Terrain: mostly rugged dissected upland, some vegetation in west, but barren in east

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Dead Sea -408 m highest point: Tall Asur 1,022 m

Natural resources: NEGL

Land use: arable land: 27% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 32% forests and woodland: 1% other: 40%

Irrigated land: NA sq km

Natural hazards: NA

Environment—current issues: adequacy of fresh water supply; sewage treatment

Environment—international agreements: party to: none of the selected agreements signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography—note: landlocked; highlands are main recharge area for Israel's coastal aquifers; there are 216 Israeli settlements and civilian land use sites in the West Bank and 29 in East Jerusalem (August 1998 est.)



People



Population: 1,611,109 (July 1999 est.) note: in addition, there are some 166,000 Israeli settlers in the West Bank and about 176,000 in East Jerusalem (August 1998 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 45% (male 370,770; female 352,803) 15-64 years: 52% (male 422,209; female 411,597) 65 years and over: 3% (male 22,376; female 31,354) (1999 est.)

Population growth rate: 3.14% (1999 est.)

Birth rate: 35.59 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Death rate: 4.2 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: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (1999 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 25.22 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.83 years male: 70.96 years female: 74.79 years (1999 est.)

Total fertility rate: 4.78 children born/woman (1999 est.)

Nationality: noun: NA adjective: NA

Ethnic groups: Palestinian Arab and other 83%, Jewish 17%

Religions: Muslim 75% (predominantly Sunni), Jewish 17%, Christian and other 8%

Languages: Arabic, Hebrew (spoken by Israeli settlers and many Palestinians), English (widely understood)

Literacy: NA



Government



Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: West Bank

Data code: WE



Economy



Economy—overview: Economic conditions in the West Bank?where economic activity is governed by the Paris Economic Protocol of April 1994 between Israel and the Palestinian Authority—have deteriorated since the early 1990s. Real per capita GDP for the West Bank and Gaza Strip (WBGS) declined 36.1% between 1992 and 1996 owing to the combined effect of falling aggregate incomes and robust population growth. The downturn in economic activity was largely the result of Israeli closure policies—the imposition of generalized border closures in response to security incidents in Israel—which disrupted previously established labor and commodity market relationships between Israel and the WBGS. The most serious negative social effect of this downturn has been the emergence of chronic unemployment; average unemployment rates in the WBGS during the 1980s were generally under 5%, by the mid-1990s this level had risen to over 20%. Since 1997 Israel's use of comprehensive closures has decreased and, in 1998, Israel implemented new policies to reduce the impact of closures and other security procedures on the movement of Palestinian goods and labor. These positive changes to the conduct of economic activity, combined with international donor pledges of over $3 billion made to the Palestinian Authority in November, may fuel a moderate economic recovery in 1999.

GDP: purchasing power parity—$3.1 billion (1998 est.)

GDP—real growth rate: 2.2% (1998 est.)

GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$2,000 (1998 est.)

GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 33% industry: 25% services: 42% (1995 est., includes Gaza Strip)

Population below poverty line: NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.6% (1997 est.)

Labor force: NA note: excluding Israeli settlers

Labor force—by occupation: agriculture 13%, industry 13%, commerce, restaurants, and hotels 12%, construction 8%, other services 54% (1996)

Unemployment rate: 17.3% (1997 est.)

Budget: revenues: $816 million expenditures: $866 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997 est.) note: includes Gaza Strip

Industries: generally small family businesses that produce cement, textiles, soap, olive-wood carvings, and mother-of-pearl souvenirs; the Israelis have established some small-scale, modern industries in the settlements and industrial centers

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Electricity—production: NA kWh note: most electricity imported from Israel; East Jerusalem Electric Company buys and distributes electricity to Palestinians in East Jerusalem and its concession in the West Bank; the Israel Electric Company directly supplies electricity to most Jewish residents and military facilities; at the same time, some Palestinian municipalities, such as Nabulus and Janin, generate their own electricity from small power plants

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: olives, citrus, vegetables; beef, dairy products

Exports: $781 million (f.o.b., 1997 est.) (includes Gaza Strip)

Exports—commodities: olives, fruit, vegetables, limestone

Exports—partners: Israel, Jordan

Imports: $2.1 billion (c.i.f., 1997 est.) (includes Gaza Strip)

Imports—commodities: food, consumer goods, construction materials

Imports—partners: Israel, Jordan

Debt—external: $108 million (1997 est.)

Economic aid—recipient: $NA

Currency: 1 new Israeli shekel (NIS) = 100 new agorot; 1 Jordanian dinar (JD) = 1,000 fils

Exchange rates: new Israeli shekels (NIS) per US$1—4.2260 (November 1998), 3.4494 (1997), 3.1917 (1996), 3.0113 (1995), 3.0111 (1994); Jordanian dinars (JD) per US$1—0.7090 (January 1999), 0.7090 (1998), 0.7090 (1997), 0.7090 (1996), 0.7005 (1995), 0.6987 (1994)

Fiscal year: calendar year (since 1 January 1992)



Communications



Telephones: NA; 3.1% of Palestinian households have telephones

Telephone system: domestic: NA international: NA note: Israeli company BEZEK and the Palestinian company PALTEL are responsible for communication services in the West Bank

Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0

Radios: NA; note—82% of Palestinian households have radios (1992 est.)

Television broadcast stations: NA

Televisions: NA; note—54% of Palestinian households have televisions (1992 est.)



Transportation



Railways: 0 km

Highways: total: 4,500 km paved: 2,700 km unpaved: 1,800 km (1997 est.) note: Israelis have developed many highways to service Jewish settlements

Ports and harbors: none

Airports: 2 (1998 est.)

Airports—with paved runways: total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (1998 est.)



Military



Military branches: NA

Military expenditures—dollar figure: $NA

Military expenditures—percent of GDP: NA%



Transnational Issues



Disputes—international: West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli-occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement—permanent status to be determined through further negotiation



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



@Western Sahara ———————



Geography



Location: Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Mauritania and Morocco

Geographic coordinates: 24 30 N, 13 00 W

Map references: Africa

Area: total: 266,000 sq km land: 266,000 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area—comparative: about the size of Colorado

Land boundaries: total: 2,046 km border countries: Algeria 42 km, Mauritania 1,561 km, Morocco 443 km

Coastline: 1,110 km

Maritime claims: contingent upon resolution of sovereignty issue

Climate: hot, dry desert; rain is rare; cold offshore air currents produce fog and heavy dew

Terrain: mostly low, flat desert with large areas of rocky or sandy surfaces rising to small mountains in south and northeast

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Sebjet Tah -55 m highest point: unnamed location 463 m

Natural resources: phosphates, iron ore

Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 19% forests and woodland: 0% other: 81%

Irrigated land: NA sq km

Natural hazards: hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind can occur during winter and spring; widespread harmattan haze exists 60% of time, often severely restricting visibility

Environment—current issues: sparse water and arable land

Environment—international agreements: party to: none of the selected agreements signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements



People



Population: 239,333 (July 1999 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA

Population growth rate: 2.34% (1999 est.)

Birth rate: 45.42 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Death rate: 16.58 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Net migration rate: -5.41 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 136.67 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 49.1 years male: 47.98 years female: 50.57 years (1999 est.)

Total fertility rate: 6.7 children born/woman (1999 est.)

Nationality: noun: Sahrawi(s), Sahraoui(s) adjective: Sahrawian, Sahraouian

Ethnic groups: Arab, Berber

Religions: Muslim

Languages: Hassaniya Arabic, Moroccan Arabic

Literacy: NA



Government



Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Western Sahara

Data code: WI

Government type: legal status of territory and question of sovereignty unresolved; territory contested by Morocco and Polisario Front (Popular Front for the Liberation of the Saguia el Hamra and Rio de Oro), which in February 1976 formally proclaimed a government-in-exile of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR); territory partitioned between Morocco and Mauritania in April 1976, with Morocco acquiring northern two-thirds; Mauritania, under pressure from Polisario guerrillas, abandoned all claims to its portion in August 1979; Morocco moved to occupy that sector shortly thereafter and has since asserted administrative control; the Polisario's government-in-exile was seated as an OAU member in 1984; guerrilla activities continued sporadically, until a UN-monitored cease-fire was implemented 6 September 1991

Capital: none

Administrative divisions: none (under de facto control of Morocco)

Suffrage: none; a UN sponsored voter identification campaign has yet to be completed

Executive branch: none

International organization participation: none

Diplomatic representation in the US: none

Diplomatic representation from the US: none



Economy



Economy—overview: Western Sahara, a territory poor in natural resources and lacking sufficient rainfall, depends on pastoral nomadism, fishing, and phosphate mining as the principal sources of income for the population. Most of the food for the urban population must be imported. All trade and other economic activities are controlled by the Moroccan Government. Incomes and standards of living are substantially below the Moroccan level.

