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Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador NIT Phibunsongkhram chancery: 1024 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Richard HECKLINGER embassy: 120 Wireless Road, Bangkok mailing address: APO AP 96546 consulate(s) general: Chiang Mai
Flag description: five horizontal bands of red (top), white, blue (double width), white, and red
Economy
Economy—overview: After months of speculative pressure on the Thai baht, the government decided to float the currency in July 1997, the symbolic beginning of the country's current economic crisis. The crisis—which began in the country's financial sector—has spread throughout the economy. After years of rapid economic growth averaging 9% earlier this decade, the Thai economy contracted 0.4% in 1997 and shrunk another 8.5% in 1998. In the years before the crisis, Thailand ran persistent current account deficits. With the depreciation of the Thai baht and the collapse of domestic demand, however, imports have fallen off sharply—by more than 33%—and Thailand posted a trade surplus of approximately $12 billion in 1998. Foreign investment for new projects, the long-time catalyst of Thailand's economic growth, has also slowed. The CHUAN government has closely adhered to the economic recovery program prescribed by the IMF. The cooperation afforded Thailand stability in the value of its currency in the second half of 1998 and helped replenish foreign reserves. Tough measures—including passage of adequate bankruptcy and foreclosure legislation as well as privatization of state-owned companies and recapitalization of the financial sector—remain undone. Bangkok is also trying to establish a social safety net for those displaced by the current economic crisis and is working to increase the quality of Thailand's labor force.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$369 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: -8.5% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$6,100 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 12% industry: 39% services: 49% (1997 est.)
Population below poverty line: 13.1% (1992 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.5% highest 10%: 37.1% (1992)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.3% (1998 est.)
Labor force: 32.6 million (1997 est.)
Labor force—by occupation: agriculture 54%, industry 15%, services (including government) 31% (1996 est.)
Unemployment rate: 4.5% (1998 est.)
Budget: revenues: $24 billion expenditures: $25 billion, including capital expenditures of $8 billion (FY96/97)
Industries: tourism; textiles and garments, agricultural processing, beverages, tobacco, cement, light manufacturing, such as jewelry; electric appliances and components, computers and parts, integrated circuits, furniture, plastics; world's second-largest tungsten producer and third-largest tin producer
Industrial production growth rate: -10% (1998)
Electricity—production: 82 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 91.46% hydro: 8.54% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 82.561 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 79 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 640 million kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: rice, cassava (tapioca), rubber, corn, sugarcane, coconuts, soybeans
Exports: $51.6 billion (f.o.b., 1997)
Exports—commodities: manufactures 82% (computers and parts 16%), agricultural products and fisheries 14% (1997)
Exports—partners: US 19.6%, Japan 14.9%, Singapore 11%, Hong Kong 5.7%, Malaysia 4.3%, UK 3.7% (1997)
Imports: $73.5 billion (c.i.f., 1996)
Imports—commodities: capital goods 50%, intermediate goods and raw materials 22%, consumer goods 10.2%, fuels 8.7% (1997)
Imports—partners: Japan 25.6%, US 13.9%, Singapore 5%, Taiwan 4.6%, Germany 4.5%, Malaysia 4.1% (1997)
Debt—external: $90 billion (1997)
Economic aid—recipient: $1.732 billion (1995)
Currency: 1 baht (B) = 100 satang
Exchange rates: baht (B) per US$1—36.624 (January 1999), 41.359 (1998), 31.364 (1997), 25.343 (1996), 24.915 (1995), 25.150 (1994)
Fiscal year: 1 October—30 September
Communications
Telephones: 1,553,200 (1994 est.)
Telephone system: service to general public adequate, but investments in technological upgrades reduced by recession; bulk of service to government activities provided by multichannel cable and microwave radio relay network domestic: microwave radio relay and multichannel cable; domestic satellite system being developed international: satellite earth stations—2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 200 (in government-controlled network), FM 100 (in government-controlled network), shortwave 0
Radios: 10.75 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 5 (all in Bangkok; in addition, there are 131 repeaters) (1997)
Televisions: 3.3 million (1993 est.)
Transportation
Railways: total: 4,623 km narrow gauge: 4,623 km 1.000-m gauge (99 km double track)
Highways: total: 64,600 km paved: 62,985 km unpaved: 1,615 km (1996 est.)
Waterways: 3,999 km principal waterways; 3,701 km with navigable depths of 0.9 m or more throughout the year; numerous minor waterways navigable by shallow-draft native craft
Pipelines: petroleum products 67 km; natural gas 350 km
Ports and harbors: Bangkok, Laem Chabang, Pattani, Phuket, Sattahip, Si Racha, Songkhla
Merchant marine: total: 293 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,848,626 GRT/2,989,382 DWT ships by type: bulk 41, cargo 135, chemical tanker 5, combination bulk 1, container 13, liquefied gas tanker 17, multifunction large-load carrier 3, oil tanker 61, passenger 1, refrigerated cargo 11, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2, short-sea passenger 1, specialized tanker 2 (1998 est.)
Airports: 107 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 56 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 17 914 to 1,523 m: 20 under 914 m: 4 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 51 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 35 (1998 est.)
Heliports: 3 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Royal Thai Army, Royal Thai Navy (includes Royal Thai Marine Corps), Royal Thai Air Force, Paramilitary Forces
Military manpower—military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower—availability: males age 15-49: 17,486,014 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service: males age 15-49: 10,536,417 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—reaching military age annually: males: 585,562 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $1.95 billion (FY97/98)
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 2.5% (FY97/98)
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: parts of the border with Laos are indefinite; maritime boundary with Vietnam resolved, August 1997; parts of border with Cambodia are indefinite; maritime boundary with Cambodia not clearly defined; sporadic conflict with Burma over alignment of border
Illicit drugs: a minor producer of opium, heroin, and marijuana; major illicit transit point for heroin en route to the international drug market from Burma and Laos; eradication efforts have reduced the area of cannabis cultivation and shifted some production to neighboring countries; opium poppy cultivation has been reduced by eradication efforts; also a drug money-laundering center; minor role in amphetamine production for regional consumption; increasing indigenous abuse of methamphetamines and heroin
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@Togo ——
Geography
Location: Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Benin and Ghana
Geographic coordinates: 8 00 N, 1 10 E
Map references: Africa
Area: total: 56,790 sq km land: 54,390 sq km water: 2,400 sq km
Area—comparative: slightly smaller than West Virginia
Land boundaries: total: 1,647 km border countries: Benin 644 km, Burkina Faso 126 km, Ghana 877 km
Coastline: 56 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 30 nm
Climate: tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north
Terrain: gently rolling savanna in north; central hills; southern plateau; low coastal plain with extensive lagoons and marshes
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Pic Agou 986 m
Natural resources: phosphates, limestone, marble
Land use: arable land: 38% permanent crops: 7% permanent pastures: 4% forests and woodland: 17% other: 34% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 70 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: hot, dry harmattan wind can reduce visibility in north during winter; periodic droughts
Environment—current issues: deforestation attributable to slash-and-burn agriculture and the use of wood for fuel; recent droughts affecting agriculture
Environment—international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
People
Population: 5,081,413 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 48% (male 1,229,026; female 1,218,956) 15-64 years: 50% (male 1,223,371; female 1,299,519) 65 years and over: 2% (male 49,890; female 60,651) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.51% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 44.78 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 9.69 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 77.55 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 59.25 years male: 56.93 years female: 61.64 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.53 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Togolese (singular and plural) adjective: Togolese
Ethnic groups: native African (37 tribes; largest and most important are Ewe, Mina, and Kabre) 99%, European and Syrian-Lebanese less than 1%
Religions: indigenous beliefs 70%, Christian 20%, Muslim 10%
Languages: French (official and the language of commerce), Ewe and Mina (the two major African languages in the south), Kabye (sometimes spelled Kabiye) and Dagomba (the two major African languages in the north)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 51.7% male: 67% female: 37% (1995 est.)
