Y (continued 7)

International organization participation:

AfDB (nonregional member), BIS, CAN (associate), CPLP, FAO, FATF, G-15, G-20, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, LAS (observer), Mercosur, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Paris Club (associate), PCA, RG, SICA (observer), UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Mauro Luiz Iecker VIEIRA

chancery: 3006 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

note: temporary address - 1025 Thomas Jefferson St. NW, Suite 300 W, Washington, DC 20007

telephone: [1] (202) 238-2805

FAX: [1] (202) 238-2827

consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas A. SHANNON

embassy: Avenida das Nacoes, Quadra 801, Lote 3, Distrito Federal Cep 70403-900, Brasilia

mailing address: Unit 7500, DPO, AA 34030

telephone: [55] (61) 3312-7000

FAX: [55] (61) 3225-9136

consulate(s) general: Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo

consulate(s): Recife

Flag description:

green with a large yellow diamond in the center bearing a blue celestial globe with 27 white five-pointed stars; the globe has a white equatorial band with the motto ORDEM E PROGRESSO (Order and Progress); the current flag was inspired by the banner of the former Empire of Brazil (1822-1889); on the imperial flag, the green represented the House of Braganza of Pedro I, the first Emperor of Brazil, while the yellow stood for the Habsburg Family of his wife; on the modern flag the green represents the forests of the country and the yellow rhombus its mineral wealth; the blue circle and stars, which replaced the coat of arms of the original flag, depict the sky over Rio de Janeiro on the morning of 15 November 1889 - the day the Republic of Brazil was declared; the number of stars has changed with the creation of new states and has risen from an original 21 to the current 27 (one for each state and the Federal District)

National anthem:

name: "Hino Nacional Brasileiro" (Brazilian National Anthem)

lyrics/music: Joaquim Osorio Duque ESTRADA/Francisco Manoel DA SILVA

note: music adopted 1890, lyrics adopted 1922; the anthem's music, composed in 1822, was used unofficially for many years before it was adopted

Economy ::Brazil

Economy - overview:

Characterized by large and well-developed agricultural, mining, manufacturing, and service sectors, Brazil's economy outweighs that of all other South American countries, and Brazil is expanding its presence in world markets. Since 2003, Brazil has steadily improved its macroeconomic stability, building up foreign reserves, and reducing its debt profile by shifting its debt burden toward real denominated and domestically held instruments. In 2008, Brazil became a net external creditor and two ratings agencies awarded investment grade status to its debt. After record growth in 2007 and 2008, the onset of the global financial crisis hit Brazil in September 2008. Brazil experienced two quarters of recession, as global demand for Brazil's commodity-based exports dwindled and external credit dried up. However, Brazil was one of the first emerging markets to begin a recovery. Consumer and investor confidence revived and GDP growth returned to positive in 2010, boosted by an export recovery. Brazil's strong growth and high interest rates make it an attractive destination for foreign investors. Large capital inflows over the past year have contributed to the rapid appreciation of its currency and led the government to raise taxes on some foreign investments. President Dilma ROUSSEFF has pledged to retain the previous administration's commitment to inflation targeting by the Central Bank, a floating exchange rate, and fiscal restraint.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$2.194 trillion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 8 $2.041 trillion (2009 est.)

$2.045 trillion (2008 est.)

note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):

$2.024 trillion (2010 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

7.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 -0.2% (2009 est.)

5.1% (2008 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$10,900 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 104 $10,300 (2009 est.)

$10,400 (2008 est.)

note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 6.1%

industry: 26.4%

services: 67.5% (2010 est.)

Labor force:

103.6 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 6

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: 20%

industry: 14%

services: 66% (2003 est.)

Unemployment rate:

7% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 8.1% (2009 est.)

Population below poverty line:

26% (2008)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: 1.1%

highest 10%: 43% (2007)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

56.7 (2005) country comparison to the world: 10 60.7 (1998)

Investment (gross fixed):

18.5% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 105

Public debt:

60.8% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 59.5% of GDP (2009 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

4.9% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 140 4.9% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate:

15.17% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 9 20.48% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate:

44.65% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 2 47.25% (31 December 2008 est.)

Stock of narrow money:

$165.8 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 21 $125.3 billion (31 December 2009 est)

Stock of broad money:

$1.522 trillion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 11 $972.8 billion (31 December 2008)

Stock of domestic credit:

$2.104 trillion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 $1.542 trillion (31 December 2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares:

$1.167 trillion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 15 $589.4 billion (31 December 2008)

$1.37 trillion (31 December 2007)

Agriculture - products:

coffee, soybeans, wheat, rice, corn, sugarcane, cocoa, citrus; beef

Industries:

textiles, shoes, chemicals, cement, lumber, iron ore, tin, steel, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, other machinery and equipment

Industrial production growth rate:

11.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 10

Electricity - production:

438.8 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 10

Electricity - consumption:

404.3 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 10

Electricity - exports:

2.034 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - imports:

42.06 billion kWh; note - supplied by Paraguay (2008 est.)

Oil - production:

2.572 million bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 9

Oil - consumption:

2.46 million bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 7

Oil - exports:

570,100 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 27

Oil - imports:

632,900 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 21

Oil - proved reserves:

13.2 billion bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 17

Natural gas - production:

10.28 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 41

Natural gas - consumption:

18.72 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 36

Natural gas - exports:

NA (2009 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

8.44 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 25

Natural gas - proved reserves:

364.2 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 36

Current account balance:

-$52.73 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 186 -$24.3 billion (2009 est.)

Exports:

$199.7 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 23 $153 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities:

transport equipment, iron ore, soybeans, footwear, coffee, autos

Exports - partners:

China 12.49%, US 10.5%, Argentina 8.4%, Netherlands 5.39%, Germany 4.05% (2009)

Imports:

$187.7 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 22 $127.7 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery, electrical and transport equipment, chemical products, oil, automotive parts, electronics

Imports - partners:

US 16.12%, China 12.61%, Argentina 8.77%, Germany 7.65%, Japan 4.3% (2009)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$290.9 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 5 $238.5 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Debt - external:

$310.8 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 25 $273.7 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:

$349.2 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 13 $319.9 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:

$131 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 22 $117.4 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Exchange rates:

reals (BRL) per US dollar - 1.77 (2010), 1.9976 (2009), 1.8644 (2008), 1.85 (2007), 2.1761 (2006)

Communications ::Brazil

Telephones - main lines in use:

41.497 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 6

Telephones - mobile cellular:

173.959 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 5

Telephone system:

general assessment: good working system including an extensive microwave radio relay system and a domestic satellite system with 64 earth stations; mobile-cellular usage has more than tripled in the past 5 years

domestic: fixed-line connections have remained relatively stable in recent years and stand at about 20 per 100 persons; less expensive mobile-cellular technology has been a major driver in expanding telephone service to the lower-income segments of the population with mobile-cellular teledensity approaching 90 per 100 persons in 2009

international: country code - 55; landing point for a number of submarine cables, including Americas-1, Americas-2, Atlantis-2, GlobeNet, South Amrica-1, South American Crossing/Latin American Nautilius, and UNISUR that provide direct connectivity to South and Central America, the Caribbean, the US, Africa, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region east), connected by microwave relay system to Mercosur Brazilsat B3 satellite earth station (2009)

Broadcast media:

state-run Radiobras operates a radio and a television network; more than 1,000 radio stations and more than 100 TV channels operating - mostly privately owned; private media ownership highly concentrated (2007)

Internet country code:

.br

Internet hosts:

19.316 million (2010) country comparison to the world: 5

Internet users:

75.982 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 4

Transportation ::Brazil

Airports:

4,072 (2010) country comparison to the world: 2

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 726

over 3,047 m: 7

2,438 to 3,047 m: 28

1,524 to 2,437 m: 176

914 to 1,523 m: 460

under 914 m: 55 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 3,346

1,524 to 2,437 m: 87

914 to 1,523 m: 1,617

under 914 m: 1,642 (2010)

Heliports:

13 (2010)

Pipelines:

condensate/gas 62 km; gas 9,989 km; liquid petroleum gas 353 km; oil 4,517 km; refined products 4,465 km (2009)

Railways:

total: 28,857 km country comparison to the world: 10 broad gauge: 5,709 km 1.600-m gauge (459 km electrified)

standard gauge: 194 km 1.440-m gauge

narrow gauge: 22,954 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)

Roadways:

total: 1,751,868 km country comparison to the world: 4 paved: 96,353 km

unpaved: 1,655,515 km (2004)

Waterways:

50,000 km (most in areas remote from industry and population) (2010) country comparison to the world: 3

Merchant marine:

total: 126 country comparison to the world: 45 by type: bulk carrier 19, cargo 18, chemical tanker 6, container 12, liquefied gas 12, passenger/cargo 10, petroleum tanker 42, roll on/roll off 7

foreign-owned: 26 (Chile 1, Denmark 3, Germany 6, Greece 1, Norway 3, Spain 12)

registered in other countries: 27 (Argentina 1, Bahamas 1, Ghana 1, Liberia 20, Marshall Islands 1, Panama 3) (2010)

Ports and terminals:

cargo ports (tonnage): Ilha Grande (Gebig), Paranagua, Rio Grande, Santos, Sao Sebastiao, Tubarao

container ports (TEUs): Santos (2,677,839), Itajai (693,580)

Transportation - note:

the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the Atlantic Ocean as a significant risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; crews have been robbed and stores or cargoes stolen

Military ::Brazil

Military branches:

Brazilian Army (Exercito Brasileiro, EB), Brazilian Navy (Marinha do Brasil (MB), includes Naval Air and Marine Corps (Corpo de Fuzileiros Navais)), Brazilian Air Force (Forca Aerea Brasileira, FAB) (2010)

