Y (continued 38)
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Geography ::Serbia
Location:
Southeastern Europe, between Macedonia and Hungary
Geographic coordinates:
44 00 N, 21 00 E
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 77,474 sq km country comparison to the world: 116 land: 77,474 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than South Carolina
Land boundaries:
total: 2,026 km
border countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina 302 km, Bulgaria 318 km, Croatia 241 km, Hungary 151 km, Kosovo 352 km, Macedonia 62 km, Montenegro 124 km, Romania 476 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
in the north, continental climate (cold winters and hot, humid summers with well distributed rainfall); in other parts, continental and Mediterranean climate (relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall and hot, dry summers and autumns)
Terrain:
extremely varied; to the north, rich fertile plains; to the east, limestone ranges and basins; to the southeast, ancient mountains and hills
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Danube and Timok Rivers 35 m
highest point: Midzor 2,169 m
Natural resources:
oil, gas, coal, iron ore, copper, zinc, antimony, chromite, gold, silver, magnesium, pyrite, limestone, marble, salt, arable land
Land use:
arable land: NA
permanent crops: NA
other: NA
Irrigated land:
NA
Total renewable water resources:
208.5 cu km (note - includes Kosovo) (2003)
Natural hazards:
destructive earthquakes
Environment - current issues:
air pollution around Belgrade and other industrial cities; water pollution from industrial wastes dumped into the Sava which flows into the Danube
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
controls one of the major land routes from Western Europe to Turkey and the Near East
People ::Serbia
Population:
7,344,847 country comparison to the world: 97 note: does not include the population of Kosovo (July 2010 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 15.4% (male 586,806/female 549,900)
15-64 years: 67.8% (male 2,503,194/female 2,502,807)
65 years and over: 16.8% (male 508,606/female 728,026) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 41.1 years
male: 39.4 years
female: 42.9 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
-0.469% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 223
Birth rate:
9.2 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 208
Death rate:
13.89 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 18
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 110
Urbanization:
urban population: 52% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.065 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and above: 0.7 male(s)/female
total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 6.65 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 172 male: 7.68 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 5.56 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 74.09 years country comparison to the world: 102 male: 71.26 years
female: 77.1 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.39 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 201
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.1% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 160
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
6,400 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 117
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 100 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 133
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: intermediate
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne disease: Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever
note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Serb(s)
adjective: Serbian
Ethnic groups:
Serb 82.9%, Hungarian 3.9%, Romany (Gypsy) 1.4%, Yugoslavs 1.1%, Bosniaks 1.8%, Montenegrin 0.9%, other 8% (2002 census)
Religions:
Serbian Orthodox 85%, Catholic 5.5%, Protestant 1.1%, Muslim 3.2%, unspecified 2.6%, other, unknown, or atheist 2.6% (2002 census)
Languages:
Serbian 88.3% (official), Hungarian 3.8%, Bosniak 1.8%, Romany (Gypsy) 1.1%, other 4.1%, unknown 0.9% (2002 census)
note: Romanian, Hungarian, Slovak, Ukrainian, and Croatian all official in Vojvodina
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 96.4%
male: 98.9%
female: 94.1% (2003 census)
note: includes Montenegro
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 14 years
male: 13 years
female: 14 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
4.5% of GDP (2007) country comparison to the world: 91
Government ::Serbia
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Serbia
conventional short form: Serbia
local long form: Republika Srbija
local short form: Srbija
former: People's Republic of Serbia, Socialist Republic of Serbia
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Belgrade (Beograd)
geographic coordinates: 44 50 N, 20 30 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:
167 municipalities (opcstine, singular - opcstina)
Serbia Proper: Belgrade City (Beograd): Barajevo, Cukarica, Grocka, Lazarevac, Mladenovac, Novi Beograd, Obrenovac, Palilula, Rakovica, Savski Venac, Sopot, Stari Grad, Surcin, Vozdovac, Vracar, Zemun, Zvezdara; Bor: Bor, Kladovo, Majdanpek, Negotin; Branicevo: Golubac, Kucevo, Malo Crnice, Petrovac, Pozarevac, Veliko Gradiste, Zabari, Zagubica; Grad Nis: Crveni Krst, Mediana, Niska Banja, Palilula, Pantelej Jablanica: Bojnik, Crna Trava, Lebane, Leskovac, Medveda, Vlasotince; Kolubara: Lajkovac, Ljig, Mionica, Osecina, Ub, Valjevo; Macva: Bogatic, Koceljeva, Krupanj, Ljubovija, Loznica, Mali Zvornik, Sabac, Vladimirci; Moravica: Cacak, Gornkji Milanovac, Ivanjica, Lucani; Nisava: Aleksinac, Doljevac, Gadzin Han, Merosina, Nis, Razanj, Svrljig; Pcinja: Bosilegrad, Bujanovac, Presevo, Surdulica, Trgoviste, Vladicin Han, Vranje; Pirot: Babusnica, Bela Palanka, Dimitrovgrad, Pirot; Podunavlje: Smederevo, Smederevskia Palanka, Velika Plana; Pomoravlje: Cuprija, Despotovac, Jagodina, Paracin, Rekovac, Svilajnac; Rasina: Aleksandrovac, Brus, Cicevac, Krusevac, Trstenik, Varvarin; Raska: Kraljevo, Novi Pazar, Raska, Tutin, Vrnjacka Banja; Sumadija: Arandelovac, Batocina, Knic, Kragujevac, Lapovo, Raca, Topola; Toplica: Blace, Kursumlija, Prokuplje, Zitorada; Zajecar: Boljevac, Knjazevac, Sokobanja, Zajecar; Zlatibor: Arilje, Bajina Basta, Cajetina, Kosjeric, Nova Varos, Pozega, Priboj, Prijepolje, Sjenica, Uzice
Vojvodina Autonomous Province: South Backa: Bac, Backa Palanka, Backi Petrovac, Becej, Beocin, Novi Sad, Sremski Karlovci, Srobobran, Temerin, Titel, Vrbas, Zabalj; South Banat: Alibunar, Bela Crkva, Kovacica, Kovin, Opovo, Pancevo, Plandiste, Vrsac; North Backa: Backa Topola, Mali Idjos, Subotica; North Banat: Ada, Coka, Kanjiza, Kikinda, Novi Knezevac, Senta; Central Banat: Nova Crnja, Novi Becej, Secanj, Zitiste, Zrenjanin; Srem: Indija, Irig, Pecinci, Ruma, Sid, Sremska Mitrovica, Stara Pazova; West Backa: Apatin, Kula, Odzaci, Sombor
Independence:
5 June 2006 (from Serbia and Montenegro)
National holiday:
National Day, 15 February
Constitution:
adopted 8 November 2006; effective 10 November 2006
Legal system:
based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; note - Serbia is working to reform its justice sector and harmonize its judicial systems with EU standards
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Boris TADIC (since 11 July 2004)
head of government: Prime Minister Mirko CVETKOVIC (since 7 July 2008)
cabinet: Republican Ministries act as cabinet (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president elected by direct vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 3 February 2008 (next to be held in 2013); prime minister elected by the National Assembly
election results: Boris TADIC elected president in the second round of voting; Boris TADIC received 51.2% of the vote and Tomislav NIKOLIC 48.8%
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly (250 seats; deputies elected according to party lists to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 11 May 2008 (next to be held in May 2012)
election results: percent of vote by party - For a European Serbia coalition 38.4%, SRS 29.5%, DSS-NS 11.6%, SPS-led coalition 7.6%, LPD 5.2%, other 7.7%; seats by party - For a European Serbia coalition 102, SRS 57, DSS-NS 30, SNS 21, SPS-led coalition 20, LDP 13, other 7
Judicial branch:
courts of general jurisdiction (municipal courts, district courts, Appellate Courts, the Supreme Court of Cassation); courts of special jurisdiction (commercial courts, the High Commercial Court, the High Magistrates Court, the Administrative Court)
Political parties and leaders:
Coalition for Sandzak or KZS [Sulejman UGLJANIN]; Democratic Party or DS [Boris TADIC]; Democratic Party of Albanians or PDSh [Ragmi MUSTAFA]; Democratic Party of Serbia or DSS [Vojislav KOSTUNICA]; Democratic Union of the Valley or BDL [Skender DESTANI]; Force of Serbia Movement or PSS [Bogoljub KARIC]; G17 Plus [Mladjan DINKIC]; League of Social Democrats of Vojvodina or LSV [Nenad CANAK]; League of Vojvodina Hungarians or SVM [Istvan PASTOR]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Cedomir JOVANOVIC]; Movement for Democratic Progress or LPD [Jonuz MUSLIU]; New Serbia or NS [Velimir ILIC]; Party of Democratic Action or PVD [Riza HALIMI]; Party of United Pensioners of Serbia or PUPS [Jovan KRKOBABIC]; People's Party or NS [Maja GOJKOVIC]; Roma Party or RP [Srdjan SAJN]; Sandzak Democratic Party or SDP [Resad HODZIC]; Serbian Progressive Party or SNS [Tomislav NIKOLIC]; Serbian Radical Party or SRS [Vojislav SESELJ (currently on trial at The Hague), with Dragan TODOROVIC as acting leader]; Serbian Renewal Movement or SPO [Vuk DRASKOVIC]; Social Democratic Party of Serbia or SDPS [Rasim LJAJIC]; Socialist Party of Serbia or SPS [Ivica DACIC]; Union of Roma of Serbia or URS [Rajko DJURIC]; United Serbia or JS [Dragan "Palma" MARKOVIC]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Obraz (Orthodox clero-fascist organization); 1389 (Serbian nationalist movement)
International organization participation:
BIS, BSEC, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, G-9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM (observer), OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Vladimir PETROVIC
chancery: 2134 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 332-0333
FAX: [1] (202) 332-3933
consulate(s) general: Chicago, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Mary WARLICK
embassy: Kneza Milosa 50, 11000 Belgrade
mailing address: 5070 Belgrade Place, Washington, DC 20521-5070
telephone: [381] (11) 361-9344
FAX: [381] (11) 361-8230
Flag description:
three equal horizontal stripes of red (top), blue, and white - the Pan-Slav colors representing freedom and revolutionary ideals; charged with the coat of arms of Serbia shifted slightly to the hoist side; the principal field of the coat of arms represents the Serbian state and displays a white two-headed eagle on a red shield; a smaller red shield on the eagle represents the Serbian nation, and is divided into four quarters by a white cross; a white Cyrillic "C" in each quarter stands for the phrase "Only Unity Saves the Serbs"; a royal crown surmounts the coat of arms
