Y (continued 41)
Reading edition
NA
Sex ratio:
NA
Infant mortality rate:
total: NA
male: NA
female: NA
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: NA
male: NA
female: NA
Total fertility rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0% (2001) country comparison to the world: 170
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
0 (2001) country comparison to the world: 165
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
0 (2001) country comparison to the world: 156
Ethnic groups:
Norwegian 55.4%, Russian and Ukrainian 44.3%, other 0.3% (1998)
Languages:
Norwegian, Russian
Literacy:
NA
Government ::Svalbard
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Svalbard (sometimes referred to as Spitzbergen)
Dependency status:
territory of Norway; administered by the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice, through a governor (sysselmann) residing in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen; by treaty (9 February 1920) sovereignty was awarded to Norway
Government type:
NA
Capital:
name: Longyearbyen
geographic coordinates: 78 13 N, 15 33 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
Independence:
none (territory of Norway)
Legal system:
the laws of Norway where applicable apply
Executive branch:
chief of state: King HARALD V of Norway (since 17 January 1991)
head of government: Governor Odd Olsen INGERO (since September 2009); Assistant Governor Lars FAUSE (since September 2008)
elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; governor and assistant governor responsible to the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice
Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA
International organization participation:
none
Flag description:
the flag of Norway is used
National anthem:
note: as a territory of Norway, "Ja, vi elsker dette landet" is official (see Norway)
Economy ::Svalbard
Economy - overview:
Coal mining, tourism, and international research are the major revenue sources on Svalbard. Coal mining is the dominant economic activity and a treaty of 9 February 1920 gave the 41 signatories equal rights to exploit mineral deposits, subject to Norwegian regulation. Although US, UK, Dutch, and Swedish coal companies have mined in the past, the only companies still engaging in this are Norwegian and Russian. The settlements on Svalbard are essentially company towns. The Norwegian state-owned coal company employs nearly 60% of the Norwegian population on the island, runs many of the local services, and provides most of the local infrastructure. There is also some hunting of seal, reindeer, and fox.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$NA
GDP - real growth rate:
NA%
Labor force:
1,234 in Norwegian settlements (2003) country comparison to the world: 225
Exports:
$197.6 million (2000)
Imports:
$NA
Exchange rates:
Norwegian kroner (NOK) per US dollar - 6.1533 (2009), 5.6361 (2008), 5.86 (2007), 6.418 (2006)
Communications ::Svalbard
Telephones - main lines in use:
NA
Telephone system:
general assessment: probably adequate
domestic: local telephone service
international: country code - 47-790; satellite earth station - 1 of unknown type (for communication with Norwegian mainland only)
Broadcast media:
the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK) began direct television transmission to Svalbard via satellite in 1984; Longyearbyen households have access to 3 NRK radio and 2 television stations (2008)
Internet country code:
.sj
Transportation ::Svalbard
Airports:
4 (2010) country comparison to the world: 186
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 3
under 914 m: 3 (2010)
Heliports:
1 (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Barentsburg, Longyearbyen, Ny-Alesund, Pyramiden
Military ::Svalbard
Military branches:
no regular military forces
Military - note:
Svalbard is a territory of Norway, demilitarized by treaty on 9 February 1920; Norwegian military activity is limited to fisheries surveillance by the Norwegian Coast Guard
Transnational Issues ::Svalbard
Disputes - international:
despite recent discussions, Russia and Norway dispute their maritime limits in the Barents Sea and Russia's fishing rights beyond Svalbard's territorial limits within the Svalbard Treaty zone
page last updated on January 11, 2011
======================================================================
@Swaziland (Africa)
Introduction ::Swaziland
Background:
Autonomy for the Swazis of southern Africa was guaranteed by the British in the late 19th century; independence was granted in 1968. Student and labor unrest during the 1990s pressured King MSWATI III, the world's last absolute monarch, to grudgingly allow political reform and greater democracy, although he has backslid on these promises in recent years. A constitution came into effect in 2006, but political parties remain banned. The African United Democratic Party tried unsuccessfully to register as an official political party in mid 2006. Talks over the constitution broke down between the government and progressive groups in 2007. Swaziland recently surpassed Botswana as the country with the world's highest known HIV/AIDS prevalence rate.
Geography ::Swaziland
Location:
Southern Africa, between Mozambique and South Africa
Geographic coordinates:
26 30 S, 31 30 E
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 17,364 sq km country comparison to the world: 158 land: 17,204 sq km
water: 160 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than New Jersey
Land boundaries:
total: 535 km
border countries: Mozambique 105 km, South Africa 430 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
varies from tropical to near temperate
Terrain:
mostly mountains and hills; some moderately sloping plains
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Great Usutu River 21 m
highest point: Emlembe 1,862 m
Natural resources:
asbestos, coal, clay, cassiterite, hydropower, forests, small gold and diamond deposits, quarry stone, and talc
Land use:
arable land: 10.25%
permanent crops: 0.81%
other: 88.94% (2005)
Irrigated land:
500 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
4.5 cu km (1987)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 1.04 cu km/yr (2%/1%/97%)
per capita: 1,010 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
drought
Environment - current issues:
limited supplies of potable water; wildlife populations being depleted because of excessive hunting; overgrazing; soil degradation; soil erosion
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - note:
landlocked; almost completely surrounded by South Africa
People ::Swaziland
Population:
1,354,051 country comparison to the world: 152 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2010 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 38.6% (male 260,840/female 254,781)
15-64 years: 57.9% (male 383,236/female 391,478)
65 years and over: 3.5% (male 19,857/female 26,994) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 20.1 years
male: 19.7 years
female: 20.5 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.213% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 102
Birth rate:
27.12 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 51
Death rate:
14.99 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 13
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population country comparison to the world: 107
Urbanization:
urban population: 25% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 66.71 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 23 male: 70.76 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 62.54 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 47.97 years country comparison to the world: 218 male: 48.14 years
female: 47.8 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.19 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 58
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
26.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 1
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
190,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 33
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
10,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 32
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne disease: malaria
water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Swazi(s)
adjective: Swazi
Ethnic groups:
African 97%, European 3%
Religions:
Zionist 40% (a blend of Christianity and indigenous ancestral worship), Roman Catholic 20%, Muslim 10%, other (includes Anglican, Bahai, Methodist, Mormon, Jewish) 30%
Languages:
English (official, government business conducted in English), siSwati (official)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 81.6%
male: 82.6%
female: 80.8% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 10 years
male: 11 years
female: 10 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
7.9% of GDP (2008) country comparison to the world: 13
Government ::Swaziland
Country name:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Swaziland
conventional short form: Swaziland
local long form: Umbuso weSwatini
local short form: eSwatini
Government type:
monarchy
Capital:
name: Mbabane
geographic coordinates: 26 18 S, 31 06 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
note: Lobamba (royal and legislative capital)
Administrative divisions:
4 districts; Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini, Shiselweni
Independence:
6 September 1968 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 6 September (1968)
Constitution:
signed by the King in July 2005; went into effect on 8 February 2006
Legal system:
based on South African Roman-Dutch law in statutory courts and Swazi traditional law and custom in traditional courts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age
Executive branch:
chief of state: King MSWATI III (since 25 April 1986)
head of government: Prime Minister Barnabas Sibusiso DLAMINI (since 16 October 2008)
cabinet: Cabinet recommended by the prime minister and confirmed by the monarch (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch from among the elected members of the House of Assembly
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament or Libandla consists of the Senate (30 seats; 10 members appointed by the House of Assembly and 20 appointed by the monarch; members to serve five-year terms) and the House of Assembly (65 seats; 10 members appointed by the monarch and 55 elected by popular vote; members to serve five-year terms)
elections: House of Assembly - last held on 19 September 2008 (next to be held in 2013)
election results: House of Assembly - balloting is done on a nonparty basis; candidates for election nominated by the local council of each constituency and for each constituency the three candidates with the most votes in the first round of voting are narrowed to a single winner by a second round
Judicial branch:
High Court; Supreme Court; judges for both courts are appointed by the monarch
Political parties and leaders:
the status of political parties, previously banned, is unclear under the 2006 Constitution and currently being debated; the following are considered political associations; African United Democratic Party or AUDP [Stanley MAUNDZISA, president]; Imbokodvo National Movement or INM; Ngwane National Liberatory Congress or NNLC [Obed DLAMINI, president]; People's United Democratic Movement or PUDEMO [Mario MASUKU, president]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Swaziland Democracy Campaign; Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions; Swaziland and Solidarity Network or SSN
International organization participation:
ACP, AfDB, AU, C, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Abednigo Mandla NTSHANGASE
chancery: 1712 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 234-5002
FAX: [1] (202) 234-8254
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Earl M. IRVING
embassy: 2350 Mbabane Place, Mbabane
mailing address: P. O. Box 199, Mbabane
telephone: [268] 404-2445
FAX: [268] 404-2059
Flag description:
three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width), and blue; the red band is edged in yellow; centered in the red band is a large black and white shield covering two spears and a staff decorated with feather tassels, all placed horizontally; blue stands for peace and stability, red represents past struggles, and yellow the mineral resources of the country; the shield, spears, and staff symbolize protection from the country's enemies, while the black and white of the shield are meant to portray black and white people living in peaceful coexistence
National anthem:
name: "Nkulunkulu Mnikati wetibusiso temaSwati" (Oh God, Bestower of the Blessings of the Swazi)
lyrics/music: Andrease Enoke Fanyana SIMELANE/David Kenneth RYCROFT
note: adopted 1968; the anthem uses elements of both ethnic Swazi and Western music styles
Economy ::Swaziland
Economy - overview:
In this small, landlocked economy, subsistence agriculture occupies approximately 70% of the population. The manufacturing sector has diversified since the mid-1980s. Sugar and wood pulp remain important foreign exchange earners. In 2007, the sugar industry increased efficiency and diversification efforts, in response to a 17% decline in EU sugar prices. Mining has declined in importance in recent years with only coal and quarry stone mines remaining active. Surrounded by South Africa, except for a short border with Mozambique, Swaziland is heavily dependent on South Africa from which it receives more than nine-tenths of its imports and to which it sends 60% of its exports. Swaziland's currency is pegged to the South African rand, subsuming Swaziland's monetary policy to South Africa. Customs duties from the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) account for two-thirds of Swaziland's government revenues, and worker remittances from South Africa substantially supplement domestically earned income. Customs revenues plummeted during the global economic crisis and Swaziland has appealed to SACU for assistance. With an estimated 40% unemployment rate, Swaziland's need to increase the number and size of small and medium enterprises and attract foreign direct investment is acute. Overgrazing, soil depletion, drought, and sometimes floods persist as problems for the future. More than one-fourth of the population needed emergency food aid in 2006-07 because of drought, and more than one-quarter of the adult population has been infected by HIV/AIDS.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$6.055 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 155 $5.937 billion (2009 est.)