GDP: purchasing power parity—$NA

GDP—real growth rate: NA%

GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$NA

GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: 40%-45% (1996 est.)

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: 12,000

Labor force—by occupation: animal husbandry and subsistence farming 50%

Unemployment rate: NA%

Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA

Industries: phosphate mining, handicrafts

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Electricity—production: 85 million kWh (1996)

Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)

Electricity—consumption: 85 million kWh (1996)

Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)

Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (1996)

Agriculture—products: fruits and vegetables (grown in the few oases); camels, sheep, goats (kept by nomads)

Exports: $NA

Exports—commodities: phosphates 62%

Exports—partners: Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so trade partners are included in overall Moroccan accounts

Imports: $NA

Imports—commodities: fuel for fishing fleet, foodstuffs

Imports—partners: Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so trade partners are included in overall Moroccan accounts

Debt—external: $NA

Economic aid—recipient: $NA

Currency: 1 Moroccan dirham (DH) = 100 centimes

Exchange rates: Moroccan dirhams (DH) per US$1—9.320 (January 1999), 9.604 (1998), 9.527 (1997), 8.716 (1996), 8.540 (1995), 9.203 (1994)

Fiscal year: calendar year



Communications



Telephones: 2,000

Telephone system: sparse and limited system domestic: NA international: tied into Morocco's system by microwave radio relay, tropospheric scatter, and satellite; satellite earth stations—2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) linked to Rabat, Morocco

Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0

Radios: NA

Television broadcast stations: NA

Televisions: NA



Transportation



Railways: 0 km

Highways: total: 6,200 km paved: 1,350 km unpaved: 4,850 km (1991 est.)

Ports and harbors: Ad Dakhla, Cabo Bojador, Laayoune (El Aaiun)

Airports: 12 (1998 est.)

Airports—with paved runways: total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 (1998 est.)

Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 3 (1998 est.)

Heliports: 1 (1998 est.)



Military



Military branches: NA

Military expenditures—dollar figure: $NA

Military expenditures—percent of GDP: NA%



Transnational Issues



Disputes—international: claimed and administered by Morocco, but sovereignty is unresolved and the UN is attempting to hold a referendum on the issue; the UN-administered cease-fire has been in effect since September 1991



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



@World ——-



Geography



Map references: World, Time Zones

Area: total: 510.072 million sq km land: 148.94 million sq km water: 361.132 million sq km note: 70.8% of the world's surface is water, 29.2% is land

Area—comparative: land area about 15 times the size of the US

Land boundaries: the land boundaries in the world total 251,480.24 km (not counting shared boundaries twice)

Coastline: 356,000 km

Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm claimed by most, but can vary continental shelf: 200-m depth claimed by most or to depth of exploitation; others claim 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm claimed by most, but can vary exclusive economic zone: 200 nm claimed by most, but can vary territorial sea: 12 nm claimed by most, but can vary note: boundary situations with neighboring states prevent many countries from extending their fishing or economic zones to a full 200 nm; 43 nations and other areas that are landlocked include Afghanistan, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Czech Republic, Ethiopia, Holy See (Vatican City), Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malawi, Mali, Moldova, Mongolia, Nepal, Niger, Paraguay, Rwanda, San Marino, Slovakia, Swaziland, Switzerland, Tajikistan, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Uzbekistan, West Bank, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Climate: two large areas of polar climates separated by two rather narrow temperate zones from a wide equatorial band of tropical to subtropical climates

Terrain: the greatest ocean depth is the Mariana Trench at 10,924 m in the Pacific Ocean

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Dead Sea -408 m highest point: Mount Everest 8,848 m

Natural resources: the rapid using up of nonrenewable mineral resources, the depletion of forest areas and wetlands, the extinction of animal and plant species, and the deterioration in air and water quality (especially in Eastern Europe, the former USSR, and China) pose serious long-term problems that governments and peoples are only beginning to address

Land use: arable land: 10% permanent crops: 1% permanent pastures: 26% forests and woodland: 32% other: 31% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land: 2,481,250 sq km (1993 est.)

Natural hazards: large areas subject to severe weather (tropical cyclones), natural disasters (earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions)

Environment—current issues: large areas subject to overpopulation, industrial disasters, pollution (air, water, acid rain, toxic substances), loss of vegetation (overgrazing, deforestation, desertification), loss of wildlife, soil degradation, soil depletion, erosion

Environment—international agreements: selected international environmental agreements are included under the Environment—international agreements entry for each country and in the Selected International Environmental Agreements appendix



People



Population: 5,995,544,836 (July 1999 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 30% (male 934,816,288; female 884,097,095) 15-64 years: 63% (male 1,905,701,066; female 1,861,265,079) 65 years and over: 7% (male 179,094,601; female 230,570,707) (1999 est.)

Population growth rate: 1.3% (1999 est.)

Birth rate: 22 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Death rate: 9 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (1999 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 56 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 63 years male: 61 years female: 65 years (1999 est.)

Total fertility rate: 2.8 children born/woman (1999 est.)



Government



Data code: none; there is no FIPS 10-4 country code for the World, so the Factbook uses the "W" data code from DIAM 65-18 "Geopolitical Data Elements and Related Features," Data Standard No. 3, March 1984, published by the Defense Intelligence Agency; see the Cross-Reference List of Country Data Codes appendix

Administrative divisions: 266 nations, dependent areas, other, and miscellaneous entries

Legal system: all members of the UN (excluding Yugoslavia) plus Nauru and Switzerland are parties to the statute that established the International Court of Justice (ICJ) or World Court



Economy



Economy—overview: Growth in global output (gross world product, GWP) dropped to 2% in 1998 from 4% in 1997 because of continued recession in Japan, severe financial difficulties in other East Asian countries, and widespread dislocations in the Russian economy. The US economy continued its remarkable sustained prosperity, growing at 3.9% in 1998, and accounted for 22% of GWP. Western Europe's economies grew at roughly 2.5%, not enough to cut deeply into the region's high unemployment; these economies produced 21% of GWP. China, the second largest economy in the world, continued its rapid growth and accounted for 11% of GWP. Japan posted a decline of 2.6% in 1998 and its share in GWP dropped to 7.4%. As usual, the 15 successor nations of the USSR and the other old Warsaw Pact nations experienced widely different rates of growth. Russia's national product dropped by 5% whereas the nations of central and eastern Europe grew by 3.4% on average. The developing nations varied widely in their growth results, with many countries facing population increases that eat up gains in output. Externally, the nation-state, as a bedrock economic-political institution, is steadily losing control over international flows of people, goods, funds, and technology. Internally, the central government finds its control over resources slipping as separatist regional movements—typically based on ethnicity—gain momentum, e.g., in the successor states of the former Soviet Union, in the former Yugoslavia, in India, and in Canada. In Western Europe, governments face the difficult political problem of channeling resources away from welfare programs in order to increase investment and strengthen incentives to seek employment. The addition of more than 80 million people each year to an already overcrowded globe is exacerbating the problems of pollution, desertification, underemployment, epidemics, and famine. Because of their own internal problems, the industrialized countries have inadequate resources to deal effectively with the poorer areas of the world, which, at least from the economic point of view, are becoming further marginalized. In 1998, serious financial difficulties in several high-growth East Asia countries cast a shadow over short-term global economic prospects. The introduction of the euro as the common currency of much of Western Europe in January 1999 poses serious economic risks because of varying levels of income and cultural and political differences among the participating nations. (For specific economic developments in each country of the world in 1998, see the individual country entries.)

GDP: GWP (gross world product)—purchasing power parity?$39 trillion (1998 est.)

GDP—real growth rate: 2% (1998 est.)

GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$6,600 (1998 est.)

GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices): all countries 25%; developed countries 2% to 4% typically; developing countries 10% to 60% typically (1998 est.) note: national inflation rates vary widely in individual cases, from stable prices in Japan to hyperinflation in a number of Third World countries

Labor force: NA

Labor force—by occupation: NA

Unemployment rate: 30% combined unemployment and underemployment in many non-industrialized countries; developed countries typically 5%-12% unemployment (1998 est.)

Industries: dominated by the onrush of technology, especially in computers, robotics, telecommunications, and medicines and medical equipment; most of these advances take place in OECD nations; only a small portion of non-OECD countries have succeeded in rapidly adjusting to these technological forces; the accelerated development of new industrial (and agricultural) technology is complicating already grim environmental problems

Industrial production growth rate: 5% (1997 est.)

Electricity—production: 12.3427 trillion kWh (1994)

Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: NA% hydro: NA% nuclear: NA% other: NA%

Electricity—consumption: 12.3427 trillion kWh (1994)

Exports: $5 trillion (f.o.b., 1998 est.)

Exports—commodities: the whole range of industrial and agricultural goods and services

Exports—partners: in value, about 75% of exports from the developed countries

Imports: $5 trillion (f.o.b., 1998 est.)

Imports—commodities: the whole range of industrial and agricultural goods and services

Imports—partners: in value, about 75% of imports by the developed countries

Debt—external: $2 trillion for less developed countries (1998 est.)

Economic aid—recipient: traditional worldwide foreign aid $50 billion (1995 est.)



Communications



Telephones: NA

Telephone system: domestic: NA international: NA

Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA

Radios: NA

Television broadcast stations: NA

Televisions: NA



Transportation



Railways: total: 1,201,337 km includes about 190,000 to 195,000 km of electrified routes of which 147,760 km are in Europe, 24,509 km in the Far East, 11,050 km in Africa, 4,223 km in South America, and 4,160 km in North America; note—fastest speed in daily service is 300 km/hr attained by France's Societe Nationale des Chemins-de-Fer Francais (SNCF) Le Train a Grande Vitesse (TGV)—Atlantique line broad gauge: 251,153 km standard gauge: 710,754 km narrow gauge: 239,430 km

Highways: total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km

Ports and harbors: Chiba, Houston, Kawasaki, Kobe, Marseille, Mina' al Ahmadi (Kuwait), New Orleans, New York, Rotterdam, Yokohama

Merchant marine: total: 28,310 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 495,299,489 GRT/764,129,056 DWT ships by type: barge carrier 23, bulk 5,745, cargo 8,766, chemical tanker 1,326, combination bulk 319, combination ore/oil 227, container 2,615, liquefied gas tanker 802, livestock carrier 60, multifunction large-load carrier 90, oil tanker 4,521, passenger 392, passenger-cargo 126, railcar carrier 19, refrigerated cargo 1,067, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1,117, short-sea passenger 484, specialized tanker 118, vehicle carrier 493 (1998 est.)



Military



Military branches: ground, maritime, and air forces at all levels of technology

Military expenditures—dollar figure: aggregate real expenditure on arms worldwide in 1998 remained at approximately the 1997 level, about three-quarters of a trillion dollars (1998 est.)

Military expenditures—percent of GDP: roughly 2% of gross world product (1998 est.)



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



@Yemen ——-



Geography



Location: Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Red Sea, between Oman and Saudi Arabia

Geographic coordinates: 15 00 N, 48 00 E

Map references: Middle East

Area: total: 527,970 sq km land: 527,970 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Perim, Socotra, the former Yemen Arab Republic (YAR or North Yemen), and the former People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (PDRY or South Yemen)

Area—comparative: slightly larger than twice the size of Wyoming

Land boundaries: total: 1,746 km border countries: Oman 288 km, Saudi Arabia 1,458 km

Coastline: 1,906 km

Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 18 nm in the North; 24 nm in the South continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm

Climate: mostly desert; hot and humid along west coast; temperate in western mountains affected by seasonal monsoon; extraordinarily hot, dry, harsh desert in east

Terrain: narrow coastal plain backed by flat-topped hills and rugged mountains; dissected upland desert plains in center slope into the desert interior of the Arabian Peninsula

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Arabian Sea 0 m highest point: Jabal an Nabi Shu'ayb 3,760 m

Natural resources: petroleum, fish, rock salt, marble, small deposits of coal, gold, lead, nickel, and copper, fertile soil in west

Land use: arable land: 3% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 30% forests and woodland: 4% other: 63% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land: 3,600 sq km (1993 est.)

Natural hazards: sandstorms and dust storms in summer

Environment—current issues: very limited natural fresh water resources; inadequate supplies of potable water; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification

Environment—international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography—note: strategic location on Bab el Mandeb, the strait linking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, one of world's most active shipping lanes



People



Population: 16,942,230 (July 1999 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 48% (male 4,118,292; female 3,971,886) 15-64 years: 49% (male 4,243,809; female 4,065,429) 65 years and over: 3% (male 278,133; female 264,681) (1999 est.)

Population growth rate: 3.34% (1999 est.)

Birth rate: 43.31 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Death rate: 9.88 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: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.05 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (1999 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 69.82 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 59.98 years male: 58.17 years female: 61.88 years (1999 est.)

Total fertility rate: 7.06 children born/woman (1999 est.)

Nationality: noun: Yemeni(s) adjective: Yemeni

Ethnic groups: predominantly Arab; Afro-Arab concentrations in western coastal locations; South Asians in southern regions; small European communities in major metropolitan areas

Religions: Muslim including Shaf'i (Sunni) and Zaydi (Shi'a), small numbers of Jewish, Christian, and Hindu

Languages: Arabic

Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 38% male: 53% female: 26% (1990 est.)



Government



Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Yemen conventional short form: Yemen local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Yamaniyah local short form: Al Yaman

Data code: YM

Government type: republic

Capital: Sanaa

Administrative divisions: 17 governorates (muhafazat, singular—muhafazah); Abyan, 'Adan, Al Bayda', Al Hudaydah, Al Jawf, Al Mahrah, Al Mahwit, 'Ataq, Dhamar, Hadhramawt, Hajjah, Ibb, Lahij, Ma'rib, Sa'dah, San'a', Ta'izz note: there may be a new governorate for the capital city of Sanaa

Independence: 22 May 1990 Republic of Yemen was established with and the Marxist-dominated People's Democratic Republic of Yemen independent on NA November 1918 (from the Ottoman Empire) and South Yemen had become independent on 30 November 1967 (from the UK)

National holiday: Proclamation of the Republic, 22 May (1990)

Constitution: 16 May 1991; amended 29 September 1994

Legal system: based on Islamic law, Turkish law, English common law, and local tribal customary law; does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch: chief of state: President Lt. Gen. Ali Abdallah SALIH (since 22 May 1990, the former president of North Yemen, assumed office upon the merger of North and South Yemen); Vice President Maj. Gen. Abd al-Rab Mansur al-HADI (since NA October 1994) head of government: Prime Minister Dr. Abd al-Karim Ali al-IRYANI (since NA April 1998) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister elections: President SALIH was elected by the House of Representatives for a five-year term, however, future presidents will be elected by direct, popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 1 October 1994 (next to be held NA 1999); vice president appointed by the president; prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president election results: Ali Abdallah SALIH elected president; percent of House of Representatives vote—NA

Legislative branch: unicameral House of Representatives (301 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 27 April 1997 (next to be held NA April 2001) election results: percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—GPC 189, Islah 52, Nasserite Unionist Party 3, National Arab Socialist Baath Party 2, independents 54, election pending 1 note: in May 1997, the president created a consultative council, sometimes referred to as the upper house of Parliament; its 59 members are all appointed by the president

Judicial branch: Supreme Court

Political parties and leaders: there are over 12 political parties active in Yemen, some of the more prominent are: General SALAAM] note: President SALIH's General People's Congress or GPC won a landslide victory in the April 1997 legislative election and no longer governs in coalition with Shaykh Abdallah bin Husayn al-AHMAR's Islamic Reform Grouping or Islaah—the two parties had been in coalition since the end of the civil war in 1994; the YSP, a loyal opposition party, boycotted the April 1997 legislative election

Political pressure groups and leaders: NA

International organization participation: ACC, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant)

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Abd al-Wahhab Abdallah al-HAJRI chancery: Suite 705, 2600 Virginia Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Barbara K. BODINE embassy: Dhahr Himyar Zone, Sheraton Hotel District, Sanaa mailing address: P. O. Box 22347, Sanaa

Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black; similar to the flag of Syria which has two green stars and of Iraq which has three green stars (plus an Arabic inscription) in a horizontal line centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Egypt which has a symbolic eagle centered in the white band



Economy



Economy—overview: Yemen, one of the poorest countries in the Arab world, reported strong growth in the mid-1990s with the onset of oil production, but was harmed by low oil prices in 1998. Yemen has embarked on an IMF-supported structural adjustment program designed to modernize and streamline the economy, which has led to foreign debt relief and restructuring. Yemen will work in 1999 to maintain tight control over spending and implement additional components of the IMF program. The high population growth rate of 3.3%, internal political dissension, and continued low prices make the government's task especially difficult.