Government
Country name: conventional long form: Togolese Republic conventional short form: Togo local long form: Republique Togolaise local short form: none former: French Togo
Data code: TO
Government type: republic under transition to multiparty democratic rule
Capital: Lome
Administrative divisions: 5 regions (regions, singular—region); De La Kara, Des Plateaux, Des Savanes, Du Centre, Maritime
Independence: 27 April 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship)
National holiday: Independence Day, 27 April (1960)
Constitution: multiparty draft constitution approved by High Council of the Republic 1 July 1992; adopted by public referendum 27 September 1992
Legal system: French-based court system
Suffrage: NA years of age; universal adult
Executive branch: chief of state: President Gen. Gnassingbe EYADEMA (since 14 April 1967) head of government: Prime Minister Kwassi KLUTSE (since August 1996) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president and the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 21 June 1998 (next to be held NA 2003); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Gnassingbe EYADEMA reelected president; percent of vote—Gnassingbe EYADEMA 52.13%
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (81 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 6 and 20 February 1994 (next to be held NA February 1999) election results: percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—CAR 36, RPT 35, UTD 7, UJD 2, CFN 1 note: as a result of defections from the CAR to the RPT and the merging of the UJD with the RPT, representation in the National Assembly in August 1997 was RPT 42, CAR 32, UTD 5, CFN 1, independent 1
Judicial branch: Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; Supreme Court or Cour Supreme
Political parties and leaders: Rally of the Togolese People or FOLLY]; Pan-African Sociodemocrats Group or GSP, an alliance of note: Rally of the Togolese People or RPT, led by President EYADEMA, was the only party until the formation of multiple parties was legalized 12 April 1991
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, MINURCA, MINURSO, MIPONUH, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB, WAEMU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Akosita FINEANGANOFO chancery: 2208 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Brenda Brown SCHOONOVER embassy: Rue Pelletier Caventou and Rue Vauban, Lome mailing address: B. P. 852, Lome
Flag description: five equal horizontal bands of green (top and bottom) alternating with yellow; there is a white five-pointed star on a red square in the upper hoist-side corner; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Economy
Economy—overview: This small sub-Saharan economy is heavily dependent on both commercial and subsistence agriculture, which provides employment for 65% of the labor force. Cocoa, coffee, and cotton together generate about 30% of export earnings. Togo is self-sufficient in basic foodstuffs when harvests are normal, with occasional regional supply difficulties. In the industrial sector, phosphate mining is by far the most important activity, although it has suffered from the collapse of world phosphate prices and increased foreign competition. Togo serves as a regional commercial and trade center. The government's decade-long effort, supported by the World Bank and the IMF, to implement economic reform measures, encourage foreign investment, and bring revenues in line with expenditures has stalled. Political unrest, including private and public sector strikes throughout 1992 and 1993, jeopardized the reform program, shrunk the tax base, and disrupted vital economic activity. The 12 January 1994 devaluation of the currency by 50% provided an important impetus to renewed structural adjustment; these efforts were facilitated by the end of strife in 1994 and a return to overt political calm. Progress depends on following through on privatization, increased transparency in government accounting to accommodate increased social service outlays, and possible downsizing of the military, on which the regime has depended to stay in place. However, in late 1998 the EU suspended aid and trade preferences for Togo because of grave doubts over the conduct of the presidential elections. The World Bank also suspended its disbursements at yearend 1998 because Togo was unable to pay its arrears.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$8.2 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: 3.8% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$1,670 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 32% industry: 23% services: 45% (1995)
Population below poverty line: 32.3% (1987-89 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.2% (1997)
Labor force: 1.538 million (1993 est.)
Labor force—by occupation: agriculture 65%, industry 5%, services 30% (1998 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues: $232 million expenditures: $252 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997 est.)
Industries: phosphate mining, agricultural processing, cement; handicrafts, textiles, beverages
Industrial production growth rate: 13.6% (1995)
Electricity—production: 88 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 93.18% hydro: 6.82% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 408 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 320 million kWh (1996) note: imports electricity from Ghana
Agriculture—products: coffee, cocoa, cotton, yams, cassava (tapioca), corn, beans, rice, millet, sorghum; livestock; fish
Exports: $345 million (f.o.b., 1997)
Exports—commodities: cotton, phosphates, coffee, cocoa
Exports—partners: Canada 7.6%, Taiwan 7.1%, Nigeria 6.8%, South Africa 5.2% (1996 est.)
Imports: $400 million (f.o.b., 1997)
Imports—commodities: machinery and equipment, consumer goods, petroleum products
Imports—partners: Ghana 19.1%, France 10.8%, China 8.2%, Cameroon 6.8% (1996 est.)
Debt—external: $1.5 billion (1996)
Economic aid—recipient: $201.1 million (1995)
Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1—560.01 (December 1998), 589.95 (1998), 583.67 (1997), 511.55 (1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 47,000 (10,000 cellular telephone subscribers) (1998 est.)
Telephone system: fair system based on network of microwave radio relay routes supplemented by open-wire lines and cellular system domestic: microwave radio relay and open-wire lines for conventional system; cellular system has capacity of 10,000 telephones international: satellite earth stations—1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Symphonie
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 795,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 3 (in addition, there are two repeaters) (1997)
Televisions: 24,000 (1992 est.)
Transportation
Railways: total: 525 km (1995) narrow gauge: 525 km 1.000-m gauge
Highways: total: 7,520 km paved: 2,376 km unpaved: 5,144 km (1996 est.)
Waterways: 50 km Mono river
Ports and harbors: Kpeme, Lome
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 9 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 2 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Gendarmerie
Military manpower—availability: males age 15-49: 1,102,453 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service: males age 15-49: 578,109 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $27 million (1996)
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 2% (1996)
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: none
Illicit drugs: transit hub for Nigerian heroin and cocaine traffickers
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@Tokelau ———-
Geography
Location: Oceania, group of three islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Geographic coordinates: 9 00 S, 172 00 W
Map references: Oceania
Area: total: 10 sq km land: 10 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area—comparative: about 17 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 101 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds (April to November)
Terrain: low-lying coral atolls enclosing large lagoons
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 5 m
Natural resources: NEGL
Land use: arable land: 0% (soil is thin and infertile) permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 100% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: lies in Pacific typhoon belt
Environment—current issues: very limited natural resources and overcrowding are contributing to emigration to New Zealand
Environment—international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA
People
Population: 1,471 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: -0.92% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population
Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population
Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population
Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA male: NA female: NA
Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman
Nationality: noun: Tokelauan(s) adjective: Tokelauan
Ethnic groups: Polynesian
Religions: Congregational Christian Church 70%, Roman Catholic 28%, other 2% note: on Atafu, all Congregational Christian Church of Samoa; on Nukunonu, all Roman Catholic; on Fakaofo, both denominations, with the Congregational Christian Church predominant
Languages: Tokelauan (a Polynesian language), English
Government
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Tokelau
Data code: TL
Dependency status: territory of New Zealand; note—Tokelauans are drafting a constitution, developing institutions and patterns of self-government as Tokelau moves toward free association with Wellington
Government type: NA
Capital: none; each atoll has its own administrative center
Administrative divisions: none (territory of New Zealand)
Independence: none (territory of New Zealand)
National holiday: Waitangi Day, 6 February (1840) (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand)
Constitution: administered under the Tokelau Islands Act of 1948, as amended in 1970
Legal system: British and local statutes
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); the UK and New Zealand are represented by Administrator Lindsay WATT (since NA March 1993) head of government: Aliki Faipule FALIMATEAO (since NA 1997) cabinet: the Council of Faipule, consisting of three elected leaders, one from each atoll; functions as a cabinet elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade in New Zealand; the head of government is chosen from the Council of Faipule and serves a one-year term
Legislative branch: unicameral General Fono (45 seats—15 from each of the three atolls; members chosen by each atoll's Council of Elders or Taupulega to serve three-year terms); note—the Tokelau Amendment Act of 1996 confers legislative power on the General Fono
Judicial branch: Supreme Court in New Zealand exercises civil and criminal jurisdiction
Political parties and leaders: none
International organization participation: SPC, WHO (associate)
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of New Zealand)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territory of New Zealand)
Flag description: the flag of New Zealand is used
Economy
Economy—overview: Tokelau's small size (three villages), isolation, and lack of resources greatly restrain economic development and confine agriculture to the subsistence level. The people must rely on aid from New Zealand to maintain public services, annual aid being substantially greater than GDP. The principal sources of revenue come from sales of copra, postage stamps, souvenir coins, and handicrafts. Money is also remitted to families from relatives in New Zealand.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$1.5 million (1993 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: NA%
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$1,000 (1993 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%
Labor force: NA
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues: $430,830 expenditures: $2.8 million, including capital expenditures of $37,300 (1987 est.)
