|
*Cuba, Government
Member of: CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, ICAO, IFAD, ILO, IMO, INMARSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), LORCS, NAM, OAS (excluded from formal participation since 1962), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Principal Officer Alfonso FRAGA Perez (since August 1992) chancery: 2630 and 2639 16th Street NW, US Interests Section, Swiss Embassy, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: (202) 797-8518 or 8519, 8520, 8609, 8610 US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Principal Officer Alan H. FLANIGAN US Interests Section: USINT, Swiss Embassy, Calzada entre L Y M, Vedado Seccion, Havana mailing address: USINT, Swiss Embassy, Calzada Entre L Y M, Vedado, Havava telephone: 32-0051, 32-0543 FAX: no service available at this time note: protecting power in Cuba is Switzerland - US Interests Section, Swiss Embassy Flag: five equal horizontal bands of blue (top and bottom) alternating with white; a red equilateral triangle based on the hoist side bears a white five-pointed star in the center
*Cuba, Economy
Overview: Since Castro's takeover of Cuba in 1959, the economy has been run in the Soviet style of government ownership of substantially all the means of production and government planning of all but the smallest details of economic activity. Thus, Cuba, like the former Warsaw Pact nations, has remained in the backwater of economic modernization. The economy contracted by about one-third between 1989 and 1992 as it absorbed the loss of $4 billion of annual economic aid from the former Soviet Union and much smaller amounts from Eastern Europe. The government implemented numerous energy conservation measures and import substitution schemes to cope with a large decline in imports. To reduce fuel consumption, Havana has cut back bus service and imported approximately 1 million bicycles from China, domesticated nearly 200,000 oxen to replace tractors, and halted a large amount of industrial production. The government has prioritized domestic food production and promoted herbal medicines since 1990 to compensate for lower imports. Havana also has been shifting its trade away from the former Soviet republics and Eastern Europe toward the industrialized countries of Latin America and the OECD. National product: GNP - exchange rate conversion - $14.9 billion (1992 est.) National product real growth rate: -15% (1992 est.) National product per capita: $1,370 (1992 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $12.46 billion; expenditures $14.45 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1990 est.) Exports: $2.1 billion (f.o.b., 1992 est.) commodities: sugar, nickel, shellfish, tobacco, medical products, citrus, coffee partners: Russia 30%, Canada 10%, China 9%, Japan 6%, Spain 4% (1992 est.) Imports: $2.2 billion (c.i.f., 1992 est.) commodities: petroleum, food, machinery, chemicals partners: Russia 10%, China 9%, Spain 9%, Mexico 5%, Italy 5%, Canada 4%, France 4% (1992 est.) External debt: $6.8 billion (convertible currency, July 1989) Industrial production: NA Electricity: 3,889,000 kW capacity; 16,248 million kWh produced, 1,500 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: sugar milling and refining, petroleum refining, food and tobacco processing, textiles, chemicals, paper and wood products, metals (particularly nickel), cement, fertilizers, consumer goods, agricultural machinery
*Cuba, Economy
Agriculture: accounts for 11% of GNP (including fishing and forestry); key commercial crops - sugarcane, tobacco, and citrus fruits; other products - coffee, rice, potatoes, meat, beans; world's largest sugar exporter; not self-sufficient in food (excluding sugar); sector hurt by growing shortages of fuels and parts Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $710 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $18.5 billion Currency: 1 Cuban peso (Cu$) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: Cuban pesos (Cu$) per US$1 - 1.0000 (linked to the US dollar) Fiscal year: calendar year
*Cuba, Communications
Railroads: 12,947 km total; Cuban National Railways operates 5,053 km of 1.435-meter gauge track; 151.7 km electrified; 7,742 km of sugar plantation lines of 0.914-m and 1.435-m gauge Highways: 26,477 km total; 14,477 km paved, 12,000 km gravel and earth surfaced (1989 est.) Inland waterways: 240 km Ports: Cienfuegos, Havana, Mariel, Matanzas, Santiago de Cuba; 7 secondary, 35 minor Merchant marine: 73 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 511,522 GRT/720,270 DWT; includes 42 cargo, 10 refrigerated cargo, 1 cargo/training, 11 oil tanker, 1 chemical tanker, 4 liquefied gas, 4 bulk; note - Cuba beneficially owns an additional 38 ships (1,000 GRT and over) totaling 529,090 DWT under the registry of Panama, Cyprus, and Malta Airports: total: 186 usable: 166 with permanent-surface runways: 73 with runways over 3,659 m: 3 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 12 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 19 Telecommunications: broadcast stations - 150 AM, 5 FM, 58 TV; 1,530,000 TVs; 2,140,000 radios; 229,000 telephones; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
*Cuba, Defense Forces
Branches: Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) - including Ground Forces, Revolutionary Navy (MGR), Air and Air Defense Force (DAAFAR), Ministry of the Armed Forces Special Troops, Border Guard Troops, Territorial Militia Troops (MTT), Youth Labor Army (EJT) Manpower availability: males age 15-49 3,087,255; females age 15-49 3,064,663; males fit for military service 1,929,698; females fit for military service 1,910,733; males reach military age (17) annually 90,409; females reach military age (17) annually 87,274 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1.2-1.4 billion; 10% of GNP in 1990 plan was for defense and internal security Note: the breakup of the Soviet Union, the key military supporter and supplier of Cuba, has resulted in substantially less outside help for Cuba's defense forces
*Cyprus, Geography
Location: in the eastern Mediterreanean Sea, 97 km west of Syria and 64 km west of Turkey Map references: Africa, Middle East, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 9,250 km2 land area: 9,240 km2 comparative area: about 0.7 times the size of Connecticut Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 648 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200 m depth or to depth of exploitation territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: 1974 hostilities divided the island into two de facto autonomous areas, a Greek area controlled by the Cypriot Government (60% of the island's land area) and a Turkish-Cypriot area (35% of the island) that are separated by a narrow UN buffer zone; in addition, there are two UK sovereign base areas (about 5% of the island's land area) Climate: temperate, Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters Terrain: central plain with mountains to north and south Natural resources: copper, pyrites, asbestos, gypsum, timber, salt, marble, clay earth pigment Land use: arable land: 40% permanent crops: 7% meadows and pastures: 10% forest and woodland: 18% other: 25% Irrigated land: 350 km2 (1989) Environment: moderate earthquake activity; water resource problems (no natural reservoir catchments, seasonal disparity in rainfall, and most potable resources concentrated in the Turkish-Cypriot area)
*Cyprus, People
Population: 723,371 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 0.94% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 17.14 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 7.74 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 9.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.98 years male: 73.75 years female: 78.31 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.34 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Cypriot(s) adjective: Cypriot Ethnic divisions: Greek 78%, Turkish 18%, other 4% Religions: Greek Orthodox 78%, Muslim 18%, Maronite, Armenian, Apostolic, and other 4% Languages: Greek, Turkish, English Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1987) total population: 94% male: 98% female: 91% Labor force: Greek area: 282,000 by occupation: services 57%, industry 29%, agriculture 14% (1991) Turkish area: 72,000 by occupation: services 57%, industry 22%, agriculture 21% (1991)
*Cyprus, Government
