Ireland lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Carrauntoohil 1,041 m

Israel lowest point: Dead Sea -408 m highest point: Har Meron 1,208 m

Italy lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Mont Blanc (Monte Bianco) de Courmayeur 4,748 m (a secondary peak of Mont Blanc)

Jamaica lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Blue Mountain Peak 2,256 m

Jan Mayen lowest point: Norwegian Sea 0 m highest point: Haakon VII Toppen/Beerenberg 2,277 m

Japan lowest point: Hachiro-gata -4 m highest point: Mount Fuji 3,776 m

Jarvis Island lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 7 m

Jersey lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 143 m

Johnston Atoll lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Summit Peak 5 m

Jordan lowest point: Dead Sea -408 m highest point: Jabal Ram 1,734 m

Juan de Nova Island lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 10 m

Kazakhstan lowest point: Vpadina Kaundy -132 m highest point: Khan Tangiri Shyngy (Pik Khan-Tengri) 6,995 m

Kenya lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Kenya 5,199 m

Kingman Reef lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 1 m

Kiribati lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Banaba 81 m

Korea, North lowest point: Sea of Japan 0 m highest point: Paektu-san 2,744 m

Korea, South lowest point: Sea of Japan 0 m highest point: Halla-san 1,950 m

Kuwait lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: unnamed location 306 m

Kyrgyzstan lowest point: Kara-Daryya (Karadar'ya) 132 m highest point: Jengish Chokusu (Pik Pobedy) 7,439 m

Laos lowest point: Mekong River 70 m highest point: Phou Bia 2,817 m

Latvia lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m highest point: Gaizinkalns 312 m

Lebanon lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Qurnat as Sawda' 3,088 m

Lesotho lowest point: junction of the Orange and Makhaleng Rivers 1,400 m highest point: Thabana Ntlenyana 3,482 m

Liberia lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Wuteve 1,380 m

Libya lowest point: Sabkhat Ghuzayyil -47 m highest point: Bikku Bitti 2,267 m

Liechtenstein lowest point: Ruggeller Riet 430 m highest point: Grauspitz 2,599 m

Lithuania lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m highest point: Juozapines/Kalnas 292 m

Luxembourg lowest point: Moselle River 133 m highest point: Buurgplaatz 559 m

Macau lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: Coloane Alto 172.4 m

Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of lowest point: Vardar River 50 m highest point: Golem Korab (Maja e Korabit) 2,753 m

Madagascar lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Maromokotro 2,876 m

Malawi lowest point: junction of the Shire River and international boundary with Mozambique 37 m highest point: Sapitwa (Mount Mlanje) 3,002 m

Malaysia lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Gunung Kinabalu 4,100 m

Maldives lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Wilingili island in the Addu Atoll 2.4 m

Mali lowest point: Senegal River 23 m highest point: Hombori Tondo 1,155 m

Malta lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Ta'Dmejrek 253 m (near Dingli)

Man, Isle of lowest point: Irish Sea 0 m highest point: Snaefell 621 m

Marshall Islands lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Likiep 10 m

Martinique lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Montagne Pelee 1,397 m

Mauritania lowest point: Sebkha de Ndrhamcha -3 m highest point: Kediet Ijill 910 m

Mauritius lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Piton 828 m

Mayotte lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Benara 660 m

Mexico lowest point: Laguna Salada -10 m highest point: Volcan Pico de Orizaba 5,700 m

Micronesia, Federated States of lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Dolohmwar (Totolom) 791 m

Midway Islands lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 13 m

Moldova lowest point: Dniester River 2 m highest point: Dealul Balanesti 430 m

Monaco lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Mont Agel 140 m

Mongolia lowest point: Hoh Nuur 518 m highest point: Nayramadlin Orgil (Huyten Orgil) 4,374 m

Montserrat lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Chances Peak (in the Soufriere Hills volcanic complex) 914 m

Morocco lowest point: Sebkha Tah -55 m highest point: Jbel Toubkal 4,165 m

Mozambique lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Monte Binga 2,436 m

Namibia lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Konigstein 2,606 m

Nauru lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location along plateau rim 61 m

Navassa Island lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: unnamed location on southwest side 77 m

Nepal lowest point: Kanchan Kalan 70 m highest point: Mount Everest 8,850 m (1999)

Netherlands lowest point: Zuidplaspolder -7 m highest point: Vaalserberg 322 m

Netherlands Antilles lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Scenery 862 m

New Caledonia lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Panie 1,628 m

New Zealand lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Aoraki-Mount Cook 3,754 m

Nicaragua lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mogoton 2,438 m

Niger lowest point: Niger River 200 m highest point: Mont Bagzane 2,022 m

Nigeria lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Chappal Waddi 2,419 m

Niue lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location near Mutalau settlement 68 m

Norfolk Island lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Bates 319 m

Northern Mariana Islands lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Agrihan 965 m

Norway lowest point: Norwegian Sea 0 m highest point: Galdhopiggen 2,469 m

Oman lowest point: Arabian Sea 0 m highest point: Jabal Shams 2,980 m

Pacific Ocean lowest point: Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench -10,924 m highest point: sea level 0 m

Pakistan lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: K2 (Mt. Godwin-Austen) 8,611 m

Palau lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Ngerchelchuus 242 m

Palmyra Atoll lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 2 m

Panama lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Volcan de Chiriqui 3,475 m

Papua New Guinea lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Wilhelm 4,509 m

Paracel Islands lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Rocky Island 14 m

Paraguay lowest point: junction of Rio Paraguay and Rio Parana 46 m highest point: Cerro Pero (Cerro Tres Kandu) 842 m

Peru lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Nevado Huascaran 6,768 m

Philippines lowest point: Philippine Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Apo 2,954 m

Pitcairn Islands lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Pawala Valley Ridge 347 m

Poland lowest point: near Raczki Elblaskie -2 m highest point: Rysy 2,499 m

Portugal lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Ponta do Pico (Pico or Pico Alto) on Ilha do Pico in the Azores 2,351 m

Puerto Rico lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Cerro de Punta 1,338 m

Qatar lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: Qurayn Abu al Bawl 103 m

Reunion lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Piton des Neiges 3,069 m

Romania lowest point: Black Sea 0 m highest point: Moldoveanu 2,544 m

Russia lowest point: Caspian Sea -28 m highest point: Gora El'brus 5,633 m

Rwanda lowest point: Rusizi River 950 m highest point: Volcan Karisimbi 4,519 m

Saint Helena lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Queen Mary's Peak on Tristan da Cunha 2,060 m

Saint Kitts and Nevis lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Liamuiga 1,156 m

Saint Lucia lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Gimie 950 m

Saint Pierre and Miquelon lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Morne de la Grande Montagne 240 m

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Soufriere 1,234 m

Samoa lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mauga Silisili 1,857 m

San Marino lowest point: Torrente Ausa 55 m highest point: Monte Titano 755 m

Sao Tome and Principe lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Pico de Sao Tome 2,024 m

Saudi Arabia lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: Jabal Sawda' 3,133 m

Senegal lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed feature near Nepen Diakha 581 m

Serbia and Montenegro lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m highest point: Daravica 2,656 m

Seychelles lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Morne Seychellois 905 m

Sierra Leone lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Loma Mansa (Bintimani) 1,948 m

Singapore lowest point: Singapore Strait 0 m highest point: Bukit Timah 166 m

Slovakia lowest point: Bodrok River 94 m highest point: Gerlachovsky Stit 2,655 m

Slovenia lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m highest point: Triglav 2,864 m

Solomon Islands lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Makarakomburu 2,447 m

Somalia lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Shimbiris 2,416 m

South Africa lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Njesuthi 3,408 m

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Paget (South Georgia) 2,934 m

Southern Ocean lowest point: -7,235 m at the southern end of the South Sandwich Trench highest point: sea level 0 m

Spain lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Pico de Teide (Tenerife) on Canary Islands 3,718 m

Spratly Islands lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Southwest Cay 4 m

Sri Lanka lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Pidurutalagala 2,524 m

Sudan lowest point: Red Sea 0 m highest point: Kinyeti 3,187 m

Suriname lowest point: unnamed location in the coastal plain -2 m highest point: Juliana Top 1,230 m

Svalbard lowest point: Arctic Ocean 0 m highest point: Newtontoppen 1,717 m

Swaziland lowest point: Great Usutu River 21 m highest point: Emlembe 1,862 m

Sweden lowest point: reclaimed bay of Lake Hammarsjon, near Kristianstad -2.41 m highest point: Kebnekaise 2,111 m

Switzerland lowest point: Lake Maggiore 195 m highest point: Dufourspitze 4,634 m

Syria lowest point: unnamed location near Lake Tiberias -200 m highest point: Mount Hermon 2,814 m

Taiwan lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: Yu Shan 3,952 m

Tajikistan lowest point: Syr Darya (Sirdaryo) 300 m highest point: Qullai Ismoili Somoni 7,495 m

Tanzania lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Kilimanjaro 5,895 m

Thailand lowest point: Gulf of Thailand 0 m highest point: Doi Inthanon 2,576 m

Togo lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Agou 986 m

Tokelau lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 5 m

Tonga lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Kao Island 1,033 m

Trinidad and Tobago lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: El Cerro del Aripo 940 m

Tromelin Island lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 7 m

Tunisia lowest point: Shatt al Gharsah -17 m highest point: Jebel ech Chambi 1,544 m

Turkey lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Ararat 5,166 m

Turkmenistan lowest point: Vpadina Akchanaya -81 m; note - Sarygamysh Koli is a lake in northern Turkmenistan with a water level that fluctuates above and below the elevation of Vpadina Akchanaya (the lake has dropped as low as -110 m) highest point: Gora Ayribaba 3,139 m

Turks and Caicos Islands lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Blue Hills 49 m

Tuvalu lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 5 m

Uganda lowest point: Lake Albert 621 m highest point: Margherita Peak on Mount Stanley 5,110 m

Ukraine lowest point: Black Sea 0 m highest point: Hora Hoverla 2,061 m

United Arab Emirates lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: Jabal Yibir 1,527 m

United Kingdom lowest point: The Fens -4 m highest point: Ben Nevis 1,343 m

United States lowest point: Death Valley -86 m highest point: Mount McKinley 6,194 m

Uruguay lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Cerro Catedral 514 m

Uzbekistan lowest point: Sariqarnish Kuli -12 m highest point: Adelunga Toghi 4,301 m

Vanuatu lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Tabwemasana 1,877 m

Venezuela lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Pico Bolivar (La Columna) 5,007 m

Vietnam lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: Fan Si Pan 3,144 m

Virgin Islands lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Crown Mountain 474 m

Wake Island lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 6 m

Wallis and Futuna lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Singavi 765 m

West Bank lowest point: Dead Sea -408 m highest point: Tall Asur 1,022 m

Western Sahara lowest point: Sebjet Tah -55 m highest point: unnamed location 463 m

World lowest point: Bentley Subglacial Trench -2,540 m note: in the oceanic realm, Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench is the lowest point, lying -10,924 m below the surface of the Pacific Ocean highest point: Mount Everest 8,850 m (1999 est.)