Military service age and obligation:

21-45 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 9 to 12 months; 17-45 years of age for voluntary service; an increasing percentage of the ranks are "long-service" volunteer professionals; women were allowed to serve in the armed forces beginning in early 1980s when the Brazilian Army became the first army in South America to accept women into career ranks; women serve in Navy and Air Force only in Women's Reserve Corps (2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 52,942,805

females age 16-49: 53,038,688 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 38,518,822

females age 16-49: 44,560,717 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male: 1,712,427

female: 1,652,491 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures:

1.7% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 88

Transnational Issues ::Brazil

Disputes - international:

unruly region at convergence of Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay borders is locus of money laundering, smuggling, arms and illegal narcotics trafficking, and fundraising for extremist organizations; two uncontested boundary disputes with Uruguay over Isla Brasilera at the tripoint with Argentina at the confluence of the Quarai/Cuareim and Uruguay rivers, and in the 235 square kilometer Invernada River region over which tributary represents the legitimate source of the Quarai/Cuareim River; the Itaipu Dam reservoir covers over a once contested section of Brazil-Paraguay boundary west of Guaira Falls on the Rio Parana; an accord placed the long-disputed Isla Suarez/Ilha de Guajara-Mirim, a fluvial island on the Rio Mamore, under Bolivian administration in 1958, but sovereignty remains in dispute

Illicit drugs:

second-largest consumer of cocaine in the world; illicit producer of cannabis; trace amounts of coca cultivation in the Amazon region, used for domestic consumption; government has a large-scale eradication program to control cannabis; important transshipment country for Bolivian, Colombian, and Peruvian cocaine headed for Europe; also used by traffickers as a way station for narcotics air transshipments between Peru and Colombia; upsurge in drug-related violence and weapons smuggling; important market for Colombian, Bolivian, and Peruvian cocaine; illicit narcotics proceeds are often laundered through the financial system; significant illicit financial activity in the Tri-Border Area (2008)

page last updated on January 20, 2011

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@British Indian Ocean Territory (South Asia)

Introduction ::British Indian Ocean Territory

Background:

Formerly administered as part of the British Crown Colony of Mauritius, the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) was established as an overseas territory of the UK in 1965. A number of the islands of the territory were later transferred to the Seychelles when it attained independence in 1976. Subsequently, BIOT has consisted only of the six main island groups comprising the Chagos Archipelago. The largest and most southerly of the islands, Diego Garcia, contains a joint UK-US naval support facility. All of the remaining islands are uninhabited. Between 1967 and 1973, former agricultural workers, earlier residents in the islands, were relocated primarily to Mauritius, but also to the Seychelles. Negotiations between 1971 and 1982 resulted in the establishment of a trust fund by the British Government as compensation for the displaced islanders, known as Chagossians. Beginning in 1998, the islanders pursued a series of lawsuits against the British Government seeking further compensation and the right to return to the territory. In 2006 and 2007, British court rulings invalidated the immigration policies contained in the 2004 BIOT Constitution Order that had excluded the islanders from the archipelago, but upheld the special military status of Diego Garcia. In 2008, the House of Lords, as the final court of appeal in the UK, ruled in favor of the British Government by overturning the lower court rulings and finding no right of return for the Chagossians.

Geography ::British Indian Ocean Territory

Location:

archipelago in the Indian Ocean, south of India, about halfway between Africa and Indonesia

Geographic coordinates:

6 00 S, 71 30 E; note - Diego Garcia 7 20 S, 72 25 E

Map references:

Political Map of the World

Area:

total: 54,400 sq km country comparison to the world: 127 land: 60 sq km; Diego Garcia 44 sq km

water: 54,340 sq km

note: includes the entire Chagos Archipelago of 55 islands

Area - comparative:

land area is about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

698 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 3 nm

exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical marine; hot, humid, moderated by trade winds

Terrain:

flat and low (most areas do not exceed two meters in elevation)

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point: unnamed location on Diego Garcia 15 m

Natural resources:

coconuts, fish, sugarcane

Land use:

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100% (2005)

Irrigated land:

0 sq km

Natural hazards:

NA

Environment - current issues:

NA

Geography - note:

archipelago of 55 islands; Diego Garcia, largest and southernmost island, occupies strategic location in central Indian Ocean; island is site of joint US-UK military facility

People ::British Indian Ocean Territory

Population:

no indigenous inhabitants

note: approximately 1,200 former agricultural workers resident in the Chagos Archipelago, often referred to as Chagossians or Ilois, were relocated to Mauritius and the Seychelles in the 1960s and 1970s; in November 2004, approximately 4,000 UK and US military personnel and civilian contractors were living on the island of Diego Garcia

Government ::British Indian Ocean Territory

Country name:

conventional long form: British Indian Ocean Territory

conventional short form: none

abbreviation: BIOT

Dependency status:

overseas territory of the UK; administered by a commissioner, resident in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London

Legal system:

the laws of the UK where applicable apply

Executive branch:

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)

head of government: Commissioner Colin ROBERTS (since July 2008); Administrator Joanne YEADON (since December 2007); note - both reside in the UK and are represented by the officer commanding British Forces on Diego Garcia

cabinet: NA (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; commissioner and administrator appointed by the monarch

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Flag description:

white with six blue wavy horizontal stripes; the flag of the UK is in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the striped section bears a palm tree and yellow crown (the symbols of the territory) centered on the outer half of the flag; the wavy stripes represent the Indian Ocean; although not officially described, the six blue stripes may stand for the six main atolls of the archipelago

Economy ::British Indian Ocean Territory

Economy - overview:

All economic activity is concentrated on the largest island of Diego Garcia, where a joint UK-US military facility is located. Construction projects and various services needed to support the military installation are performed by military and contract employees from the UK, Mauritius, the Philippines, and the US. There are no industrial or agricultural activities on the islands. The territory earns foreign exchange by selling fishing licenses and postage stamps.

Electricity - production:

NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by the US military

Electricity - consumption:

NA kWh

Exchange rates:

the US dollar is used

Communications ::British Indian Ocean Territory

Telephones - main lines in use:

NA

Telephone system:

general assessment: separate facilities for military and public needs are available

domestic: all commercial telephone services are available, including connection to the Internet

international: country code (Diego Garcia) - 246; international telephone service is carried by satellite (2000)

Broadcast media:

Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS) broadcasts over 3 separate frequencies for US and UK military personnel stationed on the islands (2009)

Internet country code:

.io

Internet hosts:

827 (2010) country comparison to the world: 169

Transportation ::British Indian Ocean Territory

Airports:

1 (2010) country comparison to the world: 232

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 1

over 3,047 m: 1 (2010)

Roadways:

note: short section of paved road between port and airfield on Diego Garcia

Ports and terminals:

Diego Garcia

Military ::British Indian Ocean Territory

Military branches:

no regular military forces

Military - note:

defense is the responsibility of the UK; the US lease on Diego Garcia expires in 2016

Transnational Issues ::British Indian Ocean Territory

Disputes - international:

Mauritius claims the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia; in 2001, the former inhabitants of the Chagos Archipelago, evicted in 1967 and 1973 and now residing chiefly in Mauritius, were granted UK citizenship and the right to repatriation; in May 2007, the UK Court of Appeals upheld the May 2006 High Court of London judgment reversing the UK government's 2004 Orders of Council that banned habitation on the islands; a small group of Chagossians visited Diego Garcia in April 2006; repatriation is complicated by the exclusive US military lease of Diego Garcia that restricts access to the largest viable island in the chain

page last updated on November 17, 2010

======================================================================

@British Virgin Islands (Central America and Caribbean)

Introduction ::British Virgin Islands

Background:

First inhabited by Arawak and later by Carib Indians, the Virgin Islands were settled by the Dutch in 1648 and then annexed by the English in 1672. The islands were part of the British colony of the Leeward Islands from 1872-1960; they were granted autonomy in 1967. The economy is closely tied to the larger and more populous US Virgin Islands to the west; the US dollar is the legal currency.

Geography ::British Virgin Islands

Location:

Caribbean, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico

Geographic coordinates:

18 30 N, 64 30 W

Map references:

Central America and the Caribbean

Area:

total: 151 sq km country comparison to the world: 219 land: 151 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: comprised of 16 inhabited and more than 20 uninhabited islands; includes the islands of Tortola, Anegada, Virgin Gorda, Jost van Dyke

Area - comparative:

about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

80 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 3 nm

exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Climate:

subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds

Terrain:

coral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep, hilly

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point: Mount Sage 521 m

Natural resources:

NEGL

Land use:

arable land: 20%

permanent crops: 6.67%

other: 73.33% (2005)

Irrigated land:

NA

Natural hazards:

hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October)

Environment - current issues:

limited natural fresh water resources (except for a few seasonal streams and springs on Tortola, most of the islands' water supply comes from wells and rainwater catchments)

Geography - note:

strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico

People ::British Virgin Islands

Population:

24,939 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 216

Age structure:

0-14 years: 19.8% (male 2,454/female 2,387)

15-64 years: 74.4% (male 9,346/female 8,881)

65 years and over: 5.8% (male 734/female 689) (2010 est.)

