$NA (continued 25)
Reading edition
Navassa Island the flag of the US is used
Nepal red with a blue border around the unique shape of two overlapping right triangles; the smaller, upper triangle bears a white stylized moon and the larger, lower triangle bears a white 12-pointed sun
Netherlands three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue; similar to the flag of Luxembourg, which uses a lighter blue and is longer; the colors were those of WILLIAM I, Prince of Orange, who led the Dutch Revolt against Spanish sovereignty in the latter half of the 16th century; originally the upper band was orange, but because it tended to fade to red over time, the red shade was eventually made the permanent color; the banner is perhaps the oldest tricolor in continuous use
Netherlands Antilles white, with a horizontal blue stripe in the center superimposed on a vertical red band, also centered; five white, five-pointed stars are arranged in an oval pattern in the center of the blue band; the five stars represent the five main islands of Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten
New Caledonia the flag of France is used
New Zealand blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant with four red five-pointed stars edged in white centered in the outer half of the flag; the stars represent the Southern Cross constellation
Nicaragua three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on the top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; similar to the flag of El Salvador, which features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band
Niger three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and green with a small orange disk (representing the sun) centered in the white band; similar to the flag of India, which has a blue spoked wheel centered in the white band
Nigeria three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and green
Niue yellow with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the flag of the UK bears five yellow five-pointed stars - a large star on a blue disk in the center and a smaller star on each arm of the bold red cross
Norfolk Island three vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and green with a large green Norfolk Island pine tree centered in the slightly wider white band
Northern Mariana Islands blue, with a white, five-pointed star superimposed on the gray silhouette of a latte stone (a traditional foundation stone used in building) in the center, surrounded by a wreath
Norway red with a blue cross outlined in white that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag); the colors recall Norway's past political unions with Denmark (red and white) and Sweden (blue)
Oman three horizontal bands of white, red, and green of equal width with a broad, vertical, red band on the hoist side; the national emblem (a khanjar dagger in its sheath superimposed on two crossed swords in scabbards) in white is centered near the top of the vertical band
Pakistan green with a vertical white band (symbolizing the role of religious minorities) on the hoist side; a large white crescent and star are centered in the green field; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam
Palau light blue with a large yellow disk (representing the moon) shifted slightly to the hoist side
Panama divided into four, equal rectangles; the top quadrants are white (hoist side) with a blue five-pointed star in the center and plain red; the bottom quadrants are plain blue (hoist side) and white with a red five-pointed star in the center
Papua New Guinea divided diagonally from upper hoist-side corner; the upper triangle is red with a soaring yellow bird of paradise centered; the lower triangle is black with five, white, five-pointed stars of the Southern Cross constellation centered
Paraguay three equal, horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue with an emblem centered in the white band; unusual flag in that the emblem is different on each side; the obverse (hoist side at the left) bears the national coat of arms (a yellow five-pointed star within a green wreath capped by the words REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all within two circles); the reverse (hoist side at the right) bears the seal of the treasury (a yellow lion below a red Cap of Liberty and the words Paz y Justicia (Peace and Justice) capped by the words REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all within two circles)
Peru three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), white, and red with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a shield bearing a vicuna, cinchona tree (the source of quinine), and a yellow cornucopia spilling out gold coins, all framed by a green wreath
Philippines two equal horizontal bands of blue (top; representing peace and justice) and red (representing courage); a white equilateral triangle based on the hoist side represents equality; the center of the triangle displays a yellow sun with eight primary rays, each representing one of the first eight provinces that sought independence from Spain; each corner of the triangle contains a small, yellow, five-pointed star representing the three major geographical divisions of the country: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao; the design of the flag dates to 1897; in wartime the flag is flown upside down with the red band at the top
Pitcairn Islands blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Pitcairn Islander coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms is yellow, green, and light blue with a shield featuring a yellow anchor
Poland two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; similar to the flags of Indonesia and Monaco which are red (top) and white
Portugal two vertical bands of green (hoist side, two-fifths) and red (three-fifths) with the Portuguese coat of arms centered on the dividing line
Puerto Rico five equal horizontal bands of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bears a large, white, five-pointed star in the center; design initially influenced by the US flag, but similar to the Cuban flag, with the colors of the bands and triangle reversed
Qatar maroon with a broad white serrated band (nine white points) on the hoist side
Romania three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; the national coat of arms that used to be centered in the yellow band has been removed; now similar to the flag of Chad, also resembles the flags of Andorra and Moldova
Russia three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red
Rwanda three horizontal bands of sky blue (top, double width), yellow, and green, with a golden sun with 24 rays near the fly end of the blue band
Saint Barthelemy the flag of France is used
Saint Helena blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Saint Helenian shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield features a rocky coastline and three-masted sailing ship
Saint Kitts and Nevis divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a broad black band bearing two white, five-pointed stars; the black band is edged in yellow; the upper triangle is green, the lower triangle is red
Saint Lucia blue, with a gold isosceles triangle below a black arrowhead; the upper edges of the arrowhead have a white border
Saint Martin the flag of France is used
Saint Pierre and Miquelon a yellow three-masted sailing ship facing the hoist side rides on a blue background with scattered, white, wavy lines under the ship; a continuous black-over-white wavy line divides the ship from the white wavy lines; on the hoist side, a vertical band is divided into three parts: the top part (called ikkurina) is red with a green diagonal cross extending to the corners overlaid by a white cross dividing the rectangle into four sections; the middle part has a white background with an ermine pattern; the third part has a red background with two stylized yellow lions outlined in black, one above the other; these three heraldic arms represent settlement by colonists from the Basque Country (top), Brittany, and Normandy note: the flag of France used for official occasions
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines three vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold (double width), and green; the gold band bears three green diamonds arranged in a V pattern
Samoa red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side quadrant bearing five white five-pointed stars representing the Southern Cross constellation
San Marino two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and light blue with the national coat of arms superimposed in the center; the coat of arms has a shield (featuring three towers on three peaks) flanked by a wreath, below a crown and above a scroll bearing the word LIBERTAS (Liberty)
Sao Tome and Principe three horizontal bands of green (top), yellow (double width), and green with two black five-pointed stars placed side by side in the center of the yellow band and a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Saudi Arabia green, a traditional color in Islamic flags, with the Shahada or Muslim creed in large white Arabic script (translated as "There is no god but God; Muhammad is the Messenger of God") above a white horizontal saber (the tip points to the hoist side); design dates to the early twentieth century and is closely associated with the Al Saud family which established the kingdom in 1932
Senegal three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and red with a small green five-pointed star centered in the yellow band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Serbia three equal horizontal stripes of red (top), blue, and white; charged with the coat of arms of Serbia shifted slightly to the hoist side
Seychelles five oblique bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, red, white, and green (bottom) radiating from the bottom of the hoist side
Sierra Leone three equal horizontal bands of light green (top), white, and light blue
Singapore two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; near the hoist side of the red band, there is a vertical, white crescent (closed portion is toward the hoist side) partially enclosing five white five-pointed stars arranged in a circle
Slovakia three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red superimposed with the coat of arms of Slovakia (consisting of a red shield bordered in white and bearing a white Cross of Lorraine surmounting three blue hills); the coat of arms is centered vertically and offset slightly to the hoist side
Slovenia three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red, with the Slovenian seal (a shield with the image of Triglav, Slovenia's highest peak, in white against a blue background at the center; beneath it are two wavy blue lines depicting seas and rivers, and above it are three six-pointed stars arranged in an inverted triangle, which are taken from the coat of arms of the Counts of Celje, the great Slovene dynastic house of the late 14th and early 15th centuries); the seal is in the upper hoist side of the flag centered on the white and blue bands
Solomon Islands divided diagonally by a thin yellow stripe from the lower hoist-side corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is blue with five white five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern; the lower triangle is green
Somalia light blue with a large white five-pointed star in the center; blue field influenced by the flag of the UN
South Africa two equal width horizontal bands of red (top) and blue separated by a central green band that splits into a horizontal Y, the arms of which end at the corners of the hoist side; the Y embraces a black isosceles triangle from which the arms are separated by narrow yellow bands; the red and blue bands are separated from the green band and its arms by narrow white stripes
South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms features a shield with a golden lion centered; the shield is supported by a fur seal on the left and a penguin on the right; a reindeer appears above the shield, and below it on a scroll is the motto LEO TERRAM PROPRIAM PROTEGAT (Let the Lion Protect its Own Land)
Spain three horizontal bands of red (top), yellow (double width), and red with the national coat of arms on the hoist side of the yellow band; the coat of arms is quartered to display the emblems of the traditional kingdoms of Spain (clockwise from upper left, Castile, Leon, Navarre, and Aragon) while Granada is represented by the stylized pomegranate at the bottom of the shield; the arms are framed by two columns representing the Pillars of Hercules, which are the two promontories (Gibraltar and Ceuta) on either side of the eastern end of the Strait of Gibraltar; the red scroll across the two columns bears the imperial motto of "Plus Ultra" (further beyond) referring to Spanish lands beyond Europe
Sri Lanka yellow with two panels; the smaller hoist-side panel has two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and orange; the other panel is a large dark red rectangle with a yellow lion holding a sword, and there is a yellow bo leaf in each corner; the yellow field appears as a border around the entire flag and extends between the two panels
Sudan three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black with a green isosceles triangle based on the hoist side
Suriname five horizontal bands of green (top, double width), white, red (quadruple width), white, and green (double width); there is a large, yellow, five-pointed star centered in the red band
Svalbard the flag of Norway is used
Swaziland three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width), and blue; the red band is edged in yellow; centered in the red band is a large black and white shield covering two spears and a staff decorated with feather tassels, all placed horizontally
Sweden 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