GDP: purchasing power parity—$12.1 billion (1998 est.)

GDP—real growth rate: 1.8% (1998 est.)

GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$740 (1998 est.)

GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 16% industry: 46% services: 38% (1996)

Population below poverty line: NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.3% highest 10%: 30.8% (1992)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 11% (1998 est.)

Labor force: NA

Labor force—by occupation: most people are employed in agriculture and herding or as expatriate laborers; services, construction, industry, and commerce account for less than one-half of the labor force

Unemployment rate: 30% (1995 est.)

Budget: revenues: $2.3 billion expenditures: $2.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 budget est.)

Industries: crude oil production and petroleum refining; small-scale production of cotton textiles and leather goods; food processing; handicrafts; small aluminum products factory; cement

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Electricity—production: 1.9 billion kWh (1996)

Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)

Electricity—consumption: 1.9 billion kWh (1996)

Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)

Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (1996)

Agriculture—products: grain, fruits, vegetables, qat (mildly narcotic shrub), coffee, cotton; dairy products, poultry, beef; fish

Exports: $1.6 billion (f.o.b., 1998 est.)

Exports—commodities: crude oil, cotton, coffee, dried and salted fish

Exports—partners: China 31%, South Korea 19%, Thailand 17%, Thailand 5%, Brazil 5%, Japan 5% (1997)

Imports: $2.8 billion (c.i.f., 1998 est.)

Imports—commodities: food and live animals, machinery and equipment, manufactured goods

Imports—partners: UAE 9%, Saudi Arabia 8%, US 7%, France 6%, Brazil 5% (1997)

Debt—external: $4.9 billion (1998)

Economic aid—recipient: $176.1 million (1995)

Currency: Yemeni rial (YRl) (new currency)

Exchange rates: Yemeni rials (YRl) per US$1—140.940 (October 1998), 129.286 (1997), 94.157 (1996), 40.839 (1995), 12.010 (official fixed rate 1991-94)

Fiscal year: calendar year



Communications



Telephones: 131,655 (1992 est.)

Telephone system: since unification in 1990, efforts have been made to create a national telecommunications network domestic: the network consists of microwave radio relay, cable, and tropospheric scatter international: satellite earth stations—3 Intelsat (2 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean), 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region), and 2 Arabsat; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia and Djibouti

Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 1, shortwave 0

Radios: 325,000 (1993 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 7 (in addition, there are several low-power repeaters) (1997)

Televisions: 100,000 (1993 est.)



Transportation



Railways: 0 km

Highways: total: 64,725 km paved: 5,243 km unpaved: 59,482 km (1996 est.)

Pipelines: crude oil 644 km; petroleum products 32 km

Ports and harbors: Aden, Al Hudaydah, Al Mukalla, As Salif, Mocha, Nishtun

Merchant marine: total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 12,059 GRT/18,563 DWT ships by type: cargo 1, oil tanker 2 (1998 est.)

Airports: 48 (1998 est.)

Airports—with paved runways: total: 12 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (1998 est.)

Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 36 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 3 (1998 est.)



Military



Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Forces, paramilitary (includes Police)

Military manpower—military age: 18 years of age

Military manpower—availability: males age 15-49: 3,776,075 (1999 est.)

Military manpower—fit for military service: males age 15-49: 2,119,308 (1999 est.)

Military manpower—reaching military age annually: males: 212,005 (1999 est.)

Military expenditures—dollar figure: $413.6 million (1999)

Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 7.6% (1999)



Transnational Issues



Disputes—international: a large section of boundary with Saudi Arabia is not defined; Hanish Islands dispute with Eritrea resolved by arbitral tribunal in October 1998



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



@Zambia ———



Geography



Location: Southern Africa, east of Angola

Geographic coordinates: 15 00 S, 30 00 E

Map references: Africa

Area: total: 752,610 sq km land: 740,720 sq km water: 11,890 sq km

Area—comparative: slightly larger than Texas

Land boundaries: total: 5,664 km border countries: Angola 1,110 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 1,930 km, Malawi 837 km, Mozambique 419 km, Namibia 233 km, Tanzania 338 km, Zimbabwe 797 km

Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims: none (landlocked)

Climate: tropical; modified by altitude; rainy season (October to April)

Terrain: mostly high plateau with some hills and mountains

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Zambezi river 329 m highest point: unnamed location in Mafinga Hills 2,301 m

Natural resources: copper, cobalt, zinc, lead, coal, emeralds, gold, silver, uranium, hydropower

Land use: arable land: 7% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 40% forests and woodland: 39% other: 14% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land: 460 sq km (1993 est.)

Natural hazards: tropical storms (November to April)

Environment—current issues: air pollution and resulting acid rain in the mineral extraction and refining region; poaching seriously threatens rhinoceros and elephant populations; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; lack of adequate water treatment presents human health risks

Environment—international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol

Geography—note: landlocked



People



Population: 9,663,535 (July 1999 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 49% (male 2,381,937; female 2,355,807) 15-64 years: 49% (male 2,308,715; female 2,379,994) 65 years and over: 2% (male 107,427; female 129,655) (1999 est.)

Population growth rate: 2.12% (1999 est.)

Birth rate: 44.51 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Death rate: 22.56 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Net migration rate: -0.78 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: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (1999 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 91.85 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 36.96 years male: 36.72 years female: 37.21 years (1999 est.)

Total fertility rate: 6.35 children born/woman (1999 est.)

Nationality: noun: Zambian(s) adjective: Zambian

Ethnic groups: African 98.7%, European 1.1%, other 0.2%

Religions: Christian 50%-75%, Muslim and Hindu 24%-49%, indigenous beliefs 1%

Languages: English (official), major vernaculars—Bemba, Kaonda, Lozi, Lunda, Luvale, Nyanja, Tonga, and about 70 other indigenous languages

Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write English total population: 78.2% male: 85.6% female: 71.3% (1995 est.)



Government



Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Zambia conventional short form: Zambia former: Northern Rhodesia

Data code: ZA

Government type: republic

Capital: Lusaka

Administrative divisions: 9 provinces; Central, Copperbelt, Eastern, Luapula, Lusaka, Northern, North-Western, Southern, Western

Independence: 24 October 1964 (from UK)

National holiday: Independence Day, 24 October (1964)

Constitution: 2 August 1991

Legal system: based on English common law and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in an ad hoc constitutional council; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch: chief of state: President Frederick CHILUBA (since 31 October 1991); Vice President Christon TEMBO (since NA December 1997); note—the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Frederick CHILUBA (since 31 October 1991); Vice President Christon TEMBO (since NA December 1997); note—the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 18 November 1996 (next to be held NA October 2001); vice president appointed by the president election results: Frederick CHILUBA reelected president; percent of vote—Frederick CHILUBA 70%, Dean MUNGO'MBA 12%, Humphrey MULEMBA 6%, Akashambatwa LEWANIKA 4%, Chama CHAKOMBOKA 3%, others 5%

Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (150 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 18 November 1996 (next to be held NA October 2001) election results: percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—MMD 130, NP 5, ZADECO 2, AZ 2, independents 11

Judicial branch: Supreme Court, justices are appointed by the president

Political parties and leaders: Agenda for Zambia or AZ

International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-19, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, MONUA, NAM, OAU, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOMSIL, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Dunstan Weston KAMANA chancery: 2419 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Arlene RENDER embassy: corner of Independence and United Nations Avenues mailing address: P. O. Box 31617, Lusaka

Flag description: green with a panel of three vertical bands of red (hoist side), black, and orange below a soaring orange eagle, on the outer edge of the flag



Economy



Economy—overview: Despite progress in privatization and budgetary reform, Zambia's economy has a long way to go. Inflation, while slowing somewhat, continues to be a major concern to the CHILUBA government. Zambia's copper mining sector, which accounts for over 80% of the nation's foreign currency intake, is struggling. Production rates are down as are world copper prices. Aid cuts by Zambia's donors, arising out of concern for the November 1996 flawed election, also have damaged Zambia's economic prospects. Urged by the World Bank, Zambia has embarked on a privatization program which is to include the all-important copper industry. Until a deal on the copper sector is concluded, perhaps by mid-1999, economic prospects will remain clouded.

