regionName	id	content
Afghanistan	Background	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.
Afghanistan	Location	Southern Asia, north and west of Pakistan, east of Iran
Afghanistan	Geographic coordinates	33 00 N, 65 00 E
Afghanistan	Map references	Asia
Afghanistan	Area	total: 647,500 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 647,500 sq km
Afghanistan	Area - comparative	slightly smaller than Texas
Afghanistan	Land boundaries	total: 5,529 km border countries: China 76 km, Iran 936 km, Pakistan 2,430 km, Tajikistan 1,206 km, Turkmenistan 744 km, Uzbekistan 137 km
Afghanistan	Coastline	0 km (landlocked)
Afghanistan	Maritime claims	none (landlocked)
Afghanistan	Climate	arid to semiarid; cold winters and hot summers
Afghanistan	Terrain	mostly rugged mountains; plains in north and southwest
Afghanistan	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Amu Darya 258 m highest point: Nowshak 7,485 m
Afghanistan	Natural resources	natural gas, petroleum, coal, copper, chromite, talc, barites, sulfur, lead, zinc, iron ore, salt, precious and semiprecious stones
Afghanistan	Land use	arable land: 12.13% permanent crops: 0.22% other: 87.65% (1998 est.)
Afghanistan	Irrigated land	23,860 sq km (1998 est.)
Afghanistan	Natural hazards	damaging earthquakes occur in Hindu Kush mountains; flooding; droughts
Afghanistan	Environment - current issues	limited natural fresh water resources; inadequate supplies of potable water; soil degradation; overgrazing; deforestation (much of the remaining forests are being cut down for fuel and building materials); desertification; air and water pollution
Afghanistan	Environment - international agreements	party to: Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation
Afghanistan	Geography - note	landlocked; the Hindu Kush mountains that run northeast to southwest divide the northern provinces from the rest of the country; the highest peaks are in the northern Vakhan (Wakhan Corridor)
Afghanistan	Population	28,717,213 (July 2003 est.)
Afghanistan	Age structure	0-14 years: 41.8% (male 6,123,971; female 5,868,013) 15-64 years: 55.4% (male 8,240,743; female 7,671,242) 65 years and over: 2.8% (male 427,710; female 385,534) (2003 est.)
Afghanistan	Median age	total: 18.9 years male: 19.1 years female: 18.7 years (2002)
Afghanistan	Population growth rate	3.38% note: this rate does not take into consideration the recent war and its continuing impact (2003 est.)
Afghanistan	Birth rate	40.63 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Afghanistan	Death rate	17.15 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Afghanistan	Net migration rate	10.32 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Afghanistan	Sex ratio	at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.11 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Afghanistan	Infant mortality rate	total: 142.48 deaths/1,000 live births female: 138.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 145.99 deaths/1,000 live births
Afghanistan	Life expectancy at birth	total population: 46.97 years male: 47.67 years female: 46.23 years (2003 est.)
Afghanistan	Total fertility rate	5.64 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Afghanistan	HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate	0.01% (2001 est.)
Afghanistan	HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS	NA
Afghanistan	HIV/AIDS - deaths	NA
Afghanistan	Nationality	noun: Afghan(s) adjective: Afghan
Afghanistan	Ethnic groups	Pashtun 44%, Tajik 25%, Hazara 10%, minor ethnic groups (Aimaks, Turkmen, Baloch, and others) 13%, Uzbek 8%
Afghanistan	Religions	Sunni Muslim 84%, Shi'a Muslim 15%, other 1%
Afghanistan	Languages	Pashtu 35%, Afghan Persian (Dari) 50%, Turkic languages (primarily Uzbek and Turkmen) 11%, 30 minor languages (primarily Balochi and Pashai) 4%, much bilingualism
Afghanistan	Literacy	definition: age 15 and over can read and write female: 21% (1999 est.) total population: 36% male: 51%
Afghanistan	People - note	large numbers of Afghan refugees create burdens on neighboring states
Afghanistan	Country name	conventional long form: Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan conventional short form: Afghanistan local short form: Afghanestan former: Republic of Afghanistan local long form: Dowlat-e Eslami-ye Afghanestan
Afghanistan	Government type	transitional
Afghanistan	Capital	Kabul
Afghanistan	Administrative divisions	32 provinces (velayat, singular - velayat); Badakhshan, Badghis, Baghlan, Balkh, Bamian, Farah, Faryab, Ghazni, Ghowr, Helmand, Herat, Jowzjan, Kabol, Kandahar, Kapisa, Khowst, Konar, Kondoz, Laghman, Lowgar, Nangarhar, Nimruz, Nurestan, Oruzgan, Paktia, Paktika, Parvan, Samangan, Sar-e Pol, Takhar, Vardak, and Zabol
Afghanistan	Independence	19 August 1919 (from UK control over Afghan foreign affairs)
Afghanistan	National holiday	Independence Day, 19 August (1919)
Afghanistan	Constitution	the Bonn Agreement called for a Loya Jirga (Grand Council) to be convened within 18 months of the establishment of the Transitional Authority to draft a new constitution for the country; the basis for the next constitution is the 1964 Constitution, according to the Bonn Agreement
Afghanistan	Legal system	the Bonn Agreement calls for a judicial commission to rebuild the justice system in accordance with Islamic principles, international standards, the rule of law, and Afghan legal traditions
Afghanistan	Suffrage	NA; previously males 15-50 years of age
Afghanistan	Executive branch	note: following the Taliban's refusal to hand over Usama bin LADIN to the US for his suspected involvement in the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks in the US, a US-led international coalition was formed; after several weeks of aerial bombardment by coalition forces and military action on the ground, including Afghan opposition forces, the Taliban was ousted from power on 17 November 2001; in December 2001, a number of prominent Afghans met under UN auspices in Bonn, Germany, to decide on a plan for governing the country; as a result, the Afghan Interim Authority (AIA) - made up of 30 members, headed by a chairman - was inaugurated on 22 December 2001 with a six-month mandate to be followed by a two-year Transitional Authority (TA), after which elections are to be held; the structure of the follow-on TA was announced on 10 June 2002, when the Loya Jirga (Grand Assembly) convened establishing the Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan (TISA), which has 18 months to hold a Loya Jirga to adopt a constitution and 24 months to hold nationwide elections chief of state: President of the TISA, Hamid KARZAI (since 10 June 2002); note - presently the president and head of government head of government: President of the TISA, Hamid KARZAI (since 10 June 2002); note - presently the president and head of government cabinet: the 30-member TISA elections: nationwide elections are to be held by June 2004, according to the Bonn Agreement
Afghanistan	Legislative branch	nonfunctioning as of June 1993
Afghanistan	Judicial branch	the Bonn Agreement called for the establishment of a Supreme Court; there is also a Minister of Justice
Afghanistan	Political parties and leaders	NA; note - political parties in Afghanistan are in flux and many prominent players have plans to create new parties; the Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan (TISA) is headed by President Hamid KARZAI; the TISA is a coalition government formed of leaders from across the Afghan political spectrum; there are also several political factions not holding positions in the Transitional government that are forming new groups and parties in the hopes of participating in 2004 elections
Afghanistan	Political pressure groups and leaders	NA; note - ministries formed under the Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan (TISA) include former influential Afghans, diaspora members, and former political leaders
Afghanistan	International organization participation	AsDB, CP, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, GUUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WToO
Afghanistan	Diplomatic representation in the US	chief of mission: ambassador Seyyed Tayeb JAWAD chancery: 2341 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 FAX: 202-483-6487 consulate(s) general: New York telephone: 202-483-6410
Afghanistan	Diplomatic representation from the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Robert Patrick John FINN; note - embassy in Kabul reopened 16 December 2001, following closure in January 1989 embassy: Great Masood Road, Kabul mailing address: 6180 Kabul Place, Dulles, VA 20189-6180 telephone: [93] (2) 290002, 290005, 290154 FAX: 00932290153
Afghanistan	Flag description	three equal vertical bands of black (hoist), red, and green, with a gold emblem centered on the red band; the emblem features a temple-like structure encircled by a wreath on the left and right and by a bold Islamic inscription above
Afghanistan	Economy - overview	Afghanistan is an extremely poor, landlocked country, highly dependent on foreign aid, farming and livestock raising (sheep and goats), and trade with neighboring countries. Economic considerations have played second fiddle to political and military upheavals during more than two decades of war, including the nearly 10-year Soviet military occupation (which ended 15 February 1989). During that conflict, one-third of the population fled the country, with Pakistan and Iran sheltering a combined peak of 4 to 6 million refugees. Gross domestic product has fallen substantially over the past 20 years because of the loss of labor and capital and the disruption of trade and transport; severe drought added to the nation's difficulties in 1998-2002. The majority of the population continues to suffer from insufficient food, clothing, housing, and medical care, and a dearth of jobs, problems exacerbated by political uncertainties and the general level of lawlessness. International efforts to rebuild Afghanistan were addressed at the Tokyo Donors Conference for Afghan Reconstruction in January 2002, when $4.5 billion was pledged, $1.7 billion for 2002. Of that approximately $900 million was directed to humanitarian aid - food, clothing, and shelter - and another $90 million for the Afghan Transitional Authority. Further World Bank and other aid came in 2003. Priority areas for reconstruction include upgrading education, health, and sanitation facilities; providing income generating opportunities; enhancing administrative and security arrangements, especially in regional areas; developing the agricultural sector; rebuilding transportation, energy, and telecommunication infrastructure; and reabsorbing 2 million returning refugees. The replacement of the opium trade - which may account for one-third of GDP - and the search for oil and gas resources in the northern region are two major long-term issues.
Afghanistan	GDP	purchasing power parity - $19 billion (2002 est.)
Afghanistan	GDP - real growth rate	NA%
Afghanistan	GDP - per capita	purchasing power parity - $700 (2002 est.)
Afghanistan	GDP - composition by sector	agriculture: 60% industry: 20% services: 20% (1990 est.)
Afghanistan	Population below poverty line	NA%
Afghanistan	Household income or consumption by percentage share	lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Afghanistan	Inflation rate (consumer prices)	NA%
Afghanistan	Labor force	10 million (2000 est.)
Afghanistan	Labor force - by occupation	agriculture 80%, industry 10%, services 10% (1990 est.)
Afghanistan	Unemployment rate	NA%
Afghanistan	Budget	revenues: $200 million expenditures: $550 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2003 plan est.)
Afghanistan	Industries	small-scale production of textiles, soap, furniture, shoes, fertilizer, cement; handwoven carpets; natural gas, coal, copper
Afghanistan	Industrial production growth rate	NA%
Afghanistan	Electricity - production	334.8 million kWh (2001)
Afghanistan	Electricity - production by source	fossil fuel: 36.3% hydro: 63.7% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Afghanistan	Electricity - consumption	511.4 million kWh (2001)
Afghanistan	Electricity - exports	0 kWh (2001)
Afghanistan	Electricity - imports	200 million kWh (2001)
Afghanistan	Oil - production	0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Afghanistan	Oil - consumption	3,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Afghanistan	Oil - exports	NA (2001)
Afghanistan	Oil - imports	NA (2001)
Afghanistan	Oil - proved reserves	0 bbl (37257)
Afghanistan	Natural gas - production	220 million cu m (2001 est.)
Afghanistan	Natural gas - consumption	220 million cu m (2001 est.)
Afghanistan	Natural gas - exports	0 cu m (2001 est.)
Afghanistan	Natural gas - imports	0 cu m (2001 est.)
Afghanistan	Natural gas - proved reserves	49.98 billion cu m (37257)
Afghanistan	Agriculture - products	opium, wheat, fruits, nuts, wool, mutton, sheepskins, lambskins
Afghanistan	Exports	$1.2 billion (not including illicit exports) (2001 est.)
Afghanistan	Exports - commodities	opium, fruits and nuts, handwoven carpets, wool, cotton, hides and pelts, precious and semi-precious gems
Afghanistan	Exports - partners	Pakistan 26.8%, India 26.5%, Finland 5.8%, Germany 5.1%, UAE 4.4%, Belgium 4.3%, Russia 4.2%, US 4.2% (2002)
Afghanistan	Imports	$1.3 billion (2001 est.)
Afghanistan	Imports - commodities	capital goods, food, textiles, petroleum products
Afghanistan	Imports - partners	Pakistan 25.1%, South Korea 14.4%, Japan 9.4%, US 9%, Kenya 5.8%, Germany 5.4% (2002)
Afghanistan	Debt - external	NA (1996 est.)
Afghanistan	Economic aid - recipient	international pledges made by more than 60 countries and international financial institutions at the Tokyo Donors Conference for Afghan reconstruction in January 2002 reached $4.5 billion through 2006, with $1.8 billion allocated for 2002; another $1.7 billion was pledged for 2003.
Afghanistan	Currency	afghani (AFA)
Afghanistan	Currency code	AFA
Afghanistan	Exchange rates	afghanis per US dollar - 3,000 (October-December 2002), 3,000 (2001), 3,000 (2000), 3,000 (1999), 3,000 (1998), note: before 2002 the market rate varied widely from the official rate; in 2002 the afghani was revalued and the currency stabilized
Afghanistan	Fiscal year	21 March - 20 March
Afghanistan	Telephones - main lines in use	29,000 (1998)
Afghanistan	Telephones - mobile cellular	NA
Afghanistan	Telephone system	general assessment: very limited telephone and telegraph service domestic: in 1997, telecommunications links were established between Mazar-e Sharif, Herat, Kandahar, Jalalabad, and Kabul through satellite and microwave systems international: satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) linked only to Iran and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region); commercial satellite telephone center in Ghazni
Afghanistan	Radio broadcast stations	AM 7 (6 are inactive; the active station is in Kabul), FM 1, shortwave 1 (broadcasts in Pashtu, Afghan Persian (Dari), Urdu, and English) (1999)
Afghanistan	Television broadcast stations	at least 10 (one government-run central television station in Kabul and regional stations in nine of the 32 provinces; the regional stations operate on a reduced schedule; also, in 1997, there was a station in Mazar-e Sharif reaching four northern Afghanistan provinces) (1998)
Afghanistan	Internet country code	.af
Afghanistan	Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	1 (2000)
Afghanistan	Internet users	NA
Afghanistan	Railways	total: 24.6 km broad gauge: 9.6 km 1.524-m gauge from Gushgy (Turkmenistan) to Towraghondi; 15 km 1.524-m gauge from Termiz (Uzbekistan) to Kheyrabad transshipment point on south bank of Amu Darya (2001)
Afghanistan	Highways	total: 21,000 km paved: 2,793 km unpaved: 18,207 km (1999 est.)
Afghanistan	Waterways	1,200 km note: chiefly Amu Darya, which handles vessels up to 500 DWT (2001)
Afghanistan	Pipelines	gas 651 km (2003)
Afghanistan	Ports and harbors	Kheyrabad, Shir Khan
Afghanistan	Airports	47 (2002)
Afghanistan	Airports - with paved runways	total: 10 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 under 914 m: 1 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
Afghanistan	Airports - with unpaved runways	total: 37 under 914 m: 11 (2002) 914 to 1,523 m: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14
Afghanistan	Heliports	5 (2002)
Afghanistan	Military branches	NA; note - the December 2001 Bonn Agreement called for all militia forces to come under the authority of the central government, but regional leaders have continued to retain their militias and the formation of a nation army will be a gradual process; Afghanistan's forces continue to be factionalized, largely along ethnic lines
Afghanistan	Military manpower - military age	22 years of age (2003 est.)
Afghanistan	Military manpower - availability	males age 15-49: 7,160,603 (2003 est.)
Afghanistan	Military manpower - fit for military service	males age 15-49: 3,837,646 (2003 est.)
Afghanistan	Military manpower - reaching military age annually	males: 275,223 (2003 est.)
Afghanistan	Military expenditures - dollar figure	$525.2 million (FY02)
Afghanistan	Military expenditures - percent of GDP	7.7% (FY02)
Afghanistan	Disputes - international	thousands of Afghan refugees still reside in Iran and Pakistan; isolating terrain and close ties among Pashtuns in Pakistan make cross-border activities difficult to control; prolonged regional drought strains water-sharing arrangements for Amu Darya and Helmand River states
Afghanistan	Illicit drugs	world's largest producer of opium; cultivation of opium poppy - used to make heroin - expanded to 30,750 hectares in 2002, despite eradication; potential opium production of 1,278 metric tons; source of hashish; many narcotics-processing labs throughout the country; drug trade source of instability and some government groups profit from the trade; 80-90% of the heroin consumed in Europe comes from Afghan opium; vulnerable to narcotics money laundering through the hawala system
Afghanistan	Background	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.
Afghanistan	Location	Southern Asia, north and west of Pakistan, east of Iran
Afghanistan	Geographic coordinates	33 00 N, 65 00 E
Afghanistan	Map references	Asia
Afghanistan	Area	total: 647,500 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 647,500 sq km
Afghanistan	Area - comparative	slightly smaller than Texas
Afghanistan	Land boundaries	total: 5,529 km border countries: China 76 km, Iran 936 km, Pakistan 2,430 km, Tajikistan 1,206 km, Turkmenistan 744 km, Uzbekistan 137 km
Afghanistan	Coastline	0 km (landlocked)
Afghanistan	Maritime claims	none (landlocked)
Afghanistan	Climate	arid to semiarid; cold winters and hot summers
Afghanistan	Terrain	mostly rugged mountains; plains in north and southwest
Afghanistan	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Amu Darya 258 m highest point: Nowshak 7,485 m
Afghanistan	Natural resources	natural gas, petroleum, coal, copper, chromite, talc, barites, sulfur, lead, zinc, iron ore, salt, precious and semiprecious stones
Afghanistan	Land use	arable land: 12.13% permanent crops: 0.22% other: 87.65% (1998 est.)
Afghanistan	Irrigated land	23,860 sq km (1998 est.)
Afghanistan	Natural hazards	damaging earthquakes occur in Hindu Kush mountains; flooding; droughts
Afghanistan	Environment - current issues	limited natural fresh water resources; inadequate supplies of potable water; soil degradation; overgrazing; deforestation (much of the remaining forests are being cut down for fuel and building materials); desertification; air and water pollution
Afghanistan	Environment - international agreements	party to: Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation
Afghanistan	Geography - note	landlocked; the Hindu Kush mountains that run northeast to southwest divide the northern provinces from the rest of the country; the highest peaks are in the northern Vakhan (Wakhan Corridor)
Afghanistan	Population	28,717,213 (July 2003 est.)
Afghanistan	Age structure	0-14 years: 41.8% (male 6,123,971; female 5,868,013) 15-64 years: 55.4% (male 8,240,743; female 7,671,242) 65 years and over: 2.8% (male 427,710; female 385,534) (2003 est.)
Afghanistan	Median age	total: 18.9 years male: 19.1 years female: 18.7 years (2002)
Afghanistan	Population growth rate	3.38% note: this rate does not take into consideration the recent war and its continuing impact (2003 est.)
Afghanistan	Birth rate	40.63 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Afghanistan	Death rate	17.15 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Afghanistan	Net migration rate	10.32 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Afghanistan	Sex ratio	at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.11 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Afghanistan	Infant mortality rate	total: 142.48 deaths/1,000 live births female: 138.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 145.99 deaths/1,000 live births
Afghanistan	Life expectancy at birth	total population: 46.97 years male: 47.67 years female: 46.23 years (2003 est.)
Afghanistan	Total fertility rate	5.64 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Afghanistan	HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate	0.01% (2001 est.)
Afghanistan	HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS	NA
Afghanistan	HIV/AIDS - deaths	NA
Afghanistan	Nationality	noun: Afghan(s) adjective: Afghan
Afghanistan	Ethnic groups	Pashtun 44%, Tajik 25%, Hazara 10%, minor ethnic groups (Aimaks, Turkmen, Baloch, and others) 13%, Uzbek 8%
Afghanistan	Religions	Sunni Muslim 84%, Shi'a Muslim 15%, other 1%
Afghanistan	Languages	Pashtu 35%, Afghan Persian (Dari) 50%, Turkic languages (primarily Uzbek and Turkmen) 11%, 30 minor languages (primarily Balochi and Pashai) 4%, much bilingualism
Afghanistan	Literacy	definition: age 15 and over can read and write female: 21% (1999 est.) total population: 36% male: 51%
Afghanistan	People - note	large numbers of Afghan refugees create burdens on neighboring states
Afghanistan	Country name	conventional long form: Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan conventional short form: Afghanistan local short form: Afghanestan former: Republic of Afghanistan local long form: Dowlat-e Eslami-ye Afghanestan
Afghanistan	Government type	transitional
Afghanistan	Capital	Kabul
Afghanistan	Administrative divisions	32 provinces (velayat, singular - velayat); Badakhshan, Badghis, Baghlan, Balkh, Bamian, Farah, Faryab, Ghazni, Ghowr, Helmand, Herat, Jowzjan, Kabol, Kandahar, Kapisa, Khowst, Konar, Kondoz, Laghman, Lowgar, Nangarhar, Nimruz, Nurestan, Oruzgan, Paktia, Paktika, Parvan, Samangan, Sar-e Pol, Takhar, Vardak, and Zabol
Afghanistan	Independence	19 August 1919 (from UK control over Afghan foreign affairs)
Afghanistan	National holiday	Independence Day, 19 August (1919)
Afghanistan	Constitution	the Bonn Agreement called for a Loya Jirga (Grand Council) to be convened within 18 months of the establishment of the Transitional Authority to draft a new constitution for the country; the basis for the next constitution is the 1964 Constitution, according to the Bonn Agreement
Afghanistan	Legal system	the Bonn Agreement calls for a judicial commission to rebuild the justice system in accordance with Islamic principles, international standards, the rule of law, and Afghan legal traditions
Afghanistan	Suffrage	NA; previously males 15-50 years of age
Afghanistan	Executive branch	note: following the Taliban's refusal to hand over Usama bin LADIN to the US for his suspected involvement in the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks in the US, a US-led international coalition was formed; after several weeks of aerial bombardment by coalition forces and military action on the ground, including Afghan opposition forces, the Taliban was ousted from power on 17 November 2001; in December 2001, a number of prominent Afghans met under UN auspices in Bonn, Germany, to decide on a plan for governing the country; as a result, the Afghan Interim Authority (AIA) - made up of 30 members, headed by a chairman - was inaugurated on 22 December 2001 with a six-month mandate to be followed by a two-year Transitional Authority (TA), after which elections are to be held; the structure of the follow-on TA was announced on 10 June 2002, when the Loya Jirga (Grand Assembly) convened establishing the Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan (TISA), which has 18 months to hold a Loya Jirga to adopt a constitution and 24 months to hold nationwide elections chief of state: President of the TISA, Hamid KARZAI (since 10 June 2002); note - presently the president and head of government head of government: President of the TISA, Hamid KARZAI (since 10 June 2002); note - presently the president and head of government cabinet: the 30-member TISA elections: nationwide elections are to be held by June 2004, according to the Bonn Agreement
Afghanistan	Legislative branch	nonfunctioning as of June 1993
Afghanistan	Judicial branch	the Bonn Agreement called for the establishment of a Supreme Court; there is also a Minister of Justice
Afghanistan	Political parties and leaders	NA; note - political parties in Afghanistan are in flux and many prominent players have plans to create new parties; the Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan (TISA) is headed by President Hamid KARZAI; the TISA is a coalition government formed of leaders from across the Afghan political spectrum; there are also several political factions not holding positions in the Transitional government that are forming new groups and parties in the hopes of participating in 2004 elections
Afghanistan	Political pressure groups and leaders	NA; note - ministries formed under the Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan (TISA) include former influential Afghans, diaspora members, and former political leaders
Afghanistan	International organization participation	AsDB, CP, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, GUUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WToO
Afghanistan	Diplomatic representation in the US	chief of mission: ambassador Seyyed Tayeb JAWAD chancery: 2341 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 FAX: 202-483-6487 consulate(s) general: New York telephone: 202-483-6410
Afghanistan	Diplomatic representation from the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Robert Patrick John FINN; note - embassy in Kabul reopened 16 December 2001, following closure in January 1989 embassy: Great Masood Road, Kabul mailing address: 6180 Kabul Place, Dulles, VA 20189-6180 telephone: [93] (2) 290002, 290005, 290154 FAX: 00932290153
Afghanistan	Flag description	three equal vertical bands of black (hoist), red, and green, with a gold emblem centered on the red band; the emblem features a temple-like structure encircled by a wreath on the left and right and by a bold Islamic inscription above
Afghanistan	Economy - overview	Afghanistan is an extremely poor, landlocked country, highly dependent on foreign aid, farming and livestock raising (sheep and goats), and trade with neighboring countries. Economic considerations have played second fiddle to political and military upheavals during more than two decades of war, including the nearly 10-year Soviet military occupation (which ended 15 February 1989). During that conflict, one-third of the population fled the country, with Pakistan and Iran sheltering a combined peak of 4 to 6 million refugees. Gross domestic product has fallen substantially over the past 20 years because of the loss of labor and capital and the disruption of trade and transport; severe drought added to the nation's difficulties in 1998-2002. The majority of the population continues to suffer from insufficient food, clothing, housing, and medical care, and a dearth of jobs, problems exacerbated by political uncertainties and the general level of lawlessness. International efforts to rebuild Afghanistan were addressed at the Tokyo Donors Conference for Afghan Reconstruction in January 2002, when $4.5 billion was pledged, $1.7 billion for 2002. Of that approximately $900 million was directed to humanitarian aid - food, clothing, and shelter - and another $90 million for the Afghan Transitional Authority. Further World Bank and other aid came in 2003. Priority areas for reconstruction include upgrading education, health, and sanitation facilities; providing income generating opportunities; enhancing administrative and security arrangements, especially in regional areas; developing the agricultural sector; rebuilding transportation, energy, and telecommunication infrastructure; and reabsorbing 2 million returning refugees. The replacement of the opium trade - which may account for one-third of GDP - and the search for oil and gas resources in the northern region are two major long-term issues.
Afghanistan	GDP	purchasing power parity - $19 billion (2002 est.)
Afghanistan	GDP - real growth rate	NA%
Afghanistan	GDP - per capita	purchasing power parity - $700 (2002 est.)
Afghanistan	GDP - composition by sector	agriculture: 60% industry: 20% services: 20% (1990 est.)
Afghanistan	Population below poverty line	NA%
Afghanistan	Household income or consumption by percentage share	lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Afghanistan	Inflation rate (consumer prices)	NA%
Afghanistan	Labor force	10 million (2000 est.)
Afghanistan	Labor force - by occupation	agriculture 80%, industry 10%, services 10% (1990 est.)
Afghanistan	Unemployment rate	NA%
Afghanistan	Budget	revenues: $200 million expenditures: $550 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2003 plan est.)
Afghanistan	Industries	small-scale production of textiles, soap, furniture, shoes, fertilizer, cement; handwoven carpets; natural gas, coal, copper
Afghanistan	Industrial production growth rate	NA%
Afghanistan	Electricity - production	334.8 million kWh (2001)
Afghanistan	Electricity - production by source	fossil fuel: 36.3% hydro: 63.7% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Afghanistan	Electricity - consumption	511.4 million kWh (2001)
Afghanistan	Electricity - exports	0 kWh (2001)
Afghanistan	Electricity - imports	200 million kWh (2001)
Afghanistan	Oil - production	0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Afghanistan	Oil - consumption	3,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Afghanistan	Oil - exports	NA (2001)
Afghanistan	Oil - imports	NA (2001)
Afghanistan	Oil - proved reserves	0 bbl (37257)
Afghanistan	Natural gas - production	220 million cu m (2001 est.)
Afghanistan	Natural gas - consumption	220 million cu m (2001 est.)
Afghanistan	Natural gas - exports	0 cu m (2001 est.)
Afghanistan	Natural gas - imports	0 cu m (2001 est.)
Afghanistan	Natural gas - proved reserves	49.98 billion cu m (37257)
Afghanistan	Agriculture - products	opium, wheat, fruits, nuts, wool, mutton, sheepskins, lambskins
Afghanistan	Exports	$1.2 billion (not including illicit exports) (2001 est.)
Afghanistan	Exports - commodities	opium, fruits and nuts, handwoven carpets, wool, cotton, hides and pelts, precious and semi-precious gems
Afghanistan	Exports - partners	Pakistan 26.8%, India 26.5%, Finland 5.8%, Germany 5.1%, UAE 4.4%, Belgium 4.3%, Russia 4.2%, US 4.2% (2002)
Afghanistan	Imports	$1.3 billion (2001 est.)
Afghanistan	Imports - commodities	capital goods, food, textiles, petroleum products
Afghanistan	Imports - partners	Pakistan 25.1%, South Korea 14.4%, Japan 9.4%, US 9%, Kenya 5.8%, Germany 5.4% (2002)
Afghanistan	Debt - external	NA (1996 est.)
Afghanistan	Economic aid - recipient	international pledges made by more than 60 countries and international financial institutions at the Tokyo Donors Conference for Afghan reconstruction in January 2002 reached $4.5 billion through 2006, with $1.8 billion allocated for 2002; another $1.7 billion was pledged for 2003.
Afghanistan	Currency	afghani (AFA)
Afghanistan	Currency code	AFA
Afghanistan	Exchange rates	afghanis per US dollar - 3,000 (October-December 2002), 3,000 (2001), 3,000 (2000), 3,000 (1999), 3,000 (1998), note: before 2002 the market rate varied widely from the official rate; in 2002 the afghani was revalued and the currency stabilized
Afghanistan	Fiscal year	21 March - 20 March
Afghanistan	Telephones - main lines in use	29,000 (1998)
Afghanistan	Telephones - mobile cellular	NA
Afghanistan	Telephone system	general assessment: very limited telephone and telegraph service domestic: in 1997, telecommunications links were established between Mazar-e Sharif, Herat, Kandahar, Jalalabad, and Kabul through satellite and microwave systems international: satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) linked only to Iran and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region); commercial satellite telephone center in Ghazni
Afghanistan	Radio broadcast stations	AM 7 (6 are inactive; the active station is in Kabul), FM 1, shortwave 1 (broadcasts in Pashtu, Afghan Persian (Dari), Urdu, and English) (1999)
Afghanistan	Television broadcast stations	at least 10 (one government-run central television station in Kabul and regional stations in nine of the 32 provinces; the regional stations operate on a reduced schedule; also, in 1997, there was a station in Mazar-e Sharif reaching four northern Afghanistan provinces) (1998)
Afghanistan	Internet country code	.af
Afghanistan	Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	1 (2000)
Afghanistan	Internet users	NA
Afghanistan	Railways	total: 24.6 km broad gauge: 9.6 km 1.524-m gauge from Gushgy (Turkmenistan) to Towraghondi; 15 km 1.524-m gauge from Termiz (Uzbekistan) to Kheyrabad transshipment point on south bank of Amu Darya (2001)
Afghanistan	Highways	total: 21,000 km paved: 2,793 km unpaved: 18,207 km (1999 est.)
Afghanistan	Waterways	1,200 km note: chiefly Amu Darya, which handles vessels up to 500 DWT (2001)
Afghanistan	Pipelines	gas 651 km (2003)
Afghanistan	Ports and harbors	Kheyrabad, Shir Khan
Afghanistan	Airports	47 (2002)
Afghanistan	Airports - with paved runways	total: 10 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 under 914 m: 1 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
Afghanistan	Airports - with unpaved runways	total: 37 under 914 m: 11 (2002) 914 to 1,523 m: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14
Afghanistan	Heliports	5 (2002)
Afghanistan	Military branches	NA; note - the December 2001 Bonn Agreement called for all militia forces to come under the authority of the central government, but regional leaders have continued to retain their militias and the formation of a nation army will be a gradual process; Afghanistan's forces continue to be factionalized, largely along ethnic lines
Afghanistan	Military manpower - military age	22 years of age (2003 est.)
Afghanistan	Military manpower - availability	males age 15-49: 7,160,603 (2003 est.)
Afghanistan	Military manpower - fit for military service	males age 15-49: 3,837,646 (2003 est.)
Afghanistan	Military manpower - reaching military age annually	males: 275,223 (2003 est.)
Afghanistan	Military expenditures - dollar figure	$525.2 million (FY02)
Afghanistan	Military expenditures - percent of GDP	7.7% (FY02)
Afghanistan	Disputes - international	thousands of Afghan refugees still reside in Iran and Pakistan; isolating terrain and close ties among Pashtuns in Pakistan make cross-border activities difficult to control; prolonged regional drought strains water-sharing arrangements for Amu Darya and Helmand River states
Afghanistan	Illicit drugs	world's largest producer of opium; cultivation of opium poppy - used to make heroin - expanded to 30,750 hectares in 2002, despite eradication; potential opium production of 1,278 metric tons; source of hashish; many narcotics-processing labs throughout the country; drug trade source of instability and some government groups profit from the trade; 80-90% of the heroin consumed in Europe comes from Afghan opium; vulnerable to narcotics money laundering through the hawala system
Albania	Background	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.
Albania	Location	Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Ionian Sea, between Greece and Serbia and Montenegro
Albania	Geographic coordinates	41 00 N, 20 00 E
Albania	Map references	Europe
Albania	Area	total: 28,748 sq km water: 1,350 sq km land: 27,398 sq km
Albania	Area - comparative	slightly smaller than Maryland
Albania	Land boundaries	total: 720 km border countries: Greece 282 km, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 151 km, Serbia and Montenegro 287 km
Albania	Coastline	362 km
Albania	Maritime claims	continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation territorial sea: 12 NM
Albania	Climate	mild temperate; cool, cloudy, wet winters; hot, clear, dry summers; interior is cooler and wetter
Albania	Terrain	mostly mountains and hills; small plains along coast
Albania	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m highest point: Maja e Korabit (Golem Korab) 2,753 m
Albania	Natural resources	petroleum, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper, timber, nickel, hydropower
Albania	Land use	arable land: 21.09% permanent crops: 4.45% other: 74.46% (1998 est.)
Albania	Irrigated land	3,400 sq km (1998 est.)
Albania	Natural hazards	destructive earthquakes; tsunamis occur along southwestern coast; floods; drought
Albania	Environment - current issues	deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution from industrial and domestic effluents
Albania	Environment - international agreements	party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Albania	Geography - note	strategic location along Strait of Otranto (links Adriatic Sea to Ionian Sea and Mediterranean Sea)
Albania	Population	3,582,205 (July 2003 est.)
Albania	Age structure	0-14 years: 28.1% (male 520,714; female 486,911) 15-64 years: 64.6% (male 1,115,887; female 1,196,477) 65 years and over: 7.3% (male 115,754; female 146,462) (2003 est.)
Albania	Median age	total: 26.5 years male: 24.8 years female: 28.1 years (2002)
Albania	Population growth rate	1.03% (2003 est.)
Albania	Birth rate	18.2 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Albania	Death rate	6.48 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Albania	Net migration rate	-1.39 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Albania	Sex ratio	at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Albania	Infant mortality rate	total: 37.28 deaths/1,000 live births female: 34.71 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 39.68 deaths/1,000 live births
Albania	Life expectancy at birth	total population: 72.37 years male: 69.53 years female: 75.42 years (2003 est.)
Albania	Total fertility rate	2.22 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Albania	HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate	NA
Albania	HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS	NA
Albania	HIV/AIDS - deaths	NA
Albania	Nationality	noun: Albanian(s) adjective: Albanian
Albania	Ethnic groups	Albanian 95%, Greek 3%, other 2% (Vlach, Gypsy, Serb, and Bulgarian) (1989 est.) note: in 1989, other estimates of the Greek population ranged from 1% (official Albanian statistics) to 12% (from a Greek organization)
Albania	Religions	Muslim 70%, Albanian Orthodox 20%, Roman Catholic 10% note: all mosques and churches were closed in 1967 and religious observances prohibited; in November 1990, Albania began allowing private religious practice
Albania	Languages	Albanian (Tosk is the official dialect), Greek
Albania	Literacy	definition: age 9 and over can read and write total population: 86.5% male: 93.3% female: 79.5% (2003 est.)
Albania	Country name	conventional long form: Republic of Albania conventional short form: Albania local short form: Shqiperia former: People's Socialist Republic of Albania local long form: Republika e Shqiperise
Albania	Government type	emerging democracy
Albania	Capital	Tirana
Albania	Administrative divisions	12 counties (qarqe, singular - qark); Qarku i Beratit, Qarku i Dibres, Qarku i Durresit, Qarku i Elbasanit, Qarku i Fierit, Qarku i Gjirokastres, Qarku i Korces, Qarku i Kukesit, Qarku i Lezhes, Qarku i Shkodres, Qarku i Tiranes, Qarku i Vlores
Albania	Independence	28 November 1912 (from Ottoman Empire)
Albania	National holiday	Independence Day, 28 November (1912)
Albania	Constitution	a constitution was adopted by popular referendum on 28 November 1998; note - the opposition Democratic Party boycotted the vote
Albania	Legal system	has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Albania	Suffrage	18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Albania	Executive branch	chief of state: President of the Republic Alfred MOISIU (since 24 July 2002) head of government: Prime Minister Fatos NANO (since 31 July 2002) cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and approved by the president elections: president elected by the People's Assembly for a five-year term; election last held 24 June 2002 (next to be held NA June 2007); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Alfred MOISIU elected president; People's Assembly vote by number - total votes 116, for 97, against 19
Albania	Legislative branch	unicameral People's Assembly or Kuvendi Popullor (140 seats; 100 are elected by direct popular vote and 40 by proportional vote for four-year terms) elections: last held 24 June 2001 with subsequent rounds on 8 July, 22 July, 29 July, 19 August 2001 (next to be held NA June 2005) election results: percent of vote by party - PS 41.5%, PD and coalition allies 36.8%, NDP 5.2%, PSD 3.6%, PBDNJ 2.6%, PASH 2.6%, PAD 2.5%; seats by party - PS 73, PD and coalition allies 46, NDP 6, PSD 4, PBDNJ 3, PASH 3, PAD 3, independents 2
Albania	Judicial branch	Supreme Court (chairman is elected by the People's Assembly for a four-year term)
Albania	Political parties and leaders	Agrarian Party of Albania or PASH [Lufter XHUVELI]; Christian Democratic Party or PDK [Zef BUSHATI]; Communist Party of Albania or PKSH [Hysni MILLOSHI]; Democratic Alliance or PAD [Nerltan CEKA]; Democratic Party or PD [Sali BERISHA]; Legality Movement Party or PLL [Guri DUROLLARI]; National Front Party (Balli Kombetar) or PBK [Abaz ERMENJI]; Party of National Unity or PUK [Idajet BEQUIRI]; Republican Party or PR [Fatmir MEDIU]; Social Democracy or DS [Paskal MILO]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Skender GJINUSHI]; Socialist Party or PS (formerly the Albanian Party of Labor) [Fatos NANO]; Union for Human Rights Party or PBDNJ [Vasil MELO]
Albania	Political pressure groups and leaders	Omonia [Vangjel DULES]
Albania	International organization participation	ACCT, BSEC, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOMIG, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Albania	Diplomatic representation in the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. Fatos TARIFA FAX: [1] (202) 628-7342 telephone: [1] (202) 223-4942 chancery: 2100 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
Albania	Diplomatic representation from the US	chief of mission: Ambassador James F. JEFFREY embassy: Rruga Elbasanit, Labinoti #103, Tirana mailing address: U. S. Department of State, 9510 Tirana Place, Washington, DC 20521-9510 telephone: [355] (4) 247285 FAX: [355] (4) 232222
Albania	Flag description	red with a black two-headed eagle in the center
Albania	Economy - overview	Poor and backward by European standards, Albania is making the difficult transition to a more modern open-market economy. The government has taken measures to curb violent crime and to spur economic activity and trade. The economy is bolstered by remittances from abroad of $400-$600 million annually, mostly from Greece and Italy; this helps offset the sizable trade deficit. Agriculture, which accounts for half of GDP, is held back because of frequent drought and the need to modernize equipment and consolidate small plots of land. Severe energy shortages are forcing small firms out of business, increasing unemployment, scaring off foreign investors, and spurring inflation. The government plans to boost energy imports to relieve the shortages. In addition, the government is moving to improve the poor national road network, a long-standing barrier to sustained economic growth.
Albania	GDP	purchasing power parity - $15.69 billion (2002 est.)
Albania	GDP - real growth rate	7.3% (2002 est.)
Albania	GDP - per capita	purchasing power parity - $4,400 (2002 est.)
Albania	GDP - composition by sector	agriculture: 49% industry: 27% services: 24% (2002 est.)
Albania	Population below poverty line	30% (2001 est.)
Albania	Household income or consumption by percentage share	lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Albania	Inflation rate (consumer prices)	6% (2002 est.)
Albania	Labor force	1.283 million (not including 352,000 emigrant workers and 261,000 domestically unemployed) (2000 est.)
Albania	Labor force - by occupation	agriculture 50%, industry and services 50%
Albania	Unemployment rate	17% officially; may be as high as 30% (2001 est.)
Albania	Budget	revenues: $697 million expenditures: $1.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $368 million (2002 est.)
Albania	Industries	food processing, textiles and clothing; lumber, oil, cement, chemicals, mining, basic metals, hydropower
Albania	Industrial production growth rate	9% (2000 est.)
Albania	Electricity - production	5.289 billion kWh (2001)
Albania	Electricity - production by source	fossil fuel: 2.9% hydro: 97.1% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Albania	Electricity - consumption	5.898 billion kWh (2001)
Albania	Electricity - exports	221 million kWh (2001)
Albania	Electricity - imports	1.2 billion kWh (2001)
Albania	Oil - production	5,952 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Albania	Oil - consumption	22,400 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Albania	Oil - exports	NA (2001)
Albania	Oil - imports	NA (2001)
Albania	Oil - proved reserves	185.5 million bbl (37257)
Albania	Natural gas - production	30 million cu m (2001 est.)
Albania	Natural gas - consumption	30 million cu m (2001 est.)
Albania	Natural gas - exports	0 cu m (2001 est.)
Albania	Natural gas - imports	0 cu m (2001 est.)
Albania	Natural gas - proved reserves	3.316 billion cu m (37257)
Albania	Agriculture - products	wheat, corn, potatoes, vegetables, fruits, sugar beets, grapes; meat, dairy products
Albania	Exports	$340 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Albania	Exports - commodities	textiles and footwear; asphalt, metals and metallic ores, crude oil; vegetables, fruits, tobacco
Albania	Exports - partners	Italy 76.6%, Germany 5.6%, Greece 2.7% (2002)
Albania	Imports	$1.5 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Albania	Imports - commodities	machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, textiles, chemicals
Albania	Imports - partners	Italy 39.4%, Greece 24.5%, Turkey 6%, Germany 5% (2002)
Albania	Debt - external	$784 million (2000)
Albania	Economic aid - recipient	ODA: $315 million (top donors were Italy, EU, Germany) (2000 est.)
Albania	Currency	lek (ALL)
Albania	Currency code	ALL
Albania	Exchange rates	leke per US dollar - NA (2002), 143.49 (2001), 143.71 (2000), 137.69 (1999), 150.63 (1998)
Albania	Fiscal year	calendar year
Albania	Telephones - main lines in use	120,000 (2001)
Albania	Telephones - mobile cellular	250,000 (2001)
Albania	Telephone system	general assessment: Albania has the poorest telephone service in Europe with fewer than two telephones per 100 inhabitants; it is doubtful that every village has telephone service domestic: obsolete wire system; no longer provides a telephone for every village; in 1992, following the fall of the Communist government, peasants cut the wire to about 1,000 villages and used it to build fences international: inadequate; international traffic carried by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece
Albania	Radio broadcast stations	AM 13, FM 4, shortwave 2 (2001)
Albania	Television broadcast stations	3 (plus 58 repeaters) (2001)
Albania	Internet country code	.al
Albania	Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	10 (2001)
Albania	Internet users	12,000 (2001)
Albania	Railways	total: 447 km standard gauge: 447 km 1.435-m gauge (2002)
Albania	Highways	total: 18,000 km paved: 5,400 km unpaved: 12,600 km (2000)
Albania	Waterways	43 km note: includes Albanian sections of Lake Scutari, Lake Ohrid, and Lake Prespa (1990)
Albania	Pipelines	gas 339 km; oil 207 km (2003)
Albania	Ports and harbors	Durres, Sarande, Shengjin, Vlore
Albania	Merchant marine	total: 13 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 21,954 GRT/34,412 DWT ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 11, roll on/roll off 1, includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Croatia 1, Honduras 1 (2002 est.)
Albania	Airports	12 (2002)
Albania	Airports - with paved runways	total: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002)
Albania	Airports - with unpaved runways	total: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 4 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 over 3,047 m: 1
Albania	Heliports	1 (2002)
Albania	Military branches	Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Interior Ministry Troops, Border Guards
Albania	Military manpower - military age	19 years of age (2003 est.)
Albania	Military manpower - availability	males age 15-49: 906,168 (2003 est.)
Albania	Military manpower - fit for military service	males age 15-49: 742,837 (2003 est.)
Albania	Military manpower - reaching military age annually	males: 36,985 (2003 est.)
Albania	Military expenditures - dollar figure	$56.5 million (FY02)
Albania	Military expenditures - percent of GDP	1.49% (FY02)
Albania	Disputes - international	the Albanian Government calls for the protection of the rights of ethnic Albanians outside its borders in the Kosovo region of Serbia and Montenegro, and in the northern Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, while continuing to seek regional cooperation; some outside ethnic Albanian groups voice union with Albania
Albania	Illicit drugs	increasingly active transshipment point for Southwest Asian opiates, hashish, and cannabis transiting the Balkan route and - to a far lesser extent - cocaine from South America destined for Western Europe; limited opium and growing cannabis production; ethnic Albanian narcotrafficking organizations active and rapidly expanding in Europe; vulnerable to money laundering associated with regional trafficking in narcotics, arms, contraband, and illegal aliens
Albania	Background	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.
Albania	Location	Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Ionian Sea, between Greece and Serbia and Montenegro
Albania	Geographic coordinates	41 00 N, 20 00 E
Albania	Map references	Europe
Albania	Area	total: 28,748 sq km water: 1,350 sq km land: 27,398 sq km
Albania	Area - comparative	slightly smaller than Maryland
Albania	Land boundaries	total: 720 km border countries: Greece 282 km, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 151 km, Serbia and Montenegro 287 km
Albania	Coastline	362 km
Albania	Maritime claims	continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation territorial sea: 12 NM
Albania	Climate	mild temperate; cool, cloudy, wet winters; hot, clear, dry summers; interior is cooler and wetter
Albania	Terrain	mostly mountains and hills; small plains along coast
Albania	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m highest point: Maja e Korabit (Golem Korab) 2,753 m
Albania	Natural resources	petroleum, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper, timber, nickel, hydropower
Albania	Land use	arable land: 21.09% permanent crops: 4.45% other: 74.46% (1998 est.)
Albania	Irrigated land	3,400 sq km (1998 est.)
Albania	Natural hazards	destructive earthquakes; tsunamis occur along southwestern coast; floods; drought
Albania	Environment - current issues	deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution from industrial and domestic effluents
Albania	Environment - international agreements	party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Albania	Geography - note	strategic location along Strait of Otranto (links Adriatic Sea to Ionian Sea and Mediterranean Sea)
Albania	Population	3,582,205 (July 2003 est.)
Albania	Age structure	0-14 years: 28.1% (male 520,714; female 486,911) 15-64 years: 64.6% (male 1,115,887; female 1,196,477) 65 years and over: 7.3% (male 115,754; female 146,462) (2003 est.)
Albania	Median age	total: 26.5 years male: 24.8 years female: 28.1 years (2002)
Albania	Population growth rate	1.03% (2003 est.)
Albania	Birth rate	18.2 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Albania	Death rate	6.48 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Albania	Net migration rate	-1.39 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Albania	Sex ratio	at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Albania	Infant mortality rate	total: 37.28 deaths/1,000 live births female: 34.71 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 39.68 deaths/1,000 live births
Albania	Life expectancy at birth	total population: 72.37 years male: 69.53 years female: 75.42 years (2003 est.)
Albania	Total fertility rate	2.22 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Albania	HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate	NA
Albania	HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS	NA
Albania	HIV/AIDS - deaths	NA
Albania	Nationality	noun: Albanian(s) adjective: Albanian
Albania	Ethnic groups	Albanian 95%, Greek 3%, other 2% (Vlach, Gypsy, Serb, and Bulgarian) (1989 est.) note: in 1989, other estimates of the Greek population ranged from 1% (official Albanian statistics) to 12% (from a Greek organization)
Albania	Religions	Muslim 70%, Albanian Orthodox 20%, Roman Catholic 10% note: all mosques and churches were closed in 1967 and religious observances prohibited; in November 1990, Albania began allowing private religious practice
Albania	Languages	Albanian (Tosk is the official dialect), Greek
Albania	Literacy	definition: age 9 and over can read and write total population: 86.5% male: 93.3% female: 79.5% (2003 est.)
Albania	Country name	conventional long form: Republic of Albania conventional short form: Albania local short form: Shqiperia former: People's Socialist Republic of Albania local long form: Republika e Shqiperise
Albania	Government type	emerging democracy
Albania	Capital	Tirana
Albania	Administrative divisions	12 counties (qarqe, singular - qark); Qarku i Beratit, Qarku i Dibres, Qarku i Durresit, Qarku i Elbasanit, Qarku i Fierit, Qarku i Gjirokastres, Qarku i Korces, Qarku i Kukesit, Qarku i Lezhes, Qarku i Shkodres, Qarku i Tiranes, Qarku i Vlores
Albania	Independence	28 November 1912 (from Ottoman Empire)
Albania	National holiday	Independence Day, 28 November (1912)
Albania	Constitution	a constitution was adopted by popular referendum on 28 November 1998; note - the opposition Democratic Party boycotted the vote
Albania	Legal system	has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Albania	Suffrage	18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Albania	Executive branch	chief of state: President of the Republic Alfred MOISIU (since 24 July 2002) head of government: Prime Minister Fatos NANO (since 31 July 2002) cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and approved by the president elections: president elected by the People's Assembly for a five-year term; election last held 24 June 2002 (next to be held NA June 2007); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Alfred MOISIU elected president; People's Assembly vote by number - total votes 116, for 97, against 19
Albania	Legislative branch	unicameral People's Assembly or Kuvendi Popullor (140 seats; 100 are elected by direct popular vote and 40 by proportional vote for four-year terms) elections: last held 24 June 2001 with subsequent rounds on 8 July, 22 July, 29 July, 19 August 2001 (next to be held NA June 2005) election results: percent of vote by party - PS 41.5%, PD and coalition allies 36.8%, NDP 5.2%, PSD 3.6%, PBDNJ 2.6%, PASH 2.6%, PAD 2.5%; seats by party - PS 73, PD and coalition allies 46, NDP 6, PSD 4, PBDNJ 3, PASH 3, PAD 3, independents 2
Albania	Judicial branch	Supreme Court (chairman is elected by the People's Assembly for a four-year term)
Albania	Political parties and leaders	Agrarian Party of Albania or PASH [Lufter XHUVELI]; Christian Democratic Party or PDK [Zef BUSHATI]; Communist Party of Albania or PKSH [Hysni MILLOSHI]; Democratic Alliance or PAD [Nerltan CEKA]; Democratic Party or PD [Sali BERISHA]; Legality Movement Party or PLL [Guri DUROLLARI]; National Front Party (Balli Kombetar) or PBK [Abaz ERMENJI]; Party of National Unity or PUK [Idajet BEQUIRI]; Republican Party or PR [Fatmir MEDIU]; Social Democracy or DS [Paskal MILO]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Skender GJINUSHI]; Socialist Party or PS (formerly the Albanian Party of Labor) [Fatos NANO]; Union for Human Rights Party or PBDNJ [Vasil MELO]
Albania	Political pressure groups and leaders	Omonia [Vangjel DULES]
Albania	International organization participation	ACCT, BSEC, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOMIG, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Albania	Diplomatic representation in the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. Fatos TARIFA FAX: [1] (202) 628-7342 telephone: [1] (202) 223-4942 chancery: 2100 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
Albania	Diplomatic representation from the US	chief of mission: Ambassador James F. JEFFREY embassy: Rruga Elbasanit, Labinoti #103, Tirana mailing address: U. S. Department of State, 9510 Tirana Place, Washington, DC 20521-9510 telephone: [355] (4) 247285 FAX: [355] (4) 232222
Albania	Flag description	red with a black two-headed eagle in the center
Albania	Economy - overview	Poor and backward by European standards, Albania is making the difficult transition to a more modern open-market economy. The government has taken measures to curb violent crime and to spur economic activity and trade. The economy is bolstered by remittances from abroad of $400-$600 million annually, mostly from Greece and Italy; this helps offset the sizable trade deficit. Agriculture, which accounts for half of GDP, is held back because of frequent drought and the need to modernize equipment and consolidate small plots of land. Severe energy shortages are forcing small firms out of business, increasing unemployment, scaring off foreign investors, and spurring inflation. The government plans to boost energy imports to relieve the shortages. In addition, the government is moving to improve the poor national road network, a long-standing barrier to sustained economic growth.
Albania	GDP	purchasing power parity - $15.69 billion (2002 est.)
Albania	GDP - real growth rate	7.3% (2002 est.)
Albania	GDP - per capita	purchasing power parity - $4,400 (2002 est.)
Albania	GDP - composition by sector	agriculture: 49% industry: 27% services: 24% (2002 est.)
Albania	Population below poverty line	30% (2001 est.)
Albania	Household income or consumption by percentage share	lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Albania	Inflation rate (consumer prices)	6% (2002 est.)
Albania	Labor force	1.283 million (not including 352,000 emigrant workers and 261,000 domestically unemployed) (2000 est.)
Albania	Labor force - by occupation	agriculture 50%, industry and services 50%
Albania	Unemployment rate	17% officially; may be as high as 30% (2001 est.)
Albania	Budget	revenues: $697 million expenditures: $1.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $368 million (2002 est.)
Albania	Industries	food processing, textiles and clothing; lumber, oil, cement, chemicals, mining, basic metals, hydropower
Albania	Industrial production growth rate	9% (2000 est.)
Albania	Electricity - production	5.289 billion kWh (2001)
Albania	Electricity - production by source	fossil fuel: 2.9% hydro: 97.1% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Albania	Electricity - consumption	5.898 billion kWh (2001)
Albania	Electricity - exports	221 million kWh (2001)
Albania	Electricity - imports	1.2 billion kWh (2001)
Albania	Oil - production	5,952 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Albania	Oil - consumption	22,400 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Albania	Oil - exports	NA (2001)
Albania	Oil - imports	NA (2001)
Albania	Oil - proved reserves	185.5 million bbl (37257)
Albania	Natural gas - production	30 million cu m (2001 est.)
Albania	Natural gas - consumption	30 million cu m (2001 est.)
Albania	Natural gas - exports	0 cu m (2001 est.)
Albania	Natural gas - imports	0 cu m (2001 est.)
Albania	Natural gas - proved reserves	3.316 billion cu m (37257)
Albania	Agriculture - products	wheat, corn, potatoes, vegetables, fruits, sugar beets, grapes; meat, dairy products
Albania	Exports	$340 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Albania	Exports - commodities	textiles and footwear; asphalt, metals and metallic ores, crude oil; vegetables, fruits, tobacco
Albania	Exports - partners	Italy 76.6%, Germany 5.6%, Greece 2.7% (2002)
Albania	Imports	$1.5 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Albania	Imports - commodities	machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, textiles, chemicals
Albania	Imports - partners	Italy 39.4%, Greece 24.5%, Turkey 6%, Germany 5% (2002)
Albania	Debt - external	$784 million (2000)
Albania	Economic aid - recipient	ODA: $315 million (top donors were Italy, EU, Germany) (2000 est.)