$5.913 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$3.165 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
2% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 150 0.4% (2009 est.)
2.4% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$4,500 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 154 $4,400 (2009 est.)
$4,500 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 8.6%
industry: 42%
services: 49.4% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
457,900 (2007) country comparison to the world: 156
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Unemployment rate:
40% (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 188
Population below poverty line:
69% (2006)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 1.6%
highest 10%: 40.7% (2001)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
50.4 (2001) country comparison to the world: 22
Investment (gross fixed):
12.6% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 144
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 7.3% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
6.5% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 39 11% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
11.38% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 49 14.83% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$335.7 million (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 163 $273.9 million (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$1.266 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 153 $920.7 million (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$258.5 million (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 171 $274.5 million (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 108 $203.1 million (31 December 2007)
$199.9 million (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
sugarcane, cotton, corn, tobacco, rice, citrus, pineapples, sorghum, peanuts; cattle, goats, sheep
Industries:
coal, wood pulp, sugar, soft drink concentrates, textiles and apparel
Industrial production growth rate:
1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 147
Electricity - production:
441 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 161
Electricity - consumption:
1.266 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 144
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008)
Electricity - imports:
770 million kWh; note - electricity supplied by South Africa (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 128
Oil - consumption:
4,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 172
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 171
Oil - imports:
4,100 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 166
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 117
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 123
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 172
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 117
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 127
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 129
Current account balance:
-$374 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 -$213 million (2009 est.)
Exports:
$1.417 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 139 $1.338 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
soft drink concentrates, sugar, wood pulp, cotton yarn, refrigerators, citrus and canned fruit
Imports:
$1.643 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 158 $1.585 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
motor vehicles, machinery, transport equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$708 million (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 115 $959 million (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$497 million (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 161 $411 million (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$NA
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$NA
Exchange rates:
emalangeni per US dollar - 7.57 (2010), 8.4737 (2009), 7.75 (2008), 7.4 (2007), 6.85 (2006)
Communications ::Swaziland
Telephones - main lines in use:
44,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 165
Telephones - mobile cellular:
656,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 154
Telephone system:
general assessment: a somewhat modern but not an advanced system
domestic: single source for mobile-cellular service with a geographic coverage of about 90% and a rising subscribership base; combined fixed-line and mobile cellular teledensity exceeded 60 telephones per 100 persons in 2009; telephone system consists of carrier-equipped, open-wire lines and low-capacity, microwave radio relay
international: country code - 268; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2009)
Broadcast media:
state-owned TV station; satellite dishes are able to access South African providers; state-owned radio network with 3 channels; 1 private radio station (2007)
Internet country code:
.sz
Internet hosts:
2,335 (2010) country comparison to the world: 152
Internet users:
90,100 (2009) country comparison to the world: 162
Transportation ::Swaziland
Airports:
15 (2010) country comparison to the world: 146
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 2
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 13
914 to 1,523 m: 6
under 914 m: 7 (2010)
Railways:
total: 301 km country comparison to the world: 121 narrow gauge: 301 km 1.067-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 3,594 km country comparison to the world: 160 paved: 1,078 km
unpaved: 2,516 km (2002)
Military ::Swaziland
Military branches:
Umbutfo Swaziland Defense Force (USDF): Ground Force (includes Air Wing) (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
18-30 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; no conscription; only HIV-negative applicants accepted; compulsory HIV testing required (2010)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 336,436 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 196,633
females age 16-49: 172,602 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 16,024
female: 15,630 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
4.7% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 18
Transnational Issues ::Swaziland
Disputes - international:
in 2006, Swazi king advocates resort to ICJ to claim parts of Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal from South Africa
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Swaziland is a source, destination, and transit country for women and children trafficked internally and transnationally for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, and forced labor in agriculture; Swazi girls, particularly orphans, are trafficked internally for commercial sexual exploitation and domestic servitude, as well as to South Africa and Mozambique; Swazi boys are trafficked for forced labor in commercial agriculture and market vending; some Swazi women are forced into prostitution in South Africa and Mozambique after voluntarily migrating to these countries in search of work
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - the government of Swaziland does not comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government believes that trafficking probably does occur, but does not know the extent of the problem; the government does not judge trafficking to be an "important" problem and chooses to direct its limited resources towards other issues, a judgment which significantly limited the government's current efforts to eliminate human trafficking, or to plan anti-trafficking activities or initiatives for the future (2010)
page last updated on January 19, 2011
======================================================================
@Sweden (Europe)
Introduction ::Sweden
Background:
A military power during the 17th century, Sweden has not participated in any war for almost two centuries. An armed neutrality was preserved in both World Wars. Sweden's long-successful economic formula of a capitalist system interlarded with substantial welfare elements was challenged in the 1990s by high unemployment and in 2000-02 and 2009 by the global economic downturns, but fiscal discipline over the past several years has allowed the country to weather economic vagaries. Sweden joined the EU in 1995, but the public rejected the introduction of the euro in a 2003 referendum.
Geography ::Sweden
Location:
Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, Kattegat, and Skagerrak, between Finland and Norway
Geographic coordinates:
62 00 N, 15 00 E
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 450,295 sq km country comparison to the world: 55 land: 410,335 sq km
water: 39,960 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than California
Land boundaries:
total: 2,233 km
border countries: Finland 614 km, Norway 1,619 km
Coastline:
3,218 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm (adjustments made to return a portion of straits to high seas)
exclusive economic zone: agreed boundaries or midlines
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:
temperate in south with cold, cloudy winters and cool, partly cloudy summers; subarctic in north
Terrain:
mostly flat or gently rolling lowlands; mountains in west
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: reclaimed bay of Lake Hammarsjon, near Kristianstad -2.4 m
highest point: Kebnekaise 2,111 m
Natural resources:
iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, gold, silver, tungsten, uranium, arsenic, feldspar, timber, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 5.93%
permanent crops: 0.01%
other: 94.06% (2005)
Irrigated land:
1,150 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
179 cu km (2005)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 2.68 cu km/yr (37%/54%/9%)
per capita: 296 cu m/yr (2002)
Natural hazards:
ice floes in the surrounding waters, especially in the Gulf of Bothnia, can interfere with maritime traffic
Environment - current issues:
acid rain damage to soils and lakes; pollution of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea
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-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
strategic location along Danish Straits linking Baltic and North Seas
People ::Sweden
Population:
9,074,055 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 89
Age structure:
0-14 years: 15.7% (male 733,597/female 692,194)
15-64 years: 65.5% (male 3,003,358/female 2,927,038)
65 years and over: 18.8% (male 753,293/female 950,171) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 41.7 years
male: 40.6 years
female: 42.9 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.16% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 184
Birth rate:
10.14 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 192
Death rate:
10.2 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 52
Net migration rate:
1.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 45
Urbanization:
urban population: 85% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.061 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 2.74 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 220 male: 2.9 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 2.57 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 80.97 years country comparison to the world: 14 male: 78.69 years
female: 83.4 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.67 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 172
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 126
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
6,200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 120
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 100 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 148
Nationality:
noun: Swede(s)
adjective: Swedish
Ethnic groups:
indigenous population: Swedes with Finnish and Sami minorities; foreign-born or first-generation immigrants: Finns, Yugoslavs, Danes, Norwegians, Greeks, Turks
Religions:
Lutheran 87%, other (includes Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim, Jewish, and Buddhist) 13%
Languages:
Swedish (official), small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99%
male: 99%
female: 99% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 16 years
male: 15 years
female: 16 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
6.7% of GDP (2007) country comparison to the world: 28
Government ::Sweden
Country name:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Sweden
conventional short form: Sweden
local long form: Konungariket Sverige
local short form: Sverige
Government type:
constitutional monarchy
Capital:
name: Stockholm
geographic coordinates: 59 20 N, 18 03 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
21 counties (lan, singular and plural); Blekinge, Dalarna, Gavleborg, Gotland, Halland, Jamtland, Jonkoping, Kalmar, Kronoberg, Norrbotten, Orebro, Ostergotland, Skane, Sodermanland, Stockholm, Uppsala, Varmland, Vasterbotten, Vasternorrland, Vastmanland, Vastra Gotaland
Independence:
6 June 1523 (Gustav VASA elected king)
National holiday:
Swedish Flag Day, 6 June (1916); National Day, 6 June (1983)
Constitution:
1 January 1975
Legal system:
civil law system influenced by customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: King CARL XVI GUSTAF (since 19 September 1973); Heir Apparent Princess VICTORIA Ingrid Alice Desiree, daughter of the monarch (born 14 July 1977)
head of government: Prime Minister Fredrik REINFELDT (since 5 October 2006); Deputy Prime Minister Jan BJORKLUND (since 5 October 2010)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually becomes the prime minister
Legislative branch:
unicameral Parliament or Riksdag (349 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional representation basis to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 19 September 2010 (next to be held in September 2014)
election results: percent of vote by party - Social Democrats 30.7%, Moderates 30.1%, Greens 7.3%, Liberal People's Party 7.1%, Center Party 6.6%, Sweden Democrats 5.7%, Christian Democrats 5.6%, Left Party 5.6%; seats by party - Social Democrats 112, Moderates 107, Greens 25, Liberal People's Party 24, Center Party 23, Sweden Democrats 20, Christian Democrats 19, Left Party 19