Names: conventional long form: Republic of Cyprus conventional short form: Cyprus Digraph: CY Type: republic note: a disaggregation of the two ethnic communities inhabiting the island began after the outbreak of communal strife in 1963; this separation was further solidified following the Turkish invasion of the island in July 1974, which gave the Turkish Cypriots de facto control in the north; Greek Cypriots control the only internationally recognized government; on 15 November 1983 Turkish Cypriot President Rauf DENKTASH declared independence and the formation of a "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" (TRNC), which has been recognized only by Turkey; both sides publicly call for the resolution of intercommunal differences and creation of a new federal system of government Capital: Nicosia Administrative divisions: 6 districts; Famagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol, Nicosia, Paphos Independence: 16 August 1960 (from UK) Constitution: 16 August 1960; negotiations to create the basis for a new or revised constitution to govern the island and to better relations between Greek and Turkish Cypriots have been held intermittently; in 1975 Turkish Cypriots created their own Constitution and governing bodies within the "Turkish Federated State of Cyprus," which was renamed the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" in 1983; a new Constitution for the Turkish area passed by referendum in May 1985 Legal system: based on common law, with civil law modifications National holiday: Independence Day, 1 October (15 November is celebrated as Independence Day in the Turkish area) Political parties and leaders: Greek Cypriot: Progressive Party of the Working People (AKEL; Communist Party), Dimitrios CHRISTOFIAS; Democratic Rally (DISY), Glafkos CLERIDES; Democratic Party (DIKO), Spyros KYPRIANOU; United Democratic Union of the Center (EDEK), Vassos LYSSARIDIS; Socialist Democratic Renewal Movement (ADISOK), Mikhalis PAPAPETROU; Liberal Party, Nikos ROLANDIS; Free Democrats, George VASSILIOU Turkish area: National Unity Party (UBP), Dervis EROGLU; Communal Liberation Party (TKP), Mustafa AKINCI; Republican Turkish Party (CTP), Ozker OZGUR; New Cyprus Party (YKP), Alpay DURDURAN; Social Democratic Party (SDP), Ergun VEHBI; New Birth Party (YDP), Ali Ozkan ALTINISHIK; Free Democratic Party (HDP), Ismet KOTAK; Nationalist Justice Party (MAP), Zorlu TORE; United Sovereignty Party, Arif Salih KIRDAG; Democratic Party (DP), Hakki ATUN; Fatherland Party (VP), Orhan UCOK; CTP, TKP, and YDP joined in the coalition Democratic Struggle Party (DMP) for the 22 April 1990 legislative election; the CTP and TKP boycotted the byelection of 13 October 1991, in which 12 seats were at stake; the DMP was dissolved after the 1990 election
*Cyprus, Government
Other political or pressure groups: United Democratic Youth Organization (EDON; Communist controlled); Union of Cyprus Farmers (EKA; Communist controlled); Cyprus Farmers Union (PEK; pro-West); Pan-Cyprian Labor Federation (PEO; Communist controlled); Confederation of Cypriot Workers (SEK; pro-West); Federation of Turkish Cypriot Labor Unions (Turk-Sen); Confederation of Revolutionary Labor Unions (Dev-Is) Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Elections: President: last held 14 February 1993 (next to be held February 1998); results - Glafkos CLERIDES 50.3%, George VASSILIOU 49.7% House of Representatives: last held 19 May 1991; results - DISY 35.8%, AKEL (Communist) 30.6%, DIKO 19.5%, EDEK 10. 9%; others 3.2%; seats - (56 total) DISY 20, AKEL (Communist) 18, DIKO 11, EDEK 7 Turkish Area: President: last held 22 April 1990 (next to be held April 1995); results - Rauf R. DENKTASH 66%, Ismail BOZKURT 32.05% Turkish Area: Assembly of the Republic: last held 6 May 1990 (next to be held May 1995); results - UBP (conservative) 54.4%, DMP 44.4% YKP 0.9%; seats - (50 total) UBP (conservative) 45, SDP 1, HDP 2, YDP 2; note - by-election of 13 October 1991 was for 12 seats; DP delegates broke away from the UBP and formed their own party after the last election; seats as of July 1992 UBP 34, SPD 1, HDP 1, YDP 2, DP 10, independents 2 Executive branch: president, Council of Ministers (cabinet); note - there is a president, prime minister, and Council of Ministers (cabinet) in the Turkish area Legislative branch: unicameral House of Representatives (Vouli Antiprosopon); note - there is a unicameral Assembly of the Republic (Cumhuriyet Meclisi) in the Turkish area Judicial branch: Supreme Court; note - there is also a Supreme Court in the Turkish area Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Glafkos CLERIDES (since 28 February 1993) note: Rauf R. DENKTASH has been president of the Turkish area since 13 February 1975; Dervish EROGLU has been prime minister of the Turkish area since 20 July 1985 Member of: C, CCC, CE, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAS (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Michael E. SHERIFIS chancery: 2211 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 462-5772 consulate general: New York note: Representative of the Turkish area in the US is Namik KORMAN, office at 1667 K Street, NW, Washington DC, telephone (202) 887-6198
*Cyprus, Government
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Robert E. LAMB embassy: corner of Therissos Street and Dositheos Street, Nicosia mailing address: APO AE 09836 telephone: [357] (2) 465151 FAX: [357] (2) 459-571 Flag: white with a copper-colored silhouette of the island (the name Cyprus is derived from the Greek word for copper) above two green crossed olive branches in the center of the flag; the branches symbolize the hope for peace and reconciliation between the Greek and Turkish communities note: the Turkish cypriot flag has a horizontal red stripe at the top and bottom with a red crescent and red star on a white field
*Cyprus, Economy
Overview: The Greek Cypriot economy is small, diversified, and prosperous. Industry contributes 16.5% to GDP and employs 29% of the labor force, while the service sector contributes 62% to GDP and employs 57% of the labor force. Rapid growth in exports of agricultural and manufactured products and in tourism have played important roles in the average 6.8% rise in GDP between 1986 and 1990. This progress was temporarily checked in 1991, because of the adverse effects of the Gulf War on tourism. Nevertheless in mid-1991, the World Bank "graduated" Cyprus off its list of developing countries. In contrast to the bright picture in the south, the Turkish Cypriot economy has less than half the per capita GDP and suffered a series of reverses in 1991. Crippled by the effects of the Gulf war, the collapse of the fruit-to-electronics conglomerate, Polly Peck, Ltd., and a drought, the Turkish area in late 1991 asked for a multibillion-dollar grant from Turkey to help ease the burden of the economic crisis. In addition, the Turkish government extended a $100 million loan in November 1992 to be used for economic development projects in 1993. Turkey normally underwrites a substantial portion of the Turkish Cypriot economy. National product: Greek area: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $6.3 billion (1992) Turkish area: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $600 million (1990) National product real growth rate: Greek area: 6.5% (1992) Turkish area: 5.9% (1990) National product per capita: Greek area: $11,000 (1992) Turkish area: $4,000 (1990) Inflation rate (consumer prices): Greek area: 5.1% (1991) Turkish area: 69.4% (1990) Unemployment rate: Greek area: 2.4% (1991) Turkish area: 1.5% (1991) Budget: revenues $1.7 billion; expenditures $2.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $350 million (1993) Exports: $875 million (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: citrus, potatoes, grapes, wine, cement, clothing and shoes partners: UK 23%, Greece 10%, Lebanon 10%, Germany 5% Imports: $2.4 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: consumer goods, petroleum and lubricants, food and feed grains, machinery partners: UK 13%, Japan 12%, Italy 10%, Germany 9.1%
*Cyprus, Economy
External debt: $1.9 billion (1991) Industrial production: growth rate 0.4% (1991); accounts for 16.5% of GDP Electricity: 620,000 kW capacity; 1,770 million kWh produced, 2,530 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: food, beverages, textiles, chemicals, metal products, tourism, wood products Agriculture: contributes 6% to GDP and employs 14% of labor force in the south; major crops - potatoes, vegetables, barley, grapes, olives, citrus fruits; vegetables and fruit provide 25% of export revenues Illicit drugs: transit point for heroin via air routes and container traffic to Europe, especially from Lebanon and Turkey Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $292 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $250 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $62 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $24 million Currency: 1 Cypriot pound (#C) = 100 cents; 1 Turkish lira (TL) = 100 kurus Exchange rates: NA Fiscal year: calendar year
*Cyprus, Communications
Highways: 10,780 km total; 5,170 km paved; 5,610 km gravel, crushed stone, and earth Ports: Famagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol, Paphos Merchant marine: 1,299 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 21,045,037 GRT/37,119,933 DWT; includes 10 short-sea passenger, 1 passenger-cargo, 463 cargo, 77 refrigerated cargo, 24 roll-on/roll-off, 70 container, 4 multifunction large load carrier, 110 oil tanker, 3 specialized tanker, 3 liquefied gas, 26 chemical tanker, 32 combination ore/oil, 422 bulk, 3 vehicle carrier, 48 combination bulk, 1 railcar carrier, 2 passenger; note - a flag of convenience registry; Cuba owns 27 of these ships, Russia owns 36, Latvia also has 7 ships, Croatia owns 2, and Romania 5 Airports: total: 13 usable: 13 with permanent-surface runways: 10 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 7 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 1 Telecommunications: excellent in both the area controlled by the Cypriot Government (Greek area), and in the Turkish-Cypriot administered area; 210,000 telephones; largely open-wire and microwave radio relay; broadcast stations - 11 AM, 8 FM, 1 (34 repeaters) TV in Greek sector and 2 AM, 6 FM and 1 TV in Turkish sector; international service by tropospheric scatter, 3 submarine cables, and satellite earth stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT, 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and EUTELSAT earth stations
*Cyprus, Defense Forces
Branches: Greek area: Greek Cypriot National Guard (GCNG; including air and naval elements), Greek Cypriot Police Turkish area: Turkish Cypriot Security Force Manpower availability: males age 15-49 185,371; fit for military service 127,536; reach military age (18) annually 5,085 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $209 million, 5% of GDP (1990 est.)