Switzerland 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)
Syria 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
Taiwan red field with a dark blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a white sun with 12 triangular rays
Tajikistan 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
Tanzania divided diagonally by a yellow-edged black band from the lower hoist-side corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the lower triangle is blue
Thailand five horizontal bands of red (top), white, blue (double width), white, and red
Timor-Leste red, with a black isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) superimposed on a slightly longer yellow arrowhead that extends to the center of the flag; a white star is in the center of the black triangle
Togo five equal horizontal bands of green (top and bottom) alternating with yellow; a white five-pointed star on a red square is in the upper hoist-side corner; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Tokelau a yellow stylized Tokelauan canoe on a dark blue field sails toward the manu - the Southern Cross constellation of four, white, five-pointed stars at the hoist side; the Southern Cross represents the role of Christianity in Tokelauan culture and symbolizes the country's navigating into the future, the color yellow indicates happiness and peace, and the blue field represents the ocean on which the community relies
Tonga red with a bold red cross on a white rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner
Trinidad and Tobago red with a white-edged black diagonal band from the upper hoist side to the lower fly side
Tunisia red with a white disk in the center bearing a red crescent nearly encircling a red five-pointed star; the crescent and star are traditional symbols of Islam
Turkey red with a vertical white crescent (the closed portion is toward the hoist side) and white five-pointed star centered just outside the crescent opening
Turkmenistan green field with a vertical red stripe near the hoist side, containing five tribal guls (designs used in producing carpets) stacked above two crossed olive branches; a white crescent moon representing Islam with five white stars representing the regions or welayats of Turkmenistan appear in the upper corner of the field just to the fly side of the red stripe
Turks and Caicos Islands blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the colonial shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield is yellow and contains a conch shell, lobster, and cactus
Tuvalu light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the outer half of the flag represents a map of the country with nine yellow five-pointed stars symbolizing the nine islands
Uganda six equal horizontal bands of black (top), yellow, red, black, yellow, and red; a white disk is superimposed at the center and depicts a red-crested crane (the national symbol) facing the hoist side
Ukraine two equal horizontal bands of azure (top) and golden yellow represent grain fields under a blue sky
United Arab Emirates three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and black with a wider vertical red band on the hoist side
United Kingdom blue field with the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of England) edged in white superimposed on the diagonal red cross of Saint Patrick (patron saint of Ireland), which is superimposed on the diagonal white cross of Saint Andrew (patron saint of Scotland); properly known as the Union Flag, but commonly called the Union Jack; the design and colors (especially the Blue Ensign) have been the basis for a number of other flags including other Commonwealth countries and their constituent states or provinces, and British overseas territories
United States 13 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing 50 small, white, five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal rows of six stars (top and bottom) alternating with rows of five stars; the 50 stars represent the 50 states, the 13 stripes represent the 13 original colonies; known as Old Glory; the design and colors have been the basis for a number of other flags, including Chile, Liberia, Malaysia, and Puerto Rico
United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges the flag of the US is used
Uruguay nine equal horizontal stripes of white (top and bottom) alternating with blue; a white square in the upper hoist-side corner with a yellow sun bearing a human face known as the Sun of May with 16 rays that alternate between triangular and wavy
Uzbekistan three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and green separated by red fimbriations with a white crescent moon and 12 white stars in the upper hoist-side quadrant
Vanuatu two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a black isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) all separated by a black-edged yellow stripe in the shape of a horizontal Y (the two points of the Y face the hoist side and enclose the triangle); centered in the triangle is a boar's tusk encircling two crossed namele leaves, all in yellow
Venezuela three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), blue, and red with the coat of arms on the hoist side of the yellow band and an arc of eight white five-pointed stars centered in the blue band
Vietnam red field with a large yellow five-pointed star in the center
Virgin Islands white field with a modified US coat of arms in the center between the large blue initials V and I; the coat of arms shows a yellow eagle holding an olive branch in one talon and three arrows in the other with a superimposed shield of vertical red and white stripes below a blue panel
Wake Island the flag of the US is used
Wallis and Futuna unofficial, local flag has a red field with four white isosceles triangles in the middle, representing the three native kings of the islands and the French administrator; the apexes of the triangles are oriented inward and at right angles to each other; the flag of France, outlined in white on two sides, is in the upper hoist quadrant note: the flag of France used for official occasions
Yemen three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black; similar to the flag of Syria, which has two green stars in the white band, and of Iraq, which has an Arabic inscription centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Egypt, which has a heraldic eagle centered in the white band
Zambia green field with a panel of three vertical bands of red (hoist side), black, and orange below a soaring orange eagle, on the outer edge of the flag
Zimbabwe seven equal horizontal bands of green, yellow, red, black, red, yellow, and green with a white isosceles triangle edged in black with its base on the hoist side; a yellow Zimbabwe bird representing the long history of the country is superimposed on a red five-pointed star in the center of the triangle, which symbolizes peace; green symbolizes agriculture, yellow - mineral wealth, red - blood shed to achieve independence, and black stands for the native people
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Field Listing :: Roadways
This entry gives the total length of the road network and includes the length of the paved and unpaved portions. Country Comparison to the World Country
Roadways(km)
Afghanistan total: 42,150 km paved: 12,350 km unpaved: 29,800 km (2006)
Albania total: 18,000 km paved: 7,020 km unpaved: 10,980 km (2002)
Algeria total: 108,302 km paved: 76,028 km (includes 645 km of expressways) unpaved: 32,274 km (2004)
American Samoa total: 221 km (2007)
Andorra total: 270 km (1994)
Angola total: 51,429 km paved: 5,349 km unpaved: 46,080 km (2001)
Anguilla total: 175 km paved: 82 km unpaved: 93 km (2004)
Antigua and Barbuda total: 1,165 km paved: 384 km unpaved: 781 km (2002)
Argentina total: 231,374 km paved: 69,412 km (includes 734 km of expressways) unpaved: 161,962 km (2004)
Armenia total: 7,700 km paved: 7,700 km (includes 1,561 km of expressways) (2006)
Australia total: 812,972 km paved: 341,448 km unpaved: 471,524 km (2004)
Austria total: 107,262 km paved: 107,262 km (includes 1,677 km of expressways) (2006)
Azerbaijan total: 59,141 km paved: 29,210 km unpaved: 29,931 km (2004)
Bahamas, The total: 2,717 km paved: 1,560 km unpaved: 1,157 km (2002)
Bahrain total: 3,498 km paved: 2,768 km unpaved: 730 km (2003)
Bangladesh total: 239,226 km paved: 22,726 km unpaved: 216,500 km (2003)
Barbados total: 1,600 km paved: 1,600 km (2004)
Belarus total: 94,797 km paved: 84,028 km unpaved: 10,769 km (2005)
Belgium total: 152,256 km paved: 119,079 km (includes 1,763 km of expressways) unpaved: 33,177 km (2006)
Belize total: 3,007 km paved: 575 km unpaved: 2,432 km (2006)
Benin total: 16,000 km paved: 1,400 km unpaved: 14,600 km (2006)
Bermuda total: 447 km paved: 447 km note: public roads - 225 km; private roads - 222 km (2007)
Bhutan total: 8,050 km paved: 4,991 km unpaved: 3,059 km (2003)
Bolivia total: 62,479 km paved: 3,749 km unpaved: 58,730 km (2004)
Bosnia and Herzegovina total: 21,846 km paved: 11,425 km (4,714 km of interurban roads) unpaved: 10,421 km (2006)
Botswana total: 25,798 km paved: 8,410 km unpaved: 17,388 km (2005)
Brazil total: 1,751,868 km paved: 96,353 km unpaved: 1,655,515 km (2004)
British Indian Ocean Territory note: short section of paved road between port and airfield on Diego Garcia
British Virgin Islands total: 200 km paved: 200 km (2007)
Brunei total: 3,650 km paved: 2,819 km unpaved: 831 km (2005)
Bulgaria total: 40,231 km paved: 39,587 km (includes 331 km of expressways) unpaved: 644 km (2005)
Burkina Faso total: 92,495 km paved: 3,857 km unpaved: 88,638 km (2004)
Burma total: 27,000 km paved: 3,200 km unpaved: 23,800 km (2006)
Burundi total: 12,322 km paved: 1,286 km unpaved: 11,036 km (2004)
Cambodia total: 38,093 km paved: 2,977 km unpaved: 35,116 km (2007)
Cameroon total: 50,000 km paved: 5,000 km unpaved: 45,000 km (2004)
Canada total: 1,042,300 km paved: 415,600 km (includes 17,000 km of expressways) unpaved: 626,700 km (2006)
Cape Verde total: 1,350 km paved: 932 km unpaved: 418 km (2000)
Cayman Islands total: 785 km paved: 785 km (2007)
Central African Republic total: 24,307 km (2000)
Chad total: 33,400 km paved: 267 km unpaved: 33,133 km (2002)
Chile total: 80,505 km paved: 16,745 km (includes 2,414 km of expressways) unpaved: 63,760 km (2004)
China total: 1,930,544 km paved: 1,575,571 km (includes 41,005 km of expressways) unpaved: 354,973 km (2005)
Christmas Island total: 140 km paved: 30 km unpaved: 110 km (2007)
Cocos (Keeling) Islands total: 22 km paved: 10 km unpaved: 12 km (2006)
Colombia total: 164,257 km (2005)
Comoros total: 880 km paved: 673 km unpaved: 207 km (2002)
Congo, Democratic Republic of the total: 153,497 km paved: 2,794 km unpaved: 150,703 km (2004)
Congo, Republic of the total: 17,289 km paved: 864 km unpaved: 16,425 km (2004)
Cook Islands total: 320 km paved: 33 km unpaved: 287 km (2003)
Costa Rica total: 35,330 km paved: 8,621 km unpaved: 26,709 km (2004)
Cote d'Ivoire total: 80,000 km paved: 6,500 km unpaved: 73,500 km note: includes intercity and urban roads; another 20,000 km of dirt roads are in poor condition and 150,000 km of dirt roads are impassable (2006)
Croatia total: 28,788 km (includes 877 km of expressways) (2006)
Cuba total: 60,858 km paved: 29,820 km (includes 638 km of expressway) unpaved: 31,038 km (2000)
Cyprus total: 14,630 km (area under government control: 12,280 km; area administered by Turkish Cypriots: 2,350 km) paved: area under government control: 7,979 km (includes 257 km of expressways); area administered by Turkish Cypriots: 1,370 km unpaved: area under government control: 4,301 km; area administered by Turkish Cypriots: 980 km (2006)
Czech Republic total: 128,512 km paved: 128,512 km (includes 657 km of expressways) (2007)
Denmark total: 72,362 km paved: 72,362 km (includes 1,032 km of expressways) (2006)
Djibouti total: 3,065 km paved: 1,226 km unpaved: 1,839 km (2000)
Dominica total: 780 km paved: 393 km unpaved: 387 km (2000)
Dominican Republic total: 19,705 km paved: 9,872 km unpaved: 9,833 km (2002)
Ecuador total: 43,670 km paved: 6,472 km unpaved: 37,198 km (2006)
Egypt total: 92,370 km paved: 74,820 km unpaved: 17,550 km (2004)
El Salvador total: 10,886 km paved: 2,827 km (includes 327 km of expressways) unpaved: 8,059 km (2000)
Equatorial Guinea total: 2,880 km (2000)
Eritrea total: 4,010 km paved: 874 km unpaved: 3,136 km (2000)
Estonia total: 57,016 km paved: 12,926 km (includes 99 km of expressways) unpaved: 44,090 km (2005)
Ethiopia total: 36,469 km paved: 6,980 km unpaved: 29,489 km (2004)
European Union total: 5,454,446 km (2008)
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) total: 440 km paved: 50 km unpaved: 390 km (2008)
Faroe Islands total: 463 km (2006)
Fiji total: 3,440 km paved: 1,692 km unpaved: 1,748 km (2000)
Finland total: 78,141 km paved: 50,914 km (includes 700 km of expressways) unpaved: 27,227 km (2009)
France total: 951,500 km paved: 951,500 km (metropolitan France; includes 10,950 km of expressways) note: there are another 5,100 km of roadways in overseas departments (2006)
French Polynesia total: 2,590 km paved: 1,735 km unpaved: 855 km (1999)
Gabon total: 9,170 km paved: 937 km unpaved: 8,233 km (2004)
Gambia, The total: 3,742 km paved: 723 km unpaved: 3,019 km (2004)
Gaza Strip note: see entry for West Bank
Georgia total: 20,329 km paved: 7,854 km (includes 13 km of expressways) unpaved: 12,475 km (2006)
Germany total: 644,480 km paved: 644,480 km (includes 12,400 km of expressways) note: includes local roads (2006)
Ghana total: 62,221 km paved: 9,955 km unpaved: 52,266 km (2006)
Gibraltar total: 29 km paved: 29 km (2007)
Greece total: 117,533 km paved: 107,895 km (includes 880 km of expressways) unpaved: 9,638 km (2005)
Greenland note: although there are short roads in towns, there are no roads between towns; inter-urban transport takes place either by sea or air (2005)
