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:Rwanda Defense Forces
Branches: Army (including Air Wing), Gendarmerie Manpower availability: males 15-49, 1,719,936; 876,659 fit for military service; no conscription Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $37 million, 1.6% of GDP (1988 est.)
:Saint Helena Geography
Total area: 410 km2 Land area: 410 km2; includes Ascension, Gough Island, Inaccessible Island, Nightingale Island, and Tristan da Cunha Comparative area: slightly more than 2.3 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 60 km Maritime claims: Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: none Climate: tropical; marine; mild, tempered by trade winds Terrain: rugged, volcanic; small scattered plateaus and plains Natural resources: fish; Ascension is a breeding ground for sea turtles and sooty terns; no minerals Land use: arable land 7%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 7%; forest and woodland 3%; other 83% Environment: very few perennial streams Note: located 1,920 km west of Angola, about two-thirds of the way between South America and Africa; Napoleon Bonaparte's place of exile and burial; the remains were taken to Paris in 1840
:Saint Helena People
Population: 6,698 (July 1992), growth rate 0.3% (1992) Birth rate: 10 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 40 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 72 years male, 76 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 1.2 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Saint Helenian(s); adjective - Saint Helenian Ethnic divisions: NA Religions: Anglican majority; also Baptist, Seventh-Day Adventist, and Roman Catholic Languages: English Literacy: 98% (male 97%, female 98%) age 15 and over can read and write (1987) Labor force: NA Organized labor: Saint Helena General Workers' Union, 472 members; crafts 17%, professional and technical 10%, service 10%, management and clerical 9%, farming and fishing 9%, transport 6%, sales 5%, and other 34%
:Saint Helena Government
Long-form name: none Type: dependent territory of the UK Capital: Jamestown Administrative divisions: 1 administrative area and 2 dependencies*; Ascension*, Saint Helena, Tristan da Cunha* Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK) Constitution: 1 January 1967 Legal system: NA National holiday: Celebration of the Birthday of the Queen (second Saturday in June), 10 June 1989 Executive branch: British monarch, governor, Executive Council (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) Head of Government: Governor A. N. HOOLE Political parties and leaders: Saint Helena Labor Party, leader NA; Saint Helena Progressive Party, leader NA; note - both political parties inactive since 1976 Suffrage: NA Elections: Legislative Council: last held October 1984 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (15 total, 12 elected) number of seats by party NA Member of: ICFTU Diplomatic representation: none (dependent territory of the UK) Flag: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Saint Helenian shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield features a rocky coastline and three-masted sailing ship
:Saint Helena Economy
Overview: The economy depends primarily on financial assistance from the UK. The local population earns some income from fishing, the rearing of livestock, and sales of handicrafts. Because there are few jobs, a large proportion of the work force has left to seek employment overseas. GDP: $NA, per capita $NA; real growth rate NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): -1.1% (1986) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $3.2 million; expenditures $2.9 million, including capital expenditures of NA (1984) Exports: $23.9 thousand (f.o.b., 1984) commodities: fish (frozen and salt-dried skipjack, tuna), handicrafts partners: South Africa, UK Imports: $2.4 million (c.i.f., 1984) commodities: food, beverages, tobacco, fuel oils, animal feed, building materials, motor vehicles and parts, machinery and parts partners: UK, South Africa External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 9,800 kW capacity; 10 million kWh produced, 1,390 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: crafts (furniture, lacework, fancy woodwork), fish Agriculture: maize, potatoes, vegetables; timber production being developed; crawfishing on Tristan da Cunha Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $198 million Currency: Saint Helenian pound (plural - pounds); 1 Saint Helenian pound (S) = 100 pence Exchange rates: Saint Helenian pounds (S) per US$1 - 0.5799 (March 1992), 0.5652 (1991), 0.6099 (1989), 0.5614 (1988), 0.6102 (1987); note - the Saint Helenian pound is at par with the British pound Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
:Saint Helena Communications
Highways: 87 km paved roads, 20 km earth roads on Saint Helena; 80 km paved roads on Ascension; 2.7 km paved roads on Tristan da Cunha Ports: Jamestown (Saint Helena), Georgetown (Ascension) Airports: 1 with permanent-surface runway 2,440-3,659 m on Ascension Telecommunications: 1,500 radio receivers; broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, no TV; 550 telephones in automatic network; HF radio links to Ascension, then into worldwide submarine cable and satellite networks; major coaxial submarine cable relay point between South Africa, Portugal, and UK at Ascension; 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth stations
:Saint Helena Defense Forces
Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
:Saint Kitts and Nevis Geography
Total area: 269 km2 Land area: 269 km2 Comparative area: slightly more than 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 135 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 24 nm Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: none Climate: subtropical tempered by constant sea breezes; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November) Terrain: volcanic with mountainous interiors Natural resources: negligible Land use: arable land 22%; permanent crops 17%; meadows and pastures 3%; forest and woodland 17%; other 41% Environment: subject to hurricanes (July to October) Note: located 320 km east-southeast of Puerto Rico
:Saint Kitts and Nevis People
Population: 40,061 (July 1992), growth rate 0.3% (1992) Birth rate: 22 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 10 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -9 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 22 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 63 years male, 69 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.4 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Kittsian(s), Nevisian(s); adjective - Kittsian, Nevisian Ethnic divisions: mainly of black African descent Religions: Anglican, other Protestant sects, Roman Catholic Languages: English Literacy: 98% (male 98%, female 98%) age 15 and over having ever attended school (1970) Labor force: 20,000 (1981) Organized labor: 6,700
:Saint Kitts and Nevis Government
Long-form name: Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis; formerly Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis Type: constitutional monarchy Capital: Basseterre Administrative divisions: 14 parishs; Christ Church Nichola Town, Saint Anne Sandy Point, Saint George Basseterre, Saint George Gingerland, Saint James Windward, Saint John Capisterre, Saint John Figtree, Saint Mary Cayon, Saint Paul Capisterre, Saint Paul Charlestown, Saint Peter Basseterre, Saint Thomas Lowland, Saint Thomas Middle Island, Trinity Palmetto Point Independence: 19 September 1983 (from UK) Constitution: 19 September 1983 Legal system: based on English common law National holiday: Independence Day, 19 September (1983) Executive branch: British monarch, governor general, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral House of Assembly Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Clement Athelston ARRINDELL (since 19 September 1983, previously Governor General of the Associated State since NA November 1981) Head of Government: Prime Minister Dr. Kennedy Alphonse SIMMONDS (since 19 September 1983, previously Premier of the Associated State since NA February 1980); Deputy Prime Minister Michael Oliver POWELL (since NA) Political parties and leaders: People's Action Movement (PAM), Kennedy SIMMONDS; Saint Kitts and Nevis Labor Party (SKNLP), Dr. Denzil DOUGLAS; Nevis Reformation Party (NRP), Simeon DANIEL; Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM), Vance AMORY Suffrage: universal adult at age NA Elections: House of Assembly: last held 21 March 1989 (next to be held by 21 March 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (14 total, 11 elected) PAM 6, SKNLP 2, NRP 2, CCM 1 Member of: ACP, C, CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, IBRD, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IMF, INTERPOL, OAS, OECS, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO Diplomatic representation: Minister-Counselor (Deputy Chief of Mission), Charge d'Affaires ad interim Aubrey Eric HART; Chancery at Suite 608, 2100 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20037; telephone (202) 833-3550 US: no official presence since the Charge resides in Saint John's (Antigua and Barbuda)
:Saint Kitts and Nevis Government
Flag: divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a broad black band bearing two white five-pointed stars; the black band is edged in yellow; the upper triangle is green, the lower triangle is red
:Saint Kitts and Nevis Economy
