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Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed by the president
Political parties and leaders: Cameroon People's Democratic Movement or CPDM (government-controlled and the only party until legalization of opposition parties in 1990) [Paul BIYA, president] major opposition parties: Cameroonian Democratic Union or UDC [Adamou NDAM NJOYA]; Movement for the Defense of the Republic or MDR [Dakole DAISSALA, leader]; National Union for Democracy and Progress or UNDP [Maigari BELLO BOUBA, chairman]; Social Democratic Front or SDF [John FRU NDI, leader]; Union of Cameroonian Populations or UPC [Ndeh NTUMAZAH, leader]
Political pressure groups and leaders: Alliance for Change or FAC; Cameroon Anglophone Movement or CAM
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, C, CCC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-19, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, PCA, UDEAC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jerome MENDOUGA chancery : 2349 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-8790 through 8794
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Charles H. TWINING embassy: Rue Nachtigal, Yaounde mailing address : B. P. 817, Yaounde; Pouch American Embassy DOS, Washington, DC 20521-2520 telephone: [237] 23-40-14, 23-05-12 FAX: [237] 23-07-53
Flag description: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), red, and yellow with a yellow five-pointed star centered in the red band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Economy
Economy - overview: Because of its offshore oil resources and favorable agricultural conditions, Cameroon has one of the best-endowed primary commodity economies in sub-Saharan Africa. Still, it faces many of the serious problems facing other underdeveloped countries, such as political instability, a top-heavy civil service, and a generally unfavorable climate for business enterprise. The development of the oil sector led to rapid economic growth between 1970 and 1985. Growth came to an abrupt halt in 1986, precipitated by steep declines in the prices of major exports: coffee, cocoa, and petroleum. Export earnings were cut by almost one-third, and inefficiencies in fiscal management were exposed. Since 1990, the government has embarked on various IMF and World Bank programs designed to spur business investment, increase efficiency in agriculture, improve trade and recapitalize the nation's banks. Political instability, following suspect elections in 1992, has limited the effectiveness of aid programs. Currently, Cameroon receives only minimal assistance from the IMF and the World Bank. Although the 50% devaluation of the currency of 12 January 1994 improved the potential for export growth, mismanagement remains and is the main barrier to economic improvement. The devaluation led to a spurt in inflation to 48% in 1994, but it moderated in 1995-96. Progress toward privatization of remaining state industry remains slow.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $17.5 billion (1996 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 3.4% (1996 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,230 (1996 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 29% industry: 25% services: 46% (1996 est.)
Inflation rate - consumer price index: 6% (FY96/97 est.)
Labor force: NA
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues : $2.23 billion expenditures: $2.23 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY96/97 est.)
Industries: petroleum production and refining, food processing, light consumer goods, textiles, lumber
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity - capacity: 630,000 kW (1994)
Electricity - production: 2.71 billion kWh (1994)
Electricity - consumption per capita: 186 kWh (1995 est.)
Agriculture - products: coffee, cocoa, cotton, rubber, bananas, oilseed, grains, root starches; livestock; timber
Exports: total value: $1.9 billion (f.o.b., 1995) commodities: crude oil and petroleum products, lumber, aluminum, cocoa beans, coffee, cotton partners: EU (particularly France) about 50%, African countries
Imports: total value : $1.3 billion (f.o.b., 1995) commodities: machines and electrical equipment, food, consumer goods, transport equipment, petroleum products partners: EU (France 42%, Germany), African countries, US 4%
Debt - external: $8.2 billion (1996 est.)
Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 541.69 (January 1997), 511.55 (1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992), 282.11 (1991) note: beginning 12 January 1994, the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF 100 per French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since 1948
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
@Cameroon:Communications
Telephones: 36,737 (1991 est.)
Telephone system: available only to business and government domestic: cable, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 11, FM 11, shortwave 0
Radios: 2 million (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1 (1995)
Televisions: NA
@Cameroon:Transportation
Railways: total: 1,104 km narrow gauge: 1,104 km 1.000-m gauge (1995 est.)
Highways: total: 34,300 km paved : 4,288 km unpaved: 30,012 km (1995)
Waterways: 2,090 km; of decreasing importance
Ports and harbors: Bonaberi, Douala, Garoua, Kribi, Tiko
Merchant marine: total: 2 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 24,122 GRT/33,509 DWT (1996 est.)
Airports: 44 (1996 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 22 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m : 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 12 (1996 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 22 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m : 15 (1996 est.)
Military
Military branches: Army, Navy (includes Naval Infantry), Air Force, National Gendarmerie, Presidential Guard
Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 3,211,508 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males : 1,623,228 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 156,208 (1997 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $102 million (FY93/94)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA%
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: demarcation of international boundaries in vicinity of Lake Chad, the lack of which led to border incidents in the past, is completed and awaits ratification by Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria; dispute with Nigeria over land and maritime boundaries in the vicinity of the Bakasi Peninsula has been referred to the International Court of Justice
CANADA
@Canada:Geography
Location: Northern North America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and North Pacific Ocean, north of the conterminous US
Geographic coordinates: 60 00 N, 95 00 W
Map references: North America
Area: total: 9,976,140 sq km land: 9,220,970 sq km water: 755,170 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly larger than US
Land boundaries: total: 8,893 km border countries: US 8,893 km (includes 2,477 km with Alaska)
Coastline: 243,791 km
Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: varies from temperate in south to subarctic and arctic in north
Terrain: mostly plains with mountains in west and lowlands in southeast
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Logan 5,950 m
Natural resources: nickel, zinc, copper, gold, lead, molybdenum, potash, silver, fish, timber, wildlife, coal, petroleum, natural gas
Land use: arable land: 5% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures : 3% forests and woodland: 54% other: 38% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 7,100 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: continuous permafrost in north is a serious obstacle to development; cyclonic storms form east of the Rocky Mountains, a result of the mixing of air masses from the Arctic, Pacific, and North American interior, and produce most of the country's rain and snow
Environment - current issues: air pollution and resulting acid rain severely affecting lakes and damaging forests; metal smelting, coal-burning utilities, and vehicle emissions impacting on agricultural and forest productivity; ocean waters becoming contaminated due to agricultural, industrial, mining, and forestry activities
Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Law of the Sea
Geography - note: second-largest country in world (after Russia); strategic location between Russia and US via north polar route; nearly 90% of the population is concentrated within 161 km of the US/Canada border
@Canada:People
Population: 30,337,334 (July 1997 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 20% (male 3,101,968; female 2,957,927) 15-64 years: 68% (male 10,333,085; female 10,201,996) 65 years and over: 12% (male 1,583,643; female 2,158,715) (July 1997 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.13% (1997 est.)
Birth rate: 12.4 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Death rate: 7.23 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Net migration rate: 6.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female total population : 0.98 male(s)/female (1997 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 5.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.96 years male: 75.61 years female: 82.48 years (1997 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.66 children born/woman (1997 est.)