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

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

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

This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003



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@2021 Natural hazards

Afghanistan damaging earthquakes occur in Hindu Kush mountains; flooding; droughts

Albania destructive earthquakes; tsunamis occur along southwestern coast; floods; drought

Algeria mountainous areas subject to severe earthquakes; mudslides and floods in rainy season

American Samoa typhoons common from December to March

Andorra avalanches

Angola locally heavy rainfall causes periodic flooding on the plateau

Anguilla frequent hurricanes and other tropical storms (July to October)

Antarctica katabatic (gravity-driven) winds blow coastward from the high interior; frequent blizzards form near the foot of the plateau; cyclonic storms form over the ocean and move clockwise along the coast; volcanism on Deception Island and isolated areas of West Antarctica; other seismic activity rare and weak; large icebergs may calve from ice shelf

Antigua and Barbuda hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October); periodic droughts

Arctic Ocean ice islands occasionally break away from northern Ellesmere Island; icebergs calved from glaciers in western Greenland and extreme northeastern Canada; permafrost in islands; virtually ice locked from October to June; ships subject to superstructure icing from October to May

Argentina San Miguel de Tucuman and Mendoza areas in the Andes subject to earthquakes; pamperos are violent windstorms that can strike the Pampas and northeast; heavy flooding

Armenia occasionally severe earthquakes; droughts

Aruba lies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt

Ashmore and Cartier Islands surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards

Atlantic Ocean icebergs common in Davis Strait, Denmark Strait, and the northwestern Atlantic Ocean from February to August and have been spotted as far south as Bermuda and the Madeira Islands; ships subject to superstructure icing in extreme northern Atlantic from October to May; persistent fog can be a maritime hazard from May to September; hurricanes (May to December)

Australia cyclones along the coast; severe droughts; forest fires

Austria landslides; avalanches; earthquakes

Azerbaijan droughts

Bahamas, The hurricanes and other tropical storms cause extensive flood and wind damage

Bahrain periodic droughts; dust storms

Baker Island the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard

Bangladesh droughts, cyclones; much of the country routinely inundated during the summer monsoon season

Barbados infrequent hurricanes; periodic landslides

Bassas da India maritime hazard since it is usually under water during high tide and surrounded by reefs; subject to periodic cyclones

Belarus NA

Belgium flooding is a threat in areas of reclaimed coastal land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes

Belize frequent, devastating hurricanes (June to November) and coastal flooding (especially in south)

Benin hot, dry, dusty harmattan wind may affect north from December to March

Bermuda hurricanes (June to November)

Bhutan violent storms from the Himalayas are the source of the country's name which translates as Land of the Thunder Dragon; frequent landslides during the rainy season

Bolivia flooding in the northeast (March-April)

Bosnia and Herzegovina destructive earthquakes

Botswana periodic droughts; seasonal August winds blow from the west, carrying sand and dust across the country, which can obscure visibility

Bouvet Island NA

Brazil recurring droughts in northeast; floods and occasional frost in south

British Indian Ocean Territory NA

British Virgin Islands hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October)

Brunei typhoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are rare

Bulgaria earthquakes, landslides

Burkina Faso recurring droughts

Burma destructive earthquakes and cyclones; flooding and landslides common during rainy season (June to September); periodic droughts

Burundi flooding, landslides, drought

Cambodia monsoonal rains (June to November); flooding; occasional droughts

Cameroon volcanic activity with periodic releases of poisonous gases from Lake Nyos and Lake Monoun volcanoes

Canada continuous permafrost in north is a serious obstacle to development; cyclonic storms form east of the Rocky Mountains, a result of the mixing of air masses from the Arctic, Pacific, and North American interior, and produce most of the country's rain and snow east of the mountains

Cape Verde prolonged droughts; seasonal harmattan wind produces obscuring dust; volcanically and seismically active

Cayman Islands hurricanes (July to November)

Central African Republic hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds affect northern areas; floods are common

Chad hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds occur in north; periodic droughts; locust plagues

Chile severe earthquakes; active volcanism; tsunamis

China frequent typhoons (about five per year along southern and eastern coasts); damaging floods; tsunamis; earthquakes; droughts; land subsidence

Christmas Island the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard

Clipperton Island NA

Cocos (Keeling) Islands cyclone season is October to April

Colombia highlands subject to volcanic eruptions; occasional earthquakes; periodic droughts

Comoros cyclones possible during rainy season (December to April); Le Kartala on Grand Comore is an active volcano

Congo, Democratic Republic of the periodic droughts in south; Congo River floods (seasonal); in the east, in the Great Rift Valley, there are active volcanoes

Congo, Republic of the seasonal flooding

Cook Islands typhoons (November to March)

Coral Sea Islands occasional tropical cyclones

Costa Rica occasional earthquakes, hurricanes along Atlantic coast; frequent flooding of lowlands at onset of rainy season and landslides; active volcanoes

Cote d'Ivoire coast has heavy surf and no natural harbors; during the rainy season torrential flooding is possible

Croatia destructive earthquakes

Cuba the east coast is subject to hurricanes from August to October (in general, the country averages about one hurricane every other year); droughts are common

Cyprus moderate earthquake activity; droughts

Czech Republic flooding

Denmark flooding is a threat in some areas of the country (e.g., parts of Jutland, along the southern coast of the island of Lolland) that are protected from the sea by a system of dikes

Djibouti earthquakes; droughts; occasional cyclonic disturbances from the Indian Ocean bring heavy rains and flash floods

Dominica flash floods are a constant threat; destructive hurricanes can be expected during the late summer months

Dominican Republic lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severe storms from June to October; occasional flooding; periodic droughts

East Timor floods and landslides are common; earthquakes, tsunamis, tropical cyclones

Ecuador frequent earthquakes, landslides, volcanic activity; floods; periodic droughts

Egypt periodic droughts; frequent earthquakes, flash floods, landslides; hot, driving windstorm called khamsin occurs in spring; dust storms, sandstorms

El Salvador known as the Land of Volcanoes; frequent and sometimes very destructive earthquakes and volcanic activity; extremely susceptible to hurricanes

Equatorial Guinea violent windstorms, flash floods

Eritrea frequent droughts; locust swarms

Estonia sometimes flooding occurs in the spring

Ethiopia geologically active Great Rift Valley susceptible to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions; frequent droughts

Europa Island NA

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) strong winds persist throughout the year

Faroe Islands NA

Fiji cyclonic storms can occur from November to January

Finland NA

France flooding; avalanches; midwinter windstorms; drought; forest fires in south near the Mediterranean

French Guiana high frequency of heavy showers and severe thunderstorms; flooding

French Polynesia occasional cyclonic storms in January

French Southern and Antarctic Lands Ile Amsterdam and Ile Saint-Paul are extinct volcanoes

Gabon NA

Gambia, The drought (rainfall has dropped by 30% in the last 30 years)

Gaza Strip droughts

Georgia earthquakes

Germany flooding

Ghana dry, dusty, northeastern harmattan winds occur from January to March; droughts

Gibraltar NA

Glorioso Islands periodic cyclones

Greece severe earthquakes

Greenland continuous permafrost over northern two-thirds of the island

Grenada lies on edge of hurricane belt; hurricane season lasts from June to November

Guadeloupe hurricanes (June to October); Soufriere de Guadeloupe is an active volcano

Guam frequent squalls during rainy season; relatively rare, but potentially very destructive typhoons (June - December)

Guatemala numerous volcanoes in mountains, with occasional violent earthquakes; Caribbean coast extremely susceptible to hurricanes and other tropical storms

Guernsey NA

Guinea hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry season

Guinea-Bissau hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry season; brush fires

Guyana flash floods are a constant threat during rainy seasons

Haiti lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severe storms from June to October; occasional flooding and earthquakes; periodic droughts

Heard Island and McDonald Islands Mawson Peak, an active volcano, is on Heard Island

Holy See (Vatican City) NA

Honduras frequent, but generally mild, earthquakes; extremely susceptible to damaging hurricanes and floods along the Caribbean coast

Hong Kong occasional typhoons

Howland Island the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard

Iceland earthquakes and volcanic activity

India droughts; flash floods, as well as widespread and destructive flooding from monsoonal rains; severe thunderstorms; earthquakes

Indian Ocean occasional icebergs pose navigational hazard in southern reaches

Indonesia occasional floods, severe droughts, tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanoes, forest fires

Iran periodic droughts, floods; dust storms, sandstorms; earthquakes along western border and in the northeast

Iraq dust storms, sandstorms, floods

Ireland NA

Israel sandstorms may occur during spring and summer; droughts; periodic earthquakes

Italy regional risks include landslides, mudflows, avalanches, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, flooding; land subsidence in Venice

Jamaica hurricanes (especially July to November)

Jan Mayen dominated by the volcano Haakon VII Toppen/Beerenberg; volcanic activity resumed in 1970

Japan many dormant and some active volcanoes; about 1,500 seismic occurrences (mostly tremors) every year; tsunamis; typhoons

Jarvis Island the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island poses a maritime hazard

Jersey NA

Johnston Atoll NA

Jordan droughts; periodic earthquakes

Juan de Nova Island periodic cyclones

Kazakhstan earthquakes in the south, mudslides around Almaty

Kenya recurring drought; flooding during rainy seasons

Kingman Reef wet or awash most of the time, maximum elevation of about 1 meter makes Kingman Reef a maritime hazard

Kiribati typhoons can occur any time, but usually November to March; occasional tornadoes; low level of some of the islands make them very sensitive to changes in sea level

Korea, North late spring droughts often followed by severe flooding; occasional typhoons during the early fall

Korea, South occasional typhoons bring high winds and floods; low-level seismic activity common in southwest

Kuwait sudden cloudbursts are common from October to April and bring heavy rain, which can damage roads and houses; sandstorms and dust storms occur throughout the year, but are most common between March and August

Kyrgyzstan NA

Laos floods, droughts

Latvia NA

Lebanon dust storms, sandstorms

Lesotho periodic droughts

Liberia dust-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (December to March)

Libya hot, dry, dust-laden ghibli is a southern wind lasting one to four days in spring and fall; dust storms, sandstorms

Liechtenstein NA

Lithuania NA

Luxembourg NA

Macau typhoons

Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of high seismic risks

Madagascar periodic cyclones

Malawi NA

Malaysia flooding, landslides, forest fires

Maldives low level of islands makes them very sensitive to sea level rise

Mali hot, dust-laden harmattan haze common during dry seasons; recurring droughts; occasional Niger River flooding