GDP: purchasing power parity—$8.3 billion (1998 est.)

GDP—real growth rate: -2% (1998 est.)

GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$880 (1998 est.)

GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 23% industry: 40% services: 37% (1997 est.)

Population below poverty line: 86% (1993 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.5% highest 10%: 31.3% (1993)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 43.9% (1996)

Labor force: 3.4 million

Labor force—by occupation: agriculture 85%, mining, manufacturing, and construction 6%, transport and services 9%

Unemployment rate: 22% (1991)

Budget: revenues: $888 million expenditures: $835 million, including capital expenditures of $110 million (1995 est.)

Industries: copper mining and processing, construction, foodstuffs, beverages, chemicals, textiles, fertilizer

Industrial production growth rate: 3.5% (1996)

Electricity—production: 7.84 billion kWh (1996)

Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 0.51% hydro: 99.49% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)

Electricity—consumption: 6.393 billion kWh (1996)

Electricity—exports: 1.47 billion kWh (1996)

Electricity—imports: 23 million kWh (1996)

Agriculture—products: corn, sorghum, rice, peanuts, sunflower seed, tobacco, cotton, sugarcane, cassava (tapioca); cattle, goats, pigs, poultry, beef, pork, poultry meat, milk, eggs, hides

Exports: $905 million (f.o.b., 1998 est.)

Exports—commodities: copper, cobalt, zinc, lead, tobacco

Exports—partners: Japan, South Africa, US, Saudi Arabia, India, Thailand, Malaysia (1997)

Imports: $1.1 billion (f.o.b., 1998 est.)

Imports—commodities: machinery, transportation equipment, foodstuffs, fuels, petroleum products, electricity, fertilizer

Imports—partners: South Africa 48%, Saudi Arabia, UK, Zimbabwe (1997)

Debt—external: $7.1 billion (1997 est.)

Economic aid—recipient: $1.991 billion (1995)

Currency: 1 Zambian kwacha (ZK) = 100 ngwee

Exchange rates: Zambian kwacha (ZK) per US$1—1,428 (October 1998), 1,333.81 (1997), 1,203.71 (1996), 857.23 (1995), 669.37 (1994)

Fiscal year: calendar year



Communications



Telephones: 80,900 (1987 est.)

Telephone system: facilities are among the best in Sub-Saharan Africa domestic: high-capacity microwave radio relay connects most larger towns and cities international: satellite earth stations—2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations: AM 11, FM 5, shortwave 0

Radios: 1,889,140

Television broadcast stations: 9 (1997)

Televisions: 215,000 (1995 est.)



Transportation



Railways: total: 2,164 km (1995) narrow gauge: 2,164 km 1.067-m gauge (13 km double track) note: the total includes 891 km of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA), which operates 1,860 km of 1.067-m narrow gauge track between Dar es Salaam and Kapiri Mposhi where it connects to the Zambia Railways system; TAZARA is not a part of Zambia Railways

Highways: total: 39,700 km paved: 7,265 km (including 60 km of expressways) unpaved: 32,435 km (1996 est.)

Waterways: 2,250 km, including Zambezi and Luapula rivers, Lake Tanganyika

Pipelines: crude oil 1,724 km

Ports and harbors: Mpulungu

Airports: 112 (1998 est.)

Airports—with paved runways: total: 12 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (1998 est.)

Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 100 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 66 under 914 m: 31 (1998 est.)



Military



Military branches: Army, Air Force, paramilitary forces, Police

Military manpower—availability: males age 15-49: 2,102,167 (1999 est.)

Military manpower—fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,113,174 (1999 est.)

Military expenditures—dollar figure: $76 million (1997)

Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 1.8% (1997)



Transnational Issues



Disputes—international: quadripoint with Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe is in disagreement

Illicit drugs: transshipment point for methaqualone, heroin, and cocaine bound for Southern Africa and Europe; regional money-laundering center



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



@Zimbabwe ————



Geography



Location: Southern Africa, northeast of Botswana

Geographic coordinates: 20 00 S, 30 00 E

Map references: Africa

Area: total: 390,580 sq km land: 386,670 sq km water: 3,910 sq km

Area—comparative: slightly larger than Montana

Land boundaries: total: 3,066 km border countries: Botswana 813 km, Mozambique 1,231 km, South Africa 225 km, Zambia 797 km

Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims: none (landlocked)

Climate: tropical; moderated by altitude; rainy season (November to March)

Terrain: mostly high plateau with higher central plateau (high veld); mountains in east

Elevation extremes: lowest point: junction of the Runde and Save rivers 162 m highest point: Inyangani 2,592 m

Natural resources: coal, chromium ore, asbestos, gold, nickel, copper, iron ore, vanadium, lithium, tin, platinum group metals

Land use: arable land: 7% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 13% forests and woodland: 23% other: 57% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land: 1,930 sq km (1993 est.)

Natural hazards: recurring droughts; floods and severe storms are rare

Environment—current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; land degradation; air and water pollution; the black rhinoceros herd—once the largest concentration of the species in the world—has been significantly reduced by poaching

Environment—international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography—note: landlocked



People



Population: 11,163,160 (July 1999 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 43% (male 2,432,785; female 2,389,029) 15-64 years: 54% (male 2,986,531; female 3,059,186) 65 years and over: 3% (male 132,532; female 163,097) (1999 est.)

Population growth rate: 1.02% (1999 est.)

Birth rate: 30.64 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Death rate: 20.43 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population note: there is a small but steady flow of Zimbabweans into South Africa in search of better paid employment

Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (1999 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 61.21 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 38.86 years male: 38.77 years female: 38.94 years (1999 est.)

Total fertility rate: 3.71 children born/woman (1999 est.)

Nationality: noun: Zimbabwean(s) adjective: Zimbabwean

Ethnic groups: African 98% (Shona 71%, Ndebele 16%, other 11%), white 1%, mixed and Asian 1%

Religions: syncretic (part Christian, part indigenous beliefs) 50%, Christian 25%, indigenous beliefs 24%, Muslim and other 1%

Languages: English (official), Shona, Sindebele (the language of the Ndebele, sometimes called Ndebele), numerous but minor tribal dialects

Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write English total population: 85% male: 90% female: 80% (1995 est.)



