) or Majlisi Namoyandagon (63 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: National Assembly - last held 25 March 2005 (next to be held in February 2010); Assembly of Representatives 27 February and 13 March 2005 (next to be held in February 2010)
election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDPT 29, CPT 2, independents 3; Assembly of Representatives - percent of vote by party - PDPT 74.9%, CPT 13.6%, Islamic Revival Party 8.9%, other 2.5%; seats by party - PDPT 51, CPT 5, Islamic Revival Party 2, independents 5
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president)
Political parties and leaders:
Agrarian Party of Tajikistan or APT [Amir QARAQULOV]; Democratic Party or DPT [Mahmadruzi ISKANDAROV (imprisoned October 2005); Rahmatullo VALIYEV, deputy]; Islamic Revival Party [Muhiddin KABIRI]; Party of Economic Reform or PER [Olimjon BOBOEV]; People's Democratic Party of Tajikistan or PDPT [Emomali RAHMON]; Social Democratic Party or SDPT [Rahmatullo ZOYIROV]; Socialist Party or SPT [Mirhuseyn NARZIEV]; Tajik Communist Party or CPT [Shodi SHABDOLOV]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
splinter parties recognized by the government but not by the base of the party: Democratic Party or DPT [Masud SOBIROV] (splintered from ISKANDAROV's DPT); Socialist Party or SPT [Abduhalim GHAFFOROV] (splintered from NARZIEV's SPT)
unregistered political parties: Agrarian Party [Hikmatullo NASREDDINOV]; Progressive Party [Sulton QUVVATOV]; Unity Party [Hikmatullo SAIDOV]
International organization participation:
ADB, CIS, CSTO, EAEC, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, MIGA, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SCO, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Abdujabbor SHIRINOV
chancery: 1005 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037
telephone: [1] (202) 223-6090
FAX: [1] (202) 223-6091
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Tracey Ann JACOBSON
embassy: 109-A Ismoili Somoni Avenue, Dushanbe 734019
mailing address: 7090 Dushanbe Place, Dulles, VA 20189
telephone: [992] (37) 229-20-00
FAX: [992] (37) 229-20-50
Flag description:
three horizontal stripes of red (top), a wider stripe of white, and green; a gold crown surmounted by seven gold, five-pointed stars is located in the center of the white stripe
Economy ::Tajikistan
Economy - overview:
Tajikistan has one of the lowest per capita GDPs among the 15 former Soviet republics. Because of a lack of employment opportunities in Tajikistan, nearly half of the labor force works abroad, primarily in Russia, supporting families in Tajikistan through remittances. The exact number of labor migrants is unknown, but estimated at around 1 million. Less than 7% of the land area is arable. Cotton is the most important crop, but this sector is burdened with debt and obsolete infrastructure. Mineral resources include silver, gold, uranium, and tungsten. Industry consists only of a large aluminum plant, hydropower facilities, and small obsolete factories mostly in light industry and food processing. The civil war (1992-97) severely damaged the already weak economic infrastructure and caused a sharp decline in industrial and agricultural production. Tajikistan's economic situation remains fragile due to uneven implementation of structural reforms, corruption, weak governance, widespread unemployment, seasonal power shortages, and the external debt burden. A debt restructuring agreement was reached with Russia in December 2002 including a $250 million write-off of Tajikistan's $300 million debt. Completion of the Sangtuda I hydropower dam - built with Russian investment - and the Sangtuda II and Rogun dams will add substantially to electricity output. If finished according to Tajik plans, Rogun will be the world's tallest dam. Tajikistan has also received substantial infrastructure development loans from the Chinese government to improve roads and an electricity transmission network. To help increase north-south trade, the US funded a $36 million bridge which opened in August 2007 and links Tajikistan and Afghanistan. While, Tajikistan has experienced steady economic growth since 1997, nearly two-thirds of the population continues to live in poverty. Economic growth reached 10.6% in 2004, but dropped below 8% in 2005-08, as the effects of higher oil prices and then the international financial crisis began to register - mainly in the form of lower prices for key commodities and lower remittances from Tajiks working in Russia, due to the declining economic conditions in that country.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$13.19 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 137 $12.22 billion (2007 est.)