Nationality: noun: Canadian(s) adjective: Canadian
Ethnic groups: British Isles origin 40%, French origin 27%, other European 20%, Amerindian 1.5%, other, mostly Asian 11.5%
Religions: Roman Catholic 45%, United Church 12%, Anglican 8%, other 35% (1991)
Languages: English (official), French (official)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97% (1986 est.) male : NA% female: NA%
@Canada:Government
Country name: conventional long form : none conventional short form: Canada
Data code: CA
Government type: confederation with parliamentary democracy
National capital: Ottawa
Administrative divisions: 10 provinces and 2 territories*; Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Northwest Territories*, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon Territory* note: the Northwest Territories will be split in two as of April 1999; the eastern section will be renamed Nunavut, the west is as yet unnamed
Independence: 1 July 1867 (from UK)
National holiday: Canada Day, 1 July (1867)
Constitution: 17 April 1982 (Constitution Act); originally, the machinery of the government was set up in the British North America Act of 1867; charter of rights and unwritten customs
Legal system: based on English common law, except in Quebec, where civil law system based on French law prevails; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Romeo LeBLANC (since 8 February 1995) head of government: Prime Minister Jean CHRETIEN (since 4 November 1993) cabinet : Federal Ministry chosen by the prime minister from among the members of his own party sitting in Parliament elections: none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; governor general appointed by the queen on the advice of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party in the House of Commons is automatically designated by the governor general to become prime minister
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of the Senate or Senat (a body whose members are appointed to serve until reaching 75 years of age by the governor general and selected on the advice of the prime minister; its normal limit is 104 senators) and the House of Commons or Chambre des Communes (295 seats; note - number of seats will rise to 301 at the time of the next election; members elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Commons - last held 25 October 1993 (next to be held by 3 November 1998) election results: percent of votes by party - Liberal Party 41%, Reform Party 19%, Tories 16%, Bloc Quebecois 14%, New Democratic Party 7%, other 3%; seats by party - Liberal Party 177, Bloc Quebecois 53, Reform Party 52, New Democratic Party 9, Progressive Conservative Party 2, independents 2
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed by the prime minister through the governor general
Political parties and leaders: Liberal Party [Jean CHRETIEN]; Bloc Quebecois [Michel GAUTHIER (until March 1997)]; Reform Party [Preston MANNING]; New Democratic Party [Alexa MCDONOUGH]; Progressive Conservative Party [Jean CHAREST]
International organization participation: ACCT, AfDB, AG (observer), APEC, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, C, CCC, CDB (non-regional), CE (observer), EBRD, ECE, ECLAC, ESA (cooperating state), FAO, G- 7, G- 8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MTCR, NACC, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS, OECD, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNMOP, UNPREDEP, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission : Ambassador Raymond A. J. CHRETIEN chancery: 501 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001 telephone: [1] (202) 682-1740 FAX: [1] (202) 682-7726 consulate(s) general : Atlanta, Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, and Seattle consulate(s): Cincinnati, Cleveland, Miami, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Princeton, San Diego, San Francisco, and San Jose
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant) embassy : 100 Wellington Street, K1P 5T1, Ottawa mailing address: P. O. Box 866, Ogdensburg, NY 13669-0430 telephone : [1] (613) 238-5335, 4470 FAX: [1] (613) 238-5720 consulate(s) general: Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Quebec, Toronto, and Vancouver
Flag description: three vertical bands of red (hoist side), white (double width, square), and red with a red maple leaf centered in the white band
Economy
Economy - overview: As an affluent, high-tech industrial society, Canada today closely resembles the US in per capita output, market-oriented economic system, and pattern of production. Since World War II, the impressive growth of the manufacturing, mining, and service sectors has transformed the nation from a largely rural economy into one primarily industrial and urban. Canada started the 1990s in recession, and real rates of growth have averaged only 1.1% so far this decade. Because of slower growth, Canada still faces high unemployment - especially in Quebec and the Maritime Provinces - and a large public sector debt. With its great natural resources, skilled labor force, and modern capital plant, however, Canada will enjoy better economic prospects in the future. The continuing constitutional impasse between English- and French-speaking areas is raising the possibility of a split in the confederation, making foreign investors somewhat edgy.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $721 billion (1996 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 1.4% (1996 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $25,000 (1996 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3% industry: 31% services : 66% (1996)
Inflation rate - consumer price index: 1.4% (1996)
Labor force: total: 15.1 million (1996) by occupation : services 74%, manufacturing 15%, agriculture 3%, construction 5%, other 3% (1994)
Unemployment rate: 9.7% (December 1996)
Budget: revenues: $94.3 billion expenditures: $115.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.7 billion (FY95/96 est.)
Industries: processed and unprocessed minerals, food products, wood and paper products, transportation equipment, chemicals, fish products, petroleum and natural gas
Industrial production growth rate: 1.3% (1996)
Electricity - capacity: 113.65 million kW (1994)
Electricity - production: 547.9 billion kWh (1995)
Electricity - consumption per capita: 16,137 kWh (1995 est.)
Agriculture - products: wheat, barley, oilseed, tobacco, fruits, vegetables; dairy products; forest products; commercial fisheries provide annual catch of 1.5 million metric tons, of which 75% is exported
Exports: total value: $195.4 billion (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities : newsprint, wood pulp, timber, crude petroleum, machinery, natural gas, aluminum, motor vehicles and parts; telecommunications equipment partners: US, Japan, UK, Germany, South Korea, Netherlands, China
Imports: total value: $169.5 billion (c.i.f., 1996 est.) commodities : crude oil, chemicals, motor vehicles and parts, durable consumer goods, electronic computers; telecommunications equipment and parts partners: US, Japan, UK, Germany, France, Mexico, Taiwan, South Korea
Debt - external: $253 billion (1996)
Economic aid: donor: ODA, $1.6 billion (1995) note : ODA and OOF commitments, $10.1 billion (1986-91)
Currency: 1 Canadian dollar (Can$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Canadian dollars (Can$) per US$1 - 1.3486 (January 1997), 1.3635 (1996), 1.37241 (1995), 1.3656 (1994), 1.2901 (1993), 1.2087 (1992)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
@Canada:Communications
Telephones: 15.3 million (1990)
Telephone system: excellent service provided by modern technology domestic : domestic satellite system with about 300 earth stations international: 5 coaxial submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (4 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean) and 2 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean Region)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 900, FM 29, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 70 (repeaters 1,400) (1991)
Televisions: 11.53 million (1983 est.)
@Canada:Transportation
Railways: total: 70,176 km; note - there are two major transcontinental freight railway systems: Canadian National (privatized November 1995) and Canadian Pacific Railway; passenger service provided by government-operated firm VIA, which has no trackage of its own standard gauge: 70,000 km 1.435-m gauge (63 km electrified) narrow gauge: 176 km 0.914-m gauge (1995)
Highways: total: 1.021 million km paved: 358,371 km (including 19,000 km of expressways) unpaved: 662,629 km (1995 est.)
Waterways: 3,000 km, including Saint Lawrence Seaway
Pipelines: crude and refined oil 23,564 km; natural gas 74,980 km
Ports and harbors: Becancour (Quebec), Churchill, Halifax, Montreal, New Westminister, Prince Rupert, Quebec, Saint John (New Brunswick), Saint John's (Newfoundland), Seven Islands, Sydney, Three Rivers, Thunder Bay, Toronto, Vancouver, Windsor
Merchant marine: total: 60 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 557,941 GRT/775,391 DWT ships by type: bulk 14, cargo 9, chemical tanker 4, oil tanker 15, passenger 2, passenger-cargo 1, railcar carrier 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 8, short-sea passenger 3, specialized tanker 2 note: does not include ships used exclusively in the Great Lakes (1996 est.)
Airports: 1,139 (1996 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 816 over 3,047 m: 17 2,438 to 3,047 m: 15 1,524 to 2,437 m : 138 914 to 1,523 m: 229 under 914 m: 417 (1996 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 323 1,524 to 2,437 m: 55 914 to 1,523 m: 268 (1996 est.)
Heliports: 17 (1996 est.)
Military
Military branches: Canadian Armed Forces (includes Land Forces Command or LC, Maritime Command or MC, Air Command or AC, Communications Command or CC, Training Command or TC), Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
Military manpower - military age: 17 years of age
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 8,160,914 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males : 7,007,901 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 208,138 (1997 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $9 billion (FY95/96)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.6% (FY95/96)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: maritime boundary disputes with the US (Dixon Entrance, Beaufort Sea, Strait of Juan de Fuca, Machias Seal Island); Saint Pierre and Miquelon is focus of maritime boundary dispute between Canada and France; in 1992 an arbitration panel awarded the islands an exclusive economic zone area of 12,348 sq km to settle the dispute
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis for the domestic drug market; use of hydroponics technology permits growers to plant large quantities of high-quality marijuana indoors; growing role as a transit point for heroin and cocaine entering the US market
CAPE VERDE
@Cape Verde:Geography
Location: Western Africa, group of Islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Senegal
Geographic coordinates: 16 00 N, 24 00 W
Map references: World
Area: total: 4,030 sq km land: 4,030 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly larger than Rhode Island
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 965 km
Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines exclusive economic zone : 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and very erratic
Terrain: steep, rugged, rocky, volcanic
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point : Pico 2,829 m
Natural resources: salt, basalt rock, pozzuolana (a siliceous volcanic ash used to produce hydraulic cement), limestone, kaolin, fish
Land use: arable land: 11% permanent crops : 0% permanent pastures: 6% forests and woodland: 0% other: 83% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 30 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: prolonged droughts; harmattan wind can obscure visibility; volcanically and seismically active
Environment - current issues: overgrazing of livestock and improper land use such as the cultivation of crops on steep slopes has led to soil erosion; demand for wood used as fuel has resulted in deforestation; desertification; environmental damage has threatened several species of birds and reptiles; overfishing
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note: strategic location 500 km from west coast of Africa near major north-south sea routes; important communications station; important sea and air refueling site
@Cape Verde:People
Population: 393,943 (July 1997 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 46% (male 91,409; female 89,810) 15-64 years: 48% (male 87,868; female 100,948) 65 years and over: 6% (male 9,594; female 14,214) (July 1997 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.54% (1997 est.)