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court or Hogsta Domstolen (judges are appointed by the prime minister and the cabinet)
Political parties and leaders:
Center Party [Maud OLOFSSON]; Christian Democratic Party [Goran HAGGLUND]; Environment Party the Greens [no formal leader but party spokespersons are Maria WETTERSTRAND and Peter ERIKSSON]; Left Party or V (formerly Communist) [Lars OHLY]; Liberal People's Party [Jan BJORKLUND]; Moderate Party [Fredrik REINFELDT]; Social Democratic Party [Mona SAHLIN]; Sweden Democrats [Jimmie AKESSON]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Children's Rights in Society; Swedish Confederation of Professional Employees or TCO; Swedish Federation of Trade Unions or LO
other: media
International organization participation:
ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUSCO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNMOGIP, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Jonas HAFSTROM
chancery: The House of Sweden, 2900 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone: [1] (202) 467-2600
FAX: [1] (202) 467-2699
consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Matthew W. BARZUN
embassy: Dag Hammarskjolds Vag 31, SE-11589 Stockholm
mailing address: American Embassy Stockholm, US Department of State, 5750 Stockholm Place, Washington, DC 20521-5750
telephone: [46] (08) 783 53 00
FAX: [46] (08) 661 19 64
Flag description:
blue with a golden yellow cross extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag); the colors reflect those of the Swedish coat of arms - three gold crowns on a blue field
National anthem:
name: "Du Gamla, Du Fria" (Thou Ancient, Thou Free)
lyrics/music: Richard DYBECK/traditional
note: in use since 1844; the anthem, also known as "Sang till Norden" (Song of the North), is based on a Swedish folk tune; it has never been officially adopted by the government; "Kungssangen" (The King's Song) serves as the royal anthem and is played in the presence of the royal family and during certain state ceremonies
Economy ::Sweden
Economy - overview:
Aided by peace and neutrality for the whole of the 20th century, Sweden has achieved an enviable standard of living under a mixed system of high-tech capitalism and extensive welfare benefits. It has a modern distribution system, excellent internal and external communications, and a skilled labor force. In September 2003, Swedish voters turned down entry into the euro system concerned about the impact on the economy and sovereignty. Timber, hydropower, and iron ore constitute the resource base of an economy heavily oriented toward foreign trade. Privately owned firms account for about 90% of industrial output, of which the engineering sector accounts for 50% of output and exports. Agriculture accounts for little more than 1% of GDP and of employment. Until 2008, Sweden was in the midst of a sustained economic upswing, boosted by increased domestic demand and strong exports. This and robust finances offered the center-right government considerable scope to implement its reform program aimed at increasing employment, reducing welfare dependence, and streamlining the state's role in the economy. Despite strong finances and underlying fundamentals, the Swedish economy slid into recession in the third quarter of 2008 and growth continued downward in 2009 as deteriorating global conditions reduced export demand and consumption. Strong exports of commodities and a return to profitability by Sweden's banking sector drove the strong rebound in 2010.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$354 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 33 $340.1 billion (2009 est.)
$358.4 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$444.6 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
4.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 -5.1% (2009 est.)
-0.6% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$39,000 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 23 $37,500 (2009 est.)
$39,600 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 1.7%
industry: 26.1%
services: 72.2% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
4.93 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 76
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 1.1%
industry: 28.2%
services: 70.7% (2008 est.)
Unemployment rate:
8.3% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 8.3% (2009 est.)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 3.6%
highest 10%: 22.2% (2000)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
23 (2005) country comparison to the world: 134 25 (1992)
Investment (gross fixed):
18.1% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 108
Public debt:
40.8% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 41.6% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1.4% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 -0.3% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
2% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 111 3.5% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
NA% (31 December 2009 est.)
NA% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$225 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 17 $205.2 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$293.2 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 28 $260.3 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$640.2 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 $583.8 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$432.3 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 22 $252.5 billion (31 December 2008)
$612.5 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
barley, wheat, sugar beets; meat, milk
Industries:
iron and steel, precision equipment (bearings, radio and telephone parts, armaments), wood pulp and paper products, processed foods, motor vehicles
Industrial production growth rate:
8% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 30
Electricity - production:
144 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 25
Electricity - consumption:
134.5 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 23
Electricity - exports:
14.71 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
12.75 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
4,833 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 94
Oil - consumption:
328,100 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 38
Oil - exports:
248,500 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 46
Oil - imports:
589,900 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 22
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 116
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 122
Natural gas - consumption:
1.229 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 87
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 116
Natural gas - imports:
1.229 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 53
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 128
Current account balance:
$21.68 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 $30.23 billion (2009 est.)
Exports:
$162.6 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 27 $133.3 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
machinery 35%, motor vehicles, paper products, pulp and wood, iron and steel products, chemicals
Exports - partners:
Norway 10.61%, Germany 10.2%, UK 7.45%, Denmark 7.35%, Finland 6.44%, US 6.36%, France 5.05%, Netherlands 4.67% (2009)
Imports:
$158.6 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 26 $120.5 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, motor vehicles, iron and steel; foodstuffs, clothing
Imports - partners:
Germany 17.9%, Denmark 8.9%, Norway 8.7%, Netherlands 6.17%, UK 5.56%, Finland 5.14%, France 5.06%, China 4.79% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$NA (31 December 2010 est.)
$47.29 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$853.3 billion (30 June 2010) country comparison to the world: 16 $617.3 billion (31 December 2008)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$321.4 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 $304.5 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$383.9 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 13 $367.4 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates:
Swedish kronor (SEK) per US dollar - 7.5077 (2010), 7.6529 (2009), 6.4074 (2008), 6.7629 (2007), 7.3731 (2006)
Communications ::Sweden
Telephones - main lines in use:
5.146 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 31
Telephones - mobile cellular:
11.426 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 60
Telephone system:
general assessment: highly developed telecommunications infrastructure; ranked among leading countries for fixed-line, mobile-cellular, Internet and broadband penetration
domestic: coaxial and multiconductor cables carry most of the voice traffic; parallel microwave radio relay systems carry some additional telephone channels
international: country code - 46; submarine cables provide links to other Nordic countries and Europe; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Eutelsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Sweden shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Norway)
Broadcast media:
publicly-owned television broadcaster operates 2 terrestrial networks plus regional stations; multiple privately-owned television broadcasters operating nationally, regionally, and locally; about 50 local TV stations; widespread access to pan-Nordic and international broadcasters through multi-channel cable and satellite TV systems; publicly-owned radio broadcaster operates 3 national stations and a network of 25 regional channels; nearly a hundred privately-owned local radio stations with some consolidating into near national networks; an estimated 900 community and neighborhood radio stations broadcast intermittently (2008)
Internet country code:
.se
Internet hosts:
4.396 million (2010) country comparison to the world: 20
Internet users:
8.398 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 33
Transportation ::Sweden
Airports:
249 (2010) country comparison to the world: 26
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 152
over 3,047 m: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 12
1,524 to 2,437 m: 76
914 to 1,523 m: 25
under 914 m: 36 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 97
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 92 (2010)
Heliports:
2 (2010)
Pipelines:
gas 786 km (2009)
Railways:
total: 11,633 km country comparison to the world: 20 standard gauge: 11,568 km 1.435-m gauge (7,531 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 65 km 1.000-m gauge (65 km electrified) (2008)
Roadways:
total: 572,900 km (includes 1,855 km of expressways) country comparison to the world: 12 note: (includes 98,400 km of state roads, 433,500 km of private roads, and 41,000 km of muncipal roads; 215,700 km of these are open to public traffic) (2009)
Waterways:
2,052 km (2010) country comparison to the world: 43
Merchant marine:
total: 163 country comparison to the world: 39 by type: bulk carrier 4, cargo 20, carrier 1, chemical tanker 31, passenger 5, passenger/cargo 37, petroleum tanker 12, roll on/roll off 32, vehicle carrier 21
foreign-owned: 46 (Denmark 15, Estonia 3, Finland 16, Germany 3, Ireland 1, Italy 5, Norway 3)
registered in other countries: 194 (Antigua and Barbuda 1, Bahamas 6, Barbados 6, Bermuda 17, Cook Islands 3, Cyprus 5, Denmark 16, Faroe Islands 5, France 6, Germany 1, Gibraltar 12, Isle of Man 1, Italy 1, Liberia 10, Malta 3, Netherlands 18, former Netherlands Antilles 1, Norway 33, Panama 1, Portugal 6, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2, Singapore 9, UK 25, US 5, unknown 1) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Brofjorden, Goteborg, Helsingborg, Karlshamn, Lulea, Malmo, Stockholm, Trelleborg, Visby
Military ::Sweden
Military branches:
Swedish Armed Forces (Forsvarsmakten): Army (Armen), Royal Swedish Navy (Marinen), Swedish Air Force (Svenska Flygvapnet) (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
18-47 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; service obligation: 7.5 months (Army), 7-15 months (Navy), 8-12 months (Air Force); the Swedish Parliament has abolished compulsory military service, with exclusively voluntary recruitment as of July 2010; conscription remains an option in emergencies; after completing initial service, soldiers have a reserve commitment until age 47 (2010)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 2,065,782
females age 16-49: 1,995,451 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,709,592
females age 16-49: 1,649,875 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 58,937
female: 56,225 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.5% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 98
Transnational Issues ::Sweden
Disputes - international:
none
page last updated on January 20, 2011
======================================================================
@Switzerland (Europe)
Introduction ::Switzerland
Background:
The Swiss Confederation was founded in 1291 as a defensive alliance among three cantons. In succeeding years, other localities joined the original three. The Swiss Confederation secured its independence from the Holy Roman Empire in 1499. A constitution of 1848, subsequently modified in 1874, replaced the confederation with a centralized federal government. Switzerland's sovereignty and neutrality have long been honored by the major European powers, and the country was not involved in either of the two World Wars. The political and economic integration of Europe over the past half century, as well as Switzerland's role in many UN and international organizations, has strengthened Switzerland's ties with its neighbors. However, the country did not officially become a UN member until 2002. Switzerland remains active in many UN and international organizations but retains a strong commitment to neutrality.