Malta NA

Man, Isle of NA

Marshall Islands infrequent typhoons

Martinique hurricanes, flooding, and volcanic activity (an average of one major natural disaster every five years)

Mauritania hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind blows primarily in March and April; periodic droughts

Mauritius cyclones (November to April); almost completely surrounded by reefs that may pose maritime hazards

Mayotte cyclones during rainy season

Mexico tsunamis along the Pacific coast, volcanoes and destructive earthquakes in the center and south, and hurricanes on the Pacific, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean coasts

Micronesia, Federated States of typhoons (June to December)

Midway Islands NA

Moldova landslides (57 cases in 1998)

Monaco NA

Mongolia dust storms, grassland and forest fires, drought, and "zud", which is harsh winter conditions

Montserrat severe hurricanes (June to November); volcanic eruptions (Soufriere Hills volcano has erupted continuously since 1996)

Morocco northern mountains geologically unstable and subject to earthquakes; periodic droughts

Mozambique severe droughts; devastating cyclones and floods occur in central and southern provinces

Namibia prolonged periods of drought

Nauru periodic droughts

Navassa Island NA

Nepal severe thunderstorms, flooding, landslides, drought, and famine depending on the timing, intensity, and duration of the summer monsoons

Netherlands flooding

Netherlands Antilles Curacao and Bonaire are south of Caribbean hurricane belt and are rarely threatened; Sint Maarten, Saba, and Sint Eustatius are subject to hurricanes from July to October

New Caledonia cyclones, most frequent from November to March

New Zealand earthquakes are common, though usually not severe; volcanic activity

Nicaragua destructive earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides; extremely susceptible to hurricanes

Niger recurring droughts

Nigeria periodic droughts; flooding

Niue typhoons

Norfolk Island typhoons (especially May to July)

Northern Mariana Islands active volcanoes on Pagan and Agrihan; typhoons (especially August to November)

Norway rockslides, avalanches

Oman summer winds often raise large sandstorms and dust storms in interior; periodic droughts

Pacific Ocean surrounded by a zone of violent volcanic and earthquake activity sometimes referred to as the "Pacific Ring of Fire"; subject to tropical cyclones (typhoons) in southeast and east Asia from May to December (most frequent from July to October); tropical cyclones (hurricanes) may form south of Mexico and strike Central America and Mexico from June to October (most common in August and September); cyclical El Nino/La Nina phenomenon occurs in the equatorial Pacific, influencing weather in the Western Hemisphere and the western Pacific; ships subject to superstructure icing in extreme north from October to May; persistent fog in the northern Pacific can be a maritime hazard from June to December

Pakistan frequent earthquakes, occasionally severe especially in north and west; flooding along the Indus after heavy rains (July and August)

Palau typhoons (June to December)

Palmyra Atoll NA

Panama occasional severe storms and forest fires in the Darien area

Papua New Guinea active volcanism; situated along the Pacific "Ring of Fire"; the country is subject to frequent and sometimes severe earthquakes; mud slides; tsunamis

Paracel Islands typhoons

Paraguay local flooding in southeast (early September to June); poorly drained plains may become boggy (early October to June)

Peru earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, landslides, mild volcanic activity

Philippines astride typhoon belt, usually affected by 15 and struck by five to six cyclonic storms per year; landslides; active volcanoes; destructive earthquakes; tsunamis

Pitcairn Islands typhoons (especially November to March)

Poland flooding

Portugal Azores subject to severe earthquakes

Puerto Rico periodic droughts; hurricanes

Qatar haze, dust storms, sandstorms common

Reunion periodic, devastating cyclones (December to April); Piton de la Fournaise on the southeastern coast is an active volcano

Romania earthquakes, most severe in south and southwest; geologic structure and climate promote landslides

Russia permafrost over much of Siberia is a major impediment to development; volcanic activity in the Kuril Islands; volcanoes and earthquakes on the Kamchatka Peninsula; spring floods and summer/autumn forest fires throughout Siberia and parts of European Russia

Rwanda periodic droughts; the volcanic Virunga mountains are in the northwest along the border with Democratic Republic of the Congo

Saint Helena active volcanism on Tristan da Cunha

Saint Kitts and Nevis hurricanes (July to October)

Saint Lucia hurricanes and volcanic activity

Saint Pierre and Miquelon persistent fog throughout the year can be a maritime hazard

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines hurricanes; Soufriere volcano on the island of Saint Vincent is a constant threat

Samoa occasional typhoons; active volcanism

San Marino NA

Sao Tome and Principe NA

Saudi Arabia frequent sand and dust storms

Senegal lowlands seasonally flooded; periodic droughts

Serbia and Montenegro destructive earthquakes

Seychelles lies outside the cyclone belt, so severe storms are rare; short droughts possible

Sierra Leone dry, sand-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (December to February); sandstorms, dust storms

Singapore NA

Slovakia NA

Slovenia flooding and earthquakes

Solomon Islands typhoons, but rarely destructive; geologically active region with frequent earth tremors; volcanic activity

Somalia recurring droughts; frequent dust storms over eastern plains in summer; floods during rainy season

South Africa prolonged droughts

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands the South Sandwich Islands have prevailing weather conditions that generally make them difficult to approach by ship; they are also subject to active volcanism

Southern Ocean huge icebergs with drafts up to several hundred meters; smaller bergs and iceberg fragments; sea ice (generally 0.5 to 1 meter thick) with sometimes dynamic short-term variations and with large annual and interannual variations; deep continental shelf floored by glacial deposits varying widely over short distances; high winds and large waves much of the year; ship icing, especially May-October; most of region is remote from sources of search and rescue

Spain periodic droughts

Spratly Islands typhoons; serious maritime hazard because of numerous reefs and shoals

Sri Lanka occasional cyclones and tornadoes

Sudan dust storms and periodic persistent droughts

Suriname NA

Svalbard ice floes often block the entrance to Bellsund (a transit point for coal export) on the west coast and occasionally make parts of the northeastern coast inaccessible to maritime traffic

Swaziland drought

Sweden ice floes in the surrounding waters, especially in the Gulf of Bothnia, can interfere with maritime traffic

Switzerland avalanches, landslides, flash floods

Syria dust storms, sandstorms

Taiwan earthquakes and typhoons

Tajikistan earthquakes and floods

Tanzania flooding on the central plateau during the rainy season; drought

Thailand land subsidence in Bangkok area resulting from the depletion of the water table; droughts

Togo hot, dry harmattan wind can reduce visibility in north during winter; periodic droughts

Tokelau lies in Pacific typhoon belt

Tonga cyclones (October to April); earthquakes and volcanic activity on Fonuafo'ou

Trinidad and Tobago outside usual path of hurricanes and other tropical storms

Tromelin Island NA

Tunisia NA

Turkey very severe earthquakes, especially in northern Turkey, along an arc extending from the Sea of Marmara to Lake Van

Turkmenistan NA

Turks and Caicos Islands frequent hurricanes

Tuvalu severe tropical storms are usually rare, but, in 1997, there were three cyclones; low level of islands make them very sensitive to changes in sea level

Uganda NA

Ukraine NA

United Arab Emirates frequent sand and dust storms

United Kingdom winter windstorms; floods

United States tsunamis, volcanoes, and earthquake activity around Pacific Basin; hurricanes along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts; tornadoes in the midwest and southeast; mud slides in California; forest fires in the west; flooding; permafrost in northern Alaska, a major impediment to development

Uruguay seasonally high winds (the pampero is a chilly and occasional violent wind which blows north from the Argentine pampas), droughts, floods; because of the absence of mountains, which act as weather barriers, all locations are particularly vulnerable to rapid changes from weather fronts

Uzbekistan NA

Vanuatu tropical cyclones or typhoons (January to April); volcanism causes minor earthquakes; tsunamis

Venezuela subject to floods, rockslides, mudslides; periodic droughts

Vietnam occasional typhoons (May to January) with extensive flooding, especially in the Mekong River delta

Virgin Islands several hurricanes in recent years; frequent and severe droughts and floods; occasional earthquakes

Wake Island occasional typhoons

Wallis and Futuna NA

West Bank droughts

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

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

Yemen sandstorms and dust storms in summer

Zambia periodic drought, tropical storms (November to April)

Zimbabwe recurring droughts; floods and severe storms are rare

This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003



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@2022 People - note

Afghanistan large numbers of Afghan refugees create burdens on neighboring states

Ashmore and Cartier Islands the landing of illegal immigrants from Indonesia's Rote Island has become an ongoing problem

Cuba illicit migration is a continuing problem; Cubans attempt to depart the island and enter the US using homemade rafts, alien smugglers, direct flights, or falsified visas; some 2,500 Cubans took to the Straits of Florida in 2002; the US Coast Guard interdicted about 60% of these migrants; Cubans also use non-maritime routes to enter the US; some 1,500 Cubans arrived overland via the southwest border and direct flights to Miami in 2002

Ghana there are 9,500 Liberians, 2,000 Sierra Leoneans, and 1,000 Togolese refugees residing in Ghana (2002)

Rwanda Rwanda is the most densely populated country in Africa

Turks and Caicos Islands destination and transit point for illegal Haitian immigrants bound for the Turks and Caicos Islands, Bahamas, and US

United States data for the US are based on projections that do not take into consideration the results of the 2000 census

This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003



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@2023 Area - comparative

Afghanistan slightly smaller than Texas

Albania slightly smaller than Maryland

Algeria slightly less than 3.5 times the size of Texas

American Samoa slightly larger than Washington, DC

Andorra 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Angola slightly less than twice the size of Texas

Anguilla about half the size of Washington, DC

Antarctica slightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US

Antigua and Barbuda 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Arctic Ocean slightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US

Argentina slightly less than three-tenths the size of the US

Armenia slightly smaller than Maryland

Aruba slightly larger than Washington, DC

Ashmore and Cartier Islands about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Atlantic Ocean slightly less than 6.5 times the size of the US

Australia slightly smaller than the US contiguous 48 states

Austria slightly smaller than Maine

Azerbaijan slightly smaller than Maine

Bahamas, The slightly smaller than Connecticut

Bahrain 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Baker Island about 2.5 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Bangladesh slightly smaller than Iowa

Barbados 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Bassas da India about one-third the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Belarus slightly smaller than Kansas

Belgium about the size of Maryland

Belize slightly smaller than Massachusetts

Benin slightly smaller than Pennsylvania

Bermuda about one-third the size of Washington, DC

Bhutan about half the size of Indiana

Bolivia slightly less than three times the size of Montana

Bosnia and Herzegovina slightly smaller than West Virginia

Botswana slightly smaller than Texas

Bouvet Island about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC

Brazil slightly smaller than the US

British Indian Ocean Territory about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC

British Virgin Islands about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC

Brunei slightly smaller than Delaware

Bulgaria slightly larger than Tennessee

Burkina Faso slightly larger than Colorado

Burma slightly smaller than Texas

Burundi slightly smaller than Maryland

Cambodia slightly smaller than Oklahoma

Cameroon slightly larger than California

Canada somewhat larger than the US

Cape Verde slightly larger than Rhode Island

Cayman Islands 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Central African Republic slightly smaller than Texas

Chad slightly more than three times the size of California

Chile slightly smaller than twice the size of Montana

China slightly smaller than the US

Christmas Island about 0.7 times the size of Washington, DC

Clipperton Island about 12 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Cocos (Keeling) Islands about 24 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Colombia slightly less than three times the size of Montana

Comoros slightly more than 12 times the size of Washington, DC

Congo, Democratic Republic of the slightly less than one-fourth the size of the US

Congo, Republic of the slightly smaller than Montana

Cook Islands 1.3 times the size of Washington, DC

Coral Sea Islands NA

Costa Rica slightly smaller than West Virginia

Cote d'Ivoire slightly larger than New Mexico

Croatia slightly smaller than West Virginia

Cuba slightly smaller than Pennsylvania

Cyprus about 0.6 times the size of Connecticut

Czech Republic slightly smaller than South Carolina

Denmark slightly less than twice the size of Massachusetts

Djibouti slightly smaller than Massachusetts

Dominica slightly more than four times the size of Washington, DC

Dominican Republic slightly more than twice the size of New Hampshire

East Timor slightly larger than Connecticut

Ecuador slightly smaller than Nevada

Egypt slightly more than three times the size of New Mexico

El Salvador slightly smaller than Massachusetts

Equatorial Guinea slightly smaller than Maryland

Eritrea slightly larger than Pennsylvania

Estonia slightly smaller than New Hampshire and Vermont combined

Ethiopia slightly less than twice the size of Texas

Europa Island about 0.16 times the size of Washington, DC

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) slightly smaller than Connecticut

Faroe Islands eight times the size of Washington, DC

Fiji slightly smaller than New Jersey

Finland slightly smaller than Montana

France slightly less than twice the size of Colorado

French Guiana slightly smaller than Indiana

French Polynesia slightly less than one-third the size of Connecticut

French Southern and Antarctic Lands slightly less than 1.3 times the size of Delaware

Gabon slightly smaller than Colorado

Gambia, The slightly less than twice the size of Delaware

Gaza Strip slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC

Georgia slightly smaller than South Carolina

Germany slightly smaller than Montana

Ghana slightly smaller than Oregon

Gibraltar about 11 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Glorioso Islands about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Greece slightly smaller than Alabama

Greenland slightly more than three times the size of Texas

Grenada twice the size of Washington, DC

Guadeloupe 10 times the size of Washington, DC

Guam three times the size of Washington, DC

Guatemala slightly smaller than Tennessee

Guernsey about one-half the size of Washington, DC

Guinea slightly smaller than Oregon

Guinea-Bissau slightly less than three times the size of Connecticut

Guyana slightly smaller than Idaho

Haiti slightly smaller than Maryland

Heard Island and McDonald Islands slightly more than two times the size of Washington, DC

Holy See (Vatican City) about 0.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Honduras slightly larger than Tennessee

Hong Kong six times the size of Washington, DC

Howland Island about three times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Hungary slightly smaller than Indiana

Iceland slightly smaller than Kentucky

India slightly more than one-third the size of the US

Indian Ocean about 5.5 times the size of the US

Indonesia slightly less than three times the size of Texas

Iran slightly larger than Alaska

Iraq slightly more than twice the size of Idaho

Ireland slightly larger than West Virginia

Israel slightly smaller than New Jersey

Italy slightly larger than Arizona

Jamaica slightly smaller than Connecticut

Jan Mayen slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC

Japan slightly smaller than California

Jarvis Island about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Jersey about 0.7 times the size of Washington, DC

Johnston Atoll about 4.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Jordan slightly smaller than Indiana

Juan de Nova Island about seven times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Kazakhstan slightly less than four times the size of Texas

Kenya slightly more than twice the size of Nevada

Kingman Reef about 1.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Kiribati four times the size of Washington, DC

Korea, North slightly smaller than Mississippi

Korea, South slightly larger than Indiana

Kuwait slightly smaller than New Jersey

Kyrgyzstan slightly smaller than South Dakota

Laos slightly larger than Utah

Latvia slightly larger than West Virginia

Lebanon about 0.7 times the size of Connecticut

Lesotho slightly smaller than Maryland

Liberia slightly larger than Tennessee

Libya slightly larger than Alaska

Liechtenstein about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC

Lithuania slightly larger than West Virginia

Luxembourg slightly smaller than Rhode Island

Macau about 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC

Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of slightly larger than Vermont

Madagascar slightly less than twice the size of Arizona

Malawi slightly smaller than Pennsylvania

Malaysia slightly larger than New Mexico

Maldives about 1.7 times the size of Washington, DC

Mali slightly less than twice the size of Texas

Malta slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC

Man, Isle of slightly more than three times the size of Washington, DC

Marshall Islands about the size of Washington, DC

Martinique slightly more than six times the size of Washington, DC

Mauritania slightly larger than three times the size of New Mexico

Mauritius almost 11 times the size of Washington, DC

Mayotte slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC

Mexico slightly less than three times the size of Texas

Micronesia, Federated States of four times the size of Washington, DC (land area only)

Midway Islands about nine times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Moldova slightly larger than Maryland

Monaco about three times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Mongolia slightly smaller than Alaska

Montserrat about 0.6 times the size of Washington, DC

Morocco slightly larger than California

Mozambique slightly less than twice the size of California

Namibia slightly more than half the size of Alaska

Nauru about 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC

Navassa Island about nine times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Nepal slightly larger than Arkansas

Netherlands slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey

Netherlands Antilles more than five times the size of Washington, DC

New Caledonia slightly smaller than New Jersey

New Zealand about the size of Colorado

Nicaragua slightly smaller than the state of New York

Niger slightly less than twice the size of Texas

Nigeria slightly more than twice the size of California

Niue 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Norfolk Island about 0.2 times the size of Washington, DC

Northern Mariana Islands 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Norway slightly larger than New Mexico

Oman slightly smaller than Kansas

Pacific Ocean about 15 times the size of the US; covers about 28% of the global surface; larger than the total land area of the world

Pakistan slightly less than twice the size of California

Palau slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Palmyra Atoll about 20 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Panama slightly smaller than South Carolina

Papua New Guinea slightly larger than California

Paracel Islands NA

Paraguay slightly smaller than California

Peru slightly smaller than Alaska

Philippines slightly larger than Arizona

Pitcairn Islands about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC

Poland slightly smaller than New Mexico

Portugal slightly smaller than Indiana

Puerto Rico slightly less than three times the size of Rhode Island

Qatar slightly smaller than Connecticut

Reunion slightly smaller than Rhode Island

Romania slightly smaller than Oregon

Russia approximately 1.8 times the size of the US

Rwanda slightly smaller than Maryland

Saint Helena slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC

Saint Kitts and Nevis 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Saint Lucia 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Saint Pierre and Miquelon 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines twice the size of Washington, DC

Samoa slightly smaller than Rhode Island

San Marino about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC

Sao Tome and Principe more than five times the size of Washington, DC

Saudi Arabia slightly more than one-fifth the size of the US

Senegal slightly smaller than South Dakota

Serbia and Montenegro slightly smaller than Kentucky

Seychelles 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Sierra Leone slightly smaller than South Carolina

Singapore slightly more than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Slovakia about twice the size of New Hampshire

Slovenia slightly smaller than New Jersey

Solomon Islands slightly smaller than Maryland

Somalia slightly smaller than Texas

South Africa slightly less than twice the size of Texas

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands slightly larger than Rhode Island

Southern Ocean slightly more than twice the size of the US

Spain slightly more than twice the size of Oregon

Spratly Islands NA

Sri Lanka slightly larger than West Virginia

Sudan slightly more than one-quarter the size of the US

Suriname slightly larger than Georgia

Svalbard slightly smaller than West Virginia

Swaziland slightly smaller than New Jersey

Sweden slightly larger than California

Switzerland slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey

Syria slightly larger than North Dakota

Taiwan slightly smaller than Maryland and Delaware combined

Tajikistan slightly smaller than Wisconsin

Tanzania slightly larger than twice the size of California

Thailand slightly more than twice the size of Wyoming

Togo slightly smaller than West Virginia

Tokelau about 17 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Tonga four times the size of Washington, DC

Trinidad and Tobago slightly smaller than Delaware

Tromelin Island about 1.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Tunisia slightly larger than Georgia

Turkey slightly larger than Texas

Turkmenistan slightly larger than California

Turks and Caicos Islands 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Tuvalu 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC

Uganda slightly smaller than Oregon

Ukraine slightly smaller than Texas

United Arab Emirates slightly smaller than Maine

United Kingdom slightly smaller than Oregon

United States about half the size of Russia; about three-tenths the size of Africa; about half the size of South America (or slightly larger than Brazil); slightly larger than China; about two and a half times the size of Western Europe

Uruguay slightly smaller than the state of Washington

Uzbekistan slightly larger than California

Vanuatu slightly larger than Connecticut

Venezuela slightly more than twice the size of California

Vietnam slightly larger than New Mexico

Virgin Islands twice the size of Washington, DC

Wake Island about 11 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Wallis and Futuna 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC

West Bank slightly smaller than Delaware

Western Sahara about the size of Colorado

World land area about 16 times the size of the US

Yemen slightly larger than twice the size of Wyoming

Zambia slightly larger than Texas

Zimbabwe slightly larger than Montana

This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003



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@2024 Military manpower - military age (years of age)

Afghanistan 22 years of age (2003 est.)

Albania 19 years of age (2003 est.)

Algeria 19 years of age (2003 est.)

Angola 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Argentina 20 years of age (2003 est.)

Armenia 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Australia 17 years of age (2003 est.)

Austria 19 years of age (2003 est.)

Azerbaijan 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Bahrain 15 years of age (2003 est.)

Belarus 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Belgium 19 years of age (2003 est.)

Belize 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Benin 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Bhutan 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Bolivia 19 years of age (2003 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina 19 years of age (2003 est.)

Botswana 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Brazil 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Brunei 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Bulgaria 19 years of age (2003 est.)

Burma 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Burundi 16 years of age (2003 est.)

Cambodia 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Cameroon 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Canada 16 years of age (2003 est.)