Median age:

total: 32.6 years

male: 32.7 years

female: 32.5 years (2010 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.784% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 68

Birth rate:

14.52 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 142

Death rate:

4.41 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 201

Net migration rate:

7.74 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 13

Urbanization:

urban population: 40% of total population (2008)

rate of urbanization: 1.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.045 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.07 male(s)/female

total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 14.11 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 128 male: 16.01 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 12.12 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 77.45 years country comparison to the world: 58 male: 76.18 years

female: 78.78 years (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.71 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 168

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: British Virgin Islander(s)

adjective: British Virgin Islander

Ethnic groups:

black 82%, white 6.8%, other 11.2% (includes Indian and mixed) (2008)

Religions:

Protestant 86% (Methodist 33%, Anglican 17%, Church of God 9%, Seventh-Day Adventist 6%, Baptist 4%, Jehovah's Witnesses 2%, other 15%), Roman Catholic 10%, other 2%, none 2% (1991)

Languages:

English (official)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 97.8% (1991 est.)

male: NA

female: NA

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):

total: 17 years

male: 16 years

female: 19 years (2005)

Education expenditures:

3.2% of GDP (2007) country comparison to the world: 145

Government ::British Virgin Islands

Country name:

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: British Virgin Islands

abbreviation: BVI

Dependency status:

overseas territory of the UK; internal self-governing

Government type:

NA

Capital:

name: Road Town

geographic coordinates: 18 27 N, 64 37 W

time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Independence:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

National holiday:

Territory Day, 1 July (1956)

Constitution:

13 June 2007

Legal system:

English law

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Boyd MCCLEARY (since 20 August 2010)

head of government: Premier Ralph T. O'NEAL (since 23 August 2007)

cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor from members of the House of Assembly (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually appointed premier by the governor

Legislative branch:

unicameral House of Assembly (13 elected seats and 1 non-voting ex officio member in the attorney general; members are elected by direct popular vote, 1 member from each of nine electoral districts, 4 at-large members; members serve four-year terms)

elections: last held on 20 August 2007 (next to be held in 2011)

election results: percent of vote by party - VIP 45.2%, NDP 39.6%, independent 15.2%; seats by party - VIP 10, NDP 2, independent 1

Judicial branch:

Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, consisting of the High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal (one judge of the Supreme Court is a resident of the islands and presides over the High Court); Magistrate's Court; Juvenile Court; Court of Summary Jurisdiction

Political parties and leaders:

Concerned Citizens Movement or CCM [Ethlyn SMITH]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Orlando SMITH]; United Party or UP [Gregory MADURO]; Virgin Islands Party or VIP [Ralph T. O'NEAL]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

The Family Support Network; The Women's Desk

other: environmentalists

International organization participation:

Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, OECS, UNESCO (associate), UPU

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Flag description:

blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Virgin Islander coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms depicts a woman flanked on either side by a vertical column of six oil lamps above a scroll bearing the Latin word VIGILATE (Be Watchful); the islands were named by COLUMBUS in 1493 in honor of Saint Ursula and her 11 virgin followers (some sources say 11,000) who reputedly were martyred by the Huns in the 4th or 5th century; the figure on the banner holding a lamp represents the saint, the other lamps symbolize her followers

National anthem:

note: as a territory of the United Kingdom, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)

Economy ::British Virgin Islands

Economy - overview:

The economy, one of the most stable and prosperous in the Caribbean, is highly dependent on tourism generating an estimated 45% of the national income. More than 934,000 tourists, mainly from the US, visited the islands in 2008. In the mid-1980s, the government began offering offshore registration to companies wishing to incorporate in the islands, and incorporation fees now generate substantial revenues. Roughly 400,000 companies were on the offshore registry by yearend 2000. The adoption of a comprehensive insurance law in late 1994, which provides a blanket of confidentiality with regulated statutory gateways for investigation of criminal offenses, made the British Virgin Islands even more attractive to international business. Livestock raising is the most important agricultural activity; poor soils limit the islands' ability to meet domestic food requirements. Because of traditionally close links with the US Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands has used the US dollar as its currency since 1959.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$853.4 million (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 205

GDP (official exchange rate):

$1.095 billion (2008)

GDP - real growth rate:

-0.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 195

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$38,500 (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 24

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 0.9%

industry: 10.7%

services: 88.3% (1996 est.)

Labor force:

12,770 (2004) country comparison to the world: 213

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: 0.6%

industry: 40%

services: 59.4% (2005)

Unemployment rate:

3.6% (1997) country comparison to the world: 29

Population below poverty line:

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

7.1% (2008) country comparison to the world: 180 2% (2005)

Agriculture - products:

fruits, vegetables; livestock, poultry; fish

Industries:

tourism, light industry, construction, rum, concrete block, offshore financial center

Industrial production growth rate:

NA%

Electricity - production:

45 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 198

Electricity - consumption:

41.85 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 198

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 202

Oil - consumption:

1,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 203

Oil - exports:

0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 141

Oil - imports:

691 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 192

Oil - proved reserves:

0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 103

Natural gas - production:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 99

Natural gas - consumption:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 203

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 50

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 77

Natural gas - proved reserves:

0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 107

Current account balance:

$134.3 million (1999) country comparison to the world: 56

Exports:

$25.3 million (2002) country comparison to the world: 203

Exports - commodities:

rum, fresh fish, fruits, animals; gravel, sand

Imports:

$187 million f.o.b.

Imports - commodities:

building materials, automobiles, foodstuffs, machinery

Debt - external:

$36.1 million (1997) country comparison to the world: 188

Exchange rates:

the US dollar is used

Communications ::British Virgin Islands

Telephones - main lines in use:

20,100 (2009) country comparison to the world: 194

Telephones - mobile cellular:

24,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 206

Telephone system:

general assessment: worldwide telephone service

domestic: fixed line connections exceed 80 per 100 persons and mobile cellular subscribership is approaching 100 per 100 persons

international: country code - 1-284; connected via submarine cable to Bermuda; the East Caribbean Fiber System (ECFS) submarine cable provides connectivity to 13 other islands in the eastern Caribbean (2008)

Broadcast media:

1 private TV station; multi-channel TV is available from cable and satellite subscription services; about a half dozen private radio stations operating (2007)

Internet country code:

.vg

Internet hosts:

497 (2010) country comparison to the world: 180

Internet users:

4,000 (2002) country comparison to the world: 206

Transportation ::British Virgin Islands

Airports:

4 (2010) country comparison to the world: 184

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2010)

Roadways:

total: 200 km country comparison to the world: 207 paved: 200 km (2007)

Merchant marine:

registered in other countries: 1 (Panama 1) (2008) country comparison to the world: 149

Ports and terminals:

Road Harbor

Military ::British Virgin Islands

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 7,230 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 6,028

females age 16-49: 5,778 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male: 174

female: 167 (2010 est.)

Military - note:

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Transnational Issues ::British Virgin Islands

Disputes - international:

none

Illicit drugs:

transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe; large offshore financial center makes it vulnerable to money laundering

page last updated on January 11, 2011

======================================================================

@Brunei (East & Southeast Asia)

Introduction ::Brunei

Background:

The Sultanate of Brunei's influence peaked between the 15th and 17th centuries when its control extended over coastal areas of northwest Borneo and the southern Philippines. Brunei subsequently entered a period of decline brought on by internal strife over royal succession, colonial expansion of European powers, and piracy. In 1888, Brunei became a British protectorate; independence was achieved in 1984. The same family has ruled Brunei for over six centuries. Brunei benefits from extensive petroleum and natural gas fields, the source of one of the highest per capita GDPs in Asia.

Geography ::Brunei

Location:

Southeastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and Malaysia

Geographic coordinates:

4 30 N, 114 40 E

Map references:

Southeast Asia

Area:

total: 5,765 sq km country comparison to the world: 172 land: 5,265 sq km

water: 500 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Delaware

Land boundaries:

total: 381 km

border countries: Malaysia 381 km

Coastline:

161 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm or to median line

Climate:

tropical; hot, humid, rainy

Terrain:

flat coastal plain rises to mountains in east; hilly lowland in west

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: South China Sea 0 m

highest point: Bukit Pagon 1,850 m

Natural resources:

petroleum, natural gas, timber

Land use:

arable land: 2.08%

permanent crops: 0.87%

other: 97.05% (2005)

Irrigated land:

10 sq km (2003)

Total renewable water resources:

8.5 cu km (1999)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):

total: 0.09

per capita: 243 cu m/yr (1994)

Natural hazards:

typhoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are rare

Environment - current issues:

seasonal smoke/haze resulting from forest fires in Indonesia

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

close to vital sea lanes through South China Sea linking Indian and Pacific Oceans; two parts physically separated by Malaysia; almost an enclave within Malaysia

People ::Brunei

Population:

395,027 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 175

Age structure:

0-14 years: 26.6% (male 53,282/female 50,141)

15-64 years: 70.1% (male 135,640/female 136,292)

65 years and over: 3.3% (male 6,199/female 6,636) (2010 est.)

Median age:

total: 28.1 years

male: 28 years

female: 28.2 years (2010 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.733% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 70

Birth rate:

18 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 110

Death rate:

3.32 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 219

Net migration rate:

2.64 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 31

Urbanization:

urban population: 75% of total population (2008)

rate of urbanization: 2.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.047 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/female

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 11.87 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 141 male: 14.19 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 9.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 75.96 years country comparison to the world: 74 male: 73.72 years

female: 78.31 years (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.88 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 148

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

less than 0.1% (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 140

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

fewer than 200 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 156

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

fewer than 200 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 124

Nationality:

noun: Bruneian(s)

adjective: Bruneian

Ethnic groups:

Malay 66.3%, Chinese 11.2%, indigenous 3.4%, other 19.1% (2004 est.)