Government



Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Zimbabwe conventional short form: Zimbabwe former: Southern Rhodesia

Data code: ZI

Government type: parliamentary democracy

Capital: Harare

Administrative divisions: 8 provinces and 2 cities* with provincial status; Bulawayo*, Harare*, Manicaland, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, Masvingo, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Midlands

Independence: 18 April 1980 (from UK)

National holiday: Independence Day, 18 April (1980)

Constitution: 21 December 1979

Legal system: mixture of Roman-Dutch and English common law

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch: chief of state: Executive President Robert Gabriel MUGABE (since 31 December 1987); Co-Vice Presidents Simon Vengai MUZENDA (since 31 December 1987) and Joshua M. NKOMO (since 6 August 1990); note—the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: Executive President Robert Gabriel MUGABE (since 31 December 1987); Co-Vice Presidents Simon Vengai MUZENDA (since 31 December 1987) and Joshua M. NKOMO (since 6 August 1990); note—the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president; responsible to the House of Assembly elections: president nominated by the House of Assembly for a six-year term (if more than one nomination, an electoral college consisting of members of the House of Assembly elects the president); election last held 26-27 March 1996 (next to be held NA March 2002); co-vice presidents appointed by the president election results: Robert Gabriel MUGABE reelected president; percent of electoral college vote—Robert Gabriel MUGABE 92.7%, Abel MUZOREWA 4.8%; Ndabaningi SITHOLE 2.4%

Legislative branch: unicameral parliament, called House of Assembly (150 seats—120 elected by popular vote for six-year terms, 12 nominated by the president, 10 occupied by traditional chiefs chosen by their peers, and 8 occupied by provincial governors) elections: last held 8-9 April 1995 (next to be held NA April 2001) election results: percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—ZANU-PF 117, ZANU-Ndonga 2, independent 1

Judicial branch: Supreme Court

Political parties and leaders: Zimbabwe African National

International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, MONUA, NAM, OAU, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Amos Bernard Muvengwa MIDZI chancery: 1608 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas McDONALD embassy: 172 Herbert Chitepo Avenue, Harare mailing address: P. O. Box 3340, Harare

Flag description: seven equal horizontal bands of green, yellow, red, black, red, yellow, and green with a white equilateral triangle edged in black based on the hoist side; a yellow Zimbabwe bird is superimposed on a red five-pointed star in the center of the triangle



Economy



Economy—overview: The government of Zimbabwe faces a wide variety of difficult economic problems as it struggles to consolidate earlier progress in developing a market-oriented economy. Its involvement in the war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, for example, has already drained hundreds of millions of dollars from the economy. Badly needed support from the IMF suffers delays in part because of the country's failure to meet budgetary goals. Inflation rose from an annual rate of 25% in January 1998 to 47% in December and will almost certainly continue to increase in 1999. The economy is being steadily weakened by AIDS; Zimbabwe has one of the highest rates of infection in the world. Per capita GDP, which is twice the average of the poorer sub-Saharan nations, will increase little if any in the near-term, and Zimbabwe will suffer continued frustrations in developing its agricultural and mineral resources.

GDP: purchasing power parity—$26.2 billion (1998 est.)

GDP—real growth rate: 1.5% (1998 est.)

GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$2,400 (1998 est.)

GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 28% industry: 32% services: 40% (1997 est.)

Population below poverty line: 25.5% (1990-91 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.8% highest 10%: 46.9% (1990)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 32% (1998 est.)

Labor force: 5 million (1997 est.)

Labor force—by occupation: NA

Unemployment rate: at least 45% (1994 est.)

Budget: revenues: $2.5 billion expenditures: $2.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $279 million (FY96/97 est.)

Industries: mining (coal, clay, numerous metallic and nonmetallic ores), copper, steel, nickel, tin, wood products, cement, chemicals, fertilizer, clothing and footwear, foodstuffs, beverages

Industrial production growth rate: 10% (1994)

Electricity—production: 8.5 billion kWh (1996)

Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 71.76% hydro: 28.24% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)

Electricity—consumption: 10.769 billion kWh (1996)

Electricity—exports: 1 million kWh (1996)

Electricity—imports: 2.27 billion kWh (1996)

Agriculture—products: corn, cotton, tobacco, wheat, coffee, sugarcane, peanuts; cattle, sheep, goats, pigs

Exports: $1.7 billion (f.o.b., 1998 est.)

Exports—commodities: tobacco, gold, ferroalloys, cotton (1997)

Exports—partners: South Africa 12%, UK 11%, Germany 8%, Japan 6%, US 6% (1997 est.)

Imports: $2 billion (f.o.b., 1998 est.)

Imports—commodities: machinery and transport equipment 39%, other manufactures 18%, chemicals 15%, fuels 10% (1997 est.)

Imports—partners: South Africa 37%, UK 7%, US 6%, Japan 6% (1997 est.)

Debt—external: $5 billion (1998)

Economic aid—recipient: $437.6 million (1995)

Currency: 1 Zimbabwean dollar (Z$) = 100 cents

Exchange rates: Zimbabwean dollars (Z$) per US$1—39.3701 (January 1999), 21.4133 (1998), 11.8906 (1997), 9.9206 (1996), 8.6580 (1995), 8.1500 (1994)

Fiscal year: 1 July—30 June



Communications



Telephones: 301,000 (1990 est.)

Telephone system: system was once one of the best in Africa, but now suffers from poor maintenance domestic: consists of microwave radio relay links, open-wire lines, and radiotelephone communication stations international: satellite earth station—1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations: AM 8, FM 18, shortwave 0

Radios: 890,000 (1992 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 16 (1997)

Televisions: 280,000 (1992 est.)



Transportation



Railways: total: 2,759 km (1995) narrow gauge: 2,759 km 1.067-m gauge (313 km electrified; 42 km double track) (1995 est.)

Highways: total: 18,338 km paved: 8,692 km unpaved: 9,646 km (1996 est.)

Waterways: the Mazoe and Zambezi rivers are used for transporting chrome ore from Harare to Mozambique

Pipelines: petroleum products 212 km

Ports and harbors: Binga, Kariba

Airports: 467 (1998 est.)

Airports—with paved runways: total: 18 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 9 (1998 est.)

Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 449 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 220 under 914 m: 225 (1998 est.)



Military



Military branches: Zimbabwe National Army, Air Force of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Republic Police (includes Police Support Unit, Paramilitary Police)

Military manpower—availability: males age 15-49: 2,738,963 (1999 est.)

Military manpower—fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,707,348 (1999 est.)

Military expenditures—dollar figure: $427 million (FY97/98)

Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 4.6% (FY97/98)



Transnational Issues



Disputes—international: quadripoint with Botswana, Namibia, and Zambia is in disagreement

Illicit drugs: significant transit point for African cannabis and South Asian heroin, mandrax, and methamphetamines destined for the South African and European markets