$11.34 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$5.135 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
7.9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 23 7.8% (2007 est.)
7% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$1,800 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 190 $1,700 (2007 est.)
$1,600 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 22.7%
industry: 27.1%
services: 50.2% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
2.1 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 118
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 67.2%
industry: 7.5%
services: 25.3% (2000 est.)
Unemployment rate:
2.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 24 2.4% (2007 est.)
note: official rates; actual unemployment is higher
Population below poverty line:
60% (2007 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 3.3%
highest 10%: 25.6% (2007 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
32.6 (2006) country comparison to the world: 99 34.7 (1998)
Investment (gross fixed):
12% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 144
Budget:
revenues: $996.8 million
expenditures: $899.6 million (2008 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
20.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 205 13.1% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
NA% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 14 15% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
23.1% (31 December 2008)
Stock of money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$329.2 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$544 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 107 $350.3 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$889 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 109 $NA (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
cotton, grain, fruits, grapes, vegetables; cattle, sheep, goats
Industries:
aluminum, zinc, lead; chemicals and fertilizers, cement, vegetable oil, metal-cutting machine tools, refrigerators and freezers
Industrial production growth rate:
-4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 164
Electricity - production:
17.3 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 73
Electricity - consumption:
17.8 billion kWh (2008) country comparison to the world: 69
Electricity - exports:
1 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
4.361 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
238 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 108
Oil - consumption:
36,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 107
Oil - exports:
348.9 bbl/day country comparison to the world: 126
Oil - imports:
10,100 bbl/day (2008) country comparison to the world: 140
Oil - proved reserves:
12 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 88
Natural gas - production:
15.3 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 90
Natural gas - consumption:
515.3 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 95
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 106
Natural gas - imports:
500 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 60
Natural gas - proved reserves:
5.663 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 90
Current account balance:
$47.6 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 -$495.1 million (2007 est.)
Exports:
$1.575 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 138 $1.557 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
aluminum, electricity, cotton, fruits, vegetable oil, textiles
Exports - partners:
Netherlands 36.7%, Turkey 26.5%, Russia 8.6%, Iran 6.6%, China 5.7%, Uzbekistan 5.1% (2008)
Imports:
$3.699 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 131 $3.115 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
electricity, petroleum products, aluminum oxide, machinery and equipment, foodstuffs
Imports - partners:
Russia 32.3%, China 11.9%, Kazakhstan 8.8%, Uzbekistan 4.7% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$195 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 $328 million (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$1.503 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 $1.56 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$102 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 36 $94.76 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$10.86 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 45 $8.022 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
Tajikistani somoni (TJS) per US dollar - 3.4563 (2008 est.), 3.4418 (2007), 3.3 (2006), 3.1166 (2005), 2.9705 (2004)
Communications ::Tajikistan
Telephones - main lines in use:
360,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 106
Telephones - mobile cellular:
3.5 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 99
Telephone system:
general assessment: foreign investment in the telephone system has resulted in major improvements
domestic: the domestic telecommunications network has historically been under funded and poorly maintained; main line availability has not changed significantly since 1998; mobile cellular use, aided by competition among multiple operators, has expanded rapidly; coverage now extends to all major cities and towns
international: country code - 992; linked by cable and microwave radio relay to other CIS republics and by leased connections to the Moscow international gateway switch; Dushanbe linked by Intelsat to international gateway switch in Ankara (Turkey); satellite earth stations - 3 (2 Intelsat and 1 Orbita) (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
16 (number of licensed stations with only about 10 broadcasting) (2009)
Television broadcast stations:
24 (number of licensed stations with only about 15 active) (2009)
Internet country code:
.tj
Internet hosts:
987 (2009) country comparison to the world: 161