note: the Pan-Slav colors were inspired by the 19th-century flag of Russia
National anthem:
name: "Boze pravde" (God of Justice)
lyrics/music: Jovan DORDEVIC/Davorin JENKO
note: adopted 1904; the song was originally written as part of a play in 1872 and has been used as an anthem by the Serbian people throughout the 20th and 21st centuries
Economy ::Serbia
Economy - overview:
MILOSEVIC-era mismanagement of the economy, an extended period of international economic sanctions, and the damage to Yugoslavia's infrastructure and industry during the NATO airstrikes in 1999 left the economy only half the size it was in 1990. After the ousting of former Federal Yugoslav President MILOSEVIC in September 2000, the Democratic Opposition of Serbia (DOS) coalition government implemented stabilization measures and embarked on a market reform program. After renewing its membership in the IMF in December 2000, Yugoslavia continued to reintegrate into the international community by rejoining the World Bank (IBRD) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Belgrade has made progress in trade liberalization and enterprise restructuring and privatization, including telecommunications and small- and medium-size firms. It has made some progress towards EU membership, signing a Stabilization and Association Agreement with Brussels in May 2008, and with full implementation of the Interim Trade Agreement with the EU in February 2010. Serbia is also pursuing membership in the World Trade Organization. Reforms needed to ensure the country's long-term viability have largely stalled since the onset of the global financial crisis. Serbia is grappling with fallout from crisis, which has led to a sharp drop in exports to Western Europe and a decline in manufacturing output. Unemployment and limited export earnings remain ongoing political and economic problems. Serbia signed an augmented $4 billion Stand By Arrangement with the IMF in May 2009. IMF conditions on Serbia constrain the use of stimulus efforts to revive the economy, while Serbia's concerns about inflation and exchange rate stability preclude the use of expansionary monetary policy. Serbia's economy grew by 1.8% in 2010 after a 3% contraction in 2009 as a recovery in Western Europe began.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$80.65 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 $79.22 billion (2009 est.)
$81.67 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$38.92 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
1.8% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 158 -3% (2009 est.)
5.5% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$11,000 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 $10,700 (2009 est.)
$11,000 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 13%
industry: 22.6%
services: 64.5% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
3.25 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 99
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 23.9%
industry: 20.5%
services: 55.6% (October 2009)
Unemployment rate:
17.2% (2010 est.); 16.6% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 159
Population below poverty line:
7.9% (2008 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
26 (2008) country comparison to the world: 129 30 (2003)
Investment (gross fixed):
25.9% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 40
Public debt:
37.8% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 31.3% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4.9% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 141 8.4% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
9.92% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 14 17.75% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
11.78% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 26 18.11% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$3.554 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 105 $3.821 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$18.69 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 $17.82 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$18.88 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 $19.25 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$11.52 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 64 $12.17 billion (31 December 2008)
$23.93 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
wheat, maize, sugar beets, sunflower, raspberries; beef, pork, milk
Industries:
base metals, furniture, food processing, machinery, chemicals, sugar, tires, clothes, pharmaceuticals
Industrial production growth rate:
1.3% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 144
Electricity - production:
36 billion kWh (2009) country comparison to the world: 60
Electricity - consumption:
33.4 billion kWh (2009) country comparison to the world: 57
Electricity - exports:
1.5 billion kWh (2009 est.)
Electricity - imports:
121 million kWh (2009)
Oil - production:
12,170 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 81
Oil - consumption:
90,000 bbl/day NA bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 79
Oil - exports:
5,045 bbl/day (2008) country comparison to the world: 104
Oil - imports:
72,570 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 75
Oil - proved reserves:
77.5 million bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 74
Natural gas - production:
230 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 73
Natural gas - consumption:
2.61 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 76
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 128
Natural gas - imports:
2.4 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 45
Natural gas - proved reserves:
48.14 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 66
Current account balance:
-$1.046 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 138 -$1.356 billion (2009 est.)
Exports:
$9.372 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 $8.368 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
iron and steel, clothes, wheat, fruit and vegetables, non-ferrous metals
Exports - partners:
Bosnia and Herzegovina 13.12%, Italy 10.96%, Germany 9.9%, Serbia and Montenegro 7%, Austria 5.4%, Slovenia 5.38%, Macedonia 5.26%, Russia 4.39%, Hungary 4.36% (2009)
Imports:
$15.78 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 $15.03 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - partners:
Germany 11.79%, Italy 9.36%, Hungary 6.71%, Slovenia 6.52%, Austria 4.79% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$16.4 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 $15.22 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$32.31 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 $32.01 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$23.52 billion (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 65 $11.95 billion (2006 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$NA
Exchange rates:
Serbian dinars (RSD) per US dollar - 79.979 (2010), 62.9 (2008), 54.5 (2007), 59.98 (2006)
Communications ::Serbia
Telephones - main lines in use:
3.106 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 48
Telephones - mobile cellular:
9.912 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 64
Telephone system:
general assessment: replacements of, and upgrades to, telecommunications equipment damaged during the 1999 war has resulted in a modern telecommunications system more than 95% digitalized in 2009
domestic: wireless service, available through multiple providers with national coverage, is growing very rapidly; best telecommunications services are centered in urban centers; 3G mobile network launched in 2007
international: country code - 381 (2009)
Internet country code:
.rs
Internet hosts:
528,253 (2010) country comparison to the world: 49
Internet users:
4.107 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 57
Transportation ::Serbia
Airports:
29 (2010) country comparison to the world: 116
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 11
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 18
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 9
under 914 m: 8 (2010)
Heliports:
2 (2010)
Pipelines:
gas 1,921 km; oil 323 km (2009)
Railways:
total: 3,379 km country comparison to the world: 52 standard gauge: 3,379 km 1.435-m gauge (electrified 1,254 km) (2006)
Roadways:
total: 36,884 km country comparison to the world: 92 paved: 31,938 km
unpaved: 4,946 km (2007)
Waterways:
587 km (primarily on Danube and Sava rivers) (2009) country comparison to the world: 81
Military ::Serbia
Military branches:
Serbian Armed Forces (Vojska Srbije, VS): Land Forces Command (includes Riverine Component, consisting of a river flotilla on the Danube), Air and Air Defense Forces Command (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
17 years of age for male compulsory military service; 18 years of age for voluntary service; conscription to be abolished effective 2011; 6-month service obligation, with a reserve obligation to age 60 for men and 50 for women (2010)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,405,391
females age 16-49: 1,368,207 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 43,925
female: 41,342 (2010 est.)
Transnational Issues ::Serbia
Disputes - international:
Serbia with several other states protest the U.S. and other states' recognition of Kosovo's declaring itself as a sovereign and independent state in February 2008; ethnic Serbian municipalities along Kosovo's northern border challenge final status of Kosovo-Serbia boundary; several thousand NATO-led KFOR peacekeepers under UNMIK authority continue to keep the peace within Kosovo between the ethnic Albanian majority and the Serb minority in Kosovo; Serbia delimited about half of the boundary with Bosnia and Herzegovina, but sections along the Drina River remain in dispute
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 71,111 (Croatia); 27,414 (Bosnia and Herzegovina); 206,000 (Kosovo), note - mostly ethnic Serbs and Roma who fled Kosovo in 1999 (2007)
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin moving to Western Europe on the Balkan route; economy vulnerable to money laundering
page last updated on January 20, 2011
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@Seychelles (Africa)
Introduction ::Seychelles
Background:
A lengthy struggle between France and Great Britain for the islands ended in 1814, when they were ceded to the latter. Independence came in 1976. Socialist rule was brought to a close with a new constitution and free elections in 1993. President France-Albert RENE, who had served since 1977, was re-elected in 2001, but stepped down in 2004. Vice President James MICHEL took over the presidency and in July 2006 was elected to a new five-year term.