*Czech Republic, Geography
Location: Eastern Europe, between Germany and Slovakia Map references: Ethnic Groups in Eastern Europe, Europe, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 78,703 km2 land area: 78,645 km2 comparative area: slightly smaller than South Carolina Land boundaries: total 1,880 km, Austria 362 km, Germany 646 km, Poland 658 km, Slovakia 214 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: Liechtenstein claims 620 square miles of Czech territory confiscated from its royal family in 1918; the Czech Republic insists that restitution does not go back before February 1948, when the Communists seized power; unresolved property dispute issues with Slovakia over redistribution of Czech and Slovak Federal Republic's property; establishment of international border between Czech Republic and Slovakia Climate: temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters Terrain: two main regions: Bohemia in the west, consisting of rolling plains, hills, and plateaus surrounded by low mountains; and Moravia in the east, consisting of very hilly country Natural resources: hard coal, kaolin, clay, graphite Land use: arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% meadows and pastures: NA% forest and woodland: NA% other: NA% Irrigated land: NA km2 Environment: NA Note: landlocked; strategically located astride some of oldest and most significant land routes in Europe; Moravian Gate is a traditional military corridor between the North European Plain and the Danube in central Europe
*Czech Republic, People
Population: 10,389,256 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 0.16% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 13 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 11.44 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 9.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.64 years male: 68.9 years female: 76.58 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.85 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Czech(s) adjective: Czech Ethnic divisions: Czech 94.4%, Slovak 3%, Polish 0.6%, German 0.5%, Gypsy 0.3%, Hungarian 0.2%, other 1% Religions: atheist 39.8%, Roman Catholic 39.2%, Protestant 4.6%, Orthodox 3%, other 13.4% Languages: Czech, Slovak Literacy: total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Labor force: 5.389 million by occupation: industry 37.9%, agriculture 8.1%, construction 8.8%, communications and other 45.2% (1990)
*Czech Republic, Government
Names: conventional long form: Czech Republic conventional short form: none local long form: Ceska Republika local short form: Cechy Digraph: EZ Type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Prague Administrative divisions: 7 regions (kraje, kraj - singular); Severocesky, Zapadocesky, Jihocesky, Vychodocesky, Praha, Severomoravsky, Jihomoravsky Independence: 1 January 1993 (from Czechoslovakia) Constitution: ratified 16 December 1992; effective 1 January 1993 Legal system: civil law system based on Austro-Hungarian codes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; legal code modified to bring it in line with Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) obligations and to expunge Marxist-Leninist legal theory National holiday: NA Political parties and leaders: Civic Democratic Party, Vaclav KLAUS, chairman; Christian Democratic Union, leader NA; Civic Democratic Alliance, Jan KALVODA, chairman; Christian Democratic Party, Vaclav BENDA, chairman; Czech People's Party, Josef LUX; Czechoslovak Social Democracy, Milos ZEMAN, chairman; Left Bloc, leader NA; Republican Party, Miroslav SLADEK, chairman; Movement for Self-Governing Democracy for Moravia and Silesia, Jan STRYCER, chairman; Liberal Social Union, leader NA; Assembly for the Republic, leader NA Other political or pressure groups: Czech Democratic Left Movement; Civic Movement Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Elections: President: last held 26 January 1993 (next to be held NA January 1998); results - Vaclav HAVEL elected by the National Council Senate: elections not yet held; seats (81 total) Chamber of Deputies: last held 5-6 June 1992 (next to be held NA 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (200 total) Civic Democratic Party/Christian Democratic Party 76, Left Bloc 35, Czechoslovak Social Democracy 16, Liberal Social Union 16, Christian Democratic Union/Czech People's Party 15, Assembly for the Republic/Republican Party 14, Civic Democratic Alliance 14, Movement for Self-Governing Democracy for Moravia and Silesia 14 Executive branch: president, prime minister, Cabinet
*Czech Republic, Government
Legislative branch: bicameral National Council (Narodni rada) will consist of an upper house or Senate (which has not yet been established) and a lower house or Chamber of Deputies Judicial branch: Supreme Court, Constitutional Court Leaders: Chief of State: President Vaclav HAVEL (since 26 January 1993) Head of Government: Prime Minister Vaclav KLAUS (since NA June 1992); Deputy Prime Ministers Ivan KOCARNIK, Josef LUX, Jan KALVODA (since NA June 1992) Member of: BIS, CCC, CE, CEI, CERN, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, FAO, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, IFCTU, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LORCS, NACC, NAM (guest), NSG, PCA, UN (as of 8 January 1993), UNAVEM II, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOSOM, UNPROFOR, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Michael ZANTOVSKY chancery: 3900 Spring of Freedom Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 363-6315 or 6316 US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Adrian A. BASORA embassy: Trziste 15, 125 48, Prague 1 mailing address: Unit 25402; APO AE 09213-5630 telephone: [42] (2) 536-641/6 FAX: [42] (2) 532-457 Flag: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side
*Czech Republic, Economy
Overview: The dissolution of Czechoslovakia into two independent nation states - the Czech Republic and Slovakia - on 1 January 1993 has complicated the task of moving toward a more open and decentralized economy. The old Czechoslovakia, even though highly industrialized by East European standards, suffered from an aging capital plant, lagging technology, and a deficiency in energy and many raw materials. In January 1991, approximately one year after the end of communist control of Eastern Europe, theCzech and Slovak Federal Republic launched a sweeping program to convert its almost entirely state-owned and controlled economy to a market system. In 1991-92 these measures resulted in privatization of some medium- and small-scale economic activity and the setting of more than 90% of prices by the market - but at a cost in inflation, unemployment, and lower output. For Czechoslovakia as a whole inflation in 1991 was roughly 50% and output fell 15%. In 1992, in the Czech lands, inflation dropped to an estimated 12.5% and GDP was down a more moderate 5%. For 1993 the government of the Czech Republic anticipates inflation of 15-20% and a rise in unemployment to perhaps 12% as some large-scale enterprises go into bankruptcy; GDP may drop as much as 3%, mainly because of the disruption of trade links with Slovakia. Although the governments of the Czech Republic and Slovakia had envisaged retaining the koruna as a common currency, at least in the short term, the two countries ended the currency union in February 1993. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $75.3 billion (1992 est.) National product real growth rate: -5% (1992 est.) National product per capita: $7,300 (1992 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 12.5% (1992 est.) Unemployment rate: 3.1% (1992 est.) Budget: revenues $NA; expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Exports: $8.2 billion (f.o.b., 1992) commodities: manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, fuels, minerals, and metals partners: Slovakia, Germany, Poland, Austria, Hungary, Italy, France, US, UK, CIS republics Imports: $8.9 billion (f.o.b., 1992) commodities: machinery and transport equipment, fuels and lubricants, manfactured goods, raw materials, chemicals, agricultural products partners: Slovakia, CIS republics, Germany Austria, Poland, Switzerland, Hungary, UK, Italy External debt: $3.8 billion hard currency indebtedness (December 1992) Industrial production: growth rate -4% (November 1992 over November 1991); accounts for over 60% of GDP Electricity: 16,500,000 kW capacity; 62,200 million kWh produced, 6,030 kWh per capita (1992)
*Czech Republic, Economy
Industries: fuels, ferrous metallurgy, machinery and equipment, coal, motor vehicles, glass, armaments Agriculture: largely self-sufficient in food production; diversified crop and livestock production, including grains, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruit, hogs, cattle, and poultry; exporter of forest products Illicit drugs: the former Czechoslovakia was a transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and was emerging as a transshipment point for Latin American cocaine (1992) Economic aid: the former Czechoslovakia was a donor - $4.2 billion in bilateral aid to non-Communist less developed countries (1954-89) Currency: 1 koruna (Kc) = 100 haleru Exchange rates: koruny (Kcs) per US$1 - 28.59 (December 1992), 28.26 (1992), 29.53 (1991), 17.95 (1990), 15.05 (1989), 14.36 (1988), 13.69 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year
*Czech Republic, Communications
Railroads: 9,434 km total (1988) Highways: 55,890 km total (1988) Inland waterways: NA km; the Elbe (Labe) is the principal river Pipelines: natural gas 5,400 km Ports: coastal outlets are in Poland (Gdynia, Gdansk, Szczecin), Croatia (Rijeka), Slovenia (Koper), Germany (Hamburg, Rostock); principal river ports are Prague on the Vltava, Decin on the Elbe (Labe) Merchant marine: the former Czechoslovakia had 22 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 290,185 GRT/437,291 DWT; includes 13 cargo, 9 bulk; may be shared with Slovakia Airports: total: 75 usable: 75 with permanent-surface runways: 8 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 4 Telecommunications: NA
*Czech Republic, Defense Forces
Branches: Army, Air and Air Defense Forces, Civil Defense, Railroad Units Manpower availability: males age 15-49 2,736,657; fit for military service 2,083,555; reach military age (18) annually 95,335 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: 23 billion koruny, NA% of GNP (1993 est.); note - conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars using the current exchange rate could produce misleading results
*Denmark, Geography
Location: Northwestern Europe, bordering the North Sea on a peninsula north of Germany Map references: Arctic Region, Europe, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 43,070 km2 land area: 42,370 km2 comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of Massachusetts note: includes the island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea and the rest of metropolitan Denmark, but excludes the Faroe Islands and Greenland Land boundaries: total 68 km, Germany 68 km Coastline: 3,379 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 4 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm International disputes: Rockall continental shelf dispute involving Iceland, Ireland, and the UK (Ireland and the UK have signed a boundary agreement in the Rockall area); dispute between Denmark and Norway over maritime boundary in Arctic Ocean between Greenland and Jan Mayen is before the International Court of Justice Climate: temperate; humid and overcast; mild, windy winters and cool summers Terrain: low and flat to gently rolling plains Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, fish, salt, limestone Land use: arable land: 61% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 6% forest and woodland: 12% other: 21% Irrigated land: 4,300 km2 (1989 est.) Environment: air and water pollution Note: controls Danish Straits linking Baltic and North Seas
