THE WORLD FACTBOOK :: WHAT'S NEW (continued 3)
Reading edition
page last updated on July 2, 2009
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@Albania (Europe)
Introduction ::Albania
Background:
Albania declared its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912, but was conquered by Italy in 1939. Communist partisans took over the country in 1944. Albania allied itself first with the USSR (until 1960), and then with China (to 1978). In the early 1990s, Albania ended 46 years of xenophobic Communist rule and established a multiparty democracy. The transition has proven challenging as successive governments have tried to deal with high unemployment, widespread corruption, a dilapidated physical infrastructure, powerful organized crime networks, and combative political opponents. Albania has made progress in its democratic development since first holding multiparty elections in 1991, but deficiencies remain. International observers judged elections to be largely free and fair since the restoration of political stability following the collapse of pyramid schemes in 1997; however, there have been claims of electoral fraud in every one of Albania's post-communist elections. In the 2005 general elections, the Democratic Party and its allies won a decisive victory on pledges to reduce crime and corruption, promote economic growth, and decrease the size of government. The election, and particularly the orderly transition of power, was considered an important step forward. Albania joined NATO in April 2009 and is a potential candidate for EU accession. Although Albania's economy continues to grow, the country is still one of the poorest in Europe, hampered by a large informal economy and an inadequate energy and transportation infrastructure.
Geography ::Albania
Location:
Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Ionian Sea, between Greece in the south and Montenegro and Kosovo to the north
Geographic coordinates:
41 00 N, 20 00 E
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 28,748 sq km country comparison to the world: 144 land: 27,398 sq km
water: 1,350 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Maryland
Land boundaries:
total: 717 km
border countries: Greece 282 km, Macedonia 151 km, Montenegro 172 km, Kosovo 112 km
Coastline:
362 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:
mild temperate; cool, cloudy, wet winters; hot, clear, dry summers; interior is cooler and wetter
Terrain:
mostly mountains and hills; small plains along coast
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m
highest point: Maja e Korabit (Golem Korab) 2,764 m
Natural resources:
petroleum, natural gas, coal, bauxite, chromite, copper, iron ore, nickel, salt, timber, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 20.1%
permanent crops: 4.21%
other: 75.69% (2005)
Irrigated land:
3,530 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
41.7 cu km (2001)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 1.71 cu km/yr (27%/11%/62%)
per capita: 546 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
destructive earthquakes; tsunamis occur along southwestern coast; floods; drought
Environment - current issues:
deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution from industrial and domestic effluents
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
strategic location along Strait of Otranto (links Adriatic Sea to Ionian Sea and Mediterranean Sea)
People ::Albania
Population:
3,639,453 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 129
Age structure:
0-14 years: 23.1% (male 440,528/female 400,816)
15-64 years: 67.1% (male 1,251,001/female 1,190,841)
65 years and over: 9.8% (male 165,557/female 190,710) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 29.9 years
male: 29.3 years
female: 30.6 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.546% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 151
Birth rate:
15.29 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 138
Death rate:
5.55 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 174
Net migration rate:
-4.28 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 160
Urbanization:
urban population: 47% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.1 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female
total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 18.62 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 110 male: 19.05 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 18.15 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 77.96 years country comparison to the world: 51 male: 75.28 years
female: 80.89 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.01 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 128
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Albanian(s)
adjective: Albanian
Ethnic groups:
Albanian 95%, Greek 3%, other 2% (Vlach, Roma (Gypsy), Serb, Macedonian, Bulgarian) (1989 est.)
note: in 1989, other estimates of the Greek population ranged from 1% (official Albanian statistics) to 12% (from a Greek organization)
Religions:
Muslim 70%, Albanian Orthodox 20%, Roman Catholic 10%
note: percentages are estimates; there are no available current statistics on religious affiliation; all mosques and churches were closed in 1967 and religious observances prohibited; in November 1990, Albania began allowing private religious practice
Languages:
Albanian (official - derived from Tosk dialect), Greek, Vlach, Romani, Slavic dialects
Literacy:
definition: age 9 and over can read and write
total population: 98.7%
male: 99.2%
female: 98.3% (2001 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 11 years
male: 11 years
female: 11 years (2004)
Education expenditures:
2.9% of GDP (2002) country comparison to the world: 147
Government ::Albania
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Albania
conventional short form: Albania
local long form: Republika e Shqiperise
local short form: Shqiperia
former: People's Socialist Republic of Albania
Government type:
emerging democracy
Capital:
name: Tirana (Tirane)
geographic coordinates: 41 19 N, 19 49 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
12 counties (qarqe, singular - qark); Berat, Diber, Durres, Elbasan, Fier, Gjirokaster, Korce, Kukes, Lezhe, Shkoder, Tirane, Vlore
Independence:
28 November 1912 (from the Ottoman Empire)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 28 November (1912)
Constitution:
approved by parliament on 21 October 1998; adopted by popular referendum on 22 November 1998; promulgated 28 November 1998
Legal system:
has a civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; has accepted jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court for its citizens
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President of the Republic Bamir TOPI (since 24 July 2007)
head of government: Prime Minister Sali BERISHA (since 10 September 2005)
cabinet: Council of Ministers proposed by the prime minister, nominated by the president, and approved by parliament
elections: president elected by the Assembly for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); four election rounds held between 8 and 20 July 2007 (next election to be held in 2012); prime minister appointed by the president
election results: Bamir TOPI elected president; Assembly vote, fourth round (three-fifths majority (84 votes) required): Bamir TOPI 85 votes, Neritan CEKA 5 votes
Legislative branch:
unicameral Assembly or Kuvendi (140 seats; 100 members elected by direct popular vote and 40 by proportional vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 3 July 2005 (next to be held in 2009)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PD 56, PS 42, PR 11, PSD 7, LSI 5, other 19
note: Parliament in November 2008 approved an electoral reform package that will transform the electoral system from a majority system to a regional proportional system; the code will also establish an electoral threshold limiting smaller party representation
Judicial branch:
Constitutional Court, Supreme Court (chairman is elected by the People's Assembly for a four-year term) and multiple appeals and district courts
Political parties and leaders:
Agrarian Environmentalist Party or PAA [Lufter XHUVELI]; Christian Democratic Party or PDK [Nard NDOKA]; Communist Party of Albania or PKSH [Hysni MILLOSHI]; Democratic Alliance Party or AD [Neritan CEKA]; Democratic Party or PD [Sali BERISHA]; G99 Political Movement [Erion VELIAJ]; Liberal Union Party or BLD [Arjan STAROVA]; National Front Party (Balli Kombetar) or PBK [Artur ROSHI]; New Democratic Party or PDR [Genc POLLO]; Republican Party or PR [Fatmir MEDIU]; Social Democracy Party of Albania or PDSSh [Paskal MILO]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Skender GJINUSHI]; Socialist Movement for Integration or LSI [Ilir META]; Socialist Party or PS [Edi RAMA]; Socialist Party 1991 [Petro KOCI]; Union for Human Rights Party or PBDNj [Vangjel DULE]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Citizens Advocacy Office [Kreshnik SPAHIU]; Confederation of Trade Unions of Albania or KSSH [Kastriot MUCO]; Front for Albanian National Unification or FBKSH [Gafur ADILI]; Mjaft Movement; Omonia [Jani JANI]; Union of Independent Trade Unions of Albania or BSPSH [Gezim KALAJA]
International organization participation:
BSEC, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NATO, OIC, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Aleksander SALLABANDA
chancery: 2100 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 223-4942
FAX: [1] (202) 628-7342
consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador John L. WITHERS, II
embassy: Rruga e Elbasanit, Labinoti #103, Tirana
mailing address: US Department of State, 9510 Tirana Place, Dulles, VA 20189-9510
telephone: [355] (4) 2247285
FAX: [355] (4) 2232222
Flag description:
red with a black two-headed eagle in the center; the design is claimed to be that of 15th-century hero George Castriota SKANDERBERG, who led a successful uprising against the Turks that resulted in a short-lived independence for some Albanian regions (1443-1478)
Economy ::Albania
Economy - overview:
Lagging behind its Balkan neighbors, Albania is making the difficult transition to a more modern open-market economy. Macroeconomic growth has averaged around 5% over the last five years and inflation is low and stable. The government has taken measures to curb violent crime, and recently adopted a fiscal reform package aimed at reducing the large gray economy and attracting foreign investment. The economy is bolstered by annual remittances from abroad representing about 15% of GDP, mostly from Albanians residing in Greece and Italy; this helps offset the towering trade deficit. The agricultural sector, which accounts for over half of employment but only about one-fifth of GDP, is limited primarily to small family operations and subsistence farming because of lack of modern equipment, unclear property rights, and the prevalence of small, inefficient plots of land. Energy shortages because of a reliance on hydropower, and antiquated and inadequate infrastructure contribute to Albania's poor business environment and lack of success in attracting new foreign investment. The completion of a new thermal power plant near Vlore has helped diversify generation capacity, and plans to upgrade transmission lines between Albania and Montenegro and Kosovo would help relieve the energy shortages. Also, with help from EU funds, the government is taking steps to improve the poor national road and rail network, a long-standing barrier to sustained economic growth.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$21.86 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 117 $20.61 billion (2007 est.)