Albania	Currency	lek (ALL)
Albania	Currency code	ALL
Albania	Exchange rates	leke per US dollar - NA (2002), 143.49 (2001), 143.71 (2000), 137.69 (1999), 150.63 (1998)
Albania	Fiscal year	calendar year
Albania	Telephones - main lines in use	120,000 (2001)
Albania	Telephones - mobile cellular	250,000 (2001)
Albania	Telephone system	general assessment: Albania has the poorest telephone service in Europe with fewer than two telephones per 100 inhabitants; it is doubtful that every village has telephone service domestic: obsolete wire system; no longer provides a telephone for every village; in 1992, following the fall of the Communist government, peasants cut the wire to about 1,000 villages and used it to build fences international: inadequate; international traffic carried by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece
Albania	Radio broadcast stations	AM 13, FM 4, shortwave 2 (2001)
Albania	Television broadcast stations	3 (plus 58 repeaters) (2001)
Albania	Internet country code	.al
Albania	Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	10 (2001)
Albania	Internet users	12,000 (2001)
Albania	Railways	total: 447 km standard gauge: 447 km 1.435-m gauge (2002)
Albania	Highways	total: 18,000 km paved: 5,400 km unpaved: 12,600 km (2000)
Albania	Waterways	43 km note: includes Albanian sections of Lake Scutari, Lake Ohrid, and Lake Prespa (1990)
Albania	Pipelines	gas 339 km; oil 207 km (2003)
Albania	Ports and harbors	Durres, Sarande, Shengjin, Vlore
Albania	Merchant marine	total: 13 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 21,954 GRT/34,412 DWT ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 11, roll on/roll off 1, includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Croatia 1, Honduras 1 (2002 est.)
Albania	Airports	12 (2002)
Albania	Airports - with paved runways	total: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002)
Albania	Airports - with unpaved runways	total: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 4 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 over 3,047 m: 1
Albania	Heliports	1 (2002)
Albania	Military branches	Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Interior Ministry Troops, Border Guards
Albania	Military manpower - military age	19 years of age (2003 est.)
Albania	Military manpower - availability	males age 15-49: 906,168 (2003 est.)
Albania	Military manpower - fit for military service	males age 15-49: 742,837 (2003 est.)
Albania	Military manpower - reaching military age annually	males: 36,985 (2003 est.)
Albania	Military expenditures - dollar figure	$56.5 million (FY02)
Albania	Military expenditures - percent of GDP	1.49% (FY02)
Albania	Disputes - international	the Albanian Government calls for the protection of the rights of ethnic Albanians outside its borders in the Kosovo region of Serbia and Montenegro, and in the northern Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, while continuing to seek regional cooperation; some outside ethnic Albanian groups voice union with Albania
Albania	Illicit drugs	increasingly active transshipment point for Southwest Asian opiates, hashish, and cannabis transiting the Balkan route and - to a far lesser extent - cocaine from South America destined for Western Europe; limited opium and growing cannabis production; ethnic Albanian narcotrafficking organizations active and rapidly expanding in Europe; vulnerable to money laundering associated with regional trafficking in narcotics, arms, contraband, and illegal aliens
Algeria	Background	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.
Algeria	Location	Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Morocco and Tunisia
Algeria	Geographic coordinates	28 00 N, 3 00 E
Algeria	Map references	Africa
Algeria	Area	total: 2,381,740 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 2,381,740 sq km
Algeria	Area - comparative	slightly less than 3.5 times the size of Texas
Algeria	Land boundaries	total: 6,343 km border countries: Libya 982 km, Mali 1,376 km, Mauritania 463 km, Morocco 1,559 km, Niger 956 km, Tunisia 965 km, Western Sahara 42 km
Algeria	Coastline	998 km
Algeria	Maritime claims	exclusive fishing zone: 32-52 NM territorial sea: 12 NM
Algeria	Climate	arid to semiarid; mild, wet winters with hot, dry summers along coast; drier with cold winters and hot summers on high plateau; sirocco is a hot, dust/sand-laden wind especially common in summer
Algeria	Terrain	mostly high plateau and desert; some mountains; narrow, discontinuous coastal plain
Algeria	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Chott Melrhir -40 m highest point: Tahat 3,003 m
Algeria	Natural resources	petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, uranium, lead, zinc
Algeria	Land use	arable land: 3.21% permanent crops: 0.21% other: 96.58% (1998 est.)
Algeria	Irrigated land	5,600 sq km (1998 est.)
Algeria	Natural hazards	mountainous areas subject to severe earthquakes; mudslides and floods in rainy season
Algeria	Environment - current issues	soil erosion from overgrazing and other poor farming practices; desertification; dumping of raw sewage, petroleum refining wastes, and other industrial effluents is leading to the pollution of rivers and coastal waters; Mediterranean Sea, in particular, becoming polluted from oil wastes, soil erosion, and fertilizer runoff; inadequate supplies of potable water
Algeria	Environment - international agreements	party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Nuclear Test Ban
Algeria	Geography - note	second-largest country in Africa (after Sudan)
Algeria	Population	32,818,500 (July 2003 est.)
Algeria	Age structure	0-14 years: 32.8% (male 5,485,197; female 5,285,434) 15-64 years: 63% (male 10,460,475; female 10,224,389) 65 years and over: 4.2% (male 624,839; female 738,166) (2003 est.)
Algeria	Median age	total: 22.5 years male: 22.3 years female: 22.6 years (2002)
Algeria	Population growth rate	1.65% (2003 est.)
Algeria	Birth rate	21.94 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Algeria	Death rate	5.09 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Algeria	Net migration rate	-0.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Algeria	Sex ratio	at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Algeria	Infant mortality rate	total: 37.74 deaths/1,000 live births female: 35.02 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 40.34 deaths/1,000 live births
Algeria	Life expectancy at birth	total population: 70.54 years male: 69.14 years female: 72.01 years (2003 est.)
Algeria	Total fertility rate	2.55 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Algeria	HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate	0.1% - note: no country specific models provided (2001 est.)
Algeria	HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS	NA
Algeria	HIV/AIDS - deaths	NA
Algeria	Nationality	noun: Algerian(s) adjective: Algerian
Algeria	Ethnic groups	Arab-Berber 99%, European less than 1%
Algeria	Religions	Sunni Muslim (state religion) 99%, Christian and Jewish 1%
Algeria	Languages	Arabic (official), French, Berber dialects
Algeria	Literacy	definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 70% male: 78.8% female: 61% (2003 est.)
Algeria	Country name	conventional long form: People's Democratic Republic of Algeria conventional short form: Algeria local short form: Al Jaza'ir local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Jaza'iriyah ad Dimuqratiyah ash Sha'biyah
Algeria	Government type	republic
Algeria	Capital	Algiers
Algeria	Administrative divisions	48 provinces (wilayas, singular - wilaya); Adrar, Ain Defla, Ain Temouchent, Alger, Annaba, Batna, Bechar, Bejaia, Biskra, Blida, Bordj Bou Arreridj, Bouira, Boumerdes, Chlef, Constantine, Djelfa, El Bayadh, El Oued, El Tarf, Ghardaia, Guelma, Illizi, Jijel, Khenchela, Laghouat, Mascara, Medea, Mila, Mostaganem, M'Sila, Naama, Oran, Ouargla, Oum el Bouaghi, Relizane, Saida, Setif, Sidi Bel Abbes, Skikda, Souk Ahras, Tamanghasset, Tebessa, Tiaret, Tindouf, Tipaza, Tissemsilt, Tizi Ouzou, Tlemcen
Algeria	Independence	5 July 1962 (from France)
Algeria	National holiday	Revolution Day, 1 November (1954)
Algeria	Constitution	19 November 1976, effective 22 November 1976; revised 3 November 1988, 23 February 1989, and 28 November 1996
Algeria	Legal system	socialist, based on French and Islamic law; judicial review of legislative acts in ad hoc Constitutional Council composed of various public officials, including several Supreme Court justices; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Algeria	Suffrage	18 years of age; universal
Algeria	Executive branch	chief of state: President Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA (since 28 April 1999) head of government: Prime Minister Ahmed OUYAHIA (since 9 May 2003) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 15 April 1999 (next to be held NA April 2004); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA elected president; percent of vote - Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA over 70%; note - his six opposing candidates withdrew on the eve of the election citing electoral fraud
Algeria	Legislative branch	bicameral Parliament consists of the National People's Assembly or Al-Majlis Ech-Chaabi Al-Watani (389 seats - changed from 380 seats in the 2002 elections; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the Council of Nations (144 seats; one-third of the members appointed by the president, two-thirds elected by indirect vote; members serve six-year terms; the constitution requires half the council to be renewed every three years) elections: National People's Assembly - last held 30 May 2002 (next to be held NA 2007); Council of Nations - last held 30 December 2000 (next to be held NA 2003) election results: National People's Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - FLN 199, RND 48, MRN 43, MSP 38, PT 21, FNA 8, Nahda 1, PRA 1, MEN 1, independents 29; Council of Nations - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - RND 79, FLN 12, FFS 4, MSP 1 (remaining 48 seats appointed by the president, party breakdown NA)
Algeria	Judicial branch	Supreme Court or Cour Supreme
Algeria	Political parties and leaders	Algerian National Front or FNA [Moussa TOUATI]; Democratic National Rally or RND [Ahmed OUYAHIA, chairman]; Islamic Salvation Front or FIS (outlawed April 1992) [Ali BELHADJ and Dr. Abassi MADANI, Rabeh KEBIR (self-exile in Germany)]; Society of Peace Movement or MSP [Boujerra SOLTANI]; National Entente Movement or MEN [Ali BOUKHAZNA]; National Liberation Front or FLN [Ali BENFLIS, secretary general]; National Reform Movement or MRN [Abdellah DJABALLAH]; National Renewal Party or PRA [leader NA]; Progressive Republican Party [Khadir DRISS]; Rally for Culture and Democracy or RCD [Said SAADI, secretary general]; Renaissance Movement or EnNahda Movement [Lahbib ADAMI]; Social Liberal Party or PSL [Ahmed KHELIL]; Socialist Forces Front or FFS [Hocine Ait AHMED, secretary general (self-exile in Switzerland)]; Union for Democracy and Liberty [Mouley BOUKHALAFA]; Workers Party or PT [Louisa HANOUN] note: a law banning political parties based on religion was enacted in March 1997
Algeria	Political pressure groups and leaders	NA
Algeria	International organization participation	ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, ECA, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MONUC, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OAU, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, OSCE (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer)
Algeria	Diplomatic representation in the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Idriss JAZAIRY chancery: 2137 Wyoming Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008 FAX: [1] (202) 667-2174 telephone: [1] (202) 265-2800
Algeria	Diplomatic representation from the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Richard W. ERDMAN (as of 10 July 2003) embassy: 4 Chemin Cheikh Bachir El-Ibrahimi, Algiers mailing address: B. P. Box 549, Alger-Gare, 16000 Algiers telephone: [213] (21) 691-425/255/186 FAX: [213] (21) 69-39-79
Algeria	Flag description	two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and white; a red, five-pointed star within a red crescent centered over the two-color boundary; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam (the state religion)
Algeria	Economy - overview	The hydrocarbons sector is the backbone of the economy, accounting for roughly 60% of budget revenues, 30% of GDP, and over 95% of export earnings. Algeria has the fifth-largest reserves of natural gas in the world and is the second-largest gas exporter; it ranks 14th in oil reserves. Algeria's financial and economic indicators improved during the mid-1990s, in part because of policy reforms supported by the IMF and debt rescheduling from the Paris Club. Algeria's finances in 2000-03 benefited from substantial trade surpluses, record foreign exchange reserves, and reductions in foreign debt. Real GDP has risen due to higher oil output and increased government spending. The government's continued efforts to diversify the economy by attracting foreign and domestic investment outside the energy sector, however, has had little success in reducing high unemployment and improving living standards.
Algeria	GDP	purchasing power parity - $173.8 billion (2002 est.)
Algeria	GDP - real growth rate	3.3% (2002 est.)
Algeria	GDP - per capita	purchasing power parity - $5,400 (2002 est.)
Algeria	GDP - composition by sector	agriculture: 8% industry: 60% services: 32% (2002 est.)
Algeria	Population below poverty line	23% (1999 est.)
Algeria	Household income or consumption by percentage share	lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 26.8% (1995)
Algeria	Distribution of family income - Gini index	35.3 (1995)
Algeria	Inflation rate (consumer prices)	3% (2002 est.)
Algeria	Labor force	9.4 million (2001 est.)
Algeria	Labor force - by occupation	government 29%, agriculture 25%, construction and public works 15%, industry 11%, other 20% (1996 est.)
Algeria	Unemployment rate	31% (2002 est.)
Algeria	Budget	revenues: $20.3 billion expenditures: $18.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $5.8 billion (2001 est.)
Algeria	Industries	petroleum, natural gas, light industries, mining, electrical, petrochemical, food processing
Algeria	Industrial production growth rate	6% (2001 est.)
Algeria	Electricity - production	24.69 billion kWh (2001)
Algeria	Electricity - production by source	fossil fuel: 99.7% hydro: 0.3% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Algeria	Electricity - consumption	22.9 billion kWh (2001)
Algeria	Electricity - exports	340 million kWh (2001)
Algeria	Electricity - imports	275 million kWh (2001)
Algeria	Oil - production	1.52 million bbl/day (2001 est.)
Algeria	Oil - consumption	209,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Algeria	Oil - exports	NA (2001)
Algeria	Oil - imports	NA (2001)
Algeria	Oil - proved reserves	13.1 billion bbl (37257)
Algeria	Natural gas - production	80.3 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Algeria	Natural gas - consumption	22.32 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Algeria	Natural gas - exports	57.98 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Algeria	Natural gas - imports	0 cu m (2001 est.)
Algeria	Natural gas - proved reserves	4.739 trillion cu m (37257)
Algeria	Agriculture - products	wheat, barley, oats, grapes, olives, citrus, fruits; sheep, cattle
Algeria	Exports	$19.5 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Algeria	Exports - commodities	petroleum, natural gas, and petroleum products 97%
Algeria	Exports - partners	Italy 18.9%, Spain 13.1%, France 13%, US 12.1%, Netherlands 6%, Brazil 5.9%, Canada 5.7%, Turkey 5.3%, Belgium 5.1% (2002)
Algeria	Imports	$10.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Algeria	Imports - commodities	capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods
Algeria	Imports - partners	France 31%, Italy 10%, US 8.3%, Germany 6.6%, Spain 5.9%, Turkey 4.2% (2002)
Algeria	Debt - external	$21.6 billion (2002 est.)
Algeria	Economic aid - recipient	$162 million (2000 est.)
Algeria	Currency	Algerian dinar (DZD)
Algeria	Currency code	DZD
Algeria	Exchange rates	Algerian dinars per US dollar - 79.68 (2002), 77.22 (2001), 75.26 (2000), 66.57 (1999), 58.74 (1998)
Algeria	Fiscal year	calendar year
Algeria	Telephones - main lines in use	2.3 million (1998)
Algeria	Telephones - mobile cellular	33,500 (1999)
Algeria	Telephone system	general assessment: telephone density in Algeria is very low, not exceeding five telephones per 100 persons; the number of fixed main lines increased in the last few years to a little more than 2,000,000, but only about two-thirds of these have subscribers; much of the infrastructure is outdated and inefficient domestic: good service in north but sparse in south; domestic satellite system with 12 earth stations (20 additional domestic earth stations are planned) international: 5 submarine cables; microwave radio relay to Italy, France, Spain, Morocco, and Tunisia; coaxial cable to Morocco and Tunisia; participant in Medarabtel; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Intersputnik, and 1 Arabsat (1998)
Algeria	Radio broadcast stations	AM 25, FM 1, shortwave 8 (1999)
Algeria	Television broadcast stations	46 (plus 216 repeaters) (1995)
Algeria	Internet country code	.dz
Algeria	Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	2 (2000)
Algeria	Internet users	180,000 (2001)
Algeria	Railways	total: 3,973 km standard gauge: 2,888 km 1.435-m gauge (283 km electrified) narrow gauge: 1,085 km 1.055-m gauge (2002)
Algeria	Highways	total: 104,000 km paved: 71,656 km (including 640 km of expressways) unpaved: 32,344 km (1999)
Algeria	Waterways	none
Algeria	Pipelines	condensate 1,344 km; gas 87,347 km; liquid petroleum gas 2,213 km; oil 6,496 km (2003)
Algeria	Ports and harbors	Algiers, Annaba, Arzew, Bejaia, Beni Saf, Dellys, Djendjene, Ghazaouet, Jijel, Mostaganem, Oran, Skikda, Tenes
Algeria	Merchant marine	total: 69 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 884,032 GRT/1,010,777 DWT ships by type: bulk 9, cargo 23, chemical tanker 6, liquefied gas 10, petroleum tanker 4, roll on/roll off 12, short-sea passenger 4, specialized tanker 1, includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: United Arab Emirates 2 (2002 est.)
Algeria	Airports	136 (2002)
Algeria	Airports - with paved runways	total: 54 over 3,047 m: 9 2,438 to 3,047 m: 27 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 1 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12
Algeria	Airports - with unpaved runways	total: 82 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 23 under 914 m: 19 (2002) 914 to 1,523 m: 38
Algeria	Heliports	1 (2002)
Algeria	Military branches	People's National Army (ANP), Algerian National Navy (ANN), Air Force, Territorial Air Defense, National Gendarmerie
Algeria	Military manpower - military age	19 years of age (2003 est.)
Algeria	Military manpower - availability	males age 15-49: 9,243,884 (2003 est.)
Algeria	Military manpower - fit for military service	males age 15-49: 5,646,418 (2003 est.)
Algeria	Military manpower - reaching military age annually	males: 412,545 (2003 est.)
Algeria	Military expenditures - dollar figure	$1.87 billion (FY99)
Algeria	Military expenditures - percent of GDP	4.1% (FY99)
Algeria	Disputes - international	Libya claims about 32,000 sq km in a dormant dispute still reflected on its maps in southeastern Algeria; armed bandits based in Mali attack southern Algerian towns; border with Morocco remains closed over mutual claims of harboring militants, arms smuggling; Algeria supports the exiled Sahrawi Polisario Front and rejects Moroccan administration of Western Sahara
Algeria	Background	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.
Algeria	Location	Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Morocco and Tunisia
Algeria	Geographic coordinates	28 00 N, 3 00 E
Algeria	Map references	Africa
Algeria	Area	total: 2,381,740 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 2,381,740 sq km
Algeria	Area - comparative	slightly less than 3.5 times the size of Texas
Algeria	Land boundaries	total: 6,343 km border countries: Libya 982 km, Mali 1,376 km, Mauritania 463 km, Morocco 1,559 km, Niger 956 km, Tunisia 965 km, Western Sahara 42 km
Algeria	Coastline	998 km
Algeria	Maritime claims	exclusive fishing zone: 32-52 NM territorial sea: 12 NM
Algeria	Climate	arid to semiarid; mild, wet winters with hot, dry summers along coast; drier with cold winters and hot summers on high plateau; sirocco is a hot, dust/sand-laden wind especially common in summer
Algeria	Terrain	mostly high plateau and desert; some mountains; narrow, discontinuous coastal plain
Algeria	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Chott Melrhir -40 m highest point: Tahat 3,003 m
Algeria	Natural resources	petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, uranium, lead, zinc
Algeria	Land use	arable land: 3.21% permanent crops: 0.21% other: 96.58% (1998 est.)
Algeria	Irrigated land	5,600 sq km (1998 est.)
Algeria	Natural hazards	mountainous areas subject to severe earthquakes; mudslides and floods in rainy season
Algeria	Environment - current issues	soil erosion from overgrazing and other poor farming practices; desertification; dumping of raw sewage, petroleum refining wastes, and other industrial effluents is leading to the pollution of rivers and coastal waters; Mediterranean Sea, in particular, becoming polluted from oil wastes, soil erosion, and fertilizer runoff; inadequate supplies of potable water
Algeria	Environment - international agreements	party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Nuclear Test Ban
Algeria	Geography - note	second-largest country in Africa (after Sudan)
Algeria	Population	32,818,500 (July 2003 est.)
Algeria	Age structure	0-14 years: 32.8% (male 5,485,197; female 5,285,434) 15-64 years: 63% (male 10,460,475; female 10,224,389) 65 years and over: 4.2% (male 624,839; female 738,166) (2003 est.)
Algeria	Median age	total: 22.5 years male: 22.3 years female: 22.6 years (2002)
Algeria	Population growth rate	1.65% (2003 est.)
Algeria	Birth rate	21.94 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Algeria	Death rate	5.09 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Algeria	Net migration rate	-0.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Algeria	Sex ratio	at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Algeria	Infant mortality rate	total: 37.74 deaths/1,000 live births female: 35.02 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 40.34 deaths/1,000 live births
Algeria	Life expectancy at birth	total population: 70.54 years male: 69.14 years female: 72.01 years (2003 est.)
Algeria	Total fertility rate	2.55 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Algeria	HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate	0.1% - note: no country specific models provided (2001 est.)
Algeria	HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS	NA
Algeria	HIV/AIDS - deaths	NA
Algeria	Nationality	noun: Algerian(s) adjective: Algerian
Algeria	Ethnic groups	Arab-Berber 99%, European less than 1%
Algeria	Religions	Sunni Muslim (state religion) 99%, Christian and Jewish 1%
Algeria	Languages	Arabic (official), French, Berber dialects
Algeria	Literacy	definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 70% male: 78.8% female: 61% (2003 est.)
Algeria	Country name	conventional long form: People's Democratic Republic of Algeria conventional short form: Algeria local short form: Al Jaza'ir local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Jaza'iriyah ad Dimuqratiyah ash Sha'biyah
Algeria	Government type	republic
Algeria	Capital	Algiers
Algeria	Administrative divisions	48 provinces (wilayas, singular - wilaya); Adrar, Ain Defla, Ain Temouchent, Alger, Annaba, Batna, Bechar, Bejaia, Biskra, Blida, Bordj Bou Arreridj, Bouira, Boumerdes, Chlef, Constantine, Djelfa, El Bayadh, El Oued, El Tarf, Ghardaia, Guelma, Illizi, Jijel, Khenchela, Laghouat, Mascara, Medea, Mila, Mostaganem, M'Sila, Naama, Oran, Ouargla, Oum el Bouaghi, Relizane, Saida, Setif, Sidi Bel Abbes, Skikda, Souk Ahras, Tamanghasset, Tebessa, Tiaret, Tindouf, Tipaza, Tissemsilt, Tizi Ouzou, Tlemcen
Algeria	Independence	5 July 1962 (from France)
Algeria	National holiday	Revolution Day, 1 November (1954)
Algeria	Constitution	19 November 1976, effective 22 November 1976; revised 3 November 1988, 23 February 1989, and 28 November 1996
Algeria	Legal system	socialist, based on French and Islamic law; judicial review of legislative acts in ad hoc Constitutional Council composed of various public officials, including several Supreme Court justices; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Algeria	Suffrage	18 years of age; universal
Algeria	Executive branch	chief of state: President Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA (since 28 April 1999) head of government: Prime Minister Ahmed OUYAHIA (since 9 May 2003) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 15 April 1999 (next to be held NA April 2004); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA elected president; percent of vote - Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA over 70%; note - his six opposing candidates withdrew on the eve of the election citing electoral fraud
Algeria	Legislative branch	bicameral Parliament consists of the National People's Assembly or Al-Majlis Ech-Chaabi Al-Watani (389 seats - changed from 380 seats in the 2002 elections; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the Council of Nations (144 seats; one-third of the members appointed by the president, two-thirds elected by indirect vote; members serve six-year terms; the constitution requires half the council to be renewed every three years) elections: National People's Assembly - last held 30 May 2002 (next to be held NA 2007); Council of Nations - last held 30 December 2000 (next to be held NA 2003) election results: National People's Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - FLN 199, RND 48, MRN 43, MSP 38, PT 21, FNA 8, Nahda 1, PRA 1, MEN 1, independents 29; Council of Nations - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - RND 79, FLN 12, FFS 4, MSP 1 (remaining 48 seats appointed by the president, party breakdown NA)
Algeria	Judicial branch	Supreme Court or Cour Supreme
Algeria	Political parties and leaders	Algerian National Front or FNA [Moussa TOUATI]; Democratic National Rally or RND [Ahmed OUYAHIA, chairman]; Islamic Salvation Front or FIS (outlawed April 1992) [Ali BELHADJ and Dr. Abassi MADANI, Rabeh KEBIR (self-exile in Germany)]; Society of Peace Movement or MSP [Boujerra SOLTANI]; National Entente Movement or MEN [Ali BOUKHAZNA]; National Liberation Front or FLN [Ali BENFLIS, secretary general]; National Reform Movement or MRN [Abdellah DJABALLAH]; National Renewal Party or PRA [leader NA]; Progressive Republican Party [Khadir DRISS]; Rally for Culture and Democracy or RCD [Said SAADI, secretary general]; Renaissance Movement or EnNahda Movement [Lahbib ADAMI]; Social Liberal Party or PSL [Ahmed KHELIL]; Socialist Forces Front or FFS [Hocine Ait AHMED, secretary general (self-exile in Switzerland)]; Union for Democracy and Liberty [Mouley BOUKHALAFA]; Workers Party or PT [Louisa HANOUN] note: a law banning political parties based on religion was enacted in March 1997
Algeria	Political pressure groups and leaders	NA
Algeria	International organization participation	ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, ECA, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MONUC, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OAU, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, OSCE (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer)
Algeria	Diplomatic representation in the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Idriss JAZAIRY chancery: 2137 Wyoming Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008 FAX: [1] (202) 667-2174 telephone: [1] (202) 265-2800
Algeria	Diplomatic representation from the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Richard W. ERDMAN (as of 10 July 2003) embassy: 4 Chemin Cheikh Bachir El-Ibrahimi, Algiers mailing address: B. P. Box 549, Alger-Gare, 16000 Algiers telephone: [213] (21) 691-425/255/186 FAX: [213] (21) 69-39-79
Algeria	Flag description	two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and white; a red, five-pointed star within a red crescent centered over the two-color boundary; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam (the state religion)
Algeria	Economy - overview	The hydrocarbons sector is the backbone of the economy, accounting for roughly 60% of budget revenues, 30% of GDP, and over 95% of export earnings. Algeria has the fifth-largest reserves of natural gas in the world and is the second-largest gas exporter; it ranks 14th in oil reserves. Algeria's financial and economic indicators improved during the mid-1990s, in part because of policy reforms supported by the IMF and debt rescheduling from the Paris Club. Algeria's finances in 2000-03 benefited from substantial trade surpluses, record foreign exchange reserves, and reductions in foreign debt. Real GDP has risen due to higher oil output and increased government spending. The government's continued efforts to diversify the economy by attracting foreign and domestic investment outside the energy sector, however, has had little success in reducing high unemployment and improving living standards.
Algeria	GDP	purchasing power parity - $173.8 billion (2002 est.)
Algeria	GDP - real growth rate	3.3% (2002 est.)
Algeria	GDP - per capita	purchasing power parity - $5,400 (2002 est.)
Algeria	GDP - composition by sector	agriculture: 8% industry: 60% services: 32% (2002 est.)
Algeria	Population below poverty line	23% (1999 est.)
Algeria	Household income or consumption by percentage share	lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 26.8% (1995)
Algeria	Distribution of family income - Gini index	35.3 (1995)
Algeria	Inflation rate (consumer prices)	3% (2002 est.)
Algeria	Labor force	9.4 million (2001 est.)
Algeria	Labor force - by occupation	government 29%, agriculture 25%, construction and public works 15%, industry 11%, other 20% (1996 est.)
Algeria	Unemployment rate	31% (2002 est.)
Algeria	Budget	revenues: $20.3 billion expenditures: $18.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $5.8 billion (2001 est.)
Algeria	Industries	petroleum, natural gas, light industries, mining, electrical, petrochemical, food processing
Algeria	Industrial production growth rate	6% (2001 est.)
Algeria	Electricity - production	24.69 billion kWh (2001)
Algeria	Electricity - production by source	fossil fuel: 99.7% hydro: 0.3% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Algeria	Electricity - consumption	22.9 billion kWh (2001)
Algeria	Electricity - exports	340 million kWh (2001)
Algeria	Electricity - imports	275 million kWh (2001)
Algeria	Oil - production	1.52 million bbl/day (2001 est.)
Algeria	Oil - consumption	209,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Algeria	Oil - exports	NA (2001)
Algeria	Oil - imports	NA (2001)
Algeria	Oil - proved reserves	13.1 billion bbl (37257)
Algeria	Natural gas - production	80.3 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Algeria	Natural gas - consumption	22.32 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Algeria	Natural gas - exports	57.98 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Algeria	Natural gas - imports	0 cu m (2001 est.)
Algeria	Natural gas - proved reserves	4.739 trillion cu m (37257)
Algeria	Agriculture - products	wheat, barley, oats, grapes, olives, citrus, fruits; sheep, cattle
Algeria	Exports	$19.5 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Algeria	Exports - commodities	petroleum, natural gas, and petroleum products 97%
Algeria	Exports - partners	Italy 18.9%, Spain 13.1%, France 13%, US 12.1%, Netherlands 6%, Brazil 5.9%, Canada 5.7%, Turkey 5.3%, Belgium 5.1% (2002)
Algeria	Imports	$10.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Algeria	Imports - commodities	capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods
Algeria	Imports - partners	France 31%, Italy 10%, US 8.3%, Germany 6.6%, Spain 5.9%, Turkey 4.2% (2002)
Algeria	Debt - external	$21.6 billion (2002 est.)
Algeria	Economic aid - recipient	$162 million (2000 est.)
Algeria	Currency	Algerian dinar (DZD)
Algeria	Currency code	DZD
Algeria	Exchange rates	Algerian dinars per US dollar - 79.68 (2002), 77.22 (2001), 75.26 (2000), 66.57 (1999), 58.74 (1998)
Algeria	Fiscal year	calendar year
Algeria	Telephones - main lines in use	2.3 million (1998)
Algeria	Telephones - mobile cellular	33,500 (1999)
Algeria	Telephone system	general assessment: telephone density in Algeria is very low, not exceeding five telephones per 100 persons; the number of fixed main lines increased in the last few years to a little more than 2,000,000, but only about two-thirds of these have subscribers; much of the infrastructure is outdated and inefficient domestic: good service in north but sparse in south; domestic satellite system with 12 earth stations (20 additional domestic earth stations are planned) international: 5 submarine cables; microwave radio relay to Italy, France, Spain, Morocco, and Tunisia; coaxial cable to Morocco and Tunisia; participant in Medarabtel; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Intersputnik, and 1 Arabsat (1998)
Algeria	Radio broadcast stations	AM 25, FM 1, shortwave 8 (1999)
Algeria	Television broadcast stations	46 (plus 216 repeaters) (1995)
Algeria	Internet country code	.dz
Algeria	Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	2 (2000)
Algeria	Internet users	180,000 (2001)
Algeria	Railways	total: 3,973 km standard gauge: 2,888 km 1.435-m gauge (283 km electrified) narrow gauge: 1,085 km 1.055-m gauge (2002)
Algeria	Highways	total: 104,000 km paved: 71,656 km (including 640 km of expressways) unpaved: 32,344 km (1999)
Algeria	Waterways	none
Algeria	Pipelines	condensate 1,344 km; gas 87,347 km; liquid petroleum gas 2,213 km; oil 6,496 km (2003)
Algeria	Ports and harbors	Algiers, Annaba, Arzew, Bejaia, Beni Saf, Dellys, Djendjene, Ghazaouet, Jijel, Mostaganem, Oran, Skikda, Tenes
Algeria	Merchant marine	total: 69 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 884,032 GRT/1,010,777 DWT ships by type: bulk 9, cargo 23, chemical tanker 6, liquefied gas 10, petroleum tanker 4, roll on/roll off 12, short-sea passenger 4, specialized tanker 1, includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: United Arab Emirates 2 (2002 est.)
Algeria	Airports	136 (2002)
Algeria	Airports - with paved runways	total: 54 over 3,047 m: 9 2,438 to 3,047 m: 27 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 1 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12
Algeria	Airports - with unpaved runways	total: 82 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 23 under 914 m: 19 (2002) 914 to 1,523 m: 38
Algeria	Heliports	1 (2002)
Algeria	Military branches	People's National Army (ANP), Algerian National Navy (ANN), Air Force, Territorial Air Defense, National Gendarmerie
Algeria	Military manpower - military age	19 years of age (2003 est.)
Algeria	Military manpower - availability	males age 15-49: 9,243,884 (2003 est.)
Algeria	Military manpower - fit for military service	males age 15-49: 5,646,418 (2003 est.)
Algeria	Military manpower - reaching military age annually	males: 412,545 (2003 est.)
Algeria	Military expenditures - dollar figure	$1.87 billion (FY99)
Algeria	Military expenditures - percent of GDP	4.1% (FY99)
Algeria	Disputes - international	Libya claims about 32,000 sq km in a dormant dispute still reflected on its maps in southeastern Algeria; armed bandits based in Mali attack southern Algerian towns; border with Morocco remains closed over mutual claims of harboring militants, arms smuggling; Algeria supports the exiled Sahrawi Polisario Front and rejects Moroccan administration of Western Sahara
American Samoa	Background	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.
American Samoa	Location	Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and New Zealand
American Samoa	Geographic coordinates	14 20 S, 170 00 W
American Samoa	Map references	Oceania
American Samoa	Area	total: 199 sq km note: includes Rose Island and Swains Island water: 0 sq km land: 199 sq km
American Samoa	Area - comparative	slightly larger than Washington, DC
American Samoa	Land boundaries	0 km
American Samoa	Coastline	116 km
American Samoa	Maritime claims	exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM
American Samoa	Climate	tropical marine, moderated by southeast trade winds; annual rainfall averages about 3 m; rainy season from November to April, dry season from May to October; little seasonal temperature variation
American Samoa	Terrain	five volcanic islands with rugged peaks and limited coastal plains, two coral atolls (Rose Island, Swains Island)
American Samoa	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Lata 966 m
American Samoa	Natural resources	pumice, pumicite
American Samoa	Land use	arable land: 5% permanent crops: 10% other: 85% (1998 est.)
American Samoa	Irrigated land	NA sq km
American Samoa	Natural hazards	typhoons common from December to March
American Samoa	Environment - current issues	limited natural fresh water resources; the water division of the government has spent substantial funds in the past few years to improve water catchments and pipelines
American Samoa	Geography - note	Pago Pago has one of the best natural deepwater harbors in the South Pacific Ocean, sheltered by shape from rough seas and protected by peripheral mountains from high winds; strategic location in the South Pacific Ocean
American Samoa	Population	70,260 (July 2003 est.)
American Samoa	Age structure	0-14 years: 37.5% (male 13,557; female 12,818) 15-64 years: 57% (male 19,712; female 20,346) 65 years and over: 5.4% (male 2,081; female 1,746) (2003 est.)
American Samoa	Median age	total: 21.6 years male: 21.1 years female: 22.2 years (2002)
American Samoa	Population growth rate	2.22% (2003 est.)
American Samoa	Birth rate	23.26 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
American Samoa	Death rate	4.38 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
American Samoa	Net migration rate	3.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
American Samoa	Sex ratio	at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.19 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
American Samoa	Infant mortality rate	total: 9.82 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.93 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 11.61 deaths/1,000 live births
American Samoa	Life expectancy at birth	total population: 75.75 years male: 71.35 years female: 80.41 years (2003 est.)
American Samoa	Total fertility rate	3.3 children born/woman (2003 est.)
American Samoa	HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate	NA%
American Samoa	HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS	NA
American Samoa	HIV/AIDS - deaths	NA
American Samoa	Nationality	noun: American Samoan(s) adjective: American Samoan
American Samoa	Ethnic groups	Samoan (Polynesian) 89%, Caucasian 2%, Tongan 4%, other 5%
American Samoa	Religions	Christian Congregationalist 50%, Roman Catholic 20%, Protestant and other 30%
American Samoa	Languages	Samoan (closely related to Hawaiian and other Polynesian languages), English note: most people are bilingual
American Samoa	Literacy	definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97% male: 98% female: 97% (1980 est.)
American Samoa	Country name	conventional long form: Territory of American Samoa conventional short form: American Samoa abbreviation: AS
American Samoa	Dependency status	unincorporated and unorganized territory of the US; administered by the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior
American Samoa	Government type	NA
American Samoa	Capital	Pago Pago
American Samoa	Administrative divisions	none (territory of the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are three districts and two islands* at the second order; Eastern, Manu'a, Rose Island*, Swains Island*, Western
American Samoa	Independence	none (territory of the US)
American Samoa	National holiday	Flag Day, 17 April (1900)
American Samoa	Constitution	ratified 1966, in effect 1967
American Samoa	Legal system	NA
American Samoa	Suffrage	18 years of age; universal
American Samoa	Executive branch	chief of state: President George W. BUSH of the US (since 20 January 2001) and Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January 2001) election results: Tauese P. SUNIA reelected governor; percent of vote - Tauese P. SUNIA (Democrat) 50.7%, Lealaifuaneva Peter REID (independent) 47.8% note: Togiola TULAFONO became acting governor 26 March 2003 upon the death of Governor Tauese P. SUNIA elections: US president and vice president elected on the same ticket for four-year terms; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004) head of government: Governor Togiola TULAFONO (since 7 April 2003) following the death of Governor Tauese P. SUNIA on 26 March 2003; TULAFONO had been the Lieutenant Governor cabinet: NA
American Samoa	Legislative branch	bicameral Fono or Legislative Assembly consists of the House of Representatives (21 seats - 20 of which are elected by popular vote and 1 is an appointed, nonvoting delegate from Swains Island; members serve two-year terms) and the Senate (18 seats; members are elected from local chiefs and serve four-year terms) election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - independents 18 note: American Samoa elects one nonvoting representative to the US House of Representatives; election last held 7 November 2002 (next to be held NA November 2004); results - Eni F. H. FALEOMAVAEGA (Democrat) reelected as delegate elections: House of Representatives - last held 7 November 2002 (next to be held NA November 2004); Senate - last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004)
American Samoa	Judicial branch	High Court (chief justice and associate justices are appointed by the US Secretary of the Interior)
American Samoa	Political parties and leaders	Democratic Party [leader NA]; Republican Party [leader NA]
American Samoa	Political pressure groups and leaders	NA
American Samoa	International organization participation	ESCAP (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, SPC
American Samoa	Diplomatic representation in the US	none (territory of the US)
American Samoa	Diplomatic representation from the US	none (territory of the US)
American Samoa	Flag description	blue, with a white triangle edged in red that is based on the outer side and extends to the hoist side; a brown and white American bald eagle flying toward the hoist side is carrying two traditional Samoan symbols of authority, a staff and a war club
American Samoa	Economy - overview	This is a traditional Polynesian economy in which more than 90% of the land is communally owned. Economic activity is strongly linked to the US, with which American Samoa conducts most of its foreign trade. Tuna fishing and tuna processing plants are the backbone of the private sector, with canned tuna the primary export. Transfers from the US Government add substantially to American Samoa's economic well-being. Attempts by the government to develop a larger and broader economy are restrained by Samoa's remote location, its limited transportation, and its devastating hurricanes. Tourism, a developing sector, has been held back by the recurring financial difficulties in East Asia.
American Samoa	GDP	purchasing power parity - $500 million (2000 est.)
American Samoa	GDP - real growth rate	NA%
American Samoa	GDP - per capita	purchasing power parity - $8,000 (2000 est.)
American Samoa	GDP - composition by sector	agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
American Samoa	Population below poverty line	NA%
American Samoa	Household income or consumption by percentage share	lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
American Samoa	Inflation rate (consumer prices)	NA%
American Samoa	Labor force	14,000 (1996)
American Samoa	Labor force - by occupation	government 33%, tuna canneries 34%, other 33% (1990)
American Samoa	Unemployment rate	6% (2000)
American Samoa	Budget	revenues: $121 million (37% in local revenue and 63% in US grants) expenditures: $127 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY96/97)
American Samoa	Industries	tuna canneries (largely supplied by foreign fishing vessels), handicrafts
American Samoa	Industrial production growth rate	NA%
American Samoa	Electricity - production	130 million kWh (2001)
American Samoa	Electricity - production by source	fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
American Samoa	Electricity - consumption	120.9 million kWh (2001)
American Samoa	Electricity - exports	0 kWh (2001)
American Samoa	Electricity - imports	0 kWh (2001)
American Samoa	Oil - production	0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
American Samoa	Oil - consumption	3,800 bbl/day (2001 est.)
American Samoa	Oil - exports	NA (2001)
American Samoa	Oil - imports	NA (2001)
American Samoa	Agriculture - products	bananas, coconuts, vegetables, taro, breadfruit, yams, copra, pineapples, papayas; dairy products, livestock
American Samoa	Exports	$345 million (1999)
American Samoa	Exports - commodities	canned tuna 93%
American Samoa	Exports - partners	Indonesia 71.1%, Japan 7.7%, Samoa 7.7%, Australia 6.7% (2002)
American Samoa	Imports	$452 million (1999)
American Samoa	Imports - commodities	materials for canneries 56%, food 8%, petroleum products 7%, machinery and parts 6%
American Samoa	Imports - partners	Australia 41%, New Zealand 23%, South Korea 18% (2002)
American Samoa	Debt - external	$NA
American Samoa	Economic aid - recipient	important financial support from the US, more than $40 million in 1994
American Samoa	Currency	US dollar (USD)
American Samoa	Currency code	USD
American Samoa	Exchange rates	the US dollar is used
American Samoa	Fiscal year	1 October - 30 September
American Samoa	Telephones - main lines in use	13,000 (1997)
American Samoa	Telephones - mobile cellular	2,550 (1997)
American Samoa	Telephone system	general assessment: NA domestic: good telex, telegraph, facsimile and cellular telephone services; domestic satellite system with 1 Comsat earth station international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
American Samoa	Radio broadcast stations	AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998)
American Samoa	Television broadcast stations	1 (1997)
American Samoa	Internet country code	.as
American Samoa	Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	1 (2000)
American Samoa	Internet users	NA
American Samoa	Railways	0 km
American Samoa	Highways	total: 350 km paved: 150 km unpaved: 200 km
American Samoa	Waterways	none
American Samoa	Ports and harbors	Aunu'u (new construction), Auasi, Faleosao, Ofu, Pago Pago, Ta'u
American Samoa	Merchant marine	none (2002 est.)
American Samoa	Airports	3 (2002)
American Samoa	Airports - with paved runways	total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002)
American Samoa	Airports - with unpaved runways	total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002)
American Samoa	Military - note	defense is the responsibility of the US
American Samoa	Disputes - international	none
American Samoa	Background	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.
American Samoa	Location	Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and New Zealand
American Samoa	Geographic coordinates	14 20 S, 170 00 W
American Samoa	Map references	Oceania
American Samoa	Area	total: 199 sq km note: includes Rose Island and Swains Island water: 0 sq km land: 199 sq km
American Samoa	Area - comparative	slightly larger than Washington, DC
American Samoa	Land boundaries	0 km
American Samoa	Coastline	116 km
American Samoa	Maritime claims	exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM
American Samoa	Climate	tropical marine, moderated by southeast trade winds; annual rainfall averages about 3 m; rainy season from November to April, dry season from May to October; little seasonal temperature variation
American Samoa	Terrain	five volcanic islands with rugged peaks and limited coastal plains, two coral atolls (Rose Island, Swains Island)
American Samoa	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Lata 966 m
American Samoa	Natural resources	pumice, pumicite
American Samoa	Land use	arable land: 5% permanent crops: 10% other: 85% (1998 est.)
American Samoa	Irrigated land	NA sq km
American Samoa	Natural hazards	typhoons common from December to March
American Samoa	Environment - current issues	limited natural fresh water resources; the water division of the government has spent substantial funds in the past few years to improve water catchments and pipelines
American Samoa	Geography - note	Pago Pago has one of the best natural deepwater harbors in the South Pacific Ocean, sheltered by shape from rough seas and protected by peripheral mountains from high winds; strategic location in the South Pacific Ocean
American Samoa	Population	70,260 (July 2003 est.)
American Samoa	Age structure	0-14 years: 37.5% (male 13,557; female 12,818) 15-64 years: 57% (male 19,712; female 20,346) 65 years and over: 5.4% (male 2,081; female 1,746) (2003 est.)
American Samoa	Median age	total: 21.6 years male: 21.1 years female: 22.2 years (2002)
American Samoa	Population growth rate	2.22% (2003 est.)
American Samoa	Birth rate	23.26 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
American Samoa	Death rate	4.38 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
American Samoa	Net migration rate	3.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
American Samoa	Sex ratio	at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.19 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
American Samoa	Infant mortality rate	total: 9.82 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.93 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 11.61 deaths/1,000 live births
American Samoa	Life expectancy at birth	total population: 75.75 years male: 71.35 years female: 80.41 years (2003 est.)
American Samoa	Total fertility rate	3.3 children born/woman (2003 est.)
American Samoa	HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate	NA%
American Samoa	HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS	NA
American Samoa	HIV/AIDS - deaths	NA
American Samoa	Nationality	noun: American Samoan(s) adjective: American Samoan
American Samoa	Ethnic groups	Samoan (Polynesian) 89%, Caucasian 2%, Tongan 4%, other 5%
American Samoa	Religions	Christian Congregationalist 50%, Roman Catholic 20%, Protestant and other 30%
American Samoa	Languages	Samoan (closely related to Hawaiian and other Polynesian languages), English note: most people are bilingual
American Samoa	Literacy	definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97% male: 98% female: 97% (1980 est.)
American Samoa	Country name	conventional long form: Territory of American Samoa conventional short form: American Samoa abbreviation: AS
American Samoa	Dependency status	unincorporated and unorganized territory of the US; administered by the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior
American Samoa	Government type	NA
American Samoa	Capital	Pago Pago
American Samoa	Administrative divisions	none (territory of the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are three districts and two islands* at the second order; Eastern, Manu'a, Rose Island*, Swains Island*, Western
American Samoa	Independence	none (territory of the US)
American Samoa	National holiday	Flag Day, 17 April (1900)
American Samoa	Constitution	ratified 1966, in effect 1967
American Samoa	Legal system	NA
American Samoa	Suffrage	18 years of age; universal
American Samoa	Executive branch	chief of state: President George W. BUSH of the US (since 20 January 2001) and Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January 2001) election results: Tauese P. SUNIA reelected governor; percent of vote - Tauese P. SUNIA (Democrat) 50.7%, Lealaifuaneva Peter REID (independent) 47.8% note: Togiola TULAFONO became acting governor 26 March 2003 upon the death of Governor Tauese P. SUNIA elections: US president and vice president elected on the same ticket for four-year terms; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004) head of government: Governor Togiola TULAFONO (since 7 April 2003) following the death of Governor Tauese P. SUNIA on 26 March 2003; TULAFONO had been the Lieutenant Governor cabinet: NA
American Samoa	Legislative branch	bicameral Fono or Legislative Assembly consists of the House of Representatives (21 seats - 20 of which are elected by popular vote and 1 is an appointed, nonvoting delegate from Swains Island; members serve two-year terms) and the Senate (18 seats; members are elected from local chiefs and serve four-year terms) election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - independents 18 note: American Samoa elects one nonvoting representative to the US House of Representatives; election last held 7 November 2002 (next to be held NA November 2004); results - Eni F. H. FALEOMAVAEGA (Democrat) reelected as delegate elections: House of Representatives - last held 7 November 2002 (next to be held NA November 2004); Senate - last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004)
American Samoa	Judicial branch	High Court (chief justice and associate justices are appointed by the US Secretary of the Interior)
American Samoa	Political parties and leaders	Democratic Party [leader NA]; Republican Party [leader NA]
American Samoa	Political pressure groups and leaders	NA
American Samoa	International organization participation	ESCAP (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, SPC
American Samoa	Diplomatic representation in the US	none (territory of the US)
American Samoa	Diplomatic representation from the US	none (territory of the US)
American Samoa	Flag description	blue, with a white triangle edged in red that is based on the outer side and extends to the hoist side; a brown and white American bald eagle flying toward the hoist side is carrying two traditional Samoan symbols of authority, a staff and a war club
American Samoa	Economy - overview	This is a traditional Polynesian economy in which more than 90% of the land is communally owned. Economic activity is strongly linked to the US, with which American Samoa conducts most of its foreign trade. Tuna fishing and tuna processing plants are the backbone of the private sector, with canned tuna the primary export. Transfers from the US Government add substantially to American Samoa's economic well-being. Attempts by the government to develop a larger and broader economy are restrained by Samoa's remote location, its limited transportation, and its devastating hurricanes. Tourism, a developing sector, has been held back by the recurring financial difficulties in East Asia.
American Samoa	GDP	purchasing power parity - $500 million (2000 est.)
American Samoa	GDP - real growth rate	NA%
American Samoa	GDP - per capita	purchasing power parity - $8,000 (2000 est.)
American Samoa	GDP - composition by sector	agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
American Samoa	Population below poverty line	NA%
American Samoa	Household income or consumption by percentage share	lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
American Samoa	Inflation rate (consumer prices)	NA%
American Samoa	Labor force	14,000 (1996)
American Samoa	Labor force - by occupation	government 33%, tuna canneries 34%, other 33% (1990)
American Samoa	Unemployment rate	6% (2000)
American Samoa	Budget	revenues: $121 million (37% in local revenue and 63% in US grants) expenditures: $127 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY96/97)
American Samoa	Industries	tuna canneries (largely supplied by foreign fishing vessels), handicrafts
American Samoa	Industrial production growth rate	NA%
American Samoa	Electricity - production	130 million kWh (2001)
American Samoa	Electricity - production by source	fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
American Samoa	Electricity - consumption	120.9 million kWh (2001)
American Samoa	Electricity - exports	0 kWh (2001)
American Samoa	Electricity - imports	0 kWh (2001)
American Samoa	Oil - production	0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
American Samoa	Oil - consumption	3,800 bbl/day (2001 est.)
American Samoa	Oil - exports	NA (2001)
American Samoa	Oil - imports	NA (2001)
American Samoa	Agriculture - products	bananas, coconuts, vegetables, taro, breadfruit, yams, copra, pineapples, papayas; dairy products, livestock
American Samoa	Exports	$345 million (1999)
American Samoa	Exports - commodities	canned tuna 93%
American Samoa	Exports - partners	Indonesia 71.1%, Japan 7.7%, Samoa 7.7%, Australia 6.7% (2002)
American Samoa	Imports	$452 million (1999)
American Samoa	Imports - commodities	materials for canneries 56%, food 8%, petroleum products 7%, machinery and parts 6%
American Samoa	Imports - partners	Australia 41%, New Zealand 23%, South Korea 18% (2002)
American Samoa	Debt - external	$NA
American Samoa	Economic aid - recipient	important financial support from the US, more than $40 million in 1994
American Samoa	Currency	US dollar (USD)
American Samoa	Currency code	USD
American Samoa	Exchange rates	the US dollar is used
American Samoa	Fiscal year	1 October - 30 September
American Samoa	Telephones - main lines in use	13,000 (1997)
American Samoa	Telephones - mobile cellular	2,550 (1997)
American Samoa	Telephone system	general assessment: NA domestic: good telex, telegraph, facsimile and cellular telephone services; domestic satellite system with 1 Comsat earth station international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
American Samoa	Radio broadcast stations	AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998)
American Samoa	Television broadcast stations	1 (1997)
American Samoa	Internet country code	.as
American Samoa	Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	1 (2000)
American Samoa	Internet users	NA
American Samoa	Railways	0 km
American Samoa	Highways	total: 350 km paved: 150 km unpaved: 200 km
American Samoa	Waterways	none
American Samoa	Ports and harbors	Aunu'u (new construction), Auasi, Faleosao, Ofu, Pago Pago, Ta'u
American Samoa	Merchant marine	none (2002 est.)
American Samoa	Airports	3 (2002)
American Samoa	Airports - with paved runways	total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002)
American Samoa	Airports - with unpaved runways	total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002)
American Samoa	Military - note	defense is the responsibility of the US
American Samoa	Disputes - international	none
Andorra	Background	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.
Andorra	Location	Southwestern Europe, between France and Spain
Andorra	Geographic coordinates	42 30 N, 1 30 E
Andorra	Map references	Europe
Andorra	Area	total: 468 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 468 sq km
Andorra	Area - comparative	2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Andorra	Land boundaries	total: 120.3 km border countries: France 56.6 km, Spain 63.7 km
Andorra	Coastline	0 km (landlocked)
Andorra	Maritime claims	none (landlocked)
Andorra	Climate	temperate; snowy, cold winters and warm, dry summers
Andorra	Terrain	rugged mountains dissected by narrow valleys
Andorra	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Riu Runer 840 m highest point: Coma Pedrosa 2,946 m
Andorra	Natural resources	hydropower, mineral water, timber, iron ore, lead
Andorra	Land use	arable land: 2.22% permanent crops: 0% other: 97.78% (1998 est.)
Andorra	Irrigated land	NA sq km
Andorra	Natural hazards	avalanches
Andorra	Environment - current issues	deforestation; overgrazing of mountain meadows contributes to soil erosion; air pollution; wastewater treatment and solid waste disposal
Andorra	Environment - international agreements	party to: Hazardous Wastes signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Andorra	Geography - note	landlocked; straddles a number of important crossroads in the Pyrenees
Andorra	Population	69,150 (July 2003 est.)
Andorra	Age structure	0-14 years: 15.1% (male 5,473; female 4,974) 15-64 years: 71.7% (male 26,063; female 23,542) 65 years and over: 13.2% (male 4,543; female 4,555) (2003 est.)
Andorra	Median age	total: 39.1 years male: 39.4 years female: 38.8 years (2002)
Andorra	Population growth rate	1.06% (2003 est.)
Andorra	Birth rate	9.65 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Andorra	Death rate	5.74 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Andorra	Net migration rate	6.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Andorra	Sex ratio	at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.11 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1 male(s)/female total population: 1.09 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Andorra	Infant mortality rate	total: 4.06 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 4.4 deaths/1,000 live births
Andorra	Life expectancy at birth	total population: 83.49 years male: 80.58 years female: 86.58 years (2003 est.)
Andorra	Total fertility rate	1.27 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Andorra	HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate	NA%
Andorra	HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS	NA
Andorra	HIV/AIDS - deaths	NA
Andorra	Nationality	noun: Andorran(s) adjective: Andorran
Andorra	Ethnic groups	Spanish 43%, Andorran 33%, Portuguese 11%, French 7%, other 6% (1998)
Andorra	Religions	Roman Catholic (predominant)
Andorra	Languages	Catalan (official), French, Castilian, Portuguese
Andorra	Literacy	definition: NA total population: 100% male: NA% female: NA%
Andorra	Country name	conventional long form: Principality of Andorra conventional short form: Andorra local short form: Andorra local long form: Principat d'Andorra
Andorra	Government type	parliamentary democracy (since March 1993) that retains as its heads of state a coprincipality; the two princes are the president of France and bishop of Seo de Urgel, Spain, who are represented locally by coprinces' representatives
Andorra	Capital	Andorra la Vella
Andorra	Administrative divisions	7 parishes (parroquies, singular - parroquia); Andorra la Vella, Canillo, Encamp, La Massana, Escaldes-Engordany, Ordino, Sant Julia de Loria
Andorra	Independence	1278 (was formed under the joint suzerainty of the French count of Foix and the Spanish bishop of Urgel)
Andorra	National holiday	Our Lady of Meritxell Day, 8 September (1278)
Andorra	Constitution	Andorra's first written constitution was drafted in 1991; approved by referendum 14 March 1993; came into force 4 May 1993
Andorra	Legal system	based on French and Spanish civil codes; no judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Andorra	Suffrage	18 years of age; universal
Andorra	Executive branch	chief of state: French Coprince Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May 1995), represented by Philippe MASSONI (since 26 July 2002); Spanish Coprince Episcopal Monsignor Joan Enric VIVES SICILIA (since 12 May 2003), represented by Nemesi MARQUES OSTE (since NA) elections: Executive Council president elected by the General Council and formally appointed by the coprinces for a four-year term; election last held 4 March 2001 (next to be held NA 2005) election results: Marc FORNE Molne elected executive council president; percent of General Council vote - NA% cabinet: Executive Council or Govern designated by the Executive Council president head of government: Executive Council President Marc FORNE MOLNE (since 21 December 1994)
Andorra	Legislative branch	unicameral General Council of the Valleys or Consell General de las Valls (28 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote, 14 from a single national constituency and 14 to represent each of the 7 parishes; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 4 March 2001 (next to be held NA March 2005) election results: percent of vote by party - PLA 46.1%, PSD 30%, PD 23.8%, other 0.1%; seats by party - PLA 15, PSD 6, PD 5, independents 2
Andorra	Judicial branch	Tribunal of Judges or Tribunal de Batlles; Tribunal of the Courts or Tribunal de Corts; Supreme Court of Justice of Andorra or Tribunal Superior de Justicia d'Andorra; Supreme Council of Justice or Consell Superior de la Justicia; Fiscal Ministry or Ministeri Fiscal; Constitutional Tribunal or Tribunal Constitucional
Andorra	Political parties and leaders	Democratic Party or PD (formerly part of National Democratic Group or AND) [Ladislau BARO SOLO]; Liberal Party of Andorra or PLA [Marc FORNE MOLNE] (used to be Liberal Union or UL); Liberal Union or UL [Francesc CERQUEDA]; National Democratic Group or AND [Ladislau BARO SOLO]; National Democratic Initiative or IDN [Vicenc MATEU ZAMORA]; New Democracy or ND [Jaume BARTOMEU CASSANY]; Social Democratic Party or PSD (formerly part of National Democratic Group of AND) [leader NA]; Union of the People of Ordino (Unio Parroquial d'Ordino) or UPO [Simo DURO COMA] note: there are two other small parties
Andorra	Political pressure groups and leaders	NA
Andorra	International organization participation	CE, ECE, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IFRCS, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OSCE, UN, UNESCO, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WToO, WTrO (observer)
Andorra	Diplomatic representation in the US	chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Jelena V. PIA-COMELLA chancery: 2 United Nations Plaza, 25th Floor, New York, NY 10017 FAX: [1] (212) 750-6630 telephone: [1] (212) 750-8064
Andorra	Diplomatic representation from the US	the US does not have an embassy in Andorra; the US Ambassador to Spain is accredited to Andorra; US interests in Andorra are represented by the Consulate General's office in Barcelona (Spain); mailing address: Paseo Reina Elisenda, 23, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; telephone: (3493) 280-2227; FAX: (3493) 205-7705
Andorra	Flag description	three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red with the national coat of arms centered in the yellow band; the coat of arms features a quartered shield; similar to the flags of Chad and Romania, which do not have a national coat of arms in the center, and the flag of Moldova, which does bear a national emblem
Andorra	Economy - overview	Tourism, the mainstay of Andorra's tiny, well-to-do economy, accounts for roughly 80% of GDP. An estimated 9 million tourists visit annually, attracted by Andorra's duty-free status and by its summer and winter resorts. Andorra's comparative advantage has recently eroded as the economies of neighboring France and Spain have been opened up, providing broader availability of goods and lower tariffs. The banking sector, with its "tax haven" status, also contributes substantially to the economy. Agricultural production is limited - only 2% of the land is arable - and most food has to be imported. The principal livestock activity is sheep raising. Manufacturing output consists mainly of cigarettes, cigars, and furniture. Andorra is a member of the EU Customs Union and is treated as an EU member for trade in manufactured goods (no tariffs) and as a non-EU member for agricultural products.