Grenada total: 1,127 km paved: 687 km unpaved: 440 km (2000)
Guam total: 1,045 km (2007)
Guatemala total: 14,095 km paved: 4,863 km (includes 75 km of expressways) unpaved: 9,232 km (2000)
Guinea total: 44,348 km paved: 4,342 km unpaved: 40,006 km (2003)
Guinea-Bissau total: 3,455 km paved: 965 km unpaved: 2,490 km (2002)
Guyana total: 7,970 km paved: 590 km unpaved: 7,380 km (2000)
Haiti total: 4,160 km paved: 1,011 km unpaved: 3,149 km (2000)
Honduras total: 13,600 km paved: 2,775 km unpaved: 10,825 km (2000)
Hong Kong total: 2,040 km paved: 2,040 km (2008)
Hungary total: 159,568 km paved: 70,050 km (30,874 km of interurban roads including 626 km of expressways) unpaved: 89,518 km (2005)
Iceland total: 13,058 km paved/oiled gravel: 4,397 km (does not include urban roads) unpaved: 8,661 km (2007)
India total: 3,316,452 km (includes 200 km of expressways) (2006)
Indonesia total: 391,009 km paved: 216,714 km unpaved: 174,295 km (2005)
Iran total: 172,927 km paved: 125,908 km (includes 1,429 km of expressways) unpaved: 47,019 km (2006)
Iraq total: 44,900 km paved: 37,851 km unpaved: 7,049 km (2002)
Ireland total: 96,602 km paved: 96,602 km (includes 200 km of expressways) (2003)
Isle of Man total: 500 km (2008)
Israel total: 17,870 km paved: 17,870 km (includes 146 km of expressways) (2007)
Italy total: 487,700 km paved: 487,700 km (includes 6,700 km of expressways) (2005)
Jamaica total: 21,552 km paved: 15,937 km (includes 33 km of expressways) unpaved: 5,615 km (2005)
Japan total: 1,196,999 km paved: 949,101 km (includes 7,383 km of expressways) unpaved: 247,898 km (2006)
Jersey total: 358 km (2002)
Jordan total: 8,002 km paved: 8,002 km (2007)
Kazakhstan total: 91,563 km paved: 83,717 km unpaved: 7,846 km (2006)
Kenya total: 63,574 km (interurban roads) paved: 9,273 km unpaved: 54,301 km note: there also are 114,226 km of unclassified roads, 2,000 km paved and 112,226 unpaved, for a national total of 177,800 km (2008)
Kiribati total: 670 km (2000)
Korea, North total: 25,554 km paved: 724 km unpaved: 24,830 km (2006)
Korea, South total: 103,029 km paved: 80,642 km (includes 3,367 km of expressways) unpaved: 22,387 km (2008)
Kosovo total: 1,924 km paved: 1,666 km unpaved: 258 km (2006)
Kuwait total: 5,749 km paved: 4,887 km unpaved: 862 km (2004)
Kyrgyzstan total: 18,500 km paved: 16,909 km (includes 140 km of expressways) unpaved: 1,591 km (2003)
Laos total: 29,811 km paved: 4,010 km unpaved: 25,801 km (2006)
Latvia total: 69,675 km paved: 69,675 km (2006)
Lebanon total: 6,970 km (includes 170 km of expressways) (2005)
Lesotho total: 7,091 km paved: 1,404 km unpaved: 5,687 km (2003)
Liberia total: 10,600 km paved: 657 km unpaved: 9,943 km (2000)
Libya total: 100,024 km paved: 57,214 km unpaved: 42,810 km (2003)
Liechtenstein total: 380 km paved: 380 km (2007)
Lithuania total: 80,715 km paved: 71,301 km (includes 309 km of expressways) unpaved: 9,414 km (2007)
Luxembourg total: 5,227 km paved: 5,227 km (includes 147 km of expressways) (2004)
Macau total: 404 km paved: 404 km (2008)
Macedonia total: 13,182 km (includes 208 km of expressways) (2002)
Madagascar total: 65,663 km paved: 7,617 km unpaved: 58,046 km (2003)
Malawi total: 15,451 km paved: 6,956 km unpaved: 8,495 km (2003)
Malaysia total: 98,721 km paved: 80,280 km (includes 1,821 km of expressways) unpaved: 18,441 km (2004)
Maldives total: 88 km paved roads: 88 km - 60 km in Male; 14 km on Addu Atolis; 14 km on Laamu note: village roads are mainly compacted coral (2006)
Mali total: 18,709 km paved: 3,368 km unpaved: 15,341 km (2004)
Malta total: 2,227 km paved: 2,014 km unpaved: 213 km (2005)
Marshall Islands total: 2,028 km (includes 75 km of expressways) (2007)
Mauritania total: 11,066 km paved: 2,966 km unpaved: 8,100 km (2006)
Mauritius total: 2,028 km paved: 2,028 km (includes 75 km of expressways) (2007)
Mexico total: 356,945 km paved: 178,473 km (includes 6,279 km of expressways) unpaved: 178,472 km (2006)
Micronesia, Federated States of total: 240 km paved: 42 km unpaved: 198 km (2000)
Moldova total: 12,666 km paved: 12,117 km unpaved: 549 km (2007)
Monaco total: 50 km paved: 50 km (2007)
Mongolia total: 49,249 km paved: 2,671 km unpaved: 46,578 km (2008)
Montenegro total: 7,368 km paved: 4,742 km unpaved: 2,626 km (2006)
Montserrat note: volcanic eruptions that began in 1995 destroyed most of the 227 km road system; a new road infrastructure has been built in the north end of the island (2008)
Morocco total: 57,625 km paved: 35,664 km (includes 639 km of expressways) unpaved: 21,961 km (2006)
Mozambique total: 30,400 km paved: 5,685 km unpaved: 24,715 km (2000)
Namibia total: 42,237 km paved: 5,406 km unpaved: 36,831 km (2002)
Nauru total: 24 km paved: 24 km (2002)
Nepal total: 17,282 km paved: 10,142 km unpaved: 7,140 km (2007)
Netherlands total: 135,470 km (includes 2,582 km of expressways) (2007)
Netherlands Antilles total: 845
New Caledonia total: 5,622 km (2006)
New Zealand total: 93,576 km paved: 61,564 km (includes 172 km of expressways) unpaved: 32,012 km (2006)
Nicaragua total: 19,036 km paved: 2,299 km unpaved: 16,737 km (2005)
Niger total: 18,550 km paved: 3,803 km unpaved: 14,747 km (2006)
Nigeria total: 193,200 km paved: 28,980 km unpaved: 164,220 km (2004)
Niue total: 120 km paved: 120 km (2008)
Norfolk Island total: 80 km paved: 53 km unpaved: 27 km (2008)
Northern Mariana Islands total: 536 km (2007)
Norway total: 92,946 km paved: 72,033 km (includes 664 km of expressways) unpaved: 20,913 km (2007)
Oman total: 42,300 km paved: 16,500 km (includes 550 km of expressways) unpaved: 25,800 km (2005)
Pakistan total: 259,197 km paved: 172,827 km (includes 711 km of expressways) unpaved: 86,370 km (2007)
Palau note: estimated to have 60 km of roads as of 1996
Panama total: 11,978 km paved: 4,300 km unpaved: 7,678 km (2002)
Papua New Guinea total: 19,600 km paved: 686 km unpaved: 18,914 km (2000)
Paraguay total: 29,500 km paved: 14,986 km unpaved: 14,514 km (2000)
Peru total: 78,829 km paved: 11,351 km (includes 276 km of expressways) unpaved: 67,478 km (2004)
Philippines total: 201,910 km paved: 21,677 km unpaved: 180,233 km (2008)
Poland total: 423,997 km paved: 295,356 km (includes 662 km of expressways) unpaved: 128,641 km (2006)
Portugal total: 82,900 km paved: 71,294 km (includes 2,300 km of expressways) unpaved: 11,606 km (2005)
Puerto Rico total: 26,186 km paved: 24,877 km (includes 427 km of expressways) unpaved: 1,309 km (2007)
Qatar total: 7,790 km (2006)
Romania total: 198,817 km paved: 60,043 km (includes 228 km of expressways) unpaved: 138,774 km (2004)
Russia total: 933,000 km paved: 754,984 km (includes 30,000 km of expressways) unpaved: 178,016 km note: includes public, local, and departmental roads (2006)
Rwanda total: 14,008 km paved: 2,662 km unpaved: 11,346 km (2004)
Saint Helena total: 198 km (Saint Helena 138 km, Ascension 40 km, Tristan da Cunha 20 km) paved: 168 km (Saint Helena 118 km, Ascension 40 km, Tristan da Cunha 10 km) unpaved: 30 km (Saint Helena 20 km, Ascension 0 km, Tristan da Cunha 10 km) (2002)
Saint Kitts and Nevis total: 383 km paved: 163 km unpaved: 220 km (2002)
Saint Lucia total: 1,210 km (2002)
Saint Pierre and Miquelon total: 117 km paved: 80 km unpaved: 37 km (2000)
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines total: 829 km paved: 580 km unpaved: 249 km (2003)
Samoa total: 2,337 km paved: 332 km unpaved: 2,005 km (2001)
San Marino total: 292 km paved: 292 km (2006)
Sao Tome and Principe total: 320 km paved: 218 km unpaved: 102 km (2000)
Saudi Arabia total: 221,372 km paved: 47,529 km (includes 3,891 km of expressways) unpaved: 173,843 km (2006)
Senegal total: 13,576 km paved: 3,972 km (includes 7 km of expressways) unpaved: 9,604 km (2003)
Serbia total: 36,875 km paved: 31,392 km unpaved: 5,483 km (2006)
Seychelles total: 458 km paved: 440 km unpaved: 18 km (2003)
Sierra Leone total: 11,300 km paved: 904 km unpaved: 10,396 km (2002)
Singapore total: 3,297 km paved: 3,297 km (includes 150 km of expressways) (2007)
Slovakia total: 43,761 km paved: 38,085 km (includes 316 km of expressways) unpaved: 5,676 km (2006)
Slovenia total: 38,709 km paved: 38,709 km (includes 579 km of expressways) (2007)
Solomon Islands total: 1,360 km paved: 33 km unpaved: 1,327 km note: includes 800 km of private plantation roads (2002)
Somalia total: 22,100 km paved: 2,608 km unpaved: 19,492 km (2000)
South Africa total: 362,099 km paved: 73,506 km (includes 239 km of expressways) unpaved: 288,593 km (2002)
Spain total: 681,224 km paved: 681,224 km (includes 13,872 km of expressways) (2006)
Sri Lanka total: 97,286 km paved: 78,802 km unpaved: 18,484 km (2003)
Sudan total: 11,900 km paved: 4,320 km unpaved: 7,580 km (2000)
Suriname total: 4,304 km paved: 1,130 km unpaved: 3,174 km (2003)
Swaziland total: 3,594 km paved: 1,078 km unpaved: 2,516 km (2002)
Sweden total: 425,300 km paved: 139,300 km (includes 1,740 km of expressways) unpaved: 286,000 km (2008)
Switzerland total: 71,298 km paved: 71,298 km (includes 1,758 of expressways) (2006)
Syria total: 97,401 km paved: 19,490 km (includes 1,103 km of expressways) unpaved: 77,911 km (2006)
Taiwan total: 40,262 km paved: 38,171 km (includes 976 km of expressways) unpaved: 2,091 km (2007)
Tajikistan total: 27,767 km (2000)
Tanzania total: 78,891 km paved: 6,808 km unpaved: 72,083 km (2003)
Thailand total: 180,053 km (includes 450 km of expressways) (2006)
Timor-Leste total: 6,040 km paved: 2,600 km unpaved: 3,440 km (2005)
Togo total: 7,520 km paved: 2,376 km unpaved: 5,144 km (2000)
Tonga total: 680 km paved: 184 km unpaved: 496 km (2000)
Trinidad and Tobago total: 8,320 km paved: 4,252 km unpaved: 4,068 km (2000)
Tunisia total: 19,232 km paved: 12,655 km (includes 262 km of expressways) unpaved: 6,577 km (2004)
Turkey total: 426,951 km (includes 1,987 km of expressways) (2006)
Turkmenistan total: 58,592 km paved: 47,577 km unpaved: 11,015 km (2002)
Turks and Caicos Islands total: 121 km paved: 24 km unpaved: 97 km (2003)
Tuvalu total: 8 km paved: 8 km (2002)
Uganda total: 70,746 km paved: 16,272 km unpaved: 54,474 km (2003)
Ukraine total: 169,422 km paved: 165,611 km (includes 15 km of expressways) unpaved: 3,811 km (2007)
United Arab Emirates total: 4,080 km paved: 4,080 km (includes 253 km of expressways) (2008)
United Kingdom total: 398,366 km paved: 398,366 km (includes 3,520 km of expressways) (2006)
United States total: 6,465,799 km paved: 4,209,835 km (includes 75,040 km of expressways) unpaved: 2,255,964 km (2007)
Uruguay total: 77,732 km paved: 7,743 km unpaved: 69,989 km (2004)
Uzbekistan total: 86,496 km paved: 75,511 km unpaved: 10,985 km (2000)
Vanuatu total: 1,070 km paved: 256 km unpaved: 814 km (1999)
Venezuela total: 96,155 km paved: 32,308 km unpaved: 63,847 km (2002)
Vietnam total: 222,179 km paved: 42,167 km unpaved: 180,012 km (2004)
Virgin Islands total: 1,257 km (2007)
West Bank total: 5,147 km paved: 5,147 km note: includes Gaza Strip (2006)
World total: 68,937,575 km (2008)
Yemen total: 71,300 km paved: 6,200 km unpaved: 65,100 km (2005)
Zambia total: 91,440 km paved: 20,117 km unpaved: 71,323 km (2001)
Zimbabwe total: 97,267 km paved: 18,481 km unpaved: 78,786 km (2002)
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Field Listing :: Illicit drugs
This entry gives information on the five categories of illicit drugs - narcotics, stimulants, depressants (sedatives), hallucinogens, and cannabis. These categories include many drugs legally produced and prescribed by doctors as well as those illegally produced and sold outside of medical channels. Cannabis (Cannabis sativa) is the common hemp plant, which provides hallucinogens with some sedative properties, and includes marijuana (pot, Acapulco gold, grass, reefer), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, Marinol), hashish (hash), and hashish oil (hash oil). Coca (mostly Erythroxylum coca) is a bush with leaves that contain the stimulant used to make cocaine. Coca is not to be confused with cocoa, which comes from cacao seeds and is used in making chocolate, cocoa, and cocoa butter. Cocaine is a stimulant derived from the leaves of the coca bush. Depressants (sedatives) are drugs that reduce tension and anxiety and include chloral hydrate, barbiturates (Amytal, Nembutal, Seconal, phenobarbital), benzodiazepines (Librium, Valium), methaqualone (Quaalude), glutethimide (Doriden), and others (Equanil, Placidyl, Valmid). Drugs are any chemical substances that effect a physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral change in an individual. Drug abuse is the use of any licit or illicit chemical substance that results in physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral impairment in an individual. Hallucinogens are drugs that affect sensation, thinking, self-awareness, and emotion. Hallucinogens include LSD (acid, microdot), mescaline and peyote (mexc, buttons, cactus), amphetamine variants (PMA, STP, DOB), phencyclidine (PCP, angel dust, hog), phencyclidine analogues (PCE, PCPy, TCP), and others (psilocybin, psilocyn). Hashish is the resinous exudate of the cannabis or hemp plant (Cannabis sativa). Heroin is a semisynthetic derivative of morphine. Mandrax is a trade name for methaqualone, a pharmaceutical depressant. Marijuana is the dried leaf of the cannabis or hemp plant (Cannabis sativa). Methaqualone is a pharmaceutical depressant, referred to as mandrax in Southwest Asia and Africa. Narcotics are drugs that relieve pain, often induce sleep, and refer to opium, opium derivatives, and synthetic substitutes. Natural narcotics include opium (paregoric, parepectolin), morphine (MS-Contin, Roxanol), codeine (Tylenol with codeine, Empirin with codeine, Robitussin AC), and thebaine. Semisynthetic narcotics include heroin (horse, smack), and hydromorphone (Dilaudid). Synthetic narcotics include meperidine or Pethidine (Demerol, Mepergan), methadone (Dolophine, Methadose), and others (Darvon, Lomotil). Opium is the brown, gummy exudate of the incised, unripe seedpod of the opium poppy. Opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) is the source for the natural and semisynthetic narcotics. Poppy straw is the entire cut and dried opium poppy-plant material, other than the seeds. Opium is extracted from poppy straw in commercial operations that produce the drug for medical use. Qat (kat, khat) is a stimulant from the buds or leaves of Catha edulis that is chewed or drunk as tea. Quaaludes is the North American slang term for methaqualone, a pharmaceutical depressant. Stimulants are drugs that relieve mild depression, increase energy and activity, and include cocaine (coke, snow, crack), amphetamines (Desoxyn, Dexedrine), ephedrine, ecstasy (clarity, essence, doctor, Adam), phenmetrazine (Preludin), methylphenidate (Ritalin), and others (Cylert, Sanorex, Tenuate). Country