Internet users:
600,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 103
Transportation ::Tajikistan
Airports:
26 (2009) country comparison to the world: 128
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 18
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 4
1,524 to 2,437 m: 6
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 3 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 8
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 7 (2009)
Pipelines:
gas 549 km; oil 38 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 680 km country comparison to the world: 107 broad gauge: 680 km 1.520-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 27,767 km (2000) country comparison to the world: 100
Waterways:
200 km (along Vakhsh River) (2008) country comparison to the world: 99
Military ::Tajikistan
Military branches:
Ground Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces, Mobile Forces (2008)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for compulsory military service; 2-year conscript service obligation (2007)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,897,356
females age 16-49: 1,911,594 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,428,218
females age 16-49: 1,603,779 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 80,819
female: 78,460 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
3.9% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 31
Transnational Issues ::Tajikistan
Disputes - international:
in 2006, China and Tajikistan pledged to commence demarcation of the revised boundary agreed to in the delimitation of 2002; talks continue with Uzbekistan to delimit border and remove minefields; disputes in Isfara Valley delay delimitation with Kyrgyzstan
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Tajikistan is a source country for women trafficked through Kyrgyzstan and Russia to the UAE, Turkey, and Russia for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation; men are trafficked to Russia and Kazakhstan for the purpose of forced labor, primarily in the construction and agricultural industries; boys and girls are trafficked internally for various purposes, including forced labor and forced begging
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Tajikistan is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat human trafficking, especially efforts to investigate, prosecute, convict, and sentence traffickers; despite evidence of low- and mid-level officials' complicity in trafficking, the government did not punish any public officials for trafficking complicity during 2007; lack of capacity and poor coordination between government institutions remained key obstacles to effective anti-trafficking efforts (2008)
Illicit drugs:
major transit country for Afghan narcotics bound for Russian and, to a lesser extent, Western European markets; limited illicit cultivation of opium poppy for domestic consumption; Tajikistan seizes roughly 80% of all drugs captured in Central Asia and stands third worldwide in seizures of opiates (heroin and raw opium); significant consumer of opiates
page last updated on November 11, 2009
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@Tanzania (Africa)
Introduction ::Tanzania
Background:
Shortly after achieving independence from Britain in the early 1960s, Tanganyika and Zanzibar merged to form the nation of Tanzania in 1964. One-party rule came to an end in 1995 with the first democratic elections held in the country since the 1970s. Zanzibar's semi-autonomous status and popular opposition have led to two contentious elections since 1995, which the ruling party won despite international observers' claims of voting irregularities.
Geography ::Tanzania
Location:
Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Kenya and Mozambique
Geographic coordinates:
6 00 S, 35 00 E
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 947,300 sq km country comparison to the world: 31 land: 885,800 sq km
water: 61,500 sq km
note: includes the islands of Mafia, Pemba, and Zanzibar
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than twice the size of California
Land boundaries:
total: 3,861 km
border countries: Burundi 451 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 459 km, Kenya 769 km, Malawi 475 km, Mozambique 756 km, Rwanda 217 km, Uganda 396 km, Zambia 338 km
Coastline:
1,424 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
varies from tropical along coast to temperate in highlands
Terrain:
plains along coast; central plateau; highlands in north, south
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Kilimanjaro 5,895 m
Natural resources:
hydropower, tin, phosphates, iron ore, coal, diamonds, gemstones, gold, natural gas, nickel
Land use:
arable land: 4.23%
permanent crops: 1.16%
other: 94.61% (2005)
Irrigated land:
1,840 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
91 cu km (2001)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 5.18 cu km/yr (10%/0%/89%)
per capita: 135 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
flooding on the central plateau during the rainy season; drought
Environment - current issues:
soil degradation; deforestation; desertification; destruction of coral reefs threatens marine habitats; recent droughts affected marginal agriculture; wildlife threatened by illegal hunting and trade, especially for ivory
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:
Kilimanjaro is highest point in Africa; bordered by three of the largest lakes on the continent: Lake Victoria (the world's second-largest freshwater lake) in the north, Lake Tanganyika (the world's second deepest) in the west, and Lake Nyasa in the southwest
People ::Tanzania
Population:
41,048,532 country comparison to the world: 30 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 43% (male 8,853,529/female 8,805,810)