Industries: small-scale enterprises for copra production, wood work, plaited craft goods; stamps, coins; fishing
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity—production: NA kWh
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: NA% hydro: NA% nuclear: NA% other: NA%
Electricity—consumption: NA kWh
Electricity—exports: NA kWh
Electricity—imports: NA kWh
Agriculture—products: coconuts, copra, breadfruit, papayas, bananas; pigs, poultry, goats
Exports: $98,000 (f.o.b., 1983)
Exports—commodities: stamps, copra, handicrafts
Exports—partners: NZ
Imports: $323,400 (c.i.f., 1983)
Imports—commodities: foodstuffs, building materials, fuel
Imports—partners: NZ
Debt—external: $0
Economic aid—recipient: $3.8 million (1995)
Currency: 1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1—1.8560 (January 1999), 1.8629 (1998), 1.5083 (1997), 1.4543 (1996), 1.5235 (1995), 1.6844 (1994)
Fiscal year: 1 April—31 March
Communications
Telephones: NA
Telephone system: domestic: radiotelephone service between islands international: radiotelephone service to Western Samoa; government-regulated telephone service (TeleTok), with three satellite earth stations, established in 1997
Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA note: each atoll has a radio broadcast station of NA type that broadcasts shipping and weather reports
Radios: 1,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: NA (1997)
Televisions: NA
Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km
Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only
Merchant marine: none
Airports: none; lagoon landings by amphibious aircraft from Western Samoa
Military
Military—note: defense is the responsibility of New Zealand
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: none
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@Tonga ——-
Geography
Location: Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Geographic coordinates: 20 00 S, 175 00 W
Map references: Oceania
Area: total: 748 sq km land: 718 sq km water: 30 sq km
Area—comparative: four times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 419 km
Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; modified by trade winds; warm season (December to May), cool season (May to December)
Terrain: most islands have limestone base formed from uplifted coral formation; others have limestone overlying volcanic base
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Kao Island 1,033 m
Natural resources: fish, fertile soil
Land use: arable land: 24% permanent crops: 43% permanent pastures: 6% forests and woodland: 11% other: 16% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: cyclones (October to April); earthquakes and volcanic activity on Fonuafo'ou
Environment—current issues: deforestation results as more and more land is being cleared for agriculture and settlement; some damage to coral reefs from starfish and indiscriminate coral and shell collectors; overhunting threatens native sea turtle populations
Environment—international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography—note: archipelago of 170 islands (36 inhabited)
People
Population: 109,082 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 0.8% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 25.92 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 37.93 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.78 years male: 67.73 years female: 72.22 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.56 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Tongan(s) adjective: Tongan
Ethnic groups: Polynesian, Europeans about 300
Religions: Christian (Free Wesleyan Church claims over 30,000 adherents)
Languages: Tongan, English
Literacy: definition: can read and write Tongan and/or English total population: 98.5% male: 98.4% female: 98.7% (1996 est.)
Government
Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Tonga conventional short form: Tonga former: Friendly Islands
Data code: TN
Government type: hereditary constitutional monarchy
Capital: Nuku'alofa
Administrative divisions: three island groups; Ha'apai, Tongatapu, Vava'u
Independence: 4 June 1970 (emancipation from UK protectorate)
National holiday: Emancipation Day, 4 June (1970)
Constitution: 4 November 1875, revised 1 January 1967
Legal system: based on English law
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: King Taufa'ahau TUPOU IV (since 16 December 1965) head of government: Prime Minister Baron VAEA (since 22 August 1991) and Deputy Prime Minister S. Langi KAVALIKU (since 22 August 1991) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch note: there is also a Privy Council that consists of the monarch and the Cabinet elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed for life by the monarch
Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly or Fale Alea (30 seats—12 reserved for cabinet ministers sitting ex officio, nine for nobles selected by the country's 33 nobles, and nine elected by popular vote; members serve three-year terms) elections: last held 24-25 January 1996 (next to be held NA March 1999) election results: percent of vote—NA; seats—7 proreform, 2 traditionalist
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed by the monarch; Privy Council with the addition of the chief justice of the Supreme Court sits as the Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders: Tonga People's Party [Viliami FUKOFUKA]
International organization participation: ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, IMF, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in the US: Tonga does not have an embassy in the US; Ambassador Akosita FINEANGANOFO, resides in London; address: Embassy of the Kingdom of Tonga, c/o Tonga High consulate(s) general: San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Tonga; the ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Tonga
Flag description: red with a bold red cross on a white rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner
Economy
Economy—overview: The economy's base is agriculture, which contributes 32% to GDP. Squash, coconuts, bananas, and vanilla beans are the main crops, and agricultural exports make up two-thirds of total exports. The country must import a high proportion of its food, mainly from New Zealand. The industrial sector accounts for only 10% of GDP. Tourism is the primary source of hard currency earnings. The country remains dependent on sizable external aid and remittances to offset its trade deficit. The government is emphasizing the development of the private sector, especially the encouragement of investment.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$232 million (FY97/98 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: -1.5% (FY97/98 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$2,100 (FY97/98 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 32% industry: 10% services: 58% (1996)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2% (1997 est.)
Labor force: 36,665 (1994)
Labor force—by occupation: agriculture 65% (1997 est.)
Unemployment rate: 11.8% (FY93/94)
Budget: revenues: $49 million expenditures: $120 million, including capital expenditures of $75 million (FY96/97 est.)
Industries: tourism, fishing
Industrial production growth rate: 1.9% (FY95/96)
Electricity—production: 30 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 30 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: squash, coconuts, copra, bananas, vanilla beans, cocoa, coffee, ginger, black pepper; fish
Exports: $11.9 million (f.o.b., FY97/98)
Exports—commodities: squash, fish, vanilla, root crops, coconut oil
Exports—partners: Japan 43%, US 19%, Canada 14%, NZ 5%, Australia 5% (1996 est.)
Imports: $78.9 million (f.o.b., FY97/98)
Imports—commodities: food products, live animals, machinery and transport equipment, manufactures, fuels, chemicals
Imports—partners: NZ 34%, Australia 16%, US 10%, UK 8%, Japan 6% (1996 est.)
Debt—external: $62 million (1998)
Economic aid—recipient: $38.8 million (1995)
Currency: 1 pa'anga (T$) = 100 seniti
Exchange rates: pa'anga (T$) per US$1—1.6171 (December 1998), 1.4921 (1998), 1.2635 (1997), 1.2323 (1996), 1.2709 (1995), 1.3202 (1994)
Fiscal year: 1 July—30 June
Communications
Telephones: 6,000 (1994 est.)
Telephone system: domestic: NA international: satellite earth station—1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 66,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1 (1997)
Televisions: 2,000 (1994 est.)
Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 680 km paved: 184 km unpaved: 496 km (1996 est.)
Ports and harbors: Neiafu, Nuku'alofa, Pangai
Merchant marine: total: 7 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 17,754 GRT/25,969 DWT ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 2, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas tanker 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1 (1998 est.)
Airports: 6 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 2 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Tonga Defense Services (includes, Royal Tongan Marines, Tongan Royal Guards, Maritime Force, Police); note—a new Air Wing which will be subordinate to the Defense Ministry is being developed
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $NA
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: NA%
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: none
======================================================================
@Trinidad and Tobago —————————-
Geography
Location: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela
Geographic coordinates: 11 00 N, 61 00 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area: total: 5,130 sq km land: 5,130 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area—comparative: slightly smaller than Delaware
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 362 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the outer edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; rainy season (June to December)
Terrain: mostly plains with some hills and low mountains
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: El Cerro del Aripo 940 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, asphalt
Land use: arable land: 15% permanent crops: 9% permanent pastures: 2% forests and woodland: 46% other: 28% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 220 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: outside usual path of hurricanes and other tropical storms
Environment—current issues: water pollution from agricultural chemicals, industrial wastes, and raw sewage; oil pollution of beaches; deforestation; soil erosion
Environment—international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
People
Population: 1,102,096 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 27% (male 150,862; female 144,589) 15-64 years: 66% (male 377,894; female 346,375) 65 years and over: 7% (male 37,001; female 45,375) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: -1.35% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 14.46 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 8.14 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: -19.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 18.56 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.66 years male: 68.19 years female: 73.19 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.06 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Trinidadian(s), Tobagonian(s) adjective: Trinidadian, Tobagonian
Ethnic groups: black 40%, East Indian (a local term—primarily immigrants from northern India) 40.3%, mixed 14%, white 1%, Chinese 1%, other 3.7%
Religions: Roman Catholic 32.2%, Hindu 24.3%, Anglican 14.4%, other Protestant 14%, Muslim 6%, none or unknown 9.1%
Languages: English (official), Hindi, French, Spanish
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.9% male: 98.8% female: 97% (1995 est.)
Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Trinidad and Tobago conventional short form: Trinidad and Tobago
Data code: TD
Government type: parliamentary democracy
Capital: Port-of-Spain
Administrative divisions: 8 counties, 3 municipalities*, and 1 ward**; Arima*, Caroni, Mayaro, Nariva, Port-of-Spain*, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint Patrick, San Fernando*, Tobago**, Victoria
Independence: 31 August 1962 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 31 August (1962)
Constitution: 1 August 1976
Legal system: based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Arthur Napoleon Raymond ROBINSON (since 19 March 1997) head of government: Prime Minister Basdeo PANDAY (since 9 November 1995) cabinet: Cabinet appointed from among the members of Parliament elections: president elected by an electoral college, which consists of the members of the Senate and House of Representatives, for a five-year term; election last held NA February 1997 (next to be held NA 2002); prime minister appointed from among the members of Parliament; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party in the House of Representatives is usually appointed prime minister election results: Arthur Napoleon Raymond ROBINSON elected president; percent of electoral college vote—69%
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (31 seats; members appointed by the president for a maximum term of five years) and the House of Representatives (36 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Representatives—last held 6 November 1995 (next to be held by December 2000) election results: House of Representatives—percent of vote—PNM 52%, UNC 42.2%, NAR 5.2%; seats by party—PNM 15, UNC 19, NAR 1, independent 1; note—the UNC formed a coalition with the NAR note: Tobago has a unicameral House of Assembly, with 15 members serving four-year terms
Judicial branch: Court of Appeal (judges are appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister); Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister)
Political parties and leaders: People's National Movement or PNM
International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CCC, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-24, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Michael A. ARNEAUD chancery: 1708 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 consulate(s) general: Miami and New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Edward E. SHUMAKER, III embassy: 15 Queen's Park West, Port-of-Spain mailing address: P. O. Box 752, Port-of-Spain
Flag description: red with a white-edged black diagonal band from the upper hoist side
Economy
Economy—overview: Trinidad and Tobago has earned a reputation as an excellent investment site for international businesses. Successful economic reforms were implemented in 1995, and foreign investment and trade are flourishing. Unemployment—a main cause of the country's socioeconomic problems—is high, but has decreased to its lowest point in six years. An investment boom in the energy sector led to a surge in imports in 1997. The resulting trade deficit is expected to return to a surplus once construction is completed and the plants come on line. The petrochemical sector has spurred growth in other related sectors, reinforcing the government's commitment to economic diversification. Tourism is a major foreign exchange earner, with 260,000 arrivals in 1995, 80% from Europe.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$8.85 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: 4.3% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$8,000 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 2.2% industry: 44% services: 53.8% (1997 est.)
Population below poverty line: 21% (1992 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.7% (1997)
Labor force: 541,000 (1997 est.)
Labor force—by occupation: construction and utilities 12.4%, manufacturing, mining, and quarrying 14%, agriculture 9.5%, services 64.1% (1997 est.)
Unemployment rate: 14% (June 1998)
Budget: revenues: $1.59 billion expenditures: $1.54 billion, including capital expenditures of $165.8 million (1997)
Industries: petroleum, chemicals, tourism, food processing, cement, beverage, cotton textiles
Industrial production growth rate: 7.5% (1995)
Electricity—production: 4 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 4 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: cocoa, sugarcane, rice, citrus, coffee, vegetables; poultry
Exports: $2.4 billion (f.o.b., 1997)
Exports—commodities: petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, steel products, fertilizer, sugar, cocoa, coffee, citrus, flowers
Exports—partners: US 39.7%, Caricom countries 24.5%, Latin America 10.3%, EU 8.2% (1997)
Imports: $3.3 billion (c.i.f., 1997)
Imports—commodities: machinery, transportation equipment, manufactured goods, food, live animals
Imports—partners: US 52.2%, Latin America 16.5%, EU 13.8%, Japan 3.6% (1997)
Debt—external: $2.8 billion (1997 est.)
Economic aid—recipient: $121.4 million (1995)
Currency: 1 Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TT$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Trinidad and Tobago dollars (TT$) per US$1—6.2761 (January 1999), 6.2840 (1998), 6.2517 (1997), 6.0051 (1996), 5.9478 (1995), 5.9249 (1994)
Fiscal year: 1 October-30 September
Communications
Telephones: 170,000 (1992 est.)
Telephone system: excellent international service; good local service domestic: NA international: satellite earth station—1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); tropospheric scatter to Barbados and Guyana
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 10, shortwave 0
Radios: 700,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 4 (1997)
Televisions: 400,000 (1992 est.)
Transportation
Railways: minimal agricultural railroad system near San Fernando; railway service was discontinued in 1968
Highways: total: 8,320 km paved: 4,252 km unpaved: 4,068 km (1996 est.)
Pipelines: crude oil 1,032 km; petroleum products 19 km; natural gas 904 km
Ports and harbors: Pointe-a-Pierre, Point Fortin, Point Lisas, Port-of-Spain, Scarborough, Tembladora
Merchant marine: total: 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,336 GRT/2,567 DWT (1998 est.)
Airports: 6 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force (includes Ground Forces, Coast Guard, and Air Wing), Trinidad and Tobago Police Service
Military manpower—availability: males age 15-49: 312,870 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service: males age 15-49: 223,200 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $83 million (1994)
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: NA%
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: none
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe; producer of cannabis
======================================================================
@Tromelin Island ———————-
Geography
Location: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar
Geographic coordinates: 15 52 S, 54 25 E
Map references: Africa
Area: total: 1 sq km land: 1 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area—comparative: about 1.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 3.7 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 12 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical
Terrain: sandy
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 7 m
Natural resources: fish
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 100% (scattered bushes)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1993)
Natural hazards: NA
Environment—current issues: NA
Environment—international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA
Geography—note: climatologically important location for forecasting cyclones; wildlife sanctuary
People
Population: uninhabited
Government
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Tromelin Island local long form: none local short form: Ile Tromelin
Data code: TE
Dependency status: possession of France; administered by a high commissioner of the Republic, resident in Reunion
Legal system: NA
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (possession of France)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (possession of France)
Flag description: the flag of France is used
Economy
Economy—overview: no economic activity
Communications
Communications—note: important meteorological station
Transportation
Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only
Airports: 1 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (1998 est.)
Military
Military—note: defense is the responsibility of France
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: claimed by Madagascar and Mauritius
======================================================================
@Tunisia ———-
Geography
Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Libya
Geographic coordinates: 34 00 N, 9 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area: total: 163,610 sq km land: 155,360 sq km water: 8,250 sq km
Area—comparative: slightly larger than Georgia
Land boundaries: total: 1,424 km border countries: Algeria 965 km, Libya 459 km
Coastline: 1,148 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: temperate in north with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers; desert in south
Terrain: mountains in north; hot, dry central plain; semiarid south merges into the Sahara
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Shatt al Gharsah -17 m highest point: Jabal ash Shanabi 1,544 m
Natural resources: petroleum, phosphates, iron ore, lead, zinc, salt
Land use: arable land: 19% permanent crops: 13% permanent pastures: 20% forests and woodland: 4% other: 44% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 3,850 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: NA
Environment—current issues: toxic and hazardous waste disposal is ineffective and presents human health risks; water pollution from raw sewage; limited natural fresh water resources; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification
Environment—international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
Geography—note: strategic location in central Mediterranean
People
Population: 9,513,603 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 31% (male 1,513,296; female 1,417,166) 15-64 years: 63% (male 3,006,029; female 3,018,411) 65 years and over: 6% (male 283,026; female 275,675) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.39% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 19.72 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 5.05 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.74 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.03 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 31.38 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.35 years male: 71.95 years female: 74.86 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.38 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Tunisian(s) adjective: Tunisian
Ethnic groups: Arab 98%, European 1%, Jewish and other 1%
Religions: Muslim 98%, Christian 1%, Jewish and other 1%
Languages: Arabic (official and one of the languages of commerce), French (commerce)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 66.7% male: 78.6% female: 54.6% (1995 est.)
Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Tunisia conventional short form: Tunisia local long form: Al Jumhuriyah at Tunisiyah local short form: Tunis
Data code: TS
Government type: republic
Capital: Tunis
Administrative divisions: 23 governorates; Al Kaf, Al Mahdiyah, Al Munastir, Al Qasrayn, Al Qayrawan, Aryanah, Bajah, Banzart, Bin 'Arus, Jundubah, Madanin, Nabul, Qabis, Qafsah, Qibili, Safaqis, Sidi Bu Zayd, Silyanah, Susah, Tatawin, Tawzar, Tunis, Zaghwan
Independence: 20 March 1956 (from France)
National holiday: National Day, 20 March (1956)
Constitution: 1 June 1959; amended 12 July 1988
Legal system: based on French civil law system and Islamic law; some judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court in joint session
Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Zine El Abidine BEN ALI (since 7 November 1987) head of government: Prime Minister Hamed KAROUI (since 26 September 1989) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 20 March 1994 (next to be held NA 1999); prime minister appointed by the president election results: President Zine El Abidine BEN ALI reelected without opposition; percent of vote—Zine El Abidine BEN ALI 99%
Legislative branch: unicameral Chamber of Deputies or Majlis al-Nuwaab (163 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 20 March 1994 (next to be held NA 1999) election results: percent of vote by party—RCD 97.7%, MDS 1.0%, others 1.3%; seats by party—RCD 144, MDS 10, others 9; note—the government changed the electoral code to guarantee that the opposition won seats
Judicial branch: Court of Cassation (Cour de Cassation)
Political parties and leaders: Constitutional Democratic Rally parties are legal, including the Communist Party
Political pressure groups and leaders: the Islamic fundamentalist party, Al Nahda (Renaissance), is outlawed
International organization participation: ABEDA, ACCT, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, BSEC (observer), CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, MINURCA, MINURSO, MIPONUH, NAM, OAS (observer), OAU, OIC, OPCW, OSCE (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIBH, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Noureddine MEJDOUB chancery: 1515 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20005
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Robin L. RAPHEL embassy: 144 Avenue de la Liberte, 1002 Tunis-Belvedere mailing address: use embassy street address
Flag description: red with a white disk in the center bearing a red crescent nearly encircling a red five-pointed star; the crescent and star are traditional symbols of Islam
Economy
Economy—overview: Tunisia has a diverse economy, with important agricultural, mining, energy, tourism, and manufacturing sectors. Governmental control of economic affairs while still heavy has gradually lessened over the past decade with increasing privatization, simplification of the tax structure, and a prudent approach to debt. Real growth averaged 4.0% in 1993-97 and reached 5.0% in 1998. Inflation has been moderate. Growth in tourism and increased trade have been key elements in this steady growth. Tunisia's association agreement with the European Union entered into force on 1 March 1998, the first such accord between the EU and Mediterranean countries to be activated. Under the agreement Tunisia will gradually remove barriers to trade with the EU over the next decade. Broader privatization, further liberalization of the investment code to increase foreign investment, and improvements in government efficiency are among the challenges for the future.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$49 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: 5% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$5,200 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 14% industry: 28% services: 58% (1996 est.)
Population below poverty line: 14.1% (1990 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.3% highest 10%: 30.7% (1990)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.3% (1998 est.)
Labor force: 3.3 million (1995 est.) note: shortage of skilled labor
Labor force—by occupation: services 55%, industry 23%, agriculture 22% (1995 est.)
Unemployment rate: 15.6% (1998 est.)
Budget: revenues: $5.8 billion expenditures: $6.5 billion, including capital expenditures to $1.4 billion (1998 est.)
Industries: petroleum, mining (particularly phosphate and iron ore), tourism, textiles, footwear, food, beverages
Industrial production growth rate: 4.2% (1997 est.)
Electricity—production: 7.535 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 99.54% hydro: 0.46% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 7.616 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 81 million kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: olives, dates, oranges, almonds, grain, sugar beets, grapes; poultry, beef, dairy products
Exports: $5.4 billion (f.o.b., 1997 est.)
Exports—commodities: hydrocarbons, textiles, agricultural products, phosphates and chemicals
Exports—partners: EU 80%, North African countries 6%, Asia 4%, US 1% (1996)
Imports: $7.9 billion (c.i.f., 1997 est.)
Imports—commodities: industrial goods and equipment 57%, hydrocarbons 13%, food 12%, consumer goods
Imports—partners: EU countries 80%, North African countries 5.5%, Asia 5.5%, US 5% (1996)
Debt—external: $12.1 billion (1998 est.)
Economic aid—recipient: $933.2 million (1995); note?ODA, $90 million (1998 est.)
Currency: 1 Tunisian dinar (TD) = 1,000 millimes
Exchange rates: Tunisian dinars (TD) per US$1—1.1027 (December 1998), 1.1393 (1998), 1.1059 (1997), 0.9734 (1996), 0.9458 (1995), 1.0116 (1994)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 560,000 (1996 est.); 3,185 cellular telephone subscribers (1998 est.)
Telephone system: the system is above the African average and is continuing to be upgraded; key centers are Sfax, Sousse, Bizerte, and Tunis; Internet access is available through two private service providers licensed by the government domestic: trunk facilities consist of open-wire lines, coaxial cable, and microwave radio relay international: 5 submarine cables; satellite earth stations—1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Arabsat with back-up control station; coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Algeria and Libya; participant in Medarabtel
Radio broadcast stations: AM 7, FM 8, shortwave 1 (1998 est.)
Radios: 1.7 million (1998 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 19 (these are network stations; there are some additional stations of low power) (1997)
Televisions: 650,000 (1998 est.)
Transportation
Railways: total: 2,260 km standard gauge: 492 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 1,758 km 1.000-m gauge dual gauge: 10 km 1.000-m and 1.435-m gauges (three rails) (1993 est.)
Highways: total: 23,100 km paved: 18,226 km unpaved: 4,874 km (1996 est.)
Pipelines: crude oil 797 km; petroleum products 86 km; natural gas 742 km
Ports and harbors: Bizerte, Gabes, La Goulette, Sfax, Sousse, Tunis, Zarzis
Merchant marine: total: 20 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 188,345 GRT/215,749 DWT ships by type: bulk 4, cargo 5, chemical tanker 3, liquefied gas tanker 1, oil tanker 3, short-sea passenger 3, specialized tanker 1 (1998 est.)
Airports: 32 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 14 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 18 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 7 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary forces, National Guard
Military manpower—military age: 20 years of age
Military manpower—availability: males age 15-49: 2,601,928 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,486,964 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—reaching military age annually: males: 99,597 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $356 million (1999)
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 1.5% (1999)
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: maritime boundary dispute with Libya; Malta and Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil exploration
======================================================================
@Turkey ———
Geography
Location: southwestern Asia (that part west of the Bosporus is sometimes included with Europe), bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Georgia, and bordering the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, between Greece and Syria
Geographic coordinates: 39 00 N, 35 00 E
Map references: Middle East
Area: total: 780,580 sq km land: 770,760 sq km water: 9,820 sq km
Area—comparative: slightly larger than Texas
Land boundaries: total: 2,627 km border countries: Armenia 268 km, Azerbaijan 9 km, Bulgaria 240 km, Georgia 252 km, Greece 206 km, Iran 499 km, Iraq 331 km, Syria 822 km
Coastline: 7,200 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: in Black Sea only: to the maritime boundary agreed upon with the former USSR territorial sea: 6 nm in the Aegean Sea; 12 nm in Black Sea and in Mediterranean Sea
Climate: temperate; hot, dry summers with mild, wet winters; harsher in interior
Terrain: mostly mountains; narrow coastal plain; high central plateau (Anatolia)
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Ararat 5,166 m
Natural resources: antimony, coal, chromium, mercury, copper, borate, sulfur, iron ore
Land use: arable land: 32% permanent crops: 4% permanent pastures: 16% forests and woodland: 26% other: 22% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 36,740 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: very severe earthquakes, especially in northern Turkey, along an arc extending from the Sea of Marmara to Lake Van
Environment—current issues: water pollution from dumping of chemicals and detergents; air pollution, particularly in urban areas; deforestation; concern for oil spills from increasing Bosporus ship traffic
Environment—international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Environmental Modification
Geography—note: strategic location controlling the Turkish Straits (Bosporus, Sea of Marmara, Dardanelles) that link Black and Aegean Seas
People
Population: 65,599,206 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 30% (male 10,148,457; female 9,781,452) 15-64 years: 64% (male 21,255,506; female 20,560,070) 65 years and over: 6% (male 1,775,164; female 2,078,557) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.57% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 20.92 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 5.27 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 35.81 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.29 years male: 70.81 years female: 75.88 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.41 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Turk(s) adjective: Turkish
Ethnic groups: Turkish 80%, Kurdish 20%
Religions: Muslim 99.8% (mostly Sunni), other 0.2% (Christian and Jews)
Languages: Turkish (official), Kurdish, Arabic
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 82.3% male: 91.7% female: 72.4% (1995 est.)
Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Turkey conventional short form: Turkey local long form: Turkiye Cumhuriyeti local short form: Turkiye
Data code: TU
Government type: republican parliamentary democracy
Capital: Ankara
Administrative divisions: 80 provinces (iller, singular—il); Adana, Adiyaman, Afyon, Agri, Aksaray, Amasya, Ankara, Antalya, Ardahan, Artvin, Aydin, Balikesir, Bartin, Batman, Bayburt, Bilecik, Bingol, Bitlis, Bolu, Burdur, Bursa, Canakkale, Cankiri, Corum, Denizli, Diyarbakir, Edirne, Elazig, Erzincan, Erzurum, Eskisehir, Gazi Antep, Giresun, Gumushane, Hakkari, Hatay, Icel, Igdir, Isparta, Istanbul, Izmir, Kahraman Maras, Karabuk, Karaman, Kars, Kastamonu, Kayseri, Kilis, Kirikkale, Kirklareli, Kirsehir, Kocaeli, Konya, Kutahya, Malatya, Manisa, Mardin, Mugla, Mus, Nevsehir, Nigde, Ordu, Osmaniye, Rize, Sakarya, Samsun, Sanli Urfa, Siirt, Sinop, Sirnak, Sivas, Tekirdag, Tokat, Trabzon, Tunceli, Usak, Van, Yalova, Yozgat, Zonguldak note: Karabuk, Kilis, Osmaniye and Yalova are the four newest provinces; the US Board on Geographic Names is awaiting an official Turkish administrative map for verification of the boundaries
Independence: 29 October 1923 (successor state to the Ottoman Empire)
National holiday: Anniversary of the Declaration of the Republic, 29 October (1923)
Constitution: 7 November 1982
Legal system: derived from various European continental legal systems; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Suleyman DEMIREL (since 16 May 1993) head of government: Prime Minister Bulent ECEVIT (since 11 January 1999) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the nomination of the prime minister note: there is also a National Security Council that serves as an advisory body to the president and the cabinet elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a seven-year term; election last held 16 May 1993 (next scheduled to be held NA May 2000); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president election results: Suleyman DEMIREL elected president; percent of National Assembly vote—54%
Legislative branch: unicameral Grand National Assembly of Turkey or Turkiye Buyuk Millet Meclisi (550 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 24 December 1995 (next to be held 18 April 1999) election results: percent of vote by party—RP 21.38%, DYP 19.18%, ANAP 19.65%, DSP 14.64%, CHP 10.71%, independent 0.48%; seats by party—RP 158, DYP 135, ANAP 133, DSP 75, CHP 49; note—seats held by various parties are subject to change due to defections, creation of new parties, and ouster or death of sitting deputies; seating by party as of 1 January 1999: FP 144, ANAP 137, DYP 97, DSP 61, CHP 55, DTP 12, BBP 8, MHP 3, DP 1, DEPAR 1, independents 20, vacant 11
Judicial branch: Constitutional Court, judges appointed by the president; Court of Appeals, judges are elected by the Supreme Council of Judges and Prosecutors
Political parties and leaders: Motherland Party or ANAP [Mesut outlawed on 22 February 1998
Political pressure groups and leaders: Turkish Confederation of Independent Industrialists and Businessmen's Association or MUSIAD
International organization participation: AsDB, BIS, BSEC, CCC, CE, CERN (observer), EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NATO, NEA, OECD, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNOMIG, UNPREDEP, UNRWA, UPU, WEU (associate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Baki ILKIN chancery: 1714 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, and New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Mark R. PARRIS embassy: 110 Ataturk Boulevard, Ankara mailing address: PSC 93, Box 5000, APO AE 09823 consulate(s) general: Istanbul consulate(s): Adana
Flag description: red with a vertical white crescent (the closed portion is toward the hoist side) and white five-pointed star centered just outside the crescent opening
Economy
Economy—overview: Turkey has a dynamic economy that is a complex mix of modern industry and commerce along with traditional village agriculture and crafts. It has a strong and rapidly growing private sector, yet the state still plays a major role in basic industry, banking, transport, and communication. Its most important industry—and largest exporter—is textiles and clothing, which is almost entirely in private hands. The economic situation in recent years has been marked by rapid growth coupled with partial success in implementing structural reform measures. Inflation declined to 70% in 1998, down from 99% in 1997, but the public sector fiscal deficit probably remained near 10% of GDP—due in large part to interest payments which accounted for 42% of central government spending in 1998. The government enacted a new tax law and speeded up privatization in 1998 but made no progress on badly needed social security reform. Ankara is trying to increase trade with other countries in the region yet most of Turkey's trade is still with OECD countries. Despite the implementation in January 1996 of a customs union with the EU, foreign direct investment in the country remains low—about $1 billion annually—perhaps because potential investors are concerned about still-high inflation and the unsettled political situation. Economic growth will remain about the same in 1999; inflation should decline further.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$425.4 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: 2.8% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$6,600 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 14.4% industry: 28.7% services: 56.9% (1998)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 70% (1998)
Labor force: 22.7 million (April 1998) note: about 1.5 million Turks work abroad (1994)
Labor force—by occupation: agriculture 42.5%, services 34.5%, industry 23% (1996)
Unemployment rate: 10% (1998 est.)
Budget: revenues: $44.4 billion expenditures: $58.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $3.7 billion (1998)
Industries: textiles, food processing, autos, mining (coal, chromite, copper, boron), steel, petroleum, construction, lumber, paper
Industrial production growth rate: 4.1% (1998 est.)
Electricity—production: 103 billion kWh (1997)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 62.4% hydro: 37.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0.5% (1997)
Electricity—consumption: 91.16 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 300 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 265 million kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: tobacco, cotton, grain, olives, sugar beets, pulse, citrus; livestock
Exports: $31 billion (f.o.b., 1998)
Exports—commodities: textiles and apparel 30%, foodstuffs 15%, iron and steel products 13% (1997)
Exports—partners: Germany 20%, US 9%, Russia 5%, UK 6%, Italy 6% (1998)
Imports: $47 billion (f.o.b., 1998)
Imports—commodities: machinery and equipment 50%, fuels, minerals, foodstuffs (1997)
Imports—partners: Germany 16%, Italy 9%, US 9%, Russia 6%, UK 6%, France 2% (1997)
Debt—external: $93.4 billion (1998)
Economic aid—recipient: ODA, $195 million (1993)
Currency: Turkish lira (TL)
Exchange rates: Turkish liras (TL) per US$1—331,400 (January 1999), 260,724 (1998), 151,865 (1997), 81,405 (1996), 45,845.1 (1995), 29,608.7 (1994)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 17 million (in addition, there are 1.5 million cellular telephone subscribers) (1997 est.)
Telephone system: fair domestic and international systems; undergoing modernization and refurbishment programs domestic: cable; AMPS standard cellular system in Ashkhabad with plans for expansion international: 12 satellite earth stations—Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), Eutelsat, and Inmarsat (Indian and Atlantic Ocean regions); 3 submarine fiber-optic cables (1996); connected internationally by the Trans-Asia-Europe Fiber-Optic Line that became operational in 1998
Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA note: there are 36 national broadcast stations, 108 regional broadcast stations, and 1,058 local broadcast stations (1996)
Radios: 9.4 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 69 (in addition, there are 476 low-power repeaters) (1997)
Televisions: 10.53 million (1993 est.)