Birth rate: 35.45 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Death rate: 7.3 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Net migration rate: -12.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.87 male(s)/female 65 years and over : 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (1997 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 49.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population : 70.04 years male: 66.76 years female: 73.42 years (1997 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.2 children born/woman (1997 est.)
Nationality: noun: Cape Verdean(s) adjective: Cape Verdean
Ethnic groups: Creole (mulatto) 71%, African 28%, European 1%
Religions: Roman Catholicism fused with indigenous beliefs
Languages: Portuguese, Crioulo, a blend of Portuguese and West African words
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 71.6% male: 81.4% female: 63.8% (1995 est.)
@Cape Verde:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Cape Verde conventional short form: Cape Verde local long form: Republica de Cabo Verde local short form: Cabo Verde
Data code: CV
Government type: republic
National capital: Praia
Administrative divisions: 14 districts (concelhos, singular - concelho); Boa Vista, Brava, Fogo, Maio, Paul, Praia, Porto Novo, Ribeira Grande, Sal, Santa Catarina, Santa Cruz, Sao Nicolau, Sao Vicente, Tarrafal
Independence: 5 July 1975 (from Portugal)
National holiday: Independence Day, 5 July (1975)
Constitution: new constitution came into force 25 September 1992
Legal system: NA
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Antonio MASCARENHAS Monteiro (since 22 March 1991) head of government : Prime Minister Carlos Alberto Wahnon de Carvalho VEIGA (since 13 January 1991) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister from among the members of the People's National Assembly elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 18 February 1996 (next to be held NA February 2001); prime minister nominated by the People's National Assembly and appointed by the president election results: Antonio MASCARENHAS Monteiro elected president; percent of vote - Antonio MASCARENHAS Monteiro (independent) 80.1%
Legislative branch: unicameral People's National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional Popular (72 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 17 December 1995 (next to be held NA 2000) election results : percent of vote by party - MPD 59%, PAICV 28%, PCD 6%; seats by party - MPD 50, PAICV 21, PCD 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Tribunal of Justice or Supremo Tribunal de Justia
Political parties and leaders: Movement for Democracy or MPD [Prime Minister Carlos VEIGA, founder and chairman]; African Party for Independence of Cape Verde or PAICV [Pedro Verona Rodrigues PIRES, chairman]; Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD; Social Democratic Party or PSD [leader NA]
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WMO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Alberto Santos SILVA CARLOS chancery: 3415 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 965-6820 FAX: [1] (202) 965-1207 consulate(s) general: Boston
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission : Ambassador Lawrence Neal BENEDICT (17 June 1996) embassy: Rua Abilio Macedo 81, Praia mailing address: C. P. 201, Praia telephone: [238] 61 56 16 FAX : [238] 61 13 55
Flag description: three horizontal bands of light blue (top, double width), white (with a horizontal red stripe in the middle third), and light blue; a circle of 10 yellow five-pointed stars is centered on the hoist end of the red stripe and extends into the upper and lower blue bands
Economy
Economy - overview: Cape Verde's low per capita GDP reflects a poor natural resource base, serious water shortages exacerbated by cycles of long-term drought, and a high birthrate. The economy is service oriented, with commerce, transport, and public services accounting for almost 70% of GDP. Although nearly 70% of the population lives in rural areas, the share of agriculture in GNP is only 14%, of which fishing accounts for 4%. About 90% of food must be imported. The fishing potential, mostly lobster and tuna, is not fully exploited. Cape Verde annually runs a high trade deficit, financed by remittances from emigrants and foreign aid, which form important supplements to GDP. Economic reforms, launched by the new democratic government in 1991, are aimed at developing the private sector and attracting foreign investment to diversify the economy. Prospects for 1997 depend heavily on the maintenance of aid flows, remittances, and the momentum of the government's development program.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $472 million (1995 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 4.7% (1995 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,000 (1995 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture : 14% industry: 17% services: 69% (1992 est.)
Inflation rate - consumer price index: 7.8% (1995)
Labor force: NA
Unemployment rate: NA %
Budget: revenues: $253.7 million expenditures: $276 million (FY96/97 est.)
Industries: fish processing, salt mining, garments, ship repair, food and beverages
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity - capacity: 17,000 kW
Electricity - production: 15 million kWh (1991)
Electricity - consumption per capita: 39 kWh (1991 est.)
Agriculture - products: bananas, corn, beans, sweet potatoes, sugarcane, coffee, peanuts; fish
Exports: total value: $10 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities: fish, bananas, fuels, basic manufactures partners: Netherlands, Portugal 50%, Angola, Spain, Singapore, UK
Imports: total value : $211.8 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, consumer goods, industrial products, transport equipment, fuels partners : Portugal 45%, Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Brazil, France, Cote d'Ivoire
Debt - external: $170 million (1994)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Cape Verdean escudo (CVEsc) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: Cape Verdean escudos (CVEsc) per US$1 - 84.770 (December 1996), 82.591 (1996), 76.853 (1995), 81.891 (1994), 80.427 (1993), 68.018 (1992)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Cape Verde:Communications
Telephones: 1,740 (1987 est.)
Telephone system: domestic: interisland microwave radio relay system international : 2 coaxial submarine cables; HF radiotelephone to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 6, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 1 (1987 est.)
Televisions: 7,000 (1991 est.)
@Cape Verde:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total : 1,100 km paved: 858 km unpaved: 242 km (1995 est.)
Ports and harbors: Mindelo, Praia, Tarrafal
Merchant marine: total: 3 (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,032 GRT/5,966 DWT ships by type: cargo 2, chemical tanker 1 (1996 est.)
Airports: 6 (1996 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 6 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 5 (1996 est.)
Military
Military branches: People's Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARP; includes Army and Navy), Security Service
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 78,622 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 44,870 (1997 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $3.4 million (1994)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA%
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none
Illicit drugs: increasingly used as a transshipment point for illicit drugs moving from Latin America and Africa destined for Western Europe
CAYMAN ISLANDS
(dependent territory of the UK)
@Cayman Islands:Geography
Location: Caribbean, island group in Caribbean Sea, nearly one-half of the way from Cuba to Honduras
Geographic coordinates: 19 30 N, 80 30 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area: total : 260 sq km land: 260 sq km water : 0 sq km
Area - comparative: 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 160 km
Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool, relatively dry winters (November to April)
Terrain: low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: The Bluff 43 m
Natural resources: fish, climate and beaches that foster tourism
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops : 0% permanent pastures: 8% forests and woodland: 23% other: 69% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: hurricanes (July to November)
Environment - current issues: no natural fresh water resources, drinking water supplies must be met by rainwater catchment
Environment - international agreements: party to : NA signed, but not ratified: NA
Geography - note: important location between Cuba and Central America
@Cayman Islands:People
Population: 36,153 (July 1997 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years : NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 4.25% (1997 est.)
Birth rate: 14.24 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Death rate: 4.98 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Net migration rate: 33.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.) note: major destination for Cubans trying to migrate to the US
Sex ratio: at birth: NA male(s)/female under 15 years: NA male(s)/female 15-64 years: NA male(s)/female 65 years and over: NA male(s)/female total population : NA male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: 8.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population : 77.1 years male: 75.37 years female: 78.81 years (1997 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.37 children born/woman (1997 est.)
Nationality: noun: Caymanian(s) adjective : Caymanian
Ethnic groups: mixed 40%, white 20%, black 20%, expatriates of various ethnic groups 20%
Religions: United Church (Presbyterian and Congregational), Anglican, Baptist, Roman Catholic, Church of God, other Protestant denominations
Languages: English
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 98% male: 98% female: 98% (1970 est.)