Illicit drugs
Afghanistan world's largest producer of opium; poppy cultivation decreased 22% to 157,000 hectares in 2008 but remains at a historically high level; less favorable growing conditions in 2008 reduced potential opium production to 5,500 metric tons, down 31 percent from 2007; if the entire opium crop were processed, 648 metric tons of pure heroin potentially could be produced; the Taliban and other antigovernment groups participate in and profit from the opiate trade, which is a key source of revenue for the Taliban inside Afghanistan; widespread corruption and instability impede counterdrug efforts; most of the heroin consumed in Europe and Eurasia is derived from Afghan opium; vulnerable to drug money laundering through informal financial networks; regional source of hashish (2008)
Albania increasingly active transshipment point for Southwest Asian opiates, hashish, and cannabis transiting the Balkan route and - to a lesser extent - cocaine from South America destined for Western Europe; limited opium and expanding cannabis production; ethnic Albanian narcotrafficking organizations active and expanding in Europe; vulnerable to money laundering associated with regional trafficking in narcotics, arms, contraband, and illegal aliens
Angola used as a transshipment point for cocaine destined for Western Europe and other African states, particularly South Africa
Anguilla transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe
Antigua and Barbuda considered a minor transshipment point for narcotics bound for the US and Europe; more significant as an offshore financial center
Argentina a transshipment country for cocaine headed for Europe, heroin headed for the US, and ephedrine and pseudoephedrine headed for Mexico; some money-laundering activity, especially in the Tri-Border Area; law enforcement corruption; a source for precursor chemicals; increasing domestic consumption of drugs in urban centers, especially cocaine base and synthetic drugs (2008)
Armenia illicit cultivation of small amount of cannabis for domestic consumption; minor transit point for illicit drugs - mostly opium and hashish - moving from Southwest Asia to Russia and to a lesser extent the rest of Europe
Aruba transit point for US- and Europe-bound narcotics with some accompanying money-laundering activity; relatively high percentage of population consumes cocaine
Australia Tasmania is one of the world's major suppliers of licit opiate products; government maintains strict controls over areas of opium poppy cultivation and output of poppy straw concentrate; major consumer of cocaine and amphetamines
Austria transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and South American cocaine destined for Western Europe; increasing consumption of European-produced synthetic drugs
Azerbaijan limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for CIS consumption; small government eradication program; transit point for Southwest Asian opiates bound for Russia and to a lesser extent the rest of Europe
Bahamas, The transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for US and Europe; offshore financial center
Bangladesh transit country for illegal drugs produced in neighboring countries
Barbados one of many Caribbean transshipment points for narcotics bound for Europe and the US; offshore financial center
Belarus limited cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis, mostly for the domestic market; transshipment point for illicit drugs to and via Russia, and to the Baltics and Western Europe; a small and lightly regulated financial center; anti-money-laundering legislation does not meet international standards and was weakened further when know-your-customer requirements were curtailed in 2008; few investigations or prosecutions of money-laundering activities (2008)
Belgium growing producer of synthetic drugs and cannabis; transit point for US-bound ecstasy; source of precursor chemicals for South American cocaine processors; transshipment point for cocaine, heroin, hashish, and marijuana entering Western Europe; despite a strengthening of legislation, the country remains vulnerable to money laundering related to narcotics, automobiles, alcohol, and tobacco; significant domestic consumption of ecstasy
Belize transshipment point for cocaine; small-scale illicit producer of cannabis, primarily for local consumption; offshore sector money-laundering activity related to narcotics trafficking and other crimes (2008)
Benin transshipment point used by traffickers for cocaine destined for Western Europe; vulnerable to money laundering due to poorly enforced financial regulations (2008)
Bolivia world's third-largest cultivator of coca (after Colombia and Peru) with an estimated 29,500 hectares under cultivation in 2007, increased slightly when compared to 2006; third largest producer of cocaine, estimated at 120 metric tons potential pure cocaine in 2007; transit country for Peruvian and Colombian cocaine destined for Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Europe; cultivation generally increasing since 2000, despite eradication and alternative crop programs; weak border controls; some money-laundering activity related to narcotics trade; major cocaine consumption (2008)
Bosnia and Herzegovina increasingly a transit point for heroin being trafficked to Western Europe; minor transit point for marijuana; remains highly vulnerable to money-laundering activity given a primarily cash-based and unregulated economy, weak law enforcement, and instances of corruption
Brazil second-largest consumer of cocaine in the world; illicit producer of cannabis; trace amounts of coca cultivation in the Amazon region, used for domestic consumption; government has a large-scale eradication program to control cannabis; important transshipment country for Bolivian, Colombian, and Peruvian cocaine headed for Europe; also used by traffickers as a way station for narcotics air transshipments between Peru and Colombia; upsurge in drug-related violence and weapons smuggling; important market for Colombian, Bolivian, and Peruvian cocaine; illicit narcotics proceeds are often laundered through the financial system; significant illicit financial activity in the Tri-Border Area (2008)
British Virgin Islands transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe; large offshore financial center makes it vulnerable to money laundering
Brunei drug trafficking and illegally importing controlled substances are serious offenses in Brunei and carry a mandatory death penalty
Bulgaria major European transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and, to a lesser degree, South American cocaine for the European market; limited producer of precursor chemicals; vulnerable to money laundering because of corruption, organized crime; some money laundering of drug-related proceeds through financial institutions (2008)
Burma remains world's second largest producer of illicit opium with an estimated production in 2008 of 340 metric tons, an increase of 26%, and poppy cultivation in 2008 totaled 22,500 hectares, a 4% increase from 2007; production in the United Wa State Army's areas of greatest control remains low; Shan state is the source of 94% of Burma's poppy cultivation; lack of government will to take on major narcotrafficking groups and lack of serious commitment against money laundering continues to hinder the overall antidrug effort; major source of methamphetamine and heroin for regional consumption (2008)
Cambodia narcotics-related corruption reportedly involving some in the government, military, and police; limited methamphetamine production; vulnerable to money laundering due to its cash-based economy and porous borders
Canada illicit producer of cannabis for the domestic drug market and export to US; use of hydroponics technology permits growers to plant large quantities of high-quality marijuana indoors; increasing ecstasy production, some of which is destined for the US; vulnerable to narcotics money laundering because of its mature financial services sector
Cape Verde used as a transshipment point for Latin American cocaine destined for Western Europe, particularly because of Lusophone links to Brazil, Portugal, and Guinea-Bissau; has taken steps to deter drug money laundering, including a 2002 anti-money laundering reform that criminalizes laundering the proceeds of narcotics trafficking and other crimes and the establishment in 2008 of a Financial Intelligence Unit (2008)
Cayman Islands major offshore financial center; vulnerable to drug transshipment to the US and Europe (2008)
Chile transshipment country for cocaine destined for Europe and the region; some money laundering activity, especially through the Iquique Free Trade Zone; imported precursors passed on to Bolivia; domestic cocaine consumption is rising, making Chile a significant consumer of cocaine (2008)
China major transshipment point for heroin produced in the Golden Triangle region of Southeast Asia; growing domestic consumption of synthetic drugs, and heroin from Southeast and Southwest Asia; source country for methamphetamine and heroin chemical precursors, despite new regulations on its large chemical industry (2008)
Colombia illicit producer of coca, opium poppy, and cannabis; world's leading coca cultivator with 167,000 hectares in coca cultivation in 2007, a 6% increase over 2006, producing a potential of 535 mt of pure cocaine; the world's largest producer of coca derivatives; supplies cocaine to nearly all of the US market and the great majority of other international drug markets; in 2005, aerial eradication dispensed herbicide to treat over 130,000 hectares but aggressive replanting on the part of coca growers means Colombia remains a key producer; a significant portion of narcotics proceeds are either laundered or invested in Colombia through the black market peso exchange; important supplier of heroin to the US market; opium poppy cultivation is estimated to have fallen 25% between 2006 and 2007; most Colombian heroin is destined for the US market (2008)
Congo, Democratic Republic of the one of Africa's biggest producers of cannabis, but mostly for domestic consumption; traffickers exploit lax shipping controls to transit pseudoephedrine through the capital; while rampant corruption and inadequate supervision leaves the banking system vulnerable to money laundering, the lack of a well-developed financial system limits the country's utility as a money-laundering center (2008)
Costa Rica transshipment country for cocaine and heroin from South America; illicit production of cannabis in remote areas; domestic cocaine consumption, particularly crack cocaine, is rising; significant consumption of amphetamines; seizures of smuggled cash in Costa Rica and at the main border crossing to enter Costa Rica from Nicaragua have risen in recent years (2008)
Cote d'Ivoire illicit producer of cannabis, mostly for local consumption; utility as a narcotic transshipment point to Europe reduced by ongoing political instability; while rampant corruption and inadequate supervision leave the banking system vulnerable to money laundering, the lack of a developed financial system limits the country's utility as a major money-laundering center (2008)
Croatia transit point along the Balkan route for Southwest Asian heroin to Western Europe; has been used as a transit point for maritime shipments of South American cocaine bound for Western Europe (2008)
Cuba territorial waters and air space serve as transshipment zone for US- and European-bound drugs; established the death penalty for certain drug-related crimes in 1999 (2008)
Cyprus minor transit point for heroin and hashish via air routes and container traffic to Europe, especially from Lebanon and Turkey; some cocaine transits as well; despite a strengthening of anti-money-laundering legislation, remains vulnerable to money laundering; reporting of suspicious transactions in offshore sector remains weak (2008)
Czech Republic transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and minor transit point for Latin American cocaine to Western Europe; producer of synthetic drugs for local and regional markets; susceptible to money laundering related to drug trafficking, organized crime; significant consumer of ecstasy (2008)
Dominica transshipment point for narcotics bound for the US and Europe; minor cannabis producer (2008)
Dominican Republic transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe; has become a transshipment point for ecstasy from the Netherlands and Belgium destined for US and Canada; substantial money laundering activity in particular by Colombian narcotics traffickers; significant amphetamine consumption (2008)
Ecuador significant transit country for cocaine originating in Colombia and Peru, with much of the US-bound cocaine passing through Ecuadorian Pacific waters; importer of precursor chemicals used in production of illicit narcotics; attractive location for cash-placement by drug traffickers laundering money because of dollarization and weak anti-money-laundering regime; increased activity on the northern frontier by trafficking groups and Colombian insurgents (2008)