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Appendix A: Abbreviations

A ABEDA Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa ACC Arab Cooperation Council ACCT Agence de Cooperation Culturelle et Technique; see Agency for Cultural and Technical Cooperation; changed name in 1996 to Agence de la francophonie or Agency for the French-Speaking Community ACP Group African, Caribbean, and Pacific Group of States AfDB African Development Bank AFESD Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development AG Andean Group; see Andean Community of Nations (CAN) Air Pollution Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution Air Pollution- Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Nitrogen Oxides Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution Concerning the Control of Emissions of Nitrogen Oxides or Their Transboundary Fluxes Air Pollution- Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Persistent Long-Range Transboundary Air Organic Pollution on Persistent Organic Pollutants Pollutants Air Pollution- Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Sulphur 85 Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on the Reduction of Sulphur Emissions or Their Transboundary Fluxes by at Least 30% Air Pollution- Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Sulphur 94 Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Further Reduction of Sulphur Emissions Air Pollution- Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Volatile Organic Long-Range Transboundary Air Compounds Pollution Concerning the Control of Emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds or Their Transboundary Fluxes AL Arab League ALADI Asociacion Latinoamericana de Integracion; see Latin American Integration Association (LAIA) AMF Arab Monetary Fund AMU Arab Maghreb Union Ancom Andean Common Market; see Andean Community ofNations (CAN) Antarctic- Protocol on Environmental Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty Protocol ANZUS Australia-New Zealand-United States Security Treaty APEC Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Arabsat Arab Satellite Communications Organization AsDB Asian Development Bank ASEAN Association of Southeast Asian Nations Autodin Automatic Digital Network B BAD Banque africaine de developpement; see African Development Bank (AfDB) BADEA Banque Arabe de Developpement Economique en Afrique; see Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (ABEDA) BCIE Banco Centroamericano de Integracion Economico; see Central American Bank for Economic Integration (BCIE) BDEAC Banque de Developpment des Etats de l'Afrique Centrale; see Central African States Development Bank (BDEAC) Benelux Benelux Economic Union BID Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo; see Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) Biodiversity Convention on Biological Diversity BIS Bank for International Settlements BOAD Banque Ouest-Africaine de Developpement; see West African Development Bank (WADB) BSEC Black Sea Economic Cooperation Zone C C Commonwealth CACM Central American Common Market CAEU Council of Arab Economic Unity CAN Andean Community of Nations Caricom Caribbean Community and Common Market CB citizen's band mobile radio communications CBSS Council of the Baltic Sea States CCC Customs Cooperation Council CDB Caribbean Development Bank CE Council of Europe CEAO Communaute Economique de l'Afrique de l'Ouest; see West African Economic Community (CEAO) CEEAC Communaute Economique des Etats de l'Afrique Centrale; see Economic Community of Central African States (CEEAC) CEI Central European Initiative CEMA Council for Mutual Economic Assistance; also known as CMEA or Comecon CEPGL Communaute Economique des Pays des Grands Lacs; see Economic Community of the Great Lakes Countries (CEPGL) CERN Conseil Europeen pour la Recherche Nucleaire; see European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) CG Contadora Group c.i.f. cost, insurance, and freight CIS Commonwealth of Independent States CITES see Endangered Species Climate Change United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Climate Change- Kyoto Protocol to the United Kyoto Protocol Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change CMEA Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (CEMA); also known as Comecon COCOM Coordinating Committee on Export Controls Comecon Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (CEMA); also known as CMEA Comsat Communications Satellite Corporation CP Colombo Plan CSCE Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe; see Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) CY calendar year D DC developed country Desertification United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa DSN Defense Switched Network DWT deadweight ton E EADB East African Development Bank EAPC Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council EBRD European Bank for Reconstruction and Development EC European Community; see European Union (EU) ECA Economic Commission for Africa ECAFE Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East; see Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) ECE Economic Commission for Europe ECLA Economic Commission for Latin America; see Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) ECLAC Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean ECO Economic Cooperation Organization ECOSOC Economic and Social Council ECOWAS Economic Community of West African States ECSC European Coal and Steel Community; see European Union (EU) ECWA Economic Commission for Western Asia; see Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) EEC European Economic Community; see European Union (EU) EFTA European Free Trade Association EIB European Investment Bank EMU European Monetary Union Endangered Convention on the International Species Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) Entente Council of the Entente Environmental Convention on the Prohibition of Modification Military or Any Other Hostile Use of Environmental Modification Techniques ESA European Space Agency ESCAP Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific ESCWA Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia est. estimate EU European Union Euratom European Atomic Energy Community; see European Community (EC) Eutelsat European Telecommunications Satellite Organization Ex-Im Export-Import Bank of the United States F FAO Food and Agriculture Organization FAX facsimile f.o.b. free on board FLS Front Line States FRG Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany); used for information dated before 3 October 1990 or CY91 FSU former Soviet Union FY fiscal year (FY93/94, for example, began in calendar year 1993 and ended in calendar year 1994) FYROM The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia FZ Franc Zone G G-2 Group of 2 G-3 Group of 3 G-5 Group of 5 G-6 Group of 6 (not to be confused with the Big Six) G-7 Group of 7 G-8 Group of 8 G-9 Group of 9 G-10 Group of 10 G-11 Group of 11 G-15 Group of 15 G-19 Group of 19 G-24 Group of 24 G-30 Group of 30 G-33 Group of 33 G-77 Group of 77 GATT General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade; subsumed by the World Trade Organization (WTrO) on 1 January 1995 GCC Gulf Cooperation Council GDP gross domestic product GDR German Democratic Republic (East Germany); used for information dated before 3 October 1990 or CY91 GNP gross national product GRT gross register ton GWP gross world product H Hazardous Wastes Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal HF high-frequency I IADB Inter-American Development Bank IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency IBEC International Bank for Economic Cooperation IBRD International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank) ICAO International Civil Aviation Organization ICC International Chamber of Commerce ICEM Intergovernmental Committee for European Migration; see International Organization for Migration (IOM) ICFTU International Confederation of Free Trade Unions; see World Confederation of Labor (WCL) ICJ International Court of Justice ICM Intergovernmental Committee for Migration; see International Organization for Migration (IOM) ICRC International Committee of the Red Cross ICRM International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement IDA International Development Association IDB Islamic Development Bank IEA International Energy Agency IFAD International Fund for Agricultural Development IFC International Finance Corporation IFCTU International Federation of Christian Trade Unions IFRCS International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies IGAD Inter-Governmental Authority on Development IGADD Inter-Governmental Authority on Drought and Development IHO International Hydrographic Organization IIB International Investment Bank ILO International Labor Organization IMCO Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organization; see International Maritime Organization (IMO) IMF International Monetary Fund IMO International Maritime Organization Inmarsat International Mobile Satellite Organization InOC Indian Ocean Commission Intelsat International Telecommunications Satellite Organization Interpol International Criminal Police Organization Intersputnik International Organization of Space Communications IOC International Olympic Committee IOM International Organization for Migration ISO International Organization for Standardization ITU International Telecommunication Union K kHz kilohertz km kilometer kW kilowatt kWh kilowatt hour L LAES Latin American Economic System LAIA Latin American Integration Association LAS League of Arab States; see Arab League (AL) Law of the Sea United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (LOS) LDC less developed country LLDC least developed country London see Marine Dumping Convention LORCS League of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies; see International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRCS) LOS see Law of the Sea M m meter Marecs Maritime European Communications Satellite Marine Dumping Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping Wastes and Other Matter Marine Life Convention on Fishing and Conservation Conservation of Living Resources of the High Seas MARPOL see Ship Pollution Medarabtel Middle East Telecommunications Project of the International Telecommunications Union Mercosur Mercado Comun del Cono Sur; see Southern Cone Common Market MHz megahertz MINURSO United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara MINUGUA United Nations Verification Mission in Guatemala MIPONUH United Nations Civilian Police Mission in Haiti MONUA United Nations Observer Mission in Angola MTCR Missile Technology Control Regime N NA not available NACC North Atlantic Cooperation Council; see Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) NAM Nonaligned Movement NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization NC Nordic Council NEA Nuclear Energy Agency NEGL negligible NIB Nordic Investment Bank NIC newly industrializing country; see newly industrializing economy (NIE) NIE newly industrializing economy nm nautical mile NMT Nordic Mobile Telephone NSG Nuclear Suppliers Group Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapons Tests in the Atmosphere, in Outer Space, and Under Water NZ New Zealand O OAPEC Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries OAS Organization of American States OAU Organization of African Unity ODA official development assistance OECD Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development OECS Organization of Eastern Caribbean States OIC Organization of the Islamic Conference ONUMOZ see United Nations Operation in Mozambique (UNOMOZ) ONUSAL United Nations Observer Mission in El Salvador OOF other official flows OPANAL Organismo para la Proscripcion de las Armas Nucleares en la America Latina y el Caribe; see Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean OPCW Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons OPEC Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries OSCE Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe Ozone Layer Protection Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer P PCA Permanent Court of Arbitration PDRY People's Democratic Republic of Yemen [Yemen (Aden) or South Yemen]; used for information dated before 22 May 1990 or CY91 PFP Partnership for Peace R Ramsar see Wetlands RG Rio Group S SAARC South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation SACU Southern African Customs Union SADC Southern African Development Community SADCC Southern African Development Coordination Conference; see Southern African Development Community (SADC) SELA Sistema Economico Latinoamericana; see Latin American Economic System (LAES) SFRY Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia; dissolved 5 December 1991 SHF super-high-frequency Ship Pollution Protocol of 1978 Relating to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution From Ships, 1973 (MARPOL) Sparteca South Pacific Regional Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement SPC South Pacific Commission SPF South Pacific Forum sq km square kilometer sq mi square mile T TAT Trans-Atlantic Telephone Tropical Timber International Tropical Timber 83 Agreement, 1983 Tropical Timber International Tropical Timber 94 Agreement, 1994 U UAE United Arab Emirates UDEAC Union Douaniere et Economique de l'Afrique Centrale; see Central African Customs and Economic Union (UDEAC) UEMOA Union economique et monetaire Ouest africaine; see West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) UHF ultra-high-frequency UK United Kingdom UN United Nations UNAMIR United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda UNAVEM III United Nations Angola Verification Mission III UNCRO United Nations Confidence Restoration Operation in Croatia UNCTAD United Nations Conference on Trade and Development UNDOF United Nations Disengagement Observer Force UNDP United Nations Development Program UNEP United Nations Environment Program UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization UNFICYP United Nations Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus UNFPA United Nations Fund for Population Activities; see UN Population Fund (UNFPA) UNHCR United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNICEF United Nations Children's Fund UNIDO United Nations Industrial Development Organization UNIFIL United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon UNIKOM United Nations Iraq-Kuwait Observation Mission UNITAR United Nations Institute for Training and Research UNMIH United Nations Mission in Haiti UNMIBH United Nations Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina UNMOGIP United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan UNMOP United Nations Mission of Observers in Prevlaka UNMOT United Nations Mission of Observers in Tajikistan UNOMIG United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia UNOMIL United Nations Observer Mission in Liberia UNOMOZ United Nations Operation in Mozambique UNOMSIL United Nations Mission of Observers in Sierra Leone UNOMUR United Nations Observer Mission Uganda-Rwanda UNOSOM II United Nations Operation in Somalia II UNPREDEP United Nations Preventive Deployment Force UNPROFOR United Nations Protection Force UNRISD United Nations Research Institute for Social Development UNRWA United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East UNSMIH United Nations Support Mission in Haiti UNTAC United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia UNTAES United Nations Transitional Administration in Eastern Slavonia, Baranja, and Western Sirmium UNTSO United Nations Truce Supervision Organization UNU United Nations University UPU Universal Postal Union US United States USSR Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (Soviet Union); used for information dated before 25 December 1991 USSR/EE Union of Soviet Socialist Republics/Eastern Europe V VHF very-high-frequency W WADB West African Development Bank WAEMU West African Economic and Monetary Union WCL World Confederation of Labor WCO World Customs Organization; see Customs Cooperation Council Wetlands Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially As Waterfowl Habitat WEU Western European Union WFC World Food Council WFP World Food Program WFTU World Federation of Trade Unions Whaling International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling WHO World Health Organization WIPO World Intellectual Property Organization WMO World Meteorological Organization WP Warsaw Pact WTO see WToO for World Tourism Organization or WTrO for World Trade Organization WToO World Tourism Organization WTrO World Trade Organization Y YAR Yemen Arab Republic [Yemen (Sanaa) or North Yemen]; used for information dated before 22 May 1990 or CY91 Z ZC Zangger Committee