Andorra	GDP	purchasing power parity - $1.3 billion (2000 est.)
Andorra	GDP - real growth rate	3.8% (2000 est.)
Andorra	GDP - per capita	purchasing power parity - $19,000 (2000 est.)
Andorra	GDP - composition by sector	agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Andorra	Population below poverty line	NA%
Andorra	Household income or consumption by percentage share	lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Andorra	Inflation rate (consumer prices)	4.3% (2000)
Andorra	Labor force	33,000 (2001 est.)
Andorra	Labor force - by occupation	agriculture 1%, industry 21%, services 78% (2000 est.)
Andorra	Unemployment rate	0%
Andorra	Budget	revenues: $385 million expenditures: $342 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997)
Andorra	Industries	tourism (particularly skiing), cattle raising, timber, banking
Andorra	Industrial production growth rate	NA%
Andorra	Electricity - production	NA kWh
Andorra	Electricity - production by source	fossil fuel: 0% hydro: 0% other: 0% nuclear: 0%
Andorra	Electricity - consumption	NA kWh
Andorra	Electricity - exports	0 kWh (2002)
Andorra	Electricity - imports	NA kWh; note - most electricity supplied by Spain and France; Andorra generates a small amount of hydropower
Andorra	Agriculture - products	small quantities of rye, wheat, barley, oats, vegetables; sheep
Andorra	Exports	$58 million f.o.b. (1998)
Andorra	Exports - commodities	tobacco products, furniture
Andorra	Exports - partners	Spain 58%, France 34% (2000)
Andorra	Imports	$1.077 billion (1998)
Andorra	Imports - commodities	consumer goods, food, electricity
Andorra	Imports - partners	Spain 48%, France 35%, US 2.3% (2000)
Andorra	Debt - external	$NA
Andorra	Economic aid - recipient	none
Andorra	Currency	euro (EUR)
Andorra	Currency code	EUR
Andorra	Exchange rates	euros per US dollar - 1.06 (2002), 1.12 (2001), 1.09 (2000), 0.94 (1999)
Andorra	Fiscal year	calendar year
Andorra	Telephones - main lines in use	32,946 (December 1998)
Andorra	Telephones - mobile cellular	14,117 (December 1998)
Andorra	Telephone system	general assessment: NA domestic: modern system with microwave radio relay connections between exchanges international: landline circuits to France and Spain
Andorra	Radio broadcast stations	AM 0, FM 15, shortwave 0 (1998)
Andorra	Television broadcast stations	0 (1997)
Andorra	Internet country code	.ad
Andorra	Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	1 (2000)
Andorra	Internet users	24,500 (2001)
Andorra	Railways	0 km
Andorra	Highways	total: 269 km paved: 198 km unpaved: 71 km (1994)
Andorra	Waterways	none
Andorra	Ports and harbors	none
Andorra	Airports	none (2002)
Andorra	Military branches	no regular military forces, but there is a police force
Andorra	Military - note	defense is the responsibility of France and Spain
Andorra	Disputes - international	none; border is undemarcated in sections but is not in dispute (a few French farmers still remain upset about the transfer of 35 hectares of land to Andorra)
Andorra	Background	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.
Andorra	Location	Southwestern Europe, between France and Spain
Andorra	Geographic coordinates	42 30 N, 1 30 E
Andorra	Map references	Europe
Andorra	Area	total: 468 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 468 sq km
Andorra	Area - comparative	2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Andorra	Land boundaries	total: 120.3 km border countries: France 56.6 km, Spain 63.7 km
Andorra	Coastline	0 km (landlocked)
Andorra	Maritime claims	none (landlocked)
Andorra	Climate	temperate; snowy, cold winters and warm, dry summers
Andorra	Terrain	rugged mountains dissected by narrow valleys
Andorra	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Riu Runer 840 m highest point: Coma Pedrosa 2,946 m
Andorra	Natural resources	hydropower, mineral water, timber, iron ore, lead
Andorra	Land use	arable land: 2.22% permanent crops: 0% other: 97.78% (1998 est.)
Andorra	Irrigated land	NA sq km
Andorra	Natural hazards	avalanches
Andorra	Environment - current issues	deforestation; overgrazing of mountain meadows contributes to soil erosion; air pollution; wastewater treatment and solid waste disposal
Andorra	Environment - international agreements	party to: Hazardous Wastes signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Andorra	Geography - note	landlocked; straddles a number of important crossroads in the Pyrenees
Andorra	Population	69,150 (July 2003 est.)
Andorra	Age structure	0-14 years: 15.1% (male 5,473; female 4,974) 15-64 years: 71.7% (male 26,063; female 23,542) 65 years and over: 13.2% (male 4,543; female 4,555) (2003 est.)
Andorra	Median age	total: 39.1 years male: 39.4 years female: 38.8 years (2002)
Andorra	Population growth rate	1.06% (2003 est.)
Andorra	Birth rate	9.65 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Andorra	Death rate	5.74 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Andorra	Net migration rate	6.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Andorra	Sex ratio	at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.11 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1 male(s)/female total population: 1.09 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Andorra	Infant mortality rate	total: 4.06 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 4.4 deaths/1,000 live births
Andorra	Life expectancy at birth	total population: 83.49 years male: 80.58 years female: 86.58 years (2003 est.)
Andorra	Total fertility rate	1.27 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Andorra	HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate	NA%
Andorra	HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS	NA
Andorra	HIV/AIDS - deaths	NA
Andorra	Nationality	noun: Andorran(s) adjective: Andorran
Andorra	Ethnic groups	Spanish 43%, Andorran 33%, Portuguese 11%, French 7%, other 6% (1998)
Andorra	Religions	Roman Catholic (predominant)
Andorra	Languages	Catalan (official), French, Castilian, Portuguese
Andorra	Literacy	definition: NA total population: 100% male: NA% female: NA%
Andorra	Country name	conventional long form: Principality of Andorra conventional short form: Andorra local short form: Andorra local long form: Principat d'Andorra
Andorra	Government type	parliamentary democracy (since March 1993) that retains as its heads of state a coprincipality; the two princes are the president of France and bishop of Seo de Urgel, Spain, who are represented locally by coprinces' representatives
Andorra	Capital	Andorra la Vella
Andorra	Administrative divisions	7 parishes (parroquies, singular - parroquia); Andorra la Vella, Canillo, Encamp, La Massana, Escaldes-Engordany, Ordino, Sant Julia de Loria
Andorra	Independence	1278 (was formed under the joint suzerainty of the French count of Foix and the Spanish bishop of Urgel)
Andorra	National holiday	Our Lady of Meritxell Day, 8 September (1278)
Andorra	Constitution	Andorra's first written constitution was drafted in 1991; approved by referendum 14 March 1993; came into force 4 May 1993
Andorra	Legal system	based on French and Spanish civil codes; no judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Andorra	Suffrage	18 years of age; universal
Andorra	Executive branch	chief of state: French Coprince Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May 1995), represented by Philippe MASSONI (since 26 July 2002); Spanish Coprince Episcopal Monsignor Joan Enric VIVES SICILIA (since 12 May 2003), represented by Nemesi MARQUES OSTE (since NA) elections: Executive Council president elected by the General Council and formally appointed by the coprinces for a four-year term; election last held 4 March 2001 (next to be held NA 2005) election results: Marc FORNE Molne elected executive council president; percent of General Council vote - NA% cabinet: Executive Council or Govern designated by the Executive Council president head of government: Executive Council President Marc FORNE MOLNE (since 21 December 1994)
Andorra	Legislative branch	unicameral General Council of the Valleys or Consell General de las Valls (28 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote, 14 from a single national constituency and 14 to represent each of the 7 parishes; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 4 March 2001 (next to be held NA March 2005) election results: percent of vote by party - PLA 46.1%, PSD 30%, PD 23.8%, other 0.1%; seats by party - PLA 15, PSD 6, PD 5, independents 2
Andorra	Judicial branch	Tribunal of Judges or Tribunal de Batlles; Tribunal of the Courts or Tribunal de Corts; Supreme Court of Justice of Andorra or Tribunal Superior de Justicia d'Andorra; Supreme Council of Justice or Consell Superior de la Justicia; Fiscal Ministry or Ministeri Fiscal; Constitutional Tribunal or Tribunal Constitucional
Andorra	Political parties and leaders	Democratic Party or PD (formerly part of National Democratic Group or AND) [Ladislau BARO SOLO]; Liberal Party of Andorra or PLA [Marc FORNE MOLNE] (used to be Liberal Union or UL); Liberal Union or UL [Francesc CERQUEDA]; National Democratic Group or AND [Ladislau BARO SOLO]; National Democratic Initiative or IDN [Vicenc MATEU ZAMORA]; New Democracy or ND [Jaume BARTOMEU CASSANY]; Social Democratic Party or PSD (formerly part of National Democratic Group of AND) [leader NA]; Union of the People of Ordino (Unio Parroquial d'Ordino) or UPO [Simo DURO COMA] note: there are two other small parties
Andorra	Political pressure groups and leaders	NA
Andorra	International organization participation	CE, ECE, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IFRCS, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OSCE, UN, UNESCO, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WToO, WTrO (observer)
Andorra	Diplomatic representation in the US	chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Jelena V. PIA-COMELLA chancery: 2 United Nations Plaza, 25th Floor, New York, NY 10017 FAX: [1] (212) 750-6630 telephone: [1] (212) 750-8064
Andorra	Diplomatic representation from the US	the US does not have an embassy in Andorra; the US Ambassador to Spain is accredited to Andorra; US interests in Andorra are represented by the Consulate General's office in Barcelona (Spain); mailing address: Paseo Reina Elisenda, 23, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; telephone: (3493) 280-2227; FAX: (3493) 205-7705
Andorra	Flag description	three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red with the national coat of arms centered in the yellow band; the coat of arms features a quartered shield; similar to the flags of Chad and Romania, which do not have a national coat of arms in the center, and the flag of Moldova, which does bear a national emblem
Andorra	Economy - overview	Tourism, the mainstay of Andorra's tiny, well-to-do economy, accounts for roughly 80% of GDP. An estimated 9 million tourists visit annually, attracted by Andorra's duty-free status and by its summer and winter resorts. Andorra's comparative advantage has recently eroded as the economies of neighboring France and Spain have been opened up, providing broader availability of goods and lower tariffs. The banking sector, with its "tax haven" status, also contributes substantially to the economy. Agricultural production is limited - only 2% of the land is arable - and most food has to be imported. The principal livestock activity is sheep raising. Manufacturing output consists mainly of cigarettes, cigars, and furniture. Andorra is a member of the EU Customs Union and is treated as an EU member for trade in manufactured goods (no tariffs) and as a non-EU member for agricultural products.
Andorra	GDP	purchasing power parity - $1.3 billion (2000 est.)
Andorra	GDP - real growth rate	3.8% (2000 est.)
Andorra	GDP - per capita	purchasing power parity - $19,000 (2000 est.)
Andorra	GDP - composition by sector	agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Andorra	Population below poverty line	NA%
Andorra	Household income or consumption by percentage share	lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Andorra	Inflation rate (consumer prices)	4.3% (2000)
Andorra	Labor force	33,000 (2001 est.)
Andorra	Labor force - by occupation	agriculture 1%, industry 21%, services 78% (2000 est.)
Andorra	Unemployment rate	0%
Andorra	Budget	revenues: $385 million expenditures: $342 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997)
Andorra	Industries	tourism (particularly skiing), cattle raising, timber, banking
Andorra	Industrial production growth rate	NA%
Andorra	Electricity - production	NA kWh
Andorra	Electricity - production by source	fossil fuel: 0% hydro: 0% other: 0% nuclear: 0%
Andorra	Electricity - consumption	NA kWh
Andorra	Electricity - exports	0 kWh (2002)
Andorra	Electricity - imports	NA kWh; note - most electricity supplied by Spain and France; Andorra generates a small amount of hydropower
Andorra	Agriculture - products	small quantities of rye, wheat, barley, oats, vegetables; sheep
Andorra	Exports	$58 million f.o.b. (1998)
Andorra	Exports - commodities	tobacco products, furniture
Andorra	Exports - partners	Spain 58%, France 34% (2000)
Andorra	Imports	$1.077 billion (1998)
Andorra	Imports - commodities	consumer goods, food, electricity
Andorra	Imports - partners	Spain 48%, France 35%, US 2.3% (2000)
Andorra	Debt - external	$NA
Andorra	Economic aid - recipient	none
Andorra	Currency	euro (EUR)
Andorra	Currency code	EUR
Andorra	Exchange rates	euros per US dollar - 1.06 (2002), 1.12 (2001), 1.09 (2000), 0.94 (1999)
Andorra	Fiscal year	calendar year
Andorra	Telephones - main lines in use	32,946 (December 1998)
Andorra	Telephones - mobile cellular	14,117 (December 1998)
Andorra	Telephone system	general assessment: NA domestic: modern system with microwave radio relay connections between exchanges international: landline circuits to France and Spain
Andorra	Radio broadcast stations	AM 0, FM 15, shortwave 0 (1998)
Andorra	Television broadcast stations	0 (1997)
Andorra	Internet country code	.ad
Andorra	Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	1 (2000)
Andorra	Internet users	24,500 (2001)
Andorra	Railways	0 km
Andorra	Highways	total: 269 km paved: 198 km unpaved: 71 km (1994)
Andorra	Waterways	none
Andorra	Ports and harbors	none
Andorra	Airports	none (2002)
Andorra	Military branches	no regular military forces, but there is a police force
Andorra	Military - note	defense is the responsibility of France and Spain
Andorra	Disputes - international	none; border is undemarcated in sections but is not in dispute (a few French farmers still remain upset about the transfer of 35 hectares of land to Andorra)
Angola	Background	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.
Angola	Location	Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Namibia and Democratic Republic of the Congo
Angola	Geographic coordinates	12 30 S, 18 30 E
Angola	Map references	Africa
Angola	Area	total: 1,246,700 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 1,246,700 sq km
Angola	Area - comparative	slightly less than twice the size of Texas
Angola	Land boundaries	total: 5,198 km border countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,511 km (of which 225 km is the boundary of discontiguous Cabinda Province), Republic of the Congo 201 km, Namibia 1,376 km, Zambia 1,110 km
Angola	Coastline	1,600 km
Angola	Maritime claims	contiguous zone: 24 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM
Angola	Climate	semiarid in south and along coast to Luanda; north has cool, dry season (May to October) and hot, rainy season (November to April)
Angola	Terrain	narrow coastal plain rises abruptly to vast interior plateau
Angola	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Morro de Moco 2,620 m
Angola	Natural resources	petroleum, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, copper, feldspar, gold, bauxite, uranium
Angola	Land use	arable land: 2.41% permanent crops: 0.4% other: 97.19% (1998 est.)
Angola	Irrigated land	750 sq km (1998 est.)
Angola	Natural hazards	locally heavy rainfall causes periodic flooding on the plateau
Angola	Environment - current issues	overuse of pastures and subsequent soil erosion attributable to population pressures; desertification; deforestation of tropical rain forest, in response to both international demand for tropical timber and to domestic use as fuel, resulting in loss of biodiversity; soil erosion contributing to water pollution and siltation of rivers and dams; inadequate supplies of potable water
Angola	Environment - international agreements	party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Angola	Geography - note	the province of Cabinda is an exclave, separated from the rest of the country by the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Angola	Population	10,766,471 (July 2003 est.)
Angola	Age structure	0-14 years: 43.5% (male 2,363,829; female 2,317,610) 15-64 years: 53.7% (male 2,941,999; female 2,842,923) 65 years and over: 2.8% (male 134,330; female 165,780) (2003 est.)
Angola	Median age	total: 18.2 years male: 18.2 years female: 18.2 years (2002)
Angola	Population growth rate	1.97% (2003 est.)
Angola	Birth rate	45.57 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Angola	Death rate	25.83 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Angola	Net migration rate	0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Angola	Sex ratio	at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Angola	Infant mortality rate	total: 193.82 deaths/1,000 live births female: 180.76 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 206.26 deaths/1,000 live births
Angola	Life expectancy at birth	total population: 36.96 years male: 36.13 years female: 37.83 years (2003 est.)
Angola	Total fertility rate	6.38 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Angola	HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate	5.5% (2001 est.)
Angola	HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS	350,000 (2001 est.)
Angola	HIV/AIDS - deaths	24,000 (2001 est.)
Angola	Nationality	noun: Angolan(s) adjective: Angolan
Angola	Ethnic groups	Ovimbundu 37%, Kimbundu 25%, Bakongo 13%, mestico (mixed European and Native African) 2%, European 1%, other 22%
Angola	Religions	indigenous beliefs 47%, Roman Catholic 38%, Protestant 15% (1998 est.)
Angola	Languages	Portuguese (official), Bantu and other African languages
Angola	Literacy	definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 42% male: 56% female: 28% (1998 est.)
Angola	Country name	conventional long form: Republic of Angola conventional short form: Angola local short form: Angola former: People's Republic of Angola local long form: Republica de Angola
Angola	Government type	republic, nominally a multiparty democracy with a strong presidential system
Angola	Capital	Luanda
Angola	Administrative divisions	18 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Bengo, Benguela, Bie, Cabinda, Cuando Cubango, Cuanza Norte, Cuanza Sul, Cunene, Huambo, Huila, Luanda, Lunda Norte, Lunda Sul, Malanje, Moxico, Namibe, Uige, Zaire
Angola	Independence	11 November 1975 (from Portugal)
Angola	National holiday	Independence Day, 11 November (1975)
Angola	Constitution	11 November 1975; revised 7 January 1978, 11 August 1980, 6 March 1991, and 26 August 1992
Angola	Legal system	based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law; recently modified to accommodate political pluralism and increased use of free markets
Angola	Suffrage	18 years of age; universal
Angola	Executive branch	chief of state: President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21 September 1979); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21 September 1979); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government; Fernando de Piedade Dias DOS SANTOS was appointed Prime Minister on 6 December 2002, but this is not a position of real power cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by universal ballot for a NA-year term; President DOS SANTOS originally elected (in 1979) without opposition under a one-party system and stood for reelection in Angola's first multiparty elections 29-30 September 1992 (next to be held NA) election results: DOS SANTOS 49.6%, Jonas SAVIMBI 40.1%, making a run-off election necessary; the run-off was not held and SAVIMBI's National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) repudiated the results of the first election; the civil war resumed
Angola	Legislative branch	unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (220 seats; members elected by proportional vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 29-30 September 1992 (next to be held NA) election results: percent of vote by party - MPLA 54%, UNITA 34%, others 12%; seats by party - MPLA 129, UNITA 70, PRS 6, FNLA 5, PLD 3, others 7
Angola	Judicial branch	Supreme Court or Tribunal da Relacao (judges are appointed by the president)
Angola	Political parties and leaders	Liberal Democratic Party or PLD [Analia de Victoria PEREIRA]; National Front for the Liberation of Angola or FNLA [disputed leadership: Lucas NGONDA, Holden ROBERTO]; National Union for the Total Independence of Angola or UNITA [interim leader: PAULO Lukamba "Gato"], largest opposition party has engaged in years of armed resistance; Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola or MPLA [Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS], ruling party in power since 1975; Social Renewal Party or PRS [disputed leadership: Eduardo KUANGANA, Antonio MUACHICUNGO] note: about a dozen minor parties participated in the 1992 elections but only won a few seats and have little influence in the National Assembly
Angola	Political pressure groups and leaders	Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda or FLEC [N'zita Henriques TIAGO; Antonio Bento BEMBE] note: FLEC is waging a small-scale, highly factionalized, armed struggle for the independence of Cabinda Province
Angola	International organization participation	ACP, AfDB, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAS (observer), OAU, SADC, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Angola	Diplomatic representation in the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Josefina Perpetua Pitra DIAKIDI FAX: [1] (202) 785-1258 consulate(s) general: Houston and New York telephone: [1] (202) 785-1156 chancery: 2108 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
Angola	Diplomatic representation from the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Christopher William DELL embassy: number 32 Rua Houari Boumedienne (in the Miramar area of Luanda), Luanda mailing address: international mail: Caixa Postal 6468, Luanda; pouch: American Embassy Luanda, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-2550 telephone: [244] (2) 445-481, 447-028, 446-224 FAX: [244] (2) 446-924
Angola	Flag description	two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and black with a centered yellow emblem consisting of a five-pointed star within half a cogwheel crossed by a machete (in the style of a hammer and sickle)
Angola	Economy - overview	Angola has been an economy in disarray because of a quarter century of nearly continuous warfare. An apparently durable peace was established after the death of rebel leader Jonas SAVIMBI on February 22, 2002, but consequences from the conflict continue including the impact of wide-spread land mines. Subsistence agriculture provides the main livelihood for 85% of the population. Oil production and the supporting activities are vital to the economy, contributing about 45% to GDP and more than half of exports. Much of the country's food must still be imported. To fully take advantage of its rich natural resources - gold, diamonds, extensive forests, Atlantic fisheries, and large oil deposits - Angola will need to continue reforming government policies. While Angola made progress in bringing inflation down further, from 325% in 2000 to about 106% in 2002, the government has failed to make sufficient progress on reforms recommended by the IMF such as increasing foreign exchange reserves and promoting greater transparency in government spending. Increased oil production should bring about 6% GDP growth in 2003.
Angola	GDP	purchasing power parity - $18.36 billion (2002 est.)
Angola	GDP - real growth rate	9.4% (2002 est.)
Angola	GDP - per capita	purchasing power parity - $1,700 (2002 est.)
Angola	GDP - composition by sector	agriculture: 8% industry: 67% services: 25% (2001 est.)
Angola	Population below poverty line	NA%
Angola	Household income or consumption by percentage share	lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Angola	Inflation rate (consumer prices)	106% (2002 est.)
Angola	Labor force	5 million (1997 est.)
Angola	Labor force - by occupation	agriculture 85%, industry and services 15% (1997 est.)
Angola	Unemployment rate	extensive unemployment and underemployment affecting more than half the population (2001 est.)
Angola	Budget	revenues: $928 million expenditures: $2.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $963 million (1992 est.)
Angola	Industries	petroleum; diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, feldspar, bauxite, uranium, and gold; cement; basic metal products; fish processing; food processing; brewing; tobacco products; sugar; textiles
Angola	Industrial production growth rate	1%
Angola	Electricity - production	1.45 billion kWh (2001)
Angola	Electricity - production by source	fossil fuel: 36.4% hydro: 63.6% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Angola	Electricity - consumption	1.348 billion kWh (2001)
Angola	Electricity - exports	0 kWh (2001)
Angola	Electricity - imports	0 kWh (2001)
Angola	Oil - production	742,400 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Angola	Oil - consumption	31,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Angola	Oil - exports	NA (2001)
Angola	Oil - imports	NA (2001)
Angola	Oil - proved reserves	5.691 billion bbl (37257)
Angola	Natural gas - production	530 million cu m (2001 est.)
Angola	Natural gas - consumption	530 million cu m (2001 est.)
Angola	Natural gas - exports	0 cu m (2001 est.)
Angola	Natural gas - imports	0 cu m (2001 est.)
Angola	Natural gas - proved reserves	79.57 billion cu m (37257)
Angola	Agriculture - products	bananas, sugarcane, coffee, sisal, corn, cotton, manioc (tapioca), tobacco, vegetables, plantains; livestock; forest products; fish
Angola	Exports	$8.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Angola	Exports - commodities	crude oil, diamonds, refined petroleum products, gas, coffee, sisal, fish and fish products, timber, cotton
Angola	Exports - partners	US 41.2%, China 13.7%, France 8%, Belgium 6.3%, Taiwan 6.3%, Japan 4.9%, Spain 4.3% (2002)
Angola	Imports	$4.1 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Angola	Imports - commodities	machinery and electrical equipment, vehicles and spare parts; medicines, food, textiles, military goods
Angola	Imports - partners	Portugal 20.2%, US 13.9%, South Africa 12.4%, France 6.7%, Brazil 5.8%, Belgium 5.3%, Netherlands 4% (2002)
Angola	Debt - external	$9.9 billion (2002 est.)
Angola	Economic aid - recipient	$383.5 million (1999)
Angola	Currency	kwanza (AOA)
Angola	Currency code	AOA
Angola	Exchange rates	kwanza per US dollar - 43.53 (2002), 22.06 (2001), 10.04 (2000), 2.79 (1999), 0.39 (1998); note - in December 1999 the kwanza was revalued with six zeroes dropped off the old value
Angola	Fiscal year	calendar year
Angola	Telephones - main lines in use	72,000 (1998)
Angola	Telephones - mobile cellular	25,800 (2000)
Angola	Telephone system	general assessment: telephone service limited mostly to government and business use; HF radiotelephone used extensively for military links domestic: limited system of wire, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Angola	Radio broadcast stations	AM 21, FM 6, shortwave 7 (2000)
Angola	Television broadcast stations	6 (2000)
Angola	Internet country code	.ao
Angola	Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	1 (2000)
Angola	Internet users	60,000 (2002)
Angola	Railways	total: 2,761 km narrow gauge: 2,638 km 1.067-m gauge; 123 km 0.600-m gauge (2002)
Angola	Highways	total: 51,429 km paved: 5,349 km unpaved: 46,080 km (1999)
Angola	Waterways	1,295 km
Angola	Pipelines	gas 214 km; liquid natural gas 14 km; liquid petroleum gas 30 km; oil 845 km; refined products 56 km (2003)
Angola	Ports and harbors	Ambriz, Cabinda, Lobito, Luanda, Malongo, Mocamedes, Namibe, Porto Amboim, Soyo
Angola	Merchant marine	total: 8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 30,311 GRT/48,924 DWT ships by type: cargo 7, petroleum tanker 1 (2002 est.)
Angola	Airports	243 (2002)
Angola	Airports - with paved runways	total: 32 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 1 (2002)
Angola	Airports - with unpaved runways	total: 211 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 30 914 to 1,523 m: 95 under 914 m: 80 (2002)
Angola	Military branches	Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, National Police Force
Angola	Military manpower - military age	18 years of age (2003 est.)
Angola	Military manpower - availability	males age 15-49: 2,568,082 (2003 est.)
Angola	Military manpower - fit for military service	males age 15-49: 1,290,884 (2003 est.)
Angola	Military manpower - reaching military age annually	males: 109,752 (2003 est.)
Angola	Military expenditures - dollar figure	$222.7 million (FY02)
Angola	Military expenditures - percent of GDP	5.4% (FY02)
Angola	Disputes - international	gives shelter to thousands of refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo while thousands of Angolan refugees still remain in neighboring states as a consequence of the protracted civil wars in both states
Angola	Illicit drugs	used as a transshipment point for cocaine destined for Western Europe and other African states
Angola	Background	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.
Angola	Location	Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Namibia and Democratic Republic of the Congo
Angola	Geographic coordinates	12 30 S, 18 30 E
Angola	Map references	Africa
Angola	Area	total: 1,246,700 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 1,246,700 sq km
Angola	Area - comparative	slightly less than twice the size of Texas
Angola	Land boundaries	total: 5,198 km border countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,511 km (of which 225 km is the boundary of discontiguous Cabinda Province), Republic of the Congo 201 km, Namibia 1,376 km, Zambia 1,110 km
Angola	Coastline	1,600 km
Angola	Maritime claims	contiguous zone: 24 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM
Angola	Climate	semiarid in south and along coast to Luanda; north has cool, dry season (May to October) and hot, rainy season (November to April)
Angola	Terrain	narrow coastal plain rises abruptly to vast interior plateau
Angola	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Morro de Moco 2,620 m
Angola	Natural resources	petroleum, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, copper, feldspar, gold, bauxite, uranium
Angola	Land use	arable land: 2.41% permanent crops: 0.4% other: 97.19% (1998 est.)
Angola	Irrigated land	750 sq km (1998 est.)
Angola	Natural hazards	locally heavy rainfall causes periodic flooding on the plateau
Angola	Environment - current issues	overuse of pastures and subsequent soil erosion attributable to population pressures; desertification; deforestation of tropical rain forest, in response to both international demand for tropical timber and to domestic use as fuel, resulting in loss of biodiversity; soil erosion contributing to water pollution and siltation of rivers and dams; inadequate supplies of potable water
Angola	Environment - international agreements	party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Angola	Geography - note	the province of Cabinda is an exclave, separated from the rest of the country by the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Angola	Population	10,766,471 (July 2003 est.)
Angola	Age structure	0-14 years: 43.5% (male 2,363,829; female 2,317,610) 15-64 years: 53.7% (male 2,941,999; female 2,842,923) 65 years and over: 2.8% (male 134,330; female 165,780) (2003 est.)
Angola	Median age	total: 18.2 years male: 18.2 years female: 18.2 years (2002)
Angola	Population growth rate	1.97% (2003 est.)
Angola	Birth rate	45.57 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Angola	Death rate	25.83 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Angola	Net migration rate	0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Angola	Sex ratio	at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Angola	Infant mortality rate	total: 193.82 deaths/1,000 live births female: 180.76 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 206.26 deaths/1,000 live births
Angola	Life expectancy at birth	total population: 36.96 years male: 36.13 years female: 37.83 years (2003 est.)
Angola	Total fertility rate	6.38 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Angola	HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate	5.5% (2001 est.)
Angola	HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS	350,000 (2001 est.)
Angola	HIV/AIDS - deaths	24,000 (2001 est.)
Angola	Nationality	noun: Angolan(s) adjective: Angolan
Angola	Ethnic groups	Ovimbundu 37%, Kimbundu 25%, Bakongo 13%, mestico (mixed European and Native African) 2%, European 1%, other 22%
Angola	Religions	indigenous beliefs 47%, Roman Catholic 38%, Protestant 15% (1998 est.)
Angola	Languages	Portuguese (official), Bantu and other African languages
Angola	Literacy	definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 42% male: 56% female: 28% (1998 est.)
Angola	Country name	conventional long form: Republic of Angola conventional short form: Angola local short form: Angola former: People's Republic of Angola local long form: Republica de Angola
Angola	Government type	republic, nominally a multiparty democracy with a strong presidential system
Angola	Capital	Luanda
Angola	Administrative divisions	18 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Bengo, Benguela, Bie, Cabinda, Cuando Cubango, Cuanza Norte, Cuanza Sul, Cunene, Huambo, Huila, Luanda, Lunda Norte, Lunda Sul, Malanje, Moxico, Namibe, Uige, Zaire
Angola	Independence	11 November 1975 (from Portugal)
Angola	National holiday	Independence Day, 11 November (1975)
Angola	Constitution	11 November 1975; revised 7 January 1978, 11 August 1980, 6 March 1991, and 26 August 1992
Angola	Legal system	based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law; recently modified to accommodate political pluralism and increased use of free markets
Angola	Suffrage	18 years of age; universal
Angola	Executive branch	chief of state: President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21 September 1979); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21 September 1979); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government; Fernando de Piedade Dias DOS SANTOS was appointed Prime Minister on 6 December 2002, but this is not a position of real power cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by universal ballot for a NA-year term; President DOS SANTOS originally elected (in 1979) without opposition under a one-party system and stood for reelection in Angola's first multiparty elections 29-30 September 1992 (next to be held NA) election results: DOS SANTOS 49.6%, Jonas SAVIMBI 40.1%, making a run-off election necessary; the run-off was not held and SAVIMBI's National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) repudiated the results of the first election; the civil war resumed
Angola	Legislative branch	unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (220 seats; members elected by proportional vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 29-30 September 1992 (next to be held NA) election results: percent of vote by party - MPLA 54%, UNITA 34%, others 12%; seats by party - MPLA 129, UNITA 70, PRS 6, FNLA 5, PLD 3, others 7
Angola	Judicial branch	Supreme Court or Tribunal da Relacao (judges are appointed by the president)
Angola	Political parties and leaders	Liberal Democratic Party or PLD [Analia de Victoria PEREIRA]; National Front for the Liberation of Angola or FNLA [disputed leadership: Lucas NGONDA, Holden ROBERTO]; National Union for the Total Independence of Angola or UNITA [interim leader: PAULO Lukamba "Gato"], largest opposition party has engaged in years of armed resistance; Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola or MPLA [Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS], ruling party in power since 1975; Social Renewal Party or PRS [disputed leadership: Eduardo KUANGANA, Antonio MUACHICUNGO] note: about a dozen minor parties participated in the 1992 elections but only won a few seats and have little influence in the National Assembly
Angola	Political pressure groups and leaders	Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda or FLEC [N'zita Henriques TIAGO; Antonio Bento BEMBE] note: FLEC is waging a small-scale, highly factionalized, armed struggle for the independence of Cabinda Province
Angola	International organization participation	ACP, AfDB, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAS (observer), OAU, SADC, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Angola	Diplomatic representation in the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Josefina Perpetua Pitra DIAKIDI FAX: [1] (202) 785-1258 consulate(s) general: Houston and New York telephone: [1] (202) 785-1156 chancery: 2108 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
Angola	Diplomatic representation from the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Christopher William DELL embassy: number 32 Rua Houari Boumedienne (in the Miramar area of Luanda), Luanda mailing address: international mail: Caixa Postal 6468, Luanda; pouch: American Embassy Luanda, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-2550 telephone: [244] (2) 445-481, 447-028, 446-224 FAX: [244] (2) 446-924
Angola	Flag description	two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and black with a centered yellow emblem consisting of a five-pointed star within half a cogwheel crossed by a machete (in the style of a hammer and sickle)
Angola	Economy - overview	Angola has been an economy in disarray because of a quarter century of nearly continuous warfare. An apparently durable peace was established after the death of rebel leader Jonas SAVIMBI on February 22, 2002, but consequences from the conflict continue including the impact of wide-spread land mines. Subsistence agriculture provides the main livelihood for 85% of the population. Oil production and the supporting activities are vital to the economy, contributing about 45% to GDP and more than half of exports. Much of the country's food must still be imported. To fully take advantage of its rich natural resources - gold, diamonds, extensive forests, Atlantic fisheries, and large oil deposits - Angola will need to continue reforming government policies. While Angola made progress in bringing inflation down further, from 325% in 2000 to about 106% in 2002, the government has failed to make sufficient progress on reforms recommended by the IMF such as increasing foreign exchange reserves and promoting greater transparency in government spending. Increased oil production should bring about 6% GDP growth in 2003.
Angola	GDP	purchasing power parity - $18.36 billion (2002 est.)
Angola	GDP - real growth rate	9.4% (2002 est.)
Angola	GDP - per capita	purchasing power parity - $1,700 (2002 est.)
Angola	GDP - composition by sector	agriculture: 8% industry: 67% services: 25% (2001 est.)
Angola	Population below poverty line	NA%
Angola	Household income or consumption by percentage share	lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Angola	Inflation rate (consumer prices)	106% (2002 est.)
Angola	Labor force	5 million (1997 est.)
Angola	Labor force - by occupation	agriculture 85%, industry and services 15% (1997 est.)
Angola	Unemployment rate	extensive unemployment and underemployment affecting more than half the population (2001 est.)
Angola	Budget	revenues: $928 million expenditures: $2.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $963 million (1992 est.)
Angola	Industries	petroleum; diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, feldspar, bauxite, uranium, and gold; cement; basic metal products; fish processing; food processing; brewing; tobacco products; sugar; textiles
Angola	Industrial production growth rate	1%
Angola	Electricity - production	1.45 billion kWh (2001)
Angola	Electricity - production by source	fossil fuel: 36.4% hydro: 63.6% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Angola	Electricity - consumption	1.348 billion kWh (2001)
Angola	Electricity - exports	0 kWh (2001)
Angola	Electricity - imports	0 kWh (2001)
Angola	Oil - production	742,400 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Angola	Oil - consumption	31,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Angola	Oil - exports	NA (2001)
Angola	Oil - imports	NA (2001)
Angola	Oil - proved reserves	5.691 billion bbl (37257)
Angola	Natural gas - production	530 million cu m (2001 est.)
Angola	Natural gas - consumption	530 million cu m (2001 est.)
Angola	Natural gas - exports	0 cu m (2001 est.)
Angola	Natural gas - imports	0 cu m (2001 est.)
Angola	Natural gas - proved reserves	79.57 billion cu m (37257)
Angola	Agriculture - products	bananas, sugarcane, coffee, sisal, corn, cotton, manioc (tapioca), tobacco, vegetables, plantains; livestock; forest products; fish
Angola	Exports	$8.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Angola	Exports - commodities	crude oil, diamonds, refined petroleum products, gas, coffee, sisal, fish and fish products, timber, cotton
Angola	Exports - partners	US 41.2%, China 13.7%, France 8%, Belgium 6.3%, Taiwan 6.3%, Japan 4.9%, Spain 4.3% (2002)
Angola	Imports	$4.1 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Angola	Imports - commodities	machinery and electrical equipment, vehicles and spare parts; medicines, food, textiles, military goods
Angola	Imports - partners	Portugal 20.2%, US 13.9%, South Africa 12.4%, France 6.7%, Brazil 5.8%, Belgium 5.3%, Netherlands 4% (2002)
Angola	Debt - external	$9.9 billion (2002 est.)
Angola	Economic aid - recipient	$383.5 million (1999)
Angola	Currency	kwanza (AOA)
Angola	Currency code	AOA
Angola	Exchange rates	kwanza per US dollar - 43.53 (2002), 22.06 (2001), 10.04 (2000), 2.79 (1999), 0.39 (1998); note - in December 1999 the kwanza was revalued with six zeroes dropped off the old value
Angola	Fiscal year	calendar year
Angola	Telephones - main lines in use	72,000 (1998)
Angola	Telephones - mobile cellular	25,800 (2000)
Angola	Telephone system	general assessment: telephone service limited mostly to government and business use; HF radiotelephone used extensively for military links domestic: limited system of wire, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Angola	Radio broadcast stations	AM 21, FM 6, shortwave 7 (2000)
Angola	Television broadcast stations	6 (2000)
Angola	Internet country code	.ao
Angola	Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	1 (2000)
Angola	Internet users	60,000 (2002)
Angola	Railways	total: 2,761 km narrow gauge: 2,638 km 1.067-m gauge; 123 km 0.600-m gauge (2002)
Angola	Highways	total: 51,429 km paved: 5,349 km unpaved: 46,080 km (1999)
Angola	Waterways	1,295 km
Angola	Pipelines	gas 214 km; liquid natural gas 14 km; liquid petroleum gas 30 km; oil 845 km; refined products 56 km (2003)
Angola	Ports and harbors	Ambriz, Cabinda, Lobito, Luanda, Malongo, Mocamedes, Namibe, Porto Amboim, Soyo
Angola	Merchant marine	total: 8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 30,311 GRT/48,924 DWT ships by type: cargo 7, petroleum tanker 1 (2002 est.)
Angola	Airports	243 (2002)
Angola	Airports - with paved runways	total: 32 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 1 (2002)
Angola	Airports - with unpaved runways	total: 211 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 30 914 to 1,523 m: 95 under 914 m: 80 (2002)
Angola	Military branches	Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, National Police Force
Angola	Military manpower - military age	18 years of age (2003 est.)
Angola	Military manpower - availability	males age 15-49: 2,568,082 (2003 est.)
Angola	Military manpower - fit for military service	males age 15-49: 1,290,884 (2003 est.)
Angola	Military manpower - reaching military age annually	males: 109,752 (2003 est.)
Angola	Military expenditures - dollar figure	$222.7 million (FY02)
Angola	Military expenditures - percent of GDP	5.4% (FY02)
Angola	Disputes - international	gives shelter to thousands of refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo while thousands of Angolan refugees still remain in neighboring states as a consequence of the protracted civil wars in both states
Angola	Illicit drugs	used as a transshipment point for cocaine destined for Western Europe and other African states
Anguilla	Background	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.
Anguilla	Location	Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico
Anguilla	Geographic coordinates	18 15 N, 63 10 W
Anguilla	Map references	Central America and the Caribbean
Anguilla	Area	total: 102 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 102 sq km
Anguilla	Area - comparative	about half the size of Washington, DC
Anguilla	Land boundaries	0 km
Anguilla	Coastline	61 km
Anguilla	Maritime claims	exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 3 NM
Anguilla	Climate	tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds
Anguilla	Terrain	flat and low-lying island of coral and limestone
Anguilla	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Crocus Hill 65 m
Anguilla	Natural resources	salt, fish, lobster
Anguilla	Land use	arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (mostly rock with sparse scrub oak, few trees, some commercial salt ponds) (1998 est.)
Anguilla	Irrigated land	NA sq km
Anguilla	Natural hazards	frequent hurricanes and other tropical storms (July to October)
Anguilla	Environment - current issues	supplies of potable water sometimes cannot meet increasing demand largely because of poor distribution system
Anguilla	Geography - note	the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles
Anguilla	Population	12,738 (July 2003 est.)
Anguilla	Age structure	0-14 years: 24.3% (male 1,575; female 1,526) 15-64 years: 68.8% (male 4,504; female 4,262) 65 years and over: 6.8% (male 387; female 484) (2003 est.)
Anguilla	Median age	total: 30 years male: 30 years female: 29.9 years (2002)
Anguilla	Population growth rate	2.21% (2003 est.)
Anguilla	Birth rate	14.68 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Anguilla	Death rate	5.42 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Anguilla	Net migration rate	12.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Anguilla	Sex ratio	at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Anguilla	Infant mortality rate	total: 22.8 deaths/1,000 live births female: 15.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 29.84 deaths/1,000 live births
Anguilla	Life expectancy at birth	total population: 76.7 years male: 73.79 years female: 79.7 years (2003 est.)
Anguilla	Total fertility rate	1.76 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Anguilla	HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate	NA%
Anguilla	HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS	NA
Anguilla	HIV/AIDS - deaths	NA
Anguilla	Nationality	noun: Anguillan(s) adjective: Anguillan
Anguilla	Ethnic groups	black (predominant), mulatto, white
Anguilla	Religions	Anglican 40%, Methodist 33%, Seventh-Day Adventist 7%, Baptist 5%, Roman Catholic 3%, other 12%
Anguilla	Languages	English (official)
Anguilla	Literacy	definition: age 12 and over can read and write total population: 95% male: 95% female: 95% (1984 est.)
Anguilla	Country name	conventional long form: none conventional short form: Anguilla
Anguilla	Dependency status	overseas territory of the UK
Anguilla	Government type	NA
Anguilla	Capital	The Valley
Anguilla	Administrative divisions	none (overseas territory of the UK)
Anguilla	Independence	none (overseas territory of the UK)
Anguilla	National holiday	Anguilla Day, 30 May
Anguilla	Constitution	Anguilla Constitutional Order 1 April 1982; amended 1990
Anguilla	Legal system	based on English common law
Anguilla	Suffrage	18 years of age; universal
Anguilla	Executive branch	chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Peter JOHNSTONE (since NA February 2000) elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed chief minister by the governor head of government: Chief Minister Osbourne FLEMING (since 3 March 2000) cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor from among the elected members of the House of Assembly
Anguilla	Legislative branch	unicameral House of Assembly (11 seats total, 7 elected by direct popular vote, 2 ex officio members, and 2 appointed; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held 3 March 2000 (next to be held NA June 2005) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - ANA 3, AUP 2, ADP 1, independent 1
Anguilla	Judicial branch	High Court (judge provided by Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court)
Anguilla	Political parties and leaders	Anguilla United Party or AUP [Hubert HUGHES]; The United Front or UF [Osbourne FLEMING, Victor BANKS], a coalition of the Anguilla Democratic Party or ADP and the Anguilla National Alliance or ANA
Anguilla	Political pressure groups and leaders	NA
Anguilla	International organization participation	Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), OECS (associate), ECLAC (associate)
Anguilla	Diplomatic representation in the US	none (overseas territory of the UK)
Anguilla	Diplomatic representation from the US	none (overseas territory of the UK)
Anguilla	Flag description	blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Anguillan coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms depicts three orange dolphins in an interlocking circular design on a white background with blue wavy water below
Anguilla	Economy - overview	Anguilla has few natural resources, and the economy depends heavily on luxury tourism, offshore banking, lobster fishing, and remittances from emigrants. Increased activity in the tourism industry, which has spurred the growth of the construction sector, has contributed to economic growth. Anguillan officials have put substantial effort into developing the offshore financial sector, which is small, but growing. In the medium term, prospects for the economy will depend largely on the tourism sector and, therefore, on revived income growth in the industrialized nations as well as on favorable weather conditions.
Anguilla	GDP	purchasing power parity - $104 million (2001 est.)
Anguilla	GDP - real growth rate	2.8% (2001 est.)
Anguilla	GDP - per capita	purchasing power parity - $8,600 (2001 est.)
Anguilla	GDP - composition by sector	agriculture: 4% industry: 18% services: 78% (1997 est.)
Anguilla	Population below poverty line	NA%
Anguilla	Household income or consumption by percentage share	lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Anguilla	Inflation rate (consumer prices)	2.3%
Anguilla	Labor force	6,049 (2001)
Anguilla	Labor force - by occupation	commerce 36%, services 29%, construction 18%, transportation and utilities 10%, manufacturing 3%, agriculture/fishing/forestry/mining 4% (2000 est,)
Anguilla	Unemployment rate	6.7% (2001)
Anguilla	Budget	revenues: $22.8 million expenditures: $22.5 million, including capital expenditures of NA (2000 est.)
Anguilla	Industries	tourism, boat building, offshore financial services
Anguilla	Industrial production growth rate	3.1% (1997 est.)
Anguilla	Electricity - production	NA (2000)
Anguilla	Electricity - production by source	fossil fuel: NA% hydro: NA% other: NA% nuclear: NA%
Anguilla	Electricity - consumption	42.6 million kWh
Anguilla	Agriculture - products	small quantities of tobacco, vegetables; cattle raising
Anguilla	Exports	$2.6 million (1999)
Anguilla	Exports - commodities	lobster, fish, livestock, salt, concrete blocks, rum
Anguilla	Exports - partners	UK, US, Puerto Rico, Saint-Martin (2000)
Anguilla	Imports	$80.9 million (1999)
Anguilla	Imports - commodities	fuels, foodstuffs, manufactures, chemicals, trucks, textiles
Anguilla	Imports - partners	US, Puerto Rico, UK (2000)
Anguilla	Debt - external	$8.8 million (1998)
Anguilla	Economic aid - recipient	$3.5 million (1995)
Anguilla	Currency	East Caribbean dollar (XCD)
Anguilla	Currency code	XCD
Anguilla	Exchange rates	East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7000 (fixed rate since 1976)
Anguilla	Fiscal year	1 April - 31 March
Anguilla	Telephones - main lines in use	4,974 (2000)
Anguilla	Telephones - mobile cellular	1,629 (2000)
Anguilla	Telephone system	general assessment: NA domestic: modern internal telephone system international: microwave radio relay to island of Saint Martin (Guadeloupe and Netherlands Antilles)
Anguilla	Radio broadcast stations	AM 5, FM 6, shortwave 1 (1998)
Anguilla	Television broadcast stations	1 (1997)
Anguilla	Internet country code	.ai
Anguilla	Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	16 (2000)
Anguilla	Internet users	919 (2000)
Anguilla	Railways	0 km
Anguilla	Highways	total: 105 km paved: 65 km unpaved: 40 km (1997)
Anguilla	Waterways	none
Anguilla	Ports and harbors	Blowing Point, Road Bay
Anguilla	Merchant marine	none (2002 est.)
Anguilla	Airports	3 (2002)
Anguilla	Airports - with paved runways	total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002)
Anguilla	Airports - with unpaved runways	total: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2002)
Anguilla	Military - note	defense is the responsibility of the UK
Anguilla	Disputes - international	none
Anguilla	Illicit drugs	transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe
Anguilla	Background	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.
Anguilla	Location	Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico
Anguilla	Geographic coordinates	18 15 N, 63 10 W
Anguilla	Map references	Central America and the Caribbean
Anguilla	Area	total: 102 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 102 sq km
Anguilla	Area - comparative	about half the size of Washington, DC
Anguilla	Land boundaries	0 km
Anguilla	Coastline	61 km
Anguilla	Maritime claims	exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 3 NM
Anguilla	Climate	tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds
Anguilla	Terrain	flat and low-lying island of coral and limestone
Anguilla	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Crocus Hill 65 m
Anguilla	Natural resources	salt, fish, lobster
Anguilla	Land use	arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (mostly rock with sparse scrub oak, few trees, some commercial salt ponds) (1998 est.)
Anguilla	Irrigated land	NA sq km
Anguilla	Natural hazards	frequent hurricanes and other tropical storms (July to October)
Anguilla	Environment - current issues	supplies of potable water sometimes cannot meet increasing demand largely because of poor distribution system
Anguilla	Geography - note	the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles
Anguilla	Population	12,738 (July 2003 est.)
Anguilla	Age structure	0-14 years: 24.3% (male 1,575; female 1,526) 15-64 years: 68.8% (male 4,504; female 4,262) 65 years and over: 6.8% (male 387; female 484) (2003 est.)
Anguilla	Median age	total: 30 years male: 30 years female: 29.9 years (2002)
Anguilla	Population growth rate	2.21% (2003 est.)
Anguilla	Birth rate	14.68 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Anguilla	Death rate	5.42 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Anguilla	Net migration rate	12.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Anguilla	Sex ratio	at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Anguilla	Infant mortality rate	total: 22.8 deaths/1,000 live births female: 15.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 29.84 deaths/1,000 live births
Anguilla	Life expectancy at birth	total population: 76.7 years male: 73.79 years female: 79.7 years (2003 est.)
Anguilla	Total fertility rate	1.76 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Anguilla	HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate	NA%
Anguilla	HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS	NA
Anguilla	HIV/AIDS - deaths	NA
Anguilla	Nationality	noun: Anguillan(s) adjective: Anguillan
Anguilla	Ethnic groups	black (predominant), mulatto, white
Anguilla	Religions	Anglican 40%, Methodist 33%, Seventh-Day Adventist 7%, Baptist 5%, Roman Catholic 3%, other 12%
Anguilla	Languages	English (official)
Anguilla	Literacy	definition: age 12 and over can read and write total population: 95% male: 95% female: 95% (1984 est.)
Anguilla	Country name	conventional long form: none conventional short form: Anguilla
Anguilla	Dependency status	overseas territory of the UK
Anguilla	Government type	NA
Anguilla	Capital	The Valley
Anguilla	Administrative divisions	none (overseas territory of the UK)
Anguilla	Independence	none (overseas territory of the UK)
Anguilla	National holiday	Anguilla Day, 30 May
Anguilla	Constitution	Anguilla Constitutional Order 1 April 1982; amended 1990
Anguilla	Legal system	based on English common law
Anguilla	Suffrage	18 years of age; universal
Anguilla	Executive branch	chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Peter JOHNSTONE (since NA February 2000) elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed chief minister by the governor head of government: Chief Minister Osbourne FLEMING (since 3 March 2000) cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor from among the elected members of the House of Assembly
Anguilla	Legislative branch	unicameral House of Assembly (11 seats total, 7 elected by direct popular vote, 2 ex officio members, and 2 appointed; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held 3 March 2000 (next to be held NA June 2005) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - ANA 3, AUP 2, ADP 1, independent 1
Anguilla	Judicial branch	High Court (judge provided by Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court)
Anguilla	Political parties and leaders	Anguilla United Party or AUP [Hubert HUGHES]; The United Front or UF [Osbourne FLEMING, Victor BANKS], a coalition of the Anguilla Democratic Party or ADP and the Anguilla National Alliance or ANA
Anguilla	Political pressure groups and leaders	NA
Anguilla	International organization participation	Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), OECS (associate), ECLAC (associate)
Anguilla	Diplomatic representation in the US	none (overseas territory of the UK)
Anguilla	Diplomatic representation from the US	none (overseas territory of the UK)
Anguilla	Flag description	blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Anguillan coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms depicts three orange dolphins in an interlocking circular design on a white background with blue wavy water below
Anguilla	Economy - overview	Anguilla has few natural resources, and the economy depends heavily on luxury tourism, offshore banking, lobster fishing, and remittances from emigrants. Increased activity in the tourism industry, which has spurred the growth of the construction sector, has contributed to economic growth. Anguillan officials have put substantial effort into developing the offshore financial sector, which is small, but growing. In the medium term, prospects for the economy will depend largely on the tourism sector and, therefore, on revived income growth in the industrialized nations as well as on favorable weather conditions.
Anguilla	GDP	purchasing power parity - $104 million (2001 est.)
Anguilla	GDP - real growth rate	2.8% (2001 est.)
Anguilla	GDP - per capita	purchasing power parity - $8,600 (2001 est.)
Anguilla	GDP - composition by sector	agriculture: 4% industry: 18% services: 78% (1997 est.)
Anguilla	Population below poverty line	NA%
Anguilla	Household income or consumption by percentage share	lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Anguilla	Inflation rate (consumer prices)	2.3%
Anguilla	Labor force	6,049 (2001)
Anguilla	Labor force - by occupation	commerce 36%, services 29%, construction 18%, transportation and utilities 10%, manufacturing 3%, agriculture/fishing/forestry/mining 4% (2000 est,)
Anguilla	Unemployment rate	6.7% (2001)
Anguilla	Budget	revenues: $22.8 million expenditures: $22.5 million, including capital expenditures of NA (2000 est.)
Anguilla	Industries	tourism, boat building, offshore financial services
Anguilla	Industrial production growth rate	3.1% (1997 est.)