Overview: The economy has historically depended on the growing and processing of sugarcane and on remittances from overseas workers. In recent years, tourism and export-oriented manufacturing have assumed larger roles. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $146.6 million, per capita $3,650; real growth rate 2.1% (1990) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.2% (1990) Unemployment rate: 15% (1989) Budget: revenues $38.1 million; expenditures $68 million, including capital expenditures of $31.5 million (1991) Exports: $24.6 million (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: sugar, clothing, electronics, postage stamps partners: US 53%, UK 22%, Trinidad and Tobago 5%, OECS 5% (1988) Imports: $103.2 million (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: foodstuffs, intermediate manufactures, machinery, fuels partners: US 36%, UK 17%, Trinidad and Tobago 6%, Canada 3%, Japan 3%, OECS 4% (1988) External debt: $26.4 million (1988) Industrial production: growth rate 11.8% (1988 est.); accounts for 17% of GDP Electricity: 15,800 kW capacity; 45 million kWh produced, 1,117 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: sugar processing, tourism, cotton, salt, copra, clothing, footwear, beverages Agriculture: cash crop - sugarcane; subsistence crops - rice, yams, vegetables, bananas; fishing potential not fully exploited; most food imported Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY85-88), $10.7 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $67 million Currency: East Caribbean dollar (plural - dollars); 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.70 (fixed rate since 1976) Fiscal year: calendar year
:Saint Kitts and Nevis Communications
Railroads: 58 km 0.760-meter gauge on Saint Kitts for sugarcane Highways: 300 km total; 125 km paved, 125 km otherwise improved, 50 km unimproved earth Ports: Basseterre (Saint Kitts), Charlestown (Nevis) Civil air: no major transport aircraft Airports: 2 total, 2 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; none with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: good interisland VHF/UHF/SHF radio connections and international link via Antigua and Barbuda and Saint Martin; 2,400 telephones; broadcast stations - 2 AM, no FM, 4 TV
:Saint Kitts and Nevis Defense Forces
Branches: Royal Saint Kitts and Nevis Police Force, Coast Guard Manpower availability: NA Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP
:Saint Lucia Geography
Total area: 620 km2 Land area: 610 km2 Comparative area: slightly less than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 158 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 24 nm Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: none Climate: tropical, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season from January to April, rainy season from May to August Terrain: volcanic and mountainous with some broad, fertile valleys Natural resources: forests, sandy beaches, minerals (pumice), mineral springs, geothermal potential Land use: arable land 8%; permanent crops 20%; meadows and pastures 5%; forest and woodland 13%; other 54%; includes irrigated 2% Environment: subject to hurricanes and volcanic activity; deforestation; soil erosion Note: located 700 km southeast of Puerto Rico
:Saint Lucia People
Population: 151,774 (July 1992), growth rate 1.7% (1992) Birth rate: 26 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -4 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 18 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 70 years male, 75 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.8 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Saint Lucian(s); adjective - Saint Lucian Ethnic divisions: African descent 90.3%, mixed 5.5%, East Indian 3.2%, Caucasian 0.8% Religions: Roman Catholic 90%, Protestant 7%, Anglican 3% Languages: English (official), French patois Literacy: 67% (male 65%, female 69%) age 15 and over having ever attended school (1980) Labor force: 43,800; agriculture 43.4%, services 38.9%, industry and commerce 17.7% (1983 est.) Organized labor: 20% of labor force
:Saint Lucia Government
Long-form name: none Type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Castries Administrative divisions: 11 quarters; Anse-la-Raye, Castries, Choiseul, Dauphin, Dennery, Gros-Islet, Laborie, Micoud, Praslin, Soufriere, Vieux-Fort Independence: 22 February 1979 (from UK) Constitution: 22 February 1979 Legal system: based on English common law National holiday: Independence Day, 22 February (1979) Executive branch: British monarch, governor general, prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of an upper house or Senate and a lower house or House of Assembly Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Acting Governor General Sir Stanislaus Anthony JAMES (since 10 October 1988) Head of Government: Prime Minister John George Melvin COMPTON (since 3 May 1982) Political parties and leaders: United Workers' Party (UWP), John COMPTON; Saint Lucia Labor Party (SLP), Julian HUNTE; Progressive Labor Party (PLP), George ODLUM Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: House of Assembly: last held 6 April 1987 (next to be held by 27 April 1992); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (17 total) UWP 10, SLP 7 Member of: ACCT (associate), ACP, C, CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, LORCS, NAM, OAS, OECS, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Dr. Joseph Edsel EDMUNDS; Chancery at Suite 309, 2100 M Street NW, Washington, DC 30037; telephone (202) 463-7378 or 7379; there is a Saint Lucian Consulate General in New York US: no official presence since the Ambassador resides in Bridgetown (Barbados) Flag: blue with a gold isosceles triangle below a black arrowhead; the upper edges of the arrowhead have a white border
:Saint Lucia Economy
Overview: Since 1983 the economy has shown an impressive average annual growth rate of almost 5% because of strong agricultural and tourist sectors. Saint Lucia also possesses an expanding industrial base supported by foreign investment in manufacturing and other activities, such as in data processing. The economy, however, remains vulnerable because the important agricultural sector is dominated by banana production. Saint Lucia is subject to periodic droughts and/or tropical storms, and its protected market agreement with the UK for bananas may end in 1992. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $295 million, per capita $1,930; real growth rate 4.0% (1990 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.2% (1990) Unemployment rate: 16.0% (1988) Budget: revenues $131 million; expenditures $149 million, including capital expenditures of $71 million (FY90 est.) Exports: $127 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: bananas 54%, clothing 17%, cocoa, vegetables, fruits, coconut oil partners: UK 51%, CARICOM 20%, US 19%, other 10% Imports: $270 million (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: manufactured goods 23%, machinery and transportation equipment 27%, food and live animals 18%, chemicals 10%, fuels 6% partners: US 35%, CARICOM 16%, UK 15%, Japan 7%, Canada 4%, other 23% External debt: $54.5 million (1989) Industrial production: growth rate 3.5% (1990 est.); accounts for 7% of GDP Electricity: 32,500 kW capacity; 112 million kWh produced, 732 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: clothing, assembly of electronic components, beverages, corrugated boxes, tourism, lime processing, coconut processing Agriculture: accounts for 16% of GDP and 43% of labor force; crops - bananas, coconuts, vegetables, citrus fruit, root crops, cocoa; imports food for the tourist industry Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $120 million Currency: East Caribbean dollar (plural - dollars); 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.70 (fixed rate since 1976)
:Saint Lucia Communications
Highways: 760 km total; 500 km paved; 260 km otherwise improved Ports: Castries Civil air: no major transport aircraft Airports: 2 total, 2 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 Telecommunications: fully automatic telephone system; 9,500 telephones; direct microwave link with Martinique and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; interisland troposcatter link to Barbados; broadcast stations - 4 AM, 1 FM, 1 TV (cable)
:Saint Lucia Defense Forces
Branches: Royal Saint Lucia Police Force, Coast Guard Manpower availability: NA Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP
:Saint Pierre and Miquelon Geography
Total area: 242 km2 Land area: 242 km2; includes eight small islands in the Saint Pierre and the Miquelon groups Comparative area: slightly less than 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 120 km Maritime claims: Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: focus of maritime boundary dispute between Canada and France Climate: cold and wet, with much mist and fog; spring and autumn are windy Terrain: mostly barren rock Natural resources: fish, deepwater ports Land use: arable land 13%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and woodland 4%; other 83% Environment: vegetation scanty Note: located 25 km south of Newfoundland, Canada, in the North Atlantic Ocean
:Saint Pierre and Miquelon People
Population: 6,513 (July 1992), growth rate 0.4% (1992) Birth rate: 9 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 1 migrant/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 10 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 75 years male, 78 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 1.2 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Frenchman(men), Frenchwoman(women); adjective - French Ethnic divisions: originally Basques and Bretons (French fishermen) Religions: Roman Catholic 98% Languages: French Literacy: 99% (male 99%, female 99%) age 15 and over can read and write (1982) Labor force: 2,850 (1988) Organized labor: Workers' Force trade union
:Saint Pierre and Miquelon Government