*Denmark, People
Population: 5,175,922 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 0.23% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 12.5 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 11.42 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 1.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 7.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.51 years male: 72.63 years female: 78.56 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.68 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Dane(s) adjective: Danish Ethnic divisions: Scandinavian, Eskimo, Faroese, German Religions: Evangelical Lutheran 91%, other Protestant and Roman Catholic 2%, other 7% (1988) Languages: Danish, Faroese, Greenlandic (an Eskimo dialect), German (small minority) Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980) total population: 99% male: NA% female: NA% Labor force: 2,553,900 by occupation: private services 37.1%, government services 30.4%, manufacturing and mining 20%, construction 6.3%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 5.6%, electricity/gas/water 0.6% (1991)
*Denmark, Government
Names: conventional long form: Kingdom of Denmark conventional short form: Denmark local long form: Kongeriget Danmark local short form: Danmark Digraph: DA Type: constitutional monarchy Capital: Copenhagen Administrative divisions: metropolitan Denmark - 14 counties (amter, singular - amt) and 1 city*, (stad); Arhus, Bornholm, Frederiksborg, Fyn, Kbenhavn, Nordjylland, Ribe, Ringkbing, Roskilde, Snderjylland, Staden Kbenhavn*, Storstrm, Vejle,, Vestsjaelland, Viborg note: see separate entries for the Faroe Islands and Greenland, which are part of the Danish realm and self-governing administrative divisions Independence: 1849 (became a constitutional monarchy) Constitution: 5 June 1953 Legal system: civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations National holiday: Birthday of the Queen, 16 April (1940) Political parties and leaders: Social Democratic Party, Poul Nyrup RASMUSSEN; Conservative Party, Poul SCHLUETER; Liberal Party, Uffe ELLEMANN-JENSEN; Socialist People's Party, Holger K. NIELSEN; Progress Party, Pia KJAERSGAARD; Center Democratic Party, Mimi Stilling JAKOBSEN; Radical Liberal Party, Marianne JELVED; Christian People's Party, Jann SJURSEN; Common Course, Preben Moller HANSEN; Danish Workers' Party Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Elections: Parliament: last held 12 December 1990 (next to be held by December 1994); results - Social Democratic Party 37.4%, Conservative Party 16.0%, Liberal 15.8%, Socialist People's Party 8.3%, Progress Party 6.4%, Center Democratic Party 5.1%, Radical Liberal Party 3.5%, Christian People's Party 2.3%, other 5.2%; seats - (179 total; includes 2 from Greenland and 2 from the Faroe Islands) Social Democratic 69, Conservative 30, Liberal 29, Socialist People's 15, Progress Party 12, Center Democratic 9, Radical Liberal 7, Christian People's 4 Executive branch: monarch, heir apparent, prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral parliament (Folketing) Judicial branch: Supreme Court
*Denmark, Government
Leaders: Chief of State: Queen MARGRETHE II (since NA January 1972); Heir Apparent Crown Prince FREDERIK, elder son of the Queen (born 26 May 1968) Head of Government: Prime Minister Poul Nyrup RASMUSSEN (since NA January 1993) Member of: AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, CERN, COCOM, CSCE, EBRD, EC, ECE, EIB, ESA, FAO, G-9, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, MTCR, NACC, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OECD, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMOGIP, UNPROFOR, UNTSO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, ZC Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Peter Pedersen DYVIG chancery: 3200 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 234-4300 FAX: (202) 328-1470 consulates general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Richard B. STONE embassy: Dag Hammarskjolds Alle 24, 2100 Copenhagen O mailing address: APO AE 09716 telephone: [45] (31) 42-31-44 FAX: [45] (35) 43-0223 Flag: red with a white cross that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side, and that design element of the DANNEBROG (Danish flag) was subsequently adopted by the other Nordic countries of Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden
*Denmark, Economy
Overview: This modern economy features high-tech agriculture, up-to-date small-scale and corporate industry, extensive government welfare measures, comfortable living standards, and high dependence on foreign trade. Denmark's new center-left coalition government will concentrate on reducing the persistent high unemployment rate and the budget deficit as well as following the previous government's policies of maintaining low inflation and a current account surplus. In the face of recent international market pressure on the Danish krone, the coalition has also vowed to maintain a stable currency. The coalition hopes to lower marginal income taxes while maintaining overall tax revenues; boost industrial competitiveness through labor market and tax reforms and increased research and development funds; and improve welfare services for the neediest while cutting paperwork and delays. Prime Minister RASMUSSEN's reforms will focus on adapting Denmark to EC's economic and monetary union (EMU) criteria by 1999, although Copenhagen won from the EC the right to opt out of the EMU if a national referendum rejects it. Denmark is, in fact, one of the few EC countries likely to fit into the EMU on time. Denmark is weathering the current worldwide slump better than many West European countries. As the EC's single market (formally established on 1 January 1993) gets underway, Danish economic growth is expected to pickup to around 2% in 1993. Expected Danish approval of the Maastricht treaty on EC political and economic union in May 1993 would almost certainly reverse the drop in investment, further boosting growth. The current account surplus remains strong as limitations on wage increases and low inflation - expected to be around 1% in 1993 - improve export competitiveness. Although unemployment is high, it remains stable compared to most European countries. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $94.2 billion (1992) National product real growth rate: 1% (1992) National product per capita: $18,200 (1992) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.5% (1992) Unemployment rate: 11.4% (1992) Budget: revenues $48.8 billion; expenditures $55.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992) Exports: $37.3 billion (f.o.b., 1992) commodities: meat and meat products, dairy products, transport equipment (shipbuilding), fish, chemicals, industrial machinery partners: EC 54.3% (Germany 23.6%, UK 10.1%, France 5.7%), Sweden 10.5%, Norway 5.8%, US 4.9%, Japan 3.6% (1992) Imports: $30.3 billion (c.i.f., 1992) commodities: petroleum, machinery and equipment, chemicals, grain and foodstuffs, textiles, paper partners: EC 53.4% (Germany 23.1%, UK 8.2%, France 5.6%), Sweden 10.8%, Norway 5.4%, US 5.7%, Japan 4.1% (1992) External debt: $40 billion (1992 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 1.9% (1992)
*Denmark, Economy
Electricity: 11,215,000 kW capacity; 34,170 million kWh produced, 6,610 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: food processing, machinery and equipment, textiles and clothing, chemical products, electronics, construction, furniture, and other wood products, shipbuilding Agriculture: accounts for 4% of GDP and employs 5.6% of labor force (includes fishing and forestry); farm products account for nearly 15% of export revenues; principal products - meat, dairy, grain, potatoes, rape, sugar beets, fish; self-sufficient in food production Economic aid: donor - ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89) $5.9 billion Currency: 1 Danish krone (DKr) = 100 re Exchange rates: Danish kroner (DKr) per US$1 - 6.236 (January 1993), 6.036 (1992), 6.396 (1991), 6.189 (1990), 7.310 (1989), 6.732 (1988) Fiscal year: calendar year
*Denmark, Communications
Railroads: 2,770 km; Danish State Railways (DSB) operate 2,120 km (1,999 km rail line and 121 km rail ferry services); 188 km electrified, 730 km double tracked; 650 km of standard-gauge lines are privately owned and operated Highways: 66,482 km total; 64,551 km concrete, bitumen, or stone block; 1,931 km gravel, crushed stone, improved earth Inland waterways: 417 km Pipelines: crude oil 110 km; petroleum products 578 km; natural gas 700 km Ports: Alborg, Arhus, Copenhagen, Esbjerg, Fredericia; numerous secondary and minor ports Merchant marine: 328 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,043,277 GRT/7,230,634 DWT; includes 13 short-sea passenger, 102 cargo, 19 refrigerated cargo, 47 container, 37 roll-on/roll-off, 1 railcar carrier, 33 oil tanker, 18 chemical tanker, 36 liquefied gas, 4 livestock carrier, 17 bulk, 1 combination bulk; note - Denmark has created its own internal register, called the Danish International Ship register (DIS); DIS ships do not have to meet Danish manning regulations, and they amount to a flag of convenience within the Danish register; by the end of 1990, 258 of the Danish-flag ships belonged to the DIS Airports: total: 118 usable: 109 with permanent-surface runways: 28 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 9 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 7 Telecommunications: excellent telephone, telegraph, and broadcast services; 4,509,000 telephones; buried and submarine cables and microwave radio relay support trunk network; broadcast stations - 3 AM, 2 FM, 50 TV; 19 submarine coaxial cables; 7 earth stations operating in INTELSAT, EUTELSAT, and INMARSAT
*Denmark, Defense Forces
Branches: Royal Danish Army, Royal Danish Navy, Royal Danish Air Force, Home Guard Manpower availability: males age 15-49 1,368,211; fit for military service 1,176,559; reach military age (20) annually 37,248 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $2.8 billion, 2% of GDP (1992)
*Djibouti, Geography
Location: Eastern Africa, at the entrance to the Red Sea between Ethiopia and Somalia Map references: Africa, Middle East, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 22,000 km2 land area: 21,980 km2 comparative area: slightly larger than Massachusetts Land boundaries: total 508 km, Erithea 113 km, Ethiopia 337 km, Somalia 58 km Coastline: 314 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: possible claim by Somalia based on unification of ethnic Somalis Climate: desert; torrid, dry Terrain: coastal plain and plateau separated by central mountains Natural resources: geothermal areas Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 9% forest and woodland: 0% other: 91% Irrigated land: NA km2 Environment: vast wasteland Note: strategic location near world's busiest shipping lanes and close to Arabian oilfields; terminus of rail traffic into Ethiopia
*Djibouti, People