Geography ::Seychelles
Location:
archipelago in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar
Geographic coordinates:
4 35 S, 55 40 E
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 455 sq km country comparison to the world: 197 land: 455 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
491 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Climate:
tropical marine; humid; cooler season during southeast monsoon (late May to September); warmer season during northwest monsoon (March to May)
Terrain:
Mahe Group is granitic, narrow coastal strip, rocky, hilly; others are coral, flat, elevated reefs
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Morne Seychellois 905 m
Natural resources:
fish, copra, cinnamon trees
Land use:
arable land: 2.17%
permanent crops: 13.04%
other: 84.79% (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Natural hazards:
lies outside the cyclone belt, so severe storms are rare; short droughts possible
Environment - current issues:
water supply depends on catchments to collect rainwater
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
41 granitic and about 75 coralline islands
People ::Seychelles
Population:
88,340 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 196
Age structure:
0-14 years: 22.8% (male 10,201/female 9,732)
15-64 years: 70.1% (male 31,870/female 29,439)
65 years and over: 7.1% (male 2,321/female 3,913) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 32 years
male: 31.5 years
female: 32.5 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.966% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 124
Birth rate:
15.53 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 135
Death rate:
6.92 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 135
Net migration rate:
1.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 56
Urbanization:
urban population: 54% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.031 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.09 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/female
total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 11.97 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 140 male: 15.02 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 8.82 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 73.28 years country comparison to the world: 115 male: 68.6 years
female: 78.09 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.92 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 140
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Seychellois (singular and plural)
adjective: Seychellois
Ethnic groups:
mixed French, African, Indian, Chinese, and Arab
Religions:
Roman Catholic 82.3%, Anglican 6.4%, Seventh Day Adventist 1.1%, other Christian 3.4%, Hindu 2.1%, Muslim 1.1%, other non-Christian 1.5%, unspecified 1.5%, none 0.6% (2002 census)
Languages:
Creole 91.8%, English 4.9% (official), other 3.1%, unspecified 0.2% (2002 census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 91.8%
male: 91.4%
female: 92.3% (2002 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 15 years
male: 14 years
female: 16 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
5% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 69
Government ::Seychelles
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Seychelles
conventional short form: Seychelles
local long form: Republic of Seychelles
local short form: Seychelles
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Victoria
geographic coordinates: 4 38 S, 55 27 E
time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
23 administrative districts; Anse aux Pins, Anse Boileau, Anse Etoile, Anse Louis, Anse Royale, Baie Lazare, Baie Sainte Anne, Beau Vallon, Bel Air, Bel Ombre, Cascade, Glacis, Grand' Anse (on Mahe), Grand' Anse (on Praslin), La Digue, La Riviere Anglaise, Mont Buxton, Mont Fleuri, Plaisance, Pointe La Rue, Port Glaud, Saint Louis, Takamaka
Independence:
29 June 1976 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Constitution Day (National Day), 18 June (1993)
Constitution:
18 June 1993
Legal system:
based on English common law, French civil law, and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
17 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President James Alix MICHEL (since 14 April 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President James MICHEL (since 14 April 2004)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for two more terms); election last held on 28-30 July 2006 (next to be held in 2011)
election results: President James MICHEL elected president; percent of vote - James MICHEL 53.7%, Wavel RAMKALAWAN 45.7%, Philippe BOULLE 0.6%; note - this was the first election in which President James MICHEL participated; he was originally sworn in as president after former president France Albert RENE stepped down in April 2004
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (34 seats; 25 members elected by popular vote, 9 allocated on a proportional basis to parties winning at least 10% of the vote; members to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held on 10-12 May 2007 (next to be held in 2012)
election results: percent of vote by party - SPPF 56.2%, SNP 43.8%; seats by party - SPPF 23, SNP 11
Judicial branch:
Court of Appeal; Supreme Court; judges for both courts are appointed by the president
Political parties and leaders:
Democratic Party or DP [James MANCHAM, Paul CHOW]; People's Party (Parti Lepep) or PL [France Albert RENE, James MICHEL] (the governing party); Seychelles National Party or SNP [Wavel RAMKALAWAN] (formerly the United Opposition or UO)
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Roman Catholic Church
other: trade unions
International organization participation:
ACP, AfDB, AOSIS, AU, C, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Jean Ronald JUMEAU
chancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400C, New York, NY 10017
telephone: [1] (212) 972-1785
FAX: [1] (212) 972-1786
Diplomatic representation from the US:
the US does not have an embassy in Seychelles; the ambassador to Mauritius is accredited to Seychelles
Flag description:
five oblique bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, red, white, and green (bottom) radiating from the bottom of the hoist side; the oblique bands are meant to symbolize a dynamic new country moving into the future; blue represents sky and sea, yellow the sun giving light and life, red the peoples' determination to work for the future in unity and love, white social justice and harmony, green the land and natural environment
National anthem:
name: "Koste Seselwa" (Seychellois Unite)
lyrics/music: David Francois Marc ANDRE and George Charles Robert PAYET
note: adopted 1996
Economy ::Seychelles
Economy - overview:
Since independence in 1976, per capita output in this Indian Ocean archipelago has expanded to roughly seven times the pre-independence, near-subsistence level, moving the island into the upper-middle income group of countries. Growth has been led by the tourist sector, which employs about 30% of the labor force and provides more than 70% of hard currency earnings, and by tuna fishing. In recent years, the government has encouraged foreign investment to upgrade hotels and other services. At the same time, the government has moved to reduce the dependence on tourism by promoting the development of farming, fishing, and small-scale manufacturing. GDP grew about 7-8% per year in 2006-07, driven by tourism and a boom in tourism-related construction. The Seychelles rupee was allowed to depreciate in 2006 after being overvalued for years and fell by 10% in the first 9 months of 2007. Despite these actions, the Seychelles economy has struggled to maintain its gains and in 2008 suffered from food and oil price shocks, a foreign exchange shortage, high inflation, large financing gaps, and the global recession. In July 2008 the government defaulted on a Euro amortizing note worth roughly US$80 million, leading to a downgrading of Seychelles credit rating, but in October 2010 the EU approved a $2.9 million grant as part of a larger four-year program for Seychelles. In response to Seychelles successful implementation of tighter monetary and fiscal policies, the IMF upgraded Seychelles to a three-year exteneded fund facility (EFF) of $31 million in December 2009. In 2008, GDP fell more than 1% due to declining tourism, but the economy recovered in 2009-10 with a notable increase in tourist numbers for 2010.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$1.908 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 185 $1.843 billion (2009 est.)
$1.83 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$919 million (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
3.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 100 0.7% (2009 est.)
-1.3% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$21,600 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 $21,100 (2009 est.)
$21,100 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 2.9%
industry: 30.8%
services: 66.2% (2009 est.)
Labor force:
39,560 (2006) country comparison to the world: 197
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 3%
industry: 23%
services: 74% (2006)
Unemployment rate:
2% (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 13
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Investment (gross fixed):
36.2% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 6
Public debt:
58.8% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 37 58.7% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
-2.2% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 2 31.8% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
NA% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 84 5.13% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
15.35% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 11.81% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$274.2 million (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 168 $240.5 million (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$415 million (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 175 $352 million (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$678.5 million (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 159 $582.5 million (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
coconuts, cinnamon, vanilla, sweet potatoes, cassava (tapioca), copra, bananas; poultry; tuna
Industries:
fishing, tourism, processing of coconuts and vanilla, coir (coconut fiber) rope, boat building, printing, furniture; beverages
Industrial production growth rate:
2% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 129
Electricity - production:
250 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 174
Electricity - consumption:
232.5 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 173
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 131
Oil - consumption:
7,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 158
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 175
Oil - imports:
7,653 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 145
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 124
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 132
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 151
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 127
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 133
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 136
Current account balance:
-$351 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 104 -$284.2 million (2009 est.)
Exports:
$464 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 168 $432.5 million (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
canned tuna, frozen fish, cinnamon bark, copra, petroleum products (reexports)
Exports - partners:
UK 24.84%, France 18.53%, Italy 9.45%, Mauritius 9.03%, Japan 6.98%, Spain 4.92% (2009)
Imports:
$831 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 176 $759.1 million (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals, other manufactured goods
Imports - partners:
Saudi Arabia 16.44%, India 8.33%, Spain 7.49%, South Africa 6.72%, France 6.39%, Brazil 6.07%, Singapore 5.07% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$193 million (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 128 $190.6 million (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$1.374 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 145 $1.321 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates:
Seychelles rupees (SCR) per US dollar - 12.221 (2010), 13.6124 (2009), 8 (2008), 6.5 (2007), 5.5 (2006)
Communications ::Seychelles
Telephones - main lines in use:
22,100 (2009) country comparison to the world: 188
Telephones - mobile cellular:
92,300 (2009) country comparison to the world: 186
Telephone system:
general assessment: effective system
domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is 130 telephones per 100 persons; radiotelephone communications between islands in the archipelago
international: country code - 248; direct radiotelephone communications with adjacent island countries and African coastal countries; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
Broadcast media:
the government operates the only terrestrial TV station, which provides local programming and airs broadcasts from international services; multi-channel cable and satellite TV are available via subscription; the government operates 1 AM and 1 FM radio station; transmissions of 2 international broadcasters are accessible in Victoria (2007)
Internet country code:
.sc
Internet hosts:
256 (2010) country comparison to the world: 187
Internet users:
32,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 179
Transportation ::Seychelles
Airports:
14 (2010) country comparison to the world: 150
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 8
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 6
under 914 m: 1 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 6
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 5 (2010)
Roadways:
total: 458 km country comparison to the world: 195 paved: 440 km
unpaved: 18 km (2003)
Merchant marine:
total: 9 country comparison to the world: 120 by type: cargo 1, carrier 1, chemical tanker 6, petroleum tanker 1
foreign-owned: 3 (Hong Kong 1, Nigeria 1, South Africa 1) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Victoria
Military ::Seychelles
Military branches:
Seychelles Defense Force: Army, Coast Guard (includes Naval Wing, Air Wing), National Guard (2005)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for voluntary military service (younger with parental consent); no conscription (2010)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 26,040
females age 16-49: 23,961 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 19,989
females age 16-49: 19,882 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 704
female: 672 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
2% of GDP (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 72
Transnational Issues ::Seychelles
Disputes - international:
together with Mauritius, Seychelles claims the Chagos Archipelago (UK-administered British Indian Ocean Territory)
page last updated on January 19, 2011
======================================================================
@Sierra Leone (Africa)
Introduction ::Sierra Leone
Background:
Democracy is slowly being reestablished after the civil war from 1991 to 2002 that resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and the displacement of more than 2 million people (about one-third of the population). The military, which took over full responsibility for security following the departure of UN peacekeepers at the end of 2005, is increasingly developing as a guarantor of the country's stability. The armed forces remained on the sideline during the 2007 presidential election, but still look to the UN Integrated Office in Sierra Leone (UNIOSIL) - a civilian UN mission - to support efforts to consolidate peace. The new government's priorities include furthering development, creating jobs, and stamping out endemic corruption.