Long-form name: Territorial Collectivity of Saint Pierre and Miquelon Type: territorial collectivity of France Capital: Saint-Pierre Administrative divisions: none (territorial collectivity of France) Independence: none (territorial collectivity of France); note - has been under French control since 1763 Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: French law National holiday: National Day, 14 July (Taking of the Bastille) Executive branch: French president, commissioner of the Republic Legislative branch: unicameral General Council Judicial branch: Superior Tribunal of Appeals (Tribunal Superieur d'Appel) Leaders: Chief of State: President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981) Head of Government: Commissioner of the Republic Jean-Pierre MARQUIE (since February 1989); President of the General Council Marc PLANTEGENET (since NA) Political parties and leaders: Socialist Party (PS); Union for French Democracy (UDF/CDS), Gerard GRIGNON Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: General Council: last held September-October 1988 (next to be held NA September 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (19 total) Socialist and other left-wing parties 13, UDF and right-wing parties 6 French President: last held 8 May 1988 (next to be held NA May 1995); results - (second ballot) Jacques CHIRAC 56%, Francois MITTERRAND 44% French Senate: last held 24 September 1989 (next to be held NA September 1992); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (1 total) PS 1 French National Assembly: last held 5 and 12 June 1988 (next to be held NA June 1993); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (1 total) UDF/CDS 1; note - Saint Pierre and Miquelon elects 1 member each to the French Senate and the French National Assembly who are voting members Member of: FZ, WFTU Diplomatic representation: as a territorial collectivity of France, local interests are represented in the US by France Flag: the flag of France is used
:Saint Pierre and Miquelon Economy
Overview: The inhabitants have traditionally earned their livelihood by fishing and by servicing fishing fleets operating off the coast of Newfoundland. The economy has been declining, however, because the number of ships stopping at Saint Pierre has dropped steadily over the years. In March 1989, an agreement between France and Canada set fish quotas for Saint Pierre's trawlers fishing in Canadian and Canadian-claimed waters for three years. The agreement settles a longstanding dispute that had virtually brought fish exports to a halt. The islands are heavily subsidized by France. Imports come primarily from Canada and France. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $60 million, per capita $9,500; real growth rate NA% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: 9.6% (1990) Budget: revenues $18.3 million; expenditures $18.3 million, including capital expenditures of $5.5 million (1989) Exports: $25.5 million (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: fish and fish products, fox and mink pelts partners: US 58%, France 17%, UK 11%, Canada, Portugal Imports: $87.2 million (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: meat, clothing, fuel, electrical equipment, machinery, building materials partners: Canada, France, US, Netherlands, UK External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 10,000 kW capacity; 25 million kWh produced, 3,970 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: fish processing and supply base for fishing fleets; tourism Agriculture: vegetables, cattle, sheep and pigs for local consumption; fish catch, 20,500 metric tons (1989) Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $500 million Currency: French franc (plural - francs); 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.6397 (March 1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453 (1990), 6.3801 (1989), 5.9569 (1988), 6.0107 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year
:Saint Pierre and Miquelon Communications
Highways: 120 km total; 60 km paved (1985) Ports: Saint Pierre Civil air: no major transport aircraft Airports: 2 total, 2 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways, none with runways over 2,439 m; 1 with runway 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: 3,601 telephones; broadcast stations - 1 AM, 3 FM, no TV; radio communication with most countries in the world; 1 earth station in French domestic satellite system
:Saint Pierre and Miquelon Defense Forces
Note: defense is the responsibility of France
:Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Geography
Total area: 340 km2 Land area: 340 km2 Comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 84 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 24 nm Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: none Climate: tropical; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November) Terrain: volcanic, mountainous; Soufriere volcano on the island of Saint Vincent Natural resources: negligible Land use: arable land 38%; permanent crops 12%; meadows and pastures 6%; forest and woodland 41%; other 3%; includes irrigated 3% Environment: subject to hurricanes; Soufriere volcano is a constant threat Note: some islands of the Grenadines group are administered by Grenada
:Saint Vincent and the Grenadines People
Population: 115,339 (July 1992), growth rate 1.1% (1992) Birth rate: 23 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -7 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 19 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 71 years male, 74 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.4 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Saint Vincentian(s) or Vincentian(s); adjectives - Saint Vincentian or Vincentian Ethnic divisions: mainly of black African descent; remainder mixed, with some white, East Indian, Carib Indian Religions: Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Seventh-Day Adventist Languages: English, some French patois Literacy: 96% (male 96%, female 96%) age 15 and over having ever attended school (1970) Labor force: 67,000 (1984 est.) Organized labor: 10% of labor force
:Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Government
Long-form name: none Type: constitutional monarchy Capital: Kingstown Administrative divisions: 6 parishes; Charlotte, Grenadines, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint Patrick Independence: 27 October 1979 (from UK) Constitution: 27 October 1979 Legal system: based on English common law National holiday: Independence Day, 27 October (1979) Executive branch: British monarch, governor general, prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral House of Assembly Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General David JACK (since 29 September 1989) Head of Government: Prime Minister James F. MITCHELL (since 30 July 1984) Political parties and leaders: New Democratic Party (NDP), James (Son) MITCHELL; Saint Vincent Labor Party (SVLP), Vincent BEACHE; United People's Movement (UPM), Adrian SAUNDERS; Movement for National Unity (MNU), Ralph GONSALVES; National Reform Party (NRP), Joel MIGUEL Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: House of Assembly: last held 16 May 1989 (next to be held NA July 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (21 total; 15 elected representatives and 6 appointed senators) NDP 15 Member of: ACP, C, CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, OAS, OECS, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Kingsley LAYNE; 1717 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 102, Washington, DC 20036; telephone NA US: no official presence since the Ambassador resides in Bridgetown (Barbados) Flag: three vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold (double width), and green; the gold band bears three green diamonds arranged in a V pattern *** No entry for this item ***
:Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Economy
Overview: Agriculture, dominated by banana production, is the most important sector of the economy. The services sector, based mostly on a growing tourist industry, is also important. The economy continues to have a high unemployment rate of 30% because of an overdependence on the weather-plagued banana crop as a major export earner. Government progress toward diversifying into new industries has been relatively unsuccessful. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $146 million, per capita $1,300; real growth rate 5.9% (1989) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.0% (1990) Unemployment rate: 30% (1989 est.) Budget: revenues $62 million; expenditures $67 million, including capital expenditures of $21 million (FY90 est.) Exports: $75 million (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: bananas, eddoes and dasheen (taro), arrowroot starch, tennis racquets, flour partners: UK 43%, CARICOM 37%, US 15% Imports: $130 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, chemicals and fertilizers, minerals and fuels partners: US 42%, CARICOM 19%, UK 15% External debt: $50.9 million (1989) Industrial production: growth rate 0% (1989); accounts for 14% of GDP Electricity: 16,594 kW capacity; 64 million kWh produced, 560 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: food processing (sugar, flour), cement, furniture, clothing, starch, sheet metal, beverage Agriculture: accounts for 15% of GDP and 60% of labor force; provides bulk of exports; products - bananas, coconuts, sweet potatoes, spices; small numbers of cattle, sheep, hogs, goats; small fish catch used locally Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-87), $11 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $81 million Currency: East Caribbean dollar (plural - dollars); 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.70 (fixed rate since 1976) Fiscal year: calendar year (as of January 1991); previously 1 July - 30 June
:Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Communications
Highways: about 1,000 km total; 300 km paved; 400 km improved; 300 km unimproved Ports: Kingstown Merchant marine: 407 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,388,427 GRT/5,511,325 DWT; includes 3 passenger, 2 passenger-cargo, 222 cargo, 22 container, 19 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 14 refrigerated cargo, 24 petroleum tanker, 7 chemical tanker, 4 liquefied gas, 73 bulk, 13 combination bulk, 2 vehicle carrier, 1 livestock carrier, 1 specialized tanker; note - China owns 3 ships; a flag of convenience registry Civil air: no major transport aircraft Airports: 6 total, 6 usable; 4 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 2,439 m; 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: islandwide fully automatic telephone system; 6,500 telephones; VHF/UHF interisland links from Saint Vincent to Barbados and the Grenadines; new SHF links to Grenada and Saint Lucia; broadcast stations - 2 AM, no FM, 1 TV (cable)
:Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Defense Forces
Branches: Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force, Coast Guard Manpower availability: NA Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP
:San Marino Geography
Total area: 60 km2 Land area: 60 km2 Comparative area: about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 39 km; Italy 39 km Coastline: none - landlocked Maritime claims: none - landlocked Disputes: none Climate: Mediterranean; mild to cool winters; warm, sunny summers Terrain: rugged mountains Natural resources: building stones Land use: arable land 17%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and woodland 0%; other 83% Environment: dominated by the Appenines Note: landlocked; world's smallest republic; enclave of Italy
:San Marino People
Population: 23,404 (July 1992), growth rate 0.6% (1992) Birth rate: 8 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 5 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 8 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 74 years male, 79 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 1.3 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Sanmarinese (singular and plural); adjective - Sanmarinese Ethnic divisions: Sanmarinese, Italian Religions: Roman Catholic Languages: Italian Literacy: 96% (male 96%, female 95%) age 14 and over can read and write (1976) Labor force: about 4,300 Organized labor: Democratic Federation of Sanmarinese Workers (affiliated with ICFTU) has about 1,800 members; Communist-dominated General Federation of Labor, 1,400 members
:San Marino Government
Long-form name: Republic of San Marino Type: republic Capital: San Marino Administrative divisions: 9 municipalities (castelli, singular - castello); Acquaviva, Borgo Maggiore, Chiesanuova, Domagnano, Faetano, Fiorentino, Monte Giardino, San Marino, Serravalle Independence: 301 AD (by tradition) Constitution: 8 October 1600; electoral law of 1926 serves some of the functions of a constitution Legal system: based on civil law system with Italian law influences; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Anniversary of the Foundation of the Republic, 3 September Executive branch: two captains regent, Congress of State (cabinet); real executive power is wielded by the secretary of state for foreign affairs and the secretary of state for internal affairs Legislative branch: unicameral Great and General Council (Consiglio Grande e Generale) Judicial branch: Council of Twelve (Consiglio dei XII) Leaders: Co-Chiefs of State: Captain Regent Edda CETCOLI and Captain Regent Marino RICCARDI (since 1 October 1991) Head of Government: Secretary of State Gabriele GATTI (since July 1986) Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Party (DCS), Piermarino MENICUCCI; San Marino Democratic Progressive Party (PPDS) formerly San Marino Communist Party (PCS), Gilberto GHIOTTI; San Marino Socialist Party (PSS), Remy GIACOMINI; Unitary Socialst Party (PSU); Democratic Movement (MD), Emilio Della BALDA; San Marino Social Democratic Party (PSDS), Augusto CASALI; San Marino Republican Party (PRS), Cristoforo BUSCARINI Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: Great and General Council: last held 29 May 1988 (next to be held by NA May 1993); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (60 total) DCS 27, PCS 18, PSU 8, PSS 7 Communists: about 300 members Member of: CE, CSCE, ICAO, ICFTU, ILO, IMF (observer), IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, LORCS, NAM (guest), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WTO Diplomatic representation: San Marino maintains honorary Consulates General in Washington and New York and an honorary Consulate in Detroit
:San Marino Government
US: no mission in San Marino, but the Consul General in Florence (Italy) is accredited to San Marino; Consulate General at Lungarno Amerigo Vespucci, 38, 50123 Firenze, Italy (mailing address is APO AE 09613; telephone [39] (55) 239-8276 through 8279 and 217-605; FAX [39] (55) 284-088 Flag: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and light blue with the national coat of arms superimposed in the center; the coat of arms has a shield (featuring three towers on three peaks) flanked by a wreath, below a crown and above a scroll bearing the word Flag: AS (Liberty)
:San Marino Economy
Overview: More than 2 million tourists visit each year, contributing about 60% to GDP. The sale of postage stamps to foreign collectors is another important income producer. The manufacturing sector employs nearly 40% of the labor force and agriculture less than 4%. The per capita level of output and standard of living are comparable to northern Italy. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $400 million, per capita $17,000; real growth rate NA% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6% (1990) Unemployment rate: 6.5% (1985) Budget: revenues $99.2 million; expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA (1983) Exports: *** No entry for this item *** trade data are included with the statistics for Italy; commodity trade consists primarily of exchanging building stone, lime, wood, chestnuts, wheat, wine, baked goods, hides, and ceramics for a wide variety of consumer manufactures Imports: see External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: supplied by Italy Industries: wine, olive oil, cement, leather, textile, tourism Agriculture: employs less than 4% of labor force; products - wheat, grapes, corn, olives, meat, cheese, hides; small numbers of cattle, pigs, horses; depends on Italy for food imports Economic aid: NA Currency: Italian lira (plural - lire); 1 Italian lira (Lit) = 100 centesimi; also mints its own coins Exchange rates: Italian lire (Lit) per US$1 - 1,248.4 (March 1992), 1,240.6 (1991), 1,198.1 (1990), 1,372.1 (1989), 1,301.6 (1988), 1,296.1 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year
:San Marino Communications
Highways: 104 km Telecommunications: automatic telephone system completely integrated into Italian system; 11,700 telephones; broadcast services from Italy; microwave and cable links into Italian networks; no communication satellite facilities
:San Marino Defense Forces
Branches: public security or police force of less than 50 people Manpower availability: all fit men ages 16-60 constitute a militia that can serve as an army Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP
:Sao Tome and Principe Geography
Total area: 960 km2 Land area: 960 km2 Comparative area: slightly less than 5.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 209 km Maritime claims: (measured from claimed archipelagic baselines) Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: none Climate: tropical; hot, humid; one rainy season (October to May) Terrain: volcanic, mountainous Natural resources: fish Land use: arable land 1%; permanent crops 20%; meadows and pastures 1%; forest and woodland 75%; other 3% Environment: deforestation; soil erosion Note: located south of Nigeria and west of Gabon near the Equator in the North Atlantic Ocean
:Sao Tome and Principe People
Population: 132,338 (July 1992), growth rate 2.9% (1992) Birth rate: 38 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 8 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 58 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 64 years male, 68 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 5.2 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Sao Tomean(s); adjective - Sao Tomean Ethnic divisions: mestico, angolares (descendents of Angolan slaves), forros (descendents of freed slaves), servicais (contract laborers from Angola, Mozambique, and Cape Verde), tongas (children of servicais born on the islands), and Europeans (primarily Portuguese) Religions: Roman Catholic, Evangelical Protestant, Seventh-Day Adventist Languages: Portuguese (official) Literacy: 57% (male 73%, female 42%) age 15 and over can read and write (1981) Labor force: 21,096 (1981); most of population engaged in subsistence agriculture and fishing; labor shortages on plantations and of skilled workers; 56% of population of working age (1983) Organized labor: NA
:Sao Tome and Principe Government
Long-form name: Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe Type: republic Capital: Sao Tome Administrative divisions: 2 districts (concelhos, singular - concelho); Principe, Sao Tome Independence: 12 July 1975 (from Portugal) Constitution: 5 November 1975, approved 15 December 1982 Legal system: based on Portuguese law system and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Independence Day, 12 July (1975) Executive branch: president, prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral National People's Assembly (Assembleia Popular Nacional) Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: President Miguel TROVOADA (since 4 April 1991) Head of Government: Prime Minister Noberto COSTA ALEGRE (since 16 May 1992) Political parties and leaders: Party for Democratic Convergence-Reflection Group (PCD-GR), Prime Minister Daniel Lima Dos Santos DAIO, secretary general; Movement for the Liberation of Sao Tome and Principe (MLSTP), Carlos da GRACA; Christian Democratic Front (FDC), Alphonse Dos SANTOS; Democratic Opposition Coalition (CODO), leader NA; other small parties Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President: last held 3 March 1991 (next to be held NA March 1996); results - Miguel TROVOADA was elected without opposition in Sao Tome's first multiparty presidential election National People's Assembly: last held 20 January 1991 (next to be held NA January 1996); results - PCD-GR 54.4%, MLSTP 30.5%, CODO 5.2%, FDC 1.5%, other 8.3%; seats - (55 total) PCD-GR 33, MLSTP 21, CODO 1; note - this was the first multiparty election in Sao Tome and Principe Member of: ACP, AfDB, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, ILO, IMF, INTERPOL, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Joaquim Rafael BRANCO; Chancery (temporary) at 801 Second Avenue, Suite 603, New York, NY 10017; telephone (212) 697-4211 US: Ambassador to Gabon is accredited to Sao Tome and Principe on a nonresident basis and makes periodic visits to the islands