Transportation
Railways: total: 10,386 km standard gauge: 10,386 km 1.435-m gauge (1,088 km electrified)
Highways: total: 382,397 km paved: 95,599 km (including 1,560 km of expressways) unpaved: 286,798 km (1997 est.)
Waterways: about 1,200 km
Pipelines: crude oil 1,738 km; petroleum products 2,321 km; natural gas 708 km
Ports and harbors: Gemlik, Hopa, Iskenderun, Istanbul, Izmir, Kocaeli (Izmit), Icel (Mersin), Samsun, Trabzon
Merchant marine: total: 531 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,913,171 GRT/9,832,994 DWT ships by type: bulk 159, cargo 239, chemical tanker 32, combination bulk 5, combination ore/oil 6, container 12, liquefied gas tanker 5, oil tanker 36, passenger-cargo 1, refrigerated cargo 3, roll-on/roll-off cargo 21, short-sea passenger 9, specialized tanker 3 (1998 est.)
Airports: 117 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 81 over 3,047 m: 16 2,438 to 3,047 m: 25 1,524 to 2,437 m: 19 914 to 1,523 m: 16 under 914 m: 5 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 36 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 26 (1998 est.)
Heliports: 2 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Land Forces, Navy (includes Naval Air and Naval Infantry), Air Force, Coast Guard, Gendarmerie
Military manpower—military age: 20 years of age
Military manpower—availability: males age 15-49: 18,168,658 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service: males age 15-49: 11,024,173 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—reaching military age annually: males: 659,338 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $6.737 billion (1997)
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 4.3% (1997)
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: complex maritime, air, and territorial disputes with Greece in Aegean Sea; Cyprus question with Greece; dispute with downstream riparian states (Syria and Iraq) over water development plans for the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers; traditional demands on former Armenian lands in Turkey have subsided
Illicit drugs: major transit route for Southwest Asian heroin and hashish to Western Europe and—to a far lesser extent the US—via air, land, and sea routes; major Turkish, Iranian, and other international trafficking organizations operate out of Istanbul; laboratories to convert imported morphine base into heroin are in remote regions of Turkey as well as near Istanbul; government maintains strict controls over areas of legal opium poppy cultivation and output of poppy straw concentrate
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@Turkmenistan ——————
Geography
Location: Central Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and Kazakhstan
Geographic coordinates: 40 00 N, 60 00 E
Map references: Commonwealth of Independent States
Area: total: 488,100 sq km land: 488,100 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area—comparative: slightly larger than California
Land boundaries: total: 3,736 km border countries: Afghanistan 744 km, Iran 992 km, Kazakhstan 379 km, Uzbekistan 1,621 km
Coastline: 0 km note: Turkmenistan borders the Caspian Sea (1,768 km)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: subtropical desert
Terrain: flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes rising to mountains in the south; low mountains along border with Iran; borders Caspian Sea in west
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Vpadina Akchanaya -81 m (note—Sarygamysh Koli is a lake in north eastern Turkmenistan whose water levels fluctuate widely; at its shallowest, its level is -110 m; it is presently at -60 m, 20 m above Vpadina Akchanaya) highest point: Ayrybaba 3,139 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, coal, sulfur, salt
Land use: arable land: 3% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 63% forests and woodland: 8% other: 26% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 13,000 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: NA
Environment—current issues: contamination of soil and groundwater with agricultural chemicals, pesticides; salination, water-logging of soil due to poor irrigation methods; Caspian Sea pollution; diversion of a large share of the flow of the Amu Darya into irrigation contributes to that river's inability to replenish the Aral Sea; desertification
Environment—international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Geography—note: landlocked
People
Population: 4,366,383 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 38% (male 845,584; female 813,223) 15-64 years: 58% (male 1,243,031; female 1,283,985) 65 years and over: 4% (male 68,496; female 112,064) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.58% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 25.91 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 8.77 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.61 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 73.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 61.11 years male: 57.48 years female: 64.91 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.21 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Turkmen(s) adjective: Turkmen
Ethnic groups: Turkmen 77%, Uzbek 9.2%, Russian 6.7%, Kazakh 2%, other 5.1% (1995)
Religions: Muslim 89%, Eastern Orthodox 9%, unknown 2%
Languages: Turkmen 72%, Russian 12%, Uzbek 9%, other 7%
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98% male: 99% female: 97% (1989 est.)
Government
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Turkmenistan local long form: none local short form: Turkmenistan former: Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic
Data code: TX
Government type: republic
Capital: Ashgabat
Administrative divisions: 5 welayatlar (singular—welayat): Ahal Welayaty (Ashgabat), Balkan Welayaty (Nebitdag), Dashhowuz Welayaty (formerly Tashauz), Lebap Welayaty (Charjew), Mary Welayaty note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses)
Independence: 27 October 1991 (from the Soviet Union)
National holiday: Independence Day, 27 October (1991)
Constitution: adopted 18 May 1992
Legal system: based on civil law system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President and Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Saparmurat NIYAZOV (since 27 October 1990, when the first direct presidential election occurred); note—the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President and Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Saparmurat NIYAZOV (since 27 October 1990, when the first direct presidential election occurred); note—the president is both the chief of state and head of government; Deputy Chairmen of the Cabinet of Ministers Mukhamed ABALAKOV (since NA), Orazgeldy AYDOGDIYEV (since NA 1992), Hudaayguly HALYKOV (since NA 1996), Rejep SAPAROV (since NA 1992), Boris SHIKHMURADOV (since NA 1993), Batyr SARJAYEV (since NA 1993), Ilaman SHIKHIYEV (since NA 1995), Yolly GURBANMURADOV (since NA 1997), Saparmurat NURIYEV (since NA 1997) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president note: NIYAZOV has been asked by various local groups, most recently on 21 December 1998 at the Second Congress of the Democratic Party, to be "president for life," but he has declined, saying the status would require an amendment to the constitution elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 21 June 1992 (next to be held NA 2002; note—extension of President NIYAZOV's term for an additional five years overwhelmingly approved by national referendum held 15 January 1994); deputy chairmen of the cabinet of ministers are appointed by the president election results: Saparmurat NIYAZOV elected president without opposition; percent of vote—Saparmurat NIYAZOV 99.5%
Legislative branch: under the 1992 constitution, there are two parliamentary bodies, a unicameral People's Council or Halk Maslahaty (more than 100 seats, some of which are elected by popular vote and some of which are appointed; meets infrequently) and a unicameral Assembly or Majlis (50 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: People's Council—NA; Assembly—last held 11 December 1994 (next to be held NA December 1999) election results: Assembly—percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—Democratic Party 45, other 5; note—all 50 preapproved by President NIYAZOV
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed by the president
Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party of Turkmenistan note: formal opposition parties are outlawed; unofficial, small opposition movements exist underground or in foreign countries
International organization participation: CCC, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDB, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Halil UGUR chancery: 2207 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Steven R. MANN embassy: 9 Pushkin Street, Ashgabat mailing address: use embassy street address
Flag description: green field with a vertical red stripe near the hoist side, containing five carpet guls (designs used in producing rugs) stacked above two crossed olive branches similar to the olive branches on the UN flag; a white crescent moon and five white stars appear in the upper corner of the field just to the fly side of the red stripe
Economy
Economy—overview: Turkmenistan is largely desert country with nomadic cattle raising, intensive agriculture in irrigated oases, and huge gas and oil resources. One-half of its irrigated land is planted in cotton, making it the world's tenth largest producer. It also possesses the world's fifth largest reserves of natural gas and substantial oil resources. Until the end of 1993, Turkmenistan had experienced less economic disruption than other former Soviet states because its economy received a boost from higher prices for oil and gas and a sharp increase in hard currency earnings. In 1994, Russia's refusal to export Turkmen gas to hard currency markets and mounting debts of its major customers in the former USSR for gas deliveries contributed to a sharp fall in industrial production and caused the budget to shift from a surplus to a slight deficit. The economy bottomed out in 1996, but high inflation continued. Furthermore, with an authoritarian ex-communist regime in power and a tribally based social structure, Turkmenistan has taken a cautious approach to economic reform, hoping to use gas and cotton sales to sustain its inefficient economy. In 1996, the government set in place a stabilization program aimed at a unified and market-based exchange rate, allocation of government credits by auction, and strict limits on budget deficits. Privatization goals remain limited. Turkmenistan is working hard to open new gas export channels through Iran and Turkey to Europe, but these will take many years to realize. In 1998 Turkmenistan faced revenue shortfalls due to the continued lack of adequate export routes for natural gas and obligations on extensive short-term external debt.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$7 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: 5% (1998)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$1,630 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 18% industry: 50% services: 32% (1996 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.7% highest 10%: 26.9% (1993)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 19.8% (1998 est.)