@Cayman Islands:Government
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Cayman Islands
Data code: CJ
Dependency status: dependent territory of the UK
Government type: NA
National capital: George Town
Administrative divisions: 8 districts; Creek, Eastern, Midland, South Town, Spot Bay, Stake Bay, West End, Western
Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK)
National holiday: Constitution Day (first Monday in July)
Constitution: 1959, revised 1972 and 1992
Legal system: British common law and local statutes
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952) head of government: Governor and President of the Executive Council John OWEN (since 15 September 1995) cabinet: Executive Council (three members appointed by the governor, four members elected by the Legislative Assembly) elections : none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; the governor is appointed by the queen
Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly (18 seats, 3 official members and 15 elected by popular vote; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 20 November 1996 (next to be held NA November 2000) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - National Team coalition 9, independents 6
Judicial branch: Grand Court; Cayman Islands Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders: no formal political parties
International organization participation: Caricom (observer), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Flag description: blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Caymanian coat of arms on a white disk centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms includes a pineapple and turtle above a shield with three stars (representing the three islands) and a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS
Economy
Economy - overview: With no direct taxation, the Islands are a thriving offshore financial center; 28,000 foreign companies do business with the 600 registered banks and trust companies; banking assets exceed $500 billion. Tourism is also a mainstay, accounting for about 70% of GDP and 75% of foreign currency earnings. The tourist industry is aimed at the luxury market and caters mainly to visitors from North America. Total tourist arrivals exceeded one million visitors in 1995 and again in 1996. About 90% of the islands' food and consumer goods must be imported. The Caymanians enjoy one of the highest outputs per capita and one of the highest standards of living in the world.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $860 million (1996 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 4.5% (1996 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $23,800 (1996 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture : 1.4% industry: 3.2% services: 95.4% (1994 est.)
Inflation rate - consumer price index: 2.5% (1995 est.)
Labor force: total: 8,061 by occupation: service workers 18.7%, clerical 18.6%, construction 12.5%, finance and investment 6.7%, directors and business managers 5.9% (1979)
Unemployment rate: 7% (1992)
Budget: revenues: $141.5 million expenditures: $160.7 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1991)
Industries: tourism, banking, insurance and finance, construction, construction materials, furniture
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity - capacity: 71,000 kW (1994)
Electricity - production: NA kWh
Electricity - consumption per capita: 7,487 kWh (1994 est.)
Agriculture - products: vegetables, fruit; livestock; turtle farming
Exports: total value : $10 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.) commodities: turtle products, manufactured consumer goods partners : mostly US
Imports: total value: $329 million (c.i.f., 1995 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, manufactured goods partners: US, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, Netherlands Antilles, Japan
Debt - external: $15 million (1986)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Caymanian dollar (CI$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Caymanian dollars (CI$) per US$1 - 0.83 (3 November 1995), 0.85 (22 November 1993)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
@Cayman Islands:Communications
Telephones: 21,584 (1993 est.)
Telephone system: domestic: NA international: 1 submarine coaxial cable; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: 28,200 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1 (1995)
Televisions: 6,000 (1992 est.)
@Cayman Islands:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 406 km paved: 304 km unpaved : 102 km
Ports and harbors: Cayman Brac, George Town
Merchant marine: total: 42 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 736,004 GRT/1,153,058 DWT ships by type : bulk 5, cargo 10, chemical tanker 2, container 4, oil tanker 4, refrigerated cargo 11, roll-on/roll-off cargo 5, vehicle carrier 1 note : a flag of convenience registry; Greece owns 7 ships, US 7, UK 5, India 1, Japan 1, Norway 1, Sweden 1, Switzerland 1, and United Arab Emirates 1 (1996 est.)
Airports: 3 (1996 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (1996 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m : 1 (1996 est.)
Military
Military branches: Royal Cayman Islands Police Force (RCIPF)
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none
Illicit drugs: vulnerable to drug money-laundering and drug transshipment
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
Introduction
Current issues: in 1996 the Central African Republic experienced three mutinies by dissident elements of the armed forces which demanded back pay as well as political and military reforms; continuing violence in 1997 between the government and rebel military and civilian groups over pay issues, living conditions, and lack of opposition party representation in the government has destroyed many businesses in the capital, reducing tax revenues and exacerbating the government's problems in meeting expenses
@Central African Republic:Geography
Location: Central Africa, north of Democratic Republic of the Congo
Geographic coordinates: 7 00 N, 21 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area: total: 622,980 sq km land: 622,980 sq km water : 0 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Texas
Land boundaries: total : 5,203 km border countries: Cameroon 797 km, Chad 1,197 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 1,577 km, Republic of the Congo 467 km, Sudan 1,165 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers
Terrain: vast, flat to rolling, monotonous plateau; scattered hills in northeast and southwest
Elevation extremes: lowest point : Oubangui River 335 m highest point: Mount Gaou 1,420 m
Natural resources: diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil
Land use: arable land: 3% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 5% forests and woodland: 75% other: 17% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds affect northern areas; floods are common
Environment - current issues: tap water is not potable; poaching has diminished its reputation as one of the last great wildlife refuges; desertification; deforestation
Environment - international agreements: party to : Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - note: landlocked; almost the precise center of Africa
@Central African Republic:People
Population: 3,342,051 (July 1997 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 44% (male 738,623; female 731,163) 15-64 years : 52% (male 858,386; female 894,695) 65 years and over: 4% (male 54,848; female 64,336) (July 1997 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.01% (1997 est.)
Birth rate: 39.52 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Death rate: 17.94 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years : 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (1997 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 110.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 45.24 years male: 44.4 years female : 46.12 years (1997 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.35 children born/woman (1997 est.)
Nationality: noun: Central African(s) adjective: Central African
Ethnic groups: Baya 34%, Banda 27%, Sara 10%, Mandjia 21%, Mboum 4%, M'Baka 4%, Europeans 6,500 (including 3,600 French)
Religions: indigenous beliefs 24%, Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%, Muslim 15%, other 11% note: animistic beliefs and practices strongly influence the Christian majority
Languages: French (official), Sangho (lingua franca and national language), Arabic, Hunsa, Swahili
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 60% male: 68.5% female: 52.4% (1995 est.)
@Central African Republic:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Central African Republic conventional short form: none local long form : Republique Centrafricaine local short form: none former: Central African Empire abbreviation: CAR
Data code: CT
Government type: republic;
National capital: Bangui
Administrative divisions: 14 prefectures (prefectures, singular - prefecture), 2 economic prefectures* (prefectures economiques, singular - prefecture economique), and 1 commune**; Bamingui-Bangoran, Bangui**, Basse-Kotto, Gribingui*, Haute-Kotto, Haute-Sangha, Haut-Mbomou, Kemo-Gribingui, Lobaye, Mbomou, Nana-Mambere, Ombella-Mpoko, Ouaka, Ouham, Ouham-Pende, Sangha*, Vakaga
Independence: 13 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday: National Day, 1 December (1958) (proclamation of the republic)
Constitution: passed by referendum 29 December 1994; adopted 7 January 1995
Legal system: based on French law
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Ange PATASSE (since 22 October 1993) head of government: Prime Minister Michel GBEZERA-BRIA (since January 1997) cabinet: Council of Ministers elections : president elected by popular vote for a 6-year term; election last held 19 September 1993 (next to be held October 1999); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Ange PATASSE elected president; percent of vote - PATASSE 52.45%, Abel GOUMBA 45.62%
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (85 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 19 September 1993 (next to be held October 1998) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - MLPC 34, RDC 13, PLD 7, FPP 7, ADP 6, PSD 3, CN 3, MDREC 1, PRC 1, FC 1, MESAN 1, independents supporting David DACKO 6, independents 2 note: the National Assembly is advised by the Economic and Regional Council or Conseil Economique et Regional; when they sit together they are called the Congress or Congres
Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Cour Supreme, judges appointed by the president; Constitutional Court, judges appointed by the president
Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Democracy and Progress or ADP [Tchapka BREDE]; Central African Democratic Assembly or RDC [Andre KOLINGBA]; Central African Republican Party or PRC; Civic Forum or FC [Gen. Timothee MALENDOMA]; Democratic Movement for the Renaissance and Evolution of Central Africa or MDREC [Joseph BENDOUNGA]; Liberal Democratic Party or PLD [Nestor KOMBO-NAGUEMON]; Movement for the Liberation of the Central African People or MLPC [the party of the president, Ange Felix PATASSE]; Movement for Democracy and Development or MDD [David DACKO]; National Convention or CN [David GALIAMBO]; Patriotic Front for Progress or FPP [Abel GOUMBA]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Enoch Derant LAKOUE]; Social Evolution Movement of Black Africa or MESAN [Prosper LAVODRAMA and Joseph NGBANGADIBO]
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CCC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC (observer), UDEAC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Henri KOBA chancery: 1618 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone : [1] (202) 483-7800, 7801 FAX: [1] (202) 332-9893
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Mosina H. JORDAN embassy: Avenue David Dacko, Bangui mailing address : B. P. 924, Bangui telephone: [236] 61 02 00, 61 25 78, 61 02 10 FAX: [236] 61 44 94
Flag description: four equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, green, and yellow with a vertical red band in center; there is a yellow five-pointed star on the hoist side of the blue band
Economy
Economy - overview: Subsistence agriculture, together with forestry, remains the backbone of the economy of the Central African Republic (CAR), with more than 70% of the population living in outlying areas. The agricultural sector generates half of GDP. Timber has accounted for about 16% of export earnings and the diamond industry for nearly 54%. Important constraints to economic development include the CAR's landlocked position, a poor transportation system, a largely unskilled work force, and a legacy of misdirected macroeconomic policies. The 50% devaluation of the currencies of 14 Francophone African nations on 12 January 1994 had mixed effects on the CAR's economy. Diamond, timber, coffee, and cotton exports increased, leading an estimated rise of GDP of 7% in 1994 and nearly 5% in 1995. Inflation, however, remains a problem. Moreover, ongoing violence between the government and rebel military and civilian groups over pay issues, living conditions, and opposition party political representation has destroyed many businesses in the capital, reducing tax revenues for the government, and delaying negotiations for an IMF financial aid agreement.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $2.5 billion (1995 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 4.8% (1995 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $800 (1995 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 50% industry: 14% services: 36% (1994 est.)