:Sao Tome and Principe Government
Flag: three horizontal bands of green (top), yellow (double width), and green with two black five-pointed stars placed side by side in the center of the yellow band and a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
:Sao Tome and Principe Economy
Overview: The economy has remained dependent on cocoa since the country gained independence nearly 15 years ago. Since then, however, cocoa production has gradually deteriorated because of drought and mismanagement, so that by 1987 output had fallen to less than 50% of its former levels. As a result, a shortage of cocoa for export has created a serious balance-of-payments problem. Production of less important crops, such as coffee, copra, and palm kernels, has also declined. The value of imports generally exceeds that of exports by a ratio of 4:1. The emphasis on cocoa production at the expense of other food crops has meant that Sao Tome has to import 90% of food needs. It also has to import all fuels and most manufactured goods. Over the years, Sao Tome has been unable to service its external debt, which amounts to roughly 80% of export earnings. Considerable potential exists for development of a tourist industry, and the government has taken steps to expand facilities in recent years. The government also implemented a Five-Year Plan covering 1986-90 to restructure the economy and reschedule external debt service payments in cooperation with the International Development Association and Western lenders. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $46.0 million, per capita $400; real growth rate 1.5% (1989) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 36% (1989) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $10.2 million; expenditures $36.8 million, including capital expenditures of $22.5 million (1989) Exports: $4.4 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: cocoa 85%, copra, coffee, palm oil partners: FRG, GDR, Netherlands, China Imports: $21.3 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: machinery and electrical equipment 54%, food products 23%, other 23% partners: Portugal, GDR, Angola, China External debt: $147 million (1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 7.1% (1986) Electricity: 5,000 kW capacity; 10 million kWh produced, 80 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: light construction, shirts, soap, beer, fisheries, shrimp processing Agriculture: dominant sector of economy, primary source of exports; cash crops - cocoa (85%), coconuts, palm kernels, coffee; food products - bananas, papaya, beans, poultry, fish; not self-sufficient in food grain and meat Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $8 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $89 million Currency: dobra (plural - dobras); 1 dobra (Db) = 100 centimos
:Sao Tome and Principe Economy
Exchange rates: dobras (Db) per US$1 - 260.0 (November 1991), 122.48 (December 1988), 72.827 (1987), 36.993 (1986) Fiscal year: calendar year
:Sao Tome and Principe Communications
Highways: 300 km (two-thirds are paved); roads on Principe are mostly unpaved and in need of repair Ports: Sao Tome, Santo Antonio Civil air: 10 major transport aircraft Airports: 2 total, 2 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: minimal system; broadcast stations - 1 AM, 2 FM, no TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
:Sao Tome and Principe Defense Forces
Branches: Army, Navy, National Police Manpower availability: males 15-49, 30,188; 15,918 fit for military service Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP
:Saudi Arabia Geography
Total area: 1,945,000 km2 Land area: 1,945,000 km2 Comparative area: slightly less than one-fourth the size of the US Land boundaries: 4,532 km total; Iraq 808 km, Jordan 742 km, Kuwait 222 km, Oman 676 km, Qatar 40 km, UAE 586 km, Yemen 1,458 km Coastline: 2,510 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 18 nm Continental shelf: not specific Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: no defined boundaries with Yemen; location and status of Saudi Arabia's boundaries with Qatar and UAE are unresolved; Kuwaiti ownership of Qaruh and Umm al Maradim Islands is disputed by Saudi Arabia Climate: harsh, dry desert with great extremes of temperature Terrain: mostly uninhabited, sandy desert Natural resources: crude oil, natural gas, iron ore, gold, copper Land use: arable land 1%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 39%; forest and woodland 1%; other 59%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: no perennial rivers or permanent water bodies; developing extensive coastal seawater desalination facilities; desertification Note: extensive coastlines on Persian Gulf and Red Sea provide great leverage on shipping (especially crude oil) through Persian Gulf and Suez Canal
:Saudi Arabia People
Population: 17,050,934 (July 1992), growth rate 3.3% (1992); note - the population figure is based on growth since the last official Saudi census of 1974 that reported a total of 7 million persons and included foreign workers; estimates from other sources may be 15-30% lower Birth rate: 39 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 59 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 65 years male, 68 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 6.7 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Saudi(s); adjective - Saudi or Saudi Arabian Ethnic divisions: Arab 90%, Afro-Asian 10% Religions: Muslim 100% Languages: Arabic Literacy: 62% (male 73%, female 48%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 5,000,000; about 60% are foreign workers; government 34%, industry and oil 28%, services 22%, and agriculture 16% Organized labor: trade unions are illegal
:Saudi Arabia Government
Long-form name: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Type: monarchy Capital: Riyadh Administrative divisions: 14 emirates (imarat, singular - imarah); Al Bahah, Al Hudud ash Shamaliyah, Al Jawf, Al Madinah, Al Qasim, Al Qurayyat, Ar Riyad, Ash Sharqiyah, 'Asir, Ha'il, Jizan, Makkah, Najran, Tabuk Independence: 23 September 1932 (unification) Constitution: none; governed according to Shari'a (Islamic law) Legal system: based on Islamic law, several secular codes have been introduced; commercial disputes handled by special committees; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Unification of the Kingdom, 23 September (1932) Executive branch: monarch and prime minister, crown prince and deputy prime minister, Council of Ministers Legislative branch: none Judicial branch: Supreme Council of Justice Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: King and Prime Minister FAHD bin 'Abd al-'Aziz Al Sa'ud (since 13 June 1982); Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister 'ABDALLAH bin 'Abd al-'Aziz Al Sa'ud (half-brother to the King, appointed heir to the throne 13 June 1982) Suffrage: none Elections: none Member of: ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-19, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador BANDAR Bin Sultan; Chancery at 601 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037; telephone (202) 342-3800; there are Saudi Arabian Consulates General in Houston, Los Angeles, and New York US: Ambassador Charles W. FREEMAN, Jr.; Embassy at Collector Road M, Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh (mailing address is American Embassy, Unit 61307, Riyadh; International Mail: P. O. Box 94309, Riyadh 11693; or APO AE 09803-1307); telephone [966] (1) 488-3800; Telex 406866; there are US Consulates General in Dhahran and Jiddah (Jeddah) Flag: green with large white Arabic script (that may be translated as There is no God but God; Muhammad is the Messenger of God) above a white horizontal saber (the tip points to the hoist side); green is the traditional color of Islam
:Saudi Arabia Economy
Overview: The petroleum sector accounts for roughly 70% of budget revenues, 37% of GDP, and almost all export earnings. Saudi Arabia has the largest reserves of petroleum in the world, ranks as the largest exporter of petroleum, and plays a leading role in OPEC. For the 1990s the government intends to encourage private economic activity and to foster the gradual process of turning Saudi Arabia into a modern industrial state that retains traditional Islamic values. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $104 billion, per capita $5,800; real growth rate 1.5% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 0% (1989 est.) Budget: revenues $40.3 billion; expenditures $48.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992) Exports: $44.3 billion (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: petroleum and petroleum products 85% partners: US 22%, Japan 22%, Singapore 7%, France 6% Imports: $21.5 billion (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: manufactured goods, transportation equipment, construction materials, processed food products partners: US 16%, UK 14%, Japan 14%, FRG 7% External debt: $18.9 billion (December 1989 est.) Industrial production: growth rate -1.1% (1989 est.); accounts for 37% of GDP, including petroleum Electricity: 30,000,000 kW capacity; 60,000 million kWh produced, 3,300 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: crude oil production, petroleum refining, basic petrochemicals, cement, small steel-rolling mill, construction, fertilizer, plastic Agriculture: accounts for about 10% of GDP, 16% of labor force; fastest growing economic sector; subsidized by government; products - wheat, barley, tomatoes, melons, dates, citrus fruit, mutton, chickens, eggs, milk; approaching self-sufficiency in food Economic aid: donor - pledged $64.7 billion in bilateral aid (1979-89) Currency: Saudi riyal (plural - riyals); 1 Saudi riyal (SR) = 100 halalas Exchange rates: Saudi riyals (SR) per US$1 - 3.7450 (fixed rate since late 1986), 3.7033 (1986) Fiscal year: calendar year
:Saudi Arabia Communications