Religions:

Muslim (official) 67%, Buddhist 13%, Christian 10%, other (includes indigenous beliefs) 10%

Languages:

Malay (official), English, Chinese

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 92.7%

male: 95.2%

female: 90.2% (2001 census)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):

total: 14 years

male: 14 years

female: 14 years (2008)

Education expenditures:

3.7% of GDP (2000) country comparison to the world: 121

Government ::Brunei

Country name:

conventional long form: Brunei Darussalam

conventional short form: Brunei

local long form: Negara Brunei Darussalam

local short form: Brunei

Government type:

constitutional sultanate (locally known as Malay Islamic Monarchy)

Capital:

name: Bandar Seri Begawan

geographic coordinates: 4 53 N, 114 56 E

time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions:

4 districts (daerah-daerah, singular - daerah); Belait, Brunei-Muara, Temburong, Tutong

Independence:

1 January 1984 (from the UK)

National holiday:

National Day, 23 February (1984); note - 1 January 1984 was the date of independence from the UK, 23 February 1984 was the date of independence from British protection

Constitution:

29 September 1959 (some provisions suspended under a State of Emergency since December 1962, others since independence on 1 January 1984)

Legal system:

based on English common law; for Muslims, Islamic sharia law supersedes civil law concerning Muslim marriages and inheritance; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age for village elections; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government

head of government: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967)

cabinet: Council of Cabinet Ministers appointed and presided over by the monarch; deals with executive matters; note - there is also a Religious Council (members appointed by the monarch) that advises on religious matters, a Privy Council (members appointed by the monarch) that deals with constitutional matters, and the Council of Succession (members appointed by the monarch) that determines the succession to the throne if the need arises (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary

Legislative branch:

The Sultan appointed a Legislative Council with 29 members as of 2 September 2005; the council has met in March of each year since then

elections: last held in March 1962 (date of next election NA)

note: The Legislative Council met on 25 September 2004 for first time in 20 years with 21 members appointed by the Sultan; it passed constitutional amendments calling for a 45-seat council with 15 elected members; no timeframe for an election has been announced

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court - chief justice and judges are sworn in by monarch for three-year terms; Judicial Committee of Privy Council in London is final court of appeal for civil cases; Sharia courts deal with Islamic laws (2006)

Political parties and leaders:

National Development Party or NDP [YASSIN Affendi]

note: Brunei National Solidarity Party or PPKB [Abdul LATIF bin Chuchu] and People's Awareness Party or PAKAR [Awang Haji MAIDIN bin Haji Ahmad] were deregistered in 2007; parties are small and have limited activity

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ADB, APEC, ARF, ASEAN, C, CP, EAS, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDB, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Yusoff Abd HAMID

chancery: 3520 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 237-1838

FAX: [1] (202) 885-0560

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Alexander L. BARRASSO

embassy: Simpang 336-52-16-9, Jalan Kebangsaan, Bandar Seri Begawan, BS8811

mailing address: PSC 470 (BSB), FPO AP 96507; P.O. Box 2991, Bandar Seri Begawan BS8675, Negara Brunei Darussalam

telephone: [673] 238-4616

FAX: [673] 238-4606

Flag description:

yellow with two diagonal bands of white (top, almost double width) and black starting from the upper hoist side; the national emblem in red is superimposed at the center; yellow is the color of royalty and symbolizes the sultanate; the white and black bands denote Brunei's chief ministers; the emblem includes five main components: a swallow-tailed flag, the royal umbrella representing the monarchy, the wings of four feathers symbolizing justice, tranquility, prosperity, and peace, the two upraised hands signifying the government's pledge to preserve and promote the welfare of the people, and the crescent moon denoting Islam, the state religion; the state motto "Always render service with God's guidance" appears in yellow Arabic script on the crescent; a ribbon below the crescent reads "Brunei, the Abode of Peace"

National anthem:

name: "Allah Peliharakan Sultan" (God Bless His Majesty)

lyrics/music: Pengiran Haji Mohamed YUSUF bin Abdul Rahim/Awang Haji BESAR bin Sagap

note: adopted 1951

Economy ::Brunei

Economy - overview:

Brunei has a small well-to-do economy that encompasses a mixture of foreign and domestic entrepreneurship, government regulation, welfare measures, and village tradition. Crude oil and natural gas production account for just over half of GDP and more than 90% of exports. Per capita GDP is among the highest in Asia, and substantial income from overseas investment supplements income from domestic production. The government provides for all medical services and free education through the university level and subsidizes rice and housing. A new monetary authority was established in January 2011 with responsibilities that include monetary policy, monitoring of financial institutions, and currency trading activities. Other plans for the future include upgrading the labor force, reducing unemployment, strengthening the banking and tourist sectors, increasing agricultural production, and, in general, further widening the economic base beyond oil and gas.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$19.88 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 $19.68 billion (2009 est.)

$20.04 billion (2008 est.)

note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):

$11.96 billion (2010 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 179 -1.8% (2009 est.)

-1.9% (2008 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$50,300 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 $50,700 (2009 est.)

$52,500 (2008 est.)

note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 0.7%

industry: 74.1%

services: 25.3% (2008 est.)

Labor force:

188,800 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 171

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: 4.2%

industry: 62.8%

services: 33% (2008 est.)

Unemployment rate:

3.7% (2008) country comparison to the world: 31 4% (2006)

Population below poverty line:

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 0.3% (2007 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate:

5.5% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 5.5% (31 December 2008 est.)

Stock of narrow money:

$3.374 billion (30 March 2009) country comparison to the world: 108 $3.046 billion (31 December 2008)

Stock of broad money:

$8.569 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 106 $7.597 billion (31 December 2008)

Stock of domestic credit:

$1.274 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 142 $2.38 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares:

$NA

Agriculture - products:

rice, vegetables, fruits; chickens, water buffalo, cattle, goats, eggs

Industries:

petroleum, petroleum refining, liquefied natural gas, construction

Industrial production growth rate:

-5.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 164

Electricity - production:

3.069 billion kWh (2008) country comparison to the world: 123

Electricity - consumption:

2.98 billion kWh (2008) country comparison to the world: 127

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Oil - production:

146,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 48

Oil - consumption:

16,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 132

Oil - exports:

152,900 bbl/day (2007) country comparison to the world: 58

Oil - imports:

238 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 200

Oil - proved reserves:

1.1 billion bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 39

Natural gas - production:

13.4 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 36

Natural gas - consumption:

4.2 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 65

Natural gas - exports:

9.2 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 21

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 76

Natural gas - proved reserves:

390.8 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 35

Current account balance:

$7.024 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 27 $7.101 billion (2007 est.)

Exports:

$10.67 billion (2008) country comparison to the world: 83 $8.25 billion (2007)

Exports - commodities:

crude oil, natural gas, garments

Exports - partners:

Japan 38.04%, Indonesia 25.95%, South Korea 14.17%, Australia 7.24% (2009)

Imports:

$2.61 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 $2.055 billion (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, chemicals

Imports - partners:

Singapore 38.4%, Malaysia 18.7%, Japan 7.2%, China 5.42%, Thailand 5.19%, US 4.45%, UK 4.25% (2009)

Debt - external:

$0 (2005) country comparison to the world: 195

Exchange rates:

Bruneian dollars (BND) per US dollar - 1.45 (2009), 1.45 (2009), 2 (2006), 2 (2005), 2 (2004)

Communications ::Brunei

Telephones - main lines in use:

80,500 (2009) country comparison to the world: 149

Telephones - mobile cellular:

425,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 163

Telephone system:

general assessment: service throughout the country is good; international service is good to Southeast Asia, Middle East, Western Europe, and the US

domestic: every service available

international: country code - 673; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 optical telecommunications submarine cable that provides links to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; the Asia-America Gateway submarine cable network, scheduled for completion by late 2008, will provide new links to Asia and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean) (2009)

Broadcast media:

state-controlled Radio Television Brunei (RTB) operates 4 channels; 3 Malaysian TV stations are available; foreign TV broadcasts are available via satellite and cable systems; RTB operates 5 radio networks broadcasting on multiple frequencies; British Forces Broadcast Service (BFBS) provides radio broadcasts on 2 FM stations; some radio broadcast stations from Malaysia are available via repeaters (2009)

Internet country code:

.bn

Internet hosts:

50,997 (2010) country comparison to the world: 88

Internet users:

314,900 (2009) country comparison to the world: 128

Transportation ::Brunei

Airports:

2 (2010) country comparison to the world: 207

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 2

over 3,047 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2010)

Heliports:

3 (2010)

Pipelines:

gas 37 km; oil 18 km (2009)

Roadways:

total: 2,971 km country comparison to the world: 166 paved: 2,411 km

unpaved: 560 km (2008)

Waterways:

209 km (navigable by craft drawing less than 1.2 m; the Belait, Brunei, and Tutong rivers are major transport links) (2011) country comparison to the world: 97

Merchant marine:

total: 9 country comparison to the world: 117 by type: chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas 8 (2010)

Ports and terminals:

Lumut, Muara, Seria

Military ::Brunei

Military branches:

Royal Brunei Armed Forces: Royal Brunei Land Forces, Royal Brunei Navy, Royal Brunei Air Force (Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei) (2010)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age (est.) for voluntary military service; non-Malays are ineligible to serve (2007)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 111,166

females age 16-49: 115,071 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 93,809

females age 16-49: 97,345 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male: 3,509

female: 3,427 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures:

4.5% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 21

Transnational Issues ::Brunei

Disputes - international:

Brunei and Malaysia agreed in September 2008 to resolve their offshore and deepwater seabed dispute, resume hydrocarbon exploration, and renounce any territorial claims along their land boundary; despite no public territorial claim to Louisa Reef, Brunei implicitly lays claim by including it within the natural prolongation of its continental shelf and basis for a seabed median with Vietnam; the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea" has eased tensions in the Spratly Islands but falls short of a legally binding "code of conduct" desired by several of the disputants

Illicit drugs:

drug trafficking and illegally importing controlled substances are serious offenses in Brunei and carry a mandatory death penalty

page last updated on January 13, 2011

======================================================================

@Bulgaria (Europe)

Introduction ::Bulgaria

Background:

The Bulgars, a Central Asian Turkic tribe, merged with the local Slavic inhabitants in the late 7th century to form the first Bulgarian state. In succeeding centuries, Bulgaria struggled with the Byzantine Empire to assert its place in the Balkans, but by the end of the 14th century the country was overrun by the Ottoman Turks. Northern Bulgaria attained autonomy in 1878 and all of Bulgaria became independent from the Ottoman Empire in 1908. Having fought on the losing side in both World Wars, Bulgaria fell within the Soviet sphere of influence and became a People's Republic in 1946. Communist domination ended in 1990, when Bulgaria held its first multiparty election since World War II and began the contentious process of moving toward political democracy and a market economy while combating inflation, unemployment, corruption, and crime. The country joined NATO in 2004 and the EU in 2007.