Chad 20 years of age (2003 est.)

Chile 19 years of age (2003 est.)

China 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Colombia 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Congo, Republic of the 20 years of age (2003 est.)

Costa Rica 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Croatia 19 years of age (2003 est.)

Cuba 17 years of age (2003 est.)

Cyprus 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Czech Republic 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Denmark 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Dominican Republic 18 years of age (2003 est.)

East Timor 18-21 years of age (2003 est.)

Ecuador 20 years of age (2003 est.)

Egypt 20 years of age (2003 est.)

El Salvador 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Estonia 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Ethiopia 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Fiji 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Finland 18 years of age (2003 est.)

France 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Gabon 20 years of age (2003 est.)

Georgia 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Germany 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Ghana 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Greece 21 years of age (2003 est.)

Guatemala 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Haiti 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Honduras 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Hong Kong 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Hungary 18 years of age (2003 est.)

India 17 years of age (2003 est.)

Indonesia 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Iran 21 years of age (2003 est.)

Iraq 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Ireland 17 years of age (2003 est.)

Israel 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Italy 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Jamaica 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Japan 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Jordan 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Kazakhstan 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Korea, North 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Korea, South 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Kuwait 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Kyrgyzstan 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Laos 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Latvia 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Libya 17 years of age (2003 est.)

Lithuania 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Luxembourg 19 years of age (2003 est.)

Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 19 years of age (2003 est.)

Madagascar 20 years of age (2003 est.)

Malaysia 21 years of age (2003 est.)

Mexico 18 years of age note: starting in 2000, females were allowed to volunteer for military service (2003 est.)

Moldova 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Mongolia 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Morocco 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Nepal 17 years of age (2003 est.)

Netherlands 20 years of age (note - age 17 for cadets and midshipmen) (2003 est.)

Netherlands Antilles 20 years of age (2003 est.)

New Zealand 20 years of age (2003 est.)

Nicaragua 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Niger 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Nigeria 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Norway 20 years of age (2003 est.)

Oman 14 years of age (2003 est.)

Pakistan 17 years of age (2003 est.)

Paraguay 17 years of age (2003 est.)

Peru 17 years of age (2003 est.)

Philippines 20 years of age (2003 est.)

Poland 19 years of age (2003 est.)

Portugal 20 years of age (2003 est.)

Qatar 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Reunion 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Romania 20 years of age (2003 est.)

Russia 18 years of age (2003)

Saudi Arabia 17 years of age (2003 est.)

Senegal 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Serbia and Montenegro 19 years of age (2003 est.)

Slovakia 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Slovenia 19 years of age (2003 est.)

South Africa 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Spain 20 years of age (2003 est.)

Sri Lanka 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Sudan 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Sweden 19 years of age (2003 est.)

Switzerland 20 years of age (2003 est.)

Syria 19 years of age (2003 est.)

Taiwan 19 years of age (2003 est.)

Tajikistan 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Thailand 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Tunisia 20 years of age (2003 est.)

Turkey 20 years of age (2003 est.)

Turkmenistan 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Ukraine 18 years of age (2003 est.)

United Arab Emirates 18 years of age (2003 est.)

United States 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Uzbekistan 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Venezuela 18 years of age (2003 est.)

Vietnam 17 years of age (2003 est.)

Yemen 14 years of age (2003 est.)

This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003



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@2025 Military manpower - fit for military service

Afghanistan males age 15-49: 3,837,646 (2003 est.)

Albania males age 15-49: 742,837 (2003 est.)

Algeria males age 15-49: 5,646,418 (2003 est.)

Angola males age 15-49: 1,290,884 (2003 est.)

Argentina males age 15-49: 7,942,837 (2003 est.)

Armenia males age 15-49: 727,770 (2003 est.)

Australia males age 15-49: 4,339,011 (2003 est.)

Austria males age 15-49: 1,725,123 (2003 est.)

Azerbaijan males age 15-49: 1,727,340 (2003 est.)

Bahrain males age 15-49: 121,739 (2003 est.)

Bangladesh males age 15-49: 22,807,339 (2003 est.)

Barbados males age 15-49: 53,282 (2003 est.)

Belarus males age 15-49: 2,158,875 (2003 est.)

Belgium males age 15-49: 2,059,131 (2003 est.)

Belize males age 15-49: 39,337 (2003 est.)

Benin males age 15-49: 805,603 females age 15-49: 809,961 (2003 est.)

Bhutan males age 15-49: 283,493 (2003 est.)

Bolivia males age 15-49: 1,380,883 (2003 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina males age 15-49: 897,856 (2003 est.)

Botswana males age 15-49: 201,402 (2003 est.)

Brazil males age 15-49: 34,347,078 (2003 est.)

Brunei males age 15-49: 63,966 (2003 est.)

Bulgaria males age 15-49: 1,551,485 (2003 est.)

Burkina Faso males age 15-49: 1,506,944 (2003 est.)

Burma males age 15-49: 6,566,122 females age 15-49: 6,553,458 (2003 est.)

Burundi males age 15-49: 723,516 (2003 est.)

Cambodia males age 15-49: 1,829,535 (2003 est.)

Cameroon males age 15-49: 1,928,285 (2003 est.)

Canada males age 15-49: 7,158,016 (2003 est.)

Cape Verde males age 15-49: 53,842 (2003 est.)

Central African Republic males age 15-49: 449,466 (2003 est.)

Chad males age 15-49: 1,015,982 (2003 est.)

Chile males age 15-49: 3,070,140 (2003 est.)

China males age 15-49: 206 million (2003 est.)

Colombia males age 15-49: 7,403,433 (2003 est.)

Comoros males age 15-49: 89,090 (2003 est.)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the males age 15-49: 6,267,752 (2003 est.)

Congo, Republic of the males age 15-49: 381,556 (2003 est.)

Costa Rica males age 15-49: 722,043 (2003 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire males age 15-49: 2,110,276 (2003 est.)

Croatia males age 15-49: 856,946 (2003 est.)

Cuba males age 15-49: 1,923,967 females age 15-49: 1,875,412 (2003 est.)

Cyprus males age 15-49: 138,336 (2003 est.)

Czech Republic males age 15-49: 2,002,202 (2003 est.)

Denmark males age 15-49: 1,094,611 (2003 est.)

Djibouti males age 15-49: 63,459 (2003 est.)

Dominican Republic males age 15-49: 1,453,705 (2003 est.)

East Timor NA

Ecuador males age 15-49: 2,395,178 (2003 est.)

Egypt males age 15-49: 12,867,160 (2003 est.)

El Salvador males age 15-49: 973,884 (2003 est.)

Equatorial Guinea males age 15-49: 59,110 (2003 est.)

Estonia males age 15-49: 283,278 (2003 est.)

Ethiopia males age 15-49: 8,040,381 (2003 est.)

Fiji males age 15-49: 129,432 (2003 est.)

Finland males age 15-49: 1,016,693 (2003 est.)

France males age 15-49: 12,079,413 (2003 est.)

French Guiana males age 15-49: 33,345 (2003 est.)

Gabon males age 15-49: 158,226 (2003 est.)

Gambia, The males age 15-49: 170,904 (2003 est.)

Georgia males age 15-49: 1,028,913 (2003 est.)

Germany males age 15-49: 17,399,936 (2003 est.)

Ghana males age 15-49: 2,911,474 (2003 est.)

Greece males age 15-49: 2,026,409 (2003 est.)

Guatemala males age 15-49: 2,167,270 (2003 est.)

Guinea males age 15-49: 1,038,428 (2003 est.)

Guinea-Bissau males age 15-49: 181,318 (2003 est.)

Guyana males age 15-49: 156,174 (2003 est.)

Haiti males age 15-49: 944,474 (2003 est.)

Honduras males age 15-49: 948,957 (2003 est.)

Hong Kong males age 15-49: 1,524,903 (2003 est.)

Hungary males age 15-49: 2,026,912 (2003 est.)

Iceland males age 15-49: 62,552 (2003 est.)

India males age 15-49: 169 million (2003 est.)

Indonesia males age 15-49: 38,290,550 (2003 est.)

Iran males age 15-49: 12,094,551 (2003 est.)

Iraq males age 15-49: 3,541,467 (2003 est.)

Ireland males age 15-49: 821,378 (2003 est.)

Israel males age 15-49: 1,279,277 females age 15-49: 1,237,926 (2003 est.)

Italy males age 15-49: 12,349,356 (2003 est.)

Jamaica males age 15-49: 528,689 (2003 est.)

Japan males age 15-49: 25,405,779 (2003 est.)

Jordan males age 15-49: 1,113,787 (2003 est.)

Kazakhstan males age 15-49: 3,658,815 (2003 est.)

Kenya males age 15-49: 5,017,501 (2003 est.)

Korea, North males age 15-49: 3,654,223 (2003 est.)

Korea, South males age 15-49: 8,994,941 (2003 est.)

Kuwait males age 15-49: 508,399 (2003 est.)

Kyrgyzstan males age 15-49: 1,026,063 (2003 est.)

Laos males age 15-49: 759,499 (2003 est.)

Latvia males age 15-49: 465,788 (2003 est.)

Lebanon males age 15-49: 630,657 (2003 est.)

Lesotho males age 15-49: 250,560 (2003 est.)

Liberia males age 15-49: 396,725 (2003 est.)

Libya males age 15-49: 914,649 (2003 est.)

Lithuania males age 15-49: 735,536 (2003 est.)

Luxembourg males age 15-49: 93,994 (2003 est.)

Macau males age 15-49: 71,826 (2003 est.)

Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of males age 15-49: 446,726 (2003 est.)

Madagascar males age 15-49: 2,300,587 (2003 est.)

Malawi males age 15-49: 1,347,248 (2003 est.)

Malaysia males age 15-49: 3,672,517 (2003 est.)

Maldives males age 15-49: 43,386 (2003 est.)

Mali males age 15-49: 1,400,711 (2003 est.)

Malta males age 15-49: 79,080 (2003 est.)

Mauritania males age 15-49: 322,288 (2003 est.)

Mauritius males age 15-49: 171,556 (2003 est.)

Mexico males age 15-49: 20,123,970 (2003 est.)

Moldova males age 15-49: 936,629 (2003 est.)

Mongolia males age 15-49: 516,502 (2003 est.)

Morocco males age 15-49: 5,411,846 (2003 est.)

Mozambique males age 15-49: 2,373,444 (2003 est.)

Namibia males age 15-49: 274,015 (2003 est.)

Nauru males age 15-49: 1,762 (2003 est.)

Nepal males age 15-49: 3,467,511 (2003 est.)

Netherlands males age 15-49: 3,536,586 (2003 est.)

Netherlands Antilles males age 15-49: 30,840 (2003 est.)