Railroads: 886 km 1.435-meter standard gauge Highways: 74,000 km total; 35,000 km paved, 39,000 km gravel and improved earth Pipelines: crude oil 6,400 km, petroleum products 150 km, natural gas 2,200 km, includes natural gas liquids 1,600 km Ports: Jiddah, Ad Dammam, Ras Tanura, Jizan, Al Jubayl, Yanbu al Bahr, Yanbu al Sinaiyah Merchant marine: 8l ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 884,470 GRT/1,254,882 DWT; includes 1 passenger, 7 short-sea passenger, 11 cargo, 14 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 3 container, 6 refrigerated cargo, 5 livestock carrier, 24 petroleum tanker, 7 chemical tanker, 1 liquefied gas, 1 specialized tanker, 1 bulk Civil air: 104 major transport aircraft available Airports: 211 total, 191 usable; 70 with permanent-surface runways; 14 with runways over 3,659 m; 37 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 105 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: good system with extensive microwave and coaxial and fiber optic cable systems; 1,624,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 43 AM, 13 FM, 80 TV; radio relay to Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Yemen, and Sudan; coaxial cable to Kuwait and Jordan; submarine cable to Djibouti, Egypt and Bahrain; earth stations - 3 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT, 2 Indian Ocean INTELSAT, 1 ARABSAT, 1 INMARSAT
:Saudi Arabia Defense Forces
Branches: Land Force (Army), Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Force, National Guard, Coast Guard, Frontier Forces, Special Security Force, Public Security Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, 5,619,147; 3,118,261 fit for military service; 133,314 reach military age (17) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $14.5 billion, 13% of GDP (1992 budget)
:Senegal Geography
Total area: 196,190 km2 Land area: 192,000 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than South Dakota Land boundaries: 2,640 km total; The Gambia 740 km, Guinea 330 km, Guinea-Bissau 338 km, Mali 419 km, Mauritania 813 km Coastline: 531 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 24 nm Continental shelf: edge of continental margin or 200 nm Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: short section of the boundary with The Gambia is indefinite; the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on 12 November 1991 rendered its decision on the Guinea-Bissau/ Senegal maritime boundary in favor of Senegal - that decision has been rejected by Guinea-Bissau; boundary with Mauritania Climate: tropical; hot, humid; rainy season (December to April) has strong southeast winds; dry season (May to November) dominated by hot, dry harmattan wind Terrain: generally low, rolling, plains rising to foothills in southeast Natural resources: fish, phosphates, iron ore Land use: arable land 27%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 30%; forest and woodland 31%; other 12%; includes irrigated 1% Environment: lowlands seasonally flooded; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification Note: The Gambia is almost an enclave
:Senegal People
Population: 8,205,058 (July 1992), growth rate 3.1% (1992) Birth rate: 44 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 13 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 80 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 54 years male, 57 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 6.2 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Senegalese (singular and plural); adjective - Senegalese Ethnic divisions: Wolof 36%, Fulani 17%, Serer 17%, Toucouleur 9%, Diola 9%, Mandingo 9%, European and Lebanese 1%, other 2% Religions: Muslim 92%, indigenous beliefs 6%, Christian 2% (mostly Roman Catholic) Languages: French (official); Wolof, Pulaar, Diola, Mandingo Literacy: 38% (male 52%, female 25%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 2,509,000; 77% subsistence agricultural workers; 175,000 wage earners - private sector 40%, government and parapublic 60%; 52% of population of working age (1985) Organized labor: majority of wage-labor force represented by unions; however, dues-paying membership very limited; major confederation is National Confederation of Senegalese Labor (CNTS), an affiliate of the governing party
:Senegal Government
Long-form name: Republic of Senegal Type: republic under multiparty democratic rule Capital: Dakar Administrative divisions: 10 regions (regions, singular - region); Dakar, Diourbel, Fatick, Kaolack, Kolda, Louga, Saint-Louis, Tambacounda, Thies, Ziguinchor Independence: 20 August 1960 (from France); The Gambia and Senegal signed an agreement on 12 December 1981 (effective 1 February 1982) that called for the creation of a loose confederation to be known as Senegambia, but the agreement was dissolved on 30 September 1989 Constitution: 3 March 1963, last revised in 1991 Legal system: based on French civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in Supreme Court, which also audits the government's accounting office; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Independence Day, 4 April (1960) Executive branch: president, prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme) Leaders: Chief of State: President Abdou DIOUF (since 1 January 1981) Head of Government: Prime Minister Habib THIAM (since 7 April 1991) Political parties and leaders: Socialist Party (PS), President Abdou DIOUF; Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS), Abdoulaye WADE; 13 other small uninfluential parties Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President: last held 28 February 1988 (next to be held NA February 1993); results - Abdou DIOUF (PS) 73%, Abdoulaye WADE (PDS) 26%, other 1% National Assembly: last held 28 February 1988 (next to be held NA February 1993); results - PS 71%, PDS 25%, other 4%; seats - (120 total) PS 103, PDS 17 Other political or pressure groups: students, teachers, labor, Muslim Brotherhoods Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEAO, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIIMOG, UPU, WADB, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Ibra Deguene KA; Chancery at 2112 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 234-0540 or 0541 US: Ambassador Katherine SHIRLEY; Embassy on Avenue Jean XXIII at the corner of Avenue Kleber, Dakar (mailing address is B. P. 49, Dakar); telephone [221] 23-42-96 or 23-34-24; FAX [221] 22-29-91
:Senegal Government
Flag: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and red with a small green five-pointed star centered in the yellow band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
:Senegal Economy
Overview: The agricultural sector accounts for about 20% of GDP and provides employment for about 75% of the labor force. About 40% of the total cultivated land is used to grow peanuts, an important export crop. The principal economic resource is fishing, which brought in about $200 million or about 25% of total foreign exchange earnings in 1987. Mining is dominated by the extraction of phosphate, but production has faltered because of reduced worldwide demand for fertilizers in recent years. Over the past 10 years tourism has become increasingly important to the economy. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $5.0 billion, per capita $615; real growth rate 3.6% (1990) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.0% (1990) Unemployment rate: 3.5% (1987) Budget: revenues $921 million; expenditures $1,024 million; including capital expenditures of $14 million (FY89 est.) Exports: $814 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: manufactures 30%, fish products 27%, peanuts 11%, petroleum products 11%, phosphates 10% partners: France, other EC members, Mali, Ivory Coast, India Imports: $1.05 billion (c.i.f., 1990 est.) commodities: semimanufactures 30%, food 27%, durable consumer goods 17%, petroleum 12%, capital goods 14% partners: France, other EC, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Algeria, China, Japan External debt: $2.9 billion (1990) Industrial production: growth rate 4.7% (1989); accounts for 15% of GDP Electricity: 215,000 kW capacity; 760 million kWh produced, 100 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: agricultural and fish processing, phosphate mining, petroleum refining, building materials Agriculture: including fishing, accounts for 20% of GDP and more than 75% of labor force; major products - peanuts (cash crop), millet, corn, sorghum, rice, cotton, tomatoes, green vegetables; estimated two-thirds self-sufficient in food; fish catch of 299,000 metric tons in 1987 Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $551 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $5.23 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $589 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $295 million Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (plural - francs); 1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 269.01 (January 1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26 (1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85 (1988), 300.54 (1987)
:Senegal Economy
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June; note - in January 1993, Senegal will switch to a calendar year
:Senegal Communications
Railroads: 1,034 km 1.000-meter gauge; all single track except 70 km double track Dakar to Thies Highways: 14,007 km total; 3,777 km paved, 10,230 km laterite or improved earth Inland waterways: 897 km total; 785 km on the Senegal, 112 km on the Saloum Ports: Dakar, Kaolack, Foundiougne, Ziguinchor Merchant marine: 2 ships (1,000 GRT and over) totaling 7,676 GRT/12,310 DWT; includes 1 cargo, 1 bulk Civil air: 3 major transport aircraft Airports: 25 total, 19 usable; 10 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 15 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: above-average urban system, using microwave and cable; broadcast stations - 8 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 3 submarine cables; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
:Senegal Defense Forces
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Gendarmerie, National Police Manpower availability: males 15-49, 1,814,452; 947,723 fit for military service; 88,271 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $100 million, 2% of GDP (1989 est.)