$19.44 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
Albania has an informal, and unreported, sector that may be as large as 50% of official GDP
GDP (official exchange rate):
$12.96 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
6.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 6% (2007 est.)
5.5% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$6,000 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 132 $5,700 (2007 est.)
$5,400 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 20.5%
industry: 19.8%
services: 59.7% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
1.103 million (not including 352,000 emigrant workers) (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 137
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 58%
industry: 15%
services: 27% (September 2006 est.)
Unemployment rate:
12.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 138 13.2% (2007 est.)
note: these are official rates, but actual rates may exceed 30% due to preponderance of near-subsistence farming
Population below poverty line:
25% (2004 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 3.2%
highest 10%: 25.9% (2005)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
26.7 (2005) country comparison to the world: 124
Investment (gross fixed):
23.1% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 69
Budget:
revenues: $3.458 billion
expenditures: $4.175 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
51.9% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 34 51.4% of GDP (2007 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 47 2.9% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
6.25% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 69 6.25% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
13.02% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 52 14.1% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$3.028 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 64 $2.707 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$6.251 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 60 $6.433 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$8.176 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 74 $7.247 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
wheat, corn, potatoes, vegetables, fruits, sugar beets, grapes; meat, dairy products
Industries:
food processing, textiles and clothing; lumber, oil, cement, chemicals, mining, basic metals, hydropower
Industrial production growth rate:
3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 79
Electricity - production:
2.888 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 126
Electricity - consumption:
3.603 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 117
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
2.475 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
5,985 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 93
Oil - consumption:
34,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 108
Oil - exports:
748.9 bbl/day (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 122
Oil - imports:
24,080 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 109
Oil - proved reserves:
199.1 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 57
Natural gas - production:
30 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 86
Natural gas - consumption:
30 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 109
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 205
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 204
Natural gas - proved reserves:
849.5 million cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 100
Current account balance:
-$1.906 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 136 -$1.202 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$1.345 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 $1.076 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
textiles and footwear; asphalt, metals and metallic ores, crude oil; vegetables, fruits, tobacco
Exports - partners:
Italy 55.9%, Greece 11.6%, China 7.2% (2008)
Imports:
$4.898 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 114 $3.999 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, textiles, chemicals
Imports - partners:
Italy 32.2%, Greece 13.1%, Turkey 7.2%, Germany 6.6%, China 4.5%, Russia 4.4% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$2.364 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 104 $2.162 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$1.55 billion (2004) country comparison to the world: 143
Exchange rates:
leke (ALL) per US dollar - 79.546 (2008 est.), 92.668 (2007), 98.384 (2006), 102.649 (2005), 102.78 (2004)
Communications ::Albania
Telephones - main lines in use:
316,400 (2008) country comparison to the world: 113
Telephones - mobile cellular:
3.141 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 108
Telephone system:
general assessment: despite new investment in fixed lines, the density of main lines remains low with roughly 10 lines per 100 people; cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective; combined fixed line and mobile telephone density is approaching 100 telephones per 100 persons
domestic: offsetting the shortage of fixed line capacity, mobile phone service has been available since 1996; by 2003, two companies were providing mobile services at a greater density than some of Albania's neighbors; Internet broadband services initiated in 2005; Internet cafes are popular in Tirana and have started to spread outside the capital
international: country code - 355; submarine cable provides connectivity to Italy, Croatia, and Greece; the Trans-Balkan Line, a combination submarine cable and land fiber-optic system, provides additional connectivity to Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Turkey; international traffic carried by fiber-optic cable and, when necessary, by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 13, FM 46, shortwave 1 (2005)
Television broadcast stations:
65 (3 national, 62 local); 2 cable networks (2005)
Internet country code:
.al
Internet hosts:
14,245 (2009) country comparison to the world: 110
Internet users:
471,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 109
Transportation ::Albania
Airports:
5 (2009) country comparison to the world: 176
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)
Heliports:
1 (2009)
Pipelines:
gas 339 km; oil 207 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 896 km country comparison to the world: 96 standard gauge: 896 km 1.435-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 18,000 km country comparison to the world: 117 paved: 7,020 km
unpaved: 10,980 km (2002)
Waterways:
43 km (2008) country comparison to the world: 105
Merchant marine:
total: 24 country comparison to the world: 91 by type: cargo 22, roll on/roll off 2
foreign-owned: 1 (Turkey 1)
registered in other countries: 2 (Panama 2) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Durres, Sarande, Shengjin, Vlore
Military ::Albania
Military branches:
Joint Force Command (includes Land, Naval, and Aviation Brigade Commands), Joint Support Command (includes Logistic Command), Training and Doctrine Command (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
19 years of age (2004)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 944,592
females age 16-49: 908,527 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 800,665
females age 16-49: 768,536 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 34,778
female: 31,673 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.49% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 110
Transnational Issues ::Albania
Disputes - international:
the Albanian Government calls for the protection of the rights of ethnic Albanians in neighboring countries, and the peaceful resolution of interethnic disputes; some ethnic Albanian groups in neighboring countries advocate for a "greater Albania," but the idea has little appeal among Albanian nationals; the mass emigration of unemployed Albanians remains a problem for developed countries, chiefly Greece and Italy
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Albania is a source country for women and girls trafficked for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor; it is no longer considered a major country of transit; Albanian victims are trafficked to Greece, Italy, Macedonia, and Kosovo, with many trafficked onward to Western European countries; children were also trafficked to Greece for begging and other forms of child labor; approximately half of all Albanian trafficking victims are under age 18; internal sex trafficking of women and children is on the rise
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Albania is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking in persons in 2007, particularly in the area of victim protection; the government did not appropriately identify trafficking victims during 2007, and has not demonstrated that it is vigorously investigating or prosecuting complicit officials (2008)
Illicit drugs:
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
page last updated on November 11, 2009
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@Algeria (Africa)
Introduction ::Algeria
Background:
After more than a century of rule by France, Algerians fought through much of the 1950s to achieve independence in 1962. Algeria's primary political party, the National Liberation Front (FLN), has dominated politics ever since. Many Algerians in the subsequent generation were not satisfied, however, and moved to counter the FLN's centrality in Algerian politics. The surprising first round success of the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) in the December 1991 balloting spurred the Algerian army to intervene and postpone the second round of elections to prevent what the secular elite feared would be an extremist-led government from assuming power. The army began a crackdown on the FIS that spurred FIS supporters to begin attacking government targets. The government later allowed elections featuring pro-government and moderate religious-based parties, but did not appease the activists who progressively widened their attacks. The fighting escalated into an insurgency, which saw intense fighting between 1992-98 and which resulted in over 100,000 deaths - many attributed to indiscriminate massacres of villagers by extremists. The government gained the upper hand by the late-1990s and FIS's armed wing, the Islamic Salvation Army, disbanded in January 2000. However, small numbers of armed militants persist in confronting government forces and conducting ambushes and occasional attacks on villages. The army placed Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA in the presidency in 1999 in a fraudulent election but claimed neutrality in his 2004 landslide reelection victory. Longstanding problems continue to face BOUTEFLIKA in his second term, including large-scale unemployment, a shortage of housing, unreliable electrical and water supplies, government inefficiencies and corruption, and the continuing activities of extremist militants. The Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC) in 2006 merged with al-Qaida to form al-Qaida in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb, which since has launched an ongoing series of kidnappings and bombings - including high-profile, mass-casualty suicide attacks targeted against the Algerian government and Western interests. Algeria must also diversify its petroleum-based economy, which has yielded a large cash reserve but which has not been used to redress Algeria's many social and infrastructure problems.