New Zealand males age 15-49: 859,505 (2003 est.)

Nicaragua males age 15-49: 825,906 (2003 est.)

Niger males age 15-49: 1,288,396 (2003 est.)

Nigeria males age 15-49: 18,259,696 (2003 est.)

Norway males age 15-49: 910,628 (2003 est.)

Oman males age 15-49: 438,326 (2003 est.)

Pakistan males age 15-49: 23,328,575 (2003 est.)

Panama males age 15-49: 544,967 (2003 est.)

Papua New Guinea males age 15-49: 757,421 (2003 est.)

Paraguay males age 15-49: 1,056,437 (2003 est.)

Peru males age 15-49: 5,045,619 (2003 est.)

Philippines males age 15-49: 15,428,043 (2003 est.)

Poland males age 15-49: 8,077,706 (2003 est.)

Portugal males age 15-49: 2,017,678 (2003 est.)

Qatar males age 15-49: 168,416 (2003 est.)

Reunion males age 15-49: 101,116 (2003 est.)

Romania males age 15-49: 4,974,240 (2003 est.)

Russia males age 15-49: 24 million (2003 est.)

Rwanda males age 15-49: 982,909 (2003 est.)

Sao Tome and Principe males age 15-49: 19,443 (2003 est.)

Saudi Arabia males age 15-49: 3,431,281 (2003 est.)

Senegal males age 15-49: 1,256,973 (2003 est.)

Serbia and Montenegro males age 15-49: 2,077,660 (2003 est.)

Seychelles males age 15-49: 11,639 (2003 est.)

Sierra Leone males age 15-49: 596,617 (2003 est.)

Singapore males age 15-49: 1,012,498 (2003 est.)

Slovakia males age 15-49: 1,135,612 (2003 est.)

Slovenia males age 15-49: 413,453 (2003 est.)

Somalia males age 15-49: 1,072,689 (2003 est.)

South Africa males age 15-49: 7,211,075 (2003 est.)

Spain males age 15-49: 8,391,612 (2003 est.)

Sri Lanka males age 15-49: 4,172,921 (2003 est.)

Sudan males age 15-49: 5,558,462 (2003 est.)

Suriname males age 15-49: 72,039 (2003 est.)

Swaziland males age 15-49: 165,005 (2003 est.)

Sweden males age 15-49: 1,800,376 (2003 est.)

Switzerland males age 15-49: 1,552,728 (2003 est.)

Syria males age 15-49: 2,629,148 (2003 est.)

Taiwan males age 15-49: 5,019,268 (2003 est.)

Tajikistan males age 15-49: 1,397,188 (2003 est.)

Tanzania males age 15-49: 4,911,235 (2003 est.)

Thailand males age 15-49: 10,724,565 (2003 est.)

Togo males age 15-49: 666,132 (2003 est.)

Trinidad and Tobago males age 15-49: 233,488 (2003 est.)

Tunisia males age 15-49: 1,629,241 (2003 est.)

Turkey males age 15-49: 11,801,267 (2003 est.)

Turkmenistan males age 15-49: 1,005,686 (2003 est.)

Uganda males age 15-49: 2,974,259 (2003 est.)

Ukraine males age 15-49: 9,597,172 (2003 est.)

United Arab Emirates males age 15-49: 416,963 (2003 est.)

United Kingdom males age 15-49: 12,353,942 (2003 est.)

United States NA

Uruguay males age 15-49: 672,030 (2003 est.)

Uzbekistan males age 15-49: 5,635,099 (2003 est.)

Venezuela males age 15-49: 4,870,751 (2003 est.)

Vietnam males age 15-49: 14,366,732 (2003 est.)

Yemen males age 15-49: 2,493,612 (2003 est.)

Zambia males age 15-49: 1,279,846 (2003 est.)

Zimbabwe males age 15-49: 2,003,572 (2003 est.)

This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003



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@2026 Military manpower - reaching military age annually

Afghanistan males: 275,223 (2003 est.)

Albania males: 36,985 (2003 est.)

Algeria males: 412,545 (2003 est.)

Angola males: 109,752 (2003 est.)

Argentina males: 331,011 (2003 est.)

Armenia males: 37,209 (2003 est.)

Australia males: 142,377 (2003 est.)

Austria males: 49,090 (2003 est.)

Azerbaijan males: 82,925 (2003 est.)

Bahrain males: 6,126 (2003 est.)

Belarus males: 86,654 (2003 est.)

Belgium males: 60,921 (2003 est.)

Belize males: 3,046 (2003 est.)

Benin males: 75,021 females: 78,998 (2003 est.)

Bhutan males: 22,755 (2003 est.)

Bolivia males: 96,003 (2003 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina males: 29,861 (2003 est.)

Botswana males: 20,476 (2003 est.)

Brazil males: 1,744,148 (2003 est.)

Brunei males: 3,277 (2003 est.)

Bulgaria males: 54,107 (2003 est.)

Burma males: 453,420 females: 455,422 (2003 est.)

Burundi males: 79,462 (2003 est.)

Cambodia males: 165,395 (2003 est.)

Cameroon males: 179,586 (2003 est.)

Canada males: 216,488 (2003 est.)

Chad males: 86,953 (2003 est.)

Chile males: 131,324 (2003 est.)

China males: 10,973,761 (2003 est.)

Colombia males: 392,468 (2003 est.)

Congo, Republic of the males: 31,644 (2003 est.)

Costa Rica males: 41,453 (2003 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire males: 198,115 (2003 est.)

Croatia males: 30,096 (2003 est.)

Cuba males: 81,095 females: 87,780 (2003 est.)

Cyprus males: 6,638 (2003 est.)

Czech Republic males: 67,777 (2003 est.)

Denmark males: 28,198 (2003 est.)

Dominican Republic males: 89,073 (2003 est.)

East Timor NA

Ecuador males: 137,433 (2003 est.)

Egypt males: 743,305 (2003 est.)

El Salvador males: 69,534 (2003 est.)

Estonia males: 11,123 (2003 est.)

Ethiopia males: 714,165 (2003 est.)

Fiji males: 9,359 (2003 est.)

Finland males: 31,926 (2003 est.)

France males: 392,824 (2003 est.)

Gabon males: 12,853 (2003 est.)

Georgia males: 43,359 (2003 est.)

Germany males: 472,946 (2003 est.)

Ghana males: 239,742 (2003 est.)

Greece males: 74,650 (2003 est.)

Guatemala males: 151,294 (2003 est.)

Haiti males: 94,349 (2003 est.)

Honduras males: 74,895 (2003 est.)

Hong Kong males: 47,477 (2003 est.)

Hungary males: 64,305 (2003 est.)

India males: 11,035,174 (2003 est.)

Indonesia males: 2,213,727 (2003 est.)

Iran males: 870,711 (2003 est.)

Iraq males: 292,930 (2003 est.)

Ireland males: 31,437 (2003 est.)

Israel males: 51,080 females: 53,496 (2003 est.)

Italy males: 291,529 (2003 est.)

Jamaica males: 27,398 (2003 est.)

Japan males: 725,281 (2003 est.)

Jordan males: 58,840 (2003 est.)

Kazakhstan males: 174,111 (2003 est.)

Korea, North males: 180,875 (2003 est.)

Korea, South males: 345,331 (2003 est.)

Kuwait males: 18,885 (2003 est.)

Kyrgyzstan males: 54,445 (2003 est.)

Laos males: 67,260 (2003 est.)

Latvia males: 19,477 (2003 est.)

Libya males: 61,511 (2003 est.)

Lithuania males: 29,420 (2003 est.)

Luxembourg males: 2,636 (2003 est.)

Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of males: 17,909 (2003 est.)

Madagascar males: 163,864 (2003 est.)

Malaysia males: 218,216 (2003 est.)

Mexico males: 1,093,752 (2003 est.)

Moldova males: 44,084 (2003 est.)

Mongolia males: 32,529 (2003 est.)

Morocco males: 351,671 (2003 est.)

Nepal males: 303,222 (2003 est.)

Netherlands males: 94,034 note: Netherlands has an all-volunteer, 74,100 force in 2001 (2003 est.)

Netherlands Antilles males: 1,643 (2003 est.)

New Zealand males: 26,803 (2003 est.)

Nicaragua males: 59,903 (2003 est.)

Niger males: 119,367 (2003 est.)

Nigeria males: 1,418,099 (2003 est.)

Norway males: 27,249 (2003 est.)

Oman males: 29,485 (2003 est.)

Pakistan males: 1,767,502 (2003 est.)

Paraguay males: 61,706 (2003 est.)

Peru males: 281,717 (2003 est.)

Philippines males: 846,994 (2003 est.)

Poland males: 343,500 (2003 est.)

Portugal males: 67,816 (2003 est.)

Qatar males: 7,192 (2003 est.)

Reunion males: 6,795 (2003 est.)

Romania males: 157,840 (2003 est.)

Russia males: 1.243 million (2003 est.)

Saudi Arabia males: 253,685 (2003 est.)

Senegal males: 116,688 (2003 est.)

Serbia and Montenegro males: 81,547 (2003 est.)

Slovakia males: 44,287 (2003 est.)

Slovenia males: 13,704 (2003 est.)

South Africa males: 471,578 (2003 est.)

Spain males: 255,826 (2003 est.)

Sri Lanka males: 186,691 (2003 est.)

Sudan males: 429,334 (2003 est.)

Sweden males: 52,692 (2003 est.)

Switzerland males: 42,761 (2003 est.)

Syria males: 210,941 (2003 est.)

Taiwan males: 189,967 (2003 est.)

Tajikistan males: 82,490 (2003 est.)

Thailand males: 520,472 (2003 est.)

Tunisia males: 106,513 (2003 est.)

Turkey males: 679,882 (2003 est.)

Turkmenistan males: 53,825 (2003 est.)

Ukraine males: 389,499 (2003 est.)

United Arab Emirates males: 26,636 (2003 est.)

United States males: 2,116,002 (2003 est.)

Uzbekistan males: 310,915 (2003 est.)

Venezuela males: 249,319 (2003 est.)

Vietnam males: 871,036 (2003 est.)

Yemen males: 249,292 (2003 est.)