Anguilla	Electricity - production	NA (2000)
Anguilla	Electricity - production by source	fossil fuel: NA% hydro: NA% other: NA% nuclear: NA%
Anguilla	Electricity - consumption	42.6 million kWh
Anguilla	Agriculture - products	small quantities of tobacco, vegetables; cattle raising
Anguilla	Exports	$2.6 million (1999)
Anguilla	Exports - commodities	lobster, fish, livestock, salt, concrete blocks, rum
Anguilla	Exports - partners	UK, US, Puerto Rico, Saint-Martin (2000)
Anguilla	Imports	$80.9 million (1999)
Anguilla	Imports - commodities	fuels, foodstuffs, manufactures, chemicals, trucks, textiles
Anguilla	Imports - partners	US, Puerto Rico, UK (2000)
Anguilla	Debt - external	$8.8 million (1998)
Anguilla	Economic aid - recipient	$3.5 million (1995)
Anguilla	Currency	East Caribbean dollar (XCD)
Anguilla	Currency code	XCD
Anguilla	Exchange rates	East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7000 (fixed rate since 1976)
Anguilla	Fiscal year	1 April - 31 March
Anguilla	Telephones - main lines in use	4,974 (2000)
Anguilla	Telephones - mobile cellular	1,629 (2000)
Anguilla	Telephone system	general assessment: NA domestic: modern internal telephone system international: microwave radio relay to island of Saint Martin (Guadeloupe and Netherlands Antilles)
Anguilla	Radio broadcast stations	AM 5, FM 6, shortwave 1 (1998)
Anguilla	Television broadcast stations	1 (1997)
Anguilla	Internet country code	.ai
Anguilla	Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	16 (2000)
Anguilla	Internet users	919 (2000)
Anguilla	Railways	0 km
Anguilla	Highways	total: 105 km paved: 65 km unpaved: 40 km (1997)
Anguilla	Waterways	none
Anguilla	Ports and harbors	Blowing Point, Road Bay
Anguilla	Merchant marine	none (2002 est.)
Anguilla	Airports	3 (2002)
Anguilla	Airports - with paved runways	total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002)
Anguilla	Airports - with unpaved runways	total: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2002)
Anguilla	Military - note	defense is the responsibility of the UK
Anguilla	Disputes - international	none
Anguilla	Illicit drugs	transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe
Antarctica	Background	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.
Antarctica	Location	continent mostly south of the Antarctic Circle
Antarctica	Geographic coordinates	90 00 S, 0 00 E
Antarctica	Map references	Antarctic Region
Antarctica	Area	total: 14 million sq km note: fifth-largest continent, following Asia, Africa, North America, and South America, but larger than Australia and the subcontinent of Europe land: 14 million sq km (280,000 sq km ice-free, 13.72 million sq km ice-covered) (est.)
Antarctica	Area - comparative	slightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US
Antarctica	Land boundaries	0 km note: see entry on International disputes
Antarctica	Coastline	17,968 km
Antarctica	Maritime claims	none; 20 of 27 Antarctic consultative nations have made no claims to Antarctic territory (although Russia and the US have reserved the right to do so) and do not recognize the claims of the other nations; also see the Disputes - international entry
Antarctica	Climate	severe low temperatures vary with latitude, elevation, and distance from the ocean; East Antarctica is colder than West Antarctica because of its higher elevation; Antarctic Peninsula has the most moderate climate; higher temperatures occur in January along the coast and average slightly below freezing
Antarctica	Terrain	about 98% thick continental ice sheet and 2% barren rock, with average elevations between 2,000 and 4,000 meters; mountain ranges up to nearly 5,000 meters; ice-free coastal areas include parts of southern Victoria Land, Wilkes Land, the Antarctic Peninsula area, and parts of Ross Island on McMurdo Sound; glaciers form ice shelves along about half of the coastline, and floating ice shelves constitute 11% of the area of the continent
Antarctica	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Bentley Subglacial Trench -2,555 m highest point: Vinson Massif 4,897 m note: the lowest known land point in Antarctica is hidden in the Bentley Subglacial Trench; at its surface is the deepest ice yet discovered and the world's lowest elevation not under seawater
Antarctica	Natural resources	iron ore, chromium, copper, gold, nickel, platinum and other minerals, and coal and hydrocarbons have been found in small uncommercial quantities; none presently exploited; krill, finfish, and crab have been taken by commercial fisheries
Antarctica	Land use	arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (ice 98%, barren rock 2%) (1998 est.)
Antarctica	Irrigated land	0 sq km (1998 est.)
Antarctica	Natural hazards	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
Antarctica	Environment - current issues	in 1998, NASA satellite data showed that the antarctic ozone hole was the largest on record, covering 27 million square kilometers; researchers in 1997 found that increased ultraviolet light coming through the hole damages the DNA of icefish, an antarctic fish lacking hemoglobin; ozone depletion earlier was shown to harm one-celled antarctic marine plants; in 2002, significant areas of ice shelves disintegrated in response to regional warming
Antarctica	Geography - note	the coldest, windiest, highest (on average), and driest continent; during summer, more solar radiation reaches the surface at the South Pole than is received at the Equator in an equivalent period; mostly uninhabitable
Antarctica	Population	no indigenous inhabitants, but there are seasonally staffed research stations note: approximately 27 nations, all signatory to the Antarctic Treaty, send personnel to perform seasonal (summer) and year-round research on the continent and in its surrounding oceans; the population of persons doing and supporting science on the continent and its nearby islands south of 60 degrees south latitude (the region covered by the Antarctic Treaty) varies from approximately 4,000 in summer to 1,000 in winter; in addition, approximately 1,000 personnel including ship's crew and scientists doing onboard research are present in the waters of the treaty region; summer (January) population - 3,687 total; Argentina 302, Australia 201, Belgium 13, Brazil 80, Bulgaria 16, Chile 352, China 70, Finland 11, France 100, Germany 51, India 60, Italy 106, Japan 136, South Korea 14, Netherlands 10, NZ 60, Norway 40, Peru 28, Poland 70, Russia 254, South Africa 80, Spain 43, Sweden 20, UK 192, US 1,378 (1998-99); winter (July) population - 964 total; Argentina 165, Australia 75, Brazil 12, Chile 129, China 33, France 33, Germany 9, India 25, Japan 40, South Korea 14, NZ 10, Poland 20, Russia 102, South Africa 10, UK 39, US 248 (1998-99); year-round stations - 42 total; Argentina 6, Australia 4, Brazil 1, Chile 4, China 2, Finland 1, France 1, Germany 1, India 1, Italy 1, Japan 1, South Korea 1, NZ 1, Norway 1, Poland 1, Russia 6, South Africa 1, Spain 1, Ukraine 1, UK 2, US 3, Uruguay 1 (1998-99); summer-only stations - 32 total; Argentina 3, Australia 4, Bulgaria 1, Chile 7, Germany 1, India 1, Japan 3, NZ 1, Peru 1, Russia 3, Sweden 2, UK 5 (1998-99); in addition, during the austral summer some nations have numerous occupied locations such as tent camps, summer-long temporary facilities, and mobile traverses in support of research (July 2003 est.)
Antarctica	Country name	conventional long form: none conventional short form: Antarctica
Antarctica	Government type	Antarctic Treaty Summary - the Antarctic Treaty, signed on 1 December 1959 and entered into force on 23 June 1961, establishes the legal framework for the management of Antarctica. The 24th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting was held in Russia in July 2001. At the end of 2001, there were 45 treaty member nations: 27 consultative and 18 non-consultative. Consultative (voting) members include the seven nations that claim portions of Antarctica as national territory (some claims overlap) and 20 nonclaimant nations. The US and Russia have reserved the right to make claims. The US does not recognize the claims of others. Antarctica is administered through meetings of the consultative member nations. Decisions from these meetings are carried out by these member nations (within their areas) in accordance with their own national laws. The year in parentheses indicates when an acceding nation was voted to full consultative (voting) status, while no date indicates the country was an original 1959 treaty signatory. Claimant nations are - Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway, and the UK. Nonclaimant consultative nations are - Belgium, Brazil (1983), Bulgaria (1998) China (1985), Ecuador (1990), Finland (1989), Germany (1981), India (1983), Italy (1987), Japan, South Korea (1989), Netherlands (1990), Peru (1989), Poland (1977), Russia, South Africa, Spain (1988), Sweden (1988), Uruguay (1985), and the US. Non-consultative (nonvoting) members, with year of accession in parentheses, are - Austria (1987), Canada (1988), Colombia (1989), Cuba (1984), Czech Republic (1993), Denmark (1965), Estonia (2001), Greece (1987), Guatemala (1991), Hungary (1984), North Korea (1987), Papua New Guinea (1981), Romania (1971), Slovakia (1993), Switzerland (1990), Turkey (1995), Ukraine (1992), and Venezuela (1999). Article 1 - area to be used for peaceful purposes only; military activity, such as weapons testing, is prohibited, but military personnel and equipment may be used for scientific research or any other peaceful purpose; Article 2 - freedom of scientific investigation and cooperation shall continue; Article 3 - free exchange of information and personnel, cooperation with the UN and other international agencies; Article 4 - does not recognize, dispute, or establish territorial claims and no new claims shall be asserted while the treaty is in force; Article 5 - prohibits nuclear explosions or disposal of radioactive wastes; Article 6 - includes under the treaty all land and ice shelves south of 60 degrees 00 minutes south and reserves high seas rights; Article 7 - treaty-state observers have free access, including aerial observation, to any area and may inspect all stations, installations, and equipment; advance notice of all expeditions and of the introduction of military personnel must be given; Article 8 - allows for jurisdiction over observers and scientists by their own states; Article 9 - frequent consultative meetings take place among member nations; Article 10 - treaty states will discourage activities by any country in Antarctica that are contrary to the treaty; Article 11 - disputes to be settled peacefully by the parties concerned or, ultimately, by the ICJ; Articles 12, 13, 14 - deal with upholding, interpreting, and amending the treaty among involved nations. Other agreements - some 200 recommendations adopted at treaty consultative meetings and ratified by governments include - Agreed Measures for Fauna and Flora (1964) which were later incorporated into the Environmental Protocol; Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals (1972); Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (1980); a mineral resources agreement was signed in 1988 but remains unratified; the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty was signed 4 October 1991 and entered into force 14 January 1998; this agreement provides for the protection of the Antarctic environment through five specific annexes: 1) marine pollution, 2) fauna and flora, 3) environmental impact assessments, 4) waste management, and 5) protected area management; it prohibits all activities relating to mineral resources except scientific research.
Antarctica	Legal system	Antarctica is administered through meetings of the consultative member nations. Decisions from these meetings are carried out by these member nations (within their areas) in accordance with their own national laws. US law, including certain criminal offenses by or against US nationals, such as murder, may apply extra-territorially. Some US laws directly apply to Antarctica. For example, the Antarctic Conservation Act, 16 U.S.C. section 2401 et seq., provides civil and criminal penalties for the following activities, unless authorized by regulation of statute: the taking of native mammals or birds; the introduction of nonindigenous plants and animals; entry into specially protected areas; the discharge or disposal of pollutants; and the importation into the US of certain items from Antarctica. Violation of the Antarctic Conservation Act carries penalties of up to $10,000 in fines and one year in prison. The National Science Foundation and Department of Justice share enforcement responsibilities. Public Law 95-541, the US Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978, as amended in 1996, requires expeditions from the US to Antarctica to notify, in advance, the Office of Oceans, Room 5805, Department of State, Washington, DC 20520, which reports such plans to other nations as required by the Antarctic Treaty. For more information, contact Permit Office, Office of Polar Programs, National Science Foundation, Arlington, Virginia 22230; telephone: (703) 292-8030, or visit their website at www.nsf.gov.
Antarctica	Economy - overview	Fishing off the coast and tourism, both based abroad, account for the limited economic activity. Antarctic fisheries in 2000-01 (1 July-30 June) reported landing 112,934 metric tons. Unregulated fishing, particularly of tooth fish, is a serious problem. Allegedly illegal fishing in antarctic waters in 1998 resulted in the seizure (by France and Australia) of at least eight fishing ships. The Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources determines the recommended catch limits for marine species. A total of 12,248 tourists visited in the 2000-01 antarctic summer, down from the 14,762 who visited the previous year. Nearly all of them were passengers on 21 commercial (nongovernmental) ships and several yachts that made trips during the summer. Most tourist trips lasted approximately two weeks.
Antarctica	Telephones - main lines in use	0 note: information for US bases only (2001)
Antarctica	Telephones - mobile cellular	NA; Iridium system in use
Antarctica	Telephone system	general assessment: local systems at some research stations domestic: NA international: via satellite from some research stations
Antarctica	Radio broadcast stations	AM NA, FM 2, shortwave 1 note: information for US bases only (2002)
Antarctica	Television broadcast stations	1 (cable system with six channels; American Forces Antarctic Network-McMurdo) note: information for US bases only (2002)
Antarctica	Internet country code	.aq
Antarctica	Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	NA
Antarctica	Ports and harbors	there are no developed ports and harbors in Antarctica; most coastal stations have offshore anchorages, and supplies are transferred from ship to shore by small boats, barges, and helicopters; a few stations have a basic wharf facility; US coastal stations include McMurdo (77 51 S, 166 40 E), Palmer (64 43 S, 64 03 W); government use only except by permit (see Permit Office under "Legal System"); all ships at port are subject to inspection in accordance with Article 7, Antarctic Treaty; offshore anchorage is sparse and intermittent
Antarctica	Airports	30 note: 30 stations, operated by 16 national governments party to the Antarctic Treaty, have aircraft landing facilities for either helicopters and/or fixed-wing aircraft; commercial enterprises operate two additional aircraft landing facilities; helicopter pads are available at 27 stations; runways at 15 locations are gravel, sea-ice, blue-ice, or compacted snow suitable for landing wheeled, fixed-wing aircraft; of these, 1 is greater than 3 km in length, 6 are between 2 km and 3 km in length, 3 are between 1 km and 2 km in length, 3 are less than 1 km in length, and 2 are of unknown length; snow surface skiways, limited to use by ski-equipped, fixed-wing aircraft, are available at another 15 locations; of these, 4 are greater than 3 km in length, 3 are between 2 km and 3 km in length, 2 are between 1 km and 2 km in length, 2 are less than 1 km in length, and 4 are of unknown length; aircraft landing facilities generally subject to severe restrictions and limitations resulting from extreme seasonal and geographic conditions; aircraft landing facilities do not meet ICAO standards; advance approval from the respective governmental or nongovernmental operating organization required for landing; landed aircraft are subject to inspection in accordance with Article 7, Antarctic Treaty (2002)
Antarctica	Airports - with unpaved runways	total: 19 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 5 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
Antarctica	Heliports	27 stations have helicopter landing facilities (helipads) (2002)
Antarctica	Military - note	the Antarctic Treaty prohibits any measures of a military nature, such as the establishment of military bases and fortifications, the carrying out of military maneuvers, or the testing of any type of weapon; it permits the use of military personnel or equipment for scientific research or for any other peaceful purposes
Antarctica	Disputes - international	Antarctic Treaty freezes claims (see Antarctic Treaty Summary in Government type entry); sections (some overlapping) claimed by Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, NZ, Norway, and UK; the US and most other states do not recognize the territorial claims of other states and have made no claims themselves (the US and Russia reserve the right to do so); no claims have been made in the sector between 90 degrees west and 150 degrees west; several states with land claims in Antarctica have expressed their intention to submit data to the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf to extend their continental shelf claims to adjoining undersea ridges
Antarctica	Background	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.
Antarctica	Location	continent mostly south of the Antarctic Circle
Antarctica	Geographic coordinates	90 00 S, 0 00 E
Antarctica	Map references	Antarctic Region
Antarctica	Area	total: 14 million sq km note: fifth-largest continent, following Asia, Africa, North America, and South America, but larger than Australia and the subcontinent of Europe land: 14 million sq km (280,000 sq km ice-free, 13.72 million sq km ice-covered) (est.)
Antarctica	Area - comparative	slightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US
Antarctica	Land boundaries	0 km note: see entry on International disputes
Antarctica	Coastline	17,968 km
Antarctica	Maritime claims	none; 20 of 27 Antarctic consultative nations have made no claims to Antarctic territory (although Russia and the US have reserved the right to do so) and do not recognize the claims of the other nations; also see the Disputes - international entry
Antarctica	Climate	severe low temperatures vary with latitude, elevation, and distance from the ocean; East Antarctica is colder than West Antarctica because of its higher elevation; Antarctic Peninsula has the most moderate climate; higher temperatures occur in January along the coast and average slightly below freezing
Antarctica	Terrain	about 98% thick continental ice sheet and 2% barren rock, with average elevations between 2,000 and 4,000 meters; mountain ranges up to nearly 5,000 meters; ice-free coastal areas include parts of southern Victoria Land, Wilkes Land, the Antarctic Peninsula area, and parts of Ross Island on McMurdo Sound; glaciers form ice shelves along about half of the coastline, and floating ice shelves constitute 11% of the area of the continent
Antarctica	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Bentley Subglacial Trench -2,555 m highest point: Vinson Massif 4,897 m note: the lowest known land point in Antarctica is hidden in the Bentley Subglacial Trench; at its surface is the deepest ice yet discovered and the world's lowest elevation not under seawater
Antarctica	Natural resources	iron ore, chromium, copper, gold, nickel, platinum and other minerals, and coal and hydrocarbons have been found in small uncommercial quantities; none presently exploited; krill, finfish, and crab have been taken by commercial fisheries
Antarctica	Land use	arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (ice 98%, barren rock 2%) (1998 est.)
Antarctica	Irrigated land	0 sq km (1998 est.)
Antarctica	Natural hazards	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
Antarctica	Environment - current issues	in 1998, NASA satellite data showed that the antarctic ozone hole was the largest on record, covering 27 million square kilometers; researchers in 1997 found that increased ultraviolet light coming through the hole damages the DNA of icefish, an antarctic fish lacking hemoglobin; ozone depletion earlier was shown to harm one-celled antarctic marine plants; in 2002, significant areas of ice shelves disintegrated in response to regional warming
Antarctica	Geography - note	the coldest, windiest, highest (on average), and driest continent; during summer, more solar radiation reaches the surface at the South Pole than is received at the Equator in an equivalent period; mostly uninhabitable
Antarctica	Population	no indigenous inhabitants, but there are seasonally staffed research stations note: approximately 27 nations, all signatory to the Antarctic Treaty, send personnel to perform seasonal (summer) and year-round research on the continent and in its surrounding oceans; the population of persons doing and supporting science on the continent and its nearby islands south of 60 degrees south latitude (the region covered by the Antarctic Treaty) varies from approximately 4,000 in summer to 1,000 in winter; in addition, approximately 1,000 personnel including ship's crew and scientists doing onboard research are present in the waters of the treaty region; summer (January) population - 3,687 total; Argentina 302, Australia 201, Belgium 13, Brazil 80, Bulgaria 16, Chile 352, China 70, Finland 11, France 100, Germany 51, India 60, Italy 106, Japan 136, South Korea 14, Netherlands 10, NZ 60, Norway 40, Peru 28, Poland 70, Russia 254, South Africa 80, Spain 43, Sweden 20, UK 192, US 1,378 (1998-99); winter (July) population - 964 total; Argentina 165, Australia 75, Brazil 12, Chile 129, China 33, France 33, Germany 9, India 25, Japan 40, South Korea 14, NZ 10, Poland 20, Russia 102, South Africa 10, UK 39, US 248 (1998-99); year-round stations - 42 total; Argentina 6, Australia 4, Brazil 1, Chile 4, China 2, Finland 1, France 1, Germany 1, India 1, Italy 1, Japan 1, South Korea 1, NZ 1, Norway 1, Poland 1, Russia 6, South Africa 1, Spain 1, Ukraine 1, UK 2, US 3, Uruguay 1 (1998-99); summer-only stations - 32 total; Argentina 3, Australia 4, Bulgaria 1, Chile 7, Germany 1, India 1, Japan 3, NZ 1, Peru 1, Russia 3, Sweden 2, UK 5 (1998-99); in addition, during the austral summer some nations have numerous occupied locations such as tent camps, summer-long temporary facilities, and mobile traverses in support of research (July 2003 est.)
Antarctica	Country name	conventional long form: none conventional short form: Antarctica
Antarctica	Government type	Antarctic Treaty Summary - the Antarctic Treaty, signed on 1 December 1959 and entered into force on 23 June 1961, establishes the legal framework for the management of Antarctica. The 24th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting was held in Russia in July 2001. At the end of 2001, there were 45 treaty member nations: 27 consultative and 18 non-consultative. Consultative (voting) members include the seven nations that claim portions of Antarctica as national territory (some claims overlap) and 20 nonclaimant nations. The US and Russia have reserved the right to make claims. The US does not recognize the claims of others. Antarctica is administered through meetings of the consultative member nations. Decisions from these meetings are carried out by these member nations (within their areas) in accordance with their own national laws. The year in parentheses indicates when an acceding nation was voted to full consultative (voting) status, while no date indicates the country was an original 1959 treaty signatory. Claimant nations are - Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway, and the UK. Nonclaimant consultative nations are - Belgium, Brazil (1983), Bulgaria (1998) China (1985), Ecuador (1990), Finland (1989), Germany (1981), India (1983), Italy (1987), Japan, South Korea (1989), Netherlands (1990), Peru (1989), Poland (1977), Russia, South Africa, Spain (1988), Sweden (1988), Uruguay (1985), and the US. Non-consultative (nonvoting) members, with year of accession in parentheses, are - Austria (1987), Canada (1988), Colombia (1989), Cuba (1984), Czech Republic (1993), Denmark (1965), Estonia (2001), Greece (1987), Guatemala (1991), Hungary (1984), North Korea (1987), Papua New Guinea (1981), Romania (1971), Slovakia (1993), Switzerland (1990), Turkey (1995), Ukraine (1992), and Venezuela (1999). Article 1 - area to be used for peaceful purposes only; military activity, such as weapons testing, is prohibited, but military personnel and equipment may be used for scientific research or any other peaceful purpose; Article 2 - freedom of scientific investigation and cooperation shall continue; Article 3 - free exchange of information and personnel, cooperation with the UN and other international agencies; Article 4 - does not recognize, dispute, or establish territorial claims and no new claims shall be asserted while the treaty is in force; Article 5 - prohibits nuclear explosions or disposal of radioactive wastes; Article 6 - includes under the treaty all land and ice shelves south of 60 degrees 00 minutes south and reserves high seas rights; Article 7 - treaty-state observers have free access, including aerial observation, to any area and may inspect all stations, installations, and equipment; advance notice of all expeditions and of the introduction of military personnel must be given; Article 8 - allows for jurisdiction over observers and scientists by their own states; Article 9 - frequent consultative meetings take place among member nations; Article 10 - treaty states will discourage activities by any country in Antarctica that are contrary to the treaty; Article 11 - disputes to be settled peacefully by the parties concerned or, ultimately, by the ICJ; Articles 12, 13, 14 - deal with upholding, interpreting, and amending the treaty among involved nations. Other agreements - some 200 recommendations adopted at treaty consultative meetings and ratified by governments include - Agreed Measures for Fauna and Flora (1964) which were later incorporated into the Environmental Protocol; Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals (1972); Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (1980); a mineral resources agreement was signed in 1988 but remains unratified; the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty was signed 4 October 1991 and entered into force 14 January 1998; this agreement provides for the protection of the Antarctic environment through five specific annexes: 1) marine pollution, 2) fauna and flora, 3) environmental impact assessments, 4) waste management, and 5) protected area management; it prohibits all activities relating to mineral resources except scientific research.
Antarctica	Legal system	Antarctica is administered through meetings of the consultative member nations. Decisions from these meetings are carried out by these member nations (within their areas) in accordance with their own national laws. US law, including certain criminal offenses by or against US nationals, such as murder, may apply extra-territorially. Some US laws directly apply to Antarctica. For example, the Antarctic Conservation Act, 16 U.S.C. section 2401 et seq., provides civil and criminal penalties for the following activities, unless authorized by regulation of statute: the taking of native mammals or birds; the introduction of nonindigenous plants and animals; entry into specially protected areas; the discharge or disposal of pollutants; and the importation into the US of certain items from Antarctica. Violation of the Antarctic Conservation Act carries penalties of up to $10,000 in fines and one year in prison. The National Science Foundation and Department of Justice share enforcement responsibilities. Public Law 95-541, the US Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978, as amended in 1996, requires expeditions from the US to Antarctica to notify, in advance, the Office of Oceans, Room 5805, Department of State, Washington, DC 20520, which reports such plans to other nations as required by the Antarctic Treaty. For more information, contact Permit Office, Office of Polar Programs, National Science Foundation, Arlington, Virginia 22230; telephone: (703) 292-8030, or visit their website at www.nsf.gov.
Antarctica	Economy - overview	Fishing off the coast and tourism, both based abroad, account for the limited economic activity. Antarctic fisheries in 2000-01 (1 July-30 June) reported landing 112,934 metric tons. Unregulated fishing, particularly of tooth fish, is a serious problem. Allegedly illegal fishing in antarctic waters in 1998 resulted in the seizure (by France and Australia) of at least eight fishing ships. The Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources determines the recommended catch limits for marine species. A total of 12,248 tourists visited in the 2000-01 antarctic summer, down from the 14,762 who visited the previous year. Nearly all of them were passengers on 21 commercial (nongovernmental) ships and several yachts that made trips during the summer. Most tourist trips lasted approximately two weeks.
Antarctica	Telephones - main lines in use	0 note: information for US bases only (2001)
Antarctica	Telephones - mobile cellular	NA; Iridium system in use
Antarctica	Telephone system	general assessment: local systems at some research stations domestic: NA international: via satellite from some research stations
Antarctica	Radio broadcast stations	AM NA, FM 2, shortwave 1 note: information for US bases only (2002)
Antarctica	Television broadcast stations	1 (cable system with six channels; American Forces Antarctic Network-McMurdo) note: information for US bases only (2002)
Antarctica	Internet country code	.aq
Antarctica	Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	NA
Antarctica	Ports and harbors	there are no developed ports and harbors in Antarctica; most coastal stations have offshore anchorages, and supplies are transferred from ship to shore by small boats, barges, and helicopters; a few stations have a basic wharf facility; US coastal stations include McMurdo (77 51 S, 166 40 E), Palmer (64 43 S, 64 03 W); government use only except by permit (see Permit Office under "Legal System"); all ships at port are subject to inspection in accordance with Article 7, Antarctic Treaty; offshore anchorage is sparse and intermittent
Antarctica	Airports	30 note: 30 stations, operated by 16 national governments party to the Antarctic Treaty, have aircraft landing facilities for either helicopters and/or fixed-wing aircraft; commercial enterprises operate two additional aircraft landing facilities; helicopter pads are available at 27 stations; runways at 15 locations are gravel, sea-ice, blue-ice, or compacted snow suitable for landing wheeled, fixed-wing aircraft; of these, 1 is greater than 3 km in length, 6 are between 2 km and 3 km in length, 3 are between 1 km and 2 km in length, 3 are less than 1 km in length, and 2 are of unknown length; snow surface skiways, limited to use by ski-equipped, fixed-wing aircraft, are available at another 15 locations; of these, 4 are greater than 3 km in length, 3 are between 2 km and 3 km in length, 2 are between 1 km and 2 km in length, 2 are less than 1 km in length, and 4 are of unknown length; aircraft landing facilities generally subject to severe restrictions and limitations resulting from extreme seasonal and geographic conditions; aircraft landing facilities do not meet ICAO standards; advance approval from the respective governmental or nongovernmental operating organization required for landing; landed aircraft are subject to inspection in accordance with Article 7, Antarctic Treaty (2002)
Antarctica	Airports - with unpaved runways	total: 19 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 5 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
Antarctica	Heliports	27 stations have helicopter landing facilities (helipads) (2002)
Antarctica	Military - note	the Antarctic Treaty prohibits any measures of a military nature, such as the establishment of military bases and fortifications, the carrying out of military maneuvers, or the testing of any type of weapon; it permits the use of military personnel or equipment for scientific research or for any other peaceful purposes
Antarctica	Disputes - international	Antarctic Treaty freezes claims (see Antarctic Treaty Summary in Government type entry); sections (some overlapping) claimed by Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, NZ, Norway, and UK; the US and most other states do not recognize the territorial claims of other states and have made no claims themselves (the US and Russia reserve the right to do so); no claims have been made in the sector between 90 degrees west and 150 degrees west; several states with land claims in Antarctica have expressed their intention to submit data to the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf to extend their continental shelf claims to adjoining undersea ridges
Antigua and Barbuda	Background	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.
Antigua and Barbuda	Location	Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east-southeast of Puerto Rico
Antigua and Barbuda	Geographic coordinates	17 03 N, 61 48 W
Antigua and Barbuda	Map references	Central America and the Caribbean
Antigua and Barbuda	Area	total: 443 sq km (Antigua 280 sq km; Barbuda 161 sq km) water: 0 sq km note: includes Redonda, 1.6 sq km land: 443 sq km
Antigua and Barbuda	Area - comparative	2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Antigua and Barbuda	Land boundaries	0 km
Antigua and Barbuda	Coastline	153 km
Antigua and Barbuda	Maritime claims	contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin
Antigua and Barbuda	Climate	tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation
Antigua and Barbuda	Terrain	mostly low-lying limestone and coral islands, with some higher volcanic areas
Antigua and Barbuda	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Boggy Peak 402 m
Antigua and Barbuda	Natural resources	NEGL; pleasant climate fosters tourism
Antigua and Barbuda	Land use	arable land: 18.18% permanent crops: 0% other: 81.82% (1998 est.)
Antigua and Barbuda	Irrigated land	NA sq km
Antigua and Barbuda	Natural hazards	hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October); periodic droughts
Antigua and Barbuda	Environment - current issues	water management - a major concern because of limited natural fresh water resources - is further hampered by the clearing of trees to increase crop production, causing rainfall to run off quickly
Antigua and Barbuda	Environment - international agreements	party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Antigua and Barbuda	Geography - note	Antigua has a deeply indented shoreline with many natural harbors and beaches; Barbuda has a very large western harbor
Antigua and Barbuda	Population	67,897 (July 2003 est.)
Antigua and Barbuda	Age structure	0-14 years: 28.1% (male 9,706; female 9,371) 15-64 years: 67.4% (male 22,929; female 22,845) 65 years and over: 4.5% (male 1,218; female 1,828) (2003 est.)
Antigua and Barbuda	Median age	total: 29.1 years male: 28.6 years female: 29.6 years (2002)
Antigua and Barbuda	Population growth rate	0.64% (2003 est.)
Antigua and Barbuda	Birth rate	18.23 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Antigua and Barbuda	Death rate	5.64 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Antigua and Barbuda	Net migration rate	-6.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Antigua and Barbuda	Sex ratio	at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Antigua and Barbuda	Infant mortality rate	total: 20.9 deaths/1,000 live births female: 16.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 25.14 deaths/1,000 live births
Antigua and Barbuda	Life expectancy at birth	total population: 71.31 years male: 68.99 years female: 73.75 years (2003 est.)
Antigua and Barbuda	Total fertility rate	2.28 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Antigua and Barbuda	HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate	NA%
Antigua and Barbuda	HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS	NA
Antigua and Barbuda	HIV/AIDS - deaths	NA
Antigua and Barbuda	Nationality	noun: Antiguan(s), Barbudan(s) adjective: Antiguan, Barbudan
Antigua and Barbuda	Ethnic groups	black, British, Portuguese, Lebanese, Syrian
Antigua and Barbuda	Religions	Christian, (predominantly Anglican with other Protestant, and some Roman Catholic)
Antigua and Barbuda	Languages	English (official), local dialects
Antigua and Barbuda	Literacy	definition: age 15 and over has completed five or more years of schooling total population: 89% male: 90% female: 88% (1960 est.)
Antigua and Barbuda	Country name	conventional long form: none conventional short form: Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda	Government type	constitutional monarchy with UK-style parliament
Antigua and Barbuda	Capital	Saint John's
Antigua and Barbuda	Administrative divisions	6 parishes and 2 dependencies*; Barbuda*, Redonda*, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mary, Saint Paul, Saint Peter, Saint Philip
Antigua and Barbuda	Independence	1 November 1981 (from UK)
Antigua and Barbuda	National holiday	Independence Day (National Day), 1 November (1981)
Antigua and Barbuda	Constitution	1 November 1981
Antigua and Barbuda	Legal system	based on English common law
Antigua and Barbuda	Suffrage	18 years of age; universal
Antigua and Barbuda	Executive branch	chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General James B. CARLISLE (since NA 1993) elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general chosen by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister head of government: Prime Minister Lester Bryant BIRD (since 8 March 1994); Deputy Prime Minister Robin YEARWOOD
Antigua and Barbuda	Legislative branch	bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (17-member body appointed by the governor general) and the House of Representatives (17 seats; members are elected by proportional representation to serve five-year terms) election results: percent of vote by party - ALP 53.2%, UPP 45.5%, independent 1.3%; seats by party - ALP 12, UPP 4, independent 1 elections: House of Representatives - last held 9 March 1999 (next to be held prior to March 2004)
Antigua and Barbuda	Judicial branch	Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based in Saint Lucia; one judge of the Supreme Court is a resident of the islands and presides over the Court of Summary Jurisdiction)
Antigua and Barbuda	Political parties and leaders	Antigua Labor Party or ALP [Lester Bryant BIRD]; Barbuda People's Movement or BPM [Thomas H. FRANK]; United Progressive Party or UPP [Baldwin SPENCER] (a coalition of three opposition parties - United National Democratic Party or UNDP, Antigua Caribbean Liberation Movement or ACLM, and Progressive Labor Movement or PLM)
Antigua and Barbuda	Political pressure groups and leaders	Antigua Trades and Labor Union or ATLU [William ROBINSON]; People's Democratic Movement or PDM [Hugh MARSHALL]
Antigua and Barbuda	International organization participation	ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Antigua and Barbuda	Diplomatic representation in the US	chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant) chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: [1] (202) 362-5211 FAX: [1] (202) 362-5225 consulate(s) general: Miami
Antigua and Barbuda	Diplomatic representation from the US	the US does not have an embassy in Antigua and Barbuda (embassy closed 30 June 1994); the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda	Flag description	red, with an inverted isosceles triangle based on the top edge of the flag; the triangle contains three horizontal bands of black (top), light blue, and white, with a yellow rising sun in the black band
Antigua and Barbuda	Economy - overview	Tourism continues to dominate the economy, accounting for more than half of GDP. Weak tourist arrival numbers since early 2000 have slowed the economy, however, and pressed the government into a tight fiscal corner. The dual-island nation's agricultural production is focused on the domestic market and constrained by a limited water supply and a labor shortage stemming from the lure of higher wages in tourism and construction. Manufacturing comprises enclave-type assembly for export with major products being bedding, handicrafts, and electronic components. Prospects for economic growth in the medium term will continue to depend on income growth in the industrialized world, especially in the US, which accounts for slightly more than one-third of tourist arrivals.
Antigua and Barbuda	GDP	purchasing power parity - $750 million (2002 est.)
Antigua and Barbuda	GDP - real growth rate	3% (2002 est.)
Antigua and Barbuda	GDP - per capita	purchasing power parity - $11,000 (2002 est.)
Antigua and Barbuda	GDP - composition by sector	agriculture: 3.9% industry: 19.2% services: 76.8% (2002)
Antigua and Barbuda	Population below poverty line	NA%
Antigua and Barbuda	Household income or consumption by percentage share	lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Antigua and Barbuda	Inflation rate (consumer prices)	0.4% (2000 est.)
Antigua and Barbuda	Labor force	30,000
Antigua and Barbuda	Labor force - by occupation	commerce and services 82%, agriculture 11%, industry 7% (1983)
Antigua and Barbuda	Unemployment rate	11% (2001 est.)
Antigua and Barbuda	Budget	revenues: $123.7 million expenditures: $145.9 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)
Antigua and Barbuda	Industries	tourism, construction, light manufacturing (clothing, alcohol, household appliances)
Antigua and Barbuda	Industrial production growth rate	6% (1997 est.)
Antigua and Barbuda	Electricity - production	105.3 million kWh (2001)
Antigua and Barbuda	Electricity - production by source	fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Antigua and Barbuda	Electricity - consumption	97.89 million kWh (2001)
Antigua and Barbuda	Electricity - exports	0 kWh (2001)
Antigua and Barbuda	Electricity - imports	0 kWh (2001)
Antigua and Barbuda	Oil - production	0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Antigua and Barbuda	Oil - consumption	3,600 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Antigua and Barbuda	Oil - exports	NA (2001)
Antigua and Barbuda	Oil - imports	NA (2001)
Antigua and Barbuda	Agriculture - products	cotton, fruits, vegetables, bananas, coconuts, cucumbers, mangoes, sugarcane; livestock
Antigua and Barbuda	Exports	$40 million
Antigua and Barbuda	Exports - commodities	petroleum products 48%, manufactures 23%, machinery and transport equipment 17%, food and live animals 4%, other 8%
Antigua and Barbuda	Exports - partners	France 68.5%, Germany 26.4%, Italy 1.2% (2002)
Antigua and Barbuda	Imports	$357 million (2000 est.)
Antigua and Barbuda	Imports - commodities	food and live animals, machinery and transport equipment, manufactures, chemicals, oil
Antigua and Barbuda	Imports - partners	France 23.4%, Germany 14.2%, US 13.2%, Poland 9.8%, South Korea 8.3%, Singapore 5%, UK 4.4% (2002)
Antigua and Barbuda	Debt - external	$231 million (1999)
Antigua and Barbuda	Economic aid - recipient	$2.3 million (1995)
Antigua and Barbuda	Currency	East Caribbean dollar (XCD)
Antigua and Barbuda	Currency code	XCD
Antigua and Barbuda	Exchange rates	East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7 (2002), 2.7 (2001), 2.7 (2000), 2.7 (1999), 2.7 (1998) (fixed rate since 1976)
Antigua and Barbuda	Fiscal year	1 April - 31 March
Antigua and Barbuda	Telephones - main lines in use	28,000 (1996)
Antigua and Barbuda	Telephones - mobile cellular	1,300 (1996)
Antigua and Barbuda	Telephone system	general assessment: NA domestic: good automatic telephone system international: 1 coaxial submarine cable; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); tropospheric scatter to Saba (Netherlands Antilles) and Guadeloupe
Antigua and Barbuda	Radio broadcast stations	AM 4, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998)
Antigua and Barbuda	Television broadcast stations	2 (1997)
Antigua and Barbuda	Internet country code	.ag
Antigua and Barbuda	Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	16 (2000)
Antigua and Barbuda	Internet users	5,000 (2001)
Antigua and Barbuda	Railways	total: 77 km narrow gauge: 64 km 0.760-m gauge; 13 km 0.610-m gauge (used almost exclusively for handling sugarcane) (2001 est.)
Antigua and Barbuda	Highways	total: 250 km (1999 est.)
Antigua and Barbuda	Waterways	none
Antigua and Barbuda	Ports and harbors	Saint John's
Antigua and Barbuda	Merchant marine	total: 816 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 5,135,866 GRT/6,648,143 DWT note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Australia 1, Bangladesh 2, Belgium 3, Colombia 1, Cuba 1, Estonia 1, Germany 747, Greece 1, Iceland 8, Latvia 1, Lebanon 2, Lithuania 1, Netherlands 22, New Zealand 2, Portugal 1, Slovenia 6, South Africa 1, Sweden 2, United Kingdom 1, United States 7 (2002 est.) ships by type: bulk 16, cargo 474, chemical tanker 8, combination bulk 3, container 255, liquefied gas 10, multi-functional large-load carrier 6, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 8, roll on/roll off 35
Antigua and Barbuda	Airports	3 (2002)
Antigua and Barbuda	Airports - with paved runways	total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002)
Antigua and Barbuda	Airports - with unpaved runways	total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002)
Antigua and Barbuda	Military branches	Royal Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force, Royal Antigua and Barbuda Police Force (including the Coast Guard)
Antigua and Barbuda	Military expenditures - dollar figure	$NA
Antigua and Barbuda	Military expenditures - percent of GDP	NA%
Antigua and Barbuda	Disputes - international	none
Antigua and Barbuda	Illicit drugs	considered a minor transshipment point for narcotics bound for the US and Europe; more significant as an offshore financial center
Antigua and Barbuda	Background	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.
Antigua and Barbuda	Location	Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east-southeast of Puerto Rico
Antigua and Barbuda	Geographic coordinates	17 03 N, 61 48 W
Antigua and Barbuda	Map references	Central America and the Caribbean
Antigua and Barbuda	Area	total: 443 sq km (Antigua 280 sq km; Barbuda 161 sq km) water: 0 sq km note: includes Redonda, 1.6 sq km land: 443 sq km
Antigua and Barbuda	Area - comparative	2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Antigua and Barbuda	Land boundaries	0 km
Antigua and Barbuda	Coastline	153 km
Antigua and Barbuda	Maritime claims	contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin
Antigua and Barbuda	Climate	tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation
Antigua and Barbuda	Terrain	mostly low-lying limestone and coral islands, with some higher volcanic areas
Antigua and Barbuda	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Boggy Peak 402 m
Antigua and Barbuda	Natural resources	NEGL; pleasant climate fosters tourism
Antigua and Barbuda	Land use	arable land: 18.18% permanent crops: 0% other: 81.82% (1998 est.)
Antigua and Barbuda	Irrigated land	NA sq km
Antigua and Barbuda	Natural hazards	hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October); periodic droughts
Antigua and Barbuda	Environment - current issues	water management - a major concern because of limited natural fresh water resources - is further hampered by the clearing of trees to increase crop production, causing rainfall to run off quickly
Antigua and Barbuda	Environment - international agreements	party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Antigua and Barbuda	Geography - note	Antigua has a deeply indented shoreline with many natural harbors and beaches; Barbuda has a very large western harbor
Antigua and Barbuda	Population	67,897 (July 2003 est.)
Antigua and Barbuda	Age structure	0-14 years: 28.1% (male 9,706; female 9,371) 15-64 years: 67.4% (male 22,929; female 22,845) 65 years and over: 4.5% (male 1,218; female 1,828) (2003 est.)
Antigua and Barbuda	Median age	total: 29.1 years male: 28.6 years female: 29.6 years (2002)
Antigua and Barbuda	Population growth rate	0.64% (2003 est.)
Antigua and Barbuda	Birth rate	18.23 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Antigua and Barbuda	Death rate	5.64 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Antigua and Barbuda	Net migration rate	-6.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Antigua and Barbuda	Sex ratio	at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Antigua and Barbuda	Infant mortality rate	total: 20.9 deaths/1,000 live births female: 16.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 25.14 deaths/1,000 live births
Antigua and Barbuda	Life expectancy at birth	total population: 71.31 years male: 68.99 years female: 73.75 years (2003 est.)
Antigua and Barbuda	Total fertility rate	2.28 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Antigua and Barbuda	HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate	NA%
Antigua and Barbuda	HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS	NA
Antigua and Barbuda	HIV/AIDS - deaths	NA
Antigua and Barbuda	Nationality	noun: Antiguan(s), Barbudan(s) adjective: Antiguan, Barbudan
Antigua and Barbuda	Ethnic groups	black, British, Portuguese, Lebanese, Syrian
Antigua and Barbuda	Religions	Christian, (predominantly Anglican with other Protestant, and some Roman Catholic)
Antigua and Barbuda	Languages	English (official), local dialects
Antigua and Barbuda	Literacy	definition: age 15 and over has completed five or more years of schooling total population: 89% male: 90% female: 88% (1960 est.)
Antigua and Barbuda	Country name	conventional long form: none conventional short form: Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda	Government type	constitutional monarchy with UK-style parliament
Antigua and Barbuda	Capital	Saint John's
Antigua and Barbuda	Administrative divisions	6 parishes and 2 dependencies*; Barbuda*, Redonda*, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mary, Saint Paul, Saint Peter, Saint Philip
Antigua and Barbuda	Independence	1 November 1981 (from UK)
Antigua and Barbuda	National holiday	Independence Day (National Day), 1 November (1981)
Antigua and Barbuda	Constitution	1 November 1981
Antigua and Barbuda	Legal system	based on English common law
Antigua and Barbuda	Suffrage	18 years of age; universal
Antigua and Barbuda	Executive branch	chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General James B. CARLISLE (since NA 1993) elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general chosen by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister head of government: Prime Minister Lester Bryant BIRD (since 8 March 1994); Deputy Prime Minister Robin YEARWOOD
Antigua and Barbuda	Legislative branch	bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (17-member body appointed by the governor general) and the House of Representatives (17 seats; members are elected by proportional representation to serve five-year terms) election results: percent of vote by party - ALP 53.2%, UPP 45.5%, independent 1.3%; seats by party - ALP 12, UPP 4, independent 1 elections: House of Representatives - last held 9 March 1999 (next to be held prior to March 2004)
Antigua and Barbuda	Judicial branch	Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based in Saint Lucia; one judge of the Supreme Court is a resident of the islands and presides over the Court of Summary Jurisdiction)
Antigua and Barbuda	Political parties and leaders	Antigua Labor Party or ALP [Lester Bryant BIRD]; Barbuda People's Movement or BPM [Thomas H. FRANK]; United Progressive Party or UPP [Baldwin SPENCER] (a coalition of three opposition parties - United National Democratic Party or UNDP, Antigua Caribbean Liberation Movement or ACLM, and Progressive Labor Movement or PLM)
Antigua and Barbuda	Political pressure groups and leaders	Antigua Trades and Labor Union or ATLU [William ROBINSON]; People's Democratic Movement or PDM [Hugh MARSHALL]
Antigua and Barbuda	International organization participation	ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Antigua and Barbuda	Diplomatic representation in the US	chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant) chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: [1] (202) 362-5211 FAX: [1] (202) 362-5225 consulate(s) general: Miami
Antigua and Barbuda	Diplomatic representation from the US	the US does not have an embassy in Antigua and Barbuda (embassy closed 30 June 1994); the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda	Flag description	red, with an inverted isosceles triangle based on the top edge of the flag; the triangle contains three horizontal bands of black (top), light blue, and white, with a yellow rising sun in the black band
Antigua and Barbuda	Economy - overview	Tourism continues to dominate the economy, accounting for more than half of GDP. Weak tourist arrival numbers since early 2000 have slowed the economy, however, and pressed the government into a tight fiscal corner. The dual-island nation's agricultural production is focused on the domestic market and constrained by a limited water supply and a labor shortage stemming from the lure of higher wages in tourism and construction. Manufacturing comprises enclave-type assembly for export with major products being bedding, handicrafts, and electronic components. Prospects for economic growth in the medium term will continue to depend on income growth in the industrialized world, especially in the US, which accounts for slightly more than one-third of tourist arrivals.
Antigua and Barbuda	GDP	purchasing power parity - $750 million (2002 est.)
Antigua and Barbuda	GDP - real growth rate	3% (2002 est.)
Antigua and Barbuda	GDP - per capita	purchasing power parity - $11,000 (2002 est.)
Antigua and Barbuda	GDP - composition by sector	agriculture: 3.9% industry: 19.2% services: 76.8% (2002)
Antigua and Barbuda	Population below poverty line	NA%
Antigua and Barbuda	Household income or consumption by percentage share	lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Antigua and Barbuda	Inflation rate (consumer prices)	0.4% (2000 est.)
Antigua and Barbuda	Labor force	30,000
Antigua and Barbuda	Labor force - by occupation	commerce and services 82%, agriculture 11%, industry 7% (1983)
Antigua and Barbuda	Unemployment rate	11% (2001 est.)
Antigua and Barbuda	Budget	revenues: $123.7 million expenditures: $145.9 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)
Antigua and Barbuda	Industries	tourism, construction, light manufacturing (clothing, alcohol, household appliances)
Antigua and Barbuda	Industrial production growth rate	6% (1997 est.)
Antigua and Barbuda	Electricity - production	105.3 million kWh (2001)
Antigua and Barbuda	Electricity - production by source	fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Antigua and Barbuda	Electricity - consumption	97.89 million kWh (2001)
Antigua and Barbuda	Electricity - exports	0 kWh (2001)
Antigua and Barbuda	Electricity - imports	0 kWh (2001)
Antigua and Barbuda	Oil - production	0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Antigua and Barbuda	Oil - consumption	3,600 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Antigua and Barbuda	Oil - exports	NA (2001)
Antigua and Barbuda	Oil - imports	NA (2001)
Antigua and Barbuda	Agriculture - products	cotton, fruits, vegetables, bananas, coconuts, cucumbers, mangoes, sugarcane; livestock
Antigua and Barbuda	Exports	$40 million
Antigua and Barbuda	Exports - commodities	petroleum products 48%, manufactures 23%, machinery and transport equipment 17%, food and live animals 4%, other 8%
Antigua and Barbuda	Exports - partners	France 68.5%, Germany 26.4%, Italy 1.2% (2002)
Antigua and Barbuda	Imports	$357 million (2000 est.)
Antigua and Barbuda	Imports - commodities	food and live animals, machinery and transport equipment, manufactures, chemicals, oil
Antigua and Barbuda	Imports - partners	France 23.4%, Germany 14.2%, US 13.2%, Poland 9.8%, South Korea 8.3%, Singapore 5%, UK 4.4% (2002)
Antigua and Barbuda	Debt - external	$231 million (1999)
Antigua and Barbuda	Economic aid - recipient	$2.3 million (1995)
Antigua and Barbuda	Currency	East Caribbean dollar (XCD)
Antigua and Barbuda	Currency code	XCD
Antigua and Barbuda	Exchange rates	East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7 (2002), 2.7 (2001), 2.7 (2000), 2.7 (1999), 2.7 (1998) (fixed rate since 1976)
Antigua and Barbuda	Fiscal year	1 April - 31 March
Antigua and Barbuda	Telephones - main lines in use	28,000 (1996)
Antigua and Barbuda	Telephones - mobile cellular	1,300 (1996)
Antigua and Barbuda	Telephone system	general assessment: NA domestic: good automatic telephone system international: 1 coaxial submarine cable; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); tropospheric scatter to Saba (Netherlands Antilles) and Guadeloupe
Antigua and Barbuda	Radio broadcast stations	AM 4, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998)
Antigua and Barbuda	Television broadcast stations	2 (1997)
Antigua and Barbuda	Internet country code	.ag
Antigua and Barbuda	Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	16 (2000)
Antigua and Barbuda	Internet users	5,000 (2001)
Antigua and Barbuda	Railways	total: 77 km narrow gauge: 64 km 0.760-m gauge; 13 km 0.610-m gauge (used almost exclusively for handling sugarcane) (2001 est.)
Antigua and Barbuda	Highways	total: 250 km (1999 est.)
Antigua and Barbuda	Waterways	none
Antigua and Barbuda	Ports and harbors	Saint John's
Antigua and Barbuda	Merchant marine	total: 816 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 5,135,866 GRT/6,648,143 DWT note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Australia 1, Bangladesh 2, Belgium 3, Colombia 1, Cuba 1, Estonia 1, Germany 747, Greece 1, Iceland 8, Latvia 1, Lebanon 2, Lithuania 1, Netherlands 22, New Zealand 2, Portugal 1, Slovenia 6, South Africa 1, Sweden 2, United Kingdom 1, United States 7 (2002 est.) ships by type: bulk 16, cargo 474, chemical tanker 8, combination bulk 3, container 255, liquefied gas 10, multi-functional large-load carrier 6, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 8, roll on/roll off 35
Antigua and Barbuda	Airports	3 (2002)
Antigua and Barbuda	Airports - with paved runways	total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002)
Antigua and Barbuda	Airports - with unpaved runways	total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002)
Antigua and Barbuda	Military branches	Royal Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force, Royal Antigua and Barbuda Police Force (including the Coast Guard)
Antigua and Barbuda	Military expenditures - dollar figure	$NA
Antigua and Barbuda	Military expenditures - percent of GDP	NA%
Antigua and Barbuda	Disputes - international	none
Antigua and Barbuda	Illicit drugs	considered a minor transshipment point for narcotics bound for the US and Europe; more significant as an offshore financial center
Arctic Ocean	Background	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.
Arctic Ocean	Location	body of water between Europe, Asia, and North America, mostly north of the Arctic Circle
Arctic Ocean	Geographic coordinates	90 00 N, 0 00 E
Arctic Ocean	Map references	Arctic Region
Arctic Ocean	Area	total: 14.056 million sq km note: includes Baffin Bay, Barents Sea, Beaufort Sea, Chukchi Sea, East Siberian Sea, Greenland Sea, Hudson Bay, Hudson Strait, Kara Sea, Laptev Sea, Northwest Passage, and other tributary water bodies
Arctic Ocean	Area - comparative	slightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US
Arctic Ocean	Coastline	45,389 km
Arctic Ocean	Climate	polar climate characterized by persistent cold and relatively narrow annual temperature ranges; winters characterized by continuous darkness, cold and stable weather conditions, and clear skies; summers characterized by continuous daylight, damp and foggy weather, and weak cyclones with rain or snow
Arctic Ocean	Terrain	central surface covered by a perennial drifting polar icepack that averages about 3 meters in thickness, although pressure ridges may be three times that size; clockwise drift pattern in the Beaufort Gyral Stream, but nearly straight-line movement from the New Siberian Islands (Russia) to Denmark Strait (between Greenland and Iceland); the icepack is surrounded by open seas during the summer, but more than doubles in size during the winter and extends to the encircling landmasses; the ocean floor is about 50% continental shelf (highest percentage of any ocean) with the remainder a central basin interrupted by three submarine ridges (Alpha Cordillera, Nansen Cordillera, and Lomonosov Ridge)
Arctic Ocean	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Fram Basin -4,665 m highest point: sea level 0 m
Arctic Ocean	Natural resources	sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, polymetallic nodules, oil and gas fields, fish, marine mammals (seals and whales)
Arctic Ocean	Natural hazards	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
Arctic Ocean	Environment - current issues	endangered marine species include walruses and whales; fragile ecosystem slow to change and slow to recover from disruptions or damage; thinning polar icepack
Arctic Ocean	Geography - note	major chokepoint is the southern Chukchi Sea (northern access to the Pacific Ocean via the Bering Strait); strategic location between North America and Russia; shortest marine link between the extremes of eastern and western Russia; floating research stations operated by the US and Russia; maximum snow cover in March or April about 20 to 50 centimeters over the frozen ocean; snow cover lasts about 10 months
Arctic Ocean	Economy - overview	Economic activity is limited to the exploitation of natural resources, including petroleum, natural gas, fish, and seals.
Arctic Ocean	Ports and harbors	Churchill (Canada), Murmansk (Russia), Prudhoe Bay (US)
Arctic Ocean	Transportation - note	sparse network of air, ocean, river, and land routes; the Northwest Passage (North America) and Northern Sea Route (Eurasia) are important seasonal waterways
Arctic Ocean	Disputes - international	some maritime disputes (see littoral states)
Arctic Ocean	Background	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.
Arctic Ocean	Location	body of water between Europe, Asia, and North America, mostly north of the Arctic Circle
Arctic Ocean	Geographic coordinates	90 00 N, 0 00 E
Arctic Ocean	Map references	Arctic Region
Arctic Ocean	Area	total: 14.056 million sq km note: includes Baffin Bay, Barents Sea, Beaufort Sea, Chukchi Sea, East Siberian Sea, Greenland Sea, Hudson Bay, Hudson Strait, Kara Sea, Laptev Sea, Northwest Passage, and other tributary water bodies
Arctic Ocean	Area - comparative	slightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US
Arctic Ocean	Coastline	45,389 km
Arctic Ocean	Climate	polar climate characterized by persistent cold and relatively narrow annual temperature ranges; winters characterized by continuous darkness, cold and stable weather conditions, and clear skies; summers characterized by continuous daylight, damp and foggy weather, and weak cyclones with rain or snow
Arctic Ocean	Terrain	central surface covered by a perennial drifting polar icepack that averages about 3 meters in thickness, although pressure ridges may be three times that size; clockwise drift pattern in the Beaufort Gyral Stream, but nearly straight-line movement from the New Siberian Islands (Russia) to Denmark Strait (between Greenland and Iceland); the icepack is surrounded by open seas during the summer, but more than doubles in size during the winter and extends to the encircling landmasses; the ocean floor is about 50% continental shelf (highest percentage of any ocean) with the remainder a central basin interrupted by three submarine ridges (Alpha Cordillera, Nansen Cordillera, and Lomonosov Ridge)
Arctic Ocean	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Fram Basin -4,665 m highest point: sea level 0 m
Arctic Ocean	Natural resources	sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, polymetallic nodules, oil and gas fields, fish, marine mammals (seals and whales)
Arctic Ocean	Natural hazards	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
Arctic Ocean	Environment - current issues	endangered marine species include walruses and whales; fragile ecosystem slow to change and slow to recover from disruptions or damage; thinning polar icepack
Arctic Ocean	Geography - note	major chokepoint is the southern Chukchi Sea (northern access to the Pacific Ocean via the Bering Strait); strategic location between North America and Russia; shortest marine link between the extremes of eastern and western Russia; floating research stations operated by the US and Russia; maximum snow cover in March or April about 20 to 50 centimeters over the frozen ocean; snow cover lasts about 10 months
Arctic Ocean	Economy - overview	Economic activity is limited to the exploitation of natural resources, including petroleum, natural gas, fish, and seals.