Geography ::Sierra Leone
Location:
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Liberia
Geographic coordinates:
8 30 N, 11 30 W
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 71,740 sq km country comparison to the world: 118 land: 71,620 sq km
water: 120 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than South Carolina
Land boundaries:
total: 958 km
border countries: Guinea 652 km, Liberia 306 km
Coastline:
402 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical; hot, humid; summer rainy season (May to December); winter dry season (December to April)
Terrain:
coastal belt of mangrove swamps, wooded hill country, upland plateau, mountains in east
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Loma Mansa (Bintimani) 1,948 m
Natural resources:
diamonds, titanium ore, bauxite, iron ore, gold, chromite
Land use:
arable land: 7.95%
permanent crops: 1.05%
other: 91% (2005)
Irrigated land:
300 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
160 cu km (1987)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.38 cu km/yr (5%/3%/92%)
per capita: 69 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
dry, sand-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (December to February); sandstorms, dust storms
Environment - current issues:
rapid population growth pressuring the environment; overharvesting of timber, expansion of cattle grazing, and slash-and-burn agriculture have resulted in deforestation and soil exhaustion; civil war depleted natural resources; overfishing
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification
Geography - note:
rainfall along the coast can reach 495 cm (195 inches) a year, making it one of the wettest places along coastal, western Africa
People ::Sierra Leone
Population:
5,245,695 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 113
Age structure:
0-14 years: 41.7% (male 1,060,463/female 1,081,333)
15-64 years: 54.7% (male 1,344,650/female 1,461,203)
65 years and over: 3.6% (male 83,595/female 100,894) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 19 years
male: 18.6 years
female: 19.5 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.216% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 38
Birth rate:
38.79 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 15
Death rate:
11.97 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 31
Net migration rate:
-4.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population country comparison to the world: 198 note: refugees currently in surrounding countries are slowly returning (2010 est.)
Urbanization:
urban population: 38% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female
total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 80.16 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 13 male: 89.06 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 70.99 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 55.69 years country comparison to the world: 197 male: 53.27 years
female: 58.18 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
4.97 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 24
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
1.7% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 37
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
55,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 62
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
3,300 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 54
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever
water contact disease: schistosomiasis
aerosolized dust or soil contact disease: Lassa fever (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Sierra Leonean(s)
adjective: Sierra Leonean
Ethnic groups:
Temne 35%, Mende 31%, Limba 8%, Kono 5%, Kriole 2% (descendants of freed Jamaican slaves who were settled in the Freetown area in the late-18th century; also known as Krio), Mandingo 2%, Loko 2%, other 15% (includes refugees from Liberia's recent civil war, and small numbers of Europeans, Lebanese, Pakistanis, and Indians) (2008 census)
Religions:
Muslim 60%, Christian 10%, indigenous beliefs 30%
Languages:
English (official, regular use limited to literate minority), Mende (principal vernacular in the south), Temne (principal vernacular in the north), Krio (English-based Creole, spoken by the descendants of freed Jamaican slaves who were settled in the Freetown area, a lingua franca and a first language for 10% of the population but understood by 95%)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write English, Mende, Temne, or Arabic
total population: 35.1%
male: 46.9%
female: 24.4% (2004 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 7 years
male: 9 years
female: 6 years (2001)
Education expenditures:
3.8% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 114
Government ::Sierra Leone
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Sierra Leone
conventional short form: Sierra Leone
local long form: Republic of Sierra Leone
local short form: Sierra Leone
Government type:
constitutional democracy
Capital:
name: Freetown
geographic coordinates: 8 30 N, 13 15 W
time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
3 provinces and 1 area*; Eastern, Northern, Southern, Western*
Independence:
27 April 1961 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 27 April (1961)
Constitution:
1 October 1991; amended several times
Legal system:
based on English law and customary laws indigenous to local tribes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Ernest Bai KOROMA (since 17 September 2007); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Ernest Bai KOROMA (since 17 September 2007)
cabinet: Ministers of State appointed by the president with the approval of the House of Representatives; the cabinet is responsible to the president (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 11 August 2007 and 8 September 2007 (next to be held in 2012)
election results: second round results; percent of vote - Ernest Bai KOROMA 54.6%, Solomon BEREWA 45.4%
Legislative branch:
unicameral Parliament (124 seats; 112 members elected by popular vote, 12 filled by paramount chiefs elected in separate elections; members to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held on 11 August 2007 (next to be held in 2012)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - APC 59, SLPP 43, PMDC 10
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court; Appeals Court; High Court
Political parties and leaders:
All People's Congress or APC [Ernest Bai KOROMA]; Peace and Liberation Party or PLP [Darlington MORRISON]; People's Movement for Democratic Change or PMDC [Charles MARGAI]; Sierra Leone People's Party or SLPP [Solomon BEREWA]; numerous others
Political pressure groups and leaders:
other: student unions; trade unions
International organization participation:
ACP, AfDB, AU, C, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Bockari Kortu STEVENS
chancery: 1701 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 939-9261 through 9263
FAX: [1] (202) 483-1793
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Glenn FEDZER
embassy: Southridge-Hill Station, Freetown
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [232] (22) 515 000 or (76) 515 000
FAX: [232] (22) 515 355
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and blue; green symbolizes agriculture, mountains, and natural resources, white represents unity and justice, and blue the sea and the natural harbor in Freetown
National anthem:
name: "High We Exalt Thee, Realm of the Free"
lyrics/music: Clifford Nelson FYLE/John Joseph AKA
note: adopted 1961
Economy ::Sierra Leone
Economy - overview:
Sierra Leone is an extremely poor nation with tremendous inequality in income distribution. While it possesses substantial mineral, agricultural, and fishery resources, its physical and social infrastructure has yet to recover from the civil war, and serious social disorders continue to hamper economic development. Nearly half of the working-age population engages in subsistence agriculture. Manufacturing consists mainly of the processing of raw materials and of light manufacturing for the domestic market. Alluvial diamond mining remains the major source of hard currency earnings accounting for nearly half of Sierra Leone's exports. The fate of the economy depends upon the maintenance of domestic peace and the continued receipt of substantial aid from abroad, which is essential to offset the severe trade imbalance and supplement government revenues. The IMF has completed a Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility program that helped stabilize economic growth and reduce inflation and in 2010 approved a new program worth $45 million over three years. Political stability has led to a revival of economic activity such as the rehabilitation of bauxite and rutile mining, which are set to benefit from planned tax incentives. A number of offshore oil discoveries were announced in 2009 and 2010. The development on these reserves, which could be significant, is still several years away.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$4.812 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 161 $4.574 billion (2009 est.)
$4.382 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$1.901 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
5.2% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 4.4% (2009 est.)
5.5% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$900 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 221 $900 (2009 est.)
$900 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 49%
industry: 31%
services: 21% (2005 est.)