Geography ::Switzerland
Location:
Central Europe, east of France, north of Italy
Geographic coordinates:
47 00 N, 8 00 E
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 41,277 sq km country comparison to the world: 135 land: 39,997 sq km
water: 1,280 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey
Land boundaries:
total: 1,852 km
border countries: Austria 164 km, France 573 km, Italy 740 km, Liechtenstein 41 km, Germany 334 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
temperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy winters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers
Terrain:
mostly mountains (Alps in south, Jura in northwest) with a central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Lake Maggiore 195 m
highest point: Dufourspitze 4,634 m
Natural resources:
hydropower potential, timber, salt
Land use:
arable land: 9.91%
permanent crops: 0.58%
other: 89.51% (2005)
Irrigated land:
250 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
53.3 cu km (2005)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 2.52 cu km/yr (24%/74%/2%)
per capita: 348 cu m/yr (2002)
Natural hazards:
avalanches, landslides; flash floods
Environment - current issues:
air pollution from vehicle emissions and open-air burning; acid rain; water pollution from increased use of agricultural fertilizers; loss of biodiversity
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - note:
landlocked; crossroads of northern and southern Europe; along with southeastern France, northern Italy, and southwestern Austria, has the highest elevations in the Alps
People ::Switzerland
Population:
7,623,438 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 94
Age structure:
0-14 years: 15.6% (male 616,561/female 571,610)
15-64 years: 68.1% (male 2,609,673/female 2,567,245)
65 years and over: 16.3% (male 514,761/female 724,617) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 41.3 years
male: 40.3 years
female: 42.4 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.223% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 180
Birth rate:
9.56 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 204
Death rate:
8.65 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 83
Net migration rate:
1.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 49
Urbanization:
urban population: 73% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.054 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female
total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 4.12 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 203 male: 4.58 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 3.64 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 80.97 years country comparison to the world: 15 male: 78.14 years
female: 83.95 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.46 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 192
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.6% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 68
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
25,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 74
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 500 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 92
Nationality:
noun: Swiss (singular and plural)
adjective: Swiss
Ethnic groups:
German 65%, French 18%, Italian 10%, Romansch 1%, other 6%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 41.8%, Protestant 35.3%, Muslim 4.3%, Orthodox 1.8%, other Christian 0.4%, other 1%, unspecified 4.3%, none 11.1% (2000 census)
Languages:
German (official) 63.7%, French (official) 20.4%, Italian (official) 6.5%, Serbo-Croatian 1.5%, Albanian 1.3%, Portuguese 1.2%, Spanish 1.1%, English 1%, Romansch (official) 0.5%, other 2.8% (2000 census)
note: German, French, Italian, and Romansch are all national and official languages
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99%
male: 99%
female: 99% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 16 years
male: 16 years
female: 15 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
5.3% of GDP (2007) country comparison to the world: 53
Government ::Switzerland
Country name:
conventional long form: Swiss Confederation
conventional short form: Switzerland
local long form: Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft (German); Confederation Suisse (French); Confederazione Svizzera (Italian); Confederaziun Svizra (Romansh)
local short form: Schweiz (German); Suisse (French); Svizzera (Italian); Svizra (Romansh)
Government type:
formally a confederation but similar in structure to a federal republic
Capital:
name: Bern
geographic coordinates: 46 57 N, 7 26 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
26 cantons, singular - canton in French; cantoni, singular - cantone in Italian; Kantone, singular - Kanton in German); Aargau, Appenzell Ausser-Rhoden, Appenzell Inner-Rhoden, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Bern, Fribourg, Geneve, Glarus, Graubunden, Jura, Luzern, Neuchatel, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Sankt Gallen, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Solothurn, Thurgau, Ticino, Uri, Valais, Vaud, Zug, Zurich
note: 6 of the cantons - Appenzell Ausser-Rhoden, Appenzell-Inner-Rhoden, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Nidwalden, Obwalden - are styled half cantons because they elect only one member to the Council of States and, in popular referendums where a majority of popular votes and a majority of cantonal votes are required, these six cantons only have a half vote
Independence:
1 August 1291 (founding of the Swiss Confederation)
National holiday:
Founding of the Swiss Confederation, 1 August (1291)
Constitution:
revision of Constitution of 1874 approved by the Federal Parliament 18 December 1998, adopted by referendum 18 April 1999, officially entered into force 1 January 2000
Legal system:
civil law system influenced by customary law; judicial review of legislative acts, except with respect to federal decrees of general obligatory character; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President of the Swiss Confederation Micheline CALMY-REY (since 1 January 2011); Vice President Eveline WIDMER-SCHLUMPF (since 1 January 2011); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government representing the Federal Council; the Federal Council is the formal chief of state and head of government whose council members, rotating in one-year terms as federal president, represent the Council
head of government: President of the Swiss Confederation Micheline CALMY-REY (since 1 January 2011); Vice President Eveline WIDMER-SCHLUMPF (since 1 January 2011)
cabinet: Federal Council or Bundesrat (in German), Conseil Federal (in French), Consiglio Federale (in Italian) is elected by the Federal Assembly usually from among its members for a four-year term (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president and vice president elected by the Federal Assembly from among the members of the Federal Council for a one-year term (they may not serve consecutive terms); election last held on 8 December 2010 (next to be held in early December 2011)
election results: Micheline CALMY-REY elected president; number of Federal Assembly votes - 106 of 189; Eveline WIDMER-SCHLUMPF elected vice president; current Vice President Eveline WIDMER-SCHLUMPF is slated to become president on 1 January 2012
Legislative branch:
bicameral Federal Assembly or Bundesversammlung (in German), Assemblee Federale (in French), Assemblea Federale (in Italian) consists of the Council of States or Standerat (in German), Conseil des Etats (in French), Consiglio degli Stati (in Italian) (46 seats; membership consists of 2 representatives from each canton and 1 from each half canton; members serve four-year terms) and the National Council or Nationalrat (in German), Conseil National (in French), Consiglio Nazionale (in Italian) (200 seats; members elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation serve four-year terms)
elections: Council of States - last held in most cantons in October 2007 (each canton determines when the next election will be held); National Council - last held on 21 October 2007 (next to be held in October 2011)
election results: Council of States - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CVP 15, FDP 12, SVP 7, SPS 9, other 3; National Council - percent of vote by party - SVP 29%, SPS 19.5%, FDP 15.6%, CVP 14.6%, Greens 9.6%, other 11.7%; seats by party - SVP 62, SPS 43, FDP 31, CVP 31, Green Party 20, other small parties 13
Judicial branch:
Federal Supreme Court (judges elected for six-year terms by the Federal Assembly)
Political parties and leaders:
Green Party (Gruene Partei der Schweiz or Gruene, Parti Ecologiste Suisse or Les Verts, Partito Ecologista Svizzero or I Verdi, Partida Ecologica Svizra or La Verda) [Ueli LEUENBERGER]; Christian Democratic People's Party (Christlichdemokratische Volkspartei der Schweiz or CVP, Parti Democrate-Chretien Suisse or PDC, Partito Democratico-Cristiano Popolare Svizzero or PDC, Partida Cristiandemocratica dalla Svizra or PCD) [Christophe DARBELLAY]; Free Democratic Party or FDP.The Liberals (FDP.Die Liberalen, PLR.Les Liberaux-Radicaux, PLR.I Liberali) [Fulvio PELLI]; Social Democratic Party (Sozialdemokratische Partei der Schweiz or SPS, Parti Socialist Suisse or PSS, Partito Socialista Svizzero or PSS, Partida Socialdemocratica de la Svizra or PSS) [Christian LEVRAT]; Swiss People's Party (Schweizerische Volkspartei or SVP, Union Democratique du Centre or UDC, Unione Democratica de Centro or UDC, Uniun Democratica dal Center or UDC) [Toni BRUNNER]; and other minor parties
Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA
International organization participation:
ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Australia Group, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EFTA, ESA, FAO, FATF, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MONUSCO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMIS, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Manuel SAGER
chancery: 2900 Cathedral Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 745-7900
FAX: [1] (202) 387-2564
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco
consulate(s): Boston
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Donald S. BEYER, Jr.