Geography ::Algeria
Location:
Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Morocco and Tunisia
Geographic coordinates:
28 00 N, 3 00 E
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 2,381,741 sq km country comparison to the world: 11 land: 2,381,741 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly less than 3.5 times the size of Texas
Land boundaries:
total: 6,343 km
border countries: Libya 982 km, Mali 1,376 km, Mauritania 463 km, Morocco 1,559 km, Niger 956 km, Tunisia 965 km, Western Sahara 42 km
Coastline:
998 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 32-52 nm
Climate:
arid to semiarid; mild, wet winters with hot, dry summers along coast; drier with cold winters and hot summers on high plateau; sirocco is a hot, dust/sand-laden wind especially common in summer
Terrain:
mostly high plateau and desert; some mountains; narrow, discontinuous coastal plain
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Chott Melrhir -40 m
highest point: Tahat 3,003 m
Natural resources:
petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, uranium, lead, zinc
Land use:
arable land: 3.17%
permanent crops: 0.28%
other: 96.55% (2005)
Irrigated land:
5,690 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
14.3 cu km (1997)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 6.07 cu km/yr (22%/13%/65%)
per capita: 185 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
mountainous areas subject to severe earthquakes; mudslides and floods in rainy season
Environment - current issues:
soil erosion from overgrazing and other poor farming practices; desertification; dumping of raw sewage, petroleum refining wastes, and other industrial effluents is leading to the pollution of rivers and coastal waters; Mediterranean Sea, in particular, becoming polluted from oil wastes, soil erosion, and fertilizer runoff; inadequate supplies of potable water
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
second-largest country in Africa (after Sudan)
People ::Algeria
Population:
34,178,188 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 36
Age structure:
0-14 years: 25.4% (male 4,436,591/female 4,259,729)
15-64 years: 69.5% (male 11,976,965/female 11,777,618)
65 years and over: 5.1% (male 798,576/female 928,709) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 26.6 years
male: 26.3 years
female: 26.8 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.196% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 111
Birth rate:
16.9 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 124
Death rate:
4.64 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 197
Net migration rate:
-0.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 100
Urbanization:
urban population: 65% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 27.73 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 80 male: 30.86 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 24.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 74.02 years country comparison to the world: 92 male: 72.35 years
female: 75.77 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.79 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 157
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.1%; note - no country specific models provided (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 113
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
21,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 76
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 1,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 73
Nationality:
noun: Algerian(s)
adjective: Algerian
Ethnic groups:
Arab-Berber 99%, European less than 1%
note: almost all Algerians are Berber in origin, not Arab; the minority who identify themselves as Berber live mostly in the mountainous region of Kabylie east of Algiers; the Berbers are also Muslim but identify with their Berber rather than Arab cultural heritage; Berbers have long agitated, sometimes violently, for autonomy; the government is unlikely to grant autonomy but has offered to begin sponsoring teaching Berber language in schools
Religions:
Sunni Muslim (state religion) 99%, Christian and Jewish 1%
Languages:
Arabic (official), French, Berber dialects
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 69.9%
male: 79.6%
female: 60.1% (2002 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 13 years
male: 13 years
female: 13 years (2005)
Education expenditures:
5.1% of GDP (1999) country comparison to the world: 64
Government ::Algeria
Country name:
conventional long form: People's Democratic Republic of Algeria
conventional short form: Algeria
local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Jaza'iriyah ad Dimuqratiyah ash Sha'biyah
local short form: Al Jaza'ir
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Algiers
geographic coordinates: 36 45 N, 3 03 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
48 provinces (wilayat, singular - wilaya); Adrar, Ain Defla, Ain Temouchent, Alger, Annaba, Batna, Bechar, Bejaia, Biskra, Blida, Bordj Bou Arreridj, Bouira, Boumerdes, Chlef, Constantine, Djelfa, El Bayadh, El Oued, El Tarf, Ghardaia, Guelma, Illizi, Jijel, Khenchela, Laghouat, Mascara, Medea, Mila, Mostaganem, M'Sila, Naama, Oran, Ouargla, Oum el Bouaghi, Relizane, Saida, Setif, Sidi Bel Abbes, Skikda, Souk Ahras, Tamanghasset, Tebessa, Tiaret, Tindouf, Tipaza, Tissemsilt, Tizi Ouzou, Tlemcen
Independence:
5 July 1962 (from France)
National holiday:
Revolution Day, 1 November (1954)
Constitution:
8 September 1963; revised 19 November 1976; effective 22 November 1976; revised 3 November 1988, 23 February 1989, 28 November 1996, 10 April 2002, and 12 November 2008
Legal system:
socialist, based on French and Islamic law; judicial review of legislative acts in ad hoc Constitutional Council composed of various public officials including several Supreme Court justices; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA (since 28 April 1999)
head of government: Prime Minister Ahmed OUYAHIA (since 23 June 2008)
cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; note - a November 2008 constitutional amendment abolished presidential term limits; election last held 9 April 2009 (next to be held in April 2014); prime minister appointed by the president
election results: Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA reelected president for third term; percent of vote - Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA 90.2%, Louisa HANOUNE 4.2%, Moussa TOUATI 2.3%, Djahid YOUNSI 1.4%, Ali Fawzi REBIANE less than 1%, Mohamed SAID less than 1%
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament consists of the Council of Nations (Senate) (144 seats; one-third of the members appointed by the president, two-thirds elected by indirect vote to serve six-year terms; the constitution requires half the council to be renewed every three years) and the National People's Assembly or Al-Majlis Al-Shabi Al-Watani (389 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: National People's Assembly - last held 17 May 2007 (next to be held in 2012); Council of Nations (Senate) - last held 28 December 2006 (next to be held in 2009)
election results: National People's Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FLN 136, RND 61, MSP 52, PT 26, RCD 19, FNA 13, other 49, independents 33; Council of Nations - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FLN 29, RND 12, MSP 3, RCD 1, independents 3, presidential appointees (unknown affiliation) 24; note - Council seating reflects the number of replaced council members rather than the whole Council
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
Ahd 54 [Ali Fauzi REBAINE]; Algerian National Front or FNA [Moussa TOUATI]; National Democratic Rally (Rassemblement National Democratique) or RND [Ahmed OUYAHIA]; National Liberation Front or FLN [Abdelaziz BELKHADEM, secretary general]; National Reform Movement or Islah (formerly MRN) [Ahmed ABDESLAM]; Rally for Culture and Democracy or RCD [Said SADI]; Renaissance Movement or EnNahda Movement [Fatah RABEI]; Socialist Forces Front or FFS [Hocine Ait AHMED]; Society of Peace Movement or MSP [Boudjerra SOLTANI]; Workers Party or PT [Louisa HANOUNE]
note: a law banning political parties based on religion was enacted in March 1997
Political pressure groups and leaders:
The Algerian Human Rights League or LADDH [Hocine ZEHOUANE]; SOS Disparus [Nacera DUTOUR]
International organization participation:
ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, AU, BIS, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, OSCE (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Abdallah BAALI
chancery: 2118 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 265-2800
FAX: [1] (202) 667-2174
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador David D. PEARCE
embassy: 05 Chemin Cheikh Bachir, El-Ibrahimi, El-Biar 16000 Algiers
mailing address: B. P. 408, Alger-Gare, 16030 Algiers
telephone: [213] 770-08-2000
FAX: [213] 21-60-7355
Flag description:
two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and white; a red, five-pointed star within a red crescent centered over the two-color boundary; the colors represent Islam (green), purity and peace (white), and liberty (red); the crescent and star are also Islamic symbols, but the crescent is more closed than those of other Muslim countries because the Algerians believe the long crescent horns bring happiness
Economy ::Algeria
Economy - overview:
The hydrocarbons sector is the backbone of the economy, accounting for roughly 60% of budget revenues, 30% of GDP, and over 95% of export earnings. Algeria has the eighth-largest reserves of natural gas in the world and is the fourth-largest gas exporter; it ranks 15th in oil reserves. Sustained high oil prices in recent years have helped improve Algeria's financial and macroeconomic indicators. Algeria is running substantial trade surpluses and building up record foreign exchange reserves. Algeria has decreased its external debt to less than 5% of GDP after repaying its Paris Club and London Club debt in 2006. Real GDP has risen due to higher oil output and increased government spending. The government's continued efforts to diversify the economy by attracting foreign and domestic investment outside the energy sector, however, has had little success in reducing high unemployment and improving living standards. Structural reform within the economy, such as development of the banking sector and the construction of infrastructure, moves ahead slowly hampered by corruption and bureaucratic resistance.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$233.5 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 49 $225.6 billion (2007 est.)
$218.8 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$159.7 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
3.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 108 3.1% (2007 est.)
2.1% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$6,900 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 $6,800 (2007 est.)