Arctic Ocean	Ports and harbors	Churchill (Canada), Murmansk (Russia), Prudhoe Bay (US)
Arctic Ocean	Transportation - note	sparse network of air, ocean, river, and land routes; the Northwest Passage (North America) and Northern Sea Route (Eurasia) are important seasonal waterways
Arctic Ocean	Disputes - international	some maritime disputes (see littoral states)
Argentina	Background	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.
Argentina	Location	Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Chile and Uruguay
Argentina	Geographic coordinates	34 00 S, 64 00 W
Argentina	Map references	South America
Argentina	Area	total: 2,766,890 sq km land: 2,736,690 sq km water: 30,200 sq km
Argentina	Area - comparative	slightly less than three-tenths the size of the US
Argentina	Land boundaries	total: 9,665 km border countries: Bolivia 832 km, Brazil 1,224 km, Chile 5,150 km, Paraguay 1,880 km, Uruguay 579 km
Argentina	Coastline	4,989 km
Argentina	Maritime claims	contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin
Argentina	Climate	mostly temperate; arid in southeast; subantarctic in southwest
Argentina	Terrain	rich plains of the Pampas in northern half, flat to rolling plateau of Patagonia in south, rugged Andes along western border
Argentina	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Salinas Chicas -40 m (located on Peninsula Valdes) highest point: Cerro Aconcagua 6,960 m
Argentina	Natural resources	fertile plains of the Pampas, lead, zinc, tin, copper, iron ore, manganese, petroleum, uranium
Argentina	Land use	arable land: 9.14% permanent crops: 0.8% other: 90.06% (1998 est.)
Argentina	Irrigated land	15,610 sq km (1998 est.)
Argentina	Natural hazards	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
Argentina	Environment - current issues	environmental problems (urban and rural) typical of an industrializing economy such as deforestation, soil degradation, desertification, air pollution, and water pollution note: Argentina is a world leader in setting voluntary greenhouse gas targets
Argentina	Environment - international agreements	party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
Argentina	Geography - note	second-largest country in South America (after Brazil); strategic location relative to sea lanes between the South Atlantic and the South Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Drake Passage); Cerro Aconcagua is South America's tallest mountain, while the Valdes Peninsula is the lowest point on the continent
Argentina	Population	38,740,807 (July 2003 est.)
Argentina	Age structure	0-14 years: 26.2% (male 5,185,548; female 4,955,551) 15-64 years: 63.4% (male 12,274,625; female 12,282,772) 65 years and over: 10.4% (male 1,659,641; female 2,382,670) (2003 est.)
Argentina	Median age	total: 29 years male: 28 years female: 29.9 years (2002)
Argentina	Population growth rate	1.05% (2003 est.)
Argentina	Birth rate	17.47 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Argentina	Death rate	7.58 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Argentina	Net migration rate	0.62 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Argentina	Sex ratio	at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Argentina	Infant mortality rate	total: 16.16 deaths/1,000 live births female: 14.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 18.14 deaths/1,000 live births
Argentina	Life expectancy at birth	total population: 75.48 years male: 71.72 years female: 79.44 years (2003 est.)
Argentina	Total fertility rate	2.28 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Argentina	HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate	0.7% (2001 est.)
Argentina	HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS	130,000 (2001 est.)
Argentina	HIV/AIDS - deaths	1,800 (2001 est.)
Argentina	Nationality	noun: Argentine(s) adjective: Argentine
Argentina	Ethnic groups	white (mostly Spanish and Italian) 97%, mestizo, Amerindian, or other nonwhite groups 3%
Argentina	Religions	nominally Roman Catholic 92% (less than 20% practicing), Protestant 2%, Jewish 2%, other 4%
Argentina	Languages	Spanish (official), English, Italian, German, French
Argentina	Literacy	definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.1% male: 97.1% female: 97.1% (2003 est.)
Argentina	Country name	conventional long form: Argentine Republic conventional short form: Argentina local short form: Argentina local long form: Republica Argentina
Argentina	Government type	republic
Argentina	Capital	Buenos Aires
Argentina	Administrative divisions	23 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia), and 1 autonomous city* (distrito federal); Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires Capital Federal*, Catamarca, Chaco, Chubut, Cordoba, Corrientes, Entre Rios, Formosa, Jujuy, La Pampa, La Rioja, Mendoza, Misiones, Neuquen, Rio Negro, Salta, San Juan, San Luis, Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, Santiago del Estero, Tierra del Fuego - Antartida e Islas del Atlantico Sur, Tucuman note: the US does not recognize any claims to Antarctica
Argentina	Independence	9 July 1816 (from Spain)
Argentina	National holiday	Revolution Day, 25 May (1810)
Argentina	Constitution	1 May 1853; revised August 1994
Argentina	Legal system	mixture of US and West European legal systems; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Argentina	Suffrage	18 years of age; universal and mandatory
Argentina	Executive branch	chief of state: President Nestor KIRCHNER (since 25 May 2003); note - declared winner of a runoff election by default after Carlos Saul MENEM withdrew his candidacy on the eve of the election; Vice President Daniel SCIOLI (since 25 May 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Nestor KIRCHNER (since 25 May 2003); note - declared winner of a runoff election by default after Carlos Saul MENEM withdrew his candidacy on the eve of the election; Vice President Daniel SCIOLI (since 25 May 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president election results: results of the presidential primary of 27 April 2003: Carlos Saul MENEM 24.3%, Nestor KIRCHNER 22%, Ricardo Lopez MURPHY 16.4%, Adolfo Rodriguez SAA 14.4%, Elisa CARRIO 14.2%, other 8.7%; the subsequent runoff election slated for 25 May 2003 was awarded to KIRCHNER by default after MENEM withdrew his candidacy on the eve of the election elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; the last election held was the presidential primary election of 27 April 2003 (next election to be held NA 2007); a runoff election slated for 25 May 2003 between the two candidates receiving the highest votes in the primary was awarded to KIRCHNER by default after MENEM withdrew his candidacy on the eve of the election
Argentina	Legislative branch	bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Senate (72 seats; members are elected by direct vote; presently one-third of the members being elected every two years to a six-year term) and the Chamber of Deputies (257 seats; members are elected by direct vote; one-half of the members elected every two years to a four-year term) election results: Senate - percent of vote by bloc or party - NA%; seats by bloc or party - PJ 40, UCR 24, provincial parties 6, Frepaso 1, ARI 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by bloc or party - NA%; seats by bloc or party - PJ 113, UCR 74, provincial parties 27, Frepaso 17, ARI 17, AR 9 elections: Senate - last held 14 October 2001 (next to be held intermittently by province before December 2003); Chamber of Deputies - last held 14 October 2001 (next to be held intermittently by province before December 2003)
Argentina	Judicial branch	Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (the nine Supreme Court judges are appointed by the president with approval by the Senate)
Argentina	Political parties and leaders	Action for the Republic or AR [Domingo CAVALLO]; Alternative for a Republic of Equals or ARI [Elisa CARRIO]; Front for a Country in Solidarity or Frepaso (a four-party coalition) [Dario Pedro ALESSANDRO]; Justicialist Party or PJ [Carlos Saul MENEM] (Peronist umbrella political organization); Radical Civic Union or UCR [Angel ROZAS]; Federal Recreate Movement [Ricardo LOPEZ MURPHY]; several provincial parties
Argentina	Political pressure groups and leaders	Argentine Association of Pharmaceutical Labs (CILFA); Argentine Industrial Union (manufacturers' association); Argentine Rural Society (large landowners' association); business organizations; General Confederation of Labor or CGT (Peronist-leaning umbrella labor organization); Peronist-dominated labor movement; Roman Catholic Church; students
Argentina	International organization participation	AfDB, Australia Group, BCIE, BIS, ECLAC, FAO, G-6, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MINURSO, MIPONUH, MONUC, MTCR, NSG, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNMOVIC, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Argentina	Diplomatic representation in the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Jose Octavio BORDON chancery: 1600 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York FAX: [1] (202) 332-3171 telephone: [1] (202) 238-6400
Argentina	Diplomatic representation from the US	chief of mission: Ambassador James D. WALSH; note - Lino GUTIERREZ is designated to replace Ambassador WALSH embassy: Avenida Colombia 4300, C1425GMN Buenos Aires mailing address: international mail: use street address; APO address: Unit 4334, APO AA 34034 telephone: [54] (11) 5777-4533 FAX: [54] (11) 5777-4240
Argentina	Flag description	three equal horizontal bands of light blue (top), white, and light blue; centered in the white band is a radiant yellow sun with a human face known as the Sun of May
Argentina	Economy - overview	Argentina benefits from rich natural resources, a highly literate population, an export-oriented agricultural sector, and a diversified industrial base. Over the past decade, however, the country has suffered recurring economic problems of inflation, external debt, capital flight, and budget deficits. Growth in 2000 was a negative 0.8%, as both domestic and foreign investors remained skeptical of the government's ability to pay debts and maintain the peso's fixed exchange rate with the US dollar. The economic situation worsened in 2001 with the widening of spreads on Argentine bonds, massive withdrawals from the banks, and a further decline in consumer and investor confidence. Government efforts to achieve a "zero deficit," to stabilize the banking system, and to restore economic growth proved inadequate in the face of the mounting economic problems. The peso's peg to the dollar was abandoned in January 2002, and the peso was floated in February; the exchange rate plunged and inflation picked up rapidly, but by mid-2002 the economy had stabilized, albeit at a lower level. Strong demand for the peso compelled the Central Bank to intervene in foreign exchange markets to curb its appreciation in early 2003. Led by record exports, the economy began to recover with output up 5.5% in 2003, unemployment falling, and inflation sliced to 4.2% at year-end.
Argentina	GDP	purchasing power parity - $403.8 billion (2002 est.)
Argentina	GDP - real growth rate	-10.9% (2002 est.)
Argentina	GDP - per capita	purchasing power parity - $10,500 (2002 est.)
Argentina	GDP - composition by sector	agriculture: 5% industry: 28% services: 66% (2000 est.)
Argentina	Population below poverty line	37% (2001 est.)
Argentina	Household income or consumption by percentage share	lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Argentina	Inflation rate (consumer prices)	41% (2002, yearend)
Argentina	Labor force	15 million (1999)
Argentina	Labor force - by occupation	agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%
Argentina	Unemployment rate	21.5% (37377)
Argentina	Budget	revenues: $44 billion expenditures: $48 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)
Argentina	Industries	food processing, motor vehicles, consumer durables, textiles, chemicals and petrochemicals, printing, metallurgy, steel
Argentina	Industrial production growth rate	1% (2000 est.)
Argentina	Electricity - production	97.17 billion kWh (2001)
Argentina	Electricity - production by source	fossil fuel: 52.2% hydro: 40.8% other: 0.2% (2001) nuclear: 6.7%
Argentina	Electricity - consumption	92.12 billion kWh (2001)
Argentina	Electricity - exports	5.662 billion kWh (2001)
Argentina	Electricity - imports	7.417 billion kWh (2001)
Argentina	Oil - production	828,600 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Argentina	Oil - consumption	486,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Argentina	Oil - exports	NA (2001)
Argentina	Oil - imports	NA (2001)
Argentina	Oil - proved reserves	2.927 billion bbl (37257)
Argentina	Natural gas - production	37.15 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Argentina	Natural gas - consumption	31.1 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Argentina	Natural gas - exports	6.05 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Argentina	Natural gas - imports	0 cu m (2001 est.)
Argentina	Natural gas - proved reserves	768 billion cu m (37257)
Argentina	Agriculture - products	sunflower seeds, lemons, soybeans, grapes, corn, tobacco, peanuts, tea, wheat; livestock
Argentina	Exports	$25.3 billion f.o.b. (2002)
Argentina	Exports - commodities	edible oils, fuels and energy, cereals, feed, motor vehicles
Argentina	Exports - partners	Brazil 23.6%, US 10.9%, Chile 9.7%, Spain 4.3% (2002)
Argentina	Imports	$9 billion f.o.b. (2002)
Argentina	Imports - commodities	machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, metal manufactures, plastics
Argentina	Imports - partners	Brazil 42%, US 12.8%, Germany 4.4% (2002)
Argentina	Debt - external	$155 billion (2001 est.)
Argentina	Economic aid - recipient	$10 billion (2001 est.)
Argentina	Currency	Argentine peso (ARS)
Argentina	Currency code	ARS
Argentina	Exchange rates	Argentine pesos per US dollar - 3.06 (2002), 1 (2001), 1 (2000), 1 (1999), 1 (1998)
Argentina	Fiscal year	calendar year
Argentina	Telephones - main lines in use	7.5 million (1998)
Argentina	Telephones - mobile cellular	3 million (December 1999)
Argentina	Telephone system	general assessment: by opening the telecommunications market to competition and foreign investment with the "Telecommunications Liberalization Plan of 1998," Argentina encouraged the growth of modern telecommunication technology; fiber-optic cable trunk lines are being installed between all major cities; the major networks are entirely digital and the availability of telephone service is being improved; however, telephone density is presently minimal, and making telephone service universally available will take time domestic: microwave radio relay, fiber-optic cable, and a domestic satellite system with 40 earth stations serve the trunk network; more than 110,000 pay telephones are installed and mobile telephone use is rapidly expanding international: satellite earth stations - 8 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); Atlantis II and Unisur submarine cables; two international gateways near Buenos Aires (1999)
Argentina	Radio broadcast stations	AM 260 (including 10 inactive stations), FM NA (probably more than 1,000, mostly unlicensed), shortwave 6 (1998)
Argentina	Television broadcast stations	42 (plus 444 repeaters) (1997)
Argentina	Internet country code	.ar
Argentina	Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	33 (2000)
Argentina	Internet users	3.88 million (2001)
Argentina	Railways	total: 34,463 km (168 km electrified) broad gauge: 20,736 km 1.676-m gauge (142 km electrified) standard gauge: 3,115 km 1.435-m gauge (26 km electrified) narrow gauge: 10,375 km 1.000-m gauge; 237 km 0.750-m gauge (2002)
Argentina	Highways	total: 215,471 km paved: 63,348 km (including 734 km of expressways) unpaved: 152,123 km (1999)
Argentina	Waterways	10,950 km
Argentina	Pipelines	gas 26,797 km; liquid petroleum gas 41 km; oil 3,668 km; refined products 2,945 km; unknown (oil/water) 13 km (2003)
Argentina	Ports and harbors	Bahia Blanca, Buenos Aires, Comodoro Rivadavia, Concepcion del Uruguay, La Plata, Mar del Plata, Necochea, Rio Gallegos, Rosario, Santa Fe, Ushuaia
Argentina	Merchant marine	total: 23 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 141,851 GRT/208,821 DWT ships by type: cargo 9, petroleum tanker 8, railcar carrier 1, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 1, short-sea passenger 1, specialized tanker 1, includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: United Arab Emirates 1, Uruguay 1 (2002 est.)
Argentina	Airports	1,342 (2002)
Argentina	Airports - with paved runways	total: 145 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 26 1,524 to 2,437 m: 62 914 to 1,523 m: 44 under 914 m: 9 (2002)
Argentina	Airports - with unpaved runways	total: 1,197 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 50 914 to 1,523 m: 572 under 914 m: 571 (2002)
Argentina	Military branches	Argentine Army, Navy of the Argentine Republic (includes naval aviation and Marines), Coast Guard, Argentine Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Aeronautical Police Force
Argentina	Military manpower - military age	20 years of age (2003 est.)
Argentina	Military manpower - availability	males age 15-49: 9,780,063 (2003 est.)
Argentina	Military manpower - fit for military service	males age 15-49: 7,942,837 (2003 est.)
Argentina	Military manpower - reaching military age annually	males: 331,011 (2003 est.)
Argentina	Military expenditures - dollar figure	$4.3 billion (FY99)
Argentina	Military expenditures - percent of GDP	1.3% (FY00)
Argentina	Disputes - international	claims UK-administered Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands in its constitution, but in 1995 ceded the right to settle the dispute by force; Beagle Channel islands dispute resolved through Papal mediation in 1984, but armed incidents persist since 1992 oil discovery; territorial claim in Antarctica partially overlaps UK and Chilean claims (see Antarctic disputes); unruly region at convergence of Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay borders is locus of money laundering, smuggling, arms and drug trafficking, and harbors Islamist militants; uncontested dispute between Brazil and Uruguay over Braziliera Island in the Quarai/Cuareim leaves the tripoint with Argentina in question
Argentina	Illicit drugs	used as a transshipment country for cocaine headed for Europe and the US; some money-laundering activity, especially in the Tri-Border Area; domestic consumption of drugs in urban centers is increasing
Argentina	Background	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.
Argentina	Location	Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Chile and Uruguay
Argentina	Geographic coordinates	34 00 S, 64 00 W
Argentina	Map references	South America
Argentina	Area	total: 2,766,890 sq km land: 2,736,690 sq km water: 30,200 sq km
Argentina	Area - comparative	slightly less than three-tenths the size of the US
Argentina	Land boundaries	total: 9,665 km border countries: Bolivia 832 km, Brazil 1,224 km, Chile 5,150 km, Paraguay 1,880 km, Uruguay 579 km
Argentina	Coastline	4,989 km
Argentina	Maritime claims	contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin
Argentina	Climate	mostly temperate; arid in southeast; subantarctic in southwest
Argentina	Terrain	rich plains of the Pampas in northern half, flat to rolling plateau of Patagonia in south, rugged Andes along western border
Argentina	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Salinas Chicas -40 m (located on Peninsula Valdes) highest point: Cerro Aconcagua 6,960 m
Argentina	Natural resources	fertile plains of the Pampas, lead, zinc, tin, copper, iron ore, manganese, petroleum, uranium
Argentina	Land use	arable land: 9.14% permanent crops: 0.8% other: 90.06% (1998 est.)
Argentina	Irrigated land	15,610 sq km (1998 est.)
Argentina	Natural hazards	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
Argentina	Environment - current issues	environmental problems (urban and rural) typical of an industrializing economy such as deforestation, soil degradation, desertification, air pollution, and water pollution note: Argentina is a world leader in setting voluntary greenhouse gas targets
Argentina	Environment - international agreements	party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
Argentina	Geography - note	second-largest country in South America (after Brazil); strategic location relative to sea lanes between the South Atlantic and the South Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Drake Passage); Cerro Aconcagua is South America's tallest mountain, while the Valdes Peninsula is the lowest point on the continent
Argentina	Population	38,740,807 (July 2003 est.)
Argentina	Age structure	0-14 years: 26.2% (male 5,185,548; female 4,955,551) 15-64 years: 63.4% (male 12,274,625; female 12,282,772) 65 years and over: 10.4% (male 1,659,641; female 2,382,670) (2003 est.)
Argentina	Median age	total: 29 years male: 28 years female: 29.9 years (2002)
Argentina	Population growth rate	1.05% (2003 est.)
Argentina	Birth rate	17.47 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Argentina	Death rate	7.58 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Argentina	Net migration rate	0.62 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Argentina	Sex ratio	at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Argentina	Infant mortality rate	total: 16.16 deaths/1,000 live births female: 14.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 18.14 deaths/1,000 live births
Argentina	Life expectancy at birth	total population: 75.48 years male: 71.72 years female: 79.44 years (2003 est.)
Argentina	Total fertility rate	2.28 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Argentina	HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate	0.7% (2001 est.)
Argentina	HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS	130,000 (2001 est.)
Argentina	HIV/AIDS - deaths	1,800 (2001 est.)
Argentina	Nationality	noun: Argentine(s) adjective: Argentine
Argentina	Ethnic groups	white (mostly Spanish and Italian) 97%, mestizo, Amerindian, or other nonwhite groups 3%
Argentina	Religions	nominally Roman Catholic 92% (less than 20% practicing), Protestant 2%, Jewish 2%, other 4%
Argentina	Languages	Spanish (official), English, Italian, German, French
Argentina	Literacy	definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.1% male: 97.1% female: 97.1% (2003 est.)
Argentina	Country name	conventional long form: Argentine Republic conventional short form: Argentina local short form: Argentina local long form: Republica Argentina
Argentina	Government type	republic
Argentina	Capital	Buenos Aires
Argentina	Administrative divisions	23 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia), and 1 autonomous city* (distrito federal); Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires Capital Federal*, Catamarca, Chaco, Chubut, Cordoba, Corrientes, Entre Rios, Formosa, Jujuy, La Pampa, La Rioja, Mendoza, Misiones, Neuquen, Rio Negro, Salta, San Juan, San Luis, Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, Santiago del Estero, Tierra del Fuego - Antartida e Islas del Atlantico Sur, Tucuman note: the US does not recognize any claims to Antarctica
Argentina	Independence	9 July 1816 (from Spain)
Argentina	National holiday	Revolution Day, 25 May (1810)
Argentina	Constitution	1 May 1853; revised August 1994
Argentina	Legal system	mixture of US and West European legal systems; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Argentina	Suffrage	18 years of age; universal and mandatory
Argentina	Executive branch	chief of state: President Nestor KIRCHNER (since 25 May 2003); note - declared winner of a runoff election by default after Carlos Saul MENEM withdrew his candidacy on the eve of the election; Vice President Daniel SCIOLI (since 25 May 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Nestor KIRCHNER (since 25 May 2003); note - declared winner of a runoff election by default after Carlos Saul MENEM withdrew his candidacy on the eve of the election; Vice President Daniel SCIOLI (since 25 May 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president election results: results of the presidential primary of 27 April 2003: Carlos Saul MENEM 24.3%, Nestor KIRCHNER 22%, Ricardo Lopez MURPHY 16.4%, Adolfo Rodriguez SAA 14.4%, Elisa CARRIO 14.2%, other 8.7%; the subsequent runoff election slated for 25 May 2003 was awarded to KIRCHNER by default after MENEM withdrew his candidacy on the eve of the election elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; the last election held was the presidential primary election of 27 April 2003 (next election to be held NA 2007); a runoff election slated for 25 May 2003 between the two candidates receiving the highest votes in the primary was awarded to KIRCHNER by default after MENEM withdrew his candidacy on the eve of the election
Argentina	Legislative branch	bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Senate (72 seats; members are elected by direct vote; presently one-third of the members being elected every two years to a six-year term) and the Chamber of Deputies (257 seats; members are elected by direct vote; one-half of the members elected every two years to a four-year term) election results: Senate - percent of vote by bloc or party - NA%; seats by bloc or party - PJ 40, UCR 24, provincial parties 6, Frepaso 1, ARI 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by bloc or party - NA%; seats by bloc or party - PJ 113, UCR 74, provincial parties 27, Frepaso 17, ARI 17, AR 9 elections: Senate - last held 14 October 2001 (next to be held intermittently by province before December 2003); Chamber of Deputies - last held 14 October 2001 (next to be held intermittently by province before December 2003)
Argentina	Judicial branch	Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (the nine Supreme Court judges are appointed by the president with approval by the Senate)
Argentina	Political parties and leaders	Action for the Republic or AR [Domingo CAVALLO]; Alternative for a Republic of Equals or ARI [Elisa CARRIO]; Front for a Country in Solidarity or Frepaso (a four-party coalition) [Dario Pedro ALESSANDRO]; Justicialist Party or PJ [Carlos Saul MENEM] (Peronist umbrella political organization); Radical Civic Union or UCR [Angel ROZAS]; Federal Recreate Movement [Ricardo LOPEZ MURPHY]; several provincial parties
Argentina	Political pressure groups and leaders	Argentine Association of Pharmaceutical Labs (CILFA); Argentine Industrial Union (manufacturers' association); Argentine Rural Society (large landowners' association); business organizations; General Confederation of Labor or CGT (Peronist-leaning umbrella labor organization); Peronist-dominated labor movement; Roman Catholic Church; students
Argentina	International organization participation	AfDB, Australia Group, BCIE, BIS, ECLAC, FAO, G-6, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MINURSO, MIPONUH, MONUC, MTCR, NSG, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNMOVIC, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Argentina	Diplomatic representation in the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Jose Octavio BORDON chancery: 1600 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York FAX: [1] (202) 332-3171 telephone: [1] (202) 238-6400
Argentina	Diplomatic representation from the US	chief of mission: Ambassador James D. WALSH; note - Lino GUTIERREZ is designated to replace Ambassador WALSH embassy: Avenida Colombia 4300, C1425GMN Buenos Aires mailing address: international mail: use street address; APO address: Unit 4334, APO AA 34034 telephone: [54] (11) 5777-4533 FAX: [54] (11) 5777-4240
Argentina	Flag description	three equal horizontal bands of light blue (top), white, and light blue; centered in the white band is a radiant yellow sun with a human face known as the Sun of May
Argentina	Economy - overview	Argentina benefits from rich natural resources, a highly literate population, an export-oriented agricultural sector, and a diversified industrial base. Over the past decade, however, the country has suffered recurring economic problems of inflation, external debt, capital flight, and budget deficits. Growth in 2000 was a negative 0.8%, as both domestic and foreign investors remained skeptical of the government's ability to pay debts and maintain the peso's fixed exchange rate with the US dollar. The economic situation worsened in 2001 with the widening of spreads on Argentine bonds, massive withdrawals from the banks, and a further decline in consumer and investor confidence. Government efforts to achieve a "zero deficit," to stabilize the banking system, and to restore economic growth proved inadequate in the face of the mounting economic problems. The peso's peg to the dollar was abandoned in January 2002, and the peso was floated in February; the exchange rate plunged and inflation picked up rapidly, but by mid-2002 the economy had stabilized, albeit at a lower level. Strong demand for the peso compelled the Central Bank to intervene in foreign exchange markets to curb its appreciation in early 2003. Led by record exports, the economy began to recover with output up 5.5% in 2003, unemployment falling, and inflation sliced to 4.2% at year-end.
Argentina	GDP	purchasing power parity - $403.8 billion (2002 est.)
Argentina	GDP - real growth rate	-10.9% (2002 est.)
Argentina	GDP - per capita	purchasing power parity - $10,500 (2002 est.)
Argentina	GDP - composition by sector	agriculture: 5% industry: 28% services: 66% (2000 est.)
Argentina	Population below poverty line	37% (2001 est.)
Argentina	Household income or consumption by percentage share	lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Argentina	Inflation rate (consumer prices)	41% (2002, yearend)
Argentina	Labor force	15 million (1999)
Argentina	Labor force - by occupation	agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%
Argentina	Unemployment rate	21.5% (37377)
Argentina	Budget	revenues: $44 billion expenditures: $48 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)
Argentina	Industries	food processing, motor vehicles, consumer durables, textiles, chemicals and petrochemicals, printing, metallurgy, steel
Argentina	Industrial production growth rate	1% (2000 est.)
Argentina	Electricity - production	97.17 billion kWh (2001)
Argentina	Electricity - production by source	fossil fuel: 52.2% hydro: 40.8% other: 0.2% (2001) nuclear: 6.7%
Argentina	Electricity - consumption	92.12 billion kWh (2001)
Argentina	Electricity - exports	5.662 billion kWh (2001)
Argentina	Electricity - imports	7.417 billion kWh (2001)
Argentina	Oil - production	828,600 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Argentina	Oil - consumption	486,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Argentina	Oil - exports	NA (2001)
Argentina	Oil - imports	NA (2001)
Argentina	Oil - proved reserves	2.927 billion bbl (37257)
Argentina	Natural gas - production	37.15 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Argentina	Natural gas - consumption	31.1 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Argentina	Natural gas - exports	6.05 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Argentina	Natural gas - imports	0 cu m (2001 est.)
Argentina	Natural gas - proved reserves	768 billion cu m (37257)
Argentina	Agriculture - products	sunflower seeds, lemons, soybeans, grapes, corn, tobacco, peanuts, tea, wheat; livestock
Argentina	Exports	$25.3 billion f.o.b. (2002)
Argentina	Exports - commodities	edible oils, fuels and energy, cereals, feed, motor vehicles
Argentina	Exports - partners	Brazil 23.6%, US 10.9%, Chile 9.7%, Spain 4.3% (2002)
Argentina	Imports	$9 billion f.o.b. (2002)
Argentina	Imports - commodities	machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, metal manufactures, plastics
Argentina	Imports - partners	Brazil 42%, US 12.8%, Germany 4.4% (2002)
Argentina	Debt - external	$155 billion (2001 est.)
Argentina	Economic aid - recipient	$10 billion (2001 est.)
Argentina	Currency	Argentine peso (ARS)
Argentina	Currency code	ARS
Argentina	Exchange rates	Argentine pesos per US dollar - 3.06 (2002), 1 (2001), 1 (2000), 1 (1999), 1 (1998)
Argentina	Fiscal year	calendar year
Argentina	Telephones - main lines in use	7.5 million (1998)
Argentina	Telephones - mobile cellular	3 million (December 1999)
Argentina	Telephone system	general assessment: by opening the telecommunications market to competition and foreign investment with the "Telecommunications Liberalization Plan of 1998," Argentina encouraged the growth of modern telecommunication technology; fiber-optic cable trunk lines are being installed between all major cities; the major networks are entirely digital and the availability of telephone service is being improved; however, telephone density is presently minimal, and making telephone service universally available will take time domestic: microwave radio relay, fiber-optic cable, and a domestic satellite system with 40 earth stations serve the trunk network; more than 110,000 pay telephones are installed and mobile telephone use is rapidly expanding international: satellite earth stations - 8 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); Atlantis II and Unisur submarine cables; two international gateways near Buenos Aires (1999)
Argentina	Radio broadcast stations	AM 260 (including 10 inactive stations), FM NA (probably more than 1,000, mostly unlicensed), shortwave 6 (1998)
Argentina	Television broadcast stations	42 (plus 444 repeaters) (1997)
Argentina	Internet country code	.ar
Argentina	Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	33 (2000)
Argentina	Internet users	3.88 million (2001)
Argentina	Railways	total: 34,463 km (168 km electrified) broad gauge: 20,736 km 1.676-m gauge (142 km electrified) standard gauge: 3,115 km 1.435-m gauge (26 km electrified) narrow gauge: 10,375 km 1.000-m gauge; 237 km 0.750-m gauge (2002)
Argentina	Highways	total: 215,471 km paved: 63,348 km (including 734 km of expressways) unpaved: 152,123 km (1999)
Argentina	Waterways	10,950 km
Argentina	Pipelines	gas 26,797 km; liquid petroleum gas 41 km; oil 3,668 km; refined products 2,945 km; unknown (oil/water) 13 km (2003)
Argentina	Ports and harbors	Bahia Blanca, Buenos Aires, Comodoro Rivadavia, Concepcion del Uruguay, La Plata, Mar del Plata, Necochea, Rio Gallegos, Rosario, Santa Fe, Ushuaia
Argentina	Merchant marine	total: 23 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 141,851 GRT/208,821 DWT ships by type: cargo 9, petroleum tanker 8, railcar carrier 1, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 1, short-sea passenger 1, specialized tanker 1, includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: United Arab Emirates 1, Uruguay 1 (2002 est.)
Argentina	Airports	1,342 (2002)
Argentina	Airports - with paved runways	total: 145 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 26 1,524 to 2,437 m: 62 914 to 1,523 m: 44 under 914 m: 9 (2002)
Argentina	Airports - with unpaved runways	total: 1,197 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 50 914 to 1,523 m: 572 under 914 m: 571 (2002)
Argentina	Military branches	Argentine Army, Navy of the Argentine Republic (includes naval aviation and Marines), Coast Guard, Argentine Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Aeronautical Police Force
Argentina	Military manpower - military age	20 years of age (2003 est.)
Argentina	Military manpower - availability	males age 15-49: 9,780,063 (2003 est.)
Argentina	Military manpower - fit for military service	males age 15-49: 7,942,837 (2003 est.)
Argentina	Military manpower - reaching military age annually	males: 331,011 (2003 est.)
Argentina	Military expenditures - dollar figure	$4.3 billion (FY99)
Argentina	Military expenditures - percent of GDP	1.3% (FY00)
Argentina	Disputes - international	claims UK-administered Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands in its constitution, but in 1995 ceded the right to settle the dispute by force; Beagle Channel islands dispute resolved through Papal mediation in 1984, but armed incidents persist since 1992 oil discovery; territorial claim in Antarctica partially overlaps UK and Chilean claims (see Antarctic disputes); unruly region at convergence of Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay borders is locus of money laundering, smuggling, arms and drug trafficking, and harbors Islamist militants; uncontested dispute between Brazil and Uruguay over Braziliera Island in the Quarai/Cuareim leaves the tripoint with Argentina in question
Argentina	Illicit drugs	used as a transshipment country for cocaine headed for Europe and the US; some money-laundering activity, especially in the Tri-Border Area; domestic consumption of drugs in urban centers is increasing
Armenia	Background	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.
Armenia	Location	Southwestern Asia, east of Turkey
Armenia	Geographic coordinates	40 00 N, 45 00 E
Armenia	Map references	Asia
Armenia	Area	total: 29,800 sq km water: 1,400 sq km land: 28,400 sq km
Armenia	Area - comparative	slightly smaller than Maryland
Armenia	Land boundaries	total: 1,254 km border countries: Azerbaijan-proper 566 km, Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave 221 km, Georgia 164 km, Iran 35 km, Turkey 268 km
Armenia	Coastline	0 km (landlocked)
Armenia	Maritime claims	none (landlocked)
Armenia	Climate	highland continental, hot summers, cold winters
Armenia	Terrain	Armenian Highland with mountains; little forest land; fast flowing rivers; good soil in Aras River valley
Armenia	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Debed River 400 m highest point: Aragats Lerrnagagat' 4,090 m
Armenia	Natural resources	small deposits of gold, copper, molybdenum, zinc, alumina
Armenia	Land use	arable land: 17.52% permanent crops: 2.3% other: 80.18% (1998 est.)
Armenia	Irrigated land	2,870 sq km (1998 est.)
Armenia	Natural hazards	occasionally severe earthquakes; droughts
Armenia	Environment - current issues	soil pollution from toxic chemicals such as DDT; the energy crisis of the 1990s led to deforestation when citizens scavenged for firewood; pollution of Hrazdan (Razdan) and Aras Rivers; the draining of Sevana Lich (Lake Sevan), a result of its use as a source for hydropower, threatens drinking water supplies; restart of Metsamor nuclear power plant in spite of its location in a seismically active zone
Armenia	Environment - international agreements	party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants
Armenia	Geography - note	landlocked in the Lesser Caucasus Mountains; Sevana Lich (Lake Sevan) is the largest lake in this mountain range
Armenia	Population	3,326,448 note: Armenia's first census since independence was conducted in October 2001; official results are not expected until late 2003 (July 2003 est.)
Armenia	Age structure	0-14 years: 21.1% (male 356,587; female 346,648) 15-64 years: 68.3% (male 1,113,241; female 1,158,245) 65 years and over: 10.6% (male 147,156; female 204,571) (2003 est.)
Armenia	Median age	total: 32.3 years male: 30.6 years female: 34.1 years (2002)
Armenia	Population growth rate	-0.07% (2003 est.)
Armenia	Birth rate	12.57 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Armenia	Death rate	10.16 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Armenia	Net migration rate	-3.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Armenia	Sex ratio	at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Armenia	Infant mortality rate	total: 40.86 deaths/1,000 live births female: 36.24 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 45.27 deaths/1,000 live births
Armenia	Life expectancy at birth	total population: 66.68 years male: 62.41 years female: 71.17 years (2003 est.)
Armenia	Total fertility rate	1.56 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Armenia	HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate	0.2% (2001 est.)
Armenia	HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS	less than 2,400 (2001 est.)
Armenia	HIV/AIDS - deaths	less than 100 (2001 est.)
Armenia	Nationality	noun: Armenian(s) adjective: Armenian
Armenia	Ethnic groups	Armenian 93%, Azeri 1%, Russian 2%, other (mostly Yezidi Kurds) 4% (2002) note: as of the end of 1993, virtually all Azeris had emigrated from Armenia
Armenia	Religions	Armenian Apostolic 94%, other Christian 4%, Yezidi (Zoroastrian/animist) 2%
Armenia	Languages	Armenian 96%, Russian 2%, other 2%
Armenia	Literacy	definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98.6% male: 99.4% female: 98% (2003 est.)
Armenia	Country name	conventional long form: Republic of Armenia conventional short form: Armenia local short form: Hayastan former: Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic; Armenian Republic local long form: Hayastani Hanrapetut'yun
Armenia	Government type	republic
Armenia	Capital	Yerevan
Armenia	Administrative divisions	11 provinces (marzer, singular - marz); Aragatsotn, Ararat, Armavir, Geghark'unik', Kotayk', Lorri, Shirak, Syunik', Tavush, Vayots' Dzor, Yerevan
Armenia	Independence	21 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)
Armenia	National holiday	Independence Day, 21 September (1991)
Armenia	Constitution	adopted by nationwide referendum 5 July 1995
Armenia	Legal system	based on civil law system
Armenia	Suffrage	18 years of age; universal
Armenia	Executive branch	chief of state: President Robert KOCHARIAN (since 30 March 1998) head of government: Prime Minister Andranik MARKARYAN (since 12 May 2000) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 19 February and 5 March 2003 (next to be held NA 2008); prime minister appointed by the president; the prime minister and Council of Ministers must resign if the National Assembly refuses to accept their program election results: Robert KOCHARIAN reelected president; percent of vote - Robert KOCHARIAN 67.5%, Stepan DEMIRCHYAN 32.5%
Armenia	Legislative branch	unicameral National Assembly (Parliament) or Azgayin Zhoghov (131 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms; 75 members selected by direct vote, 56 by party list) elections: last held 25 May 2003 (next to be held in the spring of 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - Republican Party 23.5%, Justice Bloc 13.6%, Rule of Law 12.3%, ARF (Dashnak) 11.4%, National Unity Party 8.8%, United Labor Party 5.7%; seats by party - Republican Party 23, Justice Bloc 14, Rule of Law 12, ARF (Dashnak) 11, National Unity 9, United Labor 6; note - seats by party change frequently as deputies switch parties or announce themselves independent note: electoral law was changed in 2002 so ratio in next elections will be 75 deputies elected by party list, 56 by direct election
Armenia	Judicial branch	Constitutional Court; Court of Cassation (Appeals Court)
Armenia	Political parties and leaders	Agro-Industrial Party [Vladimir BADALIAN]; Armenia Party [Myasnik MALKHASYAN]; Armenian National Movement or ANM [Alex ARZUMANYAN, chairman]; Armenian Ramkavar Liberal Party or HRAK [Ruben MIRZAKHANYAN, chairman]; Armenian Revolutionary Federation ("Dashnak" Party) or ARF [Vahan HOVHANISSIAN]; Democratic Party [Aram SARKISYAN]; Justice Bloc (comprised of the Democratic Party, National Democratic Party, National Democratic Union, and the People's Party); National Democratic Party [Shavarsh KOCHARIAN]; National Democratic Union or NDU [Vazgen MANUKIAN]; National Unity Party [Artashes GEGAMIAN, chairman]; People's Party of Armenia [Stepan DEMIRCHYAN]; Republic Party [Albert BAZEYAN and Aram SARKISYAN, chairmen]; Republican Party or RPA [Andranik MARKARYAN]; Rule of Law Party [Artur BAGDASARIAN, chairman]; Union of Constitutional Rights [Hrant KHACHATURYAN]; United Labor Party [Gurgen ARSENIAN]
Armenia	Political pressure groups and leaders	Yerkrapah Union [Manvel GRIGORIAN]
Armenia	International organization participation	BSEC, CE, CIS, COE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ESCAP, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (observer), OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Armenia	Diplomatic representation in the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Arman KIRAKOSSIAN chancery: 2225 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles FAX: [1] (202) 319-2982 telephone: [1] (202) 319-1976
Armenia	Diplomatic representation from the US	chief of mission: Ambassador John M. ORDWAY embassy: 18 Baghramyan Ave., Yerevan 375019 mailing address: American Embassy Yerevan, Department of State, 7020 Yerevan Place, Washington, DC 20521-7020 telephone: [374](1) 521-611, 520-791, 542-177, 542-132, 524-661, 527-001, 524-840 FAX: [374](1) 520-800
Armenia	Flag description	three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, and orange
Armenia	Economy - overview	Under the old Soviet central planning system, Armenia had developed a modern industrial sector, supplying machine tools, textiles, and other manufactured goods to sister republics in exchange for raw materials and energy. Since the implosion of the USSR in December 1991, Armenia has switched to small-scale agriculture away from the large agroindustrial complexes of the Soviet era. The agricultural sector has long-term needs for more investment and updated technology. The privatization of industry has been at a slower pace, but has been given renewed emphasis by the current administration. Armenia is a food importer, and its mineral deposits (copper, gold, bauxite) are small. The ongoing conflict with Azerbaijan over the ethnic Armenian-dominated region of Nagorno-Karabakh and the breakup of the centrally directed economic system of the former Soviet Union contributed to a severe economic decline in the early 1990s. By 1994, however, the Armenian Government had launched an ambitious IMF-sponsored economic program that has resulted in positive growth rates in 1995-2003. Armenia also has managed to slash inflation, stabilize the local currency (the dram), and privatize most small- and medium-sized enterprises. The chronic energy shortages Armenia suffered in the early and mid-1990s have been offset by the energy supplied by one of its nuclear power plants at Metsamor. Armenia is now a net energy exporter, although it does not have sufficient generating capacity to replace Metsamor, which is under international pressure to close. The electricity distribution system was privatized in 2002. Armenia's severe trade imbalance has been offset somewhat by international aid, domestic restructuring of the economy, and foreign direct investment. Economic ties with Russia remain close, especially in the energy sector.
Armenia	GDP	purchasing power parity - $12.13 billion (2002 est.)
Armenia	GDP - real growth rate	12.9% (2002 est.)
Armenia	GDP - per capita	purchasing power parity - $3,600 (2002 est.)
Armenia	GDP - composition by sector	agriculture: 30% industry: 26% services: 44% (2001 est.)
Armenia	Population below poverty line	50% (2002 est.)
Armenia	Household income or consumption by percentage share	lowest 10%: 2.3% highest 10%: 46.2% (1999)
Armenia	Distribution of family income - Gini index	44.4 (1996)
Armenia	Inflation rate (consumer prices)	1.1% (2002 est.)
Armenia	Labor force	1.4 million (2001)
Armenia	Labor force - by occupation	agriculture 45%, services 30%, industry 25% (2002 est.)
Armenia	Unemployment rate	20% (2001 est.)
Armenia	Budget	revenues: $402 million expenditures: $482 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.)
Armenia	Industries	metal-cutting machine tools, forging-pressing machines, electric motors, tires, knitted wear, hosiery, shoes, silk fabric, chemicals, trucks, instruments, microelectronics, gem cutting, jewelry manufacturing, software development, food processing, brandy
Armenia	Industrial production growth rate	15% (2002 est.)
Armenia	Electricity - production	6.479 billion kWh (2001)
Armenia	Electricity - production by source	fossil fuel: 42.3% hydro: 27% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 30.7%
Armenia	Electricity - consumption	5.784 billion kWh (2001)
Armenia	Electricity - exports	704 million kWh; note - exports an unknown quantity to Georgia; includes exports to Nagorno-Karabakh region in Azerbaijan (2001)
Armenia	Electricity - imports	463 million kWh; note - imports an unknown quantity from Iran (2001)
Armenia	Oil - production	0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Armenia	Oil - consumption	5,700 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Armenia	Oil - exports	NA (2001)
Armenia	Oil - imports	NA (2001)
Armenia	Natural gas - production	0 cu m (2001 est.)
Armenia	Natural gas - consumption	1.4 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Armenia	Natural gas - exports	0 cu m (2001 est.)
Armenia	Natural gas - imports	1.4 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Armenia	Agriculture - products	fruit (especially grapes), vegetables; livestock
Armenia	Exports	$525 million f.o.b. (2001 est.)
Armenia	Exports - commodities	diamonds, mineral products, foodstuffs, energy
Armenia	Exports - partners	Belgium 21.5%, Russia 14.6%, Israel 10.3%, Iran 9.4%, US 8.2%, Switzerland 6.8%, Germany 6.2% (2002)
Armenia	Imports	$991 million f.o.b. (2001 est.)
Armenia	Imports - commodities	natural gas, petroleum, tobacco products, foodstuffs, diamonds
Armenia	Imports - partners	US 15.3%, Russia 12.9%, Belgium 12.3%, Iran 10.3%, UAE 6.3%, Germany 5.5%, Italy 4.9% (2002)
Armenia	Debt - external	$905 million (June 2001)
Armenia	Economic aid - recipient	ODA $170 million (2000)
Armenia	Currency	dram (AMD)
Armenia	Currency code	AMD
Armenia	Exchange rates	drams per US dollar - NA (2002), 555.08 (2001), 539.53 (2000), 535.06 (1999), 504.92 (1998)
Armenia	Fiscal year	calendar year
Armenia	Telephones - main lines in use	600,000 (2002)
Armenia	Telephones - mobile cellular	50,000 (2002)
Armenia	Telephone system	general assessment: system inadequate; now 90% privately owned and undergoing modernization and expansion domestic: the majority of subscribers and the most modern equipment are in Yerevan (this includes paging and mobile cellular service) international: Yerevan is connected to the Trans-Asia-Europe fiber-optic cable through Iran; additional international service is available by microwave radio relay and landline connections to the other countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States and through the Moscow international switch and by satellite to the rest of the world; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (2000)
Armenia	Radio broadcast stations	AM 9, FM 6, shortwave 1 (1998)
Armenia	Television broadcast stations	3 (plus an unknown number of repeaters); (1998)
Armenia	Internet country code	.am
Armenia	Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	9 (2001)
Armenia	Internet users	30,000 (2001)
Armenia	Railways	total: 852 km in common carrier service; does not include industrial lines broad gauge: 852 km 1.520-m gauge (779 km electrified) (2002)
Armenia	Highways	total: 15,918 km paved: 15,329 km (includes 7,527 km of expressways) unpaved: 589 km (2000)
Armenia	Waterways	NA km
Armenia	Pipelines	gas 2,031 km (2003)
Armenia	Ports and harbors	none
Armenia	Airports	15 (2002)
Armenia	Airports - with paved runways	total: 8 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002)
Armenia	Airports - with unpaved runways	total: 7 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 1 (2002)
Armenia	Military branches	Army, Air and Air Defense Forces, Border Guards
Armenia	Military manpower - military age	18 years of age (2003 est.)
Armenia	Military manpower - availability	males age 15-49: 919,582 (2003 est.)
Armenia	Military manpower - fit for military service	males age 15-49: 727,770 (2003 est.)
Armenia	Military manpower - reaching military age annually	males: 37,209 (2003 est.)
Armenia	Military expenditures - dollar figure	$135 million (FY01)
Armenia	Military expenditures - percent of GDP	6.5% (FY01)
Armenia	Disputes - international	Armenia supports ethnic Armenian secessionists in Nagorno-Karabakh and militarily occupies 16% of Azerbaijan - Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) continues to mediate dispute; border with Turkey remains closed over Nagorno-Karabakh dispute; traditional demands regarding former Armenian lands in Turkey have subsided; ethnic Armenian groups in Javakheti region of Georgia seek greater autonomy, closer ties with Armenia
Armenia	Illicit drugs	illicit cultivation of small amount of cannabis for domestic consumption; used as a transit point for illicit drugs - mostly opium and hashish - moving from Southwest Asia to Russia and to a lesser extent the rest of Europe
Armenia	Background	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.
Armenia	Location	Southwestern Asia, east of Turkey
Armenia	Geographic coordinates	40 00 N, 45 00 E
Armenia	Map references	Asia
Armenia	Area	total: 29,800 sq km water: 1,400 sq km land: 28,400 sq km
Armenia	Area - comparative	slightly smaller than Maryland
Armenia	Land boundaries	total: 1,254 km border countries: Azerbaijan-proper 566 km, Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave 221 km, Georgia 164 km, Iran 35 km, Turkey 268 km
Armenia	Coastline	0 km (landlocked)
Armenia	Maritime claims	none (landlocked)
Armenia	Climate	highland continental, hot summers, cold winters
Armenia	Terrain	Armenian Highland with mountains; little forest land; fast flowing rivers; good soil in Aras River valley
Armenia	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Debed River 400 m highest point: Aragats Lerrnagagat' 4,090 m
Armenia	Natural resources	small deposits of gold, copper, molybdenum, zinc, alumina
Armenia	Land use	arable land: 17.52% permanent crops: 2.3% other: 80.18% (1998 est.)
Armenia	Irrigated land	2,870 sq km (1998 est.)
Armenia	Natural hazards	occasionally severe earthquakes; droughts
Armenia	Environment - current issues	soil pollution from toxic chemicals such as DDT; the energy crisis of the 1990s led to deforestation when citizens scavenged for firewood; pollution of Hrazdan (Razdan) and Aras Rivers; the draining of Sevana Lich (Lake Sevan), a result of its use as a source for hydropower, threatens drinking water supplies; restart of Metsamor nuclear power plant in spite of its location in a seismically active zone
Armenia	Environment - international agreements	party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants
Armenia	Geography - note	landlocked in the Lesser Caucasus Mountains; Sevana Lich (Lake Sevan) is the largest lake in this mountain range
Armenia	Population	3,326,448 note: Armenia's first census since independence was conducted in October 2001; official results are not expected until late 2003 (July 2003 est.)
Armenia	Age structure	0-14 years: 21.1% (male 356,587; female 346,648) 15-64 years: 68.3% (male 1,113,241; female 1,158,245) 65 years and over: 10.6% (male 147,156; female 204,571) (2003 est.)
Armenia	Median age	total: 32.3 years male: 30.6 years female: 34.1 years (2002)
Armenia	Population growth rate	-0.07% (2003 est.)
Armenia	Birth rate	12.57 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Armenia	Death rate	10.16 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Armenia	Net migration rate	-3.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Armenia	Sex ratio	at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Armenia	Infant mortality rate	total: 40.86 deaths/1,000 live births female: 36.24 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 45.27 deaths/1,000 live births
Armenia	Life expectancy at birth	total population: 66.68 years male: 62.41 years female: 71.17 years (2003 est.)
Armenia	Total fertility rate	1.56 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Armenia	HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate	0.2% (2001 est.)
Armenia	HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS	less than 2,400 (2001 est.)
Armenia	HIV/AIDS - deaths	less than 100 (2001 est.)
Armenia	Nationality	noun: Armenian(s) adjective: Armenian
Armenia	Ethnic groups	Armenian 93%, Azeri 1%, Russian 2%, other (mostly Yezidi Kurds) 4% (2002) note: as of the end of 1993, virtually all Azeris had emigrated from Armenia
Armenia	Religions	Armenian Apostolic 94%, other Christian 4%, Yezidi (Zoroastrian/animist) 2%
Armenia	Languages	Armenian 96%, Russian 2%, other 2%
Armenia	Literacy	definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98.6% male: 99.4% female: 98% (2003 est.)
Armenia	Country name	conventional long form: Republic of Armenia conventional short form: Armenia local short form: Hayastan former: Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic; Armenian Republic local long form: Hayastani Hanrapetut'yun
Armenia	Government type	republic
Armenia	Capital	Yerevan
Armenia	Administrative divisions	11 provinces (marzer, singular - marz); Aragatsotn, Ararat, Armavir, Geghark'unik', Kotayk', Lorri, Shirak, Syunik', Tavush, Vayots' Dzor, Yerevan
Armenia	Independence	21 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)
Armenia	National holiday	Independence Day, 21 September (1991)
Armenia	Constitution	adopted by nationwide referendum 5 July 1995
Armenia	Legal system	based on civil law system
Armenia	Suffrage	18 years of age; universal
Armenia	Executive branch	chief of state: President Robert KOCHARIAN (since 30 March 1998) head of government: Prime Minister Andranik MARKARYAN (since 12 May 2000) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 19 February and 5 March 2003 (next to be held NA 2008); prime minister appointed by the president; the prime minister and Council of Ministers must resign if the National Assembly refuses to accept their program election results: Robert KOCHARIAN reelected president; percent of vote - Robert KOCHARIAN 67.5%, Stepan DEMIRCHYAN 32.5%
Armenia	Legislative branch	unicameral National Assembly (Parliament) or Azgayin Zhoghov (131 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms; 75 members selected by direct vote, 56 by party list) elections: last held 25 May 2003 (next to be held in the spring of 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - Republican Party 23.5%, Justice Bloc 13.6%, Rule of Law 12.3%, ARF (Dashnak) 11.4%, National Unity Party 8.8%, United Labor Party 5.7%; seats by party - Republican Party 23, Justice Bloc 14, Rule of Law 12, ARF (Dashnak) 11, National Unity 9, United Labor 6; note - seats by party change frequently as deputies switch parties or announce themselves independent note: electoral law was changed in 2002 so ratio in next elections will be 75 deputies elected by party list, 56 by direct election
Armenia	Judicial branch	Constitutional Court; Court of Cassation (Appeals Court)
Armenia	Political parties and leaders	Agro-Industrial Party [Vladimir BADALIAN]; Armenia Party [Myasnik MALKHASYAN]; Armenian National Movement or ANM [Alex ARZUMANYAN, chairman]; Armenian Ramkavar Liberal Party or HRAK [Ruben MIRZAKHANYAN, chairman]; Armenian Revolutionary Federation ("Dashnak" Party) or ARF [Vahan HOVHANISSIAN]; Democratic Party [Aram SARKISYAN]; Justice Bloc (comprised of the Democratic Party, National Democratic Party, National Democratic Union, and the People's Party); National Democratic Party [Shavarsh KOCHARIAN]; National Democratic Union or NDU [Vazgen MANUKIAN]; National Unity Party [Artashes GEGAMIAN, chairman]; People's Party of Armenia [Stepan DEMIRCHYAN]; Republic Party [Albert BAZEYAN and Aram SARKISYAN, chairmen]; Republican Party or RPA [Andranik MARKARYAN]; Rule of Law Party [Artur BAGDASARIAN, chairman]; Union of Constitutional Rights [Hrant KHACHATURYAN]; United Labor Party [Gurgen ARSENIAN]
Armenia	Political pressure groups and leaders	Yerkrapah Union [Manvel GRIGORIAN]
Armenia	International organization participation	BSEC, CE, CIS, COE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ESCAP, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (observer), OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Armenia	Diplomatic representation in the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Arman KIRAKOSSIAN chancery: 2225 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles FAX: [1] (202) 319-2982 telephone: [1] (202) 319-1976
Armenia	Diplomatic representation from the US	chief of mission: Ambassador John M. ORDWAY embassy: 18 Baghramyan Ave., Yerevan 375019 mailing address: American Embassy Yerevan, Department of State, 7020 Yerevan Place, Washington, DC 20521-7020 telephone: [374](1) 521-611, 520-791, 542-177, 542-132, 524-661, 527-001, 524-840 FAX: [374](1) 520-800
Armenia	Flag description	three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, and orange
Armenia	Economy - overview	Under the old Soviet central planning system, Armenia had developed a modern industrial sector, supplying machine tools, textiles, and other manufactured goods to sister republics in exchange for raw materials and energy. Since the implosion of the USSR in December 1991, Armenia has switched to small-scale agriculture away from the large agroindustrial complexes of the Soviet era. The agricultural sector has long-term needs for more investment and updated technology. The privatization of industry has been at a slower pace, but has been given renewed emphasis by the current administration. Armenia is a food importer, and its mineral deposits (copper, gold, bauxite) are small. The ongoing conflict with Azerbaijan over the ethnic Armenian-dominated region of Nagorno-Karabakh and the breakup of the centrally directed economic system of the former Soviet Union contributed to a severe economic decline in the early 1990s. By 1994, however, the Armenian Government had launched an ambitious IMF-sponsored economic program that has resulted in positive growth rates in 1995-2003. Armenia also has managed to slash inflation, stabilize the local currency (the dram), and privatize most small- and medium-sized enterprises. The chronic energy shortages Armenia suffered in the early and mid-1990s have been offset by the energy supplied by one of its nuclear power plants at Metsamor. Armenia is now a net energy exporter, although it does not have sufficient generating capacity to replace Metsamor, which is under international pressure to close. The electricity distribution system was privatized in 2002. Armenia's severe trade imbalance has been offset somewhat by international aid, domestic restructuring of the economy, and foreign direct investment. Economic ties with Russia remain close, especially in the energy sector.