This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003



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@2028 Background

Afghanistan Afghanistan's recent history is characterized by war and civil unrest. The Soviet Union invaded in 1979, but was forced to withdraw 10 years later by anti-Communist mujahidin forces supplied and trained by the US, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and others. Fighting subsequently continued among the various mujahidin factions, giving rise to a state of warlordism that eventually spawned the Taliban. Backed by foreign sponsors, the Taliban developed as a political force and eventually seized power. The Taliban were able to capture most of the country, aside from Northern Alliance strongholds primarily in the northeast, until US and allied military action in support of the opposition following the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks forced the group's downfall. In late 2001, major leaders from the Afghan opposition groups and diaspora met in Bonn, Germany, and agreed on a plan for the formulation of a new government structure that resulted in the inauguration of Hamid KARZAI as Chairman of the Afghan Interim Authority (AIA) on 22 December 2001. The AIA held a nationwide Loya Jirga (Grand Assembly) in June 2002, and KARZAI was elected President by secret ballot of the Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan (TISA). The Transitional Authority has an 18-month mandate to hold a nationwide Loya Jirga to adopt a constitution and a 24-month mandate to hold nationwide elections. In December 2002, the TISA marked the one-year anniversary of the fall of the Taliban. In addition to occasionally violent political jockeying and ongoing military action to root out remaining terrorists and Taliban elements, the country suffers from enormous poverty, a crumbling infrastructure, and widespread land mines.

Albania Between 1990 and 1992 Albania ended 46 years of xenophobic Communist rule and established a multiparty democracy. The transition has proven difficult as corrupt governments have tried to deal with high unemployment, a dilapidated infrastructure, widespread gangsterism, and disruptive political opponents. International observers judged legislative elections in 2001 to be acceptable and a step toward democratic development, but identified serious deficiencies that should be addressed through reforms in the Albanian electoral code.

Algeria After a century of rule by France, Algeria became independent in 1962. The surprising first round success of the fundamentalist FIS (Islamic Salvation Front) party in the December 1991 balloting caused the army to intervene, crack down on the FIS, and postpone the subsequent elections. The fundamentalist response has resulted in a continuous low-grade civil conflict with the secular state apparatus, which nonetheless has allowed elections featuring pro-government and moderate religious-based parties. The FIS's armed wing, the Islamic Salvation Army, disbanded in January 2000 and many armed militants of other groups surrendered under an amnesty program designed to promote national reconciliation. Nevertheless, small numbers of armed militants persist in confronting government forces and carrying out isolated attacks on villages and other types of terrorist attacks. Other concerns include Berber unrest, large-scale unemployment, a shortage of housing, and the need to diversify the petroleum-based economy.

American Samoa Settled as early as 1000 B.C., Samoa was "discovered" by European explorers in the 18th century. International rivalries in the latter half of the 19th century were settled by an 1899 treaty in which Germany and the US divided the Samoan archipelago. The US formally occupied its portion - a smaller group of eastern islands with the excellent harbor of Pago Pago - the following year.

Andorra For 715 years, from 1278 to 1993, Andorrans lived under a unique co-principality, ruled by the French chief of state and the Spanish bishop of Urgel. In 1993, this feudal system was modified with the titular heads of state retained, but the government transformed into a parliamentary democracy. Long isolated and impoverished, mountainous Andorra achieved considerable prosperity since World War II through its tourist industry. Many immigrants (legal and illegal) are attracted to the thriving economy with its lack of income taxes.

Angola Civil war has been the norm in Angola since independence from Portugal in 1975. A 1994 peace accord between the government and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) provided for the integration of former UNITA insurgents into the government and armed forces. A national unity government was installed in April of 1997, but serious fighting resumed in late 1998, rendering hundreds of thousands of people homeless. Up to 1.5 million lives may have been lost in fighting over the past quarter century. The death of insurgent leader Jonas SAVIMBI in 2002 and a subsequent cease-fire with UNITA may bode well for the country.

Anguilla Colonized by English settlers from Saint Kitts in 1650, Anguilla was administered by Great Britain until the early 19th century, when the island - against the wishes of the inhabitants - was incorporated into a single British dependency, along with Saint Kitts and Nevis. Several attempts at separation failed. In 1971, two years after a revolt, Anguilla was finally allowed to secede; this arrangement was formally recognized in 1980, with Anguilla becoming a separate British dependency.

Antarctica Speculation over the existence of a "southern land" was not confirmed until the early 1820s when British and American commercial operators and British and Russian national expeditions began exploring the Antarctic Peninsula region and other areas south of the Antarctic Circle. Not until 1840 was it established that Antarctica was indeed a continent and not just a group of islands. Several exploration "firsts" were achieved in the early 20th century. Following World War II, there was an upsurge in scientific research on the continent. A number of countries have set up year-round research stations on Antarctica. Seven have made territorial claims, but no other country recognizes these claims. In order to form a legal framework for the activities of nations on the continent, an Antarctic Treaty was negotiated that neither denies nor gives recognition to existing territorial claims; signed in 1959, it entered into force in 1961.

Antigua and Barbuda The Siboney were the first to inhabit the islands of Antigua and Barbuda in 2400 B.C., but Arawak and Carib Indians populated the islands when Columbus landed on his second voyage in 1493. Early settlements by the Spanish and French were succeeded by the English who formed a colony in 1667. Slavery, established to run the sugar plantations on Antigua, was abolished in 1834. The islands became an independent state within the British Commonwealth of Nations in 1981.

Arctic Ocean The Arctic Ocean is the smallest of the world's five oceans (after the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and the recently delimited Southern Ocean). The Northwest Passage (US and Canada) and Northern Sea Route (Norway and Russia) are two important seasonal waterways. A sparse network of air, ocean, river, and land routes circumscribes the Arctic Ocean.

Argentina Following independence from Spain in 1816, Argentina experienced periods of internal political conflict between conservatives and liberals and between civilian and military factions. After World War II, a long period of Peronist authoritarian rule and interference in subsequent governments was followed by a military junta that took power in 1976. Democracy returned in 1983, and numerous elections since then have underscored Argentina's progress in democratic consolidation.

Armenia Armenia prides itself on being the first nation to formally adopt Christianity (early 4th century). Despite periods of autonomy, over the centuries Armenia came under the sway of various empires including the Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Persian, and Ottoman. It was incorporated into Russia in 1828 and the USSR in 1920. Armenian leaders remain preoccupied by the long conflict with Muslim Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh, a primarily Armenian-populated region, assigned to Soviet Azerbaijan in the 1920s by Moscow. Armenia and Azerbaijan began fighting over the area in 1988; the struggle escalated after both countries attained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. By May 1994, when a cease-fire took hold, Armenian forces held not only Nagorno-Karabakh but also a significant portion of Azerbaijan proper. The economies of both sides have been hurt by their inability to make substantial progress toward a peaceful resolution.

Aruba Discovered and claimed for Spain in 1499, Aruba was acquired by the Dutch in 1636. The island's economy has been dominated by three main industries. A 19th century gold rush was followed by prosperity brought on by the opening in 1924 of an oil refinery. The last decades of the 20th century saw a boom in the tourism industry. Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986 and became a separate, autonomous member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Movement toward full independence was halted at Aruba's request in 1990.

Ashmore and Cartier Islands These uninhabited islands came under Australian authority in 1931; formal administration began two years later. Ashmore Reef supports a rich and diverse avian and marine habitat; in 1983, it became a National Nature Reserve. Cartier Island, a former bombing range, is now a marine reserve.

Atlantic Ocean The Atlantic Ocean is the second largest of the world's five oceans (after the Pacific Ocean, but larger than the Indian Ocean, Southern Ocean, and Arctic Ocean). The Kiel Canal (Germany), Oresund (Denmark-Sweden), Bosporus (Turkey), Strait of Gibraltar (Morocco-Spain), and the Saint Lawrence Seaway (Canada-US) are important strategic access waterways. The decision by the International Hydrographic Organization in the spring of 2000 to delimit a fifth world ocean, the Southern Ocean, removed the portion of the Atlantic Ocean south of 60 degrees south.

Australia Australia became a commonwealth of the British Empire in 1901. It was able to take advantage of its natural resources to rapidly develop its agricultural and manufacturing industries and to make a major contribution to the British effort in World Wars I and II. Long-term concerns include pollution, particularly depletion of the ozone layer, and management and conservation of coastal areas, especially the Great Barrier Reef. A referendum to change Australia's status, from a commonwealth headed by the British monarch to a republic, was defeated in 1999.

Austria Once the center of power for the large Austro-Hungarian Empire, Austria was reduced to a small republic after its defeat in World War I. Following annexation by Nazi Germany in 1938 and subsequent occupation by the victorious Allies in 1945, Austria's status remained unclear for a decade. A State Treaty signed in 1955 ended the occupation, recognized Austria's independence, and forbade unification with Germany. A constitutional law that same year declared the country's "perpetual neutrality" as a condition for Soviet military withdrawal. This neutrality, once ingrained as part of the Austrian cultural identity, has been called into question since the Soviet collapse of 1991 and Austria's entry into the European Union in 1995. A prosperous country, Austria entered the European Monetary Union in 1999.

Azerbaijan Azerbaijan - a nation with a Turkic and majority-Muslim population - regained its independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Despite a 1994 cease-fire, Azerbaijan has yet to resolve its conflict with Armenia over the Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh enclave (largely Armenian populated). Azerbaijan has lost 16% of its territory and must support some 800,000 refugees and internally displaced persons as a result of the conflict. Corruption is ubiquitous and the promise of widespread wealth from Azerbaijan's undeveloped petroleum resources remains largely unfulfilled.

Bahamas, The Arawak Indians inhabited the islands when Christopher Columbus first set foot in the New World on San Salvador in 1492. British settlement of the islands began in 1647; the islands became a colony in 1783. Since attaining independence from the UK in 1973, The Bahamas have prospered through tourism and international banking and investment management. Because of its geography, the country is a major transshipment point for illegal drugs, particularly shipments to the US, and its territory is used for smuggling illegal migrants into the US.

Bahrain Bahrain's small size and central location among Persian Gulf countries require it to play a delicate balancing act in foreign affairs among its larger neighbors. Facing declining oil reserves, Bahrain has turned to petroleum processing and refining and has transformed itself into an international banking center. The new amir, installed in 1999, has pushed economic and political reforms and has worked to improve relations with the Shi'a community. In February 2001, Bahraini voters approved a referendum on the National Action Charter - the centerpiece of the amir's political liberalization program. In February 2002, Amir HAMAD bin Isa Al Khalifa proclaimed himself king. In October 2002, Bahrainis elected members of the lower house of Bahrain's reconstituted bicameral legislature, the National Assembly.

Baker Island The US took possession of the island in 1857, and its guano deposits were mined by US and British companies during the second half of the 19th century. In 1935, a short-lived attempt at colonization was begun on this island - as well as on nearby Howland Island - but was disrupted by World War II and thereafter abandoned. Presently the island is a National Wildlife Refuge run by the US Department of the Interior; a day beacon is situated near the middle of the west coast.

Bangladesh Bangladesh came into existence in 1971 when Bengali East Pakistan seceded from its union with West Pakistan. About a third of this extremely poor country floods annually during the monsoon rainy season, hampering economic development.