Labor force:
2.207 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 115
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Population below poverty line:
70.2% (2004)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.6%
highest 10%: 33.6% (2003)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
62.9 (1989) country comparison to the world: 5
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
11.7% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 205
Central bank discount rate:
NA%
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
NA% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 24.5% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$209.4 million (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 173 $219.1 million (31 December 2008)
Stock of broad money:
$437 million (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 174 $434.3 million (31 December 2008)
Stock of domestic credit:
$178.4 million (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 175 $140.9 million (31 December 2008)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
rice, coffee, cocoa, palm kernels, palm oil, peanuts; poultry, cattle, sheep, pigs; fish
Industries:
diamond mining; small-scale manufacturing (beverages, textiles, cigarettes, footwear); petroleum refining, small commercial ship repair
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
80 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 194
Electricity - consumption:
74.4 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 194
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
29 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 113
Oil - consumption:
9,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 153
Oil - exports:
502 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 125
Oil - imports:
8,316 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 143
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 123
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 131
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 178
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 126
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 132
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 135
Current account balance:
-$63 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 71
Exports:
$216 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 179
Exports - commodities:
diamonds, rutile, cocoa, coffee, fish
Exports - partners:
Belgium 26.56%, US 11.87%, Netherlands 7.91%, UK 7.4%, India 6.67%, Cote d'Ivoire 6.13%, Greece 4.05% (2009)
Imports:
$560 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 186
Imports - commodities:
foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, fuels and lubricants, chemicals
Imports - partners:
South Africa 14.61%, China 7.58%, US 5.87%, Cote d'Ivoire 5.65%, India 5.19%, Malaysia 5.19%, France 5.08%, UK 4.48%, Netherlands 4.06% (2009)
Debt - external:
$1.61 billion (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 142
Exchange rates:
leones (SLL) per US dollar - NA (2007), 2,961.7 (2006), 2,889.6 (2005), 2,701.3 (2004), 2,347.9 (2003)
Communications ::Sierra Leone
Telephones - main lines in use:
32,800 (2009) country comparison to the world: 175
Telephones - mobile cellular:
1.16 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 143
Telephone system:
general assessment: marginal telephone service with poor infrastructure
domestic: the national microwave radio relay trunk system connects Freetown to Bo and Kenema; while mobile-cellular service is growing rapidly from a small base, service area coverage remains limited
international: country code - 232; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008)
Broadcast media:
1 government-owned TV station; 1 private TV station began operating in 2005; a pay-per-view TV service began operations in late 2007; 1 government-owned national radio broadcast station; about two dozen private radio stations primarily clustered in major cities; transmissions of several international broadcasters are available (2007)
Internet country code:
.sl
Internet hosts:
281 (2010) country comparison to the world: 184
Internet users:
14,900 (2009) country comparison to the world: 198
Transportation ::Sierra Leone
Airports:
9 (2010) country comparison to the world: 159
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
over 3,047 m: 1 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 8
914 to 1,523 m: 7
under 914 m: 1 (2010)
Heliports:
2 (2010)
Roadways:
total: 11,300 km country comparison to the world: 132 paved: 904 km
unpaved: 10,396 km (2002)
Waterways:
800 km (600 km year round) (2007) country comparison to the world: 73
Merchant marine:
total: 189 country comparison to the world: 35 by type: bulk carrier 7, cargo 131, carrier 1, chemical tanker 12, container 3, liquefied gas 3, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 20, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 3, vehicle carrier 1
foreign-owned: 91 (Bangladesh 1, China 12, Cyprus 1, Egypt 2, Estonia 1, Hong Kong 4, Japan 3, Malaysia 1, North Korea 1, Romania 4, Russia 6, Singapore 5, Syria 20, Taiwan 1, Turkey 14, UAE 6, UK 1, Ukraine 5, US 1, Yemen 2) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Freetown, Pepel, Sherbro Islands
Military ::Sierra Leone
Military branches:
Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF): Army (includes Maritime Wing and Air Wing) (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
17 years 6 months of age for male and female voluntary military service (younger with parental consent); no conscription; candidates must be HIV negative (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,156,724 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 713,190
females age 16-49: 813,830 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 53,349
female: 56,307 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
2.3% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 66
Transnational Issues ::Sierra Leone
Disputes - international:
as domestic fighting among disparate ethnic groups, rebel groups, warlords, and youth gangs in Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone gradually abates, the number of refugees in border areas has begun to slowly dwindle; Sierra Leone considers excessive Guinea's definition of the flood plain limits to define the left bank boundary of the Makona and Moa rivers and protests Guinea's continued occupation of these lands including the hamlet of Yenga occupied since 1998
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 27,311 (Liberia) (2007)
page last updated on January 11, 2011
======================================================================
@Singapore (East & Southeast Asia)
Introduction ::Singapore
Background:
Singapore was founded as a British trading colony in 1819. It joined the Malaysian Federation in 1963 but separated two years later and became independent. Singapore subsequently became one of the world's most prosperous countries with strong international trading links (its port is one of the world's busiest in terms of tonnage handled) and with per capita GDP equal to that of the leading nations of Western Europe.
Geography ::Singapore
Location:
Southeastern Asia, islands between Malaysia and Indonesia
Geographic coordinates:
1 22 N, 103 48 E
Map references:
Southeast Asia
Area:
total: 697 sq km country comparison to the world: 191 land: 687 sq km
water: 10 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly more than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
193 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 3 nm
exclusive fishing zone: within and beyond territorial sea, as defined in treaties and practice
Climate:
tropical; hot, humid, rainy; two distinct monsoon seasons - Northeastern monsoon (December to March) and Southwestern monsoon (June to September); inter-monsoon - frequent afternoon and early evening thunderstorms
Terrain:
lowland; gently undulating central plateau contains water catchment area and nature preserve
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Singapore Strait 0 m
highest point: Bukit Timah 166 m
Natural resources:
fish, deepwater ports
Land use:
arable land: 1.47%
permanent crops: 1.47%
other: 97.06% (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Total renewable water resources:
0.6 cu km (1975)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.19 cu km/yr (45%/51%/4%)
per capita: 44 cu m/yr (1975)
Natural hazards:
NA
Environment - current issues:
industrial pollution; limited natural fresh water resources; limited land availability presents waste disposal problems; seasonal smoke/haze resulting from forest fires in Indonesia
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
focal point for Southeast Asian sea routes
People ::Singapore
Population:
4,701,069 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 117
Age structure:
0-14 years: 14.4% (male 348,382/female 324,050)
15-64 years: 76.7% (male 1,737,972/female 1,833,415)
65 years and over: 8.9% (male 184,393/female 229,330) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 39.6 years
male: 39.1 years
female: 40 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.863% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 131
Birth rate:
8.65 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 217
Death rate:
4.8 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 194
Net migration rate:
4.79 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 18
Urbanization:
urban population: 100% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.077 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female
total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 2.32 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 222 male: 2.52 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 2.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 82.06 years country comparison to the world: 7 male: 79.45 years
female: 84.87 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.1 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 222
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 96
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
4,200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 126
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 118
Nationality:
noun: Singaporean(s)
adjective: Singapore
Ethnic groups:
Chinese 76.8%, Malay 13.9%, Indian 7.9%, other 1.4% (2000 census)
Religions:
Buddhist 42.5%, Muslim 14.9%, Taoist 8.5%, Hindu 4%, Catholic 4.8%, other Christian 9.8%, other 0.7%, none 14.8% (2000 census)
Languages:
Mandarin (official) 35%, English (official) 23%, Malay (official) 14.1%, Hokkien 11.4%, Cantonese 5.7%, Teochew 4.9%, Tamil (official) 3.2%, other Chinese dialects 1.8%, other 0.9% (2000 census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 92.5%
male: 96.6%
female: 88.6% (2000 census)
Education expenditures:
3.2% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 144
Government ::Singapore
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Singapore
conventional short form: Singapore
local long form: Republic of Singapore
local short form: Singapore
Government type:
parliamentary republic
Capital:
name: Singapore
geographic coordinates: 1 17 N, 103 51 E
time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
none
Independence:
9 August 1965 (from Malaysian Federation)
National holiday:
National Day, 9 August (1965)
Constitution:
3 June 1959; amended 1965 (based on pre-independence State of Singapore Constitution)
Legal system:
based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
21 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state: President S R NATHAN (since 1 September 1999)
note: uses S R NATHAN but his full name and the one used in formal communications is Sellapan RAMANATHAN
head of government: Prime Minister LEE Hsien Loong (since 12 August 2004); Senior Minister GOH Chok Tong (since 12 August 2004); Senior Minister Shunmugam JAYAKUMAR (since 1 April 2009); Minister Mentor LEE Kuan Yew (since 12 August 2004); Deputy Prime Minister TEO Chee Huan (since 1 April 2009) and Deputy Prime Minister WONG Kan Seng (since 1 September 2005)
cabinet: appointed by president, responsible to parliament (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president elected by popular vote for six-year term; appointed on 17 August 2005 (next election to be held by August 2011); following legislative elections, leader of majority party or leader of majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by president; deputy prime ministers appointed by president
election results: Sellapan Rama (S R) NATHAN was appointed president in August 2005 after Presidential Elections Committee disqualified three other would-be candidates; scheduled election not held
Legislative branch:
unicameral Parliament (84 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms); note - in addition, there are up to 9 nominated members; up to three losing opposition candidates who came closest to winning seats may be appointed as "nonconstituency" members
elections: last held on 6 May 2006 (next to be held by February 2012)
election results: percent of vote by party - PAP 66.6%, WP 16.3%, SDA 13%, SDP 4.1%; seats by party - PAP 82, WP 1, SDA 1
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (chief justice is appointed by the president with the advice of the prime minister, other judges are appointed by the president with the advice of the chief justice); Court of Appeals
Political parties and leaders:
People's Action Party or PAP [LEE Hsien Loong]; Reform Party [NG Teck Siong]; Singapore Democratic Alliance or SDA [CHIAM See Tong]; Singapore Democratic Party or SDP [CHEE Soon Juan]; Workers' Party or WP [Sylvia LIM Swee Lian]
note: SDA includes Singapore Justice Party or SJP, Singapore National Malay Organization or PKMS, Singapore People's Party or SPP
Political pressure groups and leaders:
none
International organization participation:
ADB, AOSIS, APEC, ARF, ASEAN, BIS, C, CP, EAS, FATF, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNMIT, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador CHAN Heng Chee
chancery: 3501 International Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 537-3100
FAX: [1] (202) 537-0876
consulate(s) general: San Francisco
consulate(s): New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador David I. ADELMAN
embassy: 27 Napier Road, Singapore 258508
mailing address: FPO AP 96507-0001
telephone: [65] 6476-9100
FAX: [65] 6476-9340
Flag description:
two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; near the hoist side of the red band, there is a vertical, white crescent (closed portion is toward the hoist side) partially enclosing five white five-pointed stars arranged in a circle; red denotes brotherhood and equality; white signifies purity and virtue; the waxing crescent moon symbolizes a young nation on the ascendancy; the five stars represent the nation's ideals of democracy, peace, progress, justice, and equality
National anthem:
name: "Majulah Singapura" (Onward Singapore)
lyrics/music: ZUBIR Said
note: adopted 1965; the anthem, which was first performed in 1958 at the Victoria Theatre, is sung only in Malay
Economy ::Singapore
Economy - overview:
Singapore has a highly developed and successful free-market economy. It enjoys a remarkably open and corruption-free environment, stable prices, and a per capita GDP higher than that of most developed countries. The economy depends heavily on exports, particularly in consumer electronics, information technology products, pharmaceuticals, and on a growing financial services sector. Real GDP growth averaged 6.9% between 2004 and 2008. The economy contracted 1.3% in 2009 as a result of the global financial crisis, but rebounded nearly 15% in 2010, on the strength of renewed exports. Over the longer term, the government hopes to establish a new growth path that focuses on raising productivity growth, which has sunk to 1% per year in the last decade. Singapore has attracted major investments in pharmaceuticals and medical technology production and will continue efforts to establish Singapore as Southeast Asia's financial and high-tech hub.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$292.2 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 41 $255 billion (2009 est.)