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Appendix B: United Nations System

Transcriber's note: this appeared to be an empty appendix, possibly under development. It does not appear in later editions of the Factbook.



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Appendix D: Selected International Environmental Agreements

Air Pollution

see Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution



Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides

see Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution Concerning the Control of Emissions of Nitrogen Oxides or Their Transboundary Fluxes



Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants

see Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Persistent Organic Pollutants



Air Pollution-Sulphur 85

see Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on the Reduction of Sulphur Emissions or Their Transboundary Fluxes by at least 30%



Air Pollution-Sulphur 94

see Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Further Reduction of Sulphur Emissions



Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds

see Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution Concerning the Control of Emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds or Their Transboundary Fluxes



Antarctic-Environmental Protocol

see Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty



Antarctic Treaty

opened for signature—1 December 1959 entered into force—23 June 1961 objective—to ensure that Antarctica is used for peaceful purposes, such as, for international cooperation in scientific research, and that it does not become the scene or object of international discord parties—(43) Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, UK, US, Uruguay



Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal

note—abbreviated as Hazardous Wastes opened for signature—22 March 1989 entered into force—5 May 1992 objective—to reduce transboundary movements of wastes subject to the Convention to a minimum consistent with the environmentally sound and efficient management of such wastes; to minimize the amount and toxicity of wastes generated and ensure their environmentally sound management as closely as possible to the source of generation; and to assist LDCs in environmentally sound management of the hazardous and other wastes they generate parties—(123) Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burundi, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, EU, Finland, France, The Gambia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, UAE, UK, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia countries that have signed, but not yet ratified—(3) Afghanistan, Haiti, US



Biodiversity

see Convention on Biological Diversity



Convention on Biological Diversity

note—abbreviated as Biodiversity opened for signature—5 June 1992 entered into force—29 December 1993 objective—to develop national strategies for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity parties—(175) Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, EU, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, UK, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe countries that have signed, but not yet ratified—(12) Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kuwait, Liberia, Libya, Malta, Sao Tome and Principe, Thailand, Tuvalu, UAE, US, former Yugoslavia



Climate Change

see United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change



Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol

see Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change



Convention on Fishing and Conservation of Living Resources of the High Seas

note—abbreviated as Marine Life Conservation opened for signature—29 April 1958 entered into force—20 March 1966 objective—to solve through international cooperation the problems involved in the conservation of living resources of the high seas, considering that because of the development of modern technology some of these resources are in danger of being overexploited parties—(37) Australia, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Colombia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Fiji, Finland, France, Haiti, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Netherlands, Nigeria, Portugal, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, UK, US, Venezuela, former Yugoslavia countries that have signed, but not yet ratified—(21) Afghanistan, Argentina, Bolivia, Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ghana, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Lebanon, Liberia, Nepal, NZ, Pakistan, Panama, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, Uruguay



Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution

note—abbreviated as Air Pollution opened for signature—13 November 1979 entered into force—16 March 1983 objective—to protect the human environment against air pollution and to gradually reduce and prevent air pollution, including long-range transboundary air pollution parties—(44) Armenia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, EU, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, UK, US, former Yugoslavia countries that have signed, but not yet ratified—(2) Holy See, San Marino



Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES)

note—abbreviated as Endangered Species opened for signature—3 March 1973 entered into force—1 July 1975 objective—to protect certain endangered species from overexploitation by means of a system of import/export permits parties—(137) Afghanistan, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea- Bissau, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, South Korea, Latvia, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Tuvalu, Uganda, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe countries that have signed, but not yet ratified—(3) Ireland, Kuwait, Lesotho



Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping Wastes and Other Matter (London Convention)

note—abbreviated as Marine Dumping opened for signature—29 December 1972 entered into force—30 August 1975 objective—to control pollution of the sea by dumping and to encourage regional agreements supplementary to the Convention parties—(75) Afghanistan, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Finland, France, Gabon, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Libya, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Nauru, Netherlands, NZ, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Saint Lucia, Seychelles, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Tonga, Tunisia, Tuvalu, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, former Yugoslavia



Convention on the Prohibition of Military or Any Other Hostile Use of Environmental Modification Techniques

note—abbreviated as Environmental Modification opened for signature—10 December 1976 entered into force—5 October 1978 objective—to prohibit the military or other hostile use of environmental modification techniques in order to further world peace and trust among nations parties—(64) Afghanistan, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Egypt, Finland, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Malawi, Mauritius, Mongolia, Netherlands, NZ, Niger, Norway, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Romania, Russia, Saint Lucia, Sao Tome and Principe, Slovakia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Ukraine, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen countries that have signed, but not yet ratified—(17) Bolivia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Holy See, Iceland, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Liberia, Luxembourg, Morocco, Nicaragua, Portugal, Sierra Leone, Syria, Turkey, Uganda



Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar)

note—abbreviated as Wetlands opened for signature—2 February 1971 entered into force—21 December 1975 objective—to stem the progressive encroachment on and loss of wetlands now and in the future, recognizing the fundamental ecological functions of wetlands and their economic, cultural, scientific, and recreational value parties—(101) Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Canada, Chad, Chile, China, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, South Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Malawi, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Namibia, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Senegal, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, UK, US, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam, former Yugoslavia, Zambia



Desertification

see United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa



Endangered Species

see Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES)



Environmental Modification

see Convention on the Prohibition of Military or Any Other Hostile Use of Environmental Modification Techniques



Hazardous Wastes

see Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal



International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling

note—abbreviated as Whaling opened for signature—2 December 1946 entered into force—10 November 1948 objective—to protect all species of whales from overhunting; to establish a system of international regulation for the whale fisheries to ensure proper conservation and development of whale stocks; and to safeguard for future generations the great natural resources represented by whale stocks parties—(51) Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belize, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Denmark, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Grenada, Iceland, India, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, South Korea, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Oman, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, US, Uruguay, Venezuela



International Tropical Timber Agreement, 1983

note—abbreviated as Tropical Timber 83 opened for signature—18 November 1983 entered into force—1 April 1985; this agreement expired when the International Tropical Timber Agreement, 1994, went into force objective—to provide an effective framework for cooperation between tropical timber producers and consumers and to encourage the development of national policies aimed at sustainable utilization and conservation of tropical forests and their genetic resources parties—(54) Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Burma, Cameroon, Canada, China, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, EU, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guyana, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Liberia, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, US, Venezuela