Geography ::Bulgaria

Location:

Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Romania and Turkey

Geographic coordinates:

43 00 N, 25 00 E

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 110,879 sq km country comparison to the world: 104 land: 108,489 sq km

water: 2,390 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly larger than Tennessee

Land boundaries:

total: 1,808 km

border countries: Greece 494 km, Macedonia 148 km, Romania 608 km, Serbia 318 km, Turkey 240 km

Coastline:

354 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

temperate; cold, damp winters; hot, dry summers

Terrain:

mostly mountains with lowlands in north and southeast

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Black Sea 0 m

highest point: Musala 2,925 m

Natural resources:

bauxite, copper, lead, zinc, coal, timber, arable land

Land use:

arable land: 29.94%

permanent crops: 1.9%

other: 68.16% (2005)

Irrigated land:

5,880 sq km (2003)

Total renewable water resources:

19.4 cu km (2005)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):

total: 6.92 cu km/yr (3%/78%/19%)

per capita: 895 cu m/yr (2003)

Natural hazards:

earthquakes; landslides

Environment - current issues:

air pollution from industrial emissions; rivers polluted from raw sewage, heavy metals, detergents; deforestation; forest damage from air pollution and resulting acid rain; soil contamination from heavy metals from metallurgical plants and industrial wastes

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, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

strategic location near Turkish Straits; controls key land routes from Europe to Middle East and Asia

People ::Bulgaria

Population:

7,148,785 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 98

Age structure:

0-14 years: 13.8% (male 509,544/female 484,816)

15-64 years: 68.5% (male 2,426,060/female 2,508,772)

65 years and over: 17.7% (male 518,711/female 756,784) (2010 est.)

Median age:

total: 41.6 years

male: 39.4 years

female: 43.9 years (2010 est.)

Population growth rate:

-0.768% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 228

Birth rate:

9.43 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 205

Death rate:

14.31 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 17

Net migration rate:

-2.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 181

Urbanization:

urban population: 71% of total population (2008)

rate of urbanization: -0.3% 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: 0.97 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female

total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 17.26 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 108 male: 20.59 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 13.73 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 73.35 years country comparison to the world: 114 male: 69.74 years

female: 77.17 years (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.41 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 198

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

less than 0.1% (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 141

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

346 (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 153

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

100 (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 149

Nationality:

noun: Bulgarian(s)

adjective: Bulgarian

Ethnic groups:

Bulgarian 83.9%, Turk 9.4%, Roma 4.7%, other 2% (including Macedonian, Armenian, Tatar, Circassian) (2001 census)

Religions:

Bulgarian Orthodox 82.6%, Muslim 12.2%, other Christian 1.2%, other 4% (2001 census)

Languages:

Bulgarian (official) 84.5%, Turkish 9.6%, Roma 4.1%, other and unspecified 1.8% (2001 census)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 98.2%

male: 98.7%

female: 97.7% (2001 census)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):

total: 14 years

male: 13 years

female: 14 years (2008)

Education expenditures:

4.1% of GDP (2007) country comparison to the world: 103

Government ::Bulgaria

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Bulgaria

conventional short form: Bulgaria

local long form: Republika Balgariya

local short form: Balgariya

Government type:

parliamentary democracy

Capital:

name: Sofia

geographic coordinates: 42 41 N, 23 19 E

time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

Administrative divisions:

28 provinces (oblasti, singular - oblast); Blagoevgrad, Burgas, Dobrich, Gabrovo, Khaskovo, Kurdzhali, Kyustendil, Lovech, Montana, Pazardzhik, Pernik, Pleven, Plovdiv, Razgrad, Ruse, Shumen, Silistra, Sliven, Smolyan, Sofiya (Sofia), Sofiya-Grad (Sofia City), Stara Zagora, Turgovishte, Varna, Veliko Turnovo, Vidin, Vratsa, Yambol

Independence:

3 March 1878 (as an autonomous principality within the Ottoman Empire); 22 September 1908 (complete independence from the Ottoman Empire)

National holiday:

Liberation Day, 3 March (1878)

Constitution:

adopted on 12 July 1991

Legal system:

civil and criminal law based on Roman law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Georgi PARVANOV (since 22 January 2002); Vice President Angel MARIN (since 22 January 2002)

head of government: Prime Minister Boyko BORISSOV (since 27 July 2009); Deputy Prime Ministers Simeon DJANKOV and Tsvetan TSVETANOV (since 27 July 2009)

cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and elected by the National Assembly (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 22 and 29 October 2006 (next to be held in 2011); chairman of the Council of Ministers (prime minister) elected by the National Assembly; deputy prime ministers nominated by the prime minister and elected by the National Assembly

election results: Georgi PARVANOV reelected president; percent of vote - Georgi PARVANOV 77.3%, Volen SIDEROV 22.7%; Boyko BORISSOV elected prime minister; result of legislative vote - 162 to 77 with 1 abstention

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Assembly or Narodno Sabranie (240 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held on 5 July 2009 (next to be held in mid-2013)

election results: percent of vote by party - GERB 39.7%, BSP 17.7%, MRF 14.4%, ATAKA 9.4%, Blue Coalition 6.8%, RZS 4.1%, other 7.9%; seats by party - GERB 117, BSP 40, MRF 37, ATAKA 21, Blue Coalition 15, RZS 8, independents 2

Judicial branch:

independent judiciary comprised of judges, prosecutors and investigating magistrates who are appointed, promoted, demoted, and dismissed by a 25-member Supreme Judicial Council (consists of the chairmen of the two Supreme Courts, the Chief Prosecutor, and 22 members, half of whom are elected by the National Assembly and the other half by the bodies of the judiciary for a 5-year term in office); three levels of case review; 182 courts of which two Supreme Courts act as the last instance on civil and criminal cases (the Supreme Court of Cassation) and appeals of government decisions (the Supreme Administrative Court)

Political parties and leaders:

Agrarian National Union or ANU [Stefan LICHEV]; ATAKA (Attack party) [Volen SIDEROV]; Blue Coalition [Ivan KOSTOV and Martin DIMITROV] (a coalition of center-right parties dominated by UDF and DSB); Bulgarian New Democracy [Borislav RALCHEV]; Bulgarian Socialist Party or BSP [Sergei STANISHEV]; Citizens for the European Development of Bulgaria or GERB [Boyko BORISSOV]; Coalition for Bulgaria or CfB [Sergei STANISHEV] (coalition of parties dominated by BSP); Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria or DSB [Ivan KOSTOV]; Gergyovden [Petar STOYANOVICH]; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization or IMRO [Krasimir KARAKACHANOV]; Liberal Initiative for Democratic European Development or LIDER [Khristo KOVACHKI]; Movement for Rights and Freedoms or MRF [Ahmed DOGAN]; National Movement for Stability and Progress or NDSV [Hristina HRISTOVA] (formerly National Movement Simeon II or NMS2); New Time [Emil KOSHLUKOV]; Order, Law, Justice or RZS [Yane YANEV]; Union of Democratic Forces or UDF [Martin DIMITROV]; Union of Free Democrats or UFD [Stefan SOFIYANSKI]; United Agrarians [Anastasia MOZER]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Bulgaria or CITUB; Podkrepa Labor Confederation

other: numerous regional, ethnic, and national interest groups with various agendas

International organization participation:

Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU, FAO, G- 9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Elena POPTODOROVA

chancery: 1621 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 387-0174

FAX: [1] (202) 234-7973

consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador James B. WARLICK, Jr

embassy: 16 Kozyak Street, Sofia 1407

mailing address: American Embassy Sofia, US Department of State, 5740 Sofia Place, Washington, DC 20521-5740

telephone: [359] (2) 937-5100

FAX: [359] (2) 937-5320

Flag description:

three equal horizontal bands of white (top), green, and red; the pan-Slavic white-blue-red colors were modified by substituting a green band (representing freedom) for the blue

note: the national emblem, formerly on the hoist side of the white stripe, has been removed

National anthem:

name: "Mila Rodino" (Dear Homeland)

lyrics/music: Tsvetan Tsvetkov RADOSLAVOV

note: adopted 1964; the anthem was composed in 1885 by a student en route to fight in the Serbo-Bulgarian War

Economy ::Bulgaria

Economy - overview:

Bulgaria, a former Communist country that entered the EU on 1 January 2007, averaged more than 6% growth from 2004 to 2008, driven by significant amounts of foreign direct investment and consumption. Successive governments have demonstrated a commitment to economic reforms and responsible fiscal planning, but the global downturn sharply reduced domestic demand, exports, capital inflows, and industrial production. GDP contracted by approximately 5% in 2009, and stagnated in 2010, despite a significant recovery in exports. The economy is expected to grow modestly in 2011, however. Corruption in the public administration, a weak judiciary, and the presence of organized crime remain significant challenges.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$91.83 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 $91.83 billion (2009 est.)