$258.3 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$217.4 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
14.6% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 2 -1.3% (2009 est.)
1.8% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$62,200 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 5 $54,700 (2009 est.)
$56,100 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 0%
industry: 27.2%
services: 72.8% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
3.09 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 101
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 0%
industry: 23.8%
services: 76.2% (2008)
Unemployment rate:
2.3% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 19 3% (2009 est.)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 4.4%
highest 10%: 23.2% (2008)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
48.1 (2008) country comparison to the world: 29
Investment (gross fixed):
27.2% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 31
Public debt:
102.4% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 10 110% of GDP (2009 est.)
note: for Singapore, public debt consists largely of Singapore Government Securities (SGS) issued to assist the Central Provident Fund (CPF), which administers Singapore's defined contribution pension fund; special issues of SGS are held by the CPF, and are non-tradeable; the government has not borrowed to finance deficit expenditures since the 1980s
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.6% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 0.6% (2009 est.)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
5.38% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 5.38% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$80.5 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 35 $64.26 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$295.8 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 27 $255.2 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$199.8 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 $166.3 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$474.8 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 21 $268.6 billion (31 December 2008)
$353.5 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
orchids, vegetables; poultry, eggs; fish, ornamental fish
Industries:
electronics, chemicals, financial services, oil drilling equipment, petroleum refining, rubber processing and rubber products, processed food and beverages, ship repair, offshore platform construction, life sciences, entrepot trade
Industrial production growth rate:
10.2% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 14
Electricity - production:
41.72 billion kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 55
Electricity - consumption:
37.94 billion kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 54
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
9,667 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 85
Oil - consumption:
878,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 22
Oil - exports:
1.289 million bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 19
Oil - imports:
2.109 million bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 10
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 122
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 130
Natural gas - consumption:
8.27 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 49
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 125
Natural gas - imports:
8.27 billion cu m country comparison to the world: 26 note: from Indonesia and Malaysia (2008 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 134
Current account balance:
$40.44 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 $32.63 billion (2009 est.)
Exports:
$358.3 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 14 $273.4 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
machinery and equipment (including electronics), consumer goods, pharmaceuticals and other chemicals, mineral fuels
Exports - partners:
Hong Kong 11.6%, Malaysia 11.5%, US 11.2%, Indonesia 9.7%, China 9.7%, Japan 4.6%, Hong Kong 11.6% (2009)
Imports:
$315.6 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 $243.2 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, mineral fuels, chemicals, foodstuffs, consumer goods
Imports - partners:
US 14.7%, Malaysia 11.6%, China 10.5%, Japan 7.6%, Indonesia 5.8%, South Korea 5.7%, Taiwan 5.22% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$212.5 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 $187.8 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$21.66 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 $20.3 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$274.6 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 19 $260.5 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$172.1 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 $167.4 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates:
Singapore dollars (SGD) per US dollar - 1.3702 (2010), 1.4545 (2009), 1.415 (2008), 1.507 (2007), 1.5889 (2006)
Communications ::Singapore
Telephones - main lines in use:
1.852 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 61
Telephones - mobile cellular:
6.652 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 83
Telephone system:
general assessment: excellent service
domestic: excellent domestic facilities; launched 3G wireless service in February 2005; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is more than 180 telephones per 100 persons
international: country code - 65; numerous submarine cables provide links throughout Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Europe, and US; satellite earth stations - 4; supplemented by VSAT coverage (2008)
Broadcast media:
state controls broadcast media; 8 domestic TV stations operated by MediaCorp, wholly owned by a state investment company; broadcasts from Malaysian and Indonesian stations available; satellite dishes banned; multi-channel cable TV service is accessible; a total of 18 domestic radio stations broadcasting with MediaCorp operating more than a dozen and another 4 stations are closely linked to the ruling party or controlled by the Singapore Armed Forces Reservists Association; large number of Malaysian and Indonesian radio stations are available (2008)
Internet country code:
.sg
Internet hosts:
992,786 (2010) country comparison to the world: 44
Internet users:
3.235 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 65
Transportation ::Singapore
Airports:
8 (2010) country comparison to the world: 164
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 8
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2010)
Pipelines:
gas 106 km (2009)
Roadways:
total: 3,356 km country comparison to the world: 163 paved: 3,356 km (includes 161 km of expressways) (2009)
Merchant marine:
total: 1,422 country comparison to the world: 6 by type: bulk carrier 183, cargo 88, carrier 6, chemical tanker 233, container 321, liquefied gas 117, petroleum tanker 404, refrigerated cargo 5, roll on/roll off 13, vehicle carrier 52
foreign-owned: 850 (Australia 11, Bangladesh 2, Bermuda 21, Chile 7, China 26, Cyprus 3, Denmark 125, France 3, Germany 30, Greece 19, Hong Kong 38, India 19, Indonesia 53, Italy 3, Japan 146, Malaysia 27, Netherlands 1, Norway 132, Slovenia 1, South Africa 3, South Korea 9, Sweden 9, Switzerland 4, Taiwan 79, Thailand 30, UAE 10, UK 6, US 33)
registered in other countries: 327 (Australia 2, Bahamas 7, Bangladesh 3, Belize 7, Cambodia 4, Cyprus 1, Dominica 1, France 3, Gibraltar 1, Honduras 12, Hong Kong 13, Indonesia 42, Isle of Man 1, Kiribati 11, Liberia 27, Malaysia 19, Malta 3, Marshall Islands 28, Mongolia 1, North Korea 2, Panama 79, Philippines 1, Saint Kitts and Nevis 5, Sierra Leone 5, Thailand 1, Tuvalu 25, US 17, unknown 6) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Singapore
Transportation - note:
the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the South China Sea as high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; hijacked vessels are often disguised and cargo diverted to ports in East Asia; crews have been murdered or cast adrift
Military ::Singapore
Military branches:
Singapore Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Air Force (includes Air Defense) (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
18-21 years of age for male compulsory military service; 16 years of age for volunteers; 2-year conscript service obligation, with a reserve obligation to age 40 (enlisted) or age 50 (officers) (2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,266,426 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,027,701
females age 16-49: 1,097,762 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 27,430
female: 25,918 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
4.9% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 17
Transnational Issues ::Singapore
Disputes - international:
disputes persist with Malaysia over deliveries of fresh water to Singapore, Singapore's extensive land reclamation works, bridge construction, and maritime boundaries in the Johor and Singapore Straits; in 2008, ICJ awards sovereignty of Pedra Branca (Pulau Batu Puteh/Horsburgh Island) to Singapore, and Middle Rocks to Malaysia, but does not rule on maritime regimes, boundaries, or disposition of South Ledge; Indonesia and Singapore continue to work on finalization of their 1973 maritime boundary agreement by defining unresolved areas north of Indonesia's Batam Island; piracy remains a problem in the Malacca Strait
Illicit drugs:
drug abuse limited because of aggressive law enforcement efforts; as a transportation and financial services hub, Singapore is vulnerable, despite strict laws and enforcement, as a venue for money laundering
page last updated on January 19, 2011
======================================================================
@Sint Maarten (Central America and Caribbean)
Introduction ::Sint Maarten
Background:
Although sighted by Christopher COLUMBUS in 1493 and claimed for Spain, it was the Dutch who occupied the island in 1631 and set about exploiting its salt deposits. The Spanish retook the island in 1633, but continued to be harassed by the Dutch. The Spanish finally relinquished the island of Saint Martin to the French and Dutch, who divided it amongst themselves in 1648. The establishment of cotton, tobacco, and sugar plantations dramatically expanded slavery on the island in the 18th and 19th centuries; the practice was not abolished in the Dutch half until 1863. The island's economy declined until 1939 when it became a free port; the tourism industry was dramatically expanded beginning in the 1950s. In 1954, Sint Maarten and several other Dutch Caribbean possessions became part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands as the Netherlands Antilles. In a 2000 referendum, the citizens of Sint Maarten voted to become a self-governing country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The change in status became effective in October of 2010 with the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles.