Barbados The island was uninhabited when first settled by the British in 1627. Slaves worked the sugar plantations established on the island until 1834 when slavery was abolished. The economy remained heavily dependent on sugar, rum, and molasses production through most of the 20th century. The gradual introduction of social and political reforms in the 1940s and 1950s led to complete independence from the UK in 1966. In the 1990s, tourism and manufacturing surpassed the sugar industry in economic importance.

Bassas da India This atoll is a volcanic rock surrounded by reefs and is awash at high tide. A French possession since 1897, it was placed under the administration of a commissioner residing in Reunion in 1968.

Belarus After seven decades as a constituent republic of the USSR, Belarus attained its independence in 1991. It has retained closer political and economic ties to Russia than any of the other former Soviet republics. Belarus and Russia signed a treaty on a two-state union on 8 December 1999 envisioning greater political and economic integration. Although Belarus agreed to a framework to carry out the accord, serious implementation has yet to take place.

Belgium Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830 and was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II. It has prospered in the past half century as a modern, technologically advanced European state and member of NATO and the EU. Tensions between the Dutch-speaking Flemings of the north and the French-speaking Walloons of the south have led in recent years to constitutional amendments granting these regions formal recognition and autonomy.

Belize Territorial disputes between the UK and Guatemala delayed the independence of Belize (formerly British Honduras) until 1981. Guatemala refused to recognize the new nation until 1992. Tourism has become the mainstay of the economy. The country remains plagued by high unemployment, growing involvement in the South American drug trade, and increased urban crime.

Benin Present day Benin was the site of Dahomey, a prominent West African kingdom that rose in the 15th century. The territory became a French Colony in 1872 and achieved independence on 1 August 1960, as the Republic of Benin. A succession of military governments ended in 1972 with the rise to power of Mathieu KEREKOU and the establishment of a government based on Marxist-Leninist principles. A move to representative government began in 1989. Two years later, free elections ushered in former Prime Minister Nicephore SOGLO as president, marking the first successful transfer of power in Africa from a dictatorship to a democracy. KEREKOU was returned to power by elections held in 1996 and 2001, though some irregularities were alleged.

Bermuda Bermuda was first settled in 1609 by shipwrecked English colonists headed for Virginia. Tourism to the island to escape North American winters first developed in Victorian times. Tourism continues to be important to the island's economy, although international business has overtaken it in recent years. Bermuda has developed into a highly successful offshore financial center. A referendum on independence was soundly defeated in 1995.

Bhutan In 1865, Britain and Bhutan signed the Treaty of Sinchulu, under which Bhutan would receive an annual subsidy in exchange for ceding some border land. Under British influence, a monarchy was set up in 1907; three years later, a treaty was signed whereby the British agreed not to interfere in Bhutanese internal affairs and Bhutan allowed Britain to direct its foreign affairs. This role was assumed by independent India after 1947. Two years later, a formal Indo-Bhutanese accord returned the areas of Bhutan annexed by the British, formalized the annual subsidies the country received, and defined India's responsibilities in defense and foreign relations. A refugee issue of some 100,000 Bhutanese in Nepal remains unresolved; 90% of the refugees are housed in seven United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) camps. Maoist Assamese separatists from India, who have established themselves in the southeast portion of Bhutan, have drawn Indian cross-border incursions.

Bolivia Bolivia, named after independence fighter Simon BOLIVAR, broke away from Spanish rule in 1825; much of its subsequent history has consisted of a series of nearly 200 coups and counter-coups. Comparatively democratic civilian rule was established in the 1980s, but leaders have faced difficult problems of deep-seated poverty, social unrest, and drug production. Current goals include attracting foreign investment, strengthening the educational system, resolving disputes with coca growers over Bolivia's counterdrug efforts, continuing the privatization program, and waging an anticorruption campaign.

Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina's declaration of sovereignty in October 1991, was followed by a declaration of independence from the former Yugoslavia on 3 March 1992 after a referendum boycotted by ethnic Serbs. The Bosnian Serbs - supported by neighboring Serbia and Montenegro - responded with armed resistance aimed at partitioning the republic along ethnic lines and joining Serb-held areas to form a "greater Serbia." In March 1994, Bosniaks and Croats reduced the number of warring factions from three to two by signing an agreement creating a joint Bosniak/Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. On 21 November 1995, in Dayton, Ohio, the warring parties initialed a peace agreement that brought to a halt three years of interethnic civil strife (the final agreement was signed in Paris on 14 December 1995). The Dayton Agreement retained Bosnia and Herzegovina's international boundaries and created a joint multi-ethnic and democratic government. This national government was charged with conducting foreign, economic, and fiscal policy. Also recognized was a second tier of government comprised of two entities roughly equal in size: the Bosniak/Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Bosnian Serb-led Republika Srpska (RS). The Federation and RS governments were charged with overseeing internal functions. In 1995-96, a NATO-led international peacekeeping force (IFOR) of 60,000 troops served in Bosnia to implement and monitor the military aspects of the agreement. IFOR was succeeded by a smaller, NATO-led Stabilization Force (SFOR) whose mission is to deter renewed hostilities. SFOR remains in place although troop levels were reduced to approximately 12,000 by the close of 2002.

Botswana Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name upon independence in 1966. Four decades of uninterrupted civilian leadership, progressive social policies, and significant capital investment have created one of the most dynamic economies in Africa. Mineral extraction, principally diamond mining, dominates economic activity, though tourism is a growing sector due to the country's conservation practices and extensive nature preserves. Botswana has the world's highest known rate of HIV/AIDS infection, but also one of Africa's most progressive and comprehensive programs for dealing with the disease.

Bouvet Island This uninhabited volcanic island is almost entirely covered by glaciers and is difficult to approach. It was discovered in 1739 by a French naval officer after whom the island was named. No claim was made until 1825, when the British flag was raised. In 1928, the UK waived its claim in favor of Norway, which had occupied the island the previous year. In 1971, Bouvet Island and the adjacent territorial waters were designated a nature reserve. Since 1977, Norway has run an automated meteorological station on the island.

Brazil Following three centuries under the rule of Portugal, Brazil became an independent nation in 1822. By far the largest and most populous country in South America, Brazil has overcome more than half a century of military intervention in the governance of the country to pursue industrial and agricultural growth and development of the interior. Exploiting vast natural resources and a large labor pool, Brazil is today South America's leading economic power and a regional leader. Highly unequal income distribution remains a pressing problem.

British Indian Ocean Territory Established as a territory of the UK in 1965, a number of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) islands were transferred to the Seychelles when it attained independence in 1976. Subsequently, BIOT has consisted only of the six main island groups comprising the Chagos Archipelago. The largest and most southerly of the islands, Diego Garcia, contains a joint UK-US naval support facility. All of the remaining islands are uninhabited. Former agricultural workers, earlier residents in the islands, were relocated primarily to Mauritius but also to the Seychelles, between 1967 and 1973. In 2000, a British High Court ruling invalidated the local immigration order that had excluded them from the archipelago, but upheld the special military status of Diego Garcia.

British Virgin Islands First settled by the Dutch in 1648, the islands were annexed in 1672 by the English. The economy is closely tied to the larger and more populous US Virgin Islands to the west; the US dollar is the legal currency.

Brunei The Sultanate of Brunei's influence peaked between the 15th and 17th centuries when its control extended over coastal areas of northwest Borneo and the southern Philippines. Brunei subsequently entered a period of decline brought on by internal strife over royal succession, colonial expansion of European powers, and piracy. In 1888, Brunei became a British protectorate; independence was achieved in 1984. The same family has ruled Brunei for over six centuries. Brunei benefits from extensive petroleum and natural gas fields, the source of one of the highest per capita GDPs in the developing world.

Bulgaria The Bulgars, a Central Asian Turkic tribe, merged with the local Slavic inhabitants in the late 7th century to form the first Bulgarian state. In succeeding centuries, Bulgaria struggled with the Byzantine Empire to assert its place in the Balkans, but by the end of the 14th century the country was overrun by the Ottoman Turks. Bulgaria regained its independence in 1878, but having fought on the losing side in both World Wars, it fell within the Soviet sphere of influence and became a People's Republic in 1946. Communist domination ended in 1990, when Bulgaria held its first multiparty election since World War II and began the contentious process of moving toward political democracy and a market economy while combating inflation, unemployment, corruption, and crime. Today, reforms and democratization keep Bulgaria on a path toward eventual integration into NATO and the EU - with which it began accession negotiations in 2000.

Burkina Faso Independence from France came to Burkina Faso (formerly Upper Volta) in 1960. Repeated military coups during the 1970s and 1980s were followed by multiparty elections in the early 1990s. Burkina Faso's high population density and limited natural resources result in poor economic prospects for the majority of its citizens. Every year, several hundred thousand seasonal farm workers seek employment in Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana and are adversely affected by instability in those regions.

Burma Britain conquered Burma over a period of 62 years (1824-1886) and incorporated it into its Indian Empire. Burma was administered as a province of India until 1937 when it became a separate, self-governing colony; independence outside of the Commonwealth was attained in 1948. Gen. NE WIN dominated the government from 1962 to 1988, first as military ruler, then as president, and later as political kingmaker. Despite multiparty elections in 1990 that resulted in the main opposition party winning a decisive victory, the ruling military junta refused to hand over power. Key opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize recipient AUNG SAN SUU KYI, under house arrest from 1989 to 1995, was again placed under house detention from September 2000 to May 2002 and again in May 2003; her supporters are routinely harassed or jailed.

Burundi Burundi's first democratically elected president was assassinated in October 1993 after only four months in office. Since then, some 200,000 Burundians have perished in widespread, often intense ethnic violence between Hutu and Tutsi factions. Hundreds of thousands have been internally displaced or have become refugees in neighboring countries. Burundi troops, seeking to secure their borders, intervened in the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1998. More recently, many of these troops have been redeployed back to Burundi to deal with periodic upsurges in rebel activity. A new transitional government, inaugurated on 1 November 2001, was to be the first step toward holding national elections in three years. While the Government of Burundi signed a cease-fire agreement in December 2002 with three of Burundi's four Hutu rebel groups, implementation of the agreement has been problematic and one rebel group refuses to sign on, clouding prospects for a sustainable peace.

Cambodia Following a five-year struggle, Communist Khmer Rouge forces captured Phnom Penh in 1975 and ordered the evacuation of all cities and towns; over 1 million displaced people died from execution or enforced hardships. A 1978 Vietnamese invasion drove the Khmer Rouge into the countryside and touched off almost 20 years of fighting. UN-sponsored elections in 1993 helped restore some semblance of normalcy as did the rapid diminishment of the Khmer Rouge in the mid-1990s. A coalition government, formed after national elections in 1998, brought renewed political stability and the surrender of remaining Khmer Rouge forces in 1998.