Labor force: 2.34 million (1996)
Labor force—by occupation: agriculture and forestry 44%, industry and construction 19%, other 37% (1996)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues: $521 million expenditures: $548 million, including capital expenditures of $83 million (1996 est.)
Industries: natural gas, oil, petroleum products, textiles, food processing
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity—production: 9.484 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 99.96% hydro: 0.04% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 7.134 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 2.7 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 350 million kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: cotton, grain; livestock
Exports: $689 million (1997 est.)
Exports—commodities: natural gas, cotton, petroleum products, textiles, electricity, carpets
Exports—partners: FSU, Hong Kong, Switzerland, US, Germany, Turkey (1996)
Imports: $1.1 billion (1997 est.)
Imports—commodities: machinery and parts, grain and food, plastics and rubber, consumer durables, textiles
Imports—partners: FSU, US, Turkey, Germany, Cyprus (1996)
Debt—external: $1.7 billion (1998 est.)
Economic aid—recipient: $27.2 million (1995)
Currency: 1 Turkmen manat (TMM) = 100 tenesi
Exchange rates: manats per US$1—5,350 (January 1999), 4,070 (January 1997), 2,400 (January 1996)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: NA
Telephone system: poorly developed domestic: NA international: linked by cable and microwave radio relay to other CIS republics and to other countries by leased connections to the Moscow international gateway switch; a new telephone link from Ashgabat to Iran has been established; a new exchange in Ashgabat switches international traffic through Turkey via Intelsat; satellite earth stations—1 Orbita and 1 Intelsat
Radio broadcast stations: 1 state-owned radio broadcast station of NA type
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 3 (much programming relayed from Russia and Turkey) (1997)
Televisions: NA
Transportation
Railways: total: 2,187 km broad gauge: 2,187 km 1.520-m gauge (1996 est.)
Highways: total: 24,000 km paved: 19,488 km (note—these roads are said to be hard-surfaced, meaning that some are paved and some are all-weather gravel surfaced) unpaved: 4,512 km (1996 est.)
Waterways: the Amu Darya is an important inland waterway
Pipelines: crude oil 250 km; natural gas 4,400 km
Ports and harbors: Turkmenbashy
Merchant marine: total: 1 oil tanker (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,896 GRT/3,389 DWT (1998 est.)
Airports: 64 (1994 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 22 2,438 to 3,047 m: 13 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1994 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 42 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 35 (1994 est.)
Military
Military branches: Ministry of Defense (Army, Air and Air Defense, Navy, Border Troops, and Internal Troops), National Guard
Military manpower—military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower—availability: males age 15-49: 1,110,606 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service: males age 15-49: 901,735 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—reaching military age annually: males: 45,050 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $88 million (1998)
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 3% (1998)
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: Caspian Sea boundaries are not yet determined among Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistan
Illicit drugs: limited illicit cultivator of opium poppy, mostly for domestic consumption; limited government eradication program; increasingly used as transshipment point for illicit drugs from Southwest Asia to Russia and Western Europe; also a transshipment point for acetic anhydride destined for Afghanistan
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@Turks and Caicos Islands ————————————
Geography
Location: Caribbean, two island groups in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of The Bahamas
Geographic coordinates: 21 45 N, 71 35 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area: total: 430 sq km land: 430 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area—comparative: 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 389 km
Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; marine; moderated by trade winds; sunny and relatively dry
Terrain: low, flat limestone; extensive marshes and mangrove swamps
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Blue Hills 49 m
Natural resources: spiny lobster, conch
Land use: arable land: 2% permanent crops: NA% permanent pastures: NA% forests and woodland: NA% other: 98% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: frequent hurricanes
Environment—current issues: limited natural fresh water resources, private cisterns collect rainwater
Environment—international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA
Geography—note: 30 islands (eight inhabited)
People
Population: 16,863 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 32% (male 2,777; female 2,697) 15-64 years: 63% (male 5,619; female 5,085) 65 years and over: 5% (male 305; female 380) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.65% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 26.39 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 4.86 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: 15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.11 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 21.11 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.35 years male: 70.4 years female: 74.4 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.28 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: none adjective: none
Ethnic groups: black
Religions: Baptist 41.2%, Methodist 18.9%, Anglican 18.3%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1.7%, other 19.9% (1980)
Languages: English (official)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 98% male: 99% female: 98% (1970 est.)
Government
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Turks and Caicos Islands
Data code: TK
Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK
Government type: NA
Capital: Grand Turk (Cockburn Town)
Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of the UK)
Independence: none (overseas territory of the UK)
National holiday: Constitution Day, 30 August (1976)
Constitution: introduced 30 August 1976; suspended in 1986; restored and revised 5 March 1988
Legal system: based on laws of England and Wales, with a small number adopted from Jamaica and The Bahamas
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1953), represented by Governor John KELLY (since NA September 1996) head of government: Chief Minister Derek H. TAYLOR (since 31 January 1995) cabinet: Executive Council consists of three ex officio members and five appointed by the governor from among the members of the Legislative Council elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; chief minister appointed by the governor
Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council (19 seats, of which 13 are popularly elected; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 31 January 1995 (next to be held by NA December 1999) election results: percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—PDM 8, PNP 4, independent (Norman SAUNDERS) 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: Progressive National Party or PNP
International organization participation: Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau)
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territory of the UK)
Flag description: blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the colonial shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield is yellow and contains a conch shell, lobster, and cactus
Economy
Economy—overview: The Turks and Caicos economy is based on tourism, fishing, and offshore financial services. Most capital goods and food for domestic consumption are imported. The US was the leading source of tourists in 1996, accounting for more than half of the 87,000 visitors. Major sources of government revenue include fees from offshore financial activities and customs receipts.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$117 million (1997 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: 4% (1997 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$7,700 (1997 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4% (1995)
Labor force: 4,848 (1990 est.)
Labor force—by occupation: about 33% in government and 20% in agriculture and fishing; significant numbers in tourism and financial and other services (1997 est.)
Unemployment rate: 10% (1997 est.)
Budget: revenues: $47 million expenditures: $33.6 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997/98 est.)
Industries: tourism, offshore financial services
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity—production: 5 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 5 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: corn, beans, cassava (tapioca), citrus fruits; fish
Exports: $4.7 million (1993)
Exports—commodities: lobster, dried and fresh conch, conch shells
Exports—partners: US, UK
Imports: $46.6 million (1993)
Imports—commodities: food and beverages, tobacco, clothing, manufactures, construction materials
Imports—partners: US, UK
Debt—external: $NA
Economic aid—recipient: $5.7 million (1995)
Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: US currency is used
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 1,359 (1988 est.)
Telephone system: fair cable and radiotelephone services domestic: NA international: 2 submarine cables; satellite earth station—1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 7,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 0 (broadcasts from The Bahamas are received; cable television is established) (1997)
Televisions: NA
Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 121 km paved: 24 km unpaved: 97 km
Ports and harbors: Grand Turk, Providenciales
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 7 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (1998 est.)
Military
Military—note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: none
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US
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@Tuvalu ———
Geography
Location: Oceania, island group consisting of nine coral atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia
Geographic coordinates: 8 00 S, 178 00 E
Map references: Oceania
Area: total: 26 sq km land: 26 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area—comparative: 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 24 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; moderated by easterly trade winds (March to November); westerly gales and heavy rain (November to March)
Terrain: very low-lying and narrow coral atolls
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 5 m
Natural resources: fish
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 100% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: severe tropical storms are usually rare, but, in 1997, there were three cyclones
Environment—current issues: since there are no streams or rivers and groundwater is not potable, all water needs must be met by catchment systems with storage facilities; beachhead erosion because of the use of sand for building materials; excessive clearance of forest undergrowth for use as fuel; damage to coral reefs from the spread of the Crown of Thorns starfish; Tuvalu is very concerned about global increases in greenhouse gas emissions and their effect on rising sea levels, which threaten the country's underground water table |
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