embassy: Sulgeneckstrasse 19, CH-3007 Bern
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [41] (031) 357 70 11
FAX: [41] (031) 357 73 44
Flag description:
red square with a bold, equilateral white cross in the center that does not extend to the edges of the flag; various medieval legends purport to describe the origin of the flag; a white cross used as identification for troops of the Swiss Confederation is first attested at the Battle of Laupen (1339)
National anthem:
name: "Schweizerpsalm" [German] "Cantique Suisse" [French] "Salmo svizzero," [Italian] "Psalm svizzer" [Romansch] (Swiss Psalm)
lyrics/music: Leonhard WIDMER [German], Charles CHATELANAT [French], Camillo VALSANGIACOMO [Italian], and Flurin CAMATHIAS [Romansch]/Alberik ZWYSSIG
note: unofficially adopted 1961, official adoption 1981; the anthem has been popular in a number of Swiss cantons since its composition (in German) in 1841; translated into the other three official languages of the country (French, Italian, and Romansch), it is official in each of those languages
Economy ::Switzerland
Economy - overview:
Switzerland is a peaceful, prosperous, and modern market economy with low unemployment, a highly skilled labor force, and a per capita GDP among the highest in the world. Switzerland's economy benefits from a highly developed service sector, led by financial services, and a manufacturing industry that specializes in high-technology, knowledge-based production. The Swiss have brought their economic practices largely into conformity with the EU's, in order to enhance their international competitiveness, but some trade protectionism remains, particularly for its small agricultural sector. The global financial crisis and resulting economic downturn put Switzerland in a recession in 2009 as global export demand stalled. The Swiss National Bank during this period effectively implemented a zero-interest rate policy in a bid to boost the economy and prevent appreciation of the franc. Switzerland's economy grew 2.8% in 2010, when Bern implemented a third fiscal stimulus program, but its prized banking sector has recently faced significant challenges. The country's largest banks suffered sizable losses in 2008-09, leading its largest bank to accept a government rescue deal in late 2008. Switzerland has also come under increasing pressure from individual neighboring countries, the EU, the US, and international institutions to reform its banking secrecy laws. Consequently, the government agreed to conform to OECD regulations on administrative assistance in tax matters, including tax evasion. The government has renegotiated its double taxation agreements with numerous countries, including the US, to incorporate the OECD standard, and it is working with Germany and the UK to resolve outsanding issues, particularly the possibility of imposing taxes on bank deposits held by foreigners. Parliament passed the first five double-taxation agreements, including that with the US, in March 2010, but the agreements are subject to public referendum. In 2009, Swiss financial regulators ordered the country's largest bank to reveal at Washington's behest the names of US account-holders suspected of using the bank to commit tax fraud. These steps will have a lasting impact on Switzerland's long history of bank secrecy.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$326.9 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 37 $318 billion (2009 est.)
$324.1 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$522.4 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
2.8% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 132 -1.9% (2009 est.)
1.9% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$42,900 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 $41,800 (2009 est.)
$42,800 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 1.3%
industry: 27.5%
services: 71.2% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
4.13 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 87
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 3.8%
industry: 23.9%
services: 72.3% (2009)
Unemployment rate:
3.9% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 3.7% (2009 est.)
Population below poverty line:
7.4% (2009)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 7.5%
highest 10%: 19% (2007)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
33.7 (2008) country comparison to the world: 93 33.1 (1992)
Investment (gross fixed):
19.9% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 89
Public debt:
39.6% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 40.5% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
0.7% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 14 -0.5% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
0.05% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 140 0.05% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
2.75% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 154 3.34% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$384.2 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 11 $334.9 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$834.6 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 19 $764.9 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$992.6 billion (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 $923.1 billion (31 December 2008)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$1.071 trillion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 12 $862.7 billion (31 December 2008)
$1.275 trillion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
grains, fruits, vegetables; meat, eggs
Industries:
machinery, chemicals, watches, textiles, precision instruments, tourism, banking, and insurance
Industrial production growth rate:
2.7% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 117
Electricity - production:
59.1 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 42
Electricity - consumption:
62 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 40
Electricity - exports:
49.9 billion kWh (2009 est.)
Electricity - imports:
46.6 billion kWh (2009 est.)
Oil - production:
3,488 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 100
Oil - consumption:
280,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 46
Oil - exports:
12,230 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 94
Oil - imports:
269,400 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 38
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 115
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 121
Natural gas - consumption:
3.282 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 71
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 115
Natural gas - imports:
3.282 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 39
Natural gas - proved reserves:
NA cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
Current account balance:
$49.35 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 $54.01 billion (2009 est.)
Exports:
$235.2 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 20 $208.5 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
machinery, chemicals, metals, watches, agricultural products
Exports - partners:
Germany 20.98%, US 9.09%, France 8.62%, Italy 8.08%, Austria 5.38% (2009)
Imports:
$220.4 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 20 $192.8 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery, chemicals, vehicles, metals; agricultural products, textiles
Imports - partners:
Germany 27.19%, Italy 10.42%, US 9.61%, France 7.69%, Netherlands 4.35% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$NA (31 December 2010 est.)
$135.3 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$1.19 trillion (30 June 2010) country comparison to the world: 13 $1.305 trillion (31 December 2008)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$514 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 $496.8 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$814.6 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 8 $806.5 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates:
Swiss francs (CHF) per US dollar - 1.0723 (2010), 1.0881 (2009), 1.0774 (2008), 1.1973 (2007), 1.2539 (2006)
Communications ::Switzerland
Telephones - main lines in use:
4.65 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 32
Telephones - mobile cellular:
9.255 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 69
Telephone system:
general assessment: highly developed telecommunications infrastructure with excellent domestic and international services
domestic: ranked among leading countries for fixed-line teledensity and infrastructure; mobile-cellular subscribership roughly 120 per 100 persons; extensive cable and microwave radio relay networks
international: country code - 41; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean)
Broadcast media:
the publicly-owned radio and television broadcaster, Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SRG/SSR), operates 7 national television networks, 3 broadcasting in German, 2 in Italian, and 2 in French; private commercial television stations broadcast regionally and locally; television broadcasts from stations in Germany, Italy, and France are widely accessed using multi-channel cable and satellite TV services; SRG/SSR operates 18 radio stations that, along with private broadcasters, provide national to local coverage (2008)
Internet country code:
.ch
Internet hosts:
4.816 million (2010) country comparison to the world: 17
Internet users:
6.152 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 42
Transportation ::Switzerland
Airports:
65 (2010) country comparison to the world: 76
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 42
over 3,047 m: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 14
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 17 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 23
under 914 m: 23 (2010)
Heliports:
1 (2010)
Pipelines:
gas 1,662 km; oil 94 km; refined products 7 km (2009)
Railways:
total: 4,888 km country comparison to the world: 36 standard gauge: 3,397 km 1.435-m gauge (3,142 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 1,481 km 1.000-m gauge (1,378 km electrified); 10 km 0.800-m gauge (10 km electrified) (2008)
Roadways:
total: 71,384 km country comparison to the world: 66 paved: 71,384 km (includes 1,793 of expressways) (2009)
Waterways:
65 km; (Rhine River between Basel-Rheinfelden and Schaffhausen-Bodensee) (2008) country comparison to the world: 103
Merchant marine:
total: 35 country comparison to the world: 81 by type: bulk carrier 15, cargo 9, chemical tanker 6, container 4, petroleum tanker 1
registered in other countries: 109 (Antigua and Barbuda 7, Bahamas 2, Cayman Islands 1, France 5, Germany 1, Italy 6, Liberia 17, Luxembourg 1, Malta 14, Marshall Islands 12, NZ 2, Panama 22, Portugal 3, Russia 4, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 5, Singapore 4, Spain 1, Tonga 1, Tuvalu 1) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Basel
Military ::Switzerland
Military branches:
Swiss Armed Forces: Land Forces, Swiss Air Force (Schweizer Luftwaffe) (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
19-26 years of age for male compulsory military service; 18 years of age for voluntary male and female military service; every Swiss male has to serve at least 260 days in the armed forces; conscripts receive 18 weeks of mandatory training, followed by seven 3-week intermittent recalls for training during the next 10 years (2010)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,839,382
females age 16-49: 1,797,317 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,502,736
females age 16-49: 1,468,785 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 47,043
female: 43,033 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
1% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 130
Transnational Issues ::Switzerland
Disputes - international:
none
Illicit drugs:
a major international financial center vulnerable to the layering and integration stages of money laundering; despite significant legislation and reporting requirements, secrecy rules persist and nonresidents are permitted to conduct business through offshore entities and various intermediaries; transit country for and consumer of South American cocaine, Southwest Asian heroin, and Western European synthetics; domestic cannabis cultivation and limited ecstasy production
page last updated on January 20, 2011
======================================================================
@Syria (Middle East)
Introduction ::Syria
Background:
Following World War I, France acquired a mandate over the northern portion of the former Ottoman Empire province of Syria. The French administered the area as Syria until granting it independence in 1946. The new country lacked political stability, however, and experienced a series of military coups during its first decades. Syria united with Egypt in February 1958 to form the United Arab Republic. In September 1961, the two entities separated, and the Syrian Arab Republic was reestablished. In November 1970, Hafiz al-ASAD, a member of the Socialist Ba'th Party and the minority Alawite sect, seized power in a bloodless coup and brought political stability to the country. In the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, Syria lost the Golan Heights to Israel. During the 1990s, Syria and Israel held occasional peace talks over its return. Following the death of President al-ASAD, his son, Bashar al-ASAD, was approved as president by popular referendum in July 2000. Syrian troops - stationed in Lebanon since 1976 in an ostensible peacekeeping role - were withdrawn in April 2005. During the July-August 2006 conflict between Israel and Hizballah, Syria placed its military forces on alert but did not intervene directly on behalf of its ally Hizballah. In May 2007 Bashar al-ASAD was elected to his second term as president.