Population: 401,579 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 2.7% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 43.05 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 16.06 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 113.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 48.78 years male: 47.01 years female: 50.59 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.27 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Djiboutian(s) adjective: Djiboutian Ethnic divisions: Somali 60%, Afar 35%, French, Arab, Ethiopian, and Italian 5% Religions: Muslim 94%, Christian 6% Languages: French (official), Arabic (official), Somali, Afar Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) total population: 48% male: 63% female: 34% Labor force: NA by occupation: a small number of semiskilled laborers at the port and 3,000 railway workers note: 52% of population of working age (1983)
*Djibouti, Government
Names: conventional long form: Republic of Djibouti conventional short form: Djibouti former: French Territory of the Afars and Issas French Somaliland Digraph: DJ Type: republic Capital: Djibouti Administrative divisions: 5 districts (cercles, singular - cercle); 'Ali Sabih, Dikhil, Djibouti, Obock, Tadjoura Independence: 27 June 1977 (from France) Constitution: multiparty constitution approved in referendum September 1992 Legal system: based on French civil law system, traditional practices, and Islamic law National holiday: Independence Day, 27 June (1977) Political parties and leaders: ruling party: People's Progress Assembly (RPP), Hassan GOULED Aptidon other parties: Democratic Renewal Party (PRD), Mohamed Jama ELABE; Democratic National Party (PND), ADEN Robleh Awaleh Other political or pressure groups: Front for the Restoration of Unity and Democracy (FRUD) and affiliates; Movement for Unity and Democracy (MUD) Suffrage: universal adult at age NA Elections: National Assembly: last held 18 December 1992; results - RPP is the only party; seats - (65 total) RPP 65 President: last held 24 April 1987 (next to be held April 1993); results - President Hassan GOULED Aptidon was reelected without opposition Executive branch: president, prime minister, Council of Ministers Legislative branch: unicameral Chamber of Deputies (Chambre des Deputes) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme) Leaders: Chief of State: President HASSAN GOULED Aptidon (since 24 June 1977) Head of Government: Prime Minister BARKAT Gourad Hamadou (since 30 September 1978) Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IGADD, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNESCO, UNCTAD, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO
*Djibouti, Government
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Roble OLHAYE chancery: Suite 515, 1156 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 telephone: (202) 331-0270 US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Charles R. BAQUET III embassy: Plateau du Serpent, Boulevard Marechal Joffre, Djibouti mailing address: B. P. 185, Djibouti telephone: [253] 35-39-95 FAX: [253] 35-39-40 Flag: two equal horizontal bands of light blue (top) and light green with a white isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bearing a red five-pointed star in the center
*Djibouti, Economy
Overview: The economy is based on service activities connected with the country's strategic location and status as a free trade zone in northeast Africa. Djibouti provides services as both a transit port for the region and an international transshipment and refueling center. It has few natural resources and little industry. The nation is, therefore, heavily dependent on foreign assistance to help support its balance of payments and to finance development projects. An unemployment rate of over 30% continues to be a major problem. Per capita consumption dropped an estimated 35% over the last five years because of recession and a high population growth rate (including immigrants and refugees). National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $358 million (1990 est.) National product real growth rate: 1.2% (1990 est.) National product per capita: $1,030 (1990 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.7% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: over 30% (1989) Budget: revenues $170 million; expenditures $203 million, including capital expenditures of $70 million (1991 est.) Exports: $186 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: hides and skins, coffee (in transit) partners: Africa 50%, Middle East 40%, Western Europe 9% Imports: $360 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: foods, beverages, transport equipment, chemicals, petroleum products partners: Western Europe 54%, Middle East 20%, Asia 19% External debt: $355 million (December 1990) Industrial production: growth rate 10.0% (1990); manufacturing accounts for 11% of GDP Electricity: 115,000 kW capacity; 200 million kWh produced, 580 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: limited to a few small-scale enterprises, such as dairy products and mineral-water bottling Agriculture: accounts for only 3% of GDP; scanty rainfall limits crop production to mostly fruit and vegetables; half of population pastoral nomads herding goats, sheep, and camels; imports bulk of food needs Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY78-89), $39 million; Western (non-US) countries, including ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.1 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $149 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $35 million Currency: 1 Djiboutian franc (DF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Djiboutian francs (DF) per US$1 - 177.721 (fixed rate since 1973)
*Djibouti, Economy
Fiscal year: calendar year
*Djibouti, Communications
Railroads: the Ethiopian-Djibouti railroad extends for 97 km through Djibouti Highways: 2,900 km total; 280 km paved; 2,620 km improved or unimproved earth (1982) Ports: Djibouti Merchant marine: 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,369 GRT/3,030 DWT Airports: total: 13 usable: 11 with permanent-surface runways: 2 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 5 Telecommunications: telephone facilities in the city of Djibouti are adequate as are the microwave radio relay connections to outlying areas of the country; international connections via submarine cable to Saudi Arabia and by satellite to other countries; one ground station each for Indian Ocean INTELSAT and ARABSAT; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 2 FM, 1 TV
*Djibouti, Defense Forces
Branches: Djibouti National Army (including Navy and Air Force), National Security Force (Force Nationale de Securite), National Police Force Manpower availability: males age 15-49 97,943; fit for military service 57,187 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $26 million, NA% of GDP (1989)
*Dominica, Geography
Location: in the eastern Caribbean, about halfway between Puerto Rico and Trinidad and Tobago Map references: Central America and the Caribbean, South America, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 750 km2 land area: 750 km2 comparative area: slightly more than four times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 148 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds; heavy rainfall Terrain: rugged mountains of volcanic origin Natural resources: timber Land use: arable land: 9% permanent crops: 13% meadows and pastures: 3% forest and woodland: 41% other: 34% Irrigated land: NA km2 Environment: flash floods a constant hazard; occasional hurricanes
*Dominica, People
Population: 86,547 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 1.31% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 20.82 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 5.06 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: -2.63 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 10.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.72 years male: 73.89 years female: 79.71 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.03 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Dominican(s) adjective: Dominican Ethnic divisions: black, Carib Indians Religions: Roman Catholic 77%, Protestant 15% (Methodist 5%, Pentecostal 3%, Seventh-Day Adventist 3%, Baptist 2%, other 2%), none 2%, unknown 1%, other 5% Languages: English (official), French patois Literacy: age 15 and over having ever attended school (1970) total population: 94% male: 94% female: 94% Labor force: 25,000 by occupation: agriculture 40%, industry and commerce 32%, services 28% (1984)
*Dominica, Government
Names: conventional long form: Commonwealth of Dominica conventional short form: Dominica Digraph: DO Type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Roseau Administrative divisions: 10 parishes; Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint Luke, Saint Mark, Saint Patrick, Saint Paul, Saint Peter Independence: 3 November 1978 (from UK) Constitution: 3 November 1978 Legal system: based on English common law National holiday: Independence Day, 3 November (1978) Political parties and leaders: Dominica Freedom Party (DFP), (Mary) Eugenia CHARLES; Dominica Labor Party (DLP), Rosie DOUGLAS; United Workers Party (UWP), Edison JAMES Other political or pressure groups: Dominica Liberation Movement (DLM), a small leftist group Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Elections: House of Assembly: last held 28 May 1990 (next to be held May 1995); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (30 total; 9 appointed senators and 21 elected representatives) DFP 11, UWP 6, DLP 4 President: last held 20 December 1988 (next to be held December 1993); results - President Sir Clarence Augustus SEIGNORET was reelected by the House of Assembly Executive branch: president, prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral House of Assembly Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: President Sir Clarence Augustus SEIGNORET (since 19 December 1983) Head of Government: Prime Minister (Mary) Eugenia CHARLES (since 21 July 1980, elected for a third term 28 May 1990) Member of: ACCT, ACP, C, CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, LORCS, NAM (observer), OAS, OECS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WMO Diplomatic representation in US: there is no chancery in the US US diplomatic representation: no official presence since the Ambassador resides in Bridgetown (Barbados), but travels frequently to Dominica
*Dominica, Government
Flag: green with a centered cross of three equal bands - the vertical part is yellow (hoist side), black, and white - the horizontal part is yellow (top), black, and white; superimposed in the center of the cross is a red disk bearing a sisserou parrot encircled by 10 green five-pointed stars edged in yellow; the 10 stars represent the 10 administrative divisions (parishes)
*Dominica, Economy