Geography ::Sint Maarten
Location:
Caribbean, located in the Leeward Islands (northern) group; Dutch part of the island of Saint Martin in the Caribbean Sea; Sint Maarten lies east of the US Virgin Islands
Geographic coordinates:
18 4 N, 63 4 W
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 34 sq km country comparison to the world: 235 land: 34 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: Dutch part of the island of Saint Martin
Area - comparative:
one-fifth the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
total: 15 km
border countries: Saint Martin (France) 15 km
Coastline:
364 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm
Climate:
tropical marine climate, ameliorated by northeast trade winds, results in moderate temperatures; average rainfall of 1500 mm/year; July-November is the hurricane season
Terrain:
low, hilly terrain, volcanic origin
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Mount Flagstaff 386 m
Natural resources:
fish, salt
Land use:
arable land: 10%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 90%
Irrigated land:
NA
Natural hazards:
subject to hurricanes from July to November
Environment - current issues:
NA
Geography - note:
the northern border is shared with the French overseas collectivity of Saint Martin; together, these two enties make up the smallest landmass in the world shared by two self-governing states
People ::Sint Maarten
Population:
37,429 (January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 210
Age structure:
0-14 years: 23.4% (male 4,299/female 4,455)
15-64 years: 73% (male 13,053/female 14,259)
65 years and over: 3.6% (male 608/female 755) (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
NA
Birth rate:
NA
Death rate:
3 deaths/1,000 population (2009) country comparison to the world: 221
Net migration rate:
14.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008) country comparison to the world: 4
Sex ratio:
at birth: 0.98 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female
total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2010)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: NA
male: 73.1 years
female: 78.2 years (2009)
Total fertility rate:
1.7 children born/woman (2009) country comparison to the world: 170
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Religions:
Roman Catholic 39%, Protestant 27%, Pentecostal 11.6%, none 6.7%, Seventh Day Adventist 6.2%, other 5.4%, Jewish 3.4%, not reported 0.7% (2001 census)
Languages:
English 67.5% (official), Spanish 12.9%, Creole 8.2%, Dutch 4.2% (official), Papiamento 2.2% (a Spanish-Portuguese-Dutch-English dialect), French 1.5%, other 3.5% (2001 census)
Government ::Sint Maarten
Country name:
Dutch long form: Land Sint Maarten
Dutch short form: Sint Maarten
English long form: Country of Sint Maarten
English short form: Sint Maarten
former: Netherlands Antilles; Curacao and Dependencies
Dependency status:
constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands; full autonomy in internal affairs granted in 2010; Dutch Government responsible for defense and foreign affairs
Government type:
parliamentary
Capital:
name: Philipsburg
geographic coordinates: 18 1 N, 63 2 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
Independence:
none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
National holiday:
Queen's Day (Birthday of Queen-Mother JULIANA and accession to the throne of her oldest daughter BEATRIX), 30 April (1909 and 1980)
Constitution:
Staatsregeling, 10 October 2010; revised Kingdom Charter pending
Legal system:
based on Dutch civil law system with some English common law influence
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen BEATRIX of the Netherlands (since 30 April 1980); represented by Governor General Eugene HOLIDAY (since 10 October 2010)
head of government: Sarah WESCOTT-WILLIAMS (since 10 October 2010)
cabinet: Cabinet (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch for a six-year term; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party is usually elected prime minister by the legislature
Legislative branch:
unicameral parliament or Staten (15 seats; members elected by popular vote for four year term)
elections: last held 17 September 2010 (next to be held in 2014)
election results: percent of vote by party - National Alliance 45.9%, UPP 36.1%, Democratic Party 17.1%; seats by party - National Alliance 7, UPP 6, Democratic Party 2
Judicial branch:
Common Court of Justice, Joint High Court of Justice (judges appointed by the monarch)
Political parties and leaders:
Democratic Party or DP [Sarah WESCOTT-WILLIAMS]; National Alliance or NA [William MARLIN]; United People's Party or UPP [Theodore HEYLIGER]; Concordia Political Alliance or CPA [Jeffery RICHARDSON]
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
the US does not have an embassy in Sint Maarten; the Consul General to Curacao is accredited to Sint Maarten
Flag description:
two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and blue with a white isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; the center of the triangle displays the Sint Maarten coat of arms; the arms consist of an orange-bordered blue shield prominently displaying the white court house in Philipsburg, as well as a bouquet of yellow sage (the national flower) in the upper left, and the silhouette of a Dutch-French friendship monument in the upper right; the shield is surmounted by a yellow rising sun in front of which is a Brown Pelican in flight; a yellow scroll below the shield bears the motto: SEMPER PROGREDIENS (Always Progressing); the three main colors are identical to those on the Dutch flag
note: the flag somewhat resembles that of the Philippines, but with the main red and blue bands reversed; the banner more closely evokes the wartime Philippine flag
National anthem:
name: "O Sweet Saint Martin's Land"
lyrics/music: Gerard KEMPS
note: the song, written in 1958, is used as an unofficial anthem for the entire island (both French and Dutch sides); as a collectivity of France, in addition to the local anthem, "La Marseillaise" is official on the French side (see France); as a constituent part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, in addition to the local anthem, "Het Wilhelmus" is official on the Dutch side (see Netherlands)
Economy ::Sint Maarten
Economy - overview:
The economy of Sint Maarten centers around tourism with nearly four-fifths of the labor force engaged in this sector. Over one million visitors come to the island each year - 1.3 million in 2008 - with most arriving through the Princess Juliana International Airport. Cruise ships and yachts also call on Sint Maarten's numerous ports and harbors. No significant agriculture and limited local fishing means that almost all food must be imported. Energy resources and manufactured goods are also imported. Sint Maarten had the highest per capita income among the five islands that formerly comprised the Netherlands Antilles.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$794.7 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 206 $748.9 million (2007 est.)
$703.2 million (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$794.7 million (2008)
GDP - real growth rate:
1.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 164 4.5% (2007 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$15,400 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 73
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 0.4%
industry: 18.3%
services: 81.3% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
23,200 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 207
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 1.1%
industry: 15.2%
services: 83.7% (2008)
Unemployment rate:
10.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 114
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
0.7% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 4.6% (2008 est.)
Agriculture - products:
sugar
Industries:
tourism, light industry, and manufacturing
Electricity - production:
304.3 million kWh (2008) country comparison to the world: 167
Exports - commodities:
sugar
Exports - partners:
China 23.49%, US 10.91%, Japan 5.92% (2009)
Imports - partners:
China 17.35%, Japan 14.79%, US 8.96%, Saudi Arabia 6.89% (2009)
Exchange rates:
Netherlands Antillean guilders (ANG) per US dollar - 1.79 (2009), 1.79 (2008), 1.79 (2007), 1.79 (2006)
Communications ::Sint Maarten
Telephones - main lines in use:
5,153 (2001) country comparison to the world: 210
Telephone system:
general assessment: generally adequate facilities
domestic: extensive interisland microwave radio relay links
international: country code - 599; the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) and the Americas-2 submarine cable systems provide connectivity to Central America, parts of South America and the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Transportation ::Sint Maarten
Airports:
1 country comparison to the world: 214
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2010)
Roadways:
total: 53 km country comparison to the world: 216
Ports and terminals:
Philipsburg
Military ::Sint Maarten
Military branches:
the Royal Netherlands Navy maintains a permanent and active presence in the region from its main operating base on Curacao and through a detachment on Sint Maarten; other local security forces include a coast guard, para-military National Guard (Vrijwilligers Korps Sint Maarten), and Police Force (KPSM) (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
no conscription (2010)
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
page last updated on January 19, 2011
======================================================================
@Slovakia (Europe)
Introduction ::Slovakia
Background:
The dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the close of World War I allowed the Slovaks to join the closely related Czechs to form Czechoslovakia. Following the chaos of World War II, Czechoslovakia became a Communist nation within Soviet-dominated Eastern Europe. Soviet influence collapsed in 1989 and Czechoslovakia once more became free. The Slovaks and the Czechs agreed to separate peacefully on 1 January 1993. Slovakia joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004 and the euro area on 1 January 2009.