Geography ::Syria
Location:
Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Lebanon and Turkey
Geographic coordinates:
35 00 N, 38 00 E
Map references:
Middle East
Area:
total: 185,180 sq km country comparison to the world: 88 land: 183,630 sq km
water: 1,550 sq km
note: includes 1,295 sq km of Israeli-occupied territory
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than North Dakota
Land boundaries:
total: 2,253 km
border countries: Iraq 605 km, Israel 76 km, Jordan 375 km, Lebanon 375 km, Turkey 822 km
Coastline:
193 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
Climate:
mostly desert; hot, dry, sunny summers (June to August) and mild, rainy winters (December to February) along coast; cold weather with snow or sleet periodically in Damascus
Terrain:
primarily semiarid and desert plateau; narrow coastal plain; mountains in west
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: unnamed location near Lake Tiberias -200 m
highest point: Mount Hermon 2,814 m
Natural resources:
petroleum, phosphates, chrome and manganese ores, asphalt, iron ore, rock salt, marble, gypsum, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 24.8%
permanent crops: 4.47%
other: 70.73% (2005)
Irrigated land:
13,330 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
46.1 cu km (1997)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 19.95 cu km/yr (3%/2%/95%)
per capita: 1,048 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
dust storms, sandstorms
volcanism: Syria's two historically active volcanoes, Es Safa and an unnamed volcano near the Turkish border have not erupted in centuries
Environment - current issues:
deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; water pollution from raw sewage and petroleum refining wastes; inadequate potable water
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification
Geography - note:
there are 41 Israeli settlements and civilian land use sites in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights (2010 est.)
People ::Syria
Population:
22,198,110 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 note: approximately 19,100 Israeli settlers live in the Golan Heights (2008 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 36.4% (male 4,063,367/female 3,864,099)
15-64 years: 59.9% (male 6,628,644/female 6,406,864)
65 years and over: 3.7% (male 372,172/female 427,832) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 21.5 years
male: 21.3 years
female: 21.7 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.954% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 61
Birth rate:
24.44 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 67
Death rate:
3.7 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 211
Net migration rate:
-1.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population country comparison to the world: 162
Urbanization:
urban population: 54% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 3.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female
total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 16.14 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 117 male: 18.55 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 13.57 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 74.46 years country comparison to the world: 95 male: 72.1 years
female: 76.96 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.02 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 65
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.1% (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 156
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
fewer than 500 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 149
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 200 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 116
Nationality:
noun: Syrian(s)
adjective: Syrian
Ethnic groups:
Arab 90.3%, Kurds, Armenians, and other 9.7%
Religions:
Sunni Muslim 74%, other Muslim (includes Alawite, Druze) 16%, Christian (various denominations) 10%, Jewish (tiny communities in Damascus, Al Qamishli, and Aleppo)
Languages:
Arabic (official); Kurdish, Armenian, Aramaic, Circassian widely understood; French, English somewhat understood
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 79.6%
male: 86%
female: 73.6% (2004 census)
Education expenditures:
4.9% of GDP (2007) country comparison to the world: 77
Government ::Syria
Country name:
conventional long form: Syrian Arab Republic
conventional short form: Syria
local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Arabiyah as Suriyah
local short form: Suriyah
former: United Arab Republic (with Egypt)
Government type:
republic under an authoritarian regime
Capital:
name: Damascus
geographic coordinates: 33 30 N, 36 18 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Friday in April; ends last Friday in October
Administrative divisions:
14 provinces (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Hasakah, Al Ladhiqiyah (Latakia), Al Qunaytirah, Ar Raqqah, As Suwayda', Dar'a, Dayr az Zawr, Dimashq, Halab, Hamah, Hims, Idlib, Rif Dimashq (Damascus), Tartus
Independence:
17 April 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under French administration)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 17 April (1946)
Constitution:
13 March 1973
Legal system:
based on a combination of French and Ottoman civil law; Islamic law is used in the family court system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Bashar al-ASAD (since 17 July 2000); Vice President Farouk al-SHARA (since 11 February 2006) oversees foreign policy; Vice President Najah al-ATTAR (since 23 March 2006) oversees cultural policy
head of government: Prime Minister Muhammad Naji al-UTRI (since 10 September 2003); Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Abdallah al-DARDARI (since 14 June 2005)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president approved by popular referendum for a second seven-year term (no term limits); referendum last held on 27 May 2007 (next to be held in May 2014); the president appoints the vice presidents, prime minister, and deputy prime ministers
election results: Bashar al-ASAD approved as president; percent of vote - Bashar al-ASAD 97.6%
Legislative branch:
unicameral People's Council or Majlis al-Shaab (250 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 22-23 April 2007 (next to be held in 2011)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NPF 172, independents 78
Judicial branch:
Supreme Judicial Council (appoints and dismisses judges; headed by the president); national level - Supreme Constitutional Court (adjudicates electoral disputes and rules on constitutionality of laws and decrees; justices appointed for four-year terms by the president); Court of Cassation; Appeals Courts (Appeals Courts represent an intermediate level between the Court of Cassation and local level courts); local level - Magistrate Courts; Courts of First Instance; Juvenile Courts; Customs Courts; specialized courts - Economic Security Courts (hear cases related to economic crimes); Supreme State Security Court (hear cases related to national security); Personal Status Courts (religious; hear cases related to marriage and divorce)
Political parties and leaders:
legal parties: National Progressive Front or NPF [President Bashar al-ASAD, Dr. Suleiman QADDAH] (includes Arab Socialist Renaissance (Ba'th) Party [President Bashar al-ASAD]; Socialist Unionist Democratic Party [Fadlallah Nasr Al-DIN]; Syrian Arab Socialist Union or ASU [Safwan al-QUDSI]; Syrian Communist Party (two branches) [Wissal Farha BAKDASH, Yusuf Rashid FAYSAL]; Syrian Social Nationalist Party [As'ad HARDAN]; Unionist Socialist Party [Fayez ISMAIL])
opposition parties not legally recognized: Communist Action Party [Fateh al-JAMOUS]; National Democratic Rally [Hasan ABDUL-AZIM, spokesman] (includes five parties - Arab Democratic Socialist Union Party [Hasan ABDUL-AZIM], Arab Socialist Movement, Democratic Ba'th Party [Ibrahim MAKHOS], Democratic People's Party [Riad al TURK], Revolutionary Workers' Party [Abdul Hafez al HAFEZ])
Kurdish parties (considered illegal): Azadi Party [Kheirudin MURAD]; Future Party [Masha'l TAMMO]; Kurdish Democratic Alliance (includes four parties); Kurdish Democratic Front (includes three parties); Yekiti Party [Fu'ad ALEYKO]
other parties: Syrian Democratic Party [Mustafa QALAAJI]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Arab Human Rights Organization in Syria or AHRO; Damascus Declaration Group (a broad alliance of secular, religious, and Kurdish opposition groups); National Salvation Front (alliance between former Vice President Abd al-Halim KHADDAM and other small opposition groups in exile; formerly included the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood); Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression [Mazin DARWISH]; Syrian Human Rights Organization [Muhanad al-HASANI]; Syrian Human Rights Society or HRAS [Fayez FAWAZ]; Syrian Muslim Brotherhood or SMB [Muhammad Riyad al-SHAQFAH] (operates in exile in London)
International organization participation:
ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Imad MOUSTAPHA
chancery: 2215 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 232-6313
FAX: [1] (202) 265-4585
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Charles (Chuck) F. HUNTER
embassy: Abou Roumaneh, Al-Mansour Street, No. 2, Damascus
mailing address: P. O. Box 29, Damascus
telephone: [963] (11) 3391-4444
FAX: [963] (11) 3391-3999
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black; two small, green, five-pointed stars in a horizontal line centered in the white band; the band colors derive from the Arab Liberation flag and represent oppression (black), overcome through bloody struggle (red), to be replaced by a bright future (white); identical to the former flag of the United Arab Republic (1958-1961) where the two stars represented the constituent states of Syria and Egypt; the current design dates to 1980
note: similar to the flag of Yemen, which has a plain white band, Iraq, which has an Arabic inscription centered in the white band, and that of Egypt, which has a gold Eagle of Saladin centered in the white band
National anthem:
name: "Humat ad-Diyar" (Guardians of the Homeland)
lyrics/music: Khalil Mardam BEY/Mohammad Salim FLAYFEL and Ahmad Salim FLAYFEL
note: adopted 1936, restored 1961; between 1958 and 1961, while Syria was a member of the United Arab Republic with Egypt, the country had a different anthem
Economy ::Syria
Economy - overview:
Syrian economic growth slowed to 1.8% in 2009 as the global economic crisis affected oil prices and the economies of Syria's key export partners and sources of investment. Damascus has implemented modest economic reforms in the past few years, including cutting lending interest rates, opening private banks, consolidating all of the multiple exchange rates, raising prices on some subsidized items, most notably gasoline and cement, and establishing the Damascus Stock Exchange - which began operations in 2009. In addition, President ASAD signed legislative decrees to encourage corporate ownership reform, and to allow the Central Bank to issue Treasury bills and bonds for government debt. Nevertheless, the economy remains highly controlled by the government. Long-run economic constraints include declining oil production, high unemployment, rising budget deficits, and increasing pressure on water supplies caused by heavy use in agriculture, rapid population growth, industrial expansion, and water pollution.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$106.4 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 $102.4 billion (2009 est.)