Overview: The economy is dependent on agriculture and thus is highly vulnerable to climatic conditions. Agriculture accounts for about 30% of GDP and employs 40% of the labor force. Principal products include bananas, citrus, mangoes, root crops, and coconuts. In 1991, GDP grew by 2.1%. The tourist industry remains undeveloped because of a rugged coastline and the lack of an international airport. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $174 million (1991 est.) National product real growth rate: 2.1% (1991 est.) National product per capita: $2,100 (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.5% (1991) Unemployment rate: 15% (1991) Budget: revenues $70 million; expenditures $84 million, including capital expenditures of $26 million (FY91 est.) Exports: $66.0 million (c.i.f., 1991) commodities: bananas, soap, bay oil, vegetables, grapefruit, oranges partners: UK 50%, CARICOM countries, US, Italy Imports: $110.0 million (c.i.f., 1991) commodities: manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, food, chemicals partners: US 27%, CARICOM, UK, Canada External debt: $87 million (1991) Industrial production: growth rate 4.5% in manufacturing (1988 est.); accounts for 18% of GDP Electricity: 7,000 kW capacity; 16 million kWh produced, 185 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: soap, coconut oil, tourism, copra, furniture, cement blocks, shoes Agriculture: accounts for 26% of GDP; principal crops - bananas, citrus, mangoes, root crops, coconuts; bananas provide the bulk of export earnings; forestry and fisheries potential not exploited Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $120 million Currency: 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.70 (fixed rate since 1976) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
*Dominica, Communications
Highways: 750 km total; 370 km paved, 380 km gravel and earth Ports: Roseau, Portsmouth Airports: total: 2 usable: 2 with permanent-surface runways: 2 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 0 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 1 Telecommunications: 4,600 telephones in fully automatic network; VHF and UHF link to Saint Lucia; new SHF links to Martinique and Guadeloupe; broadcast stations - 3 AM, 2 FM, 1 cable TV
*Dominica, Defense Forces
Branches: Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force Manpower availability: NA Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP
*Dominican Republic, Geography
Location: in the northern Caribbean Sea, about halfway between Cuba and Puerto Rico Map references: Central America and the Caribbean, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 48,730 km2 land area: 48,380 km2 comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of New Hampshire Land boundaries: total 275 km, Haiti 275 km Coastline: 1,288 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or the outer edge of continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 6 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation Terrain: rugged highlands and mountains with fertile valleys interspersed Natural resources: nickel, bauxite, gold, silver Land use: arable land: 23% permanent crops: 7% meadows and pastures: 43% forest and woodland: 13% other: 14% Irrigated land: 2,250 km2 (1989) Environment: subject to occasional hurricanes (July to October); deforestation Note: shares island of Hispaniola with Haiti (western one-third is Haiti, eastern two-thirds is the Dominican Republic)
*Dominican Republic, People
Population: 7,683,940 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 1.86% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 25.68 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 6.38 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: -0.68 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 53.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 67.98 years male: 65.87 years female: 70.21 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.89 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Dominican(s) adjective: Dominican Ethnic divisions: mixed 73%, white 16%, black 11% Religions: Roman Catholic 95% Languages: Spanish Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) total population: 83% male: 85% female: 82% Labor force: 2,300,000 to 2,600,000 by occupation: agriculture 49%, services 33%, industry 18% (1986)
*Dominican Republic, Government
Names: conventional long form: Dominican Republic conventional short form: none local long form: Republica Dominicana local short form: none Digraph: DR Type: republic Capital: Santo Domingo Administrative divisions: 29 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 district* (distrito);, Azua, Baoruco, Barahona, Dajabon, Distrito Nacional*, Duarte, Elias Pina, El, Seibo, Espaillat, Hato Mayor, Independencia, La Altagracia, La Romana, La Vega, Maria Trinidad Sanchez, Monsenor Nouel, Monte Cristi, Monte Plata, Pedernales, Peravia, Puerto Plata, Salcedo, Samana, Sanchez Ramirez, San Cristobal, San Juan, San Pedro De Macoris, Santiago, Santiago Rodriguez, Valverde Independence: 27 February 1844 (from Haiti) Constitution: 28 November 1966 Legal system: based on French civil codes National holiday: Independence Day, 27 February (1844) Political parties and leaders: Major parties: Social Christian Reformist Party (PRSC), Joaquin BALAGUER Ricardo; Dominican Liberation Party (PLD), Juan BOSCH Gavino; Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD), Jose Franciso PENA Gomez; Independent Revolutionary Party (PRI), Jacobo MAJLUTA Minor parties: National Veterans and Civilian Party (PNVC), Juan Rene BEAUCHAMPS Javier; Liberal Party of the Dominican Republic (PLRD), Andres Van Der HORST; Democratic Quisqueyan Party (PQD), Elias WESSIN Chavez; National Progressive Force (FNP), Marino VINICIO Castillo; Popular Christian Party (PPC), Rogelio DELGADO Bogaert; Dominican Communist Party (PCD), Narciso ISA Conde; Dominican Workers' Party (PTD), Ivan RODRIGUEZ; Anti-Imperialist Patriotic Union (UPA), Ignacio RODRIGUEZ Chiappini; Alliance for Democracy Party (APD), Maximilano Rabelais PUIG Miller, Nelsida MARMOLEJOS, Vicente BENGOA note: in 1983 several leftist parties, including the PCD, joined to form the Dominican Leftist Front (FID); however, they still retain individual party structures Other political or pressure groups: Collective of Popular Organzations (COP), leader NA Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory or married persons regardless of age note: members of the armed forces and police cannot vote
*Dominican Republic, Government
Elections: Chamber of Deputies: last held 16 May 1990 (next to be held May 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (120 total) PLD 44, PRSC 41, PRD 33, PRI 2 President: last held 16 May 1990 (next to be held May 1994); results - Joaquin BALAGUER (PRSC) 35.7%, Juan BOSCH Gavino (PLD) 34.4% Senate: last held 16 May 1990 (next to be held May 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (30 total) PRSC 16, PLD 12, PRD 2 Executive branch: president, vice president, Cabinet Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress (Congreso Nacional) consists of an upper chamber or Senate (Senado) and lower chamber or Chamber of Deputies (Camara de Diputados) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema) Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Joaquin BALAGUER Ricardo (since 16 August 1986, fifth elected term began 16 August 1990); Vice President Carlos A. MORALES Troncoso (since 16 August 1986) Member of: ACP, CARICOM (observer), ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), LORCS, NAM (guest), OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jose del Carmen ARIZA Gomez chancery: 1715 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 332-6280 consulates general: Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Mayaguez (Puerto Rico), Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Juan (Puerto Rico) consulates: Charlotte Amalie (Virgin Islands), Detroit, Houston, Jacksonville, Minneapolis, Mobile, Ponce (Puerto Rico), and San Francisco US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Robert S. PASTORINO embassy: corner of Calle Cesar Nicolas Penson and Calle Leopoldo Navarro, Santo Domingo mailing address: APO AA 34041-0008 telephone: (809) 541-2171 and 541-8100 FAX: (809) 686-7437 Flag: a centered white cross that extends to the edges, divides the flag into four rectangles - the top ones are blue (hoist side) and red, the bottom ones are red (hoist side) and blue; a small coat of arms is at the center of the cross
*Dominican Republic, Economy
Overview: The economy is largely dependent on trade; imported components average 60% of the value of goods consumed in the domestic market. Rapid growth of free trade zones has established a significant expansion of manufacturing for export, especially wearing apparel. Over the past decade, tourism has also increased in importance and is a major earner of foreign exchange and a source of new jobs. Agriculture remains a key sector of the economy. The principal commercial crop is sugarcane, followed by coffee, cotton, cocoa, and tobacco. Domestic industry is based on the processing of agricultural products, oil refining, minerals, and chemicals. Unemployment is officially reported at about 30%, but there is considerable underemployment. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $8.4 billion (1992 est.) National product real growth rate: 5% (1992 est.) National product per capita: $1,120 (1992 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6% (1992 est.) Unemployment rate: 30% (1992 est.) Budget: revenues $1.4 billion; expenditures $1.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1993 est.) Exports: $600 million (f.o.b., 1992) commodities: ferronickel, sugar, gold, coffee, cocoa partners: US 60%, EC 19%, Puerto Rico 8% (1990) Imports: $2 billion (c.i.f., 1992 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, petroleum, cotton and fabrics, chemicals and pharmaceuticals partners: US 50% External debt: $4.7 billion (1992 est.) Industrial production: growth rate -1.5% (1991); accounts for 20% of GDP Electricity: 2,283,000 kW capacity; 5,000 million kWh produced, 660 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: tourism, sugar processing, ferronickel and gold mining, textiles, cement, tobacco Agriculture: accounts for 15% of GDP and employs 49% of labor force; sugarcane is the most important commercial crop, followed by coffee, cotton, cocoa, and tobacco; food crops - rice, beans, potatoes, corn, bananas; animal output - cattle, hogs, dairy products, meat, eggs; not self-sufficient in food Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY85-89), $575 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $655 million Currency: 1 Dominican peso (RD$) = 100 centavos
*Dominican Republic, Economy
Exchange rates: Dominican pesos (RD$) per US$1 - 12.7 (1992), 12.692 (1991), 8.525 (1990), 6.340 (1989), 6.113 (1988) Fiscal year: calendar year
*Dominican Republic, Communications
Railroads: 1,655 km total in numerous segments; 4 different gauges from 0.558 m to 1.435 m Highways: 12,000 km total; 5,800 km paved, 5,600 km gravel and improved earth, 600 km unimproved Pipelines: crude oil 96 km; petroleum products 8 km Ports: Santo Domingo, Haina, San Pedro de Macoris, Puerto Plata Merchant marine: 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,587 GRT/1,165 DWT Airports: total: 36 usable: 30 with permanent-surface runways: 12 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 4 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 8 Telecommunications: relatively efficient domestic system based on islandwide microwave relay network; 190,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 120 AM, no FM, 18 TV, 6 shortwave; 1 coaxial submarine cable; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
*Dominican Republic, Defense Forces
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Police Manpower availability: males age 15-49 2,064,244; fit for military service 1,302,644; reach military age (18) annually 80,991 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $110 million, 0.7% of GDP (1993 est.)