Inflation rate - consumer price index: 19.4% (1995)
Labor force: NA
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues: $638 million expenditures: $1.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $888 million (1994 est.)
Industries: diamond mining, sawmills, breweries, textiles, footwear, assembly of bicycles and motorcycles
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity - capacity: 40,000 kW (1991)
Electricity - production: 95 million kWh (1991)
Electricity - consumption per capita: 32 kWh (1991 est.)
Agriculture - products: cotton, coffee, tobacco, manioc (tapioca), yams, millet, corn, bananas; timber
Exports: total value: $181 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities : diamonds, timber, cotton, coffee, tobacco partners: France 16%, Belgium-Luxembourg 40.1%, Italy, Japan, US, Spain, Iran, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo
Imports: total value: $176 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities: food, textiles, petroleum products, machinery, electrical equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, industrial products partners: France 37%, other EU countries, Japan 24%, Algeria, Cameroon, Namibia
Debt - external: $890 million (1994 est.)
Economic aid: recipient : ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 541.69 (January 1997), 511.55 (1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992) note: beginning 12 January 1994, the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF 100 per French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since 1948
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Central African Republic:Communications
Telephones: 16,867 (1992 est.)
Telephone system: fair system domestic: network consists principally of microwave radio relay and low-capacity, low-powered radiotelephone communication international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 1 (1987 est.)
Televisions: 7,500 (1993 est.)
@Central African Republic:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 23,810 km paved: 429 km unpaved: 23,381 km (1995 est.)
Waterways: 800 km; traditional trade carried on by means of shallow-draft dugouts; Oubangui is the most important river
Ports and harbors: Bangui, Nola
Airports: 43 (1996 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total : 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m : 2 under 914 m: 8 (1996 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 32 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m : 10 914 to 1,523 m: 21 (1996 est.)
Military
Military branches: Central African Army (includes Republican Guard), Air Force, National Gendarmerie, Police Force
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 755,441 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 393,765 (1997 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $30 million (1994)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2.3% (1994)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none
CHAD
Introduction
Historical perspective: After enduring decades of civil warfare among ethnic groups as well as invasions by Libya, Chad got started toward a more stable state with the seizure of the government in early December 1990 by former northern guerrilla leader Idress DEBY. His transitional government eventually suppressed armed rebellion in all quarters of the country, settled the territorial dispute with Libya on terms favorable to Chad, produced a democratic constitution which was ratified by popular referendum in March 1996, held multiparty national presidential elections in June and July 1996 (DEBY won with 67% of the vote), and held multiparty elections to the National Assembly in January and February 1997, in which Idress DEBY's party, Patriotic Salvation Movement or MPS, won a majority of the seats.
@Chad:Geography
Location: Central Africa, south of Libya
Geographic coordinates: 15 00 N, 19 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area: total: 1.284 million sq km land: 1,259,200 sq km water: 24,800 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly more than three times the size of California
Land boundaries: total: 5,968 km border countries: Cameroon 1,094 km, Central African Republic 1,197 km, Libya 1,055 km, Niger 1,175 km, Nigeria 87 km, Sudan 1,360 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: tropical in south, desert in north
Terrain: broad, arid plains in center, desert in north, mountains in northwest, lowlands in south
Elevation extremes: lowest point : Djourab Depression 175 m highest point: Emi Koussi 3,415 m
Natural resources: petroleum (unexploited but exploration under way), uranium, natron, kaolin, fish (Lake Chad)
Land use: arable land: 3% permanent crops : 0% permanent pastures: 36% forests and woodland: 26% other: 35% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 140 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds occur in north; periodic droughts; locust plagues
Environment - current issues: inadequate supplies of potable water; improper waste disposal in rural areas contributes to soil and water pollution; desertification
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping
Geography - note: landlocked; Lake Chad is the most significant water body in the Sahel
@Chad:People
Population: 7,166,023 (July 1997 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 44% (male 1,586,873; female 1,579,086) 15-64 years: 53% (male 1,854,645; female 1,931,519) 65 years and over: 3% (male 94,516; female 119,384) (July 1997 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.67% (1997 est.)
Birth rate: 43.85 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Death rate: 17.15 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth : 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (1997 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 118.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 47.88 years male: 45.49 years female: 50.37 years (1997 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.79 children born/woman (1997 est.)
Nationality: noun : Chadian(s) adjective: Chadian
Ethnic groups: Muslims (Arabs, Toubou, Hadjerai, Fulbe, Kotoko, Kanembou, Baguirmi, Boulala, Zaghawa, and Maba), non-Muslims (Sara, Ngambaye, Mbaye, Goulaye, Moundang, Moussei, Massa), nonindigenous 150,000 (of whom 1,000 are French)
Religions: Muslim 50%, Christian 25%, indigenous beliefs (mostly animism) 25%
Languages: French (official), Arabic (official), Sara and Sango (in south), more than 100 different languages and dialects
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write in French or Arabic total population: 48.1% male : 62.1% female: 34.7% (1995 est.)