$97.48 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$59.63 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
4% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 83 5% (2009 est.)
4.3% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$4,800 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 151 $4,700 (2009 est.)
$4,600 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 17.6%
industry: 26.8%
services: 55.6% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
5.527 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 69
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 17%
industry: 16%
services: 67% (2008 est.)
Unemployment rate:
8.3% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 95 8.5% (2009 est.)
Population below poverty line:
11.9% (2006 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Investment (gross fixed):
16.6% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 121
Public debt:
29.8% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 28.1% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
5.9% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 159 2.6% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
5% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 88 5% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
10.04% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 87 10.19% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$21.6 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 62 $19.53 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$161 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 43 $147.5 billion (31 December 2008)
Stock of domestic credit:
$27.14 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 $23.58 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
wheat, barley, cotton, lentils, chickpeas, olives, sugar beets; beef, mutton, eggs, poultry, milk
Industries:
petroleum, textiles, food processing, beverages, tobacco, phosphate rock mining, cement, oil seeds crushing, car assembly
Industrial production growth rate:
6% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 54
Electricity - production:
36.5 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 58
Electricity - consumption:
27.35 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 63
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
1.4 billion kWh (2007)
Oil - production:
400,400 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 33
Oil - consumption:
252,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 50
Oil - exports:
155,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 55
Oil - imports:
58,710 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 80
Oil - proved reserves:
2.5 billion bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 33
Natural gas - production:
6.04 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 47
Natural gas - consumption:
6.18 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 56
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 114
Natural gas - imports:
140 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 65
Natural gas - proved reserves:
240.7 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 43
Current account balance:
$649 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 $394 million (2009 est.)
Exports:
$12.84 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 $11.76 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
crude oil, minerals, petroleum products, fruits and vegetables, cotton fiber, textiles, clothing, meat and live animals, wheat
Exports - partners:
Iraq 30.22%, Lebanon 12.21%, Germany 8.89%, Egypt 6.8%, Saudi Arabia 5.04%, Italy 4.55% (2009)
Imports:
$13.57 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 $12.62 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and transport equipment, electric power machinery, food and livestock, metal and metal products, chemicals and chemical products, plastics, yarn, paper
Imports - partners:
Saudi Arabia 10.1%, China 9.95%, Turkey 6.97%, Egypt 6.44%, UAE 4.97%, Italy 4.93%, Russia 4.92%, Germany 4.38%, Lebanon 4.12% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$17.96 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 41 $17.44 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$7.682 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 93 $7.359 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates:
Syrian pounds (SYP) per US dollar - 46.456 (2010), 46.7082 (2009), 46.5281 (2008), 50.0085 (2007), 51.689 (2006)
Communications ::Syria
Telephones - main lines in use:
3.871 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 41
Telephones - mobile cellular:
9.697 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 66
Telephone system:
general assessment: fair system currently undergoing significant improvement and digital upgrades, including fiber-optic technology and expansion of the network to rural areas
domestic: the number of fixed-line connections has increased markedly since 2000; mobile-cellular service growing with telephone subscribership reaching nearly 50 per 100 persons in 2009
international: country code - 963; submarine cable connection to Egypt, Lebanon, and Cyprus; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region); coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey; participant in Medarabtel
Broadcast media:
state-run television and radio broadcast networks; state operates 2 TV networks and a satellite channel; roughly two-thirds of Syrian homes have a satellite dish providing access to foreign TV broadcasts; 3 state-run radio channels; first private radio station launched in 2005; private radio broadcasters prohibited from transmitting news or political content (2007)
Internet country code:
.sy
Internet hosts:
8,114 (2010) country comparison to the world: 133
Internet users:
4.469 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 52
Transportation ::Syria
Airports:
104 (2010) country comparison to the world: 57
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 29
over 3,047 m: 5
2,438 to 3,047 m: 15
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 5 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 75
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 15
under 914 m: 59 (2010)
Heliports:
7 (2010)
Pipelines:
gas 3,101 km; oil 1,997 km (2009)
Railways:
total: 2,052 km country comparison to the world: 72 standard gauge: 1,801 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge: 251 km 1.050-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 97,401 km country comparison to the world: 45 paved: 19,490 km (includes 1,103 km of expressways)
unpaved: 77,911 km (2006)
Waterways:
900 km (navigable not economically significant) (2010) country comparison to the world: 69
Merchant marine:
total: 41 country comparison to the world: 77 by type: bulk carrier 7, cargo 30, carrier 3, container 1
foreign-owned: 5 (Jordan 2, Lebanon 2, Romania 1)
registered in other countries: 199 (Barbados 1, Belize 2, Bolivia 4, Cambodia 22, Comoros 6, Cyprus 1, Dominica 2, Georgia 35, Lebanon 3, Liberia 1, Libya 2, Malta 5, Moldova 3, North Korea 6, Panama 42, Saint Kitts and Nevis 5, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 13, Sierra Leone 20, Togo 5, unknown 8) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Baniyas, Latakia, Tartus
Military ::Syria
Military branches:
Syrian Armed Forces: Syrian Arab Army, Syrian Arab Navy, Syrian Arab Air and Air Defense Forces (includes Air Defense Command) (2008)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 21 months (18 months in the Syrian Arab Navy); women are not conscripted but may volunteer to serve (2010)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 5,766,853
females age 16-49: 5,540,828 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 4,948,802
females age 16-49: 4,786,596 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 253,578
female: 241,777 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
5.9% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 11
Transnational Issues ::Syria
Disputes - international:
Golan Heights is Israeli-occupied with the almost 1,000-strong UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) patrolling a buffer zone since 1964; lacking a treaty or other documentation describing the boundary, portions of the Lebanon-Syria boundary are unclear with several sections in dispute; since 2000, Lebanon has claimed Shab'a Farms in the Golan Heights; 2004 Agreement and pending demarcation settles border dispute with Jordan; approximately two million Iraqis have fled the conflict in Iraq with the majority taking refuge in Syria and Jordan
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 1-1.4 million (Iraq); 522,100 (Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA))
IDPs: 305,000 (most displaced from Golan Heights during 1967 Arab-Israeli War) (2007)
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Syria is a destination and transit country for women and children trafficked for commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor; a significant number of women and children in the large and expanding Iraqi refugee community in Syria are reportedly forced into commercial sexual exploitation by Iraqi gangs or, in some cases, their families; women from Indonesia, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Ethiopia, and Sierra Leone are recruited for work in Syria as domestic servants, but some face conditions of involuntary servitude, including long hours, non-payment of wages, withholding of passports, restrictions on movement, threats, and physical or sexual abuse
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Syria again failed to report any law enforcement efforts to punish trafficking offenses in 2007; in addition, the government did not offer protection services to victims of trafficking and may have arrested, prosecuted, or deported some victims for prostitution or immigration violations; Syria has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2008)
Illicit drugs:
a transit point for opiates, hashish, and cocaine bound for regional and Western markets; weak anti-money-laundering controls and bank privatization may leave it vulnerable to money laundering
page last updated on January 20, 2011
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@Taiwan (East & Southeast Asia)
Introduction ::Taiwan
Background:
In 1895, military defeat forced China to cede Taiwan to Japan. Taiwan reverted to Chinese control after World War II. Following the Communist victory on the mainland in 1949, 2 million Nationalists fled to Taiwan and established a government using the 1947 constitution drawn up for all of China. Over the next five decades, the ruling authorities gradually democratized and incorporated the local population within the governing structure. In 2000, Taiwan underwent its first peaceful transfer of power from the Nationalist to the Democratic Progressive Party. Throughout this period, the island prospered and became one of East Asia's economic "Tigers." The dominant political issues continue to be the relationship between Taiwan and China - specifically the question of Taiwan's eventual status - as well as domestic political and economic reform.