$6,600 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 8.3%
industry: 62.3%
services: 29.4% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
9.464 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 52
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture 14%, industry 13.4%, construction and public works 10%, trade 14.6%, government 32%, other 16% (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate:
12.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 142 11.8% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
23% (2006 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.8%
highest 10%: 26.8% (1995)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
35.3 (1995) country comparison to the world: 86
Investment (gross fixed):
26.1% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 43
Budget:
revenues: $70.06 billion
expenditures: $56.04 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
8.4% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 115 37.4% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 3.5% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
4% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 123 4% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
8% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 107 8% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$60.91 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 19 $55.43 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$30.36 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 37 $28.59 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$NA (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
wheat, barley, oats, grapes, olives, citrus, fruits; sheep, cattle
Industries:
petroleum, natural gas, light industries, mining, electrical, petrochemical, food processing
Industrial production growth rate:
3.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 76
Electricity - production:
34.98 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 60
Electricity - consumption:
28.34 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 60
Electricity - exports:
273 million kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
279 million kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
2.18 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 15
Oil - consumption:
299,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 41
Oil - exports:
1.891 million bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 12
Oil - imports:
14,320 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 128
Oil - proved reserves:
12.2 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 16
Natural gas - production:
86.5 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 7
Natural gas - consumption:
26.83 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 29
Natural gas - exports:
59.67 billion cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 5
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 205
Natural gas - proved reserves:
4.502 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 9
Current account balance:
$35.27 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 14 $30.6 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$78.23 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 $60.6 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
petroleum, natural gas, and petroleum products 97%
Exports - partners:
US 23.9%, Italy 15.5%, Spain 11.4%, France 8%, Netherlands 7.8%, Canada 6.8% (2008)
Imports:
$39.16 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 $26.4 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods
Imports - partners:
France 16.5%, Italy 11%, China 10.3%, Spain 7.4%, Germany 6.1%, US 5.5% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$143.5 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 10 $110.6 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$3.753 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 $3.957 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$13.76 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 $11.91 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$1.162 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 69 $962 million (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
Algerian dinars (DZD) per US dollar - 63.25 (2008 est.), 69.9 (2007), 72.647 (2006), 73.276 (2005), 72.061 (2004)
Communications ::Algeria
Telephones - main lines in use:
3.314 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 46
Telephones - mobile cellular:
31.871 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 30
Telephone system:
general assessment: a weak network of fixed-main lines, which remains at roughly 10 telephones per 100 persons, is offset by the rapid increase in mobile cellular subscribership; in 2008, combined fixed-line and mobile telephone density surpassed 100 telephones per 100 persons
domestic: privatization of Algeria's telecommunications sector began in 2000; three mobile cellular licenses have been issued and, in 2005, a consortium led by Egypt's Orascom Telecom won a 15-year license to build and operate a fixed-line network in Algeria; the license will allow Orascom to develop high-speed data and other specialized services and contribute to meeting the large unfulfilled demand for basic residential telephony; Internet broadband services began in 2003
international: country code - 213; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-4 fiber-optic submarine cable system that provides links to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia; microwave radio relay to Italy, France, Spain, Morocco, and Tunisia; coaxial cable to Morocco and Tunisia; participant in Medarabtel; satellite earth stations - 51 (Intelsat, Intersputnik, and Arabsat) (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 25, FM 1, shortwave 8 (1999)
Television broadcast stations:
46 (plus 216 repeaters) (1995)
Internet country code:
.dz
Internet hosts:
510 (2009) country comparison to the world: 172
Internet users:
4.1 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 51
Transportation ::Algeria
Airports:
143 (2009) country comparison to the world: 39
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 57
over 3,047 m: 11
2,438 to 3,047 m: 29
1,524 to 2,437 m: 11
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 86
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 19
914 to 1,523 m: 41
under 914 m: 23 (2009)
Heliports:
2 (2009)
Pipelines:
condensate 1,937 km; gas 14,648 km; liquid petroleum gas 2,933 km; oil 7,579 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 3,973 km country comparison to the world: 43 standard gauge: 2,888 km 1.435-m gauge (283 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 1,085 km 1.055-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 108,302 km country comparison to the world: 38 paved: 76,028 km (includes 645 km of expressways)
unpaved: 32,274 km (2004)
Merchant marine:
total: 33 country comparison to the world: 83 by type: bulk carrier 6, cargo 8, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas 9, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 4, roll on/roll off 2
foreign-owned: 18 (Jordan 7, UK 11) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Algiers, Annaba, Arzew, Bejaia, Djendjene, Jijel, Mostaganem, Oran, Skikda
Military ::Algeria
Military branches:
People's National Army (Armee Nationale Populaire, ANP), Land Forces (Forces Terrestres, FT), Navy of the Republic of Algeria (Marine de la Republique Algerienne, MRA), Air Force (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Jaza'eriya, QJJ), Territorial Air Defense Force (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
19-30 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 18 months (6 months basic training, 12 months civil projects) (2006)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 9,736,757
females age 16-49: 9,590,978 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 8,317,473
females age 16-49: 8,367,005 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 375,852
female: 362,158 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
3.3% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 41
Transnational Issues ::Algeria
Disputes - international:
Algeria, and many other states, rejects Moroccan administration of Western Sahara; the Polisario Front, exiled in Algeria, represents the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic; Algeria's border with Morocco remains an irritant to bilateral relations, each nation accusing the other of harboring militants and arms smuggling; Algeria remains concerned about armed bandits operating throughout the Sahel who sometimes destabilize southern Algerian towns; dormant disputes include Libyan claims of about 32,000 sq km still reflected on its maps of southeastern Algeria and the FLN's assertions of a claim to Chirac Pastures in southeastern Morocco
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 90,000 (Western Saharan Sahrawi, mostly living in Algerian-sponsored camps in the southwestern Algerian town of Tindouf)
IDPs: undetermined (civil war during 1990s) (2007)
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Algeria is a transit country for men and women trafficked from sub-Saharan Africa to Europe for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and involuntary servitude; Algerian children are trafficked internally for the purpose of domestic servitude or street vending
tier rating: Tier 3 - Algeria did not report any serious law enforcement actions to punish traffickers who force women into commercial sexual exploitation or men into involuntary servitude in 2007; the government again reported no investigations of trafficking of children for domestic servitude or improvements in protection services available to victims of trafficking; Algeria still lacks victim protection services, and its failure to distinguish between trafficking and illegal migration may result in the punishment of victims of trafficking (2008)
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@American Samoa (Australia-Oceania)
Introduction ::American Samoa
Background:
Settled as early as 1000 B.C., Samoa was "discovered" by European explorers in the 18th century. International rivalries in the latter half of the 19th century were settled by an 1899 treaty in which Germany and the US divided the Samoan archipelago. The US formally occupied its portion - a smaller group of eastern islands with the excellent harbor of Pago Pago - the following year.
Geography ::American Samoa
Location:
Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and New Zealand
Geographic coordinates:
14 20 S, 170 00 W
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 199 sq km country comparison to the world: 215 land: 199 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes Rose Island and Swains Island
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
116 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical marine, moderated by southeast trade winds; annual rainfall averages about 3 m; rainy season (November to April), dry season (May to October); little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain:
five volcanic islands with rugged peaks and limited coastal plains, two coral atolls (Rose Island, Swains Island)
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Lata Mountain 964 m
Natural resources:
pumice, pumicite
Land use:
arable land: 10%
permanent crops: 15%
other: 75% (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Natural hazards:
typhoons common from December to March
Environment - current issues:
limited natural fresh water resources; the water division of the government has spent substantial funds in the past few years to improve water catchments and pipelines
Geography - note:
Pago Pago has one of the best natural deepwater harbors in the South Pacific Ocean, sheltered by shape from rough seas and protected by peripheral mountains from high winds; strategic location in the South Pacific Ocean
People ::American Samoa
Population:
65,628 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 204
Age structure:
0-14 years: 33.4% (male 11,159/female 10,768)
15-64 years: 62.7% (male 20,848/female 20,271)
65 years and over: 3.9% (male 1,211/female 1,371) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 23.1 years
male: 23 years
female: 23.3 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.222% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 109
Birth rate:
23.31 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 76
Death rate:
4.1 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 208
Net migration rate:
-6.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 170
Urbanization:
urban population: 92% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female
total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 10.18 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 153 male: 13.3 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 6.88 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 73.72 years country comparison to the world: 98 male: 70.8 years
female: 76.82 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.29 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 60
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: American Samoan(s) (US nationals)
adjective: American Samoan
Ethnic groups:
native Pacific islander 91.6%, Asian 2.8%, white 1.1%, mixed 4.2%, other 0.3% (2000 census)
Religions:
Christian Congregationalist 50%, Roman Catholic 20%, Protestant and other 30%
Languages:
Samoan 90.6% (closely related to Hawaiian and other Polynesian languages), English 2.9%, Tongan 2.4%, other Pacific islander 2.1%, other 2%
note: most people are bilingual (2000 census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 97%
male: 98%
female: 97% (1980 est.)