Armenia	GDP	purchasing power parity - $12.13 billion (2002 est.)
Armenia	GDP - real growth rate	12.9% (2002 est.)
Armenia	GDP - per capita	purchasing power parity - $3,600 (2002 est.)
Armenia	GDP - composition by sector	agriculture: 30% industry: 26% services: 44% (2001 est.)
Armenia	Population below poverty line	50% (2002 est.)
Armenia	Household income or consumption by percentage share	lowest 10%: 2.3% highest 10%: 46.2% (1999)
Armenia	Distribution of family income - Gini index	44.4 (1996)
Armenia	Inflation rate (consumer prices)	1.1% (2002 est.)
Armenia	Labor force	1.4 million (2001)
Armenia	Labor force - by occupation	agriculture 45%, services 30%, industry 25% (2002 est.)
Armenia	Unemployment rate	20% (2001 est.)
Armenia	Budget	revenues: $402 million expenditures: $482 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.)
Armenia	Industries	metal-cutting machine tools, forging-pressing machines, electric motors, tires, knitted wear, hosiery, shoes, silk fabric, chemicals, trucks, instruments, microelectronics, gem cutting, jewelry manufacturing, software development, food processing, brandy
Armenia	Industrial production growth rate	15% (2002 est.)
Armenia	Electricity - production	6.479 billion kWh (2001)
Armenia	Electricity - production by source	fossil fuel: 42.3% hydro: 27% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 30.7%
Armenia	Electricity - consumption	5.784 billion kWh (2001)
Armenia	Electricity - exports	704 million kWh; note - exports an unknown quantity to Georgia; includes exports to Nagorno-Karabakh region in Azerbaijan (2001)
Armenia	Electricity - imports	463 million kWh; note - imports an unknown quantity from Iran (2001)
Armenia	Oil - production	0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Armenia	Oil - consumption	5,700 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Armenia	Oil - exports	NA (2001)
Armenia	Oil - imports	NA (2001)
Armenia	Natural gas - production	0 cu m (2001 est.)
Armenia	Natural gas - consumption	1.4 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Armenia	Natural gas - exports	0 cu m (2001 est.)
Armenia	Natural gas - imports	1.4 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Armenia	Agriculture - products	fruit (especially grapes), vegetables; livestock
Armenia	Exports	$525 million f.o.b. (2001 est.)
Armenia	Exports - commodities	diamonds, mineral products, foodstuffs, energy
Armenia	Exports - partners	Belgium 21.5%, Russia 14.6%, Israel 10.3%, Iran 9.4%, US 8.2%, Switzerland 6.8%, Germany 6.2% (2002)
Armenia	Imports	$991 million f.o.b. (2001 est.)
Armenia	Imports - commodities	natural gas, petroleum, tobacco products, foodstuffs, diamonds
Armenia	Imports - partners	US 15.3%, Russia 12.9%, Belgium 12.3%, Iran 10.3%, UAE 6.3%, Germany 5.5%, Italy 4.9% (2002)
Armenia	Debt - external	$905 million (June 2001)
Armenia	Economic aid - recipient	ODA $170 million (2000)
Armenia	Currency	dram (AMD)
Armenia	Currency code	AMD
Armenia	Exchange rates	drams per US dollar - NA (2002), 555.08 (2001), 539.53 (2000), 535.06 (1999), 504.92 (1998)
Armenia	Fiscal year	calendar year
Armenia	Telephones - main lines in use	600,000 (2002)
Armenia	Telephones - mobile cellular	50,000 (2002)
Armenia	Telephone system	general assessment: system inadequate; now 90% privately owned and undergoing modernization and expansion domestic: the majority of subscribers and the most modern equipment are in Yerevan (this includes paging and mobile cellular service) international: Yerevan is connected to the Trans-Asia-Europe fiber-optic cable through Iran; additional international service is available by microwave radio relay and landline connections to the other countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States and through the Moscow international switch and by satellite to the rest of the world; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (2000)
Armenia	Radio broadcast stations	AM 9, FM 6, shortwave 1 (1998)
Armenia	Television broadcast stations	3 (plus an unknown number of repeaters); (1998)
Armenia	Internet country code	.am
Armenia	Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	9 (2001)
Armenia	Internet users	30,000 (2001)
Armenia	Railways	total: 852 km in common carrier service; does not include industrial lines broad gauge: 852 km 1.520-m gauge (779 km electrified) (2002)
Armenia	Highways	total: 15,918 km paved: 15,329 km (includes 7,527 km of expressways) unpaved: 589 km (2000)
Armenia	Waterways	NA km
Armenia	Pipelines	gas 2,031 km (2003)
Armenia	Ports and harbors	none
Armenia	Airports	15 (2002)
Armenia	Airports - with paved runways	total: 8 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002)
Armenia	Airports - with unpaved runways	total: 7 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 1 (2002)
Armenia	Military branches	Army, Air and Air Defense Forces, Border Guards
Armenia	Military manpower - military age	18 years of age (2003 est.)
Armenia	Military manpower - availability	males age 15-49: 919,582 (2003 est.)
Armenia	Military manpower - fit for military service	males age 15-49: 727,770 (2003 est.)
Armenia	Military manpower - reaching military age annually	males: 37,209 (2003 est.)
Armenia	Military expenditures - dollar figure	$135 million (FY01)
Armenia	Military expenditures - percent of GDP	6.5% (FY01)
Armenia	Disputes - international	Armenia supports ethnic Armenian secessionists in Nagorno-Karabakh and militarily occupies 16% of Azerbaijan - Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) continues to mediate dispute; border with Turkey remains closed over Nagorno-Karabakh dispute; traditional demands regarding former Armenian lands in Turkey have subsided; ethnic Armenian groups in Javakheti region of Georgia seek greater autonomy, closer ties with Armenia
Armenia	Illicit drugs	illicit cultivation of small amount of cannabis for domestic consumption; used as a transit point for illicit drugs - mostly opium and hashish - moving from Southwest Asia to Russia and to a lesser extent the rest of Europe
Aruba	Background	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.
Aruba	Location	Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela
Aruba	Geographic coordinates	12 30 N, 69 58 W
Aruba	Map references	Central America and the Caribbean
Aruba	Area	total: 193 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 193 sq km
Aruba	Area - comparative	slightly larger than Washington, DC
Aruba	Land boundaries	0 km
Aruba	Coastline	68.5 km
Aruba	Maritime claims	territorial sea: 12 NM
Aruba	Climate	tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation
Aruba	Terrain	flat with a few hills; scant vegetation
Aruba	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Jamanota 188 m
Aruba	Natural resources	NEGL; white sandy beaches
Aruba	Land use	arable land: 10.53% (including aloe 0.01%) permanent crops: 0% other: 89.47% (1998 est.)
Aruba	Irrigated land	0.01 sq km (1998 est.)
Aruba	Natural hazards	lies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt
Aruba	Environment - current issues	NA
Aruba	Geography - note	a flat, riverless island renowned for its white sand beaches; its tropical climate is moderated by constant trade winds from the Atlantic Ocean; the temperature is almost constant at about 27 degrees Celsius (81 degrees Fahrenheit)
Aruba	Population	70,844 (July 2003 est.)
Aruba	Age structure	0-14 years: 20.7% (male 7,540; female 7,121) 15-64 years: 68.3% (male 23,427; female 24,955) 65 years and over: 11% (male 3,215; female 4,586) (2003 est.)
Aruba	Median age	total: 37.1 years male: 35.3 years female: 38.5 years (2002)
Aruba	Population growth rate	0.55% (2003 est.)
Aruba	Birth rate	11.86 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Aruba	Death rate	6.38 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Aruba	Net migration rate	0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Aruba	Sex ratio	at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Aruba	Infant mortality rate	total: 6.14 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 6.99 deaths/1,000 live births
Aruba	Life expectancy at birth	total population: 78.83 years male: 75.48 years female: 82.34 years (2003 est.)
Aruba	Total fertility rate	1.79 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Aruba	HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate	NA%
Aruba	HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS	NA
Aruba	HIV/AIDS - deaths	NA
Aruba	Nationality	noun: Aruban(s) adjective: Aruban; Dutch
Aruba	Ethnic groups	mixed white/Caribbean Amerindian 80%
Aruba	Religions	Roman Catholic 82%, Protestant 8%, Hindu, Muslim, Confucian, Jewish
Aruba	Languages	Dutch (official), Papiamento (a Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, English dialect), English (widely spoken), Spanish
Aruba	Literacy	definition: total population: 97% male: NA% female: NA%
Aruba	Country name	conventional long form: none conventional short form: Aruba
Aruba	Dependency status	part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; full autonomy in internal affairs obtained in 1986 upon separation from the Netherlands Antilles; Dutch Government responsible for defense and foreign affairs
Aruba	Government type	parliamentary democracy
Aruba	Capital	Oranjestad
Aruba	Administrative divisions	none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
Aruba	Independence	none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
Aruba	National holiday	Flag Day, 18 March
Aruba	Constitution	1 January 1986
Aruba	Legal system	based on Dutch civil law system, with some English common law influence
Aruba	Suffrage	18 years of age; universal
Aruba	Executive branch	chief of state: Queen BEATRIX of the Netherlands (since 30 April 1980), represented by Governor General Olindo KOOLMAN (since 1 January 1992) election results: Nelson O. ODUBER elected prime minister; percent of legislative vote - NA% elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed for a six-year term by the monarch; prime minister and deputy prime minister elected by the Staten for four-year terms; election last held 28 September 2001 (next to be held by December 2005) head of government: Prime Minister Nelson O. ODUBER (since 30 October 2001); Deputy Prime Minister Fredis REFUNJOL cabinet: Council of Ministers (elected by the Staten)
Aruba	Legislative branch	unicameral Legislature or Staten (21 seats; members elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 28 September 2001 (next to be held by NA 2005) election results: percent of vote by party - MEP 52.4%, AVP 26.7%, PPA 9.6%, OLA 5.7%, Aliansa 3.5%, other 2.1%; seats by party - MEP 12, AVP 6, PPA 2, OLA 1
Aruba	Judicial branch	Joint High Court of Justice (judges are appointed by the monarch)
Aruba	Political parties and leaders	Aruba Solidarity Movement or MAS [leader NA]; Aruban Democratic Alliance or Aliansa [leader NA]; Aruban Democratic Party or PDA [Leo BERLINSKI]; Aruban Liberal Party or OLA [Glenbert CROES]; Aruban Patriotic Party or PPA [Benny NISBET]; Aruban People's Party or AVP [Jan (Henny) H. EMAN]; Concentration for the Liberation of Aruba or CLA [leader NA]; People's Electoral Movement Party or MEP [Nelson O. ODUBER]; For a Restructured Aruba Now or PARA [Urbana LOPEZ]; National Democratic Action or ADN [Pedro Charro KELLY]
Aruba	Political pressure groups and leaders	NA
Aruba	International organization participation	Caricom (observer), ECLAC (associate), Interpol, IOC, UNESCO (associate), WCL, WToO (associate)
Aruba	Diplomatic representation in the US	none (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
Aruba	Diplomatic representation from the US	the US does not have an embassy in Aruba; the Consul General to Netherlands Antilles is accredited to Aruba
Aruba	Flag description	blue, with two narrow, horizontal, yellow stripes across the lower portion and a red, four-pointed star outlined in white in the upper hoist-side corner
Aruba	Economy - overview	Tourism is the mainstay of the small, open Aruban economy, with offshore banking and oil refining and storage also important. The rapid growth of the tourism sector over the last decade has resulted in a substantial expansion of other activities. Construction has boomed, with hotel capacity five times the 1985 level. In addition, the reopening of the country's oil refinery in 1993, a major source of employment and foreign exchange earnings, has further spurred growth. Aruba's small labor force and low unemployment rate have led to a large number of unfilled job vacancies, despite sharp rises in wage rates in recent years. Tourist arrivals have declined in the aftermath of the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks on the US. The government now must deal with a budget deficit and a negative trade balance.
Aruba	GDP	purchasing power parity - $1.94 billion (2002 est.)
Aruba	GDP - real growth rate	-1.5% (2002 est.)
Aruba	GDP - per capita	purchasing power parity - $28,000 (2002 est.)
Aruba	GDP - composition by sector	agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Aruba	Population below poverty line	NA%
Aruba	Household income or consumption by percentage share	lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Aruba	Inflation rate (consumer prices)	3.2% (2002 est.)
Aruba	Labor force	41,501 (1997 est.)
Aruba	Labor force - by occupation	most employment is in wholesale and retail trade and repair, followed by hotels and restaurants; oil refining
Aruba	Unemployment rate	0.6%
Aruba	Budget	revenues: $135.81 million expenditures: $147 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000)
Aruba	Industries	tourism, transshipment facilities, oil refining
Aruba	Industrial production growth rate	NA
Aruba	Electricity - production	531.9 million kWh (2001)
Aruba	Electricity - production by source	fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Aruba	Electricity - consumption	494.7 million kWh (2001)
Aruba	Electricity - exports	0 kWh (2001)
Aruba	Electricity - imports	0 kWh (2001)
Aruba	Oil - production	0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Aruba	Oil - consumption	6,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Aruba	Oil - exports	NA (2001)
Aruba	Oil - imports	NA (2001)
Aruba	Agriculture - products	aloes; livestock; fish
Aruba	Exports	$1.88 billion f.o.b. (including oil reexports) (2002 est.)
Aruba	Exports - commodities	live animals and animal products, art and collectibles, machinery and electrical equipment, transport equipment
Aruba	Exports - partners	Netherlands 28.6%, Colombia 21.7%, Panama 16.8%, US 12.1%, Netherlands Antilles 8.3%, Venezuela 7.6% (2002)
Aruba	Imports	$2.21 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Aruba	Imports - commodities	machinery and electrical equipment, crude oil for refining and reexport, chemicals; foodstuffs
Aruba	Imports - partners	US 54.7%, Netherlands 12.7%, UK 5.7% (2002)
Aruba	Debt - external	$285 million (1996)
Aruba	Economic aid - recipient	$26 million (1995); note - the Netherlands provided a $127 million aid package to Aruba and Suriname in 1996
Aruba	Currency	Aruban guilder/florin (AWG)
Aruba	Currency code	AWG
Aruba	Exchange rates	Aruban guilders/florins per US dollar - 1.79 (2002), 1.79 (2001), 1.79 (2000), 1.79 (1999), 1.79 (1998)
Aruba	Fiscal year	calendar year
Aruba	Telephones - main lines in use	33,000 (1997)
Aruba	Telephones - mobile cellular	3,402 (1997)
Aruba	Telephone system	general assessment: NA domestic: more than adequate international: 1 submarine cable to Sint Maarten (Netherlands Antilles); extensive interisland microwave radio relay links
Aruba	Radio broadcast stations	AM 4, FM 6, shortwave 0 (1998)
Aruba	Television broadcast stations	1 (1997)
Aruba	Internet country code	.aw
Aruba	Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	NA
Aruba	Internet users	24,000 (2002)
Aruba	Railways	0 km
Aruba	Highways	total: 800 km paved: 513 km note: most coastal roads are paved, while unpaved roads serve large tracts of the interior (1995) unpaved: 287 km
Aruba	Waterways	none
Aruba	Ports and harbors	Barcadera, Oranjestad, Sint Nicolaas
Aruba	Merchant marine	total: 3 note: there is one foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: Monaco 1 (2002 est.) ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 1, petroleum tanker 1
Aruba	Airports	1 (2002)
Aruba	Airports - with paved runways	total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2002)
Aruba	Military branches	no regular indigenous military forces; Royal Dutch Navy and Marines, Coast Guard
Aruba	Military - note	defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Aruba	Disputes - international	none
Aruba	Illicit drugs	transit point for US- and Europe-bound narcotics with some accompanying money-laundering activity
Aruba	Background	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.
Aruba	Location	Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela
Aruba	Geographic coordinates	12 30 N, 69 58 W
Aruba	Map references	Central America and the Caribbean
Aruba	Area	total: 193 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 193 sq km
Aruba	Area - comparative	slightly larger than Washington, DC
Aruba	Land boundaries	0 km
Aruba	Coastline	68.5 km
Aruba	Maritime claims	territorial sea: 12 NM
Aruba	Climate	tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation
Aruba	Terrain	flat with a few hills; scant vegetation
Aruba	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Jamanota 188 m
Aruba	Natural resources	NEGL; white sandy beaches
Aruba	Land use	arable land: 10.53% (including aloe 0.01%) permanent crops: 0% other: 89.47% (1998 est.)
Aruba	Irrigated land	0.01 sq km (1998 est.)
Aruba	Natural hazards	lies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt
Aruba	Environment - current issues	NA
Aruba	Geography - note	a flat, riverless island renowned for its white sand beaches; its tropical climate is moderated by constant trade winds from the Atlantic Ocean; the temperature is almost constant at about 27 degrees Celsius (81 degrees Fahrenheit)
Aruba	Population	70,844 (July 2003 est.)
Aruba	Age structure	0-14 years: 20.7% (male 7,540; female 7,121) 15-64 years: 68.3% (male 23,427; female 24,955) 65 years and over: 11% (male 3,215; female 4,586) (2003 est.)
Aruba	Median age	total: 37.1 years male: 35.3 years female: 38.5 years (2002)
Aruba	Population growth rate	0.55% (2003 est.)
Aruba	Birth rate	11.86 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Aruba	Death rate	6.38 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Aruba	Net migration rate	0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Aruba	Sex ratio	at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Aruba	Infant mortality rate	total: 6.14 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 6.99 deaths/1,000 live births
Aruba	Life expectancy at birth	total population: 78.83 years male: 75.48 years female: 82.34 years (2003 est.)
Aruba	Total fertility rate	1.79 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Aruba	HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate	NA%
Aruba	HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS	NA
Aruba	HIV/AIDS - deaths	NA
Aruba	Nationality	noun: Aruban(s) adjective: Aruban; Dutch
Aruba	Ethnic groups	mixed white/Caribbean Amerindian 80%
Aruba	Religions	Roman Catholic 82%, Protestant 8%, Hindu, Muslim, Confucian, Jewish
Aruba	Languages	Dutch (official), Papiamento (a Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, English dialect), English (widely spoken), Spanish
Aruba	Literacy	definition: total population: 97% male: NA% female: NA%
Aruba	Country name	conventional long form: none conventional short form: Aruba
Aruba	Dependency status	part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; full autonomy in internal affairs obtained in 1986 upon separation from the Netherlands Antilles; Dutch Government responsible for defense and foreign affairs
Aruba	Government type	parliamentary democracy
Aruba	Capital	Oranjestad
Aruba	Administrative divisions	none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
Aruba	Independence	none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
Aruba	National holiday	Flag Day, 18 March
Aruba	Constitution	1 January 1986
Aruba	Legal system	based on Dutch civil law system, with some English common law influence
Aruba	Suffrage	18 years of age; universal
Aruba	Executive branch	chief of state: Queen BEATRIX of the Netherlands (since 30 April 1980), represented by Governor General Olindo KOOLMAN (since 1 January 1992) election results: Nelson O. ODUBER elected prime minister; percent of legislative vote - NA% elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed for a six-year term by the monarch; prime minister and deputy prime minister elected by the Staten for four-year terms; election last held 28 September 2001 (next to be held by December 2005) head of government: Prime Minister Nelson O. ODUBER (since 30 October 2001); Deputy Prime Minister Fredis REFUNJOL cabinet: Council of Ministers (elected by the Staten)
Aruba	Legislative branch	unicameral Legislature or Staten (21 seats; members elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 28 September 2001 (next to be held by NA 2005) election results: percent of vote by party - MEP 52.4%, AVP 26.7%, PPA 9.6%, OLA 5.7%, Aliansa 3.5%, other 2.1%; seats by party - MEP 12, AVP 6, PPA 2, OLA 1
Aruba	Judicial branch	Joint High Court of Justice (judges are appointed by the monarch)
Aruba	Political parties and leaders	Aruba Solidarity Movement or MAS [leader NA]; Aruban Democratic Alliance or Aliansa [leader NA]; Aruban Democratic Party or PDA [Leo BERLINSKI]; Aruban Liberal Party or OLA [Glenbert CROES]; Aruban Patriotic Party or PPA [Benny NISBET]; Aruban People's Party or AVP [Jan (Henny) H. EMAN]; Concentration for the Liberation of Aruba or CLA [leader NA]; People's Electoral Movement Party or MEP [Nelson O. ODUBER]; For a Restructured Aruba Now or PARA [Urbana LOPEZ]; National Democratic Action or ADN [Pedro Charro KELLY]
Aruba	Political pressure groups and leaders	NA
Aruba	International organization participation	Caricom (observer), ECLAC (associate), Interpol, IOC, UNESCO (associate), WCL, WToO (associate)
Aruba	Diplomatic representation in the US	none (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
Aruba	Diplomatic representation from the US	the US does not have an embassy in Aruba; the Consul General to Netherlands Antilles is accredited to Aruba
Aruba	Flag description	blue, with two narrow, horizontal, yellow stripes across the lower portion and a red, four-pointed star outlined in white in the upper hoist-side corner
Aruba	Economy - overview	Tourism is the mainstay of the small, open Aruban economy, with offshore banking and oil refining and storage also important. The rapid growth of the tourism sector over the last decade has resulted in a substantial expansion of other activities. Construction has boomed, with hotel capacity five times the 1985 level. In addition, the reopening of the country's oil refinery in 1993, a major source of employment and foreign exchange earnings, has further spurred growth. Aruba's small labor force and low unemployment rate have led to a large number of unfilled job vacancies, despite sharp rises in wage rates in recent years. Tourist arrivals have declined in the aftermath of the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks on the US. The government now must deal with a budget deficit and a negative trade balance.
Aruba	GDP	purchasing power parity - $1.94 billion (2002 est.)
Aruba	GDP - real growth rate	-1.5% (2002 est.)
Aruba	GDP - per capita	purchasing power parity - $28,000 (2002 est.)
Aruba	GDP - composition by sector	agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Aruba	Population below poverty line	NA%
Aruba	Household income or consumption by percentage share	lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Aruba	Inflation rate (consumer prices)	3.2% (2002 est.)
Aruba	Labor force	41,501 (1997 est.)
Aruba	Labor force - by occupation	most employment is in wholesale and retail trade and repair, followed by hotels and restaurants; oil refining
Aruba	Unemployment rate	0.6%
Aruba	Budget	revenues: $135.81 million expenditures: $147 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000)
Aruba	Industries	tourism, transshipment facilities, oil refining
Aruba	Industrial production growth rate	NA
Aruba	Electricity - production	531.9 million kWh (2001)
Aruba	Electricity - production by source	fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Aruba	Electricity - consumption	494.7 million kWh (2001)
Aruba	Electricity - exports	0 kWh (2001)
Aruba	Electricity - imports	0 kWh (2001)
Aruba	Oil - production	0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Aruba	Oil - consumption	6,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Aruba	Oil - exports	NA (2001)
Aruba	Oil - imports	NA (2001)
Aruba	Agriculture - products	aloes; livestock; fish
Aruba	Exports	$1.88 billion f.o.b. (including oil reexports) (2002 est.)
Aruba	Exports - commodities	live animals and animal products, art and collectibles, machinery and electrical equipment, transport equipment
Aruba	Exports - partners	Netherlands 28.6%, Colombia 21.7%, Panama 16.8%, US 12.1%, Netherlands Antilles 8.3%, Venezuela 7.6% (2002)
Aruba	Imports	$2.21 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Aruba	Imports - commodities	machinery and electrical equipment, crude oil for refining and reexport, chemicals; foodstuffs
Aruba	Imports - partners	US 54.7%, Netherlands 12.7%, UK 5.7% (2002)
Aruba	Debt - external	$285 million (1996)
Aruba	Economic aid - recipient	$26 million (1995); note - the Netherlands provided a $127 million aid package to Aruba and Suriname in 1996
Aruba	Currency	Aruban guilder/florin (AWG)
Aruba	Currency code	AWG
Aruba	Exchange rates	Aruban guilders/florins per US dollar - 1.79 (2002), 1.79 (2001), 1.79 (2000), 1.79 (1999), 1.79 (1998)
Aruba	Fiscal year	calendar year
Aruba	Telephones - main lines in use	33,000 (1997)
Aruba	Telephones - mobile cellular	3,402 (1997)
Aruba	Telephone system	general assessment: NA domestic: more than adequate international: 1 submarine cable to Sint Maarten (Netherlands Antilles); extensive interisland microwave radio relay links
Aruba	Radio broadcast stations	AM 4, FM 6, shortwave 0 (1998)
Aruba	Television broadcast stations	1 (1997)
Aruba	Internet country code	.aw
Aruba	Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	NA
Aruba	Internet users	24,000 (2002)
Aruba	Railways	0 km
Aruba	Highways	total: 800 km paved: 513 km note: most coastal roads are paved, while unpaved roads serve large tracts of the interior (1995) unpaved: 287 km
Aruba	Waterways	none
Aruba	Ports and harbors	Barcadera, Oranjestad, Sint Nicolaas
Aruba	Merchant marine	total: 3 note: there is one foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: Monaco 1 (2002 est.) ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 1, petroleum tanker 1
Aruba	Airports	1 (2002)
Aruba	Airports - with paved runways	total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2002)
Aruba	Military branches	no regular indigenous military forces; Royal Dutch Navy and Marines, Coast Guard
Aruba	Military - note	defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Aruba	Disputes - international	none
Aruba	Illicit drugs	transit point for US- and Europe-bound narcotics with some accompanying money-laundering activity
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Background	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.
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Location	Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, northwest of Australia, south of the Indonesian half of Timor island
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Geographic coordinates	12 14 S, 123 05 E
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Map references	Southeast Asia
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Area	total: 5 sq km note: includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and Cartier Island water: 0 sq km land: 5 sq km
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Area - comparative	about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Land boundaries	0 km
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Coastline	74.1 km
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Maritime claims	contiguous zone: 12 NM continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation territorial sea: 12 NM exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Climate	tropical
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Terrain	low with sand and coral
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 3 m
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Natural resources	fish
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Land use	arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all grass and sand) (1998 est.)
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Irrigated land	0 sq km (1998 est.)
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Natural hazards	surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Environment - current issues	NA
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Geography - note	Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Population	no indigenous inhabitants note: Indonesian fishermen are allowed access to the lagoon and fresh water at Ashmore Reef's West Island (July 2003 est.)
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	People - note	the landing of illegal immigrants from Indonesia's Rote Island has become an ongoing problem
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Country name	conventional long form: Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands conventional short form: Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Dependency status	territory of Australia; administered by the Australian Department of Transport and Regional Services
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Legal system	the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia and the laws of the Northern Territory of Australia, where applicable, apply
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Diplomatic representation in the US	none (territory of Australia)
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Diplomatic representation from the US	none (territory of Australia)
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Flag description	the flag of Australia is used
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Economy - overview	no economic activity
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Waterways	none
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Ports and harbors	none; offshore anchorage only
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Military - note	defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Disputes - international	nationalist group in Indonesia reportedly seeks to populate reefs to assert claims; Australia has moved to close reefs to Indonesian traditional fishing and to create a national park while prospecting for hydrocarbons in the vicinity
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Background	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.
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Location	Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, northwest of Australia, south of the Indonesian half of Timor island
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Geographic coordinates	12 14 S, 123 05 E
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Map references	Southeast Asia
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Area	total: 5 sq km note: includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and Cartier Island water: 0 sq km land: 5 sq km
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Area - comparative	about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Land boundaries	0 km
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Coastline	74.1 km
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Maritime claims	contiguous zone: 12 NM continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation territorial sea: 12 NM exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Climate	tropical
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Terrain	low with sand and coral
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 3 m
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Natural resources	fish
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Land use	arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all grass and sand) (1998 est.)
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Irrigated land	0 sq km (1998 est.)
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Natural hazards	surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Environment - current issues	NA
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Geography - note	Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Population	no indigenous inhabitants note: Indonesian fishermen are allowed access to the lagoon and fresh water at Ashmore Reef's West Island (July 2003 est.)
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	People - note	the landing of illegal immigrants from Indonesia's Rote Island has become an ongoing problem
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Country name	conventional long form: Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands conventional short form: Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Dependency status	territory of Australia; administered by the Australian Department of Transport and Regional Services
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Legal system	the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia and the laws of the Northern Territory of Australia, where applicable, apply
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Diplomatic representation in the US	none (territory of Australia)
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Diplomatic representation from the US	none (territory of Australia)
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Flag description	the flag of Australia is used
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Economy - overview	no economic activity
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Waterways	none
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Ports and harbors	none; offshore anchorage only
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Military - note	defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force
Ashmore and Cartier Islands	Disputes - international	nationalist group in Indonesia reportedly seeks to populate reefs to assert claims; Australia has moved to close reefs to Indonesian traditional fishing and to create a national park while prospecting for hydrocarbons in the vicinity
Atlantic Ocean	Background	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.
Atlantic Ocean	Location	body of water between Africa, Europe, the Southern Ocean, and the Western Hemisphere
Atlantic Ocean	Geographic coordinates	0 00 N, 25 00 W
Atlantic Ocean	Map references	Political Map of the World
Atlantic Ocean	Area	total: 76.762 million sq km note: includes Baltic Sea, Black Sea, Caribbean Sea, Davis Strait, Denmark Strait, part of the Drake Passage, Gulf of Mexico, Labrador Sea, Mediterranean Sea, North Sea, Norwegian Sea, almost all of the Scotia Sea, and other tributary water bodies
Atlantic Ocean	Area - comparative	slightly less than 6.5 times the size of the US
Atlantic Ocean	Coastline	111,866 km
Atlantic Ocean	Climate	tropical cyclones (hurricanes) develop off the coast of Africa near Cape Verde and move westward into the Caribbean Sea; hurricanes can occur from May to December, but are most frequent from August to November
Atlantic Ocean	Terrain	surface usually covered with sea ice in Labrador Sea, Denmark Strait, and coastal portions of the Baltic Sea from October to June; clockwise warm-water gyre (broad, circular system of currents) in the northern Atlantic, counterclockwise warm-water gyre in the southern Atlantic; the ocean floor is dominated by the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a rugged north-south centerline for the entire Atlantic basin
Atlantic Ocean	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Milwaukee Deep in the Puerto Rico Trench -8,605 m highest point: sea level 0 m
Atlantic Ocean	Natural resources	oil and gas fields, fish, marine mammals (seals and whales), sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, polymetallic nodules, precious stones
Atlantic Ocean	Natural hazards	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)
Atlantic Ocean	Environment - current issues	endangered marine species include the manatee, seals, sea lions, turtles, and whales; drift net fishing is hastening the decline of fish stocks and contributing to international disputes; municipal sludge pollution off eastern US, southern Brazil, and eastern Argentina; oil pollution in Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, Lake Maracaibo, Mediterranean Sea, and North Sea; industrial waste and municipal sewage pollution in Baltic Sea, North Sea, and Mediterranean Sea
Atlantic Ocean	Geography - note	major chokepoints include the Dardanelles, Strait of Gibraltar, access to the Panama and Suez Canals; strategic straits include the Strait of Dover, Straits of Florida, Mona Passage, The Sound (Oresund), and Windward Passage; the Equator divides the Atlantic Ocean into the North Atlantic Ocean and South Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean	Economy - overview	The Atlantic Ocean provides some of the world's most heavily trafficked sea routes, between and within the Eastern and Western Hemispheres. Other economic activity includes the exploitation of natural resources, e.g., fishing, the dredging of aragonite sands (The Bahamas), and production of crude oil and natural gas (Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and North Sea).
Atlantic Ocean	Ports and harbors	Alexandria (Egypt), Algiers (Algeria), Antwerp (Belgium), Barcelona (Spain), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Casablanca (Morocco), Colon (Panama), Copenhagen (Denmark), Dakar (Senegal), Gdansk (Poland), Hamburg (Germany), Helsinki (Finland), Las Palmas (Canary Islands, Spain), Le Havre (France), Lisbon (Portugal), London (UK), Marseille (France), Montevideo (Uruguay), Montreal (Canada), Naples (Italy), New Orleans (US), New York (US), Oran (Algeria), Oslo (Norway), Peiraiefs or Piraeus (Greece), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Rotterdam (Netherlands), Saint Petersburg (Russia), Stockholm (Sweden)
Atlantic Ocean	Transportation - note	Kiel Canal and Saint Lawrence Seaway are two important waterways; significant domestic commercial and recreational use of Intracoastal Waterway on central and south Atlantic seaboard and Gulf of Mexico coast of US
Atlantic Ocean	Disputes - international	some maritime disputes (see littoral states)
Atlantic Ocean	Background	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.
Atlantic Ocean	Location	body of water between Africa, Europe, the Southern Ocean, and the Western Hemisphere
Atlantic Ocean	Geographic coordinates	0 00 N, 25 00 W
Atlantic Ocean	Map references	Political Map of the World
Atlantic Ocean	Area	total: 76.762 million sq km note: includes Baltic Sea, Black Sea, Caribbean Sea, Davis Strait, Denmark Strait, part of the Drake Passage, Gulf of Mexico, Labrador Sea, Mediterranean Sea, North Sea, Norwegian Sea, almost all of the Scotia Sea, and other tributary water bodies
Atlantic Ocean	Area - comparative	slightly less than 6.5 times the size of the US
Atlantic Ocean	Coastline	111,866 km
Atlantic Ocean	Climate	tropical cyclones (hurricanes) develop off the coast of Africa near Cape Verde and move westward into the Caribbean Sea; hurricanes can occur from May to December, but are most frequent from August to November
Atlantic Ocean	Terrain	surface usually covered with sea ice in Labrador Sea, Denmark Strait, and coastal portions of the Baltic Sea from October to June; clockwise warm-water gyre (broad, circular system of currents) in the northern Atlantic, counterclockwise warm-water gyre in the southern Atlantic; the ocean floor is dominated by the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a rugged north-south centerline for the entire Atlantic basin
Atlantic Ocean	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Milwaukee Deep in the Puerto Rico Trench -8,605 m highest point: sea level 0 m
Atlantic Ocean	Natural resources	oil and gas fields, fish, marine mammals (seals and whales), sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, polymetallic nodules, precious stones
Atlantic Ocean	Natural hazards	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)
Atlantic Ocean	Environment - current issues	endangered marine species include the manatee, seals, sea lions, turtles, and whales; drift net fishing is hastening the decline of fish stocks and contributing to international disputes; municipal sludge pollution off eastern US, southern Brazil, and eastern Argentina; oil pollution in Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, Lake Maracaibo, Mediterranean Sea, and North Sea; industrial waste and municipal sewage pollution in Baltic Sea, North Sea, and Mediterranean Sea
Atlantic Ocean	Geography - note	major chokepoints include the Dardanelles, Strait of Gibraltar, access to the Panama and Suez Canals; strategic straits include the Strait of Dover, Straits of Florida, Mona Passage, The Sound (Oresund), and Windward Passage; the Equator divides the Atlantic Ocean into the North Atlantic Ocean and South Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean	Economy - overview	The Atlantic Ocean provides some of the world's most heavily trafficked sea routes, between and within the Eastern and Western Hemispheres. Other economic activity includes the exploitation of natural resources, e.g., fishing, the dredging of aragonite sands (The Bahamas), and production of crude oil and natural gas (Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and North Sea).
Atlantic Ocean	Ports and harbors	Alexandria (Egypt), Algiers (Algeria), Antwerp (Belgium), Barcelona (Spain), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Casablanca (Morocco), Colon (Panama), Copenhagen (Denmark), Dakar (Senegal), Gdansk (Poland), Hamburg (Germany), Helsinki (Finland), Las Palmas (Canary Islands, Spain), Le Havre (France), Lisbon (Portugal), London (UK), Marseille (France), Montevideo (Uruguay), Montreal (Canada), Naples (Italy), New Orleans (US), New York (US), Oran (Algeria), Oslo (Norway), Peiraiefs or Piraeus (Greece), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Rotterdam (Netherlands), Saint Petersburg (Russia), Stockholm (Sweden)
Atlantic Ocean	Transportation - note	Kiel Canal and Saint Lawrence Seaway are two important waterways; significant domestic commercial and recreational use of Intracoastal Waterway on central and south Atlantic seaboard and Gulf of Mexico coast of US
Atlantic Ocean	Disputes - international	some maritime disputes (see littoral states)
Australia	Background	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.
Australia	Location	Oceania, continent between the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean
Australia	Geographic coordinates	27 00 S, 133 00 E
Australia	Map references	Oceania
Australia	Area	total: 7,686,850 sq km water: 68,920 sq km note: includes Lord Howe Island and Macquarie Island land: 7,617,930 sq km
Australia	Area - comparative	slightly smaller than the US contiguous 48 states
Australia	Land boundaries	0 km
Australia	Coastline	25,760 km
Australia	Maritime claims	contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin
Australia	Climate	generally arid to semiarid; temperate in south and east; tropical in north
Australia	Terrain	mostly low plateau with deserts; fertile plain in southeast
Australia	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Lake Eyre -15 m highest point: Mount Kosciuszko 2,229 m
Australia	Natural resources	bauxite, coal, iron ore, copper, tin, gold, silver, uranium, nickel, tungsten, mineral sands, lead, zinc, diamonds, natural gas, petroleum
Australia	Land use	arable land: 6.88% permanent crops: 0.03% other: 93.09% (1998 est.)
Australia	Irrigated land	24,000 sq km (1998 est.)
Australia	Natural hazards	cyclones along the coast; severe droughts; forest fires
Australia	Environment - current issues	soil erosion from overgrazing, industrial development, urbanization, and poor farming practices; soil salinity rising due to the use of poor quality water; desertification; clearing for agricultural purposes threatens the natural habitat of many unique animal and plant species; the Great Barrier Reef off the northeast coast, the largest coral reef in the world, is threatened by increased shipping and its popularity as a tourist site; limited natural fresh water resources
Australia	Environment - international agreements	party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Australia	Geography - note	world's smallest continent but sixth-largest country; population concentrated along the eastern and southeastern coasts; regular, tropical, invigorating, sea breeze known as "the Doctor" occurs along the west coast in the summer
Australia	Population	19,731,984 (July 2003 est.)
Australia	Age structure	0-14 years: 20.2% (male 2,045,783; female 1,949,864) 15-64 years: 67.1% (male 6,680,531; female 6,553,141) 65 years and over: 12.7% (male 1,099,275; female 1,403,390) (2003 est.)
Australia	Median age	total: 36 years male: 35.2 years female: 36.8 years (2002)
Australia	Population growth rate	0.93% (2003 est.)
Australia	Birth rate	12.55 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Australia	Death rate	7.31 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Australia	Net migration rate	4.05 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Australia	Sex ratio	at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Australia	Infant mortality rate	total: 4.83 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 5.23 deaths/1,000 live births
Australia	Life expectancy at birth	total population: 80.13 years male: 77.27 years female: 83.13 years (2003 est.)
Australia	Total fertility rate	1.76 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Australia	HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate	0.1% (2001 est.)
Australia	HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS	12,000 (2001 est.)
Australia	HIV/AIDS - deaths	less than 100 (2001 est.)
Australia	Nationality	noun: Australian(s) adjective: Australian
Australia	Ethnic groups	Caucasian 92%, Asian 7%, aboriginal and other 1%
Australia	Religions	Anglican 26.1%, Roman Catholic 26%, other Christian 24.3%, non-Christian 11%, other 12.6%
Australia	Languages	English, native languages
Australia	Literacy	definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% (1980 est.)
Australia	Country name	conventional long form: Commonwealth of Australia conventional short form: Australia
Australia	Government type	democratic, federal-state system recognizing the British monarch as sovereign
Australia	Capital	Canberra
Australia	Administrative divisions	6 states and 2 territories*; Australian Capital Territory*, New South Wales, Northern Territory*, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia
Australia	Dependent areas	Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Norfolk Island
Australia	Independence	1 January 1901 (federation of UK colonies)
Australia	National holiday	Australia Day, 26 January (1788)
Australia	Constitution	9 July 1900, effective 1 January 1901
Australia	Legal system	based on English common law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Australia	Suffrage	18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Australia	Executive branch	chief of state: Queen of Australia ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Michael JEFFREY (since 11 August 2003) head of government: Prime Minister John Winston HOWARD (since 11 March 1996); Deputy Prime Minister John ANDERSON Deputy Prime Minister John ANDERSON (since 20 July 1999) cabinet: Parliament nominates and selects, from among its members, a list of candidates to serve as government ministers; from this list, the governor general swears in the final selections for the Cabinet elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is sworn in as prime minister by the governor general note: government coalition - Liberal Party and National Party
Australia	Legislative branch	bicameral Federal Parliament consists of the Senate (76 seats - 12 from each of the six states and two from each of the two mainland territories; one-half of the members elected every three years by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives (150 seats - this is up from 148 seats in 2001 election; members elected by popular vote on the basis of preferential representation to serve three-year terms; no state can have fewer than five representatives) elections: Senate - last held 10 November 2001 (next to be held by February 2005); House of Representatives - last held 10 November 2001 (next to be held by February 2005) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Liberal Party-National Party coalition 35, Australian Labor Party 28, Australian Democrats 8, Green Party 2, One Nation Party 1, Country Labor Party 1, independent 1; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Liberal Party-National Party coalition 82, Australian Labor Party 65, independent and other 3
Australia	Judicial branch	High Court (the chief justice and six other justices are appointed by the governor general)
Australia	Political parties and leaders	Australian Democrats [Andrew BARTLETT]; Australian Labor Party [Mark LATHAM]; Australian Progressive Alliance [Meg LEES]; Country Labor Party [leader NA]; Australian Greens [Bob BROWN]; Liberal Party [John Winston HOWARD]; The Nationals [John ANDERSON]; One Nation Party [Len HARRIS]
Australia	Political pressure groups and leaders	Australian Monarchist League [leader NA]; Australian Republican Movement [leader NA]
Australia	International organization participation	ANZUS, APEC, ARF (dialogue partner), AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, C, CP, EBRD, ESCAP, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OECD, OPCW, PCA, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNMEE, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC
Australia	Diplomatic representation in the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Michael J. THAWLEY consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco FAX: [1] (202) 797-3168 telephone: [1] (202) 797-3000 chancery: 1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
Australia	Diplomatic representation from the US	chief of mission: Ambassador J. Thomas SCHIEFFER embassy: Moonah Place, Yarralumla, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2600 mailing address: APO AP 96549 telephone: [61] (02) 6214-5600 FAX: [61] (02) 6214-5970 consulate(s) general: Melbourne, Perth, Sydney
Australia	Flag description	blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large seven-pointed star in the lower hoist-side quadrant known as the Commonwealth Star, representing the federation of the colonies of Australia in 1901; the star depicts one point for each of the six original states and one representing all of Australia's internal and external territories; the remaining half is a representation of the Southern Cross constellation in white with one small five-pointed star and four larger, seven-pointed stars
Australia	Economy - overview	Australia has a prosperous Western-style capitalist economy, with a per capita GDP on par with the four dominant West European economies. Rising output in the domestic economy has been offsetting the global slump, and business and consumer confidence remains robust. Australia's emphasis on reforms is another key factor behind the economy's strength. The stagnant economic conditions in major export partners and the impact of the worst drought in 100 years cast a shadow over prospects for 2003.
Australia	GDP	purchasing power parity - $525.5 billion (2002 est.)
Australia	GDP - real growth rate	3.6% (2002 est.)
Australia	GDP - per capita	purchasing power parity - $26,900 (2002 est.)
Australia	GDP - composition by sector	agriculture: 3% industry: 26% services: 71% (2001 est.)
Australia	Population below poverty line	NA%
Australia	Household income or consumption by percentage share	lowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 25.4% (1994)
Australia	Distribution of family income - Gini index	35.2 (1994)
Australia	Inflation rate (consumer prices)	2.8% (2002 est.)
Australia	Labor force	9.2 million (37256)
Australia	Labor force - by occupation	services 73%, industry 22%, agriculture 5% (1997 est.)
Australia	Unemployment rate	6.3% (2002)
Australia	Budget	revenues: $86.8 billion expenditures: $84.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY 00/01 est.)
Australia	Industries	mining, industrial and transportation equipment, food processing, chemicals, steel
Australia	Industrial production growth rate	4.3% (2002 est.)
Australia	Electricity - production	198.2 billion kWh (2001)
Australia	Electricity - production by source	fossil fuel: 90.8% hydro: 8.3% other: 0.9% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Australia	Electricity - consumption	184.4 billion kWh (2001)
Australia	Electricity - exports	0 kWh (2001)
Australia	Electricity - imports	0 kWh (2001)
Australia	Oil - production	731,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Australia	Oil - consumption	796,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Australia	Oil - exports	523,400 bbl/day (2001)
Australia	Oil - imports	530,800 bbl/day (2001)
Australia	Oil - proved reserves	3.664 billion bbl (37257)
Australia	Natural gas - production	33.08 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Australia	Natural gas - consumption	23.33 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Australia	Natural gas - exports	9.744 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Australia	Natural gas - imports	0 cu m (2001 est.)
Australia	Natural gas - proved reserves	2.407 trillion cu m (37257)
Australia	Agriculture - products	wheat, barley, sugarcane, fruits; cattle, sheep, poultry
Australia	Exports	$66.3 billion (2002 est.)
Australia	Exports - commodities	coal, gold, meat, wool, alumina, iron ore, wheat, machinery and transport equipment
Australia	Exports - partners	Japan 18.5%, US 9.6%, South Korea 8.3%, China 6.9%, New Zealand 6.5%, UK 4.7%, Singapore 4.1%, Taiwan 4% (2002)
Australia	Imports	$68 billion (2002 est.)
Australia	Imports - commodities	machinery and transport equipment, computers and office machines, telecommunication equipment and parts; crude oil and petroleum products
Australia	Imports - partners	US 18.3%, Japan 12.3%, China 10.1%, Germany 5.7%, UK 4.6% (2002)
Australia	Debt - external	$176.8 billion (yearend 2002 est.)
Australia	Economic aid - donor	ODA, $894 million (FY 99/00)
Australia	Currency	Australian dollar (AUD)
Australia	Currency code	AUD
Australia	Exchange rates	Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.84 (2002), 1.93 (2001), 1.72 (2000), 1.55 (1999), 1.59 (1998)
Australia	Fiscal year	1 July - 30 June
Australia	Telephones - main lines in use	10.05 million (2000)
Australia	Telephones - mobile cellular	8.6 million (2000)
Australia	Telephone system	general assessment: excellent domestic and international service domestic: domestic satellite system; much use of radiotelephone in areas of low population density; rapid growth of mobile cellular telephones international: submarine cables to New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia; satellite earth stations - 10 Intelsat (4 Indian Ocean and 6 Pacific Ocean), 2 Inmarsat (Indian and Pacific Ocean regions) (1998)
Australia	Radio broadcast stations	AM 262, FM 345, shortwave 1 (1998)
Australia	Television broadcast stations	104 (1997)
Australia	Internet country code	.au
Australia	Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	571 (2002)
Australia	Internet users	10.63 million (2002)
Australia	Railways	total: 41,588 km (4,612 km electrified) broad gauge: 2,193 km 1.600-m gauge narrow gauge: 15,456 km 1.067-m gauge dual gauge: 291 km dual gauge (2002) standard gauge: 23,648 km 1.435-m gauge
Australia	Highways	total: 811,603 km paved: 314,090 km (including 18,619 km of expressways) unpaved: 497,513 km (1999 est.)
Australia	Waterways	8,368 km (mainly used by small, shallow-draft craft)
Australia	Pipelines	condensate 36 km; condensate/gas 243 km; gas 27,321 km; liquid petroleum gas 240 km; oil 4,779 km; oil/gas/water 104 km; water 40 km (2003)
Australia	Ports and harbors	Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Devonport (Tasmania), Fremantle, Geelong, Hobart (Tasmania), Launceston (Tasmania), Mackay, Melbourne, Sydney, Townsville
Australia	Merchant marine	total: 51 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,415,810 GRT/1,806,554 DWT note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: France 2, UK 2, US 14 (2002 est.) ships by type: bulk 20, cargo 6, chemical tanker 3, combination bulk 1, container 2, liquefied gas 4, passenger 2, petroleum tanker 7, roll on/roll off 6
Australia	Airports	444 (2002)
Australia	Airports - with paved runways	total: 294 over 3,047 m: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 11 1,524 to 2,437 m: 126 914 to 1,523 m: 134 under 914 m: 13 (2002)
Australia	Airports - with unpaved runways	total: 150 1,524 to 2,437 m: 20 914 to 1,523 m: 116 under 914 m: 14 (2002)
Australia	Military branches	Australian Army, Royal Australian Navy, Royal Australian Air Force
Australia	Military manpower - military age	17 years of age (2003 est.)
Australia	Military manpower - availability	males age 15-49: 5,037,538 (2003 est.)
Australia	Military manpower - fit for military service	males age 15-49: 4,339,011 (2003 est.)
Australia	Military manpower - reaching military age annually	males: 142,377 (2003 est.)
Australia	Military expenditures - dollar figure	$11.39 billion (FY02)
Australia	Military expenditures - percent of GDP	2.9% (FY02)
Australia	Disputes - international	maritime delimitation and resource sharing agreements signed with East Timor resolve dispute over "Timor Gap" hydrocarbon reserves; no agreement reached on dividing Timor Sea with Indonesia (see Ashmore and Cartier Islands disputes); Australia asserts a territorial claim to Antarctica and to its continental shelf (see Antarctica)
Australia	Illicit drugs	Tasmania is one of the world's major suppliers of licit opiate products; government maintains strict controls over areas of opium poppy cultivation and output of poppy straw concentrate
Australia	Background	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.
Australia	Location	Oceania, continent between the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean
Australia	Geographic coordinates	27 00 S, 133 00 E
Australia	Map references	Oceania
Australia	Area	total: 7,686,850 sq km water: 68,920 sq km note: includes Lord Howe Island and Macquarie Island land: 7,617,930 sq km
Australia	Area - comparative	slightly smaller than the US contiguous 48 states
Australia	Land boundaries	0 km
Australia	Coastline	25,760 km
Australia	Maritime claims	contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin
Australia	Climate	generally arid to semiarid; temperate in south and east; tropical in north
Australia	Terrain	mostly low plateau with deserts; fertile plain in southeast
Australia	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Lake Eyre -15 m highest point: Mount Kosciuszko 2,229 m
Australia	Natural resources	bauxite, coal, iron ore, copper, tin, gold, silver, uranium, nickel, tungsten, mineral sands, lead, zinc, diamonds, natural gas, petroleum
Australia	Land use	arable land: 6.88% permanent crops: 0.03% other: 93.09% (1998 est.)
Australia	Irrigated land	24,000 sq km (1998 est.)
Australia	Natural hazards	cyclones along the coast; severe droughts; forest fires
Australia	Environment - current issues	soil erosion from overgrazing, industrial development, urbanization, and poor farming practices; soil salinity rising due to the use of poor quality water; desertification; clearing for agricultural purposes threatens the natural habitat of many unique animal and plant species; the Great Barrier Reef off the northeast coast, the largest coral reef in the world, is threatened by increased shipping and its popularity as a tourist site; limited natural fresh water resources
Australia	Environment - international agreements	party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Australia	Geography - note	world's smallest continent but sixth-largest country; population concentrated along the eastern and southeastern coasts; regular, tropical, invigorating, sea breeze known as "the Doctor" occurs along the west coast in the summer
Australia	Population	19,731,984 (July 2003 est.)
Australia	Age structure	0-14 years: 20.2% (male 2,045,783; female 1,949,864) 15-64 years: 67.1% (male 6,680,531; female 6,553,141) 65 years and over: 12.7% (male 1,099,275; female 1,403,390) (2003 est.)
Australia	Median age	total: 36 years male: 35.2 years female: 36.8 years (2002)
Australia	Population growth rate	0.93% (2003 est.)
Australia	Birth rate	12.55 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Australia	Death rate	7.31 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Australia	Net migration rate	4.05 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Australia	Sex ratio	at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Australia	Infant mortality rate	total: 4.83 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 5.23 deaths/1,000 live births
Australia	Life expectancy at birth	total population: 80.13 years male: 77.27 years female: 83.13 years (2003 est.)
Australia	Total fertility rate	1.76 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Australia	HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate	0.1% (2001 est.)
Australia	HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS	12,000 (2001 est.)
Australia	HIV/AIDS - deaths	less than 100 (2001 est.)
Australia	Nationality	noun: Australian(s) adjective: Australian
Australia	Ethnic groups	Caucasian 92%, Asian 7%, aboriginal and other 1%
Australia	Religions	Anglican 26.1%, Roman Catholic 26%, other Christian 24.3%, non-Christian 11%, other 12.6%
Australia	Languages	English, native languages
Australia	Literacy	definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% (1980 est.)
Australia	Country name	conventional long form: Commonwealth of Australia conventional short form: Australia
Australia	Government type	democratic, federal-state system recognizing the British monarch as sovereign
Australia	Capital	Canberra
Australia	Administrative divisions	6 states and 2 territories*; Australian Capital Territory*, New South Wales, Northern Territory*, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia
Australia	Dependent areas	Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Norfolk Island
Australia	Independence	1 January 1901 (federation of UK colonies)
Australia	National holiday	Australia Day, 26 January (1788)
Australia	Constitution	9 July 1900, effective 1 January 1901
Australia	Legal system	based on English common law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Australia	Suffrage	18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Australia	Executive branch	chief of state: Queen of Australia ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Michael JEFFREY (since 11 August 2003) head of government: Prime Minister John Winston HOWARD (since 11 March 1996); Deputy Prime Minister John ANDERSON Deputy Prime Minister John ANDERSON (since 20 July 1999) cabinet: Parliament nominates and selects, from among its members, a list of candidates to serve as government ministers; from this list, the governor general swears in the final selections for the Cabinet elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is sworn in as prime minister by the governor general note: government coalition - Liberal Party and National Party
Australia	Legislative branch	bicameral Federal Parliament consists of the Senate (76 seats - 12 from each of the six states and two from each of the two mainland territories; one-half of the members elected every three years by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives (150 seats - this is up from 148 seats in 2001 election; members elected by popular vote on the basis of preferential representation to serve three-year terms; no state can have fewer than five representatives) elections: Senate - last held 10 November 2001 (next to be held by February 2005); House of Representatives - last held 10 November 2001 (next to be held by February 2005) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Liberal Party-National Party coalition 35, Australian Labor Party 28, Australian Democrats 8, Green Party 2, One Nation Party 1, Country Labor Party 1, independent 1; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Liberal Party-National Party coalition 82, Australian Labor Party 65, independent and other 3
Australia	Judicial branch	High Court (the chief justice and six other justices are appointed by the governor general)
Australia	Political parties and leaders	Australian Democrats [Andrew BARTLETT]; Australian Labor Party [Mark LATHAM]; Australian Progressive Alliance [Meg LEES]; Country Labor Party [leader NA]; Australian Greens [Bob BROWN]; Liberal Party [John Winston HOWARD]; The Nationals [John ANDERSON]; One Nation Party [Len HARRIS]
Australia	Political pressure groups and leaders	Australian Monarchist League [leader NA]; Australian Republican Movement [leader NA]
Australia	International organization participation	ANZUS, APEC, ARF (dialogue partner), AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, C, CP, EBRD, ESCAP, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OECD, OPCW, PCA, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNMEE, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC
Australia	Diplomatic representation in the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Michael J. THAWLEY consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco FAX: [1] (202) 797-3168 telephone: [1] (202) 797-3000 chancery: 1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
Australia	Diplomatic representation from the US	chief of mission: Ambassador J. Thomas SCHIEFFER embassy: Moonah Place, Yarralumla, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2600 mailing address: APO AP 96549 telephone: [61] (02) 6214-5600 FAX: [61] (02) 6214-5970 consulate(s) general: Melbourne, Perth, Sydney
Australia	Flag description	blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large seven-pointed star in the lower hoist-side quadrant known as the Commonwealth Star, representing the federation of the colonies of Australia in 1901; the star depicts one point for each of the six original states and one representing all of Australia's internal and external territories; the remaining half is a representation of the Southern Cross constellation in white with one small five-pointed star and four larger, seven-pointed stars
Australia	Economy - overview	Australia has a prosperous Western-style capitalist economy, with a per capita GDP on par with the four dominant West European economies. Rising output in the domestic economy has been offsetting the global slump, and business and consumer confidence remains robust. Australia's emphasis on reforms is another key factor behind the economy's strength. The stagnant economic conditions in major export partners and the impact of the worst drought in 100 years cast a shadow over prospects for 2003.