Geography ::Slovakia
Location:
Central Europe, south of Poland
Geographic coordinates:
48 40 N, 19 30 E
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 49,035 sq km country comparison to the world: 130 land: 48,105 sq km
water: 930 sq km
Area - comparative:
about twice the size of New Hampshire
Land boundaries:
total: 1,474 km
border countries: Austria 91 km, Czech Republic 197 km, Hungary 676 km, Poland 420 km, Ukraine 90 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters
Terrain:
rugged mountains in the central and northern part and lowlands in the south
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Bodrok River 94 m
highest point: Gerlachovsky Stit 2,655 m
Natural resources:
brown coal and lignite; small amounts of iron ore, copper and manganese ore; salt; arable land
Land use:
arable land: 29.23%
permanent crops: 2.67%
other: 68.1% (2005)
Irrigated land:
1,830 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
50.1 cu km (2003)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 1.04
per capita: 193 cu m/yr (2003)
Natural hazards:
NA
Environment - current issues:
air pollution from metallurgical plants presents human health risks; acid rain damaging forests
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
landlocked; most of the country is rugged and mountainous; the Tatra Mountains in the north are interspersed with many scenic lakes and valleys
People ::Slovakia
Population:
5,470,306 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 111
Age structure:
0-14 years: 15.8% (male 442,168/female 422,055)
15-64 years: 71.7% (male 1,952,527/female 1,965,646)
65 years and over: 12.5% (male 254,510/female 426,140) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 37.3 years
male: 35.7 years
female: 38.9 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.129% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 185
Birth rate:
10.55 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 184
Death rate:
9.56 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 62
Net migration rate:
0.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 66
Urbanization:
urban population: 56% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.051 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/female
total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 6.71 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 170 male: 7.83 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 5.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 75.62 years country comparison to the world: 79 male: 71.7 years
female: 79.74 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.36 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 205
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 159
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
fewer than 200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 158
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 100 (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 132
Nationality:
noun: Slovak(s)
adjective: Slovak
Ethnic groups:
Slovak 85.8%, Hungarian 9.7%, Roma 1.7%, Ruthenian/Ukrainian 1%, other and unspecified 1.8% (2001 census)
Religions:
Roman Catholic 68.9%, Protestant 10.8%, Greek Catholic 4.1%, other or unspecified 3.2%, none 13% (2001 census)
Languages:
Slovak (official) 83.9%, Hungarian 10.7%, Roma 1.8%, Ukrainian 1%, other or unspecified 2.6% (2001 census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99.6%
male: 99.7%
female: 99.6% (2004)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 15 years
male: 14 years
female: 16 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
3.6% of GDP (2007) country comparison to the world: 129
Government ::Slovakia
Country name:
conventional long form: Slovak Republic
conventional short form: Slovakia
local long form: Slovenska Republika
local short form: Slovensko
Government type:
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
name: Bratislava
geographic coordinates: 48 09 N, 17 07 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:
8 regions (kraje, singular - kraj); Banskobystricky, Bratislavsky, Kosicky, Nitriansky, Presovsky, Trenciansky, Trnavsky, Zilinsky
Independence:
1 January 1993 (Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia)
National holiday:
Constitution Day, 1 September (1992)
Constitution:
ratified 1 September 1992, effective 1 January 1993; changed in September 1998; amended February 2001
note: the change in September 1998 allowed direct election of the president; the amendment of February 2001 allowed Slovakia to apply for NATO and EU membership
Legal system:
civil law system based on Austro-Hungarian codes; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; legal code modified to comply with the obligations of Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and to expunge Marxist-Leninist legal theory
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Ivan GASPAROVIC (since 15 June 2004)
head of government: Prime Minister Iveta RADICOVA (since 8 July 2010); Deputy Prime Ministers Jan FIGEL, Ivan MIKLOS, Jozef MIHAL, Rudolf CHMEL (since 9 July 2010)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 21 March and 4 April 2009 (next to be held no later than April 2014); following National Council elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the president
election results: Ivan GASPAROVIC reelected president in runoff; percent of vote - Ivan GASPAROVIC 55.5%, Iveta RADICOVA 44.5%
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Council of the Slovak Republic or Narodna Rada Slovenskej Republiky (150 seats; members elected on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 12 June 2010 (next to be held in June 2014)
election results: percent of vote by party - Smer 34.8%, SDKU-DS 15%, SaS 12.1%, KDH 8.5%, Most-Hid 8.1%, SNS 5.1%, other 16.2%; seats by party - Smer 62, SDKU-DS 28, SaS 22, KDH 15, Most-Hid 14, SNS 9
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (judges are elected by the National Council); Constitutional Court (judges appointed by president from group of nominees approved by the National Council); Special Court (judges elected by a council of judges and appointed by president)
Political parties and leaders:
parties in the Parliament:: Bridge or Most-Hid [Bela BUGAR]; Christian Democratic Movement or KDH [Jan FIGEL]; Direction-Social Democracy or Smer-SD [Robert FICO]; Freedom and Solidarity or SaS [Richard SULIK]; Slovak Democratic and Christian Union-Democratic Party or SDKU-DS [Mikulas DZURINDA]; Slovak National Party or SNS [Jan SLOTA]
selected parties outside the Parliament:: Alliance for a Europe of Nations or AZEN [Milan URBANI]; Association of Slovak Workers or ZRS [Jan LUPTAK]; Civic Conservative Party or OKS [Peter ZAJAC]; Green Party or SZ [Peter PILINSKY]; Party of the Democratic Left or SDL [Marek BLAHA]; Party of the Hungarian Coalition or SMK [Jozsef BERENYI]; People's Party - Movement for a Democratic Slovakia or LS-HZDS [Vladimir MECIAR]; People's Party - Our Slovakia or LSNS [Marian KOTLEBA]; Slovak Communist Party or KSS [Jozef HRDLICKA]; Union - Party for Slovakia or Unia [Milan CELIK]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Association of Towns and Villages or ZMOS; Confederation of Trade Unions or KOZ; Entrepreneurs Association of Slovakia or ZPS; Federation of Employers' Associations of the Slovak Republic; National Union of Employers or RUZ; Slovak Chamber of Commerce and Industry or SOPK; Slovenska Pospolitost; The Business Alliance of Slovakia or PAS
International organization participation:
Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS (observer), CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, SECI (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Peter BURIAN
chancery: 3523 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 237-1054
FAX: [1] (202) 237-6438
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Theodore SEDGWICK
embassy: Hviezdoslavovo Namestie 4, 81102 Bratislava
mailing address: P.O. Box 309, 814 99 Bratislava
telephone: [421] (2) 5443-3338
FAX: [421] (2) 5441-8861
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red derive from the Pan-Slav colors; the Slovakian coat of arms (consisting of a red shield bordered in white and bearing a white Cross of Lorraine surmounting three blue hills) is centered over the bands but offset slightly to the hoist side
note: the Pan-Slav colors were inspired by the 19th-century flag of Russia
National anthem:
name: "Nad Tatrou sa blyska" (Storm Over the Tatras)
lyrics/music: Janko MATUSKA/traditional
note: adopted 1993, in use since 1844; the anthem"s music is based on the Slovak folk song "Kopala studienku"
Economy ::Slovakia
Economy - overview:
Slovakia has made significant economic reforms since its separation from the Czech Republic in 1993. Reforms to the taxation, healthcare, pension, and social welfare systems helped Slovakia to consolidate its budget and get on track to join the EU in 2004 and to adopt the euro in January 2009. Major privatizations are nearly complete, the banking sector is almost entirely in foreign hands, and the government has helped facilitate a foreign investment boom with business friendly policies such as labor market liberalization and a 19% flat tax. Foreign investment in the automotive and electronic sectors has been strong. Slovakia's economic growth exceeded expectations in 2001-08 despite the general European slowdown. Unemployment, at an unacceptable 18% in 2003-04, dropped to 7.7% in 2008 but remains the economy's Achilles heel. FICO's cabinet was careful to keep a lid on spending in order to meet euro adoption criteria and has focused on regulating energy and food prices instead. To maintain a stable operating environment for investors, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development advised the Slovak government to refrain from intervening in important sectors of the economy. However, Bratislava's approach to mitigating the economic slowdown has included substantial government intervention and the option to nationalize strategic companies. Slovakia was admitted to the euro zone in January 2009. RADICOVA's government, in power since July 2010, has allowed the budget deficit to rise slightly, to 8.2% of GDP in 2010. GDP fell nearly 5% in 2009 before gaining back 4% in 2010, and unemployment rose above 12% in 2010, as the global recession impacted many segments of the economy.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$121.3 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 $116.7 billion (2009 est.)
$122.4 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$86.26 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
4% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 82 -4.7% (2009 est.)
6.2% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$22,200 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 57 $21,400 (2009 est.)
$22,400 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 2.7%
industry: 35.6%
services: 61.8% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
2.673 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 107
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 3.5%
industry: 27%
services: 69.4% (December 2009)
Unemployment rate:
12.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 133 11.4% (2009 est.)
Population below poverty line:
21% (2002)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 3.1%
highest 10%: 20.9% (1996)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
26 (2005) country comparison to the world: 130 26.3 (1996)
Investment (gross fixed):
22.2% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 65
Public debt:
41% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 35.7% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1.2% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 27 1.6% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
1% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 124 3% (31 December 2008)
note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks from the euro area; as of 1 January 2009 Slovakia became a member of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
NA% (31 December 2009 est.)
NA% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$34.37 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 52 $34.1 billion (31 December 2009 est)
note: this figure represents the US dollar value of Slovak koruny in circulation prior to Slovakia joining the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 16 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money circulating within their own borders
Stock of broad money:
$52.63 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 $52.68 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$65.09 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 $64.25 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$4.672 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 80 $5.079 billion (31 December 2008)
$6.971 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
grains, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruit; pigs, cattle, poultry; forest products
Industries:
metal and metal products; food and beverages; electricity, gas, coke, oil, nuclear fuel; chemicals and manmade fibers; machinery; paper and printing; earthenware and ceramics; transport vehicles; textiles; electrical and optical apparatus; rubber products
Industrial production growth rate:
7.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 35
Electricity - production:
25.9 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 65
Electricity - consumption:
28.75 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 61
Electricity - exports:
8.891 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
9.412 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
4,114 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 96
Oil - consumption:
79,930 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 85
Oil - exports:
75,110 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 71
Oil - imports:
144,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 55