Education expenditures:
NA
Government ::American Samoa
Country name:
conventional long form: Territory of American Samoa
conventional short form: American Samoa
abbreviation: AS
Dependency status:
unincorporated and unorganized territory of the US; administered by the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior
Government type:
NA
Capital:
name: Pago Pago
geographic coordinates: 14 16 S, 170 42 W
time difference: UTC-11 (6 hours behind Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
none (territory of the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are three districts and two islands* at the second order; Eastern, Manu'a, Rose Island*, Swains Island*, Western
Independence:
none (territory of the US)
National holiday:
Flag Day, 17 April (1900)
Constitution:
ratified 2 June 1966; effective 1 July 1967
Legal system:
NA
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009)
head of government: Governor Togiola TULAFONO (since 7 April 2003)
cabinet: Cabinet made up of 12 department directors
elections: under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporated territories, such as American Samoa, do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; however, they may vote in Democratic and Republican presidential primary elections; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 4 and 18 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012)
election results: Togiola TULAFONO reelected governor; percent of vote - Togiola TULAFONO 56.5%, Afoa Moega LUTU 43.5%
Legislative branch:
bicameral Fono or Legislative Assembly consists of the Senate (18 seats; members are elected from local chiefs to serve four-year terms)and the House of Representatives (21 seats; 20 members are elected by popular vote and 1 is an appointed, nonvoting delegate from Swains Island; members serve two-year terms)
elections: House of Representatives - last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2010); Senate - last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012)
election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - independents 18
note: American Samoa elects one nonvoting representative to the US House of Representatives; election last held on 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2010); results - Eni F. H. FALEOMAVAEGA reelected as delegate
Judicial branch:
High Court (chief justice and associate justices are appointed by the US Secretary of the Interior)
Political parties and leaders:
Democratic Party [Oreta M. TOGAFAU]; Republican Party [Tautai A. F. FAALEVAO]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Population Pressure LAS (addresses the growing population pressures)
International organization participation:
Interpol (subbureau), IOC, SPC, UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (territory of the US)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (territory of the US)
Flag description:
blue, with a white triangle edged in red that is based on the fly side and extends to the hoist side; a brown and white American bald eagle flying toward the hoist side is carrying two traditional Samoan symbols of authority, a war club known as a "Fa'alaufa'i" (upper; left talon), and a coconut fiber fly whisk known as a "Fue" (lower; right talon); the combination of symbols broadly mimics that seen on the US Great Seal and reflects the relationship between the United States and American Samoa
Economy ::American Samoa
Economy - overview:
American Samoa has a traditional Polynesian economy in which more than 90% of the land is communally owned. Economic activity is strongly linked to the US with which American Samoa conducts most of its commerce. Tuna fishing and tuna processing plants are the backbone of the private sector, with canned tuna the primary export. Transfers from the US Government add substantially to American Samoa's economic well being. Attempts by the government to develop a larger and broader economy are restrained by Samoa's remote location, its limited transportation, and its devastating hurricanes. Tourism is a promising developing sector.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$575.3 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 211 $510.1 million (2003 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$462.2 million (2005)
GDP - real growth rate:
3% (2003) country comparison to the world: 123
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$8,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 121 $5,800 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Labor force:
17,630 (2005) country comparison to the world: 203
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 34%
industry: 33%
services: 33% (1990)
Unemployment rate:
29.8% (2005) country comparison to the world: 175
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $155.4 million (37% in local revenue and 63% in US grants)
expenditures: $183.6 million (FY07)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
NA%
Agriculture - products:
bananas, coconuts, vegetables, taro, breadfruit, yams, copra, pineapples, papayas; dairy products, livestock
Industries:
tuna canneries (largely supplied by foreign fishing vessels), handicrafts
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
185 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 178
Electricity - consumption:
172.1 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 180
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 208
Oil - consumption:
4,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 169
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 206
Oil - imports:
4,140 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 166
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 208
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 208
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 207
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 203
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 202
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 206
Exports:
$445.6 million (FY04 est.) country comparison to the world: 166
Exports - commodities:
canned tuna 93% (2004 est.)
Imports:
$308.8 million (FY04 est.) country comparison to the world: 193
Imports - commodities:
materials for canneries 56%, food 8%, petroleum products 7%, machinery and parts 6% (2004 est.)
Debt - external:
$NA
Exchange rates:
the US dollar is used
Communications ::American Samoa
Telephones - main lines in use:
10,400 (2008) country comparison to the world: 202
Telephones - mobile cellular:
2,200 (2004) country comparison to the world: 215
Telephone system:
general assessment: NA
domestic: good telex, telegraph, facsimile, and cellular telephone services; domestic satellite system with 1 Comsat earth station
international: country code - 1-684; satellite earth station - 1 (Intelsat-Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 0 (2005)
Television broadcast stations:
1 (2006)
Internet country code:
.as
Internet hosts:
1,606 (2009) country comparison to the world: 153
Internet users:
NA
Transportation ::American Samoa
Airports:
3 (2009) country comparison to the world: 194
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 3
over 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Roadways:
total: 221 km (2007) country comparison to the world: 205
Ports and terminals:
Pago Pago
Military ::American Samoa
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 13,875
females age 16-49: 13,517 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 820
female: 802 (2009 est.)
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of the US
Transnational Issues ::American Samoa
Disputes - international:
Tokelau periodically asserts claims to American Samoa's Swains Island (Olohega), such as in its 2006 draft independence constitution
page last updated on October 28, 2009
======================================================================
@Andorra (Europe)
Introduction ::Andorra
Background:
For 715 years, from 1278 to 1993, Andorrans lived under a unique co-principality, ruled by French and Spanish leaders (from 1607 onward, the French chief of state and the Spanish bishop of Urgel). In 1993, this feudal system was modified with the titular heads of state retained, but the government transformed into a parliamentary democracy. Long isolated and impoverished, mountainous Andorra achieved considerable prosperity since World War II through its tourist industry. Many immigrants (legal and illegal) are attracted to the thriving economy with its lack of income taxes.
Geography ::Andorra
Location:
Southwestern Europe, between France and Spain
Geographic coordinates:
42 30 N, 1 30 E
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 468 sq km country comparison to the world: 195 land: 468 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
total: 120.3 km
border countries: France 56.6 km, Spain 63.7 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
temperate; snowy, cold winters and warm, dry summers
Terrain:
rugged mountains dissected by narrow valleys
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Riu Runer 840 m
highest point: Coma Pedrosa 2,946 m
Natural resources:
hydropower, mineral water, timber, iron ore, lead
Land use:
arable land: 2.13%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 97.87% (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Natural hazards:
avalanches
Environment - current issues:
deforestation; overgrazing of mountain meadows contributes to soil erosion; air pollution; wastewater treatment and solid waste disposal
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
landlocked; straddles a number of important crossroads in the Pyrenees
People ::Andorra
Population:
83,888 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 199
Age structure:
0-14 years: 15.5% (male 6,710/female 6,305)
15-64 years: 72.2% (male 31,604/female 28,925)
65 years and over: 12.3% (male 5,113/female 5,231) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 39.4 years
male: 39.7 years
female: 39.1 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.135% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 119
Birth rate:
10.35 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 190
Death rate:
5.89 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 166
Net migration rate:
6.89 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 13
Urbanization:
urban population: 89% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: -0.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.09 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.98 male(s)/female
total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 3.76 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 212 male: 3.78 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 3.74 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 82.51 years country comparison to the world: 2 male: 80.33 years
female: 84.84 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.33 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 204
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Andorran(s)
adjective: Andorran
Ethnic groups:
Spanish 43%, Andorran 33%, Portuguese 11%, French 7%, other 6% (1998)
Religions:
Roman Catholic (predominant)
Languages:
Catalan (official), French, Castilian, Portuguese
Literacy:
definition: NA
total population: 100%
male: 100%
female: 100%
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 11 years
male: 11 years
female: 11 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
2.3% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 162
Government ::Andorra
Country name:
conventional long form: Principality of Andorra
conventional short form: Andorra
local long form: Principat d'Andorra
local short form: Andorra
Government type:
parliamentary democracy (since March 1993) that retains as its chiefs of state a coprincipality; the two princes are the president of France and bishop of Seo de Urgel, Spain, who are represented locally by coprinces' representatives
Capital:
name: Andorra la Vella
geographic coordinates: 42 30 N, 1 31 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
7 parishes (parroquies, singular - parroquia); Andorra la Vella, Canillo, Encamp, Escaldes-Engordany, La Massana, Ordino, Sant Julia de Loria
Independence:
1278 (formed under the joint suzerainty of the French Count of Foix and the Spanish Bishop of Urgel)
National holiday:
Our Lady of Meritxell Day, 8 September (1278)
Constitution:
Andorra's first written constitution was drafted in 1991; approved by referendum 14 March 1993; effective 28 April 1993
Legal system:
based on French and Spanish civil codes; no judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: French Coprince Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007); represented by Philippe MASSONI (since 26 July 2002) and Spanish Coprince Bishop Joan-Enric VIVES i SICILIA (since 12 May 2003); represented by Nemesi MARQUES i OSTE (since 30 July 2003)
head of government: Executive Council President Jaume BARTUMEU Cassany (since 5 June 2009)
cabinet: Executive Council or Govern designated by the Executive Council president
elections: Executive Council president elected by the General Council and formally appointed by the coprinces for a four-year term; election last held 26 April 2009 (next to be held in April-May 2013)
election results: Jaume BARTUMEU CASSANY elected executive council president; percent of General Council vote - NA
Legislative branch:
unicameral General Council of the Valleys or Consell General de las Valls (28 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote, 14 from a single national constituency and 14 to represent each of the seven parishes; to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 26 April 2009 (next to be held in March-April 2013)
election results: percent of vote by party - PS 45.03%, Reformist Coaliton 32.34%, Andorra for Change 18.86%, other 3.77%; seats by party - PS 14, Reformist Coalition 11, Andorra for Change 3
Judicial branch:
Tribunal of Judges or Tribunal de Batlles; Tribunal of the Courts or Tribunal de Corts; Supreme Court of Justice of Andorra or Tribunal Superior de Justicia d'Andorra; Supreme Council of Justice or Consell Superior de la Justicia; Fiscal Ministry or Ministeri Fiscal; Constitutional Tribunal or Tribunal Constitucional
Political parties and leaders:
Andorra for Change [Juan Eusebio NOMEN CALVET]; New Center [Vicenc MATEU] (formerly Andorran Democratic Center Party); Liberal Party of Andorra or PLA [Joan Gabriel i ESTANY] (formerly Liberal Union or UL); Reformist Coalition (includes the Liberal Party and New Center) [Joan Gabriel i ESTANY]; Social Democratic Party or PS [Jaume BARTUMEU CASSANY] (formerly part of National Democratic Group or AND)
Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA
International organization participation:
CE, FAO, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IFRCS, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITU, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, Union Latina, UNWTO, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Narcis CASAL FONSDEVIELA
chancery: 2 United Nations Plaza, 25th Floor, New York, NY 10017
telephone: [1] (212) 750-8064
FAX: [1] (212) 750-6630
Diplomatic representation from the US:
the US does not have an embassy in Andorra; the US Ambassador to Spain is accredited to Andorra; US interests in Andorra are represented by the Consulate General's office in Barcelona (Spain); mailing address: Paseo Reina Elisenda de Montcada, 23, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; telephone: [34] (93) 280-2227; FAX: [34] (93) 280-6175
Flag description:
three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red, with the national coat of arms centered in the yellow band; the coat of arms features a quartered shield; the flag combines the blue and red French colors with the red and yellow of Spain to show Franco-Spanish protection
note: similar to the flags of Chad and Romania, which do not have a national coat of arms in the center, and the flag of Moldova, which does bear a national emblem
Economy ::Andorra
Economy - overview:
Tourism, the mainstay of Andorra's tiny, well-to-do economy, accounts for more than 80% of GDP. An estimated 11.6 million tourists visit annually, attracted by Andorra's duty-free status and by its summer and winter resorts. Andorra's comparative advantage has recently eroded as the economies of neighboring France and Spain have been opened up, providing broader availability of goods and lower tariffs. The banking sector, with its partial "tax haven" status, also contributes substantially to the economy. Agricultural production is limited - only 2% of the land is arable - and most food has to be imported. The principal livestock activity is sheep raising. Manufacturing output consists mainly of cigarettes, cigars, and furniture. Andorra is a member of the EU Customs Union and is treated as an EU member for trade in manufactured goods (no tariffs) and as a non-EU member for agricultural products.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$3.66 billion (2007) country comparison to the world: 167 $3.588 billion (2006)
$2.77 billion (2005)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$NA
GDP - real growth rate:
2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 158 3.5% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$42,500 (2007) country comparison to the world: 16 $38,800 (2005)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Labor force:
42,230 (2007) country comparison to the world: 187
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 0.3%
industry: 20.8%
services: 79% (2007)
Unemployment rate:
0% (2007) country comparison to the world: 1 0% (2006)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $496.9 million
expenditures: $496.8 million (2007)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.9% (2007) country comparison to the world: 61 3.2% (2005)
Agriculture - products:
small quantities of rye, wheat, barley, oats, vegetables; sheep
Industries:
tourism (particularly skiing), cattle raising, timber, banking, tobacco, furniture
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
NA kWh
Electricity - consumption:
NA kWh
Electricity - exports:
NA kWh
Electricity - imports:
NA kWh; note - most electricity supplied by Spain and France; Andorra generates a small amount of hydropower
Exports:
$117.1 million (2007) country comparison to the world: 190 $148.7 million (2005)
Exports - commodities:
tobacco products, furniture
Imports:
$1.789 billion (2007) country comparison to the world: 155 $1.879 billion (2005)
Imports - commodities:
consumer goods, food, electricity
Debt - external:
$NA
Exchange rates:
euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), 0.7306 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004)
Communications ::Andorra
Telephones - main lines in use:
37,400 (2008) country comparison to the world: 173
Telephones - mobile cellular:
64,200 (2008) country comparison to the world: 189
Telephone system:
general assessment: NA
domestic: modern system with microwave radio relay connections between exchanges
international: country code - 376; landline circuits to France and Spain
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 0, FM 1, shortwave 0 (easy access to radio and television broadcasts originating in France and Spain) (2007)
Television broadcast stations:
1 (2007)
Internet country code:
.ad
Internet hosts:
23,421 (2009) country comparison to the world: 98
Internet users:
59,100 (2008) country comparison to the world: 168
Transportation ::Andorra
Roadways:
total: 270 km (1994) country comparison to the world: 203
Military ::Andorra
Military branches:
no regular military forces, Police Service of Andorra (2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 18,685 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 18,617
females age 16-49: 17,613 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 402
female: 373 (2009 est.)
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of France and Spain
Transnational Issues ::Andorra
Disputes - international:
none
page last updated on October 28, 2009
======================================================================
@Angola (Africa)
Introduction ::Angola
Background:
Angola is rebuilding its country after the end of a 27-year civil war in 2002. Fighting between the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), led by Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS, and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), led by Jonas SAVIMBI, followed independence from Portugal in 1975. Peace seemed imminent in 1992 when Angola held national elections, but fighting picked up again by 1996. Up to 1.5 million lives may have been lost - and 4 million people displaced - in the quarter century of fighting. SAVIMBI's death in 2002 ended UNITA's insurgency and strengthened the MPLA's hold on power. President DOS SANTOS held legislative elections in September 2008, and announced plans to hold presidential elections in 2009.
Geography ::Angola
Location:
Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Namibia and Democratic Republic of the Congo
Geographic coordinates:
12 30 S, 18 30 E
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 1,246,700 sq km country comparison to the world: 23 land: 1,246,700 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly less than twice the size of Texas
Land boundaries:
total: 5,198 km
border countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,511 km (of which 225 km is the boundary of discontiguous Cabinda Province), Republic of the Congo 201 km, Namibia 1,376 km, Zambia 1,110 km
Coastline:
1,600 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
semiarid in south and along coast to Luanda; north has cool, dry season (May to October) and hot, rainy season (November to April)
Terrain:
narrow coastal plain rises abruptly to vast interior plateau
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Morro de Moco 2,620 m
Natural resources:
petroleum, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, copper, feldspar, gold, bauxite, uranium
Land use:
arable land: 2.65%
permanent crops: 0.23%
other: 97.12% (2005)
Irrigated land:
800 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
184 cu km (1987)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.35 cu km/yr (23%/17%/60%)
per capita: 22 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
locally heavy rainfall causes periodic flooding on the plateau
Environment - current issues:
overuse of pastures and subsequent soil erosion attributable to population pressures; desertification; deforestation of tropical rain forest, in response to both international demand for tropical timber and to domestic use as fuel, resulting in loss of biodiversity; soil erosion contributing to water pollution and siltation of rivers and dams; inadequate supplies of potable water
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
the province of Cabinda is an exclave, separated from the rest of the country by the Democratic Republic of the Congo
People ::Angola
Population:
12,799,293 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 69
Age structure:
0-14 years: 43.5% (male 2,812,359/female 2,759,047)
15-64 years: 53.7% (male 3,496,726/female 3,382,440)
65 years and over: 2.7% (male 153,678/female 195,043) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 18 years
male: 18 years
female: 18 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.095% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 51
Birth rate:
43.69 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 8
Death rate:
24.08 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 2
Net migration rate:
1.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 51
Urbanization:
urban population: 57% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 4.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female
total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 180.21 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 1 male: 192.24 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 167.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 38.2 years country comparison to the world: 223 male: 37.24 years
female: 39.22 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
6.12 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 10
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
2.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 29
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
190,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 32
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
11,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 27
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria, African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness)
water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Angolan(s)
adjective: Angolan
Ethnic groups:
Ovimbundu 37%, Kimbundu 25%, Bakongo 13%, mestico (mixed European and native African) 2%, European 1%, other 22%
Religions:
indigenous beliefs 47%, Roman Catholic 38%, Protestant 15% (1998 est.)
Languages:
Portuguese (official), Bantu and other African languages
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 67.4%
male: 82.9%
female: 54.2% (2001 est.)