$96.67 billion (2008 est.)

note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):

$44.84 billion (2010 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

0% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 190 -5% (2009 est.)

6.2% (2008 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$12,800 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 $12,700 (2009 est.)

$13,300 (2008 est.)

note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 7.5%

industry: 27.6%

services: 64.9% (2009 est.)

Labor force:

2.61 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 108

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: 7.5%

industry: 36.4%

services: 56.1% (2008 est.)

Unemployment rate:

9.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 6.3% (2008 est.)

Population below poverty line:

14% (2008)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: 2.9%

highest 10%: 24.1% (2008)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

29.8 (2008) country comparison to the world: 114 26.4 (2001)

Investment (gross fixed):

22.8% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 57

Public debt:

16.2% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 115 14.8% of GDP (2009 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 1.6% (2009)

Central bank discount rate:

0.55% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 78 5.77% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate:

11.34% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 10.86% (31 December 2008 est.)

Stock of narrow money:

$12.7 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 68 $12.91 billion (31 December 2009 est)

Stock of broad money:

$35.37 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 $33.93 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit:

$34.54 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 67 $33.89 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares:

$7.103 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 69 $8.858 billion (31 December 2008)

$21.79 billion (31 December 2007)

Agriculture - products:

vegetables, fruits, tobacco, wine, wheat, barley, sunflowers, sugar beets; livestock

Industries:

electricity, gas, water; food, beverages, tobacco; machinery and equipment, base metals, chemical products, coke, refined petroleum, nuclear fuel

Industrial production growth rate:

0.4% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 153

Electricity - production:

44.83 billion kWh (2008) country comparison to the world: 51

Electricity - consumption:

29.9 billion kWh (2008) country comparison to the world: 59

Electricity - exports:

5.407 billion kWh (2008)

Electricity - imports:

3.097 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Oil - production:

3,227 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 101

Oil - consumption:

125,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 71

Oil - exports:

76,570 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 70

Oil - imports:

189,000 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 48

Oil - proved reserves:

15 million bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 84

Natural gas - production:

218 million cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 74

Natural gas - consumption:

3.35 billion cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 70

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 198

Natural gas - imports:

3.48 billion cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 38

Natural gas - proved reserves:

5.663 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 88

Current account balance:

-$1.528 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 153 -$4.348 billion (2009 est.)

Exports:

$19.33 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 69 $16.53 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities:

clothing, footwear, iron and steel, machinery and equipment, fuels

Exports - partners:

Germany 11.21%, Greece 9.43%, Italy 9.24%, Romania 8.52%, Turkey 7.33%, Belgium 5.61%, France 4.44% (2009)

Imports:

$22.78 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 67 $22.22 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and equipment; metals and ores; chemicals and plastics; fuels, minerals, and raw materials

Imports - partners:

Russia 13.14%, Germany 12.23%, Italy 7.78%, Greece 6.17%, Romania 5.65%, Turkey 5.48%, Ukraine 4.81%, Austria 4.08% (2009)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$15.07 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 47 $18.53 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Debt - external:

$36.15 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 $39.56 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:

$51.28 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 $49.28 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:

$1.372 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 $1.194 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Exchange rates:

leva (BGN) per US dollar - 1.5138 (2010), 1.404 (2009), 1.3171 (2008), 1.4366 (2007), 1.5576 (2006)

Communications ::Bulgaria

Telephones - main lines in use:

2.164 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 52

Telephones - mobile cellular:

10.617 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 62

Telephone system:

general assessment: inherited an extensive but antiquated telecommunications network from the Soviet era; quality has improved with a modern digital trunk line now connecting switching centers in most of the regions; remaining areas are connected by digital microwave radio relay

domestic: the Bulgaria Telecommunications Company's fixed-line monopoly terminated in 2005 in an effort to upgrade fixed-line services; mobile-cellular teledensity, fostered by multiple service providers, approached 150 telephones per 100 persons in 2009

international: country code - 359; submarine cable provides connectivity to Ukraine and Russia; a combination submarine cable and land fiber-optic system provides connectivity to Italy, Albania, and Macedonia; satellite earth stations - 3 (1 Intersputnik in the Atlantic Ocean region, 2 Intelsat in the Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions) (2009)

Broadcast media:

4 national terrestrial television stations with 1 state-owned and 3 privately-owned; a vast array of TV stations are available from cable and satellite TV providers; state-owned national radio broadcasts over 3 networks; large number of private radio stations broadcasting, especially in urban areas (2007)

Internet country code:

.bg

Internet hosts:

785,546 (2010) country comparison to the world: 46

Internet users:

3.395 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 63

Transportation ::Bulgaria

Airports:

210 (2010) country comparison to the world: 30

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 130

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 17

1,524 to 2,437 m: 15

under 914 m: 96 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 80

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 6

under 914 m: 73 (2010)

Heliports:

3 (2010)

Pipelines:

gas 2,926 km; oil 339 km; refined products 156 km (2009)

Railways:

total: 4,294 km country comparison to the world: 38 standard gauge: 4,049 km 1.435-m gauge (2,880 km electrified)

narrow gauge: 245 km 0.760-m gauge (2008)

Roadways:

total: 40,231 km country comparison to the world: 89 paved: 39,587 km (includes 418 km of expressways)

unpaved: 644 km (2008)

Waterways:

470 km (2009) country comparison to the world: 85

Merchant marine:

total: 37 country comparison to the world: 79 by type: bulk carrier 16, cargo 10, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas 2, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 4, specialized tanker 1

foreign-owned: 27 (Germany 25, Russia 2)

registered in other countries: 31 (Comoros 8, Malta 7, Panama 6, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 10) (2010)

Ports and terminals:

Burgas, Varna

Military ::Bulgaria

Military branches:

Bulgarian Armed Forces: Ground Forces, Naval Forces, Bulgarian Air Forces (Bulgarski Voennovazdyshni Sily, BVVS) (2010)

Military service age and obligation:

18-27 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription ended in January 2008; service obligation 6-9 months (2010)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 1,660,930

females age 16-49: 1,646,170 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 1,337,201

females age 16-49: 1,360,039 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male: 35,604

female: 34,199 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures:

2.6% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 58

Transnational Issues ::Bulgaria

Disputes - international:

none

Illicit drugs:

major European transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and, to a lesser degree, South American cocaine for the European market; limited producer of precursor chemicals; vulnerable to money laundering because of corruption, organized crime; some money laundering of drug-related proceeds through financial institutions (2008)

page last updated on January 18, 2011

======================================================================

@Burkina Faso (Africa)

Introduction ::Burkina Faso

Background:

Burkina Faso (formerly Upper Volta) achieved independence from France in 1960. Repeated military coups during the 1970s and 1980s were followed by multiparty elections in the early 1990s. Current President Blaise COMPAORE came to power in a 1987 military coup and has won every election since then. Burkina Faso's high population density and limited natural resources result in poor economic prospects for the majority of its citizens. Recent unrest in Cote d'Ivoire and northern Ghana has hindered the ability of several hundred thousand seasonal Burkinabe farm workers to find employment in neighboring countries.

Geography ::Burkina Faso

Location:

Western Africa, north of Ghana

Geographic coordinates:

13 00 N, 2 00 W

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 274,200 sq km country comparison to the world: 74 land: 273,800 sq km

water: 400 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly larger than Colorado

Land boundaries:

total: 3,193 km

border countries: Benin 306 km, Cote d'Ivoire 584 km, Ghana 549 km, Mali 1,000 km, Niger 628 km, Togo 126 km

Coastline:

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:

none (landlocked)

Climate:

tropical; warm, dry winters; hot, wet summers

Terrain:

mostly flat to dissected, undulating plains; hills in west and southeast

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Mouhoun (Black Volta) River 200 m

highest point: Tena Kourou 749 m

Natural resources:

manganese, limestone, marble; small deposits of gold, phosphates, pumice, salt

Land use:

arable land: 17.66%

permanent crops: 0.22%

other: 82.12% (2005)

Irrigated land:

250 sq km (2003)

Total renewable water resources:

17.5 cu km (2001)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):

total: 0.8 cu km/yr (13%/1%/86%)

per capita: 60 cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards:

recurring droughts

Environment - current issues:

recent droughts and desertification severely affecting agricultural activities, population distribution, and the economy; overgrazing; soil degradation; deforestation

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

landlocked savanna cut by the three principal rivers of the Black, Red, and White Voltas

People ::Burkina Faso

Population:

16,241,811 country comparison to the world: 61 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: 46.2% (male 3,646,661/female 3,621,648)

15-64 years: 51.3% (male 4,025,917/female 4,054,865)

65 years and over: 2.5% (male 156,895/female 240,246) (2010 est.)

Median age:

total: 16.8 years

male: 16.6 years

female: 17 years (2010 est.)