*Ecuador, Geography
Location: Western South America, bordering the Pacific Ocean at the Equator between Colombia and Peru Map references: South America, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 283,560 km2 land area: 276,840 km2 comparative area: slightly smaller than Nevada note: includes Galapagos Islands Land boundaries: total 2,010 km, Colombia 590 km, Peru 1,420 km Coastline: 2,237 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: claims continental shelf between mainland and Galapagos Islands territorial sea: 200 nm International disputes: three sections of the boundary with Peru are in dispute Climate: tropical along coast becoming cooler inland Terrain: coastal plain (Costa), inter-Andean central highlands (Sierra), and flat to rolling eastern jungle (Oriente) Natural resources: petroleum, fish, timber Land use: arable land: 6% permanent crops: 3% meadows and pastures: 17% forest and woodland: 51% other: 23% Irrigated land: 5,500 km2 (1989 est.) Environment: subject to frequent earthquakes, landslides, volcanic activity; deforestation; desertification; soil erosion; periodic droughts Note: Cotopaxi in Andes is highest active volcano in world
*Ecuador, People
Population: 10,461,072 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 2.07% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 26.54 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 5.8 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 40.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.61 years male: 67.09 years female: 72.25 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.19 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Ecuadorian(s) adjective: Ecuadorian Ethnic divisions: mestizo (mixed Indian and Spanish) 55%, Indian 25%, Spanish 10%, black 10% Religions: Roman Catholic 95% Languages: Spanish (official), Indian languages (especially Quechua) Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) total population: 86% male: 88% female: 84% Labor force: 2.8 million by occupation: agriculture 35%, manufacturing 21%, commerce 16%, services and other activities 28% (1982)
*Ecuador, Government
Names: conventional long form: Republic of Ecuador conventional short form: Ecuador local long form: Republica del Ecuador local short form: Ecuador Digraph: EC Type: republic Capital: Quito Administrative divisions: 21 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Azuay, Bolivar, Canar, Carchi, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, El Oro, Esmeraldas, Galapagos, Guayas, Imbabura, Loja, Los Rios, Manabi, Morona-Santiago, Napo, Pastaza, Pichincha, Sucumbios, Tungurahua, Zamora-Chinchipe Independence: 24 May 1822 (from Spain) Constitution: 10 August 1979 Legal system: based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Independence Day, 10 August (1809) (independence of Quito) Political parties and leaders: Center-Right parties: Social Christian Party (PSC), Jaime NEBOT Saadi, president; Republican Unity Party (PUR), President Sixto DURAN-BALLEN, leader; Conservative Party (CE), Vice President Alberto DAHIK, president Center-Left parties: Democratic Left (ID), Andres VALLEJO Arcos, Rodrigo BORJA Cevallos, leaders; Popular Democracy (DP), Jamil MANUAD Witt, president; Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party (PLRE), Carlos Luis PLAZA Aray, director; Radical Alfarista Front (FRA), Jaime ASPIAZU Seminario, director Populist parties: Roldista Party (PRE), Abdala BUCARAM Ortiz, director; Concentration of Popular Forces (CFP), Rafael SANTELICES, director; Popular Revolutionary Action (APRE), Frank VARGAS Passos, leader; Assad Bucaram Party (PAB), Avicena BUCARAM, leader; People, Change, and Democracy (PCD), Raul AULESTIA, director Far-Left parties: Popular Democratic Movement (MPD), Jorge Fausto MORENO, director; Ecuadorian Socialist Party (PSE), Leon ROLDOS, leader; Broad Leftist Front (FADI), Jose Xavier GARAYCOA, president; Ecuadorian National Liberation (LN), Alfredo CASTILLO, director Communists: Communist Party of Ecuador (PCE, pro-North Korea), Rene Leon Mague MOSWUERRA, secretary general (5,00 members); Communist Party of Ecuador/Marxist-Leninist (PCMLE, Maoist), leader NA (3,000 members) Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal, compulsory for literate persons ages 18-65, optional for other eligible voters
*Ecuador, Government
Elections: President: runoff election held 5 July 1992 (next to be held NA 1996); results - Sixto DURAN-BALLEN elected as president and Alberto DAHIK elected as vice president National Congress: last held 17 May 1992 (next to be held NA May 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (77 total) PSC 20, PRE 15, PUR 12, ID 7, PC 6, DP 5, PSE 3, MPD 3, PLRE 2, CFP 2, FRA 1, APRE 1 Executive branch: president, vice president, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral National Congress (Congreso Nacional) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema) Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Sixto DURAN-BALLEN (since 10 August 1992); Vice President Alberto DAHIK (since 10 August 1992) Member of: AG, ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA, LORCS, NAM, OAS, ONUSAL, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Edgar TERAN chancery: 2535 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: (202) 234-7200 consulates general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, and San Francisco consulate: San Diego US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: (vacant); Charge d'Affaires James F. MACK embassy: Avenida 12 de Octubre y Avenida Patria, Quito mailing address: P. O. Box 538, Quito, or APO AA 34039-3420 telephone: [593] (2) 562-890 FAX: [593] (2) 502-052 consulate general: Guayaquil Flag: three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double width), blue, and red with the coat of arms superimposed at the center of the flag; similar to the flag of Colombia that is shorter and does not bear a coat of arms
*Ecuador, Economy
Overview: Ecuador has substantial oil resources and rich agricultural areas. Growth has been uneven because of natural disasters, fluctuations in global oil prices, and government policies designed to curb inflation. Banana exports, second only to oil, have suffered as a result of EC import quotas and banana blight. The new President Sixto DURAN-BALLEN, has a much more favorable attitude toward foreign investment than did his predecessor. Ecuador has implemented trade agreements with Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, and Venezuela and has applied for GATT membership. At the end of 1991, Ecuador received a standby IMF loan of $105 million, which will permit the country to proceed with the rescheduling of Paris Club debt. In September 1992, the government launched a new, macroeconomic program that gives more play to market forces; as of March 1993, the program seemed to be paying off. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $11.8 billion (1992) National product real growth rate: 3% (1992) National product per capita: $1,100 (1992) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 70% (1992) Unemployment rate: 8% (1992) Budget: revenues $1.9 billion; expenditures $1.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992) Exports: $3.0 billion (f.o.b., 1992) commodities: petroleum 42%, bananas, shrimp, cocoa, coffee partners: US 53.4%, Latin America, Caribbean, EC countries Imports: $2.4 billion (f.o.b., 1992) commodities: transport equipment, vehicles, machinery, chemicals partners: US 32.7%, Latin America, Caribbean, EC countries, Japan External debt: $12.7 billion (1992) Industrial production: growth rate 3.9% (1991); accounts for almost 40% of GDP, including petroleum Electricity: 2,921,000 kW capacity; 7,676 million kWh produced, 700 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: petroleum, food processing, textiles, metal works, paper products, wood products, chemicals, plastics, fishing, timber Agriculture: accounts for 18% of GDP and 35% of labor force (including fishing and forestry); leading producer and exporter of bananas and balsawood; other exports - coffee, cocoa, fish, shrimp; crop production - rice, potatoes, manioc, plantains, sugarcane; livestock sector - cattle, sheep, hogs, beef, pork, dairy products; net importer of foodgrains, dairy products, and sugar Illicit drugs: minor illicit producer of coca following the successful eradication campaign of 1985-87; significant transit country, however, for derivatives of coca originating in Colombia, Bolivia, and Peru; importer of precursor chemicals used in production of illicit narcotics; important money-laundering hub
*Ecuador, Economy
Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $498 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $2.15 billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $64 million Currency: 1 sucre (S/) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: sucres (S/) per US$1 - 1,453.8 (August 1992), 1,046.25 (1991), 869.54 (December 1990), 767.75 (1990), 526.35 (1989), 301.61 (1988) Fiscal year: calendar year
*Ecuador, Communications
Railroads: 965 km total; all 1.067-meter-gauge single track Highways: 28,000 km total; 3,600 km paved, 17,400 km gravel and improved earth, 7,000 km unimproved earth Inland waterways: 1,500 km Pipelines: crude oil 800 km; petroleum products 1,358 km Ports: Guayaquil, Manta, Puerto Bolivar, Esmeraldas Merchant marine: 45 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 333,380 GRT/483,862 DWT; includes 2 passenger, 4 cargo, 17 refrigerated cargo, 4 container, 1 roll-on/roll-off, 15 oil tanker, 1 liquefied gas, 1 bulk Airports: total: 174 usable: 173 with permanent-surface runways: 52 with runway over 3,659 m: 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 6 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 21 Telecommunications: domestic facilities generally adequate; 318,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 272 AM, no FM, 33 TV, 39 shortwave; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
*Ecuador, Defense Forces