Australia	GDP	purchasing power parity - $525.5 billion (2002 est.)
Australia	GDP - real growth rate	3.6% (2002 est.)
Australia	GDP - per capita	purchasing power parity - $26,900 (2002 est.)
Australia	GDP - composition by sector	agriculture: 3% industry: 26% services: 71% (2001 est.)
Australia	Population below poverty line	NA%
Australia	Household income or consumption by percentage share	lowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 25.4% (1994)
Australia	Distribution of family income - Gini index	35.2 (1994)
Australia	Inflation rate (consumer prices)	2.8% (2002 est.)
Australia	Labor force	9.2 million (37256)
Australia	Labor force - by occupation	services 73%, industry 22%, agriculture 5% (1997 est.)
Australia	Unemployment rate	6.3% (2002)
Australia	Budget	revenues: $86.8 billion expenditures: $84.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY 00/01 est.)
Australia	Industries	mining, industrial and transportation equipment, food processing, chemicals, steel
Australia	Industrial production growth rate	4.3% (2002 est.)
Australia	Electricity - production	198.2 billion kWh (2001)
Australia	Electricity - production by source	fossil fuel: 90.8% hydro: 8.3% other: 0.9% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Australia	Electricity - consumption	184.4 billion kWh (2001)
Australia	Electricity - exports	0 kWh (2001)
Australia	Electricity - imports	0 kWh (2001)
Australia	Oil - production	731,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Australia	Oil - consumption	796,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Australia	Oil - exports	523,400 bbl/day (2001)
Australia	Oil - imports	530,800 bbl/day (2001)
Australia	Oil - proved reserves	3.664 billion bbl (37257)
Australia	Natural gas - production	33.08 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Australia	Natural gas - consumption	23.33 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Australia	Natural gas - exports	9.744 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Australia	Natural gas - imports	0 cu m (2001 est.)
Australia	Natural gas - proved reserves	2.407 trillion cu m (37257)
Australia	Agriculture - products	wheat, barley, sugarcane, fruits; cattle, sheep, poultry
Australia	Exports	$66.3 billion (2002 est.)
Australia	Exports - commodities	coal, gold, meat, wool, alumina, iron ore, wheat, machinery and transport equipment
Australia	Exports - partners	Japan 18.5%, US 9.6%, South Korea 8.3%, China 6.9%, New Zealand 6.5%, UK 4.7%, Singapore 4.1%, Taiwan 4% (2002)
Australia	Imports	$68 billion (2002 est.)
Australia	Imports - commodities	machinery and transport equipment, computers and office machines, telecommunication equipment and parts; crude oil and petroleum products
Australia	Imports - partners	US 18.3%, Japan 12.3%, China 10.1%, Germany 5.7%, UK 4.6% (2002)
Australia	Debt - external	$176.8 billion (yearend 2002 est.)
Australia	Economic aid - donor	ODA, $894 million (FY 99/00)
Australia	Currency	Australian dollar (AUD)
Australia	Currency code	AUD
Australia	Exchange rates	Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.84 (2002), 1.93 (2001), 1.72 (2000), 1.55 (1999), 1.59 (1998)
Australia	Fiscal year	1 July - 30 June
Australia	Telephones - main lines in use	10.05 million (2000)
Australia	Telephones - mobile cellular	8.6 million (2000)
Australia	Telephone system	general assessment: excellent domestic and international service domestic: domestic satellite system; much use of radiotelephone in areas of low population density; rapid growth of mobile cellular telephones international: submarine cables to New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia; satellite earth stations - 10 Intelsat (4 Indian Ocean and 6 Pacific Ocean), 2 Inmarsat (Indian and Pacific Ocean regions) (1998)
Australia	Radio broadcast stations	AM 262, FM 345, shortwave 1 (1998)
Australia	Television broadcast stations	104 (1997)
Australia	Internet country code	.au
Australia	Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	571 (2002)
Australia	Internet users	10.63 million (2002)
Australia	Railways	total: 41,588 km (4,612 km electrified) broad gauge: 2,193 km 1.600-m gauge narrow gauge: 15,456 km 1.067-m gauge dual gauge: 291 km dual gauge (2002) standard gauge: 23,648 km 1.435-m gauge
Australia	Highways	total: 811,603 km paved: 314,090 km (including 18,619 km of expressways) unpaved: 497,513 km (1999 est.)
Australia	Waterways	8,368 km (mainly used by small, shallow-draft craft)
Australia	Pipelines	condensate 36 km; condensate/gas 243 km; gas 27,321 km; liquid petroleum gas 240 km; oil 4,779 km; oil/gas/water 104 km; water 40 km (2003)
Australia	Ports and harbors	Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Devonport (Tasmania), Fremantle, Geelong, Hobart (Tasmania), Launceston (Tasmania), Mackay, Melbourne, Sydney, Townsville
Australia	Merchant marine	total: 51 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,415,810 GRT/1,806,554 DWT note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: France 2, UK 2, US 14 (2002 est.) ships by type: bulk 20, cargo 6, chemical tanker 3, combination bulk 1, container 2, liquefied gas 4, passenger 2, petroleum tanker 7, roll on/roll off 6
Australia	Airports	444 (2002)
Australia	Airports - with paved runways	total: 294 over 3,047 m: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 11 1,524 to 2,437 m: 126 914 to 1,523 m: 134 under 914 m: 13 (2002)
Australia	Airports - with unpaved runways	total: 150 1,524 to 2,437 m: 20 914 to 1,523 m: 116 under 914 m: 14 (2002)
Australia	Military branches	Australian Army, Royal Australian Navy, Royal Australian Air Force
Australia	Military manpower - military age	17 years of age (2003 est.)
Australia	Military manpower - availability	males age 15-49: 5,037,538 (2003 est.)
Australia	Military manpower - fit for military service	males age 15-49: 4,339,011 (2003 est.)
Australia	Military manpower - reaching military age annually	males: 142,377 (2003 est.)
Australia	Military expenditures - dollar figure	$11.39 billion (FY02)
Australia	Military expenditures - percent of GDP	2.9% (FY02)
Australia	Disputes - international	maritime delimitation and resource sharing agreements signed with East Timor resolve dispute over "Timor Gap" hydrocarbon reserves; no agreement reached on dividing Timor Sea with Indonesia (see Ashmore and Cartier Islands disputes); Australia asserts a territorial claim to Antarctica and to its continental shelf (see Antarctica)
Australia	Illicit drugs	Tasmania is one of the world's major suppliers of licit opiate products; government maintains strict controls over areas of opium poppy cultivation and output of poppy straw concentrate
Austria	Background	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.
Austria	Location	Central Europe, north of Italy and Slovenia
Austria	Geographic coordinates	47 20 N, 13 20 E
Austria	Map references	Europe
Austria	Area	total: 83,858 sq km water: 1,120 sq km land: 82,738 sq km
Austria	Area - comparative	slightly smaller than Maine
Austria	Land boundaries	total: 2,562 km border countries: Czech Republic 362 km, Germany 784 km, Hungary 366 km, Italy 430 km, Liechtenstein 35 km, Slovakia 91 km, Slovenia 330 km, Switzerland 164 km
Austria	Coastline	0 km (landlocked)
Austria	Maritime claims	none (landlocked)
Austria	Climate	temperate; continental, cloudy; cold winters with frequent rain in lowlands and snow in mountains; cool summers with occasional showers
Austria	Terrain	in the west and south mostly mountains (Alps); along the eastern and northern margins mostly flat or gently sloping
Austria	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Neusiedler See 115 m highest point: Grossglockner 3,798 m
Austria	Natural resources	iron ore, oil, timber, magnesite, lead, coal, lignite, copper, hydropower
Austria	Land use	arable land: 16.89% permanent crops: 0.99% other: 82.12% (1998 est.)
Austria	Irrigated land	457 sq km (2000 est.)
Austria	Natural hazards	landslides; avalanches; earthquakes
Austria	Environment - current issues	some forest degradation caused by air and soil pollution; soil pollution results from the use of agricultural chemicals; air pollution results from emissions by coal- and oil-fired power stations and industrial plants and from trucks transiting Austria between northern and southern Europe
Austria	Environment - international agreements	party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Austria	Geography - note	landlocked; strategic location at the crossroads of central Europe with many easily traversable Alpine passes and valleys; major river is the Danube; population is concentrated on eastern lowlands because of steep slopes, poor soils, and low temperatures elsewhere
Austria	Population	8,188,207 (July 2003 est.)
Austria	Age structure	0-14 years: 16.2% (male 678,944; female 646,390) 15-64 years: 68.3% (male 2,827,736; female 2,768,480) 65 years and over: 15.5% (male 490,979; female 775,678) (2003 est.)
Austria	Median age	total: 39.4 years male: 38.2 years female: 40.7 years (2002)
Austria	Population growth rate	0.22% (2003 est.)
Austria	Birth rate	9.43 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Austria	Death rate	9.69 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Austria	Net migration rate	2.44 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Austria	Sex ratio	at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.63 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Austria	Infant mortality rate	total: 4.33 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.29 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 4.38 deaths/1,000 live births
Austria	Life expectancy at birth	total population: 78.17 years male: 75.02 years female: 81.48 years (2003 est.)
Austria	Total fertility rate	1.41 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Austria	HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate	0.2% (2001 est.)
Austria	HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS	9,900 (2001 est.)
Austria	HIV/AIDS - deaths	less than 100 (2001 est.)
Austria	Nationality	noun: Austrian(s) adjective: Austrian
Austria	Ethnic groups	German 88%, non-nationals 9.3% (includes Croatians, Slovenes, Hungarians, Czechs, Slovaks, Roma), naturalized 2% (includes those who have lived in Austria at least three generations)
Austria	Religions	Roman Catholic 78%, Protestant 5%, Muslim and other 17%
Austria	Languages	German
Austria	Literacy	definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98% male: NA% female: NA%
Austria	Country name	conventional long form: Republic of Austria conventional short form: Austria local short form: Oesterreich local long form: Republik Oesterreich
Austria	Government type	federal republic
Austria	Capital	Vienna
Austria	Administrative divisions	9 states (Bundeslaender, singular - Bundesland); Burgenland, Kaernten, Niederoesterreich, Oberoesterreich, Salzburg, Steiermark, Tirol, Vorarlberg, Wien
Austria	Independence	1156 (from Bavaria)
Austria	National holiday	National Day, 26 October (1955); note - commemorates the State Treaty restoring national sovereignty and the end of occupation and the passage of the law on permanent neutrality
Austria	Constitution	1920; revised 1929 (reinstated 1 May 1945)
Austria	Legal system	civil law system with Roman law origin; judicial review of legislative acts by the Constitutional Court; separate administrative and civil/penal supreme courts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Austria	Suffrage	18 years of age; universal; compulsory for presidential elections
Austria	Executive branch	chief of state: President Thomas KLESTIL (since 8 July 1992) head of government: Chancellor Wolfgang SCHUESSEL (OeVP)(since 4 February 2000); Vice Chancellor Hubert GORBACH (since 21 October 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers chosen by the president on the advice of the chancellor elections: president elected by direct popular vote for a six-year term; presidential election last held 19 April 1998 (next to be held in the spring of 2004); chancellor traditionally chosen by the president from the plurality party in the National Council; vice chancellor chosen by the president on the advice of the chancellor note: government coalition - OeVP and FPOe election results: Thomas KLESTIL reelected president; percent of vote - Thomas KLESTIL 63%, Gertraud KNOLL 14%, Heide SCHMIDT 11%, Richard LUGNER 10%, Karl NOWAK 2%
Austria	Legislative branch	bicameral Federal Assembly or Bundesversammlung consists of Federal Council or Bundesrat (64 members; members represent each of the states on the basis of population, but with each state having at least three representatives; members serve a four- or six-year term) and the National Council or Nationalrat (183 seats; members elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms) election results: National Council - percent of vote by party - OeVP 42.3%, SPOe 36.9%, FPOe 10.2%, Greens 9%; seats by party - OeVP 79, SPOe 69, FPOe 19, Greens 16 elections: National Council - last held 24 November 2002 (next to be held in the fall of 2006)
Austria	Judicial branch	Supreme Judicial Court or Oberster Gerichtshof; Administrative Court or Verwaltungsgerichtshof; Constitutional Court or Verfassungsgerichtshof
Austria	Political parties and leaders	Austrian People's Party or OeVP [Wolfgang SCHUESSEL]; Freedom Party of Austria or FPOe [Herbert HAUPT]; Social Democratic Party of Austria or SPOe [Alfred GUSENBAUER]; The Greens Alternative or GA [Alexander VAN DER BELLEN]
Austria	Political pressure groups and leaders	Austrian Trade Union Federation (primarily Socialist) or OeGB; Federal Economic Chamber; OeVP-oriented League of Austrian Industrialists or VOeI; Roman Catholic Church, including its chief lay organization, Catholic Action; three composite leagues of the Austrian People's Party or OeVP representing business, labor, and farmers
Austria	International organization participation	AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMISET, UNMOGIP, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Austria	Diplomatic representation in the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Eva NOWOTNY chancery: 3524 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008-3035 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York FAX: [1] (202) 895-6750 telephone: [1] (202) 895-6700
Austria	Diplomatic representation from the US	chief of mission: Ambassador William Lee LYONS BROWN, Jr. embassy: Boltzmanngasse 16, A-1090, Vienna mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [43] (1) 31339, 31375, 31335 FAX: [43] (1) 5125835
Austria	Flag description	three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and red
Austria	Economy - overview	Austria, with its well-developed market economy and high standard of living, is closely tied to other EU economies, especially Germany's. Membership in the EU has drawn an influx of foreign investors attracted by Austria's access to the single European market and proximity to EU aspirant economies. Slowing growth in Germany and elsewhere in the world held the economy to only 1.2% growth in 2001, 0.6% in 2002, and 0.8% in 2003.. To meet increased competition from both EU and Central European countries, Austria will need to emphasize knowledge-based sectors of the economy, continue to deregulate the service sector, and lower its tax burden. A key issue is the encouragement of much greater participation in the labor market by its ageing population.
Austria	GDP	purchasing power parity - $227.7 billion (2002 est.)
Austria	GDP - real growth rate	1.1% (2002 est.)
Austria	GDP - per capita	purchasing power parity - $27,900 (2002 est.)
Austria	GDP - composition by sector	agriculture: 2% industry: 33% services: 65% (2002 est.)
Austria	Population below poverty line	NA%
Austria	Household income or consumption by percentage share	lowest 10%: 2.5% highest 10%: 22.5% (1995)
Austria	Distribution of family income - Gini index	31 (1995)
Austria	Inflation rate (consumer prices)	1.8% (2002 est.)
Austria	Labor force	4.3 million (2001)
Austria	Labor force - by occupation	services 67%, industry and crafts 29%, agriculture and forestry 4% (2001 est.)
Austria	Unemployment rate	4.8% (2002 est.)
Austria	Budget	revenues: $53 billion expenditures: $54 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.)
Austria	Industries	construction, machinery, vehicles and parts, food, chemicals, lumber and wood processing, paper and paperboard, communications equipment, tourism
Austria	Industrial production growth rate	3.8% (2001 est.)
Austria	Electricity - production	58.75 billion kWh (2001)
Austria	Electricity - production by source	fossil fuel: 29.3% hydro: 67.2% other: 3.5% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Austria	Electricity - consumption	54.85 billion kWh (2001)
Austria	Electricity - exports	14.25 billion kWh (2001)
Austria	Electricity - imports	14.47 billion kWh (2001)
Austria	Oil - production	20,670 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Austria	Oil - consumption	262,400 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Austria	Oil - exports	35,470 bbl/day (2001)
Austria	Oil - imports	262,000 bbl/day (2001)
Austria	Oil - proved reserves	85.69 million bbl (37257)
Austria	Natural gas - production	1.731 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Austria	Natural gas - consumption	7.81 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Austria	Natural gas - exports	403 million cu m (2001 est.)
Austria	Natural gas - imports	6.033 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Austria	Natural gas - proved reserves	24.9 billion cu m (37257)
Austria	Agriculture - products	grains, potatoes, sugar beets, wine, fruit; dairy products, cattle, pigs, poultry; lumber
Austria	Exports	$70 billion f.o.b. (2001)
Austria	Exports - commodities	machinery and equipment, motor vehicles and parts, paper and paperboard, metal goods, chemicals, iron and steel; textiles, foodstuffs
Austria	Exports - partners	Germany 31.5%, Italy 9.3%, Switzerland 5.4%, US 4.9%, UK 4.9%, France 4.7%, Hungary 4.3% (2002)
Austria	Imports	$74 billion c.i.f. (2001)
Austria	Imports - commodities	machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, metal goods, oil and oil products; foodstuffs
Austria	Imports - partners	Germany 42.6%, Italy 6.6%, Hungary 5.1%, Switzerland 4.8%, Netherlands 4.4% (2002)
Austria	Debt - external	$12.1 billion (2001 est.)
Austria	Economic aid - donor	ODA, $410 million (2000)
Austria	Currency	euro (EUR) note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by the financial institutions of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions within the member countries
Austria	Currency code	EUR
Austria	Exchange rates	euros per US dollar - 1.06 (2002), 1.12 (2001), 1.09 (2000), 0.94 (1999), 12.38 (1998)
Austria	Fiscal year	calendar year
Austria	Telephones - main lines in use	4 million (consisting of 3,600,000 analog main lines plus 400,000 Integrated Services Digital Network connections); in addition, there are 100,000 Asymmetric Digital Services lines (2001)
Austria	Telephones - mobile cellular	6 million (2001)
Austria	Telephone system	general assessment: highly developed and efficient domestic: there are 48 main lines for every 100 persons; the fiber optic net is very extensive; all telephone applications and Internet services are available international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) and 1 Eutelsat; in addition, there are about 600 VSAT (very small aperture terminals) (2002)
Austria	Radio broadcast stations	AM 2, FM 160 (plus several hundred repeaters), shortwave 1 (2001)
Austria	Television broadcast stations	45 (plus more than 1,000 repeaters) (2001)
Austria	Internet country code	.at
Austria	Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	37 (2000)
Austria	Internet users	3.7 million (2002)
Austria	Railways	total: 6,024 km (3,641 km electrified) standard gauge: 5,566 km 1.435-m gauge (3,524 km electrified) narrow gauge: 34 km 1.000-m gauge (28 km electrified); 424 km 0.760-m gauge (89 km electrified) (2002)
Austria	Highways	total: 200,000 km paved: 200,000 km (including 1,633 km of expressways) unpaved: 0 km (2000)
Austria	Waterways	358 km (1999)
Austria	Pipelines	gas 2,722 km; oil 687 km; refined products 149 km (2003)
Austria	Ports and harbors	Enns, Krems, Linz, Vienna
Austria	Merchant marine	total: 5 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 27,551 GRT/34,225 DWT ships by type: cargo 4, container 1 (2002 est.)
Austria	Airports	55 (2002)
Austria	Airports - with paved runways	total: 24 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 14 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
Austria	Airports - with unpaved runways	total: 31 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 27 (2002)
Austria	Heliports	1 (2002)
Austria	Military branches	Land Forces (KdoLdSK), Air Forces (KdoLuSK)
Austria	Military manpower - military age	19 years of age (2003 est.)
Austria	Military manpower - availability	males age 15-49: 2,093,821 (2003 est.)
Austria	Military manpower - fit for military service	males age 15-49: 1,725,123 (2003 est.)
Austria	Military manpower - reaching military age annually	males: 49,090 (2003 est.)
Austria	Military expenditures - dollar figure	$1.497 billion (FY01/02)
Austria	Military expenditures - percent of GDP	0.8% (FY01/02)
Austria	Disputes - international	minor disputes with Czech Republic and Slovenia continue over nuclear power plants and post-World War II treatment of German-speaking minorities
Austria	Illicit drugs	transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and South American cocaine destined for Western Europe
Austria	Background	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.
Austria	Location	Central Europe, north of Italy and Slovenia
Austria	Geographic coordinates	47 20 N, 13 20 E
Austria	Map references	Europe
Austria	Area	total: 83,858 sq km water: 1,120 sq km land: 82,738 sq km
Austria	Area - comparative	slightly smaller than Maine
Austria	Land boundaries	total: 2,562 km border countries: Czech Republic 362 km, Germany 784 km, Hungary 366 km, Italy 430 km, Liechtenstein 35 km, Slovakia 91 km, Slovenia 330 km, Switzerland 164 km
Austria	Coastline	0 km (landlocked)
Austria	Maritime claims	none (landlocked)
Austria	Climate	temperate; continental, cloudy; cold winters with frequent rain in lowlands and snow in mountains; cool summers with occasional showers
Austria	Terrain	in the west and south mostly mountains (Alps); along the eastern and northern margins mostly flat or gently sloping
Austria	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Neusiedler See 115 m highest point: Grossglockner 3,798 m
Austria	Natural resources	iron ore, oil, timber, magnesite, lead, coal, lignite, copper, hydropower
Austria	Land use	arable land: 16.89% permanent crops: 0.99% other: 82.12% (1998 est.)
Austria	Irrigated land	457 sq km (2000 est.)
Austria	Natural hazards	landslides; avalanches; earthquakes
Austria	Environment - current issues	some forest degradation caused by air and soil pollution; soil pollution results from the use of agricultural chemicals; air pollution results from emissions by coal- and oil-fired power stations and industrial plants and from trucks transiting Austria between northern and southern Europe
Austria	Environment - international agreements	party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Austria	Geography - note	landlocked; strategic location at the crossroads of central Europe with many easily traversable Alpine passes and valleys; major river is the Danube; population is concentrated on eastern lowlands because of steep slopes, poor soils, and low temperatures elsewhere
Austria	Population	8,188,207 (July 2003 est.)
Austria	Age structure	0-14 years: 16.2% (male 678,944; female 646,390) 15-64 years: 68.3% (male 2,827,736; female 2,768,480) 65 years and over: 15.5% (male 490,979; female 775,678) (2003 est.)
Austria	Median age	total: 39.4 years male: 38.2 years female: 40.7 years (2002)
Austria	Population growth rate	0.22% (2003 est.)
Austria	Birth rate	9.43 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Austria	Death rate	9.69 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Austria	Net migration rate	2.44 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Austria	Sex ratio	at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.63 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Austria	Infant mortality rate	total: 4.33 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.29 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 4.38 deaths/1,000 live births
Austria	Life expectancy at birth	total population: 78.17 years male: 75.02 years female: 81.48 years (2003 est.)
Austria	Total fertility rate	1.41 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Austria	HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate	0.2% (2001 est.)
Austria	HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS	9,900 (2001 est.)
Austria	HIV/AIDS - deaths	less than 100 (2001 est.)
Austria	Nationality	noun: Austrian(s) adjective: Austrian
Austria	Ethnic groups	German 88%, non-nationals 9.3% (includes Croatians, Slovenes, Hungarians, Czechs, Slovaks, Roma), naturalized 2% (includes those who have lived in Austria at least three generations)
Austria	Religions	Roman Catholic 78%, Protestant 5%, Muslim and other 17%
Austria	Languages	German
Austria	Literacy	definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98% male: NA% female: NA%
Austria	Country name	conventional long form: Republic of Austria conventional short form: Austria local short form: Oesterreich local long form: Republik Oesterreich
Austria	Government type	federal republic
Austria	Capital	Vienna
Austria	Administrative divisions	9 states (Bundeslaender, singular - Bundesland); Burgenland, Kaernten, Niederoesterreich, Oberoesterreich, Salzburg, Steiermark, Tirol, Vorarlberg, Wien
Austria	Independence	1156 (from Bavaria)
Austria	National holiday	National Day, 26 October (1955); note - commemorates the State Treaty restoring national sovereignty and the end of occupation and the passage of the law on permanent neutrality
Austria	Constitution	1920; revised 1929 (reinstated 1 May 1945)
Austria	Legal system	civil law system with Roman law origin; judicial review of legislative acts by the Constitutional Court; separate administrative and civil/penal supreme courts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Austria	Suffrage	18 years of age; universal; compulsory for presidential elections
Austria	Executive branch	chief of state: President Thomas KLESTIL (since 8 July 1992) head of government: Chancellor Wolfgang SCHUESSEL (OeVP)(since 4 February 2000); Vice Chancellor Hubert GORBACH (since 21 October 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers chosen by the president on the advice of the chancellor elections: president elected by direct popular vote for a six-year term; presidential election last held 19 April 1998 (next to be held in the spring of 2004); chancellor traditionally chosen by the president from the plurality party in the National Council; vice chancellor chosen by the president on the advice of the chancellor note: government coalition - OeVP and FPOe election results: Thomas KLESTIL reelected president; percent of vote - Thomas KLESTIL 63%, Gertraud KNOLL 14%, Heide SCHMIDT 11%, Richard LUGNER 10%, Karl NOWAK 2%
Austria	Legislative branch	bicameral Federal Assembly or Bundesversammlung consists of Federal Council or Bundesrat (64 members; members represent each of the states on the basis of population, but with each state having at least three representatives; members serve a four- or six-year term) and the National Council or Nationalrat (183 seats; members elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms) election results: National Council - percent of vote by party - OeVP 42.3%, SPOe 36.9%, FPOe 10.2%, Greens 9%; seats by party - OeVP 79, SPOe 69, FPOe 19, Greens 16 elections: National Council - last held 24 November 2002 (next to be held in the fall of 2006)
Austria	Judicial branch	Supreme Judicial Court or Oberster Gerichtshof; Administrative Court or Verwaltungsgerichtshof; Constitutional Court or Verfassungsgerichtshof
Austria	Political parties and leaders	Austrian People's Party or OeVP [Wolfgang SCHUESSEL]; Freedom Party of Austria or FPOe [Herbert HAUPT]; Social Democratic Party of Austria or SPOe [Alfred GUSENBAUER]; The Greens Alternative or GA [Alexander VAN DER BELLEN]
Austria	Political pressure groups and leaders	Austrian Trade Union Federation (primarily Socialist) or OeGB; Federal Economic Chamber; OeVP-oriented League of Austrian Industrialists or VOeI; Roman Catholic Church, including its chief lay organization, Catholic Action; three composite leagues of the Austrian People's Party or OeVP representing business, labor, and farmers
Austria	International organization participation	AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMISET, UNMOGIP, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Austria	Diplomatic representation in the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Eva NOWOTNY chancery: 3524 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008-3035 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York FAX: [1] (202) 895-6750 telephone: [1] (202) 895-6700
Austria	Diplomatic representation from the US	chief of mission: Ambassador William Lee LYONS BROWN, Jr. embassy: Boltzmanngasse 16, A-1090, Vienna mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [43] (1) 31339, 31375, 31335 FAX: [43] (1) 5125835
Austria	Flag description	three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and red
Austria	Economy - overview	Austria, with its well-developed market economy and high standard of living, is closely tied to other EU economies, especially Germany's. Membership in the EU has drawn an influx of foreign investors attracted by Austria's access to the single European market and proximity to EU aspirant economies. Slowing growth in Germany and elsewhere in the world held the economy to only 1.2% growth in 2001, 0.6% in 2002, and 0.8% in 2003.. To meet increased competition from both EU and Central European countries, Austria will need to emphasize knowledge-based sectors of the economy, continue to deregulate the service sector, and lower its tax burden. A key issue is the encouragement of much greater participation in the labor market by its ageing population.
Austria	GDP	purchasing power parity - $227.7 billion (2002 est.)
Austria	GDP - real growth rate	1.1% (2002 est.)
Austria	GDP - per capita	purchasing power parity - $27,900 (2002 est.)
Austria	GDP - composition by sector	agriculture: 2% industry: 33% services: 65% (2002 est.)
Austria	Population below poverty line	NA%
Austria	Household income or consumption by percentage share	lowest 10%: 2.5% highest 10%: 22.5% (1995)
Austria	Distribution of family income - Gini index	31 (1995)
Austria	Inflation rate (consumer prices)	1.8% (2002 est.)
Austria	Labor force	4.3 million (2001)
Austria	Labor force - by occupation	services 67%, industry and crafts 29%, agriculture and forestry 4% (2001 est.)
Austria	Unemployment rate	4.8% (2002 est.)
Austria	Budget	revenues: $53 billion expenditures: $54 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.)
Austria	Industries	construction, machinery, vehicles and parts, food, chemicals, lumber and wood processing, paper and paperboard, communications equipment, tourism
Austria	Industrial production growth rate	3.8% (2001 est.)
Austria	Electricity - production	58.75 billion kWh (2001)
Austria	Electricity - production by source	fossil fuel: 29.3% hydro: 67.2% other: 3.5% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Austria	Electricity - consumption	54.85 billion kWh (2001)
Austria	Electricity - exports	14.25 billion kWh (2001)
Austria	Electricity - imports	14.47 billion kWh (2001)
Austria	Oil - production	20,670 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Austria	Oil - consumption	262,400 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Austria	Oil - exports	35,470 bbl/day (2001)
Austria	Oil - imports	262,000 bbl/day (2001)
Austria	Oil - proved reserves	85.69 million bbl (37257)
Austria	Natural gas - production	1.731 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Austria	Natural gas - consumption	7.81 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Austria	Natural gas - exports	403 million cu m (2001 est.)
Austria	Natural gas - imports	6.033 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Austria	Natural gas - proved reserves	24.9 billion cu m (37257)
Austria	Agriculture - products	grains, potatoes, sugar beets, wine, fruit; dairy products, cattle, pigs, poultry; lumber
Austria	Exports	$70 billion f.o.b. (2001)
Austria	Exports - commodities	machinery and equipment, motor vehicles and parts, paper and paperboard, metal goods, chemicals, iron and steel; textiles, foodstuffs
Austria	Exports - partners	Germany 31.5%, Italy 9.3%, Switzerland 5.4%, US 4.9%, UK 4.9%, France 4.7%, Hungary 4.3% (2002)
Austria	Imports	$74 billion c.i.f. (2001)
Austria	Imports - commodities	machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, metal goods, oil and oil products; foodstuffs
Austria	Imports - partners	Germany 42.6%, Italy 6.6%, Hungary 5.1%, Switzerland 4.8%, Netherlands 4.4% (2002)
Austria	Debt - external	$12.1 billion (2001 est.)
Austria	Economic aid - donor	ODA, $410 million (2000)
Austria	Currency	euro (EUR) note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by the financial institutions of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions within the member countries
Austria	Currency code	EUR
Austria	Exchange rates	euros per US dollar - 1.06 (2002), 1.12 (2001), 1.09 (2000), 0.94 (1999), 12.38 (1998)
Austria	Fiscal year	calendar year
Austria	Telephones - main lines in use	4 million (consisting of 3,600,000 analog main lines plus 400,000 Integrated Services Digital Network connections); in addition, there are 100,000 Asymmetric Digital Services lines (2001)
Austria	Telephones - mobile cellular	6 million (2001)
Austria	Telephone system	general assessment: highly developed and efficient domestic: there are 48 main lines for every 100 persons; the fiber optic net is very extensive; all telephone applications and Internet services are available international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) and 1 Eutelsat; in addition, there are about 600 VSAT (very small aperture terminals) (2002)
Austria	Radio broadcast stations	AM 2, FM 160 (plus several hundred repeaters), shortwave 1 (2001)
Austria	Television broadcast stations	45 (plus more than 1,000 repeaters) (2001)
Austria	Internet country code	.at
Austria	Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	37 (2000)
Austria	Internet users	3.7 million (2002)
Austria	Railways	total: 6,024 km (3,641 km electrified) standard gauge: 5,566 km 1.435-m gauge (3,524 km electrified) narrow gauge: 34 km 1.000-m gauge (28 km electrified); 424 km 0.760-m gauge (89 km electrified) (2002)
Austria	Highways	total: 200,000 km paved: 200,000 km (including 1,633 km of expressways) unpaved: 0 km (2000)
Austria	Waterways	358 km (1999)
Austria	Pipelines	gas 2,722 km; oil 687 km; refined products 149 km (2003)
Austria	Ports and harbors	Enns, Krems, Linz, Vienna
Austria	Merchant marine	total: 5 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 27,551 GRT/34,225 DWT ships by type: cargo 4, container 1 (2002 est.)
Austria	Airports	55 (2002)
Austria	Airports - with paved runways	total: 24 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 14 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
Austria	Airports - with unpaved runways	total: 31 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 27 (2002)
Austria	Heliports	1 (2002)
Austria	Military branches	Land Forces (KdoLdSK), Air Forces (KdoLuSK)
Austria	Military manpower - military age	19 years of age (2003 est.)
Austria	Military manpower - availability	males age 15-49: 2,093,821 (2003 est.)
Austria	Military manpower - fit for military service	males age 15-49: 1,725,123 (2003 est.)
Austria	Military manpower - reaching military age annually	males: 49,090 (2003 est.)
Austria	Military expenditures - dollar figure	$1.497 billion (FY01/02)
Austria	Military expenditures - percent of GDP	0.8% (FY01/02)
Austria	Disputes - international	minor disputes with Czech Republic and Slovenia continue over nuclear power plants and post-World War II treatment of German-speaking minorities
Austria	Illicit drugs	transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and South American cocaine destined for Western Europe
Azerbaijan	Background	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.
Azerbaijan	Location	Southwestern Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and Russia, with a small European portion north of the Caucasus range
Azerbaijan	Geographic coordinates	40 30 N, 47 30 E
Azerbaijan	Map references	Asia
Azerbaijan	Area	total: 86,600 sq km note: includes the exclave of Naxcivan Autonomous Republic and the Nagorno-Karabakh region; the region's autonomy was abolished by Azerbaijani Supreme Soviet on 26 November 1991 water: 500 sq km land: 86,100 sq km
Azerbaijan	Area - comparative	slightly smaller than Maine
Azerbaijan	Land boundaries	total: 2,013 km border countries: Armenia (with Azerbaijan-proper) 566 km, Armenia (with Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave) 221 km, Georgia 322 km, Iran (with Azerbaijan-proper) 432 km, Iran (with Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave) 179 km, Russia 284 km, Turkey 9 km
Azerbaijan	Coastline	0 km (landlocked); note - Azerbaijan borders the Caspian Sea (800 km, est.)
Azerbaijan	Maritime claims	none (landlocked)
Azerbaijan	Climate	dry, semiarid steppe
Azerbaijan	Terrain	large, flat Kur-Araz Ovaligi (Kura-Araks Lowland) (much of it below sea level) with Great Caucasus Mountains to the north, Qarabag Yaylasi (Karabakh Upland) in west; Baku lies on Abseron Yasaqligi (Apsheron Peninsula) that juts into Caspian Sea
Azerbaijan	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Caspian Sea -28 m highest point: Bazarduzu Dagi 4,485 m
Azerbaijan	Natural resources	petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, nonferrous metals, alumina
Azerbaijan	Land use	arable land: 19.31% permanent crops: 3.04% other: 77.65% (1998 est.)
Azerbaijan	Irrigated land	14,550 sq km (1998 est.)
Azerbaijan	Natural hazards	droughts
Azerbaijan	Environment - current issues	local scientists consider the Abseron Yasaqligi (Apsheron Peninsula) (including Baku and Sumqayit) and the Caspian Sea to be the ecologically most devastated area in the world because of severe air, soil, and water pollution; soil pollution results from oil spills, from the use of DDT as a pesticide, and from toxic defoliants used in the production of cotton
Azerbaijan	Environment - international agreements	party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Azerbaijan	Geography - note	both the main area of the country and the Naxcivan exclave are landlocked
Azerbaijan	Population	7,830,764 (July 2003 est.)
Azerbaijan	Age structure	0-14 years: 27.7% (male 1,101,320; female 1,064,214) 15-64 years: 64.7% (male 2,468,772; female 2,601,312) 65 years and over: 7.6% (male 236,683; female 358,463) (2003 est.)
Azerbaijan	Median age	total: 27.1 years male: 25.7 years female: 28.6 years (2002)
Azerbaijan	Population growth rate	0.44% (2003 est.)
Azerbaijan	Birth rate	19.28 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Azerbaijan	Death rate	9.68 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Azerbaijan	Net migration rate	-5.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Azerbaijan	Sex ratio	at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Azerbaijan	Infant mortality rate	total: 82.41 deaths/1,000 live births female: 80.32 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 84.4 deaths/1,000 live births
Azerbaijan	Life expectancy at birth	total population: 63.16 years male: 58.95 years female: 67.58 years (2003 est.)
Azerbaijan	Total fertility rate	2.34 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Azerbaijan	HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate	less than 0.1% (2001 est.)
Azerbaijan	HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS	less than 1,400 (2001 est.)
Azerbaijan	HIV/AIDS - deaths	less than 100 (2001 est.)
Azerbaijan	Nationality	noun: Azerbaijani(s) adjective: Azerbaijani
Azerbaijan	Ethnic groups	Azeri 90%, Dagestani 3.2%, Russian 2.5%, Armenian 2%, other 2.3% (1998 est.) note: almost all Armenians live in the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region
Azerbaijan	Religions	Muslim 93.4%, Russian Orthodox 2.5%, Armenian Orthodox 2.3%, other 1.8% (1995 est.) note: religious affiliation is still nominal in Azerbaijan; percentages for actual practicing adherents are much lower
Azerbaijan	Languages	Azerbaijani (Azeri) 89%, Russian 3%, Armenian 2%, other 6% (1995 est.)
Azerbaijan	Literacy	definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97% male: 99% female: 96% (1989 est.)
Azerbaijan	Country name	conventional long form: Republic of Azerbaijan conventional short form: Azerbaijan local short form: none former: Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic local long form: Azarbaycan Respublikasi
Azerbaijan	Government type	republic
Azerbaijan	Capital	Baku (Baki)
Azerbaijan	Administrative divisions	59 rayons (rayonlar; rayon - singular), 11 cities* (saharlar; sahar - singular), 1 autonomous republic** (muxtar respublika); Abseron Rayonu, Agcabadi Rayonu, Agdam Rayonu, Agdas Rayonu, Agstafa Rayonu, Agsu Rayonu, Ali Bayramli Sahari*, Astara Rayonu, Baki Sahari*, Balakan Rayonu, Barda Rayonu, Beylaqan Rayonu, Bilasuvar Rayonu, Cabrayil Rayonu, Calilabad Rayonu, Daskasan Rayonu, Davaci Rayonu, Fuzuli Rayonu, Gadabay Rayonu, Ganca Sahari*, Goranboy Rayonu, Goycay Rayonu, Haciqabul Rayonu, Imisli Rayonu, Ismayilli Rayonu, Kalbacar Rayonu, Kurdamir Rayonu, Lacin Rayonu, Lankaran Rayonu, Lankaran Sahari*, Lerik Rayonu, Masalli Rayonu, Mingacevir Sahari*, Naftalan Sahari*, Naxcivan Muxtar Respublikasi**, Neftcala Rayonu, Oguz Rayonu, Qabala Rayonu, Qax Rayonu, Qazax Rayonu, Qobustan Rayonu, Quba Rayonu, Qubadli Rayonu, Qusar Rayonu, Saatli Rayonu, Sabirabad Rayonu, Saki Rayonu, Saki Sahari*, Salyan Rayonu, Samaxi Rayonu, Samkir Rayonu, Samux Rayonu, Siyazan Rayonu, Sumqayit Sahari*, Susa Rayonu, Susa Sahari*, Tartar Rayonu, Tovuz Rayonu, Ucar Rayonu, Xacmaz Rayonu, Xankandi Sahari*, Xanlar Rayonu, Xizi Rayonu, Xocali Rayonu, Xocavand Rayonu, Yardimli Rayonu, Yevlax Rayonu, Yevlax Sahari*, Zangilan Rayonu, Zaqatala Rayonu, Zardab Rayonu
Azerbaijan	Independence	30 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)
Azerbaijan	National holiday	Founding of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaidzhan, 28 May (1918)
Azerbaijan	Constitution	adopted 12 November 1995
Azerbaijan	Legal system	based on civil law system
Azerbaijan	Suffrage	18 years of age; universal
Azerbaijan	Executive branch	chief of state: President Ilham ALIYEV (since 31 October 2003) head of government: Prime Minister Artur RASIZADE (since 4 November 2003); First Deputy Prime Minister Abbas ABBASOV (since 10 November 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president and confirmed by the National Assembly elections: president elected by popular vote to a five-year term; election last held 15 October 2003 (next to be held NA October 2008); prime minister and first deputy prime ministers appointed by the president and confirmed by the National Assembly election results: Ilham ALIYEV elected president; percent of vote - Ilham ALIYEV 76.8%, Isa GAMBAROV 14%
Azerbaijan	Legislative branch	unicameral National Assembly or Milli Mejlis (125 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 4 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2005) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NAP and allies 108, APF "Reform" 6, CSP 3, PNIA 2, Musavat Party 2, CPA 2, APF "Classic" 1, Compatriot Party 1 note: PNIA, Musavat, and APF "Classic" parties refused to take their seats note: 100 members of the current parliament were elected on the basis of single mandate constituencies, while 25 were elected based on proportional balloting; as a result of a 24 August 2002 national referendum on changes to the constitution, all 125 members of the next parliament will be elected from single mandate constituencies
Azerbaijan	Judicial branch	Supreme Court
Azerbaijan	Political parties and leaders	Azerbaijan Popular Front or APF [Ali KARIMLI, leader of "Reform" faction; Mirmahmud MIRALI-OGLU, leader of "Classic" faction]; Civic Solidarity Party or CSP [Sabir RUSTAMKHANLY]; Civic Union Party [Ayaz MUTALIBOV]; Communist Party of Azerbaijan or CPA [Ramiz AHMADOV]; Compatriot Party [Mais SAFARLI]; Democratic Party for Azerbaijan or DPA [Rasul QULIYEV, chairman]; Justice Party [Ilyas ISMAILOV]; Liberal Party of Azerbaijan [Lala Shvkat HACIYEVA]; Musavat [Isa GAMBAR, chairman]; New Azerbaijan Party or NAP [Heydar ALIYEV, chairman]; Party for National Independence of Azerbaijan or PNIA [Etibar MAMMADLI, chairman]; Social Democratic Party of Azerbaijan or SDP [Zardust ALIZADE] note: opposition parties regularly factionalize and form new parties
Azerbaijan	Political pressure groups and leaders	Sadval, Lezgin movement; self-proclaimed Armenian Nagorno-Karabakh Republic; Talysh independence movement; Union of Pro-Azerbaijani Forces (UPAF)
Azerbaijan	International organization participation	AsDB, BSEC, CE, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, GUUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer)
Azerbaijan	Diplomatic representation in the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Hafiz PASHAYEV FAX: [1] (202) 337-5911 telephone: [1] (202) 337-3500 chancery: 2741 34th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
Azerbaijan	Diplomatic representation from the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Ross L. WILSON embassy: 83 Azadliq Prospekt, Baku 370007 mailing address: American Embassy Baku, Department of State, 7050 Baku Place, Washington, DC 20521-7050 telephone: [9] (9412) 98-03-35, 36, 37 FAX: [9] (9412) 90-66-71
Azerbaijan	Flag description	three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), red, and green; a crescent and eight-pointed star in white are centered in red band
Azerbaijan	Economy - overview	Azerbaijan's number one export is oil. Azerbaijan's oil production declined through 1997 but has registered an increase every year since. Negotiation of production-sharing arrangements (PSAs) with foreign firms, which have thus far committed $60 billion to long-term oilfield development, should generate the funds needed to spur future industrial development. Oil production under the first of these PSAs, with the Azerbaijan International Operating Company, began in November 1997. Azerbaijan shares all the formidable problems of the former Soviet republics in making the transition from a command to a market economy, but its considerable energy resources brighten its long-term prospects. Baku has only recently begun making progress on economic reform, and old economic ties and structures are slowly being replaced. One obstacle to economic progress is the need for stepped up foreign investment in the non-energy sector. A second obstacle is the continuing conflict with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Trade with Russia and the other former Soviet republics is declining in importance while trade is building with Turkey and the nations of Europe. Long-term prospects will depend on world oil prices, the location of new pipelines in the region, and Azerbaijan's ability to manage its oil wealth.
Azerbaijan	GDP	purchasing power parity - $28.61 billion (2002 est.)
Azerbaijan	GDP - real growth rate	10.6% (2002 est.)
Azerbaijan	GDP - per capita	purchasing power parity - $3,700 (2002 est.)
Azerbaijan	GDP - composition by sector	agriculture: 20% industry: 33% services: 47% (2001 est.)
Azerbaijan	Population below poverty line	49% (2002 est.)
Azerbaijan	Household income or consumption by percentage share	lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 27.8% (1995)
Azerbaijan	Distribution of family income - Gini index	36 (1995)
Azerbaijan	Inflation rate (consumer prices)	2.6% (2002 est.)
Azerbaijan	Labor force	3.7 million (2001)
Azerbaijan	Labor force - by occupation	agriculture and forestry 41%, industry 7%, services 52% (2001)
Azerbaijan	Unemployment rate	16% (official rate is 1.2%) (2003 est.)
Azerbaijan	Budget	revenues: $786 million expenditures: $807 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.)
Azerbaijan	Industries	petroleum and natural gas, petroleum products, oilfield equipment; steel, iron ore, cement; chemicals and petrochemicals; textiles
Azerbaijan	Industrial production growth rate	6% (2002 est.)
Azerbaijan	Electricity - production	18.23 billion kWh (2001)
Azerbaijan	Electricity - production by source	fossil fuel: 89.7% hydro: 10.3% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Azerbaijan	Electricity - consumption	16.65 billion kWh (2001)
Azerbaijan	Electricity - exports	700 million kWh (2001)
Azerbaijan	Electricity - imports	400 million kWh (2001)
Azerbaijan	Oil - production	307,200 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Azerbaijan	Oil - consumption	140,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Azerbaijan	Oil - exports	NA (2001)
Azerbaijan	Oil - imports	NA (2001)
Azerbaijan	Oil - proved reserves	589 million bbl (37257)
Azerbaijan	Natural gas - production	5.72 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Azerbaijan	Natural gas - consumption	6.72 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Azerbaijan	Natural gas - exports	0 cu m (2001 est.)
Azerbaijan	Natural gas - imports	1 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Azerbaijan	Natural gas - proved reserves	62.3 billion cu m (37257)
Azerbaijan	Agriculture - products	cotton, grain, rice, grapes, fruit, vegetables, tea, tobacco; cattle, pigs, sheep, goats
Azerbaijan	Exports	$2 billion f.o.b. (2002)
Azerbaijan	Exports - commodities	oil and gas 90%, machinery, cotton, foodstuffs
Azerbaijan	Exports - partners	Italy 28.7%, Germany 17.7%, Israel 10.6%, France 8.4%, Georgia 6.7%, Russia 4.7% (2002)
Azerbaijan	Imports	$1.8 billion f.o.b. (2002)
Azerbaijan	Imports - commodities	machinery and equipment, oil products, foodstuffs, metals, chemicals
Azerbaijan	Imports - partners	Russia 17.8%, Turkey 11.9%, Germany 10.7%, France 7%, Kazakhstan 6.3%, China 6%, UK 5.5%, US 4.5% (2002)
Azerbaijan	Debt - external	$1.4 billion (2002)
Azerbaijan	Economic aid - recipient	ODA, $140 million (2000 est.)
Azerbaijan	Currency	Azerbaijani manat (AZM)
Azerbaijan	Currency code	AZM
Azerbaijan	Exchange rates	Azerbaijani manats per US dollar - 4,860.82 (2002), 4,656.58 (2001), 4,474.15 (2000), 4,120.17 (1999), 3,869 (1998)
Azerbaijan	Fiscal year	calendar year
Azerbaijan	Telephones - main lines in use	865,000 (2002)
Azerbaijan	Telephones - mobile cellular	800,000 (2002)
Azerbaijan	Telephone system	general assessment: inadequate; requires considerable expansion and modernization; teledensity of 10 main lines per 100 persons is low (2002) domestic: the majority of telephones are in Baku and other industrial centers - about 700 villages still without public telephone service; satellite service connects Baku to a modern switch in its exclave of Naxcivan international: the old Soviet system of cable and microwave is still serviceable; a satellite connection to Turkey enables Baku to reach about 200 additional countries, some of which are directly connected to Baku by satellite providers other than Turkey (1997)
Azerbaijan	Radio broadcast stations	AM 10, FM 17, shortwave 1 (1998)
Azerbaijan	Television broadcast stations	2 (1997)
Azerbaijan	Internet country code	.az
Azerbaijan	Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	2 (2000)
Azerbaijan	Internet users	25,000 (2002)
Azerbaijan	Railways	total: 2,122 km broad gauge: 2,122 km 1.520-m gauge (1,278 km electrified) (2002)
Azerbaijan	Highways	total: 24,981 km paved: 23,057 km unpaved: 1,924 km (2000)
Azerbaijan	Waterways	none
Azerbaijan	Pipelines	gas 5,001 km; oil 1,631 km (2003)
Azerbaijan	Ports and harbors	Baku (Baki)
Azerbaijan	Merchant marine	total: 55 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 251,004 GRT/313,193 DWT ships by type: cargo 13, petroleum tanker 40, roll on/roll off 2 (2002 est.)
Azerbaijan	Airports	71 (2002)
Azerbaijan	Airports - with paved runways	total: 27 over 3.047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 1 (2002)
Azerbaijan	Airports - with unpaved runways	total: 44 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 27 (2002)
Azerbaijan	Military branches	Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces
Azerbaijan	Military manpower - military age	18 years of age (2003 est.)
Azerbaijan	Military manpower - availability	males age 15-49: 2,159,450 (2003 est.)
Azerbaijan	Military manpower - fit for military service	males age 15-49: 1,727,340 (2003 est.)
Azerbaijan	Military manpower - reaching military age annually	males: 82,925 (2003 est.)
Azerbaijan	Military expenditures - dollar figure	$121 million (FY99)
Azerbaijan	Military expenditures - percent of GDP	2.6% (FY99)
Azerbaijan	Disputes - international	Armenia supports ethnic Armenian secessionists in Nagorno-Karabakh and militarily occupies about one-sixth of Azerbaijan - Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) continues to mediate dispute; Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Russia ratify Caspian seabed delimitation treaties based on equidistance, while Iran continues to insist on an even one-fifth allocation and challenges Azerbaijan's hydrocarbon exploration in disputed waters; ICJ decision expected to resolve dispute with Turkmenistan over sovereignty of certain Caspian oilfields
Azerbaijan	Illicit drugs	limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for CIS consumption; small government eradication program; transit point for Southwest Asian opiates bound for Russia and to a lesser extent the rest of Europe
Azerbaijan	Background	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.
Azerbaijan	Location	Southwestern Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and Russia, with a small European portion north of the Caucasus range
Azerbaijan	Geographic coordinates	40 30 N, 47 30 E
Azerbaijan	Map references	Asia
Azerbaijan	Area	total: 86,600 sq km note: includes the exclave of Naxcivan Autonomous Republic and the Nagorno-Karabakh region; the region's autonomy was abolished by Azerbaijani Supreme Soviet on 26 November 1991 water: 500 sq km land: 86,100 sq km
Azerbaijan	Area - comparative	slightly smaller than Maine
Azerbaijan	Land boundaries	total: 2,013 km border countries: Armenia (with Azerbaijan-proper) 566 km, Armenia (with Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave) 221 km, Georgia 322 km, Iran (with Azerbaijan-proper) 432 km, Iran (with Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave) 179 km, Russia 284 km, Turkey 9 km
Azerbaijan	Coastline	0 km (landlocked); note - Azerbaijan borders the Caspian Sea (800 km, est.)
Azerbaijan	Maritime claims	none (landlocked)
Azerbaijan	Climate	dry, semiarid steppe
Azerbaijan	Terrain	large, flat Kur-Araz Ovaligi (Kura-Araks Lowland) (much of it below sea level) with Great Caucasus Mountains to the north, Qarabag Yaylasi (Karabakh Upland) in west; Baku lies on Abseron Yasaqligi (Apsheron Peninsula) that juts into Caspian Sea
Azerbaijan	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Caspian Sea -28 m highest point: Bazarduzu Dagi 4,485 m
Azerbaijan	Natural resources	petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, nonferrous metals, alumina
Azerbaijan	Land use	arable land: 19.31% permanent crops: 3.04% other: 77.65% (1998 est.)
Azerbaijan	Irrigated land	14,550 sq km (1998 est.)
Azerbaijan	Natural hazards	droughts
Azerbaijan	Environment - current issues	local scientists consider the Abseron Yasaqligi (Apsheron Peninsula) (including Baku and Sumqayit) and the Caspian Sea to be the ecologically most devastated area in the world because of severe air, soil, and water pollution; soil pollution results from oil spills, from the use of DDT as a pesticide, and from toxic defoliants used in the production of cotton
Azerbaijan	Environment - international agreements	party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Azerbaijan	Geography - note	both the main area of the country and the Naxcivan exclave are landlocked
Azerbaijan	Population	7,830,764 (July 2003 est.)
Azerbaijan	Age structure	0-14 years: 27.7% (male 1,101,320; female 1,064,214) 15-64 years: 64.7% (male 2,468,772; female 2,601,312) 65 years and over: 7.6% (male 236,683; female 358,463) (2003 est.)
Azerbaijan	Median age	total: 27.1 years male: 25.7 years female: 28.6 years (2002)
Azerbaijan	Population growth rate	0.44% (2003 est.)
Azerbaijan	Birth rate	19.28 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Azerbaijan	Death rate	9.68 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Azerbaijan	Net migration rate	-5.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Azerbaijan	Sex ratio	at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Azerbaijan	Infant mortality rate	total: 82.41 deaths/1,000 live births female: 80.32 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 84.4 deaths/1,000 live births
Azerbaijan	Life expectancy at birth	total population: 63.16 years male: 58.95 years female: 67.58 years (2003 est.)
Azerbaijan	Total fertility rate	2.34 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Azerbaijan	HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate	less than 0.1% (2001 est.)
Azerbaijan	HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS	less than 1,400 (2001 est.)
Azerbaijan	HIV/AIDS - deaths	less than 100 (2001 est.)
Azerbaijan	Nationality	noun: Azerbaijani(s) adjective: Azerbaijani
Azerbaijan	Ethnic groups	Azeri 90%, Dagestani 3.2%, Russian 2.5%, Armenian 2%, other 2.3% (1998 est.) note: almost all Armenians live in the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region
Azerbaijan	Religions	Muslim 93.4%, Russian Orthodox 2.5%, Armenian Orthodox 2.3%, other 1.8% (1995 est.) note: religious affiliation is still nominal in Azerbaijan; percentages for actual practicing adherents are much lower
Azerbaijan	Languages	Azerbaijani (Azeri) 89%, Russian 3%, Armenian 2%, other 6% (1995 est.)
Azerbaijan	Literacy	definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97% male: 99% female: 96% (1989 est.)