Population growth rate:

3.095% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 12

Birth rate:

43.98 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 5

Death rate:

13.02 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 23

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population country comparison to the world: 80

Urbanization:

urban population: 20% of total population (2008)

rate of urbanization: 5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 82.98 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 12 male: 90.53 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 75.21 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 53.32 years country comparison to the world: 203 male: 51.39 years

female: 55.31 years (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate:

6.21 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 6

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

1.6% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 38

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

130,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 40

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

9,200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 34

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne disease: malaria and yellow fever

water contact disease: schistosomiasis

respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis

animal contact disease: rabies

note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009)

Nationality:

noun: Burkinabe (singular and plural)

adjective: Burkinabe

Ethnic groups:

Mossi over 40%, other approximately 60% (includes Gurunsi, Senufo, Lobi, Bobo, Mande, and Fulani)

Religions:

Muslim 50%, indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian (mainly Roman Catholic) 10%

Languages:

French (official), native African languages belonging to Sudanic family spoken by 90% of the population

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 21.8%

male: 29.4%

female: 15.2% (2003 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):

total: 6 years

male: 7 years

female: 6 years (2009)

Education expenditures:

4.6% of GDP (2007) country comparison to the world: 86

Government ::Burkina Faso

Country name:

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Burkina Faso

local long form: none

local short form: Burkina Faso

former: Upper Volta, Republic of Upper Volta

Government type:

parliamentary republic

Capital:

name: Ouagadougou

geographic coordinates: 12 22 N, 1 31 W

time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions:

45 provinces; Bale, Bam, Banwa, Bazega, Bougouriba, Boulgou, Boulkiemde, Comoe, Ganzourgou, Gnagna, Gourma, Houet, Ioba, Kadiogo, Kenedougou, Komondjari, Kompienga, Kossi, Koulpelogo, Kouritenga, Kourweogo, Leraba, Loroum, Mouhoun, Nahouri, Namentenga, Nayala, Noumbiel, Oubritenga, Oudalan, Passore, Poni, Sanguie, Sanmatenga, Seno, Sissili, Soum, Sourou, Tapoa, Tuy, Yagha, Yatenga, Ziro, Zondoma, Zoundweogo

Independence:

5 August 1960 (from France)

National holiday:

Republic Day, 11 December (1958); note - commemorates the day that Upper Volta became an autonomous republic in the French Community

Constitution:

approved by referendum 2 June 1991; formally adopted 11 June 1991; last amended January 2002

Legal system:

based on French civil law system and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Blaise COMPAORE (since 15 October 1987)

head of government: Prime Minister Tertius ZONGO (since 4 June 2007)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 21 November 2010 (next to be held in 2015); prime minister appointed by the president with the consent of the legislature

election results: Blaise COMPAORE reelected president; percent of popular vote - Blaise COMPAORE 80.2%, Hama Arba DIALLO 8.2%, Benewende Stanislas SANKARA 6.3%

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (111 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: National Assembly election last held on 6 May 2007 (next to be held in May 2012)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CDP 73, ADF-RDA 14, UPR 5, UNIR-MS 4, CFD-B 3, UPS 2, PDP-PS 2, RDB 2, PDS 2, PAREN 1, PAI 1, RPC 1, UDPS 1

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court; Appeals Court

Political parties and leaders:

African Democratic Rally-Alliance for Democracy and Federation or ADF-RDA [Gilbert OUEDRAOGO]; Citizen's Popular Rally or RPC [Antoine QUARE]; Coalition of Democratic Forces of Burkina or CFD-B [Amadou Diemdioda DICKO]; Congress for Democracy and Progress or CDP [Roch Marc-Christian KABORE]; Democratic and Popular Rally or RDP [Nana THIBAUT]; Movement for Tolerance and Progress or MTP [Nayabtigungou Congo KABORE]; Party for African Independence or PAI [Soumane TOURE]; Party for Democracy and Progress-Socialist Party or PDP-PS [Ali LANKOANDE]; Party for Democracy and Socialism or PDS [Felix SOUBEIGA]; Party for National Rebirth or PAREN [Jeanne TRAORE]; Rally for the Development of Burkina or RDB [Antoine KARGOUGOU]; Rally of Ecologists of Burkina Faso or RDEB [Ram OUEDRAGO]; Republican Party for Integration and Solidarity or PARIS; Union for Democracy and Social Progress or UDPS [Fidele HIEN]; Union for Rebirth - Sankarist Movement or UNIR-MS [Benewende STANISLAS]; Union for the Republic or UPR [Toussaint Abel COULIBALY]; Union of Sankarist Parties or UPS [Ernest Nongma OUEDRAOGO]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Burkinabe General Confederation of Labor or CGTB [Tole SAGNON]; Burkinabe Movement for Human Rights or MBDHP [Chrysigone ZOUGMORE]; Group of 14 February [Benewende STANISLAS]; National Confederation of Burkinabe Workers or CNTB [Laurent OUEDRAOGO]; National Organization of Free Unions or ONSL [Paul KABORE]

other: watchdog/political action groups throughout the country in both organizations and communities

International organization participation:

ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Paramanga Ernest YONLI

chancery: 2340 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 332-5577

FAX: [1] (202) 667-1882

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas DOUGHERTY

embassy: 602 Avenue Raoul Follereau, Koulouba, Secteur 4

mailing address: 01 B. P. 35, Ouagadougou 01; pouch mail - US Department of State, 2440 Ouagadougou Place, Washington, DC 20521-2440

telephone: [226] 50-30-67-23

FAX: [226] 50-30-38-90

Flag description:

two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a yellow five-pointed star in the center; red recalls the country's struggle for independence, green is for hope and abundance,and yellow represents the country's mineral wealth

note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia

National anthem:

name: "Le Ditanye" (Anthem of Victory)

lyrics/music: Thomas SANKARA

note: adopted 1974; also known as "Une Seule Nuit" (One Single Night), Burkina Faso"s anthem was written by the country"s president, an avid guitar player

Economy ::Burkina Faso

Economy - overview:

Burkina Faso is a poor, landlocked country that relies heavily on cotton and gold exports for revenue. The country has few natural resources and a weak industrial base. About 90% of the population is engaged in subsistence agriculture, which is vulnerable to periodic drought. Cotton is the main cash crop. Since 1998, Burkina Faso has embarked upon a gradual privatization of state-owned enterprises and in 2004 revised its investment code to attract foreign investment. As a result of this new code and other legislation favoring the mining sector, the country has seen an upswing in gold exploration and production. By 2010, gold had become the main source of export revenue.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$20.06 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 124 $19.07 billion (2009 est.)

$18.48 billion (2008 est.)

note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):

$8.672 billion (2010 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

5.2% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 50 3.2% (2009 est.)

5.2% (2008 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$1,200 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 204 $1,200 (2009 est.)

$1,200 (2008 est.)

note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 30.1%

industry: 20.7%

services: 49.2% (2009 est.)

Labor force:

6.668 million country comparison to the world: 64 note: a large part of the male labor force migrates annually to neighboring countries for seasonal employment (2007)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: 90%

industry and services: 10% (2000 est.)

Unemployment rate:

77% (2004) country comparison to the world: 197

Population below poverty line:

46.4% (2004)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: 2.8%

highest 10%: 32.2% (2004)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

39.5 (2007) country comparison to the world: 64 48.2 (1994)

Investment (gross fixed):

19.7% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 90

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

1.4% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 32 2.6% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate:

4.25% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 103 4.75% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate:

NA% (31 December 2009 est.)

NA% (31 December 2008 est.)

Stock of narrow money:

$1.416 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 127 $1.303 billion (31 December 2009 est)

Stock of broad money:

$2.406 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 139 $2.22 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit:

$1.373 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 138 $1.236 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares:

$NA

Agriculture - products:

cotton, peanuts, shea nuts, sesame, sorghum, millet, corn, rice; livestock

Industries:

cotton lint, beverages, agricultural processing, soap, cigarettes, textiles, gold

Industrial production growth rate:

5.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 59

Electricity - production:

611.6 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 155

Electricity - consumption:

568.8 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 158

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 201

Oil - consumption:

9,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 152

Oil - exports:

0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 206

Oil - imports:

8,283 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 144

Oil - proved reserves:

0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 197

Natural gas - production:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 191

Natural gas - consumption:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 115

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 197

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 75

Natural gas - proved reserves:

0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 198

Current account balance:

-$486 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 115 -$330 million (2009 est.)

Exports:

$991 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 151 $772 million (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities:

cotton, livestock, gold

Exports - partners:

Singapore 16.76%, Belgium 12.78%, China 7.59%, Ghana 6.89%, India 6.36%, Denmark 5.76%, Niger 5.13%, Thailand 4.52% (2009)

Imports:

$1.48 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 162 $1.186 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities:

capital goods, foodstuffs, petroleum

Imports - partners:

Cote d'Ivoire 24.31%, France 19.48%, Togo 6.42% (2009)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$1.588 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 105 $1.296 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Debt - external:

$2.002 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 139 $1.784 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Exchange rates:

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 506.04 (2010), 472.19 (2009), 447.81 (2008), 493.51 (2007), 522.59 (2006)

Communications ::Burkina Faso

Telephones - main lines in use:

167,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 132

Telephones - mobile cellular:

3.299 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 109

Telephone system:

general assessment: system includes microwave radio relay, open-wire, and radiotelephone communication stations; in 2006 the government sold a 51 percent stake in the national telephone company and ultimately plans to retain only a 23 percent stake in the company

domestic: fixed-line connections stand at less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage, fostered by multiple providers, is increasing rapidly from a low base

international: country code - 226; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2009)

Broadcast media:

2 TV stations - 1 state-owned and 1 privately-owned; state-owned radio runs a national and regional network; substantial number of privately-owned radio broadcast stations; transmissions of several international broadcasters available in Ouagadougou (2007)

Internet country code:

.bf

Internet hosts:

1,877 (2010) country comparison to the world: 155

Internet users:

178,100 (2009) country comparison to the world: 144

Transportation ::Burkina Faso

Airports:

24 (2010) country comparison to the world: 132

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 2

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 22

1,524 to 2,437 m: 4

914 to 1,523 m: 12

under 914 m: 6 (2010)

Railways:

total: 622 km country comparison to the world: 109 narrow gauge: 622 km 1.000-m gauge

note: another 660 km of this railway extends into Cote d'Ivoire (2008)

Roadways:

total: 92,495 km country comparison to the world: 53 paved: 3,857 km

unpaved: 88,638 km (2004)