@Chad:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Chad conventional short form: Chad local long form : Republique du Tchad local short form: Tchad
Data code: CD
Government type: republic
National capital: N'Djamena
Administrative divisions: 14 prefectures (prefectures, singular - prefecture); Batha, Biltine, Borkou-Ennedi-Tibesti, Chari-Baguirmi, Guera, Kanem, Lac, Logone Occidental, Logone Oriental, Mayo-Kebbi, Moyen-Chari, Ouaddai, Salamat, Tandjile
Independence: 11 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday: Independence Day, 11 August (1960)
Constitution: 31 March 1995, passed by referendum
Legal system: based on French civil law system and Chadian customary law; does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY (since 4 December 1990) head of government : Prime Minister Djimasta KOIBLA (since 9 April 1995); appointed by the president cabinet: Council of State appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: the constitution provides for the election of a president by direct popular vote to serve a term of five years; if no candidate receives at least 50% of the total vote, the two candidates receiving the most votes must stand for a second round of voting; last held 2 June and 11 July 1996 (next to be held NA 2001); the prime minister is appointed by the president election results: in the first round of voting none of the 15 candidates received the required 50% of the total vote; percent of vote, first round - Lt. Gen. Idress DEBY 47.8 %; percent of vote, second round - Lt. Gen. DEBY 69.1%, Wadal Abdelkader KAMOUGUE 30.9%; President DEBY reappointed Prime Minister Djimasta KOIBLA
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (125 seats; members serve four-year terms); replaces the Higher Transitional Council or the Conseil Superieur de Transition elections: National Assembly - last held in two rounds on 5 January and 23 February 1997, (next to be held NA 2001); in the first round of voting on 5 January 1997 some candidates won clear victories by receiving 50% or more of the vote; where that did not happen, the two highest scoring candidates stood for a second round of voting election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - MPS 65, URD 29, UNDR 15, RDP 3, others 13
Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; Criminal Courts; Magistrate Courts
Political parties and leaders: Patriotic Salvation Movement or MPS [Maldom Bada ABBAS, chairman], originally in opposition but now the party in power and the party of the president; National Union for Development and Renewal or UNDR [Saleh KEBZABO, leader]; Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP [Lal Mahamat CHOUA, leader]; Union for Renewal and Democracy or URD [Gen. Wadal Abdelkader KAMOUGUE, leader]; note - in mid-1996 Chad had about 60 political parties, of which these are the most prominent in the new National Assembly
Political pressure groups and leaders: NA
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UDEAC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission : Ambassador Mahamat Saleh AHMAT chancery: 2002 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 462-4009 FAX: [1] (202) 265-1937
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador David C. HALSTED embassy: Avenue Felix Eboue, N'Djamena mailing address : B. P. 413, N'Djamena telephone: [235] (51) 70-09, (51) 90-52, (51) 92-33 FAX: [235] (51) 56-54
Flag description: three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; similar to the flag of Romania; also similar to the flag of Andorra, which has a national coat of arms featuring a quartered shield centered in the yellow band; design was based on the flag of France
Economy
Economy - overview: Unfavorable climate, geographic remoteness, poor resource endowment, and lack of infrastructure make Chad one of the most underdeveloped countries in the world. Its economy is hobbled by political turmoil, drought, and food shortages. Consequently the economy has shown little progress in recent years in overcoming a severe setback brought on by civil war in the late 1980s. About 85% of the work force is involved in subsistence farming and fishing. Cotton is the major cash crop, accounting for at least half of exports. Chad is highly dependent on foreign aid, especially food credits, given chronic food shortages in several regions. Of all the Francophone countries in Africa, Chad has benefited the least from the 50% devaluation of their currencies on 12 January 1994. Despite an increase in external financial aid and price increases for cotton - the primary source of foreign exchange - the corrupt and enfeebled government bureaucracy continues to postpone payment of public sector salaries and to dampen economic enterprise by neglecting payments to domestic suppliers. The devaluation resulted in stepped-up inflation of 41% in 1994; inflation fell to 9% in 1995 but it remains high compared with other Francophone countries. In one favorable development, Chad in December 1996 concluded an agreement with ESSO/Chad (EXXON) for drilling and extracting petroleum at Doba. Oil will be piped through Cameroon for export.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $3.3 billion (1995 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 2.6% (1995 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $600 (1995 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 48% industry: 18% services : 34% (1995 est.)
Inflation rate - consumer price index: 9% (1995 est.)
Labor force: NA by occupation : agriculture 85% (subsistence farming, herding, and fishing)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues : $136 million expenditures: $222 million, including capital expenditures of $107 million (1994 est.)
Industries: cotton textiles, meat packing, beer brewing, natron (sodium carbonate), soap, cigarettes, construction materials
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity - capacity: 40,000 kW (1991)
Electricity - production: 70 million kWh (1991)
Electricity - consumption per capita: 14 kWh (1991 est.)
Agriculture - products: cotton, sorghum, millet, peanuts, rice, potatoes, manioc (tapioca); cattle, sheep, goats, camels
Exports: total value: $226 million (f.o.b., 1995) commodities: cotton, cattle, textiles, fish partners : Portugal 30%, Germany 18%, South Africa 16%, France 7%
Imports: total value: $225 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities: machinery and transportation equipment 39%, industrial goods 20%, petroleum products 13%, foodstuffs 9%; textiles; note - excludes military equipment partners: France 34%, Cameroon 24%, Nigeria 7%, US 6%
Debt - external: $875 million (1995 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: CFA Francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 541.69 (January 1997), 511.55 (1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992) note: beginning 12 January 1994 the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF 100 per French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since 1948
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Chad:Communications
Telephones: 5,000 (1987 est.)
Telephone system: primitive system domestic: fair system of radiotelephone communication stations international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 6, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 1 (1987 est.) note: limited TV service; many facilities are inoperative
Televisions: 7,000 (1991 est.)
@Chad:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 32,700 km paved: 262 km unpaved : 32,438 km (1995 est.)
Waterways: 2,000 km navigable
Ports and harbors: none
Airports: 46 (1996 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 15 over 3,047 m : 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 10 (1996 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total : 31 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 17 (1996 est.)
Military
Military branches: Armed Forces (includes Ground Force, Air Force, and Gendarmerie), Republican Guard, Police
Military manpower - military age: 20 years of age
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,603,194 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 830,777 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males : 65,906 (1997 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $74 million (1994)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 11.1% (1994)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: demarcation of international boundaries in the vicinity of Lake Chad, the lack of which has led to border incidents in the past, is completed and awaiting ratification by Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria
CHILE
@Chile:Geography
Location: Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean and South Pacific Ocean, between Argentina and Peru
Geographic coordinates: 30 00 S, 71 00 W
Map references: South America
Area: total : 756,950 sq km land: 748,800 sq km water: 8,150 sq km note: includes Isla de Pascua (Easter Island) and Isla Sala y Gomez
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than twice the size of Montana
Land boundaries: total : 6,171 km border countries: Argentina 5,150 km, Bolivia 861 km, Peru 160 km
Coastline: 6,435 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: temperate; desert in north; cool and damp in south
Terrain: low coastal mountains; fertile central valley; rugged Andes in east
Elevation extremes: lowest point : Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Cerro Aconcagua 6,962 m
Natural resources: copper, timber, iron ore, nitrates, precious metals, molybdenum
Land use: arable land: 5% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 18% forests and woodland: 22% other : 55% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 12,650 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: severe earthquakes; active volcanism; tsunamis
Environment - current issues: air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution from raw sewage; deforestation contributing to loss of biodiversity; soil erosion; desertification
Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Desertification, Law of the Sea
Geography - note: strategic location relative to sea lanes between Atlantic and Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Drake Passage); Atacama Desert is one of world's driest regions
@Chile:People
Population: 14,508,158 (July 1997 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 28% (male 2,057,633; female 2,031,588) 15-64 years: 65% (male 4,684,158; female 4,734,170) 65 years and over: 7% (male 416,047; female 584,562) (July 1997 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.18% (1997 est.)
Birth rate: 17.53 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Death rate: 5.68 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years : 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (1997 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 13.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.73 years male: 71.5 years female: 77.95 years (1997 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.17 children born/woman (1997 est.)
Nationality: noun: Chilean(s) adjective: Chilean
Ethnic groups: white and white-Amerindian 95%, Amerindian 3%, other 2%
Religions: Roman Catholic 89%, Protestant 11%, Jewish
Languages: Spanish
Literacy: definition : age 15 and over can read and write total population: 95.2% male : 95.4% female: 95% (1995 est.)