Egypt transit point for cannabis, heroin, and opium moving to Europe, Israel, and North Africa; transit stop for Nigerian drug couriers; concern as money laundering site due to lax enforcement of financial regulations
El Salvador transshipment point for cocaine; small amounts of marijuana produced for local consumption; significant use of cocaine
Estonia growing producer of synthetic drugs; increasingly important transshipment zone for cannabis, cocaine, opiates, and synthetic drugs since joining the European Union and the Schengen Accord; potential money laundering related to organized crime and drug trafficking is a concern, as is possible use of the gambling sector to launder funds; major use of opiates and ecstasy
Ethiopia transit hub for heroin originating in Southwest and Southeast Asia and destined for Europe, as well as cocaine destined for markets in southern Africa; cultivates qat (khat) for local use and regional export, principally to Djibouti and Somalia (legal in all three countries); the lack of a well-developed financial system limits the country's utility as a money laundering center
France metropolitan France: transshipment point for South American cocaine, Southwest Asian heroin, and European synthetics French Guiana: small amount of marijuana grown for local consumption; minor transshipment point to Europe Martinique: transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for the US and Europe
Georgia limited cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for domestic consumption; used as transshipment point for opiates via Central Asia to Western Europe and Russia
Germany source of precursor chemicals for South American cocaine processors; transshipment point for and consumer of Southwest Asian heroin, Latin American cocaine, and European-produced synthetic drugs; major financial center
Ghana illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; major transit hub for Southwest and Southeast Asian heroin and, to a lesser extent, South American cocaine destined for Europe and the US; widespread crime and money laundering problem, but the lack of a well developed financial infrastructure limits the country's utility as a money laundering center; significant domestic cocaine and cannabis use
Greece a gateway to Europe for traffickers smuggling cannabis and heroin from the Middle East and Southwest Asia to the West and precursor chemicals to the East; some South American cocaine transits or is consumed in Greece; money laundering related to drug trafficking and organized crime
Grenada small-scale cannabis cultivation; lesser transshipment point for marijuana and cocaine to US
Guatemala major transit country for cocaine and heroin; in 2005, cultivated 100 hectares of opium poppy after reemerging as a potential source of opium in 2004; potential production of less than 1 metric ton of pure heroin; marijuana cultivation for mostly domestic consumption; proximity to Mexico makes Guatemala a major staging area for drugs (particularly for cocaine); money laundering is a serious problem; corruption is a major problem
Guinea-Bissau increasingly important transit country for South American cocaine enroute to Europe; enabling environment for trafficker operations thanks to pervasive corruption; archipelago-like geography around the capital facilitates drug smuggling
Guyana transshipment point for narcotics from South America - primarily Venezuela - to Europe and the US; producer of cannabis; rising money laundering related to drug trafficking and human smuggling
Haiti Caribbean transshipment point for cocaine en route to the US and Europe; substantial bulk cash smuggling activity; Colombian narcotics traffickers favor Haiti for illicit financial transactions; pervasive corruption; significant consumer of cannabis
Honduras transshipment point for drugs and narcotics; illicit producer of cannabis, cultivated on small plots and used principally for local consumption; corruption is a major problem; some money-laundering activity
Hong Kong despite strenuous law enforcement efforts, faces difficult challenges in controlling transit of heroin and methamphetamine to regional and world markets; modern banking system provides conduit for money laundering; rising indigenous use of synthetic drugs, especially among young people
Hungary transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and cannabis and for South American cocaine destined for Western Europe; limited producer of precursor chemicals, particularly for amphetamine and methamphetamine; efforts to counter money laundering, related to organized crime and drug trafficking, are improving, but remain vulnerable; significant consumer of ecstasy
India world's largest producer of licit opium for the pharmaceutical trade, but an undetermined quantity of opium is diverted to illicit international drug markets; transit point for illicit narcotics produced in neighboring countries and throughout Southwest Asia; illicit producer of methaqualone; vulnerable to narcotics money laundering through the hawala system; licit ketamine and precursor production
Indonesia illicit producer of cannabis largely for domestic use; producer of methamphetamine and ecstasy
Iran despite substantial interdiction efforts and considerable control measures along the border with Afghanistan, Iran remains one of the primary transshipment routes for Southwest Asian heroin to Europe; suffers one of the highest opiate addiction rates in the world, and has an increasing problem with synthetic drugs; lacks anti-money laundering laws; has reached out to neighboring countries to share counter-drug intelligence
Ireland transshipment point for and consumer of hashish from North Africa to the UK and Netherlands and of European-produced synthetic drugs; increasing consumption of South American cocaine; minor transshipment point for heroin and cocaine destined for Western Europe; despite recent legislation, narcotics-related money laundering - using bureaux de change, trusts, and shell companies involving the offshore financial community - remains a concern
Israel increasingly concerned about ecstasy, cocaine, and heroin abuse; drugs arrive in country from Lebanon and, increasingly, from Jordan; money-laundering center
Italy important gateway for and consumer of Latin American cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin entering the European market; money laundering by organized crime and from smuggling
Jamaica transshipment point for cocaine from South America to North America and Europe; illicit cultivation and consumption of cannabis; government has an active manual cannabis eradication program; corruption is a major concern; substantial money-laundering activity; Colombian narcotics traffickers favor Jamaica for illicit financial transactions
Kazakhstan significant illicit cultivation of cannabis for CIS markets, as well as limited cultivation of opium poppy and ephedra (for the drug ephedrine); limited government eradication of illicit crops; transit point for Southwest Asian narcotics bound for Russia and the rest of Europe; significant consumer of opiates
Kenya widespread harvesting of small plots of marijuana; transit country for South Asian heroin destined for Europe and North America; Indian methaqualone also transits on way to South Africa; significant potential for money-laundering activity given the country's status as a regional financial center; massive corruption, and relatively high levels of narcotics-associated activities
Korea, North for years, from the 1970s into the 2000s, citizens of the Democratic People's Republic of (North) Korea (DPRK), many of them diplomatic employees of the government, were apprehended abroad while trafficking in narcotics, including two in Turkey in December 2004; police investigations in Taiwan and Japan in recent years have linked North Korea to large illicit shipments of heroin and methamphetamine, including an attempt by the North Korean merchant ship Pong Su to deliver 150 kg of heroin to Australia in April 2003
Kyrgyzstan limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy for CIS markets; limited government eradication of illicit crops; transit point for Southwest Asian narcotics bound for Russia and the rest of Europe; major consumer of opiates
Laos estimated opium poppy cultivation in 2008 was 1,900 hectares, about a 73% increase from 2007; estimated potential opium production in 2008 more than tripled to 17 metric tons; unsubstantiated reports of domestic methamphetamine production; growing domestic methamphetamine problem (2007)
Latvia transshipment and destination point for cocaine, synthetic drugs, opiates, and cannabis from Southwest Asia, Western Europe, Latin America, and neighboring Balkan countries; despite improved legislation, vulnerable to money laundering due to nascent enforcement capabilities and comparatively weak regulation of offshore companies and the gaming industry; CIS organized crime (including counterfeiting, corruption, extortion, stolen cars, and prostitution) accounts for most laundered proceeds
Lebanon cannabis cultivation dramatically reduced to 2,500 hectares in 2002 despite continued significant cannabis consumption; opium poppy cultivation minimal; small amounts of Latin American cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin transit country on way to European markets and for Middle Eastern consumption; money laundering of drug proceeds fuels concern that extremists are benefiting from drug trafficking
Liberia transshipment point for Southeast and Southwest Asian heroin and South American cocaine for the European and US markets; corruption, criminal activity, arms-dealing, and diamond trade provide significant potential for money laundering, but the lack of well-developed financial system limits the country's utility as a major money-laundering center
Liechtenstein has strengthened money laundering controls, but money laundering remains a concern due to Liechtenstein's sophisticated offshore financial services sector
Lithuania transshipment and destination point for cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy, and opiates from Southwest Asia, Latin America, Western Europe, and neighboring Baltic countries; growing production of high-quality amphetamines, but limited production of cannabis, methamphetamines; susceptible to money laundering despite changes to banking legislation
Macau transshipment point for drugs going into mainland China; consumer of opiates and amphetamines
Macedonia major transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and hashish; minor transit point for South American cocaine destined for Europe; although not a financial center and most criminal activity is thought to be domestic, money laundering is a problem due to a mostly cash-based economy and weak enforcement
Madagascar illicit producer of cannabis (cultivated and wild varieties) used mostly for domestic consumption; transshipment point for heroin
Malaysia drug trafficking prosecuted vigorously and carries severe penalties; heroin still primary drug of abuse, but synthetic drug demand remains strong; continued ecstasy and methamphetamine producer for domestic users and, to a lesser extent, the regional drug market
Malta minor transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Western Europe
Mauritius consumer and transshipment point for heroin from South Asia; small amounts of cannabis produced and consumed locally; significant offshore financial industry creates potential for money laundering, but corruption levels are relatively low and the government appears generally to be committed to regulating its banking industry
Mexico major drug-producing nation; cultivation of opium poppy in 2007 rose to 6,900 hectares yielding a potential production of 18 metric tons of pure heroin, or 50 metric tons of "black tar" heroin, the dominant form of Mexican heroin in the western United States; marijuana cultivation increased to 8,900 hectares in 2007 and yielded a potential production of 15,800 metric tons; government conducts the largest independent illicit-crop eradication program in the world; continues as the primary transshipment country for US-bound cocaine from South America, with an estimated 90% of annual cocaine movements toward the US stopping in Mexico; major drug syndicates control the majority of drug trafficking throughout the country; producer and distributor of ecstasy; significant money-laundering center; major supplier of heroin and largest foreign supplier of marijuana and methamphetamine to the US market (2007)
Micronesia, Federated States of major consumer of cannabis
Moldova limited cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis, mostly for CIS consumption; transshipment point for illicit drugs from Southwest Asia via Central Asia to Russia, Western Europe, and possibly the US; widespread crime and underground economic activity
Montserrat transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe
Morocco one of the world's largest producers of illicit hashish; shipments of hashish mostly directed to Western Europe; transit point for cocaine from South America destined for Western Europe; significant consumer of cannabis
Mozambique southern African transit point for South Asian hashish and heroin, and South American cocaine probably destined for the European and South African markets; producer of cannabis (for local consumption) and methaqualone (for export to South Africa); corruption and poor regulatory capability makes the banking system vulnerable to money laundering, but the lack of a well-developed financial infrastructure limits the country's utility as a money-laundering center
Nepal illicit producer of cannabis and hashish for the domestic and international drug markets; transit point for opiates from Southeast Asia to the West