Geography ::Taiwan
Location:
Eastern Asia, islands bordering the East China Sea, Philippine Sea, South China Sea, and Taiwan Strait, north of the Philippines, off the southeastern coast of China
Geographic coordinates:
23 30 N, 121 00 E
Map references:
Southeast Asia
Area:
total: 35,980 sq km country comparison to the world: 138 land: 32,260 sq km
water: 3,720 sq km
note: includes the Pescadores, Matsu, and Quemoy islands
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Maryland and Delaware combined
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
1,566.3 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical; marine; rainy season during southwest monsoon (June to August); cloudiness is persistent and extensive all year
Terrain:
eastern two-thirds mostly rugged mountains; flat to gently rolling plains in west
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: South China Sea 0 m
highest point: Yu Shan 3,952 m
Natural resources:
small deposits of coal, natural gas, limestone, marble, and asbestos
Land use:
arable land: 24%
permanent crops: 1%
other: 75% (2001)
Irrigated land:
NA
Total renewable water resources:
67 cu km (2000)
Natural hazards:
earthquakes; typhoons
volcanism: Kueishantao Island (elev. 401 m, 1,316 ft), east of Taiwan, is its only historically active volcano, although it has not erupted in centuries
Environment - current issues:
air pollution; water pollution from industrial emissions, raw sewage; contamination of drinking water supplies; trade in endangered species; low-level radioactive waste disposal
Environment - international agreements:
party to: none of the selected agreements because of Taiwan's international status
Geography - note:
strategic location adjacent to both the Taiwan Strait and the Luzon Strait
People ::Taiwan
Population:
23,024,956 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 49
Age structure:
0-14 years: 16.7% (male 1,996,905/female 1,844,611)
15-64 years: 72.6% (male 8,416,300/female 8,267,675)
65 years and over: 10.7% (male 1,183,382/female 1,265,474) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 37 years
male: 36.4 years
female: 37.7 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.213% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 183
Birth rate:
8.97 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 211
Death rate:
6.87 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 143
Net migration rate:
0.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 70
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.086 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.92 male(s)/female
total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 5.26 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 184 male: 5.53 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 4.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 78.15 years country comparison to the world: 50 male: 75.34 years
female: 81.2 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.15 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 221
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Taiwan (singular and plural)
note: example - he or she is from Taiwan; they are from Taiwan
adjective: Taiwan
Ethnic groups:
Taiwanese (including Hakka) 84%, mainland Chinese 14%, indigenous 2%
Religions:
mixture of Buddhist and Taoist 93%, Christian 4.5%, other 2.5%
Languages:
Mandarin Chinese (official), Taiwanese (Min), Hakka dialects
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 96.1%
male: NA
female: NA (2003)
Education expenditures:
NA
Government ::Taiwan
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Taiwan
local long form: none
local short form: Taiwan
former: Formosa
Government type:
multiparty democracy
Capital:
name: Taipei
geographic coordinates: 25 03 N, 121 30 E
time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
includes main island of Taiwan plus smaller islands nearby and off coast of China's Fujian Province; Taiwan is divided into 18 counties (hsien, singular and plural), 5 municipalities (shih, singular and plural), and 2 special municipalities (chih-hsia-shih, singular and plural)
note: Taiwan uses a variety of romanization systems; while a modified Wade-Giles system still dominates, the city of Taipei has adopted a Pinyin romanization for street and place names within its boundaries; other local authorities use different romanization systems; names for administrative divisions that follow are taken from the Taiwan Yearbook 2007 published by the Government Information Office in Taipei.
counties: Changhua, Chiayi (county), Hsinchu (county), Hualien, Kaohsiung (county), Kinmen, Lienchiang, Miaoli, Nantou, Penghu, Pingtung, Taichung (county), Tainan (county), Taipei (county), Taitung, Taoyuan, Yilan, and Yunlin
municipalities: Chiayi (city), Hsinchu (city), Keelung, Taichung (city), Tainan (city)
special municipalities: Kaohsiung (city), Taipei (city)
National holiday:
Republic Day (Anniversary of the Chinese Revolution), 10 October (1911)
Constitution:
adopted on 25 December 1946; promulgated on 1 January 1947; effective 25 December 1947; amended numerous times
Legal system:
based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
20 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President MA Ying-jeou (since 20 May 2008); Vice President Vincent SIEW (since 20 May 2008)
head of government: Premier (President of the Executive Yuan) WU Den-yih (since 10 September 2009); Vice Premier (Vice President of Executive Yuan) Sean CHEN (since 17 May 2010)
cabinet: Executive Yuan - (ministers appointed by president on recommendation of premier) (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held on 22 March 2008 (next to be held in March 2012); premier appointed by the president; vice premiers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the premier
election results: MA Ying-jeou elected president; percent of vote - MA Ying-jeou 58.45%, Frank HSIEH 41.55%
Legislative branch:
unicameral Legislative Yuan (113 seats - 73 district members elected by popular vote, 34 at-large members elected on basis of proportion of islandwide votes received by participating political parties, 6 elected by popular vote among aboriginal populations; members to serve four-year terms); parties must receive 5% of vote to qualify for at-large seats
elections: Legislative Yuan - last held on 12 January 2008 (next to be held in December 2011 or January 2012)
election results: Legislative Yuan - percent of vote by party - KMT 53.5%, DPP 38.2%, NPSU 2.4%, PFP 0.3%, others 1.6%, independents 4%; seats by party - KMT 81, DPP 27, NPSU 3, PFP 1, independent 1; note - following the 2008 elections, several rounds of byelections were held to fill seats vacated as a result of corruption changes; seats by party as of December 2010 - KMT 74, DPP 33, NPSU 3, independent 2, vacant 1
Judicial branch:
Judicial Yuan (justices appointed by the president with consent of the Legislative Yuan)
Political parties and leaders:
Democratic Progressive Party or DPP [TSAI Ing-wen]; Kuomintang or KMT (Nationalist Party) [MA Ying-jeou]; Non-Partisan Solidarity Union or NPSU [LIN Pin-kuan]; People First Party or PFP [James SOONG]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
environmental groups; independence movement; various business groups
note: debate on Taiwan independence has become acceptable within the mainstream of domestic politics on Taiwan; public opinion polls consistently show a substantial majority of Taiwan people supports maintaining Taiwan's status quo for the foreseeable future; advocates of Taiwan independence oppose the stand that the island will eventually unify with mainland China; advocates of eventual unification predicate their goal on the democratic transformation of the mainland
International organization participation:
ADB, APEC, BCIE, ICC, IOC, ITUC, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none; commercial and cultural relations with the people in the United States are maintained through an unofficial instrumentality, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO), a private nonprofit corporation that performs citizen and consular services similar to those at diplomatic posts
representative: Jason C. YUAN
office: 4201 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016
telephone: [1] 202 895-1800
Taipei Economic and Cultural Offices (branch offices): Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Guam, Houston, Honolulu, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Seattle
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none; commercial and cultural relations with the people on Taiwan are maintained through an unofficial instrumentality, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), a private nonprofit corporation that performs citizen and consular services similar to those at diplomatic posts
director: William A. STANTON
office: #7 Lane 134, Hsin Yi Road, Section 3, Taipei, Taiwan
telephone: [1] [886] (02) 2162-2000
FAX: [1] [886] (07) 238-7744
other offices: Kaohsiung
Flag description:
red field with a dark blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a white sun with 12 triangular rays; the blue and white design of the canton (symbolizing the sun of progress) dates to 1895; it was later adopted as the flag of the Kuomintang Party; blue signifies liberty, justice, and democracy; red stands for fraternity, sacrifice, and nationaliam, white represents equality, frankness, and the people's livelihood; the 12 rays of the sun are those of the months and the twelve traditional Chinese hours (each ray equals two hours)
note: somewhat resembles the flag of Burma
National anthem:
name: "Zhonghua Minguo guoge" (National Anthem of the Republic of China)
lyrics/music: HU Han-min, TAI Chi-t'ao, and LIAO Chung-k'ai/CHENG Mao-Yun
note: adopted 1930; the anthem is also the song of the Kuomintang Party; it is informally known as "San Min Cau I" (Three Principles of the People); because of political pressure from China, "Guo qi ee" (National Banner Song) is used at international events rather than the official anthem of Taiwan; the "National Banner Song" has gained popularity in Taiwan and is commonly used during flag raisings
Economy ::Taiwan
Economy - overview:
Taiwan has a dynamic capitalist economy with gradually decreasing government guidance of investment and foreign trade. In keeping with this trend, some large, state-owned banks and industrial firms have been privatized. Exports, led by electronics and machinery, generate about 70% of Taiwan's GDP growth, and have provided the primary impetus for economic development. This heavy dependence on exports makes the economy vulnerable to downturns in world demand. In 2009, Taiwan's GDP fell by 1.9%, due primarily to a 20% year-on-year decline in exports. GDP grew more than 8% in 2010, as exports returned to the level of previous years. Taiwan's diplomatic isolation, low birth rate, and rapidly aging population are major long-term challenges. Free trade agreements have proliferated in East Asia over the past several years, but so far Taiwan has been excluded from this greater economic integration, largely for reasons of diplomacy. Taiwan's birth rate of only 1.2 child per woman is among the lowest in the world, raising the prospect of future labor shortages, falling domestic demand, and declining tax revenues. Taiwan's population is aging quickly, with the number of people over 65 accounting for 10.8% of the island's total population as of the end of 2009. The island runs a large trade surplus, and its foreign reserves are the world's fourth largest, behind China, Japan, and Russia. Since President MA Ying-jeou took office in May 2008, cross-Strait economic ties have increased significantly. Since 2005 China has overtaken the US to become Taiwan's second-largest source of imports after Japan. China is also the island's number one destination for foreign direct investment. Taipei has focused much of its economic recovery effort on improving cross-Strait economic integration. Three financial memorandums of understanding, covering banking, securities, and insurance, took effect in mid-January 2010, opening the island to greater investments from the Mainland's financial firms and institutional investors, and providing new opportunities for Taiwan financial firms to operate in China. Taiwan and the mainland in June 2010 signed the landmark Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA), an agreement similar to a free-trade agreement deal that will increase cross-Strait economic ties by lowering tariffs on a number of goods. Taiwan's goverment has said that the ECFA will serve as a stepping stone toward trade pacts with other regional partners and announced the beginning of negotiations on such an agreement with Singapore in August.