:Serbia and Montenegro Geography
Total area: 102,350 km2 Land area: 102,136 km2: note - Serbia has a total area and a land area of 88,412 km2 while Montenegro has a total area of 13,938 km2 and a land area of 13,724 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than Kentucky; note - Serbia is slightly larger than Maine while Montenegro is slightly larger than Connecticut Land boundaries: 2,234 km total; Albania 287 km (114 km with Serbia, 173 km with Montenegro), Bosnia and Hercegovina 527 km (312 km with Serbia, 215 km with Montenegro), Bulgaria 318 km, Croatia (north) 239 km, Croatia (south) 15 km, Hungary 151 km, Macedonia 221 km, Romania 476 km; note - the internal boundary between Montenegro and Serbia is 211 km Coastline: 199 km; Montenegro 199 km, Serbia 0 km Maritime claims: none - landlocked Contiguous zone: NA nm Continental shelf: NA meter depth Exclusive fishing zone: NA nm Exclusive economic zone: NA nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: Sandzak region bordering northern Montenegro and southeastern Serbia - Muslims seeking autonomy; Vojvodina taken from Hungary and awarded to the former Yugoslavia (Serbia) by Treaty of Trianon in 1920; disputes with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia over Serbian populated areas; Albanian minority in Kosovo seeks independence from Serbian Republic Climate: in the north, continental climate - cold winter and hot, humid summers with well distributed rainfall; central portion, continental and Mediterranean climate; to the south, Adriatic climate along the coast, hot, dry summers and autumns and relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall inland Terrain: extremely varied; to the north, rich fertile plains; to the east, limestone ranges and basins; to the southeast, ancient mountain and hills; to the southwest, extremely high shoreline with no islands off the coast; home of largest lake in former Yugoslavia, Lake Scutari Natural resources: oil, gas, coal, antimony, copper, lead, zinc, nickel, gold, pyrite, chrome Land use: arable land 30%; permanent crops 5%; meadows and pastures 20%; forest and woodland 25%; other 20%; includes irrigated 5% Environment: coastal water pollution from sewage outlets, especially in tourist related areas such as Kotor; air pollution around Belgrade and other industrial cities; water pollution along Danube from industrial waste dump into the Sava which drains into the Danube; subject to destructive earthquakes Note: controls one of the major land routes from Western Europe to Turkey and the Near East; strategic location along the Adriatic coast
:Serbia and Montenegro People
Population: 10,642,000 (July 1992), growth rate NA% (1991) Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: NA migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: Serbia - 70.11 years male, 75.21 years female (1992); Montenegro - 76.33 years male, 82.27 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Serbian(s) and Montenegrin(s); adjective - Serbian and Montenegrin Ethnic divisions: Serbs 63%, Albanians 14%, Montenegrins 6%, Hungarians 4% Religions: Orthodox 65%, Muslim 19%, Roman Catholic 4%, Protestant 1%, other 11% Languages: Serbo-Croatian 100% Literacy: 89% (male 95%, female 83%) age 10 and over can read and write (1991 est.) Labor force: 2,640,909; industry, mining 40%, agriculture 5% (1990) Organized labor: NA
:Serbia and Montenegro Government
Long-form name: none Type: republic Capital: Belgrade Administrative divisions: 2 provinces (pokajine, singular - pokajina); and 2 automous provinces*; Kosovo*, Montenegro, Serbia, Vojvodina* Independence: NA April 1992 Constitution: NA April 1992 Legal system: based on civil law system National holiday: NA Executive branch: president, vice president, prime minister, deputy prime minister Legislative branch: Parliament Judicial branch: NA Leaders: Chief of State: President Dobric COSIC (since NA), Vice President Branko KOSTIC (since July 1991); note - Slobodan MILOSEVIC is president of Serbia Head of Government: Prime Minister Milan PANIC (since 14 July 1992), Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandr MITROVIC (since March 1989) Political parties and leaders: former Communisty Party, Slobodan MILOSEVIC; Serbian Radical Party, Vojislav SESELJ; Serbian Renewal Party, Vok DRASKOVIC Suffrage: at age 16 if employed, universal at age 18 Elections: President: NA Parliament: last held 4 June 1992 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (138 total) former Community Party 73, Radical Party 33, other 32 Communists: NA Other political or pressure groups: NA Member of: CSCE, UN Diplomatic representation: none; US does not recognize Serbia and Montenegro Flag: NA
:Serbia and Montenegro Economy
Overview: The swift collapse of the Yugoslav federation has been accompanied by bloody ethnic warfare, the destabilization of republic boundaries, and the breakup of important interrepublic trade flows. The situation in Serbia and Montenegro remains fluid in view of the extensive political and military strife. This new state faces major economic problems. First, like the other former Yugoslav republics, Serbia and Montenegro depended on their sister republics for large amounts of foodstuffs, energy supplies, and manufactures. Wide varieties in climate, mineral resources, and levels of technology among the six republics accentuated this interdependence, as did the Communist practice of concentrating much industrial output in a small number of giant plants. The breakup of many of the trade links, the sharp drop in output as industrial plants lost suppliers and markets, and the destruction of physical assets in the fighting all have contributed to the economic difficulties of the republics. One singular factor in the economic situation of Serbia and Montenegro is the continuation in office of a Communist government that is primarily interested in political and military mastery, not economic reform. A further complication is the major economic sanctions by the leading industrial nations. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $44 billion, per capita $4,200; real growth rate NA% (1990) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 60% per month Unemployment rate: 25-40% Budget: NA Exports: $4.4 billion (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: machinery and transport equipment 29%, manufactured goods 28.5%, miscellaneous manufactured articles 13.5%, chemicals 11%, food and live animals 9%, raw materials 6%, fuels and lubricants 2%, beverages and tobacco 1% partners: principally the other former Yugoslav republics; Italy, Germany, other EC, the former USSR, East European countries, US Imports: $6.4 billion (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: machinery and transport equipment 26%, fuels and lubricants 18%, manufactured goods 16%, chemicals 12.5%, food and live animals 11%, miscellaneous manufactured items 8%, raw materials, including coking coal for the steel industry, 7%, beverages, tobacco, and edible oils 1.5% partners: principally the other former Yugoslav republics; the former USSR, EC countries (mainly Italy and Germany), East European countries, US External debt: $4.2 billion (may assume some part of foreign debt of former Yugoslavia) Industrial production: growth rate -20% or greater (1991 est.) Electricity: 8,633,000 kW capacity; 34,600 million kWh produced, 3,496 kWh per capita (1991)
:Serbia and Montenegro Economy
Industries: machine building (aircraft, trucks, and automobiles; armored vehicles and weapons; electrical equipment; agricultural machinery), metallurgy (steel, aluminum, copper, lead, zinc, chromium, antimony, bismuth, cadmium), mining (coal, bauxite, nonferrous ore, iron ore, limestone), consumer goods (textiles, footwear, foodstuffs, appliances), electronics, petroleum products, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals Agriculture: the fertile plains of Vojvodina produce 80% of the cereal production of the former Yugoslavia and most of the cotton, oilseeds, and chicory; Vojvodina also produces fodder crops to support intensive beef and dairy production; Serbia proper, although hilly, has a well-distributed rainfall and a long growing season; produces fruit, grapes, and cereals; in this area, livestock production (sheep and cattle) and dairy farming prosper; Kosovo province produces fruits, vegetables, tobacco, and a small amount of cereals; the mountainous pastures of Kosovo and Montenegro support sheep and goat husbandry; Montenegro has only a small agriculture sector, mostly near the coast where a Mediterranean climate permits the culture of olives, citrus, grapes, and rice Illicit drugs: NA Economic aid: NA Currency: Yugoslav New Dinar (plural - New Dinars); 1 Yugo New Dinar (YD) = 100 paras Exchange rates: Yugoslav New Dinars (YD) per US $1 - 28.230 (December 1991), 15.162 (1990), 15.528 (1989), 0.701 (1988), 0.176 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year
:Serbia and Montenegro Communications
Railroads: NA Highways: 46,019 km total (1990); 26,949 km paved, 10,373 km gravel, 8,697 km earth Inland waterways: NA km Pipelines: crude oil 415 km, petroleum products 130 km, natural gas 2,110 km Ports: maritime - Bar; inland - Belgrade Merchant marine: 43 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 866,915 GRT/1,449,094 DWT; includes 19 cargo, 5 container, 16 bulk carriers, 2 combination/ore carrier and 1 passenger ship, under Serbian and Montenegrin flag; note - Montenegro also operates 3 bulk carriers under the flags of Panama and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Civil air: NA Airports: NA Telecommunications: 700,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 26 AM, 9 FM, 18 TV; 2,015,000 radios; 1,000,000 TVs; satellite ground stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT
:Serbia and Montenegro Defense Forces
Branches: Army, Navy, and Air Forces Manpower availability: males 15-49, 2,545,357; NA fit for military service; 96,832 reach military age (18) annually (est.) Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
:Seychelles Geography
Total area: 455 km2 Land area: 455 km2 Comparative area: slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 491 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: edge of continental margin or 200 nm Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: claims Tromelin Island Climate: tropical marine; humid; cooler season during southeast monsoon (late May to September); warmer season during northwest monsoon (March to May) Terrain: Mahe Group is granitic, narrow coastal strip, rocky, hilly; others are coral, flat, elevated reefs Natural resources: fish, copra, cinnamon trees Land use: arable land 4%; permanent crops 18%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and woodland 18%; other 60% Environment: lies outside the cyclone belt, so severe storms are rare; short droughts possible; no fresh water - catchments collect rain; 40 granitic and about 50 coralline islands Note: located north-northeast of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean
:Seychelles People
Population: 69,519 (July 1992), growth rate 0.8% (1992) Birth rate: 23 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -8 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 15 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 65 years male, 75 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.4 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Seychellois (singular and plural); adjective - Seychelles Ethnic divisions: Seychellois (mixture of Asians, Africans, Europeans) Religions: Roman Catholic 90%, Anglican 8%, other 2% Languages: English and French (official); Creole Literacy: 85% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990) Labor force: 27,700; industry and commerce 31%, services 21%, government 20%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 12%, other 16% (1985); 57% of population of working age (1983) Organized labor: three major trade unions
:Seychelles Government
Long-form name: Republic of Seychelles Type: republic Capital: Victoria Administrative divisions: 23 administrative districts; Anse aux Pins, Anse Boileau, Anse Etoile, Anse Louis, Anse Royale, Baie Lazare, Baie Sainte Anne, Beau Vallon, Bel Air, Bel Ombre, Cascade, Glacis, Grand' Anse (on Mahe Island), Grand' Anse (on Praslin Island), La Digue, La Riviere Anglaise, Mont Buxton, Mont Fleuri, Plaisance, Pointe La Rue, Port Glaud, Saint Louis, Takamaka Independence: 29 June 1976 (from UK) Constitution: 5 June 1979 Legal system: based on English common law, French civil law, and customary law National holiday: Liberation Day (anniversary of coup), 5 June (1977) Executive branch: president, Council of Ministers Legislative branch: unicameral People's Assembly (Assemblee du Peuple) Judicial branch: Court of Appeal, Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President France Albert RENE (since 5 June 1977) Political parties and leaders: ruling party - Seychelles People's Progressive Front (SPPF), France Albert RENE; note - in December 1991, President RENE announced that the Seychelles would begin an immediate transition to a multiparty political system; registration of new political parties was scheduled to begin in January 1992 Suffrage: universal at age 17 Elections: election of delegates to a multiparty constitutional conference is scheduled for June 1992 President: last held 9-11 June 1989 (next to be held NA June 1994); results - President France Albert RENE reelected without opposition People's Assembly: last held 5 December 1987 (next to be held NA December 1992); results - SPPF was the only legal party; seats - (25 total, 23 elected) SPPF 23 Other political or pressure groups: trade unions, Roman Catholic Church Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, C, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IOC, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Second Secretary, Charge d'Affaires ad interim Marc R. MARENGO; Chancery (temporary) at 820 Second Avenue, Suite 900F, New York, NY 10017; telephone (212) 687-9766 US: Ambassador Richard W. CARLSON; Embassy at 4th Floor, Victoria House, Victoria (mailing address is Box 148, Victoria, and Victoria House, Box 251, Victoria, Mahe, Seychelles, or APO AE 09815-2501); telephone (248) 25256; FAX (248) 25189
:Seychelles Government
Flag: three horizontal bands of red (top), white (wavy), and green; the white band is the thinnest, the red band is the thickest
:Seychelles Economy
Overview: In this small, open, tropical island economy, the tourist industry employs about 30% of the labor force and provides more than 70% of hard currency earnings. In recent years the government has encouraged foreign investment in order to upgrade hotels and other services. At the same time, the government has moved to reduce the high dependence on tourism by promoting the development of farming, fishing, and small-scale manufacturing. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $350 million, per capita $5,200; real growth rate -4.5% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.8% (1990 est.) Unemployment rate: 9% (1987) Budget: revenues $180 million; expenditures $202 million, including capital expenditures of $32 million (1989) Exports: $40 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: fish, copra, cinnamon bark, petroleum products (reexports) partners: France 63%, Pakistan 12%, Reunion 10%, UK 7% (1987) Imports: $186 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: manufactured goods, food, tobacco, beverages, machinery and transportation equipment, petroleum products partners: UK 20%, France 14%, South Africa 13%, PDRY 13%, Singapore 8%, Japan 6% (1987) External debt: $189 million (1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 7% (1987); accounts for 10% of GDP Electricity: 30,000 kW capacity; 80 million kWh produced, 1,160 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: tourism, processing of coconut and vanilla, fishing, coir rope factory, boat building, printing, furniture, beverage Agriculture: accounts for 7% of GDP, mostly subsistence farming; cash crops - coconuts, cinnamon, vanilla; other products - sweet potatoes, cassava, bananas; broiler chickens; large share of food needs imported; expansion of tuna fishing under way Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY78-89), $26 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1978-89), $315 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $5 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $60 million Currency: Seychelles rupee (plural - rupees); 1 Seychelles rupee (SRe) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Seychelles rupees (SRe) per US$1 - 5.2946 (March 1992), 5.2893 (1991), 5.3369 (1990), 5.6457 (1989), 5.3836 (1988), 5.6000 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year
:Seychelles Communications
Highways: 260 km total; 160 km paved, 100 km crushed stone or earth Ports: Victoria Merchant marine: 1 refrigerated cargo totaling 1,827 GRT/2,170 DWT Civil air: 1 major transport aircraft Airports: 14 total, 14 usable; 8 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; none with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: direct radio communications with adjacent islands and African coastal countries; 13,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 2 AM, no FM, 2 TV; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station; USAF tracking station
:Seychelles Defense Forces
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Presidential Protection Unit, Police Force, Militia Manpower availability: males 15-49, 17,739; 9,096 fit for military service Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $12 million, 4% of GDP (1990 est.)
:Sierra Leone Geography
Total area: 71,740 km2 Land area: 71,620 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than South Carolina Land boundaries: 958 km total; Guinea 652 km, Liberia 306 km Coastline: 402 km Maritime claims: Territorial sea: 200 nm Disputes: none Climate: tropical; hot, humid; summer rainy season (May to December); winter dry season (December to April) Terrain: coastal belt of mangrove swamps, wooded hill country, upland plateau, mountains in east Natural resources: diamonds, titanium ore, bauxite, iron ore, gold, chromite Land use: arable land 25%; permanent crops 2%; meadows and pastures 31%; forest and woodland 29%; other 13%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: extensive mangrove swamps hinder access to sea; deforestation; soil degradation
:Sierra Leone People
Population: 4,456,737 (July 1992), growth rate -0.2% (1992) Birth rate: 46 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 20 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -28 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 148 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 43 years male, 48 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 6.1 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Sierra Leonean(s); adjective - Sierra Leonean Ethnic divisions: native African 99% (Temne 30%, Mende 30%); Creole, European, Lebanese, and Asian 1%; 13 tribes Religions: Muslim 30%, indigenous beliefs 30%, Christian 10%, other or none 30% Languages: English (official); regular use limited to literate minority; principal vernaculars are Mende in south and Temne in north; Krio is the language of the resettled ex-slave population of the Freetown area and is lingua franca Literacy: 21% (male 31%, female 11%) age 15 and over can read and write English, Mende, Temne, or Arabic (1990 est.) Labor force: 1,369,000 (est.); agriculture 65%, industry 19%, services 16% (1981); only about 65,000 earn wages (1985); 55% of population of working age Organized labor: 35% of wage earners
:Sierra Leone Government
Long-form name: Republic of Sierra Leone Type: military government Capital: Freetown Administrative divisions: Western Area and 3 provinces; Eastern, Northern, Southern Independence: 27 April 1961 (from UK) Constitution: 1 October 1991; amended September 1991 Legal system: based on English law and customary laws indigenous to local tribes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Republic Day, 27 April (1961) Executive branch: National Provisional Ruling Council Legislative branch: unicameral House of Representatives (suspended after coup of 29 April 1992) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (suspended after coup of 29 April 1992) Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Gen. Joseph Saidu MOMOH was ousted in coup of 29 April 1992; succeeded by Chairman of the National Provisional Ruling Council Valentine STRASSER (since 29 April 1992) Political parties and leaders: status of existing political parties are unknown following 29 April 1992 coup Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: suspended after 29 April 1992 coup; Chairman STRASSER promises multi-party elections sometime in the future Member of: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador (vacant); Chancery at 1701 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009; telephone (202) 939-9261 US: Ambassador Johnny YOUNG; Embassy at the corner of Walpole and Siaka Stevens Street, Freetown; telephone [232] (22) 226-481; FAX [232] (22) 225471 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of light green (top), white, and light blue |
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