Netherlands major European producer of synthetic drugs, including ecstasy, and cannabis cultivator; important gateway for cocaine, heroin, and hashish entering Europe; major source of US-bound ecstasy; large financial sector vulnerable to money laundering; significant consumer of ecstasy
Netherlands Antilles transshipment point for South American drugs bound for the US and Europe; money-laundering center
New Zealand significant consumer of amphetamines
Nicaragua transshipment point for cocaine destined for the US and transshipment point for arms-for-drugs dealing
Nigeria a transit point for heroin and cocaine intended for European, East Asian, and North American markets; consumer of amphetamines; safe haven for Nigerian narcotraffickers operating worldwide; major money-laundering center; massive corruption and criminal activity; Nigeria has improved some anti-money-laundering controls, resulting in its removal from the Financial Action Task Force's (FATF's) Noncooperative Countries and Territories List in June 2006; Nigeria's anti-money-laundering regime continues to be monitored by FATF
Pakistan significant transit area for Afghan drugs, including heroin, opium, morphine, and hashish, bound for Iran, Western markets, the Gulf States, Africa, and Asia; financial crimes related to drug trafficking, terrorism, corruption, and smuggling remain problems; opium poppy cultivation estimated to be 2,300 hectares in 2007 with 600 of those hectares eradicated; federal and provincial authorities continue to conduct anti-poppy campaigns that utilizes forced eradication, fines, and arrests
Panama major cocaine transshipment point and primary money-laundering center for narcotics revenue; money-laundering activity is especially heavy in the Colon Free Zone; offshore financial center; negligible signs of coca cultivation; monitoring of financial transactions is improving; official corruption remains a major problem
Papua New Guinea major consumer of cannabis
Paraguay major illicit producer of cannabis, most or all of which is consumed in Brazil, Argentina, and Chile; transshipment country for Andean cocaine headed for Brazil, other Southern Cone markets, and Europe; weak border controls, extensive corruption and money-laundering activity, especially in the Tri-Border Area; weak anti-money-laundering laws and enforcement
Peru until 1996 the world's largest coca leaf producer, Peru is now the world's second largest producer of coca leaf, though it lags far behind Colombia; cultivation of coca in Peru declined to 36,000 hectares in 2007; second largest producer of cocaine, estimated at 210 metric tons of potential pure cocaine in 2007; finished cocaine is shipped out from Pacific ports to the international drug market; increasing amounts of base and finished cocaine, however, are being moved to Brazil, Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia for use in the Southern Cone or transshipment to Europe and Africa; increasing domestic drug consumption
Philippines domestic methamphetamine production has been a growing problem in recent years despite government crackdowns; major consumer of amphetamines; longstanding marijuana producer mainly in rural areas where Manila's control is limited
Poland despite diligent counternarcotics measures and international information sharing on cross-border crimes, a major illicit producer of synthetic drugs for the international market; minor transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and Latin American cocaine to Western Europe
Portugal seizing record amounts of Latin American cocaine destined for Europe; a European gateway for Southwest Asian heroin; transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Europe; consumer of Southwest Asian heroin
Romania major transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin transiting the Balkan route and small amounts of Latin American cocaine bound for Western Europe; although not a significant financial center, role as a narcotics conduit leaves it vulnerable to laundering, which occurs via the banking system, currency exchange houses, and casinos
Russia limited cultivation of illicit cannabis and opium poppy and producer of methamphetamine, mostly for domestic consumption; government has active illicit crop eradication program; used as transshipment point for Asian opiates, cannabis, and Latin American cocaine bound for growing domestic markets, to a lesser extent Western and Central Europe, and occasionally to the US; major source of heroin precursor chemicals; corruption and organized crime are key concerns; major consumer of opiates
Saint Kitts and Nevis transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe; some money-laundering activity
Saint Lucia transit point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe; small-scale cannabis cultivation
Saudi Arabia death penalty for traffickers; improving anti-money-laundering legislation and enforcement
Senegal transshipment point for Southwest and Southeast Asian heroin and South American cocaine moving to Europe and North America; illicit cultivator of cannabis
Serbia transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin moving to Western Europe on the Balkan route; economy vulnerable to money laundering
Singapore drug abuse limited because of aggressive law enforcement efforts; as a transportation and financial services hub, Singapore is vulnerable, despite strict laws and enforcement, as a venue for money laundering
Slovakia transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin bound for Western Europe; producer of synthetic drugs for regional market; consumer of ecstasy
Slovenia minor transit point for cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin bound for Western Europe, and for precursor chemicals
South Africa transshipment center for heroin, hashish, and cocaine, as well as a major cultivator of marijuana in its own right; cocaine and heroin consumption on the rise; world's largest market for illicit methaqualone, usually imported illegally from India through various east African countries, but increasingly producing its own synthetic drugs for domestic consumption; attractive venue for money launderers given the increasing level of organized criminal and narcotics activity in the region and the size of the South African economy
Spain despite rigorous law enforcement efforts, North African, Latin American, Galician, and other European traffickers take advantage of Spain's long coastline to land large shipments of cocaine and hashish for distribution to the European market; consumer for Latin American cocaine and North African hashish; destination and minor transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin; money-laundering site for Colombian narcotics trafficking organizations and organized crime
Suriname growing transshipment point for South American drugs destined for Europe via the Netherlands and Brazil; transshipment point for arms-for-drugs dealing
Switzerland 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
Syria 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
Taiwan 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
Tajikistan 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
Tanzania targeted by traffickers moving hashish, Afghan heroin, and South American cocaine transported down the East African coastline, through airports, or overland through Central Africa; Zanzibar likely used by traffickers for drug smuggling; traffickers in the past have recruited Tanzanian couriers to move drugs through Iran into East Asia.
Thailand a minor producer of opium, heroin, and marijuana; transit point for illicit heroin en route to the international drug market from Burma and Laos; eradication efforts have reduced the area of cannabis cultivation and shifted some production to neighboring countries; opium poppy cultivation has been reduced by eradication efforts; also a drug money-laundering center; minor role in methamphetamine production for regional consumption; major consumer of methamphetamine since the 1990s despite a series of government crackdowns
Timor-Leste NA
Togo transit hub for Nigerian heroin and cocaine traffickers; money laundering not a significant problem
Trinidad and Tobago transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe; producer of cannabis
Turkey key transit route for Southwest Asian heroin to Western Europe and, to a lesser extent, the US - via air, land, and sea routes; major Turkish and other international trafficking organizations operate out of Istanbul; laboratories to convert imported morphine base into heroin exist in remote regions of Turkey and near Istanbul; government maintains strict controls over areas of legal opium poppy cultivation and over output of poppy straw concentrate; lax enforcement of money-laundering controls
Turkmenistan transit country for Afghan narcotics bound for Russian and Western European markets; transit point for heroin precursor chemicals bound for Afghanistan
Turks and Caicos Islands transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe
Ukraine limited cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for CIS consumption; some synthetic drug production for export to the West; limited government eradication program; used as transshipment point for opiates and other illicit drugs from Africa, Latin America, and Turkey to Europe and Russia; Ukraine has improved anti-money-laundering controls, resulting in its removal from the Financial Action Task Force's (FATF's) Noncooperative Countries and Territories List in February 2004; Ukraine's anti-money-laundering regime continues to be monitored by FATF
United Arab Emirates the UAE is a drug transshipment point for traffickers given its proximity to Southwest Asian drug-producing countries; the UAE's position as a major financial center makes it vulnerable to money laundering; anti-money-laundering controls improving, but informal banking remains unregulated
United Kingdom producer of limited amounts of synthetic drugs and synthetic precursor chemicals; major consumer of Southwest Asian heroin, Latin American cocaine, and synthetic drugs; money-laundering center
United States world's largest consumer of cocaine (shipped from Colombia through Mexico and the Caribbean), Colombian heroin, and Mexican heroin and marijuana; major consumer of ecstasy and Mexican methamphetamine; minor consumer of high-quality Southeast Asian heroin; illicit producer of cannabis, marijuana, depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens, and methamphetamine; money-laundering center
Uruguay small-scale transit country for drugs mainly bound for Europe, often through sea-borne containers; law enforcement corruption; money laundering because of strict banking secrecy laws; weak border control along Brazilian frontier; increasing consumption of cocaine base and synthetic drugs
Uzbekistan transit country for Afghan narcotics bound for Russian and, to a lesser extent, Western European markets; limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and small amounts of opium poppy for domestic consumption; poppy cultivation almost wiped out by government crop eradication program; transit point for heroin precursor chemicals bound for Afghanistan
Venezuela small-scale illicit producer of opium and coca for the processing of opiates and coca derivatives; however, large quantities of cocaine, heroin, and marijuana transit the country from Colombia bound for US and Europe; significant narcotics-related money-laundering activity, especially along the border with Colombia and on Margarita Island; active eradication program primarily targeting opium; increasing signs of drug-related activities by Colombian insurgents on border
Vietnam minor producer of opium poppy; probable minor transit point for Southeast Asian heroin; government continues to face domestic opium/heroin/methamphetamine addiction problems despite longstanding crackdowns
World cocaine: worldwide coca leaf cultivation in 2007 amounted to 232,500 hectares; Colombia produced slightly more than two-thirds of the worldwide crop, followed by Peru and Bolivia; potential pure cocaine production decreased 7% to 865 metric tons in 2007; Colombia conducts an aggressive coca eradication campaign, but both Peruvian and Bolivian Governments are hesitant to eradicate coca in key growing areas; 551 metric tons of export-quality cocaine (85% pure) is documented to have been seized or destroyed in 2005; US consumption of export quality cocaine is estimated to have been in excess of 380 metric tons opiates: worldwide illicit opium poppy cultivation continued to increase in 2007, with a potential opium production of 8,400 metric tons, reaching the highest levels recorded since estimates began in mid-1980s; Afghanistan is world's primary opium producer, accounting for 95% of the global supply; Southeast Asia - responsible for 9% of global opium - saw marginal increases in production; Latin America produced 1% of global opium, but most was refined into heroin destined for the US market; if all potential opium was processed into pure heroin, the potential global production would be 1,000 metric tons of heroin in 2007
Zambia transshipment point for moderate amounts of methaqualone, small amounts of heroin, and cocaine bound for southern Africa and possibly Europe; a poorly developed financial infrastructure coupled with a government commitment to combating money laundering make it an unattractive venue for money launderers; major consumer of cannabis
Zimbabwe transit point for cannabis and South Asian heroin, mandrax, and methamphetamines en route to South Africa
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@2087
Field Listing :: Imports
This entry provides the total US dollar amount of merchandise imports on a c.i.f. (cost, insurance, and freight) or f.o.b. (free on board) basis. These figures are calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms. Country Comparison to the World Country
Imports
Afghanistan $4.85 billion (2007) $3.823 billion (2006)
Albania $4.898 billion (2008 est.) $3.999 billion (2007 est.)