Education expenditures:
2.4% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 159
Government ::Angola
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Angola
conventional short form: Angola
local long form: Republica de Angola
local short form: Angola
former: People's Republic of Angola
Government type:
republic; multiparty presidential regime
Capital:
name: Luanda
geographic coordinates: 8 50 S, 13 14 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
18 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Bengo, Benguela, Bie, Cabinda, Cuando Cubango, Cuanza Norte, Cuanza Sul, Cunene, Huambo, Huila, Luanda, Lunda Norte, Lunda Sul, Malanje, Moxico, Namibe, Uige, Zaire
Independence:
11 November 1975 (from Portugal)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 11 November (1975)
Constitution:
adopted by People's Assembly 25 August 1992
Legal system:
based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law; modified to accommodate political pluralism and increased use of free markets; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21 September 1979); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21 September 1979); Antonio Paulo KASSOMA was named prime minister by MPLA on 26 September 2008
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
elections: president elected by universal ballot for a five-year term (eligible for a second consecutive or discontinuous term) under the 1992 constitution; President DOS SANTOS was selected by the party to take over after the death of former President Augustino NETO(1979) under a one-party system and stood for reelection in Angola's first multiparty elections 29-30 September 1992 (next were to be held in September 2009 but have been postponed)
election results: Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS 49.6%, Jonas SAVIMBI 40.1%, making a run-off election necessary; the run-off was never held leaving DOS SANTOS in his current position as the president
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (220 seats; members elected by proportional vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 5-6 September 2008 (next to be held in September 2012)
election results: percent of vote by party - MPLA 81.6%, UNITA 10.4%, PRS 3.2%, ND 1.2%, FNLA 1.1%, other 2.5%; seats by party - MPLA 191, UNITA 16, PRS 8, FNLA 3, ND 2
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court and separate provincial courts (judges are appointed by the president)
Political parties and leaders:
National Front for the Liberation of Angola or FNLA [Ngola KABANGU]; National Union for the Total Independence of Angola or UNITA (largest opposition party) [Isaias SAMAKUVA]; Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola or MPLA (ruling party in power since 1975) [Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS]; Social Renewal Party or PRS [Eduardo KUANGANA]
note: nine other parties participated in the legislative election in September but won no seats
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda or FLEC [N'zita Henriques TIAGO, Antonio Bento BEMBE]
note: FLEC's small-scale armed struggle for the independence of Cabinda Province persists despite the signing of a peace accord with the government in August 2006
International organization participation:
ACP, AfDB, AU, CPLP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OPEC, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Josefina Perpetua Pitra DIAKITE
chancery: 2108 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 785-1156
FAX: [1] (202) 785-1258
consulate(s) general: Houston, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Dan MOZENA
embassy: number 32 Rua Houari Boumedienne (in the Miramar area of Luanda), Luanda
mailing address: international mail: Caixa Postal 6468, Luanda; pouch: US Embassy Luanda, US Department of State, 2550 Luanda Place, Washington, DC 20521-2550
telephone: [244] (222) 64-1000
FAX: [244] (222) 64-1232
Flag description:
two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and black with a centered yellow emblem consisting of a five-pointed star within half a cogwheel crossed by a machete (in the style of a hammer and sickle); red represents liberty, black the African continent, the symbols characterize workers and peasants
Economy ::Angola
Economy - overview:
Angola's high growth rate is driven by its oil sector, which has taken advantage of high international oil prices. Oil production and its supporting activities contribute about 85% of GDP. Increased oil production supported growth averaging more than 15% per year from 2004 to 2007. A postwar reconstruction boom and resettlement of displaced persons has led to high rates of growth in construction and agriculture as well. Much of the country's infrastructure is still damaged or undeveloped from the 27-year-long civil war. Remnants of the conflict such as widespread land mines still mar the countryside even though an apparently durable peace was established after the death of rebel leader Jonas SAVIMBI in February 2002. Subsistence agriculture provides the main livelihood for most of the people, but half of the country's food must still be imported. In 2005, the government started using a $2 billion line of credit, since increased to $7 billion, from China to rebuild Angola's public infrastructure, and several large-scale projects were completed in 2006. Angola also has large credit lines from Brazil, Portugal, Germany, Spain, and the EU. The central bank in 2003 implemented an exchange rate stabilization program using foreign exchange reserves to buy kwanzas out of circulation. This policy became more sustainable in 2005 because of strong oil export earnings; it has significantly reduced inflation. Although consumer inflation declined from 325% in 2000 to under 13% in 2008, the stabilization policy has put pressure on international net liquidity. Angola became a member of OPEC in late 2006 and in late 2007 was assigned a production quota of 1.9 million barrels a day, somewhat less than the 2-2.5 million bbl Angola's government had wanted. To fully take advantage of its rich national resources - gold, diamonds, extensive forests, Atlantic fisheries, and large oil deposits - Angola will need to implement government reforms, increase transparency, and reduce corruption. The government has rejected a formal IMF monitored program, although it continues Article IV consultations and ad hoc cooperation. Corruption, especially in the extractive sectors, and the negative effects of large inflows of foreign exchange, are major challenges facing Angola.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$112.8 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 $100.5 billion (2007 est.)
$82.94 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$84.95 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
12.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 5 21.1% (2007 est.)
18.6% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$9,000 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 $8,200 (2007 est.)
$6,900 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 9.2%
industry: 65.8%
services: 24.6% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
7.569 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 58
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 85%
industry and services: 15% (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate:
NA
Population below poverty line:
40.5% (2006 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Investment (gross fixed):
9% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 148
Budget:
revenues: $28.99 billion
expenditures: $21.44 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
15.5% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 12% of GDP (2007 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
12.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 173 12.2% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
19.57% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 8 19.57% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
12.53% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 25 17.7% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$8.446 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 47 $4.153 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$10.41 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 50 $7.216 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$7.893 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 76 $1.166 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
bananas, sugarcane, coffee, sisal, corn, cotton, manioc (tapioca), tobacco, vegetables, plantains; livestock; forest products; fish
Industries:
petroleum; diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, feldspar, bauxite, uranium, and gold; cement; basic metal products; fish processing; food processing, brewing, tobacco products, sugar; textiles; ship repair
Industrial production growth rate:
14.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 1
Electricity - production:
3.722 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 120
Electricity - consumption:
3.173 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 125
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
2.015 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 17
Oil - consumption:
64,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 90
Oil - exports:
1.407 million bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 18
Oil - imports:
28,090 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 103
Oil - proved reserves:
9.04 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 18
Natural gas - production:
680 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 65
Natural gas - consumption:
680 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 92
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 204
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 203
Natural gas - proved reserves:
269.8 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 41
Current account balance:
$17.11 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 $9.402 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$66.3 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 49 $44.4 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
crude oil, diamonds, refined petroleum products, coffee, sisal, fish and fish products, timber, cotton
Exports - partners:
China 33%, US 28.7%, France 6%, South Africa 4.6%, Canada 4.1% (2008)
Imports:
$17.08 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 $13.66 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and electrical equipment, vehicles and spare parts; medicines, food, textiles, military goods
Imports - partners:
Portugal 17.6%, China 15.7%, US 11.3%, Brazil 7.6%, South Korea 6.8%, South Africa 4.8% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$18.36 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 $11.2 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$14.09 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 $8.357 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$16.36 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 $14.51 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$2.477 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 62
Exchange rates:
kwanza (AOA) per US dollar - 75.023 (2008 est.), 76.6 (2007), 80.4 (2006), 88.6 (2005), 83.541 (2004)
Communications ::Angola
Telephones - main lines in use:
114,300 (2008) country comparison to the world: 141
Telephones - mobile cellular:
6.773 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 74
Telephone system:
general assessment: system inadequate; fewer than one fixed-line per 100 persons; combined fixed line and mobile telephone density exceeded 50 telephones per 100 persons in 2008
domestic: state-owned telecom had monopoly for fixed-lines until 2005; demand outstripped capacity, prices were high, and services poor; Telecom Namibia, through an Angolan company, became the first private licensed operator in Angola's fixed-line telephone network; Angola Telecom established mobile-cellular service in Luanda in 1993 and the network has been extended to larger towns; a privately-owned, mobile-cellular service provider began operations in 2001
international: country code - 244; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and Asia; satellite earth stations - 29 (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 21, FM 6, shortwave 7 (2001)
Television broadcast stations:
6 (2000)
Internet country code:
.ao
Internet hosts:
3,508 (2009) country comparison to the world: 139
Internet users:
550,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 105
Transportation ::Angola
Airports:
192 (2009) country comparison to the world: 32
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 30
over 3,047 m: 5
2,438 to 3,047 m: 9
1,524 to 2,437 m: 12
914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 162
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 4
1,524 to 2,437 m: 32
914 to 1,523 m: 78
under 914 m: 46 (2009)
Pipelines:
gas 2 km; oil 87 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 2,764 km country comparison to the world: 61 narrow gauge: 2,641 km 1.067-m gauge; 123 km 0.600-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 51,429 km country comparison to the world: 78 paved: 5,349 km
unpaved: 46,080 km (2001)
Waterways:
1,300 km (2008) country comparison to the world: 55
Merchant marine:
total: 6 country comparison to the world: 128 by type: cargo 1, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 1
foreign-owned: 1 (Spain 1)
registered in other countries: 6 (Bahamas 6) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Cabinda, Lobito, Luanda, Namibe
Military ::Angola
Military branches:
Angolan Armed Forces (FAA): Army, Navy (Marinha de Guerra Angola, MGA), Angolan National Air Force (Forca Aerea Nacional Angolana, FANA) (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
22-24 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 2 years; Angolan citizenship required (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 2,856,492
females age 16-49: 2,755,864 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,467,833
females age 16-49: 1,411,468 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 146,738
female: 143,478 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
5.7% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 13
Transnational Issues ::Angola
Disputes - international:
Cabindan separatists continue to return to the Angolan exclave from exile in neighboring states and Europe since the 2006 ceasefire and peace agreement
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 12,615 (Democratic Republic of Congo)
IDPs: 61,700 (27-year civil war ending in 2002; 4 million IDPs already have returned) (2007)
Illicit drugs:
used as a transshipment point for cocaine destined for Western Europe and other African states, particularly South Africa
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Anguilla (Central America and Caribbean)
Introduction ::Anguilla
Background:
Colonized by English settlers from Saint Kitts in 1650, Anguilla was administered by Great Britain until the early 19th century, when the island - against the wishes of the inhabitants - was incorporated into a single British dependency along with Saint Kitts and Nevis. Several attempts at separation failed. In 1971, two years after a revolt, Anguilla was finally allowed to secede; this arrangement was formally recognized in 1980 with Anguilla becoming a separate British dependency.