@Chile:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Chile conventional short form: Chile local long form: Republica de Chile local short form: Chile
Data code: CI
Government type: republic
National capital: Santiago
Administrative divisions: 13 regions (regiones, singular - region); Aisen del General Carlos Ibanez del Campo, Antofagasta, Araucania, Atacama, Bio-Bio, Coquimbo, Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins, Los Lagos, Magallanes y de la Antartica Chilena, Maule, Region Metropolitana, Tarapaca, Valparaiso note: the US does not recognize claims to Antarctica
Independence: 18 September 1810 (from Spain)
National holiday: Independence Day, 18 September (1810)
Constitution: 11 September 1980, effective 11 March 1981; amended 30 July 1989
Legal system: based on Code of 1857 derived from Spanish law and subsequent codes influenced by French and Austrian law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch: chief of state: President Eduardo FREI Ruiz-Tagle (since 11 March 1994); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government : President Eduardo FREI Ruiz-Tagle (since 11 March 1994); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 11 December 1993 (next to be held NA December 1999) election results: Eduardo FREI Ruiz-Tagle elected president; percent of vote - Eduardo FREI Ruiz-Tagle (PDC) 58%, Arturo ALESSANDRI 24.4%, other 17.6%
Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Senate or Senado (46 seats, 38 elected by popular vote; members serve eight-year terms - one half elected every four years) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (120 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections : Senate - last held 11 December 1993 (next to be held NA December 1997); Chamber of Deputies - last held 11 December 1993 (next to be held NA December 1997) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Coalition of Parties for Democracy 21 (PDC 13, PS 4, PPD 3, PR 1), Union for the Progress of Chile 15 (RN 11, UDI 3, UCC 1), right-wing independents 2; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - Coalition of Parties for Democracy 53.95% (PDC 27.16%, PS 12.01%, PPD 11.82%, PR 2.96%), Union for the Progress of Chile 30.57% (RN 15.25%, UDI 12.13%, UCC 3.19%); seats by party - Coalition of Parties for Democracy 70 (PDC 37, PPD 15, PR 2, PS 15, left-wing independent 1), Union for the Progress of Chile 47 (RN 30, UDI 15, UCC 2), right-wing independents 3; note - subsequent to the election, the Radical Party (PR) became the Radical Social Democratic Party (PRSD)
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema), judges are appointed by the president, the president of the Supreme Court is elected by the 17-member court
Political parties and leaders: Coalition of Parties for Democracy or CPD consists mainly of: Christian Democratic Party or PDC [Enrique KRAUSS]; Socialist Party or PS [Camilo ESCALONA]; Party for Democracy or PPD [Sergio BITAR]; Radical Social Democratic Party or PRSD [Anselmo SULE]; Union for the Progress of Chile or UPP consists mainly of three parties: National Renewal or RN [Alberto ESPINA]; Independent Democratic Union or UDI [Jovino NOVOA]; Center Center Union or UCC [Francisco Javier ERRAZURIZ]
Political pressure groups and leaders: revitalized university student federations at all major universities; labor - United Labor Central or CUT includes trade unionists from the country's five largest labor confederations; Roman Catholic Church
International organization participation: APEC, CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador John BIEHL Del Rios chancery: 1732 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 785-1746 FAX: [1] (202) 887-5579 consulate(s) general : Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico)
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Gabriel GUERRA-MONDRAGON embassy: Avenida Andres Bello 2800, Santiago mailing address : APO AA 34033 telephone: [56] (2) 232-2600 FAX: [56] (2) 330-3710
Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; there is a blue square the same height as the white band at the hoist-side end of the white band; the square bears a white five-pointed star in the center; design was based on the US flag
Economy
Economy - overview: Chile has a prosperous, essentially free market economy. Civilian governments - which took over from the military in March 1990 - have continued to reduce the government's role in the economy while shifting the emphasis of public spending toward social programs. Growth in real GDP averaged more than 6.5% in 1991-1996, and inflation is nearing a 40-year low. Chile's currency and foreign reserves also are strong, as sustained foreign capital inflows - driven in part by state privatizations - have more than offset occasional current account deficits and public debt buybacks. President FREI, who took office in March 1994, has placed improving Chile's education system and developing foreign export markets at the top of his economic agenda. Despite this progress, the Chilean economy remains largely dependent on a few sectors - particularly copper mining, fishing, and forestry. Success in meeting the government's goal of sustained annual economic growth of 5% depends largely on world prices for these commodities, continued foreign investor confidence, and the government's ability to maintain a conservative fiscal stance. In 1996, Chile became an associate member of Mercosur and concluded a Free Trade Agreement with Canada.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $120.6 billion (1996 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 6.5% (1996 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $8,400 (1996 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture : 8% industry: 33% services: 59% (1995 est.)
Inflation rate - consumer price index: 6.7% (1996 est.)
Labor force: total: 5.5 million (1996 est.) by occupation: services 38.3% (includes government 12%), industry and commerce 33.8%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 19.2%, mining 2.3%, construction 6.4% (1990)
Unemployment rate: 6.5% (1996 est.)
Budget: revenues: $17 billion expenditures: $17 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1996 est.)
Industries: copper, other minerals, foodstuffs, fish processing, iron and steel, wood and wood products, transport equipment, cement, textiles
Industrial production growth rate: 4.8% (1995)
Electricity - capacity: 5.964 million kW (1995)
Electricity - production: 27.908 billion kWh (1995)
Electricity - consumption per capita: 1,662 kWh (1995 est.)
Agriculture - products: wheat, corn, grapes, beans, sugar beets, potatoes, fruit; beef, poultry, wool; timber; 1991 fish catch of 6.6 million metric tons
Exports: total value: $15.2 billion (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: copper 37%, other metals and minerals 8.2%, wood products 7.1%, fish and fishmeal 9.8%, fruits 8.4% (1994) partners: EU 25%, US 15%, Asia 34%, Latin America 20% (1995 est.)
Imports: total value : $16.5 billion (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: capital goods 25.2%, spare parts 24.8%, raw materials 15.4%, petroleum 10%, foodstuffs 5.7% (1994) partners: EU 18%, US 25%, Asia 16%, Latin America 26% (1995 est.)
Debt - external: $22.3 billion (1995 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $50.3 million (1996 est.)
Currency: 1 Chilean peso (Ch$) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: Chilean pesos (Ch$) per US$1 - 423.79 (January 1997), 412.27(1996), 396.78 (1995), 420.08 (1994), 404.35 (1993), 362.59 (1992)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Chile:Communications
Telephones: 1.5 million (1994 est.)
Telephone system: modern system based on extensive microwave radio relay facilities domestic: extensive microwave radio relay links; domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 179, FM 614, shortwave 11
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 11
Televisions: 2.85 million (1992 est.)
@Chile:Transportation
Railways: total: 6,782 km broad gauge: 3,743 km 1.676-m gauge (1,653 km electrified) narrow gauge: 116 km 1.067-m gauge; 2,923 km 1.000-m gauge (40 km electrified) (1995)
Highways: total : 79,750 km paved: 11,006 km unpaved: 68,744 km (1995 est.)
Waterways: 725 km
Pipelines: crude oil 755 km; petroleum products 785 km; natural gas 320 km
Ports and harbors: Antofagasta, Arica, Chanaral, Coquimbo, Iquique, Puerto Montt, Punta Arenas, San Antonio, San Vicente, Talcahuano, Valparaiso
Merchant marine: total: 38 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 520,710 GRT/865,867 DWT ships by type: bulk 11, cargo 8, chemical tanker 4, combination ore/oil 1, container 2, liquefied gas tanker 2, oil tanker 4, passenger 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 3, vehicle carrier 2 (1996 est.)
Airports: 343 (1996 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total : 259 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m : 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 18 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 214 (1996 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total : 84 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 71 (1996 est.)