Algeria $39.16 billion (2008 est.) $26.4 billion (2007 est.)
American Samoa $308.8 million (FY04 est.)
Andorra $1.789 billion (2007) $1.879 billion (2005)
Angola $17.08 billion (2008 est.) $13.66 billion (2007 est.)
Anguilla $143 million (2006)
Antigua and Barbuda $522.8 million (2007 est.)
Argentina $54.56 billion (2008 est.) $42.53 billion (2007 est.)
Armenia $3.763 billion (2008 est.) $2.797 billion (2007 est.)
Aruba $1.054 billion (2006)
Australia $194.2 billion (2008 est.) $160.2 billion (2007 est.)
Austria $179.2 billion (2008 est.) $160.3 billion (2007 est.)
Azerbaijan $7.575 billion (2008 est.) $6.045 billion (2007 est.)
Bahamas, The $2.401 billion (2006)
Bahrain $14.25 billion (2008 est.) $10.93 billion (2007 est.)
Bangladesh $21.51 billion (2008 est.) $16.67 billion (2007 est.)
Barbados $1.586 billion (2006)
Belarus $39.16 billion (2008 est.) $28.4 billion (2007 est.)
Belgium $387.7 billion (2008 est.) $320.9 billion (2007 est.)
Belize $788.1 million (2008 est.) $642 million (2007 est.)
Benin $1.843 billion (2008 est.) $1.194 billion (2007 est.)
Bermuda $1.162 billion (2006)
Bhutan $320 million (2006)
Bolivia $4.641 billion (2008 est.) $3.24 billion (2007 est.)
Bosnia and Herzegovina $12.29 billion (2008 est.) $9.947 billion (2007 est.)
Botswana $4.486 billion (2008 est.) $3.447 billion (2007 est.)
Brazil $173.1 billion (2008 est.) $120.6 billion (2007 est.)
British Virgin Islands $187 million f.o.b.
Brunei $2.055 billion (2007 est.) $2 billion (2006 est.)
Bulgaria $35.64 billion (2008 est.) $28.65 billion (2007 est.)
Burkina Faso $1.343 billion (2008 est.) $1.221 billion (2007 est.)
Burma $3.388 billion (2008 est.) $2.964 billion (2007 est.) note: import figures are grossly underestimated due to the value of consumer goods, diesel fuel, and other products smuggled in from Thailand, China, Malaysia, and India
Burundi $350 million (2008 est.) $257.6 million (2007 est.)
Cambodia $6.534 billion (2008 est.) $5.424 billion (2007 est.)
Cameroon $4.303 billion (2008 est.) $4.05 billion (2007 est.)
Canada $415.2 billion (2008 est.) $386.6 billion (2007 est.)
Cape Verde $864 million (2008 est.) $743.6 million (2007 est.)
Cayman Islands $866.9 million (2004)
Central African Republic $237.3 million (2007 est.)
Chad $1.927 billion (2008 est.) $1.541 billion (2007 est.)
Chile $57.61 billion (2008 est.) $44.03 billion (2007 est.)
China $1.074 trillion (2008 est.) $904.6 billion (2007 est.)
Christmas Island $NA
Cocos (Keeling) Islands $NA
Colombia $37.56 billion (2008 est.) $31.17 billion (2007 est.)
Comoros $143 million (2006)
Congo, Democratic Republic of the $5.2 billion (2007) $2.263 billion (2006)
Congo, Republic of the $3.105 billion (2008 est.) $2.858 billion (2007 est.)
Cook Islands $81.04 million (2005)
Costa Rica $14.55 billion (2008 est.) $12.29 billion (2007 est.)
Cote d'Ivoire $6.76 billion (2008 est.) $5.932 billion (2007 est.)
Croatia $30.42 billion (2008 est.) $25.56 billion (2007 est.)
Cuba $14.25 billion (2008 est.) $10.08 billion (2007 est.)
Cyprus $10.54 billion (2008 est.) $7.957 billion (2007 est.)
Czech Republic $139.4 billion (2008 est.) $116.8 billion (2007 est.)
Denmark $116.4 billion (2008 est.) $100.8 billion (2007 est.)
Djibouti $1.555 billion (2006)
Dominica $296 million (2006)
Dominican Republic $16.1 billion (2008 est.) $13.6 billion (2007 est.)
Ecuador $17.79 billion (2008 est.) $13.05 billion (2007 est.)
Egypt $56.62 billion (2008 est.) $44.95 billion (2007 est.)
El Salvador $9.003 billion (2008 est.) $8.108 billion (2007 est.)
Equatorial Guinea $3.114 billion (2008 est.) $2.365 billion (2007 est.)
Eritrea $601 million (2008 est.) $580 million (2007 est.)
Estonia $15.35 billion (2008 est.) $14.75 billion (2007 est.)
Ethiopia $7.206 billion (2008 est.) $5.156 billion (2007 est.)
European Union $1.69 trillion (2007) $1.466 trillion (2005) note: external imports, excluding intra-EU trade
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) $90 million (2004 est.)
Faroe Islands $751 million (2006)
Fiji $3.12 billion (2006)
Finland $87.51 billion (2008 est.) $78.22 billion (2007 est.)
France $692 billion (2008 est.) $600.9 billion (2007 est.)
French Polynesia $1.706 billion (2005 est.)
Gabon $2.577 billion (2008 est.) $2.2 billion (2007 est.)
Gambia, The $299 million (2008 est.) $262.9 million (2007 est.)
Gaza Strip $2.84 billion (2006) $2.44 billion (2005)
Georgia $6.261 billion (2008 est.) $4.984 billion (2007 est.)
Germany $1.232 trillion (2008 est.) $1.079 trillion (2007 est.)
Ghana $10.26 billion (2008 est.) $8.066 billion (2007 est.)
Gibraltar $2.967 billion (2004 est.)
Greece $93.91 billion (2008 est.) $80.79 billion (2007 est.)
Greenland $712 million (2006)
Grenada $343 million (2006)
Guam $701 million (2004 est.)
Guatemala $13.42 billion (2008 est.) $12.48 billion (2007 est.)
Guernsey $NA
Guinea $1.389 billion (2008 est.) $1.218 billion (2007 est.)
Guinea-Bissau $200 million (2006)
Guyana $1.294 billion (2008 est.) $982.9 million (2007 est.)
Haiti $2.107 billion (2008 est.) $1.618 billion (2007 est.)
Honduras $10.39 billion (2008 est.) $8.82 billion (2007 est.)
Hong Kong $388.4 billion (2008 est.) $365.6 billion (2007 est.)
Hungary $106.5 billion (2008 est.) $93.4 billion (2007 est.)
Iceland $5.699 billion (2008 est.) $6.181 billion (2007 est.)
India $315.1 billion (2008 est.) $231.6 billion (2007 est.)
Indonesia $116 billion (2008 est.) $85.26 billion (2007 est.)
Iran $67.25 billion (2008 est.) $56.58 billion (2007 est.)
Iraq $37.22 billion (2008 est.) $25.67 billion (2007 est.)
Ireland $84.82 billion (2008 est.) $84.76 billion (2007 est.)
Isle of Man $NA
Israel $64.4 billion (2008 est.) $55.93 billion (2007 est.)
Italy $546.9 billion (2008 est.) $498.1 billion (2007 est.)
Jamaica $7.185 billion (2008 est.) $5.789 billion (2007 est.)
Japan $708.3 billion (2008 est.) $573.3 billion (2007 est.)
Jersey $NA
Jordan $14.99 billion (2008 est.) $12.02 billion (2007 est.)
Kazakhstan $38.45 billion (2008 est.) $33.26 billion (2007 est.)
Kenya $10.69 billion (2008 est.) $8.381 billion (2007 est.)
Kiribati $62 million (2004 est.)
Korea, North $3.055 billion (2007) $2.879 billion (2006)
Korea, South $427.4 billion (2008 est.) $349.6 billion (2007 est.)
Kosovo $2.6 billion f.o.b.
Kuwait $22.94 billion (2008 est.) $20.63 billion (2007 est.)
Kyrgyzstan $3.754 billion (2008 est.) $2.636 billion (2007 est.)
Laos $1.384 billion (2008 est.) $1.065 billion (2007 est.)
Latvia $15.65 billion (2008 est.) $15.13 billion (2007 est.)
Lebanon $16.25 billion (2008 est.) $11.93 billion (2007 est.)
Lesotho $1.88 billion (2008 est.) $1.604 billion (2007 est.)
Liberia $7.143 billion (2006)
Libya $26.55 billion (2008 est.) $17.7 billion (2007 est.)
Liechtenstein $917.3 million
Lithuania $29.3 billion (2008 est.) $23.04 billion (2007 est.)
Luxembourg $27.73 billion (2008 est.) $23.09 billion (2007 est.)
Macau $5.4 billion (2008 est.) $4.559 billion (2006 est.)
Macedonia $6.523 billion (2008 est.) $4.976 billion (2007 est.)
Madagascar $2.419 billion (2008 est.) $1.944 billion (2007 est.)
Malawi $1.587 billion (2008 est.) $1.323 billion (2007 est.)
Malaysia $154.7 billion (2008 est.) $139.1 billion (2007 est.)
Maldives $1.276 billion (2008 est.) $930 million (2006 est.)
Mali $2.358 billion (2006)
Malta $4.792 billion (2008 est.) $4.655 billion (2007 est.)
Marshall Islands $79.4 million (2008 est.) $54.7 million (2000 est.)
Mauritania $1.475 billion (2006)
Mauritius $4.399 billion (2008 est.) $3.656 billion (2007 est.)
Mayotte $341 million (2005)
Mexico $308.6 billion (2008 est.) $281.9 billion (2007 est.)
Micronesia, Federated States of $132.7 million (2004)
Moldova $4.87 billion (2008 est.) $3.676 billion (2007 est.)
Monaco $916.1 million (2005) note: full customs integration with France, which collects and rebates Monegasque trade duties; also participates in EU market system through customs union with France
Mongolia $3.615 billion (2008) $2.117 billion (2007)
Montenegro $601.7 million (2003)
Montserrat $17 million
Morocco $39.35 billion (2008 est.) $29.32 billion (2007 est.)