Branches: Army (Ejercito Ecuatoriano), Navy (Armada Ecuatoriana), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Ecuatoriana), National Police Manpower availability: males age 15-49 2,655,520; fit for military service 1,798,122; reach military age (20) annually 109,413 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP
*Egypt, Geography
Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea, between Sudan and Libya Map references: Africa, Middle East, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 1,001,450 km2 land area: 995,450 km2 comparative area: slightly more than three times the size of New Mexico Land boundaries: total 2,689 km, Gaza Strip 11 km, Israel 255 km, Libya 1,150 km, Sudan 1,273 km Coastline: 2,450 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: not specified territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: administrative boundary with Sudan does not coincide with international boundary creating the "Hala'ib Triangle," a barren area of 20,580 km2, the dispute over this area escalated in 1993 Climate: desert; hot, dry summers with moderate winters Terrain: vast desert plateau interrupted by Nile valley and delta Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, manganese, limestone, gypsum, talc, asbestos, lead, zinc Land use: arable land: 3% permanent crops: 2% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 95% Irrigated land: 25,850 km2 (1989 est.) Environment: Nile is only perennial water source; increasing soil salinization below Aswan High Dam; hot, driving windstorm called khamsin occurs in spring; water pollution; desertification Note: controls Sinai Peninsula, only land bridge between Africa and remainder of Eastern Hemisphere; controls Suez Canal, shortest sea link between Indian Ocean and Mediterranean; size and juxtaposition to Israel establish its major role in Middle Eastern geopolitics
*Egypt, People
Population: 59,585,529 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 2.3% (1993 est.) note: the US Bureau of the Census has lowered its 1993 estimate of growth to 2.0% on the basis of a 1992 Egyptian government survey, whereas estimates of other observers go as high as 2.9% Birth rate: 33 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 9 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: NEGL Infant mortality rate: 78.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 60.46 years male: 58.61 years female: 62.41 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.35 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Egyptian(s) adjective: Egyptian Ethnic divisions: Eastern Hamitic stock 90%, Greek, Italian, Syro-Lebanese 10% Religions: Muslim (mostly Sunni) 94% (official estimate), Coptic Christian and other 6% (official estimate) Languages: Arabic (official), English and French widely understood by educated classes Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) total population: 48% male: 63% female: 34% Labor force: 15 million (1989 est.) by occupation: government, public sector enterprises, and armed forces 36%, agriculture 34%, privately owned service and manufacturing enterprises 20% (1984) note: shortage of skilled labor; 2,500,000 Egyptians work abroad, mostly in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Arab states (1988 est.)
*Egypt, Government
Names: conventional long form: Arab Republic of Egypt conventional short form: Egypt local long form: Jumhuriyat Misr al-Arabiyah local short form: none former: United Arab Republic (with Syria) Digraph: EG Type: republic Capital: Cairo Administrative divisions: 26 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Ad Daqahliyah, Al Bahr al Ahmar, Al Buhayrah, Al Fayyum, Al Gharbiyah, Al Iskandariyah, Al Isma'iliyah, Al Jizah, Al Minufiyah, Al Minya, Al Qahirah, Al Qalyubiyah, Al Wadi al Jadid, Ash Sharqiyah, As Suways, Aswan, Asyu't, Bani Suwayf, Bur Sa'id, Dumyat, Janub Sina, Kafr ash Shaykh, Matruh, Qina, Shamal Sina, Suhaj Independence: 28 February 1922 (from UK) Constitution: 11 September 1971 Legal system: based on English common law, Islamic law, and Napoleonic codes; judicial review by Supreme Court and Council of State (oversees validity of administrative decisions); accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations National holiday: Anniversary of the Revolution, 23 July (1952) Political parties and leaders: National Democratic Party (NDP), President Mohammed Hosni MUBARAK, leader, is the dominant party; legal opposition parties are Socialist Liberal Party (SLP), Kamal MURAD; Socialist Labor Party, Ibrahim SHUKRI; National Progressive Unionist Grouping (NPUG), Khalid MUHYI-AL-DIN; Umma Party, Ahmad al-SABAHI; New Wafd Party (NWP), Fu'ad SIRAJ AL-DIN; Misr al-Fatah Party (Young Egypt Party), Ali al-Din SALIH; The Greens Party, Hasan RAJABD; Nasserist Arab Democratic Party, Muhammad Rif'at al-MUHAMI; Democratic Unionist Party, Mohammed 'Abd-al-Mun'im TURK; Democratic Peoples' Party, Anwar AFISI note: formation of political parties must be approved by government Other political or pressure groups: Islamic groups are illegal, but the largest one, the Muslim Brotherhood, is tolerated by the government; trade unions and professional associations are officially sanctioned Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Elections: Advisory Council: last held 8 June 1989 (next to be held June 1995); results - NDP 100%; seats - (258 total, 172 elected) NDP 172
*Egypt, Government
People's Assembly: last held 29 November 1990 (next to be held November 1995); results - NDP 78.4%, NPUG 1.4%, independents 18.7%; seats - (437 total, 444 elected) NDP 348, NPUG 6, independents 83; note - most opposition parties boycotted President: last held 5 October 1987 (next to be held October 1993); results - President Hosni MUBARAK was reelected Executive branch: president, prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral People's Assembly (Majlis al-Cha'b); note - there is an Advisory Council (Majlis al-Shura) that functions in a consultative role Judicial branch: Supreme Constitutional Court Leaders: Chief of State: President Mohammed Hosni MUBARAK (was made acting President on 6 October 1981 upon the assassination of President SADAT and sworn in as president on 14 October 1981) Head of Government: Prime Minister Atef Mohammed Najib SEDKY (since 12 November 1986) Member of: ABEDA, ACC, ACCT (associate), AfDB, AFESD, AG (observer), AL, AMF, CAEU, CCC, EBRD, ECA, ESCWA, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, MINURSO, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OAU, OIC, PCA, UN, UNAVEM II, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOMOZ, UNOSOM, UNPROFOR, UPU, UNRWA, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ahmed MAHER El Sayed chancery: 2310 Decatur Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 232-5400 consulates general: Chicago, Houston, New York, and San Francisco US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Robert PELLETREAU embassy: Lazougi Street, Garden City, Cairo mailing address: APO AE 09839 telephone: [20] (2) 355-7371 FAX: [20] (2) 355-7375 consulate general: Alexandria Flag: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black with the national emblem (a shield superimposed on a golden eagle facing the hoist side above a scroll bearing the name of the country in Arabic) centered in the white band; similar to the flag of Yemen, which has a plain white band; also similar to the flag of Syria that has two green stars and to the flag of Iraq, which has three green stars (plus an Arabic inscription) in a horizontal line centered in the white band
*Egypt, Economy
Overview: Egypt has one of the largest public sectors of all the Third World economies, most industrial plants being owned by the government. Overregulation holds back technical modernization and foreign investment. Even so, the economy grew rapidly during the late 1970s and early 1980s, but in 1986 the collapse of world oil prices and an increasingly heavy burden of debt servicing led Egypt to begin negotiations with the IMF for balance-of-payments support. Egypt's first IMF standby arrangement concluded in mid-1987 was suspended in early 1988 because of the government's failure to adopt promised reforms. Egypt signed a follow-on program with the IMF and also negotiated a structural adjustment loan with the World Bank in 1991. In 1991-92 the government made solid progress on administrative reforms such as liberalizing exchange and interest rates but resisted implementing major structural reforms like streamlining the public sector. As a result, the economy has not gained momentum and unemployment has become a growing problem. In 1992-93 tourism has plunged 20% or so because of sporadic attacks by Islamic extremists on tourist groups. President MUBARAK has cited population growth as the main cause of the country's economic troubles. The addition of about 1.4 million people a year to the already huge population of 60 million exerts enormous pressure on the 5% of the land area available for agriculture. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $41.2 billion (1992 est.) National product real growth rate: 2.1% (1992 est.) National product per capita: $730 (1992 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 21% (1992 est.) Unemployment rate: 20% (1992 est.) Budget: revenues $12.6 billion; expenditures $15.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $4 billion (FY92 est.) Exports: $3.6 billion (f.o.b., FY92 est.) commodities: crude oil and petroleum products, cotton yarn, raw cotton, textiles, metal products, chemicals partners: EC, Eastern Europe, US, Japan Imports: $10.0 billion (c.i.f., FY92 est.) commodities: machinery and equipment, foods, fertilizers, wood products, durable consumer goods, capital goods partners: EC, US, Japan, Eastern Europe External debt: $38 billion (December 1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 7.3% (FY89 est.); accounts for 18% of GDP Electricity: 14,175,000 kW capacity; 47,000 million kWh produced, 830 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: textiles, food processing, tourism, chemicals, petroleum, construction, cement, metals |
|