Military
Military branches: Army of the Nation, National Navy (includes Naval Air, Coast Guard, and Marines), Air Force of the Nation, Carabineros of Chile (National Police), Investigations Police
Military manpower - military age: 19 years of age
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 3,867,676 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males : 2,874,235 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 125,586 (1997 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $2.8 billion (1997); note - includes earnings from CODELCO Company; may exclude costs of pensions and internal security
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 3.5% (1997)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: short section of the southern boundary with Argentina is indefinite; Bolivia has wanted a sovereign corridor to the South Pacific Ocean since the Atacama area was lost to Chile in 1884; dispute with Bolivia over Rio Lauca water rights; territorial claim in Antarctica (Chilean Antarctic Territory) partially overlaps Argentine and British claims
Illicit drugs: a minor transshipment country for cocaine destined for the US and Europe; booming economy has made it more attractive to traffickers seeking to launder drug profits
CHINA
(also see separate Taiwan entry)
@China:Geography
Location: Eastern Asia, bordering the East China Sea, Korea Bay, Yellow Sea, and South China Sea, between North Korea and Vietnam
Geographic coordinates: 35 00 N, 105 00 E
Map references: Asia
Area: total: 9,596,960 sq km land : 9,326,410 sq km water: 270,550 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than the US
Land boundaries: total: 22,143.34 km border countries: Afghanistan 76 km, Bhutan 470 km, Burma 2,185 km, Hong Kong 30 km, India 3,380 km, Kazakstan 1,533 km, North Korea 1,416 km, Kyrgyzstan 858 km, Laos 423 km, Macau 0.34 km, Mongolia 4,673 km, Nepal 1,236 km, Pakistan 523 km, Russia (northeast) 3,605 km, Russia (northwest) 40 km, Tajikistan 414 km, Vietnam 1,281 km
Coastline: 14,500 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone : 24 nm continental shelf: claim to shallow areas of East China Sea and Yellow Sea territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: extremely diverse; tropical in south to subarctic in north
Terrain: mostly mountains, high plateaus, deserts in west; plains, deltas, and hills in east
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Turpan Pendi -154 m highest point: Mount Everest 8,848 m
Natural resources: coal, iron ore, petroleum, mercury, tin, tungsten, antimony, manganese, molybdenum, vanadium, magnetite, aluminum, lead, zinc, uranium, hydropower potential (world's largest)
Land use: arable land: 10% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 43% forests and woodland: 14% other : 33% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 498,720 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: frequent typhoons (about five per year along southern and eastern coasts); damaging floods; tsunamis; earthquakes; droughts
Environment - current issues: air pollution from the overwhelming use of high-sulfur coal as a fuel, produces acid rain which is damaging forests; water shortages experienced throughout the country, particularly in urban areas; future growth in water usage threatens to outpace supplies; water pollution from industrial effluents; much of the population does not have access to potable water; less than 10% of sewage receives treatment; deforestation; estimated loss of one-fifth of agricultural land since 1949 to soil erosion and economic development; desertification; trade in endangered species
Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified : Desertification
Geography - note: world's fourth-largest country (after Russia, Canada, and US)
@China:People
Population: 1,221,591,778 (July 1997 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years : 26% (male 166,319,939; female 150,125,798) 15-64 years: 68% (male 427,340,489; female 393,914,502) 65 years and over: 6% (male 36,201,623; female 41,689,427) (July 1997 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.93% (1997 est.)
Birth rate: 16.52 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Death rate: 6.87 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth : 1.11 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.11 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (1997 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 37.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.98 years male: 68.61 years female: 71.5 years (1997 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.81 children born/woman (1997 est.)
Nationality: noun : Chinese (singular and plural) adjective: Chinese
Ethnic groups: Han Chinese 91.9%, Zhuang, Uygur, Hui, Yi, Tibetan, Miao, Manchu, Mongol, Buyi, Korean, and other nationalities 8.1%
Religions: Daoism (Taoism), Buddhism, Muslim 2%-3%, Christian 1% (est.) note: officially atheist, but traditionally pragmatic and eclectic
Languages: Standard Chinese or Mandarin (Putonghua, based on the Beijing dialect), Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghaiese), Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan (Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka dialects, minority languages (see Ethnic divisions entry)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population : 81.5% male: 89.9% female: 72.7% (1995 est.)
@China:Government
Country name: conventional long form : People's Republic of China conventional short form: China local long form: Zhonghua Renmin Gongheguo local short form: Zhong Guo abbreviation: PRC
Data code: CH
Government type: Communist state
National capital: Beijing
Administrative divisions: 23 provinces (sheng, singular and plural), 5 autonomous regions* (zizhiqu, singular and plural), and 3 municipalities** (shi, singular and plural); Anhui, Beijing**, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi*, Guizhou, Hainan, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, Nei Mongol*, Ningxia*, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanghai**, Shanxi, Sichuan, Tianjin**, Xinjiang*, Xizang* (Tibet), Yunnan, Zhejiang note: China considers Taiwan its 23rd province
Independence: 221 BC (unification under the Qin or Ch'in Dynasty 221 BC; Qing or Ch'ing Dynasty replaced by the Republic on 12 February 1912; People's Republic established 1 October 1949)
National holiday: National Day, 1 October (1949)
Constitution: most recent promulgated 4 December 1982
Legal system: a complex amalgam of custom and statute, largely criminal law; rudimentary civil code in effect since 1 January 1987; new legal codes in effect since 1 January 1980; continuing efforts are being made to improve civil, administrative, criminal, and commercial law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President JIANG Zemin (since 27 March 1993) and Vice President RONG Yiren (since 27 March 1993) head of government: Premier LI Peng (acting premier since 24 November 1987, premier since 9 April 1988); Vice Premiers ZHU Rongji (since 8 April 1991), ZOU Jiahua (since 8 April 1991), QIAN Qichen (since 29 March 1993), LI Lanqing (29 March 1993), WU Bangguo (since 17 March 1995), and JIANG Chunyun (since 17 March 1995) cabinet: State Council appointed by the National People's Congress (NPC) elections: president and vice president elected by the National People's Congress for five-year terms; election last held 27 March 1993 (next to be held NA March 1998); premier and vice premiers nominated by the president, confirmed by the National People's Congress election results: JIANG Zemin elected by the Eighth National People's Congress; percent of National People's Congress vote - NA
Legislative branch: unicameral National People's Congress or Quanguo Renmin Daibiao Dahui (2,977 seats; members indirectly elected at county or xian level to serve five-year terms) elections: last held NA March 1993 (next to be held NA March 1998) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - NA
Judicial branch: Supreme People's Court, judges appointed by the National People's Congress
Political parties and leaders: Chinese Communist Party (CCP), JIANG Zemin, general secretary of the Central Committee; eight registered small parties controlled by CCP
Political pressure groups and leaders: no meaningful political opposition groups exist
International organization participation: AfDB, APEC, AsDB, BIS (pending member), CCC, ESCAP, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), Mekong Group, MINURSO, NAM (observer), PCA, UN, UN Security Council, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador LI Daoyu chancery : 2300 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 328-2500 through 2502 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador James R. SASSER embassy: Xiu Shui Bei Jie 3, 100600 Beijing mailing address: PSC 461, Box 50, FPO AP 96521-0002 telephone: [86] (10) 6532-3831 FAX : [86] (10) 6532-6422 consulate(s) general: Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenyang
Flag description: red with a large yellow five-pointed star and four smaller yellow five-pointed stars (arranged in a vertical arc toward the middle of the flag) in the upper hoist-side corner
Economy
Economy - overview: Beginning in late 1978 the Chinese leadership has been trying to move the economy from a sluggish Soviet-style centrally planned economy to one that is more market-oriented but still within a rigid political framework of Communist Party control. To this end the authorities switched to a system of household responsibility in agriculture in place of the old collectivization, increased the authority of local officials and plant managers in industry, permitted a wide variety of small-scale enterprise in services and light manufacturing, and opened the economy to increased foreign trade and investment. The result has been a quadrupling of GDP since 1978. Agricultural output doubled in the 1980s, and industry also posted major gains, especially in coastal areas near Hong Kong and opposite Taiwan, where foreign investment helped spur output of both domestic and export goods. On the darker side, the leadership has often experienced in its hybrid system the worst results of socialism (bureaucracy, lassitude, corruption) and of capitalism (windfall gains and stepped-up inflation). Beijing thus has periodically backtracked, retightening central controls at intervals. In 1992-96 annual growth of GDP accelerated, particularly in the coastal areas - averaging more than 10% annually according to official figures. In late 1993 China's leadership approved additional long-term reforms aimed at giving still more play to market-oriented institutions and at strengthening the center's control over the financial system; state enterprises would continue to dominate many key industries in what was now termed "a socialist market economy." In 1995-96 inflation dropped sharply, reflecting tighter monetary policies and stronger measures to control food prices. At the same time, the government struggled to (a) collect revenues due from provinces, businesses, and individuals; (b) reduce corruption and other economic crimes; and (c) keep afloat the large state-owned enterprises, most of which had not participated in the vigorous expansion of the economy and many of which have been losing the ability to pay full wages and pensions. From 60 to 100 million surplus rural workers are adrift between the villages and the cities, many subsisting through part-time low-paying jobs. Popular resistance, changes in central policy, and loss of authority by rural cadres have weakened China's population control program, which is essential to maintaining growth in living standards. Another long-term threat to continued rapid economic growth is the deterioration in the environment, notably air pollution, soil erosion, and the steady fall of the water table especially in the north. China continues to lose arable land because of erosion and economic development; furthermore, the regime gives insufficient priority to agricultural research. The next few years will witness increasing tensions between a highly centralized political system and an increasingly decentralized economic system. Rapid economic growth likely will continue but at a declining rate.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $3.39 trillion (1996 estimate as extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1995 with use of official Chinese growth figure for 1996; the result may overstate China's GDP by as much as 25%) |
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