Military ::Burkina Faso

Military branches:

Army, Air Force of Burkina Faso (Force Aerienne de Burkina Faso, FABF), National Gendarmerie (2010)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for voluntary military service; women may serve in supporting roles (2009)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 3,608,963 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 2,280,776

females age 16-49: 2,278,474 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male: 188,394

female: 185,975 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures:

1.2% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 120

Transnational Issues ::Burkina Faso

Disputes - international:

in September 2007, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) intervened to attempt to resolve the dispute over two villages along the Benin-Burkina Faso border that remain from a 2005 ICJ decision; in recent years citizens and rogue security forces rob and harass local populations on both sides of the poorly defined Burkina Faso-Niger border; despite the presence of more than 9,000 UN forces (UNOCI) in Cote d'Ivoire since 2004, ethnic conflict continues to spread into neighboring states that can no longer send their migrant workers to work in Ivorian cocoa plantations

page last updated on January 20, 2011

======================================================================

@Burma (East & Southeast Asia)

Introduction ::Burma

Background:

Britain conquered Burma over a period of 62 years (1824-1886) and incorporated it into its Indian Empire. Burma was administered as a province of India until 1937 when it became a separate, self-governing colony; independence from the Commonwealth was attained in 1948. Gen. NE WIN dominated the government from 1962 to 1988, first as military ruler, then as self-appointed president, and later as political kingpin. In September 1988, the military deposed NE WIN and established a new ruling junta. Despite multiparty legislative elections in 1990 that resulted in the main opposition party - the National League for Democracy (NLD) - winning a landslide victory, the junta refused to hand over power. NLD leader and Nobel Peace Prize recipient AUNG SAN SUU KYI, who was under house arrest from 1989 to 1995 and 2000 to 2002, was imprisoned in May 2003 and subsequently transferred to house arrest. She was finally released in November 2010. After the ruling junta in August 2007 unexpectedly increased fuel prices, tens of thousands of Burmese marched in protest, led by prodemocracy activists and Buddhist monks. In late September 2007, the government brutally suppressed the protests, killing at least 13 people and arresting thousands for participating in the demonstrations. Since then, the regime has continued to raid homes and monasteries and arrest persons suspected of participating in the pro-democracy protests. Burma in early May 2008 was struck by Cyclone Nargis which official estimates claimed left over 80,000 dead and 50,000 injured. Despite this tragedy, the junta proceeded with its May constitutional referendum, the first vote in Burma since 1990. Parliamentary elections held in November 2010, considered flawed by many in the international community, saw the junta's Union Solidarity and Development Party garnering over 70 percent of the seats. Parliament is constitutionally mandated to convene within 90 days of the election; the president, two vice presidents, and ministers will be selected at that time.

Geography ::Burma

Location:

Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Bangladesh and Thailand

Geographic coordinates:

22 00 N, 98 00 E

Map references:

Southeast Asia

Area:

total: 676,578 sq km country comparison to the world: 40 land: 653,508 sq km

water: 23,070 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Texas

Land boundaries:

total: 5,876 km

border countries: Bangladesh 193 km, China 2,185 km, India 1,463 km, Laos 235 km, Thailand 1,800 km

Coastline:

1,930 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Climate:

tropical monsoon; cloudy, rainy, hot, humid summers (southwest monsoon, June to September); less cloudy, scant rainfall, mild temperatures, lower humidity during winter (northeast monsoon, December to April)

Terrain:

central lowlands ringed by steep, rugged highlands

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Andaman Sea 0 m

highest point: Hkakabo Razi 5,881 m

Natural resources:

petroleum, timber, tin, antimony, zinc, copper, tungsten, lead, coal, marble, limestone, precious stones, natural gas, hydropower

Land use:

arable land: 14.92%

permanent crops: 1.31%

other: 83.77% (2005)

Irrigated land:

18,700 sq km (2003)

Total renewable water resources:

1,045.6 cu km (1999)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):

total: 33.23 cu km/yr (1%/1%/98%)

per capita: 658 cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards:

destructive earthquakes and cyclones; flooding and landslides common during rainy season (June to September); periodic droughts

Environment - current issues:

deforestation; industrial pollution of air, soil, and water; inadequate sanitation and water treatment contribute to disease

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

strategic location near major Indian Ocean shipping lanes

People ::Burma

Population:

53,414,374 country comparison to the world: 24 note: estimates for this country 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: 25.3% (male 6,193,263/female 5,990,658)

15-64 years: 69.3% (male 16,510,648/female 16,828,462)

65 years and over: 5.4% (male 1,121,412/female 1,493,298) (2010 est.)

Median age:

total: 26.5 years

male: 26 years

female: 27.1 years (2010 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.096% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 116

Birth rate:

19.49 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 99

Death rate:

8.23 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 97

Net migration rate:

-0.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population country comparison to the world: 134

Urbanization:

urban population: 33% of total population (2008)

rate of urbanization: 2.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 50.76 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 50 male: 57.85 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 43.24 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 64.52 years country comparison to the world: 167 male: 62.23 years

female: 66.94 years (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.28 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 106

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.7% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 64

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

240,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 28

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

25,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 18

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria

water contact disease: leptospirosis

animal contact disease: rabies

note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009)

Nationality:

noun: Burmese (singular and plural)

adjective: Burmese

Ethnic groups:

Burman 68%, Shan 9%, Karen 7%, Rakhine 4%, Chinese 3%, Indian 2%, Mon 2%, other 5%

Religions:

Buddhist 89%, Christian 4% (Baptist 3%, Roman Catholic 1%), Muslim 4%, animist 1%, other 2%

Languages:

Burmese (offical) minority ethnic groups have their own languages

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 89.9%

male: 93.9%

female: 86.4% (2006 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):

total: 9 years

male: 8 years

female: 8 years (2007)

Education expenditures:

1.2% of GDP (2001) country comparison to the world: 181

Government ::Burma

Country name:

conventional long form: Union of Burma

conventional short form: Burma

local long form: Pyidaungzu Myanma Naingngandaw (translated by the US Government as Union of Myanma and by the Burmese as Union of Myanmar)

local short form: Myanma Naingngandaw

former: Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma

note: since 1989 the military authorities in Burma have promoted the name Myanmar as a conventional name for their state; the US Government did not adopt the name, which is a derivative of the Burmese short-form name Myanma Naingngandaw

Government type:

military regime

Capital:

name: Rangoon (Yangon)

geographic coordinates: 16 48 N, 96 09 E

time difference: UTC+6.5 (11.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

note: Nay Pyi Taw is administrative capital

Administrative divisions:

7 divisions (taing-myar, singular - taing) and 7 states* (pyi ne-myar, singular - pyi ne)

divisions: Ayeyarwady, Bago, Magway, Mandalay, Sagaing, Tanintharyi, Yangon

states: Chin, Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Mon, Rakhine (Arakan), Shan

Independence:

4 January 1948 (from the UK)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 4 January (1948); Union Day, 12 February (1947)

Constitution:

3 January 1974; suspended since 18 September 1988; a constitution officially received 92.48% support in a flawed May 2008 referendum that most observers judged fell far short of international standards of free and fair elections; note - a new constitution is to take effect when a parliament is convened possibly in late January 2011

Legal system:

based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) Sr. Gen. THAN SHWE (since 23 April 1992)

head of government: Prime Minister Lt. Gen THEIN SEIN (since 24 October 2007)

cabinet: Cabinet is overseen by the military regime that assumed power 18 September 1988 under the name State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC); changed in 1997 to SPDC (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: none

Legislative branch:

bicameral, consists of the House of Nationalities [Amyotha Hluttaw] (224 seats, 168 directly elected and 56 appointed by the military; members serve five-year terms) and the House of Representatives [Pythu Hluttaw] (440 seats, 330 directly elected and 110 appointed by the military; members serve five-year terms)

elections: last held on 7 November 2010 (next to be held in December 2015)

election results: House of Nationalities - percent of vote by party - USDP 74.8%, others (NUP, SNDP, RNDP, NDF, AMRDP) 25.2%; seats by party - USDP 129, others 39; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - USDP 79.6%, others (NUP, SNDP, RNDP, NDF, AMRDP) 20.4%; seats by party - USDP 259, others 66

Judicial branch:

remnants of the British-era legal system are in place, but there is no guarantee of a fair public trial; the judiciary is not independent of the executive

Political parties and leaders:

All Mon Region Democracy Party or AMRDP; National Democratic Force or NDF [KHIN MAUNG SWE]; National League for Democracy or NLD [AUNG SHWE, AUNG SAN SUU KYI]; note - the party is defunct because it did not register for the 2010 election; National Unity Party or NUP [TUN YE]; Rakhine Nationalities Development Party or RNDP; Shan Nationalities League for Democracy or SNLD [HKUN HTUN OO]; Union Solidarity and Development Party or USDP [THEIN SEIN]; numerous smaller parties

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Thai border: Ethnic Nationalities Council or ENC; Federation of Trade Unions-Burma or FTUB (exile trade union and labor advocates); National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma or NCGUB (self-proclaimed government in exile) ["Prime Minister" Dr. SEIN WIN] consists of individuals, some legitimately elected to the People's Assembly in 1990 (the group fled to a border area and joined insurgents in December 1990 to form a parallel government in exile); National Council-Union of Burma or NCUB (exile coalition of opposition groups)

Inside Burma: Kachin Independence Organization or KIO; Karen National Union or KNU; Karenni National People's Party or KNPP; Union Solidarity and Development Association or USDA (pro-regime, a social and political mass-member organization) [HTAY OO, general secretary] became the Union Solidarity and Development Party in 2010; United Wa State Army or UWSA; 88 Generation Students (pro-democracy movement); several other Shan factions