Mozambique $3.458 billion (2008 est.) $2.811 billion (2007 est.)
Namibia $3.849 billion (2008 est.) $3.102 billion (2007 est.)
Nauru $20 million (2004 est.)
Nepal $3.229 billion (2008) $2.398 billion (2006)
Netherlands $474.8 billion (2008 est.) $406.2 billion (2007 est.)
Netherlands Antilles $15.74 billion (2006)
New Caledonia $1.998 billion (2006)
New Zealand $32.76 billion (2008 est.) $29.05 billion (2007 est.)
Nicaragua $4.848 billion (2008 est.) $4.117 billion (2007 est.)
Niger $800 million (2006)
Nigeria $46.3 billion (2008 est.) $38.8 billion (2007 est.)
Niue $9.038 million (2004)
Norfolk Island $17.9 million c.i.f.
Northern Mariana Islands $214.4 million (2001)
Norway $85.95 billion (2008 est.) $77.03 billion (2007 est.)
Oman $20.71 billion (2008 est.) $14.34 billion (2007 est.)
Pakistan $38.19 billion (2008 est.) $28.76 billion (2007 est.)
Palau $107.3 million (2004 est.)
Panama $15 billion (2008 est.) $12.52 billion (2007 est.) note: includes the Colon Free Zone
Papua New Guinea $3.124 billion (2008 est.) $2.629 billion (2007 est.)
Paraguay $8.809 billion (2008 est.) $6.008 billion (2007 est.)
Peru $28.44 billion (2008 est.) $19.6 billion (2007 est.)
Philippines $60.78 billion (2008 est.) $57.9 billion (2007 est.)
Pitcairn Islands $NA
Poland $204.4 billion (2008 est.) $162.4 billion (2007 est.)
Portugal $87.83 billion (2008 est.) $75.98 billion (2007 est.)
Puerto Rico $29.1 billion c.i.f.
Qatar $25.11 billion (2008 est.) $19.82 billion (2007 est.)
Romania $76.17 billion (2008 est.) $64.54 billion (2007 est.)
Russia $291.9 billion (2008 est.) $223.5 billion (2007 est.)
Rwanda $834 million (2008 est.) $637 million (2007 est.)
Saint Helena $45 million (2004 est.)
Saint Kitts and Nevis $383 million (2006)
Saint Lucia $791 million (2006)
Saint Pierre and Miquelon $68.2 million (2005 est.)
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines $578 million (2006)
Samoa $324 million (2006)
San Marino $3.744 billion (2007) $2.035 billion (2004)
Sao Tome and Principe $87 million (2008 est.) $65 million (2007 est.)
Saudi Arabia $108.3 billion (2008 est.) $82.6 billion (2007 est.)
Senegal $4.263 billion (2008 est.) $3.732 billion (2007 est.)
Serbia $18.35 billion (2007 est.)
Seychelles $1.018 billion (2008 est.) $804 million (2007 est.)
Sierra Leone $560 million (2006)
Singapore $309.6 billion (2008 est.) $254 billion (2007 est.)
Slovakia $73.62 billion (2008 est.) $65.47 billion (2007 est.)
Slovenia $33.49 billion (2008 est.) $29.42 billion (2007 est.)
Solomon Islands $256 million (2006)
Somalia $798 million (2006)
South Africa $90.57 billion (2008 est.) $81.66 billion (2007 est.)
Spain $415.5 billion (2008 est.) $380.2 billion (2007 est.)
Sri Lanka $12.61 billion (2008 est.) $10.17 billion (2007 est.)
Sudan $8.229 billion (2008 est.) $7.722 billion (2007 est.)
Suriname $1.297 billion (2006 est.)
Svalbard $NA
Swaziland $1.855 billion (2008 est.) $1.926 billion (2007 est.)
Sweden $167.8 billion (2008 est.) $152.2 billion (2007 est.)
Switzerland $227.4 billion (2008 est.) $187.7 billion (2007 est.)
Syria $15.97 billion (2008 est.) $12.27 billion (2007 est.)
Taiwan $236.7 billion (2008 est.) $216.1 billion (2007 est.)
Tajikistan $3.699 billion (2008 est.) $3.115 billion (2007 est.)
Tanzania $7.08 billion (2008 est.) $4.861 billion (2007 est.)
Thailand $157.3 billion (2008 est.) $124.5 billion (2007 est.)
Timor-Leste $202 million (2004 est.)
Togo $1.541 billion (2008 est.) $1.264 billion (2007 est.)
Tokelau $969,200 (2002)
Tonga $139 million (2006)
Trinidad and Tobago $9.788 billion (2008 est.) $7.67 billion (2007 est.)
Tunisia $23.23 billion (2008 est.) $18.02 billion (2007 est.)
Turkey $193.9 billion (2008 est.) $162 billion (2007 est.)
Turkmenistan $5.654 billion (2008 est.) $3.615 billion (2007 est.)
Turks and Caicos Islands $175.6 million
Tuvalu $12.91 million (2005)
Uganda $3.98 billion (2008 est.) $2.983 billion (2007 est.)
Ukraine $83.81 billion (2008 est.) $60.41 billion (2007 est.)
United Arab Emirates $176.3 billion (2008 est.) $116.6 billion (2007 est.)
United Kingdom $639.3 billion (2008 est.) $620.7 billion (2007 est.)
United States $2.117 trillion (2008 est.) $1.968 trillion (2007 est.)
Uruguay $8.799 billion (2008 est.) $5.598 billion (2007 est.)
Uzbekistan $7.07 billion (2008 est.) $5.73 billion (2007 est.)
Vanuatu $156 million (2006)
Venezuela $48.1 billion (2008 est.) $45.46 billion (2007 est.)
Vietnam $75.47 billion (2008 est.) $58.92 billion (2007 est.)
Virgin Islands $4.609 billion (2001)
Wallis and Futuna $61.17 million (2004)
West Bank $1.3 billion (2006) $2.44 billion (2005)
Western Sahara $NA
World $15.97 trillion (2008 est.) $13.74 trillion (2007 est.)
Yemen $8.829 billion (2008 est.) $7.49 billion (2007 est.)
Zambia $4.694 billion (2008 est.) $3.611 billion (2007 est.)
Zimbabwe $1.915 billion (2008 est.) $1.975 billion (2007 est.)
======================================================================
@2088
Field Listing :: Independence
For most countries, this entry gives the date that sovereignty was achieved and from which nation, empire, or trusteeship. For the other countries, the date given may not represent "independence" in the strict sense, but rather some significant nationhood event such as the traditional founding date or the date of unification, federation, confederation, establishment, fundamental change in the form of government, or state succession. Dependent areas include the notation "none" followed by the nature of their dependency status. Also see the Terminology note. Country
Independence
Afghanistan 19 August 1919 (from UK control over Afghan foreign affairs)
Albania 28 November 1912 (from the Ottoman Empire)
Algeria 5 July 1962 (from France)
American Samoa none (territory of the US)
Andorra 1278 (formed under the joint suzerainty of the French Count of Foix and the Spanish Bishop of Urgel)
Angola 11 November 1975 (from Portugal)
Anguilla none (overseas territory of the UK)
Antigua and Barbuda 1 November 1981 (from the UK)
Argentina 9 July 1816 (from Spain)
Armenia 21 September 1991 (from the Soviet Union)
Aruba none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
Australia 1 January 1901 (federation of UK colonies)
Austria 976 (Margravate of Austria established); 17 September 1156 (Duchy of Austria founded); 11 August 1804 (Austrian Empire proclaimed); 12 November 1918 (republic proclaimed)
Azerbaijan 30 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union)
Bahamas, The 10 July 1973 (from the UK)
Bahrain 15 August 1971 (from the UK)
Bangladesh 16 December 1971 (from West Pakistan); note - 26 March 1971 is the date of independence from West Pakistan, 16 December 1971 is known as Victory Day and commemorates the official creation of the state of Bangladesh
Barbados 30 November 1966 (from the UK)
Belarus 25 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union)
Belgium 4 October 1830 (a provisional government declared independence from the Netherlands); 21 July 1831 (King LEOPOLD I ascended to the throne)
Belize 21 September 1981 (from the UK)
Benin 1 August 1960 (from France)
Bermuda none (overseas territory of the UK)
Bhutan 1907 (became a unified kingdom under its first hereditary king)
Bolivia 6 August 1825 (from Spain)
Bosnia and Herzegovina 1 March 1992 (from Yugoslavia; referendum for independence completed 1 March 1992; independence declared 3 March 1992)
Botswana 30 September 1966 (from the UK)
Brazil 7 September 1822 (from Portugal)
British Virgin Islands none (overseas territory of the UK)
Brunei 1 January 1984 (from the UK)
Bulgaria 3 March 1878 (as an autonomous principality within the Ottoman Empire); 22 September 1908 (complete independence from the Ottoman Empire)
Burkina Faso 5 August 1960 (from France)
Burma 4 January 1948 (from the UK)
Burundi 1 July 1962 (from UN trusteeship under Belgian administration)
Cambodia 9 November 1953 (from France)
Cameroon 1 January 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship)
Canada 1 July 1867 (union of British North American colonies); 11 December 1931 (recognized by UK)
Cape Verde 5 July 1975 (from Portugal)
Cayman Islands none (overseas territory of the UK)
Central African Republic 13 August 1960 (from France)
Chad 11 August 1960 (from France)
Chile 18 September 1810 (from Spain)
China 221 BC (unification under the Qin or Ch'in Dynasty); 1 January 1912 (Qing or Ch'ing Dynasty replaced by the Republic of China); 1 October 1949 (People's Republic of China established)
Christmas Island none (territory of Australia)
Cocos (Keeling) Islands none (territory of Australia)
Colombia 20 July 1810 (from Spain)
Comoros 6 July 1975 (from France)
Congo, Democratic Republic of the 30 June 1960 (from Belgium)
Congo, Republic of the 15 August 1960 (from France)
Cook Islands none (became self-governing in free association with New Zealand on 4 August 1965 and has the right at any time to move to full independence by unilateral action)
Costa Rica 15 September 1821 (from Spain)
Cote d'Ivoire 7 August 1960 (from France)
Croatia 25 June 1991 (from Yugoslavia)
Cuba 20 May 1902 (from Spain 10 December 1898; administered by the US from 1898 to 1902); not acknowledged by the Cuban Government as a day of independence
Cyprus 16 August 1960 (from the UK); note - Turkish Cypriots proclaimed self-rule on 13 February 1975 and independence in 1983, but these proclamations are only recognized by Turkey
Czech Republic 1 January 1993 (Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia)
Denmark first organized as a unified state in 10th century; in 1849 became a constitutional monarchy
Djibouti 27 June 1977 (from France)
Dominica 3 November 1978 (from the UK)
Dominican Republic 27 February 1844 (from Haiti)
Ecuador 24 May 1822 (from Spain)
Egypt 28 February 1922 (from the UK)
El Salvador 15 September 1821 (from Spain)
Equatorial Guinea 12 October 1968 (from Spain)
Eritrea 24 May 1993 (from Ethiopia)
Estonia 20 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union)
Ethiopia oldest independent country in Africa and one of the oldest in the world - at least 2,000 years
European Union 7 February 1992 (Maastricht Treaty signed establishing the EU); 1 November 1993 (Maastricht Treaty entered into force)
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)
Faroe Islands none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Fiji 10 October 1970 (from the UK)
Finland 6 December 1917 (from Russia)
France 486 (Frankish tribes unified); 843 (Western Francia established from the division of the Carolingian Empire)
French Polynesia none (overseas lands of France)