Geography ::Anguilla
Location:
Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico
Geographic coordinates:
18 15 N, 63 10 W
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 91 sq km country comparison to the world: 226 land: 91 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
about one-half the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
61 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 3 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds
Terrain:
flat and low-lying island of coral and limestone
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Crocus Hill 65 m
Natural resources:
salt, fish, lobster
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (mostly rock with sparse scrub oak, few trees, some commercial salt ponds) (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Natural hazards:
frequent hurricanes and other tropical storms (July to October)
Environment - current issues:
supplies of potable water sometimes cannot meet increasing demand largely because of poor distribution system
Geography - note:
the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles
People ::Anguilla
Population:
14,436 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 221
Age structure:
0-14 years: 24.5% (male 1,815/female 1,725)
15-64 years: 67.8% (male 4,665/female 5,125)
65 years and over: 7.7% (male 534/female 572) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 32.6 years
male: 31.5 years
female: 33.8 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.272% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 41
Birth rate:
13.02 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 157
Death rate:
4.36 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 204
Net migration rate:
14.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 6
Urbanization:
urban population: 100% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female
total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 3.52 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 215 male: 3.97 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 3.05 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 80.65 years country comparison to the world: 15 male: 78.11 years
female: 83.26 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.75 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 163
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Anguillan(s)
adjective: Anguillan
Ethnic groups:
black (predominant) 90.1%, mixed, mulatto 4.6%, white 3.7%, other 1.5% (2001 census)
Religions:
Anglican 29%, Methodist 23.9%, other Protestant 30.2%, Roman Catholic 5.7%, other Christian 1.7%, other 5.2%, none or unspecified 4.3% (2001 census)
Languages:
English (official)
Literacy:
definition: age 12 and over can read and write
total population: 95%
male: 95%
female: 95% (1984 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 11 years
male: 11 years
female: 11 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
4% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 101
Government ::Anguilla
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Anguilla
Dependency status:
overseas territory of the UK
Government type:
NA
Capital:
name: The Valley
geographic coordinates: 18 13 N, 63 03 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Independence:
none (overseas territory of the UK)
National holiday:
Anguilla Day, 30 May (1967)
Constitution:
Anguilla Constitutional Order 1 April 1982; amended 1990
Legal system:
based on English common law
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Alistair HARRISON (since 21 April 2009)
head of government: Chief Minister Osbourne FLEMING (since 3 March 2000)
cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor from among the elected members of the House of Assembly
elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed chief minister by the governor
Legislative branch:
unicameral House of Assembly (11 seats; 7 members elected by direct popular vote, 2 ex officio members, and 2 appointed; members serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 21 February 2005 (next to be held in 2010)
election results: percent of vote by party - AUF 38.9%, AUM 19.4%, ANSA 19.2%, APP 9.5%, independents 13%; seats by party - AUF 4, ANSA 2, AUM 1
Judicial branch:
High Court (judge provided by Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court)
Political parties and leaders:
Anguilla United Front or AUF [Osbourne FLEMING, Victor BANKS] (a coalition of the Anguilla Democratic Party or ADP and the Anguilla National Alliance or ANA); Anguilla United Movement or AUM [Hubert HUGHES]; Anguilla Progressive Party or APP [Roy ROGERS]; Anguilla Strategic Alternative or ANSA [Edison BAIRD]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA
International organization participation:
Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), OECS, UPU, WFTU
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Flag description:
blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Anguillan coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms depicts three orange dolphins in an interlocking circular design on a white background with blue wavy water below
Economy ::Anguilla
Economy - overview:
Anguilla has few natural resources, and the economy depends heavily on luxury tourism, offshore banking, lobster fishing, and remittances from emigrants. Increased activity in the tourism industry has spurred the growth of the construction sector contributing to economic growth. Anguillan officials have put substantial effort into developing the offshore financial sector, which is small but growing. In the medium term, prospects for the economy will depend largely on the tourism sector and, therefore, on revived income growth in the industrialized nations as well as on favorable weather conditions.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$108.9 million (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 219
GDP (official exchange rate):
$108.9 million (2004 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
10.2% (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 10
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$8,800 (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 114
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 4%
industry: 18%
services: 78% (2002 est.)
Labor force:
6,049 (2001) country comparison to the world: 212
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture/fishing/forestry/mining 4%, manufacturing 3%, construction 18%, transportation and utilities 10%, commerce 36%, services 29% (2000 est.)
Unemployment rate:
8% (2002) country comparison to the world: 110
Population below poverty line:
23% (2002)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $22.8 million
expenditures: $22.5 million (2000 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
5.3% (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 88
Central bank discount rate:
6.5% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 58 6.5% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
9.51% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 87 9.76% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$21.12 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 119 $23.57 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$449.5 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 109 $470.1 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$529.6 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 115 $447.7 million (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
small quantities of tobacco, vegetables; cattle raising
Industries:
tourism, boat building, offshore financial services
Industrial production growth rate:
NA
Electricity - production:
NA kWh
Current account balance:
-$42.87 million (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 70
Exports:
$13 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 208
Exports - commodities:
lobster, fish, livestock, salt, concrete blocks, rum
Imports:
$143 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 202
Imports - commodities:
fuels, foodstuffs, manufactures, chemicals, trucks, textiles
Debt - external:
$8.8 million (1998) country comparison to the world: 199
Exchange rates:
East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar - 2.7 (2007), 2.7 (2006), 2.7 (2005), 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003)
note: fixed rate since 1976
Communications ::Anguilla
Telephones - main lines in use:
5,800 (2008) country comparison to the world: 211
Telephones - mobile cellular:
13,100 (2005) country comparison to the world: 210
Telephone system:
general assessment: NA
domestic: modern internal telephone system
international: country code - 1-264; landing point for the East Caribbean Fiber System (ECFS) submarine cable with links to 13 other islands in the eastern Caribbean extending from the British Virgin Islands to Trinidad; microwave radio relay to island of Saint Martin (Guadeloupe and Netherlands Antilles) (2007)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 2, FM 7, shortwave 0 (2004)
Television broadcast stations:
1 (1997)
Internet country code:
.ai
Internet hosts:
258 (2009) country comparison to the world: 181
Internet users:
4,500 (2008) country comparison to the world: 204
Transportation ::Anguilla
Airports:
3 (2009) country comparison to the world: 192
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 2
under 914 m: 2 (2009)
Roadways:
total: 175 km country comparison to the world: 208 paved: 82 km
unpaved: 93 km (2004)
Ports and terminals:
Blowing Point, Road Bay
Military ::Anguilla
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 3,538 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 2,955
females age 16-49: 3,308 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 107
female: 106 (2009 est.)
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of the UK
Transnational Issues ::Anguilla
Disputes - international:
none
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Antarctica (Antarctica)
Introduction ::Antarctica
Background:
Speculation over the existence of a "southern land" was not confirmed until the early 1820s when British and American commercial operators and British and Russian national expeditions began exploring the Antarctic Peninsula region and other areas south of the Antarctic Circle. Not until 1840 was it established that Antarctica was indeed a continent and not just a group of islands. Several exploration "firsts" were achieved in the early 20th century. Following World War II, there was an upsurge in scientific research on the continent. A number of countries have set up a range of year-round and seasonal stations, camps, and refuges to support scientific research in Antarctica. Seven have made territorial claims, but not all countries recognize these claims. In order to form a legal framework for the activities of nations on the continent, an Antarctic Treaty was negotiated that neither denies nor gives recognition to existing territorial claims; signed in 1959, it entered into force in 1961.
Geography ::Antarctica
Location:
continent mostly south of the Antarctic Circle
Geographic coordinates:
90 00 S, 0 00 E
Map references:
Antarctic Region
Area:
total: 14 million sq km
land: 14 million sq km (280,000 sq km ice-free, 13.72 million sq km ice-covered) (est.)
note: fifth-largest continent, following Asia, Africa, North America, and South America, but larger than Australia and the subcontinent of Europe
Area - comparative:
slightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US
Land boundaries:
0 km
note: see entry on Disputes - international
Coastline:
17,968 km
Maritime claims:
Australia, Chile, and Argentina claim Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) rights or similar over 200 nm extensions seaward from their continental claims, but like the claims themselves, these zones are not accepted by other countries; 21 of 28 Antarctic consultative nations have made no claims to Antarctic territory (although Russia and the US have reserved the right to do so) and do not recognize the claims of the other nations; also see the Disputes - international entry
Climate:
severe low temperatures vary with latitude, elevation, and distance from the ocean; East Antarctica is colder than West Antarctica because of its higher elevation; Antarctic Peninsula has the most moderate climate; higher temperatures occur in January along the coast and average slightly below freezing