Azerbaijan	Country name	conventional long form: Republic of Azerbaijan conventional short form: Azerbaijan local short form: none former: Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic local long form: Azarbaycan Respublikasi
Azerbaijan	Government type	republic
Azerbaijan	Capital	Baku (Baki)
Azerbaijan	Administrative divisions	59 rayons (rayonlar; rayon - singular), 11 cities* (saharlar; sahar - singular), 1 autonomous republic** (muxtar respublika); Abseron Rayonu, Agcabadi Rayonu, Agdam Rayonu, Agdas Rayonu, Agstafa Rayonu, Agsu Rayonu, Ali Bayramli Sahari*, Astara Rayonu, Baki Sahari*, Balakan Rayonu, Barda Rayonu, Beylaqan Rayonu, Bilasuvar Rayonu, Cabrayil Rayonu, Calilabad Rayonu, Daskasan Rayonu, Davaci Rayonu, Fuzuli Rayonu, Gadabay Rayonu, Ganca Sahari*, Goranboy Rayonu, Goycay Rayonu, Haciqabul Rayonu, Imisli Rayonu, Ismayilli Rayonu, Kalbacar Rayonu, Kurdamir Rayonu, Lacin Rayonu, Lankaran Rayonu, Lankaran Sahari*, Lerik Rayonu, Masalli Rayonu, Mingacevir Sahari*, Naftalan Sahari*, Naxcivan Muxtar Respublikasi**, Neftcala Rayonu, Oguz Rayonu, Qabala Rayonu, Qax Rayonu, Qazax Rayonu, Qobustan Rayonu, Quba Rayonu, Qubadli Rayonu, Qusar Rayonu, Saatli Rayonu, Sabirabad Rayonu, Saki Rayonu, Saki Sahari*, Salyan Rayonu, Samaxi Rayonu, Samkir Rayonu, Samux Rayonu, Siyazan Rayonu, Sumqayit Sahari*, Susa Rayonu, Susa Sahari*, Tartar Rayonu, Tovuz Rayonu, Ucar Rayonu, Xacmaz Rayonu, Xankandi Sahari*, Xanlar Rayonu, Xizi Rayonu, Xocali Rayonu, Xocavand Rayonu, Yardimli Rayonu, Yevlax Rayonu, Yevlax Sahari*, Zangilan Rayonu, Zaqatala Rayonu, Zardab Rayonu
Azerbaijan	Independence	30 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)
Azerbaijan	National holiday	Founding of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaidzhan, 28 May (1918)
Azerbaijan	Constitution	adopted 12 November 1995
Azerbaijan	Legal system	based on civil law system
Azerbaijan	Suffrage	18 years of age; universal
Azerbaijan	Executive branch	chief of state: President Ilham ALIYEV (since 31 October 2003) head of government: Prime Minister Artur RASIZADE (since 4 November 2003); First Deputy Prime Minister Abbas ABBASOV (since 10 November 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president and confirmed by the National Assembly elections: president elected by popular vote to a five-year term; election last held 15 October 2003 (next to be held NA October 2008); prime minister and first deputy prime ministers appointed by the president and confirmed by the National Assembly election results: Ilham ALIYEV elected president; percent of vote - Ilham ALIYEV 76.8%, Isa GAMBAROV 14%
Azerbaijan	Legislative branch	unicameral National Assembly or Milli Mejlis (125 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 4 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2005) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NAP and allies 108, APF "Reform" 6, CSP 3, PNIA 2, Musavat Party 2, CPA 2, APF "Classic" 1, Compatriot Party 1 note: PNIA, Musavat, and APF "Classic" parties refused to take their seats note: 100 members of the current parliament were elected on the basis of single mandate constituencies, while 25 were elected based on proportional balloting; as a result of a 24 August 2002 national referendum on changes to the constitution, all 125 members of the next parliament will be elected from single mandate constituencies
Azerbaijan	Judicial branch	Supreme Court
Azerbaijan	Political parties and leaders	Azerbaijan Popular Front or APF [Ali KARIMLI, leader of "Reform" faction; Mirmahmud MIRALI-OGLU, leader of "Classic" faction]; Civic Solidarity Party or CSP [Sabir RUSTAMKHANLY]; Civic Union Party [Ayaz MUTALIBOV]; Communist Party of Azerbaijan or CPA [Ramiz AHMADOV]; Compatriot Party [Mais SAFARLI]; Democratic Party for Azerbaijan or DPA [Rasul QULIYEV, chairman]; Justice Party [Ilyas ISMAILOV]; Liberal Party of Azerbaijan [Lala Shvkat HACIYEVA]; Musavat [Isa GAMBAR, chairman]; New Azerbaijan Party or NAP [Heydar ALIYEV, chairman]; Party for National Independence of Azerbaijan or PNIA [Etibar MAMMADLI, chairman]; Social Democratic Party of Azerbaijan or SDP [Zardust ALIZADE] note: opposition parties regularly factionalize and form new parties
Azerbaijan	Political pressure groups and leaders	Sadval, Lezgin movement; self-proclaimed Armenian Nagorno-Karabakh Republic; Talysh independence movement; Union of Pro-Azerbaijani Forces (UPAF)
Azerbaijan	International organization participation	AsDB, BSEC, CE, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, GUUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer)
Azerbaijan	Diplomatic representation in the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Hafiz PASHAYEV FAX: [1] (202) 337-5911 telephone: [1] (202) 337-3500 chancery: 2741 34th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
Azerbaijan	Diplomatic representation from the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Ross L. WILSON embassy: 83 Azadliq Prospekt, Baku 370007 mailing address: American Embassy Baku, Department of State, 7050 Baku Place, Washington, DC 20521-7050 telephone: [9] (9412) 98-03-35, 36, 37 FAX: [9] (9412) 90-66-71
Azerbaijan	Flag description	three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), red, and green; a crescent and eight-pointed star in white are centered in red band
Azerbaijan	Economy - overview	Azerbaijan's number one export is oil. Azerbaijan's oil production declined through 1997 but has registered an increase every year since. Negotiation of production-sharing arrangements (PSAs) with foreign firms, which have thus far committed $60 billion to long-term oilfield development, should generate the funds needed to spur future industrial development. Oil production under the first of these PSAs, with the Azerbaijan International Operating Company, began in November 1997. Azerbaijan shares all the formidable problems of the former Soviet republics in making the transition from a command to a market economy, but its considerable energy resources brighten its long-term prospects. Baku has only recently begun making progress on economic reform, and old economic ties and structures are slowly being replaced. One obstacle to economic progress is the need for stepped up foreign investment in the non-energy sector. A second obstacle is the continuing conflict with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Trade with Russia and the other former Soviet republics is declining in importance while trade is building with Turkey and the nations of Europe. Long-term prospects will depend on world oil prices, the location of new pipelines in the region, and Azerbaijan's ability to manage its oil wealth.
Azerbaijan	GDP	purchasing power parity - $28.61 billion (2002 est.)
Azerbaijan	GDP - real growth rate	10.6% (2002 est.)
Azerbaijan	GDP - per capita	purchasing power parity - $3,700 (2002 est.)
Azerbaijan	GDP - composition by sector	agriculture: 20% industry: 33% services: 47% (2001 est.)
Azerbaijan	Population below poverty line	49% (2002 est.)
Azerbaijan	Household income or consumption by percentage share	lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 27.8% (1995)
Azerbaijan	Distribution of family income - Gini index	36 (1995)
Azerbaijan	Inflation rate (consumer prices)	2.6% (2002 est.)
Azerbaijan	Labor force	3.7 million (2001)
Azerbaijan	Labor force - by occupation	agriculture and forestry 41%, industry 7%, services 52% (2001)
Azerbaijan	Unemployment rate	16% (official rate is 1.2%) (2003 est.)
Azerbaijan	Budget	revenues: $786 million expenditures: $807 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.)
Azerbaijan	Industries	petroleum and natural gas, petroleum products, oilfield equipment; steel, iron ore, cement; chemicals and petrochemicals; textiles
Azerbaijan	Industrial production growth rate	6% (2002 est.)
Azerbaijan	Electricity - production	18.23 billion kWh (2001)
Azerbaijan	Electricity - production by source	fossil fuel: 89.7% hydro: 10.3% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Azerbaijan	Electricity - consumption	16.65 billion kWh (2001)
Azerbaijan	Electricity - exports	700 million kWh (2001)
Azerbaijan	Electricity - imports	400 million kWh (2001)
Azerbaijan	Oil - production	307,200 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Azerbaijan	Oil - consumption	140,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Azerbaijan	Oil - exports	NA (2001)
Azerbaijan	Oil - imports	NA (2001)
Azerbaijan	Oil - proved reserves	589 million bbl (37257)
Azerbaijan	Natural gas - production	5.72 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Azerbaijan	Natural gas - consumption	6.72 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Azerbaijan	Natural gas - exports	0 cu m (2001 est.)
Azerbaijan	Natural gas - imports	1 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Azerbaijan	Natural gas - proved reserves	62.3 billion cu m (37257)
Azerbaijan	Agriculture - products	cotton, grain, rice, grapes, fruit, vegetables, tea, tobacco; cattle, pigs, sheep, goats
Azerbaijan	Exports	$2 billion f.o.b. (2002)
Azerbaijan	Exports - commodities	oil and gas 90%, machinery, cotton, foodstuffs
Azerbaijan	Exports - partners	Italy 28.7%, Germany 17.7%, Israel 10.6%, France 8.4%, Georgia 6.7%, Russia 4.7% (2002)
Azerbaijan	Imports	$1.8 billion f.o.b. (2002)
Azerbaijan	Imports - commodities	machinery and equipment, oil products, foodstuffs, metals, chemicals
Azerbaijan	Imports - partners	Russia 17.8%, Turkey 11.9%, Germany 10.7%, France 7%, Kazakhstan 6.3%, China 6%, UK 5.5%, US 4.5% (2002)
Azerbaijan	Debt - external	$1.4 billion (2002)
Azerbaijan	Economic aid - recipient	ODA, $140 million (2000 est.)
Azerbaijan	Currency	Azerbaijani manat (AZM)
Azerbaijan	Currency code	AZM
Azerbaijan	Exchange rates	Azerbaijani manats per US dollar - 4,860.82 (2002), 4,656.58 (2001), 4,474.15 (2000), 4,120.17 (1999), 3,869 (1998)
Azerbaijan	Fiscal year	calendar year
Azerbaijan	Telephones - main lines in use	865,000 (2002)
Azerbaijan	Telephones - mobile cellular	800,000 (2002)
Azerbaijan	Telephone system	general assessment: inadequate; requires considerable expansion and modernization; teledensity of 10 main lines per 100 persons is low (2002) domestic: the majority of telephones are in Baku and other industrial centers - about 700 villages still without public telephone service; satellite service connects Baku to a modern switch in its exclave of Naxcivan international: the old Soviet system of cable and microwave is still serviceable; a satellite connection to Turkey enables Baku to reach about 200 additional countries, some of which are directly connected to Baku by satellite providers other than Turkey (1997)
Azerbaijan	Radio broadcast stations	AM 10, FM 17, shortwave 1 (1998)
Azerbaijan	Television broadcast stations	2 (1997)
Azerbaijan	Internet country code	.az
Azerbaijan	Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	2 (2000)
Azerbaijan	Internet users	25,000 (2002)
Azerbaijan	Railways	total: 2,122 km broad gauge: 2,122 km 1.520-m gauge (1,278 km electrified) (2002)
Azerbaijan	Highways	total: 24,981 km paved: 23,057 km unpaved: 1,924 km (2000)
Azerbaijan	Waterways	none
Azerbaijan	Pipelines	gas 5,001 km; oil 1,631 km (2003)
Azerbaijan	Ports and harbors	Baku (Baki)
Azerbaijan	Merchant marine	total: 55 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 251,004 GRT/313,193 DWT ships by type: cargo 13, petroleum tanker 40, roll on/roll off 2 (2002 est.)
Azerbaijan	Airports	71 (2002)
Azerbaijan	Airports - with paved runways	total: 27 over 3.047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 1 (2002)
Azerbaijan	Airports - with unpaved runways	total: 44 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 27 (2002)
Azerbaijan	Military branches	Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces
Azerbaijan	Military manpower - military age	18 years of age (2003 est.)
Azerbaijan	Military manpower - availability	males age 15-49: 2,159,450 (2003 est.)
Azerbaijan	Military manpower - fit for military service	males age 15-49: 1,727,340 (2003 est.)
Azerbaijan	Military manpower - reaching military age annually	males: 82,925 (2003 est.)
Azerbaijan	Military expenditures - dollar figure	$121 million (FY99)
Azerbaijan	Military expenditures - percent of GDP	2.6% (FY99)
Azerbaijan	Disputes - international	Armenia supports ethnic Armenian secessionists in Nagorno-Karabakh and militarily occupies about one-sixth of Azerbaijan - Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) continues to mediate dispute; Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Russia ratify Caspian seabed delimitation treaties based on equidistance, while Iran continues to insist on an even one-fifth allocation and challenges Azerbaijan's hydrocarbon exploration in disputed waters; ICJ decision expected to resolve dispute with Turkmenistan over sovereignty of certain Caspian oilfields
Azerbaijan	Illicit drugs	limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for CIS consumption; small government eradication program; transit point for Southwest Asian opiates bound for Russia and to a lesser extent the rest of Europe
Bahamas, The	Background	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.
Bahamas, The	Location	Caribbean, chain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Florida, northeast of Cuba
Bahamas, The	Geographic coordinates	24 15 N, 76 00 W
Bahamas, The	Map references	Central America and the Caribbean
Bahamas, The	Area	total: 13,940 sq km water: 3,870 sq km land: 10,070 sq km
Bahamas, The	Area - comparative	slightly smaller than Connecticut
Bahamas, The	Land boundaries	0 km
Bahamas, The	Coastline	3,542 km
Bahamas, The	Maritime claims	exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM
Bahamas, The	Climate	tropical marine; moderated by warm waters of Gulf Stream
Bahamas, The	Terrain	long, flat coral formations with some low rounded hills
Bahamas, The	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Alvernia, on Cat Island 63 m
Bahamas, The	Natural resources	salt, aragonite, timber, arable land
Bahamas, The	Land use	arable land: 0.6% permanent crops: 0.4% other: 99% (1998 est.)
Bahamas, The	Irrigated land	NA sq km
Bahamas, The	Natural hazards	hurricanes and other tropical storms cause extensive flood and wind damage
Bahamas, The	Environment - current issues	coral reef decay; solid waste disposal
Bahamas, The	Environment - international agreements	party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Bahamas, The	Geography - note	strategic location adjacent to US and Cuba; extensive island chain of which 30 are inhabited
Bahamas, The	Population	297,477 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.)
Bahamas, The	Age structure	0-14 years: 28.8% (male 42,799; female 42,730) 15-64 years: 65.4% (male 95,718; female 98,875) 65 years and over: 5.8% (male 7,092; female 10,263) (2003 est.)
Bahamas, The	Median age	total: 27 years male: 26.2 years female: 27.7 years (2002)
Bahamas, The	Population growth rate	0.77% (2003 est.)
Bahamas, The	Birth rate	18.57 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Bahamas, The	Death rate	8.68 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Bahamas, The	Net migration rate	-2.21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Bahamas, The	Sex ratio	at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Bahamas, The	Infant mortality rate	total: 26.21 deaths/1,000 live births female: 19.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 32.45 deaths/1,000 live births
Bahamas, The	Life expectancy at birth	total population: 65.71 years male: 62.3 years female: 69.18 years (2003 est.)
Bahamas, The	Total fertility rate	2.25 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Bahamas, The	HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate	3.5% (2001 est.)
Bahamas, The	HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS	6,200 (2001 est.)
Bahamas, The	HIV/AIDS - deaths	610 (2001 est.)
Bahamas, The	Nationality	noun: Bahamian(s) adjective: Bahamian
Bahamas, The	Ethnic groups	black 85%, white 12%, Asian and Hispanic 3%
Bahamas, The	Religions	Baptist 32%, Anglican 20%, Roman Catholic 19%, Methodist 6%, Church of God 6%, other Protestant 12%, none or unknown 3%, other 2%
Bahamas, The	Languages	English (official), Creole (among Haitian immigrants)
Bahamas, The	Literacy	definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 95.6% male: 94.7% female: 96.5% (2003 est.)
Bahamas, The	Country name	conventional long form: Commonwealth of The Bahamas conventional short form: The Bahamas
Bahamas, The	Government type	constitutional parliamentary democracy
Bahamas, The	Capital	Nassau
Bahamas, The	Administrative divisions	21 districts; Acklins and Crooked Islands, Bimini, Cat Island, Exuma, Freeport, Fresh Creek, Governor's Harbour, Green Turtle Cay, Harbour Island, High Rock, Inagua, Kemps Bay, Long Island, Marsh Harbour, Mayaguana, New Providence, Nichollstown and Berry Islands, Ragged Island, Rock Sound, Sandy Point, San Salvador and Rum Cay
Bahamas, The	Independence	10 July 1973 (from UK)
Bahamas, The	National holiday	Independence Day, 10 July (1973)
Bahamas, The	Constitution	10 July 1973
Bahamas, The	Legal system	based on English common law
Bahamas, The	Suffrage	18 years of age; universal
Bahamas, The	Executive branch	chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Ivy DUMONT (since NA May 2002) head of government: Prime Minister Perry CHRISTIE (since 3 May 2002) and Deputy Prime Minister Cynthia PRATT (since 7 May 2002) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the prime minister's recommendation elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; the prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister
Bahamas, The	Legislative branch	bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (16-member body appointed by the governor general upon the advice of the prime minister and the opposition leader for five-year terms) and the House of Assembly (40 seats; members elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 1 May 2002 (next to be held by May 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - PLP 50.8%, FNM 41.1%, independents 5.2%; seats by party - PLP 29, FNM 7, independents 4
Bahamas, The	Judicial branch	Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; magistrates courts
Bahamas, The	Political parties and leaders	Free National Movement or FNM [Tommy TURNQUEST]; Progressive Liberal Party or PLP [Perry CHRISTIE]
Bahamas, The	Political pressure groups and leaders	NA
Bahamas, The	International organization participation	ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer)
Bahamas, The	Diplomatic representation in the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Joshua SEARS consulate(s) general: Miami and New York FAX: [1] (202) 319-2668 telephone: [1] (202) 319-2660 chancery: 2220 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Bahamas, The	Diplomatic representation from the US	chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affairs Robert M. WITAJEWSKI embassy: 42 Queen Street, Nassau mailing address: local or express mail address: P. O. Box N-8197, Nassau; Department of State, 3370 Nassau Place, Washington, DC 20521-3370 telephone: [1] (242) 322-1181, 328-2206 (after hours) FAX: [1] (242) 356-0222
Bahamas, The	Flag description	three equal horizontal bands of aquamarine (top), gold, and aquamarine, with a black equilateral triangle based on the hoist side
Bahamas, The	Economy - overview	The Bahamas is a stable, developing nation with an economy heavily dependent on tourism and offshore banking. Tourism alone accounts for more than 60% of GDP and directly or indirectly employs half of the archipelago's labor force. Steady growth in tourism receipts and a boom in construction of new hotels, resorts, and residences had led to solid GDP growth in recent years, but the slowdown in the US economy and the attacks of 11 September 2001 held back growth in these sectors in 2002. Manufacturing and agriculture together contribute approximately a tenth of GDP and show little growth, despite government incentives aimed at those sectors. Overall growth prospects in the short run rest heavily on the fortunes of the tourism sector, which depends on growth in the US, the source of most of the visitors.
Bahamas, The	GDP	purchasing power parity - $4.59 billion (2002 est.)
Bahamas, The	GDP - real growth rate	0.1% (2002 est.)
Bahamas, The	GDP - per capita	purchasing power parity - $15,300 (2002 est.)
Bahamas, The	GDP - composition by sector	agriculture: 3% industry: 7% services: 90% (1999 est.)
Bahamas, The	Population below poverty line	NA%
Bahamas, The	Household income or consumption by percentage share	lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Bahamas, The	Inflation rate (consumer prices)	1.8% (2001 est.)
Bahamas, The	Labor force	156,000 (1999)
Bahamas, The	Labor force - by occupation	tourism 50%, other services 40%, industry 5%, agriculture 5% (1999 est.)
Bahamas, The	Unemployment rate	6.9% (2001 est.)
Bahamas, The	Budget	revenues: $918.5 million expenditures: $956.5 million, including capital expenditures of $106.7 million (FY 99/00)
Bahamas, The	Industries	tourism, banking, e-commerce, cement, oil refining and transshipment, salt, rum, aragonite, pharmaceuticals, spiral-welded steel pipe
Bahamas, The	Industrial production growth rate	NA%
Bahamas, The	Electricity - production	1.56 billion kWh (2001)
Bahamas, The	Electricity - production by source	fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Bahamas, The	Electricity - consumption	1.451 billion kWh (2001)
Bahamas, The	Electricity - exports	0 kWh (2001)
Bahamas, The	Electricity - imports	0 kWh (2001)
Bahamas, The	Oil - production	0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Bahamas, The	Oil - consumption	23,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Bahamas, The	Oil - exports	NA (2001)
Bahamas, The	Oil - imports	NA (2001)
Bahamas, The	Agriculture - products	citrus, vegetables; poultry
Bahamas, The	Exports	$560.7 million (2002 est.)
Bahamas, The	Exports - commodities	fish and crawfish; rum, salt, chemicals; fruit and vegetables
Bahamas, The	Exports - partners	US 39.1%, Germany 15.4%, Spain 10.8%, France 7.4%, Poland 4.6%, Switzerland 4.3% (2002)
Bahamas, The	Imports	$1.86 billion (2002 est.)
Bahamas, The	Imports - commodities	machinery and transport equipment, manufactures, chemicals, mineral fuels; food and live animals
Bahamas, The	Imports - partners	US 20.3%, South Korea 20.1%, Germany 11.5%, Norway 11.5%, Japan 10%, Italy 7.2% (2002)
Bahamas, The	Debt - external	$371.6 million (2001)
Bahamas, The	Economic aid - recipient	$9.8 million (1995)
Bahamas, The	Currency	Bahamian dollar (BSD)
Bahamas, The	Currency code	BSD
Bahamas, The	Exchange rates	Bahamian dollars per US dollar - 1 (2002), 1 (2001), 1 (2000), 1 (1999), 1 (1998)
Bahamas, The	Fiscal year	1 July - 30 June
Bahamas, The	Telephones - main lines in use	96,000 (1997)
Bahamas, The	Telephones - mobile cellular	6,152 (1997)
Bahamas, The	Telephone system	general assessment: modern facilities domestic: totally automatic system; highly developed international: tropospheric scatter and submarine cable to Florida; 3 coaxial submarine cables; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (1997)
Bahamas, The	Radio broadcast stations	AM 3, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998)
Bahamas, The	Television broadcast stations	1 (1997)
Bahamas, The	Internet country code	.bs
Bahamas, The	Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	19 (2000)
Bahamas, The	Internet users	16,900 (2002)
Bahamas, The	Railways	0 km
Bahamas, The	Highways	total: 2,693 km paved: 1,546 km unpaved: 1,147 km (1999 est.)
Bahamas, The	Waterways	none
Bahamas, The	Ports and harbors	Freeport, Matthew Town, Nassau
Bahamas, The	Merchant marine	total: 1,090 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 33,065,778 GRT/46,202,085 DWT ships by type: bulk 150, cargo 223, chemical tanker 45, combination bulk 12, combination ore/oil 18, container 108, liquefied gas 26, livestock carrier 2, multi-functional large-load carrier 8, passenger 102, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 178, refrigerated cargo 135, roll on/roll off 40, short-sea passenger 17, specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 23 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Angola 1, Argentina 1, Australia 4, Belgium 18, Bermuda 1, Canada 5, Chile 1, China 3, Croatia 2, Cuba 3, Cyprus 2, Denmark 27, Ecuador 1, Estonia 2, Finland 9, France 15, Germany 26, Greece 173, Hong Kong 6, India 2, Indonesia 2, Ireland 1, Israel 3, Italy 9, Jamaica 1, Japan 32, Kenya 3, Malaysia 10, Malta 2, Monaco 67, Netherlands 32, New Zealand 2, Norway 237, Panama 2, Philippines 3, Poland 13, Reunion 1, Russia 6, Saudi Arabia 9, Singapore 13, Slovenia 1, South Korea 2, Spain 7, Sweden 12, Switzerland 8, Thailand 1, Trinidad and Tobago 2, Turkey 2, Ukraine 2, United Arab Emirates 10, United Kingdom 107, United States 159, Uruguay 1 (2002 est.)
Bahamas, The	Airports	64 (2002)
Bahamas, The	Airports - with paved runways	total: 30 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 2 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12
Bahamas, The	Airports - with unpaved runways	total: 34 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 22 (2002)
Bahamas, The	Heliports	1 (2002)
Bahamas, The	Military branches	Royal Bahamas Defense Force (Coast Guard only), Royal Bahamas Police Force
Bahamas, The	Military expenditures - dollar figure	$20 million (FY95/96)
Bahamas, The	Military expenditures - percent of GDP	0.7% (FY99)
Bahamas, The	Disputes - international	have not been able to agree on a maritime boundary with the US
Bahamas, The	Illicit drugs	transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for US and Europe; offshore financial center
Bahamas, The	Background	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.
Bahamas, The	Location	Caribbean, chain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Florida, northeast of Cuba
Bahamas, The	Geographic coordinates	24 15 N, 76 00 W
Bahamas, The	Map references	Central America and the Caribbean
Bahamas, The	Area	total: 13,940 sq km water: 3,870 sq km land: 10,070 sq km
Bahamas, The	Area - comparative	slightly smaller than Connecticut
Bahamas, The	Land boundaries	0 km
Bahamas, The	Coastline	3,542 km
Bahamas, The	Maritime claims	exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM
Bahamas, The	Climate	tropical marine; moderated by warm waters of Gulf Stream
Bahamas, The	Terrain	long, flat coral formations with some low rounded hills
Bahamas, The	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Alvernia, on Cat Island 63 m
Bahamas, The	Natural resources	salt, aragonite, timber, arable land
Bahamas, The	Land use	arable land: 0.6% permanent crops: 0.4% other: 99% (1998 est.)
Bahamas, The	Irrigated land	NA sq km
Bahamas, The	Natural hazards	hurricanes and other tropical storms cause extensive flood and wind damage
Bahamas, The	Environment - current issues	coral reef decay; solid waste disposal
Bahamas, The	Environment - international agreements	party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Bahamas, The	Geography - note	strategic location adjacent to US and Cuba; extensive island chain of which 30 are inhabited
Bahamas, The	Population	297,477 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.)
Bahamas, The	Age structure	0-14 years: 28.8% (male 42,799; female 42,730) 15-64 years: 65.4% (male 95,718; female 98,875) 65 years and over: 5.8% (male 7,092; female 10,263) (2003 est.)
Bahamas, The	Median age	total: 27 years male: 26.2 years female: 27.7 years (2002)
Bahamas, The	Population growth rate	0.77% (2003 est.)
Bahamas, The	Birth rate	18.57 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Bahamas, The	Death rate	8.68 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Bahamas, The	Net migration rate	-2.21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Bahamas, The	Sex ratio	at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Bahamas, The	Infant mortality rate	total: 26.21 deaths/1,000 live births female: 19.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 32.45 deaths/1,000 live births
Bahamas, The	Life expectancy at birth	total population: 65.71 years male: 62.3 years female: 69.18 years (2003 est.)
Bahamas, The	Total fertility rate	2.25 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Bahamas, The	HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate	3.5% (2001 est.)
Bahamas, The	HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS	6,200 (2001 est.)
Bahamas, The	HIV/AIDS - deaths	610 (2001 est.)
Bahamas, The	Nationality	noun: Bahamian(s) adjective: Bahamian
Bahamas, The	Ethnic groups	black 85%, white 12%, Asian and Hispanic 3%
Bahamas, The	Religions	Baptist 32%, Anglican 20%, Roman Catholic 19%, Methodist 6%, Church of God 6%, other Protestant 12%, none or unknown 3%, other 2%
Bahamas, The	Languages	English (official), Creole (among Haitian immigrants)
Bahamas, The	Literacy	definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 95.6% male: 94.7% female: 96.5% (2003 est.)
Bahamas, The	Country name	conventional long form: Commonwealth of The Bahamas conventional short form: The Bahamas
Bahamas, The	Government type	constitutional parliamentary democracy
Bahamas, The	Capital	Nassau
Bahamas, The	Administrative divisions	21 districts; Acklins and Crooked Islands, Bimini, Cat Island, Exuma, Freeport, Fresh Creek, Governor's Harbour, Green Turtle Cay, Harbour Island, High Rock, Inagua, Kemps Bay, Long Island, Marsh Harbour, Mayaguana, New Providence, Nichollstown and Berry Islands, Ragged Island, Rock Sound, Sandy Point, San Salvador and Rum Cay
Bahamas, The	Independence	10 July 1973 (from UK)
Bahamas, The	National holiday	Independence Day, 10 July (1973)
Bahamas, The	Constitution	10 July 1973
Bahamas, The	Legal system	based on English common law
Bahamas, The	Suffrage	18 years of age; universal
Bahamas, The	Executive branch	chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Ivy DUMONT (since NA May 2002) head of government: Prime Minister Perry CHRISTIE (since 3 May 2002) and Deputy Prime Minister Cynthia PRATT (since 7 May 2002) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the prime minister's recommendation elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; the prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister
Bahamas, The	Legislative branch	bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (16-member body appointed by the governor general upon the advice of the prime minister and the opposition leader for five-year terms) and the House of Assembly (40 seats; members elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 1 May 2002 (next to be held by May 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - PLP 50.8%, FNM 41.1%, independents 5.2%; seats by party - PLP 29, FNM 7, independents 4
Bahamas, The	Judicial branch	Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; magistrates courts
Bahamas, The	Political parties and leaders	Free National Movement or FNM [Tommy TURNQUEST]; Progressive Liberal Party or PLP [Perry CHRISTIE]
Bahamas, The	Political pressure groups and leaders	NA
Bahamas, The	International organization participation	ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer)
Bahamas, The	Diplomatic representation in the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Joshua SEARS consulate(s) general: Miami and New York FAX: [1] (202) 319-2668 telephone: [1] (202) 319-2660 chancery: 2220 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Bahamas, The	Diplomatic representation from the US	chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affairs Robert M. WITAJEWSKI embassy: 42 Queen Street, Nassau mailing address: local or express mail address: P. O. Box N-8197, Nassau; Department of State, 3370 Nassau Place, Washington, DC 20521-3370 telephone: [1] (242) 322-1181, 328-2206 (after hours) FAX: [1] (242) 356-0222
Bahamas, The	Flag description	three equal horizontal bands of aquamarine (top), gold, and aquamarine, with a black equilateral triangle based on the hoist side
Bahamas, The	Economy - overview	The Bahamas is a stable, developing nation with an economy heavily dependent on tourism and offshore banking. Tourism alone accounts for more than 60% of GDP and directly or indirectly employs half of the archipelago's labor force. Steady growth in tourism receipts and a boom in construction of new hotels, resorts, and residences had led to solid GDP growth in recent years, but the slowdown in the US economy and the attacks of 11 September 2001 held back growth in these sectors in 2002. Manufacturing and agriculture together contribute approximately a tenth of GDP and show little growth, despite government incentives aimed at those sectors. Overall growth prospects in the short run rest heavily on the fortunes of the tourism sector, which depends on growth in the US, the source of most of the visitors.
Bahamas, The	GDP	purchasing power parity - $4.59 billion (2002 est.)
Bahamas, The	GDP - real growth rate	0.1% (2002 est.)
Bahamas, The	GDP - per capita	purchasing power parity - $15,300 (2002 est.)
Bahamas, The	GDP - composition by sector	agriculture: 3% industry: 7% services: 90% (1999 est.)
Bahamas, The	Population below poverty line	NA%
Bahamas, The	Household income or consumption by percentage share	lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Bahamas, The	Inflation rate (consumer prices)	1.8% (2001 est.)
Bahamas, The	Labor force	156,000 (1999)
Bahamas, The	Labor force - by occupation	tourism 50%, other services 40%, industry 5%, agriculture 5% (1999 est.)
Bahamas, The	Unemployment rate	6.9% (2001 est.)
Bahamas, The	Budget	revenues: $918.5 million expenditures: $956.5 million, including capital expenditures of $106.7 million (FY 99/00)
Bahamas, The	Industries	tourism, banking, e-commerce, cement, oil refining and transshipment, salt, rum, aragonite, pharmaceuticals, spiral-welded steel pipe
Bahamas, The	Industrial production growth rate	NA%
Bahamas, The	Electricity - production	1.56 billion kWh (2001)
Bahamas, The	Electricity - production by source	fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Bahamas, The	Electricity - consumption	1.451 billion kWh (2001)
Bahamas, The	Electricity - exports	0 kWh (2001)
Bahamas, The	Electricity - imports	0 kWh (2001)
Bahamas, The	Oil - production	0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Bahamas, The	Oil - consumption	23,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Bahamas, The	Oil - exports	NA (2001)
Bahamas, The	Oil - imports	NA (2001)
Bahamas, The	Agriculture - products	citrus, vegetables; poultry
Bahamas, The	Exports	$560.7 million (2002 est.)
Bahamas, The	Exports - commodities	fish and crawfish; rum, salt, chemicals; fruit and vegetables
Bahamas, The	Exports - partners	US 39.1%, Germany 15.4%, Spain 10.8%, France 7.4%, Poland 4.6%, Switzerland 4.3% (2002)
Bahamas, The	Imports	$1.86 billion (2002 est.)
Bahamas, The	Imports - commodities	machinery and transport equipment, manufactures, chemicals, mineral fuels; food and live animals
Bahamas, The	Imports - partners	US 20.3%, South Korea 20.1%, Germany 11.5%, Norway 11.5%, Japan 10%, Italy 7.2% (2002)
Bahamas, The	Debt - external	$371.6 million (2001)
Bahamas, The	Economic aid - recipient	$9.8 million (1995)
Bahamas, The	Currency	Bahamian dollar (BSD)
Bahamas, The	Currency code	BSD
Bahamas, The	Exchange rates	Bahamian dollars per US dollar - 1 (2002), 1 (2001), 1 (2000), 1 (1999), 1 (1998)
Bahamas, The	Fiscal year	1 July - 30 June
Bahamas, The	Telephones - main lines in use	96,000 (1997)
Bahamas, The	Telephones - mobile cellular	6,152 (1997)
Bahamas, The	Telephone system	general assessment: modern facilities domestic: totally automatic system; highly developed international: tropospheric scatter and submarine cable to Florida; 3 coaxial submarine cables; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (1997)
Bahamas, The	Radio broadcast stations	AM 3, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998)
Bahamas, The	Television broadcast stations	1 (1997)
Bahamas, The	Internet country code	.bs
Bahamas, The	Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	19 (2000)
Bahamas, The	Internet users	16,900 (2002)
Bahamas, The	Railways	0 km
Bahamas, The	Highways	total: 2,693 km paved: 1,546 km unpaved: 1,147 km (1999 est.)
Bahamas, The	Waterways	none
Bahamas, The	Ports and harbors	Freeport, Matthew Town, Nassau
Bahamas, The	Merchant marine	total: 1,090 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 33,065,778 GRT/46,202,085 DWT ships by type: bulk 150, cargo 223, chemical tanker 45, combination bulk 12, combination ore/oil 18, container 108, liquefied gas 26, livestock carrier 2, multi-functional large-load carrier 8, passenger 102, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 178, refrigerated cargo 135, roll on/roll off 40, short-sea passenger 17, specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 23 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Angola 1, Argentina 1, Australia 4, Belgium 18, Bermuda 1, Canada 5, Chile 1, China 3, Croatia 2, Cuba 3, Cyprus 2, Denmark 27, Ecuador 1, Estonia 2, Finland 9, France 15, Germany 26, Greece 173, Hong Kong 6, India 2, Indonesia 2, Ireland 1, Israel 3, Italy 9, Jamaica 1, Japan 32, Kenya 3, Malaysia 10, Malta 2, Monaco 67, Netherlands 32, New Zealand 2, Norway 237, Panama 2, Philippines 3, Poland 13, Reunion 1, Russia 6, Saudi Arabia 9, Singapore 13, Slovenia 1, South Korea 2, Spain 7, Sweden 12, Switzerland 8, Thailand 1, Trinidad and Tobago 2, Turkey 2, Ukraine 2, United Arab Emirates 10, United Kingdom 107, United States 159, Uruguay 1 (2002 est.)
Bahamas, The	Airports	64 (2002)
Bahamas, The	Airports - with paved runways	total: 30 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 2 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12
Bahamas, The	Airports - with unpaved runways	total: 34 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 22 (2002)
Bahamas, The	Heliports	1 (2002)
Bahamas, The	Military branches	Royal Bahamas Defense Force (Coast Guard only), Royal Bahamas Police Force
Bahamas, The	Military expenditures - dollar figure	$20 million (FY95/96)
Bahamas, The	Military expenditures - percent of GDP	0.7% (FY99)
Bahamas, The	Disputes - international	have not been able to agree on a maritime boundary with the US
Bahamas, The	Illicit drugs	transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for US and Europe; offshore financial center
Bahrain	Background	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.
Bahrain	Location	Middle East, archipelago in the Persian Gulf, east of Saudi Arabia
Bahrain	Geographic coordinates	26 00 N, 50 33 E
Bahrain	Map references	Middle East
Bahrain	Area	total: 665 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 665 sq km
Bahrain	Area - comparative	3.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Bahrain	Land boundaries	0 km
Bahrain	Coastline	161 km
Bahrain	Maritime claims	contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM continental shelf: extending to boundaries to be determined
Bahrain	Climate	arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers
Bahrain	Terrain	mostly low desert plain rising gently to low central escarpment
Bahrain	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: Jabal ad Dukhan 122 m
Bahrain	Natural resources	oil, associated and nonassociated natural gas, fish, pearls
Bahrain	Land use	arable land: 4.35% permanent crops: 4.35% other: 91.3% (1998 est.)
Bahrain	Irrigated land	50 sq km (1998 est.)
Bahrain	Natural hazards	periodic droughts; dust storms
Bahrain	Environment - current issues	desertification resulting from the degradation of limited arable land, periods of drought, and dust storms; coastal degradation (damage to coastlines, coral reefs, and sea vegetation) resulting from oil spills and other discharges from large tankers, oil refineries, and distribution stations; lack of freshwater resources, groundwater and seawater are the only sources for all water needs
Bahrain	Environment - international agreements	party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Bahrain	Geography - note	close to primary Middle Eastern petroleum sources; strategic location in Persian Gulf, which much of Western world's petroleum must transit to reach open ocean
Bahrain	Population	667,238 note: includes 235,108 non-nationals (July 2003 est.)
Bahrain	Age structure	0-14 years: 28.8% (male 97,294; female 94,930) 15-64 years: 68% (male 266,351; female 187,473) 65 years and over: 3.2% (male 10,807; female 10,383) (2003 est.)
Bahrain	Median age	total: 28.7 years male: 31.6 years female: 25.1 years (2002)
Bahrain	Population growth rate	1.61% (2003 est.)
Bahrain	Birth rate	19.02 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Bahrain	Death rate	3.99 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Bahrain	Net migration rate	1.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Bahrain	Sex ratio	at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.42 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.04 male(s)/female total population: 1.28 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Bahrain	Infant mortality rate	total: 18.59 deaths/1,000 live births female: 15.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 21.65 deaths/1,000 live births
Bahrain	Life expectancy at birth	total population: 73.72 years male: 71.28 years female: 76.24 years (2003 est.)
Bahrain	Total fertility rate	2.71 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Bahrain	HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate	0.3% (2001 est.)
Bahrain	HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS	less than 1,000
Bahrain	HIV/AIDS - deaths	NA
Bahrain	Nationality	noun: Bahraini(s) adjective: Bahraini
Bahrain	Ethnic groups	Bahraini 63%, Asian 19%, other Arab 10%, Iranian 8%
Bahrain	Religions	Shi'a Muslim 70%, Sunni Muslim 30%
Bahrain	Languages	Arabic, English, Farsi, Urdu
Bahrain	Literacy	definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 89.1% male: 91.9% female: 85% (2003 est.)
Bahrain	Country name	conventional long form: Kingdom of Bahrain conventional short form: Bahrain local short form: Al Bahrayn former: Dilmun local long form: Mamlakat al Bahrayn
Bahrain	Government type	constitutional hereditary monarchy
Bahrain	Capital	Manama
Bahrain	Administrative divisions	12 municipalities (manatiq, singular - mintaqah); Al Hadd, Al Manamah, Al Mintaqah al Gharbiyah, Al Mintaqah al Wusta, Al Mintaqah ash Shamaliyah, Al Muharraq, Ar Rifa' wa al Mintaqah al Janubiyah, Jidd Hafs, Madinat Hamad, Madinat 'Isa, Juzur Hawar, Sitrah note: all municipalities administered from Manama
Bahrain	Independence	15 August 1971 (from UK)
Bahrain	National holiday	National Day, 16 December (1971); note - 15 August 1971 is the date of independence from the UK, 16 December 1971 is the date of independence from British protection
Bahrain	Constitution	adopted late December 2000; Bahrani voters approved on 13-14 February 2001 a referendum on legislative changes (revised constitution calls for a partially elected legislature, a constitutional monarchy, and an independent judiciary)
Bahrain	Legal system	based on Islamic law and English common law
Bahrain	Suffrage	18 years of age; universal
Bahrain	Executive branch	chief of state: King HAMAD bin Isa Al Khalifa (since 6 March 1999); Heir Apparent Crown Prince SALMAN bin Hamad (son of the monarch, born 21 October 1969) head of government: Prime Minister KHALIFA bin Salman Al Khalifa (since NA 1971) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch
Bahrain	Legislative branch	bicameral Parliament consists of Shura Council (40 members appointed by the King) and House of Deputies (40 members directly elected to serve four-year terms) elections: House of Deputies - last held 31 October 2002 (next election to be held NA 2006) note: first elections since 7 December 1973; unicameral National Assembly dissolved 26 August 1975; National Action Charter created bicameral legislature on 23 December 2000; approved by referendum 14 February 2001; first legislative session of Parliament held on 25 December 2002 election results: House of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - independents 21, Sunni Islamists 9, other 10
Bahrain	Judicial branch	High Civil Appeals Court
Bahrain	Political parties and leaders	political parties prohibited but politically oriented societies are allowed
Bahrain	Political pressure groups and leaders	Shi'a activists fomented unrest sporadically in 1994-97, demanding the return of an elected National Assembly and an end to unemployment; several small, clandestine leftist and Islamic fundamentalist groups are active
Bahrain	International organization participation	ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDB, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Bahrain	Diplomatic representation in the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Khalifa bin Ali bin Rashid AL KHALIFA chancery: 3502 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: New York FAX: [1] (202) 362-2192 telephone: [1] (202) 342-0741
Bahrain	Diplomatic representation from the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Ronald E. NEUMANN embassy: Building #979, Road 3119 (next to Al-Ahli Sports Club), Block 321, Zinj District, Manama mailing address: American Embassy Manama, PSC 451, FPO AE 09834-5100; international mail: American Embassy, Box 26431, Manama telephone: [973] 273-300 FAX: [973] 272-594
Bahrain	Flag description	red with a white serrated band (five white points) on the hoist side; the five points represent the five pillars of Islam
Bahrain	Economy - overview	In Bahrain, petroleum production and refining account for about 60% of export receipts, 60% of government revenues, and 30% of GDP. With its highly developed communication and transport facilities, Bahrain is home to numerous multinational firms with business in the Gulf. Bahrain is dependent on Saudi Arabia for oil granted as aid. A large share of exports consists of petroleum products made from refining imported crude. Construction proceeds on several major industrial projects. Unemployment, especially among the young, and the depletion of oil and underground water resources are major long-term economic problems.
Bahrain	GDP	purchasing power parity - $9.91 billion (2002 est.)
Bahrain	GDP - real growth rate	2.9% (2002 est.)
Bahrain	GDP - per capita	purchasing power parity - $15,100 (2002 est.)
Bahrain	GDP - composition by sector	agriculture: 1% industry: 35% services: 64% (2001 est.)
Bahrain	Population below poverty line	NA%
Bahrain	Household income or consumption by percentage share	lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Bahrain	Inflation rate (consumer prices)	0.5% (2002 est.)
Bahrain	Labor force	295,000 note: 44% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (1998 est.)
Bahrain	Labor force - by occupation	industry, commerce, and service 79%, government 20%, agriculture 1% (1997 est.)
Bahrain	Unemployment rate	15% (1998 est.)
Bahrain	Budget	revenues: $1.8 billion expenditures: $2.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $700 million (2002 est.)
Bahrain	Industries	petroleum processing and refining, aluminum smelting, offshore banking, ship repairing; tourism
Bahrain	Industrial production growth rate	2% (2000 est.)
Bahrain	Electricity - production	6.257 billion kWh (2001)
Bahrain	Electricity - production by source	fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Bahrain	Electricity - consumption	5.819 billion kWh (2001)
Bahrain	Electricity - exports	0 kWh (2001)
Bahrain	Electricity - imports	0 kWh (2001)
Bahrain	Oil - production	43,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Bahrain	Oil - consumption	31,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Bahrain	Oil - exports	NA (2001)
Bahrain	Oil - imports	NA (2001)
Bahrain	Oil - proved reserves	62.28 million bbl (37257)
Bahrain	Natural gas - production	8.9 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Bahrain	Natural gas - consumption	8.9 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Bahrain	Natural gas - exports	0 cu m (2001 est.)
Bahrain	Natural gas - imports	0 cu m (2001 est.)
Bahrain	Natural gas - proved reserves	46 billion cu m (37257)
Bahrain	Agriculture - products	fruit, vegetables; poultry, dairy products; shrimp, fish
Bahrain	Exports	$5.8 billion (2002)
Bahrain	Exports - commodities	petroleum and petroleum products, aluminum, textiles
Bahrain	Exports - partners	US 4.5%, India 3.2%, Saudi Arabia 2.1% (2002)
Bahrain	Imports	$4.2 billion (2002)
Bahrain	Imports - commodities	crude oil, machinery, chemicals
Bahrain	Imports - partners	Saudi Arabia 30.1%, US 11.7%, Japan 7.1%, Germany 6.5%, UK 5.6% (2002)
Bahrain	Debt - external	$3.7 billion (2002)
Bahrain	Economic aid - recipient	$150 million; note - $50 million annually since 1992 from each of Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Kuwait (2002)
Bahrain	Currency	Bahraini dinar (BHD)
Bahrain	Currency code	BHD
Bahrain	Exchange rates	Bahraini dinars per US dollar - 0.38 (2002), 0.38 (2001), 0.38 (2000), 0.38 (1999), 0.38 (1998)
Bahrain	Fiscal year	calendar year
Bahrain	Telephones - main lines in use	152,000 (1997)
Bahrain	Telephones - mobile cellular	58,543 (1997)
Bahrain	Telephone system	general assessment: modern system domestic: modern fiber-optic integrated services; digital network with rapidly growing use of mobile cellular telephones international: tropospheric scatter to Qatar and UAE; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia; submarine cable to Qatar, UAE, and Saudi Arabia; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat (1997)
Bahrain	Radio broadcast stations	AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998)
Bahrain	Television broadcast stations	4 (1997)
Bahrain	Internet country code	.bh
Bahrain	Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	1 (2000)
Bahrain	Internet users	140,200 (2002)
Bahrain	Railways	0 km
Bahrain	Highways	total: 3,261 km paved: 2,531 km unpaved: 730 km (2000)
Bahrain	Waterways	none
Bahrain	Pipelines	gas 20 km; oil 53 km (2003)
Bahrain	Ports and harbors	Manama, Mina' Salman, Sitrah
Bahrain	Merchant marine	total: 7 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 234,599 GRT/336,528 DWT ships by type: bulk 3, cargo 1, container 2, petroleum tanker 1, includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: Kuwait 1 (2002 est.)
Bahrain	Airports	4 (2002)
Bahrain	Airports - with paved runways	total: 3 over 3,047 m: 2 1524 to 2437 m: 1 (2002)
Bahrain	Airports - with unpaved runways	total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002)
Bahrain	Heliports	1 (2002)
Bahrain	Military branches	Bahrain Defense Forces (BDF) comprising Ground Force (includes Air Defense), Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Police Force, Amiri Guards, National Guard
Bahrain	Military manpower - military age	15 years of age (2003 est.)
Bahrain	Military manpower - availability	males age 15-49: 222,242 (2003 est.)
Bahrain	Military manpower - fit for military service	males age 15-49: 121,739 (2003 est.)
Bahrain	Military manpower - reaching military age annually	males: 6,126 (2003 est.)
Bahrain	Military expenditures - dollar figure	$526.2 million (FY01)
Bahrain	Military expenditures - percent of GDP	6.7% (FY01)
Bahrain	Disputes - international	none
Bahrain	Background	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.
Bahrain	Location	Middle East, archipelago in the Persian Gulf, east of Saudi Arabia
Bahrain	Geographic coordinates	26 00 N, 50 33 E
Bahrain	Map references	Middle East
Bahrain	Area	total: 665 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 665 sq km
Bahrain	Area - comparative	3.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Bahrain	Land boundaries	0 km
Bahrain	Coastline	161 km
Bahrain	Maritime claims	contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM continental shelf: extending to boundaries to be determined
Bahrain	Climate	arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers
Bahrain	Terrain	mostly low desert plain rising gently to low central escarpment
Bahrain	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: Jabal ad Dukhan 122 m
Bahrain	Natural resources	oil, associated and nonassociated natural gas, fish, pearls
Bahrain	Land use	arable land: 4.35% permanent crops: 4.35% other: 91.3% (1998 est.)
Bahrain	Irrigated land	50 sq km (1998 est.)
Bahrain	Natural hazards	periodic droughts; dust storms
Bahrain	Environment - current issues	desertification resulting from the degradation of limited arable land, periods of drought, and dust storms; coastal degradation (damage to coastlines, coral reefs, and sea vegetation) resulting from oil spills and other discharges from large tankers, oil refineries, and distribution stations; lack of freshwater resources, groundwater and seawater are the only sources for all water needs
Bahrain	Environment - international agreements	party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Bahrain	Geography - note	close to primary Middle Eastern petroleum sources; strategic location in Persian Gulf, which much of Western world's petroleum must transit to reach open ocean
Bahrain	Population	667,238 note: includes 235,108 non-nationals (July 2003 est.)
Bahrain	Age structure	0-14 years: 28.8% (male 97,294; female 94,930) 15-64 years: 68% (male 266,351; female 187,473) 65 years and over: 3.2% (male 10,807; female 10,383) (2003 est.)
Bahrain	Median age	total: 28.7 years male: 31.6 years female: 25.1 years (2002)
Bahrain	Population growth rate	1.61% (2003 est.)
Bahrain	Birth rate	19.02 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Bahrain	Death rate	3.99 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Bahrain	Net migration rate	1.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Bahrain	Sex ratio	at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.42 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.04 male(s)/female total population: 1.28 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Bahrain	Infant mortality rate	total: 18.59 deaths/1,000 live births female: 15.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 21.65 deaths/1,000 live births
Bahrain	Life expectancy at birth	total population: 73.72 years male: 71.28 years female: 76.24 years (2003 est.)
Bahrain	Total fertility rate	2.71 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Bahrain	HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate	0.3% (2001 est.)
Bahrain	HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS	less than 1,000
Bahrain	HIV/AIDS - deaths	NA
Bahrain	Nationality	noun: Bahraini(s) adjective: Bahraini
Bahrain	Ethnic groups	Bahraini 63%, Asian 19%, other Arab 10%, Iranian 8%
Bahrain	Religions	Shi'a Muslim 70%, Sunni Muslim 30%
Bahrain	Languages	Arabic, English, Farsi, Urdu
Bahrain	Literacy	definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 89.1% male: 91.9% female: 85% (2003 est.)
Bahrain	Country name	conventional long form: Kingdom of Bahrain conventional short form: Bahrain local short form: Al Bahrayn former: Dilmun local long form: Mamlakat al Bahrayn
Bahrain	Government type	constitutional hereditary monarchy
Bahrain	Capital	Manama
Bahrain	Administrative divisions	12 municipalities (manatiq, singular - mintaqah); Al Hadd, Al Manamah, Al Mintaqah al Gharbiyah, Al Mintaqah al Wusta, Al Mintaqah ash Shamaliyah, Al Muharraq, Ar Rifa' wa al Mintaqah al Janubiyah, Jidd Hafs, Madinat Hamad, Madinat 'Isa, Juzur Hawar, Sitrah note: all municipalities administered from Manama
Bahrain	Independence	15 August 1971 (from UK)
Bahrain	National holiday	National Day, 16 December (1971); note - 15 August 1971 is the date of independence from the UK, 16 December 1971 is the date of independence from British protection
Bahrain	Constitution	adopted late December 2000; Bahrani voters approved on 13-14 February 2001 a referendum on legislative changes (revised constitution calls for a partially elected legislature, a constitutional monarchy, and an independent judiciary)
Bahrain	Legal system	based on Islamic law and English common law
Bahrain	Suffrage	18 years of age; universal
Bahrain	Executive branch	chief of state: King HAMAD bin Isa Al Khalifa (since 6 March 1999); Heir Apparent Crown Prince SALMAN bin Hamad (son of the monarch, born 21 October 1969) head of government: Prime Minister KHALIFA bin Salman Al Khalifa (since NA 1971) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch
Bahrain	Legislative branch	bicameral Parliament consists of Shura Council (40 members appointed by the King) and House of Deputies (40 members directly elected to serve four-year terms) elections: House of Deputies - last held 31 October 2002 (next election to be held NA 2006) note: first elections since 7 December 1973; unicameral National Assembly dissolved 26 August 1975; National Action Charter created bicameral legislature on 23 December 2000; approved by referendum 14 February 2001; first legislative session of Parliament held on 25 December 2002 election results: House of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - independents 21, Sunni Islamists 9, other 10
Bahrain	Judicial branch	High Civil Appeals Court
Bahrain	Political parties and leaders	political parties prohibited but politically oriented societies are allowed
Bahrain	Political pressure groups and leaders	Shi'a activists fomented unrest sporadically in 1994-97, demanding the return of an elected National Assembly and an end to unemployment; several small, clandestine leftist and Islamic fundamentalist groups are active
Bahrain	International organization participation	ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDB, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Bahrain	Diplomatic representation in the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Khalifa bin Ali bin Rashid AL KHALIFA chancery: 3502 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: New York FAX: [1] (202) 362-2192 telephone: [1] (202) 342-0741
Bahrain	Diplomatic representation from the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Ronald E. NEUMANN embassy: Building #979, Road 3119 (next to Al-Ahli Sports Club), Block 321, Zinj District, Manama mailing address: American Embassy Manama, PSC 451, FPO AE 09834-5100; international mail: American Embassy, Box 26431, Manama telephone: [973] 273-300 FAX: [973] 272-594
Bahrain	Flag description	red with a white serrated band (five white points) on the hoist side; the five points represent the five pillars of Islam
Bahrain	Economy - overview	In Bahrain, petroleum production and refining account for about 60% of export receipts, 60% of government revenues, and 30% of GDP. With its highly developed communication and transport facilities, Bahrain is home to numerous multinational firms with business in the Gulf. Bahrain is dependent on Saudi Arabia for oil granted as aid. A large share of exports consists of petroleum products made from refining imported crude. Construction proceeds on several major industrial projects. Unemployment, especially among the young, and the depletion of oil and underground water resources are major long-term economic problems.
Bahrain	GDP	purchasing power parity - $9.91 billion (2002 est.)
Bahrain	GDP - real growth rate	2.9% (2002 est.)
Bahrain	GDP - per capita	purchasing power parity - $15,100 (2002 est.)
Bahrain	GDP - composition by sector	agriculture: 1% industry: 35% services: 64% (2001 est.)
Bahrain	Population below poverty line	NA%
Bahrain	Household income or consumption by percentage share	lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Bahrain	Inflation rate (consumer prices)	0.5% (2002 est.)
Bahrain	Labor force	295,000 note: 44% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (1998 est.)
Bahrain	Labor force - by occupation	industry, commerce, and service 79%, government 20%, agriculture 1% (1997 est.)
Bahrain	Unemployment rate	15% (1998 est.)
Bahrain	Budget	revenues: $1.8 billion expenditures: $2.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $700 million (2002 est.)
Bahrain	Industries	petroleum processing and refining, aluminum smelting, offshore banking, ship repairing; tourism
Bahrain	Industrial production growth rate	2% (2000 est.)
Bahrain	Electricity - production	6.257 billion kWh (2001)
Bahrain	Electricity - production by source	fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Bahrain	Electricity - consumption	5.819 billion kWh (2001)
Bahrain	Electricity - exports	0 kWh (2001)
Bahrain	Electricity - imports	0 kWh (2001)
Bahrain	Oil - production	43,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Bahrain	Oil - consumption	31,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Bahrain	Oil - exports	NA (2001)
Bahrain	Oil - imports	NA (2001)
Bahrain	Oil - proved reserves	62.28 million bbl (37257)
Bahrain	Natural gas - production	8.9 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Bahrain	Natural gas - consumption	8.9 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Bahrain	Natural gas - exports	0 cu m (2001 est.)
Bahrain	Natural gas - imports	0 cu m (2001 est.)
Bahrain	Natural gas - proved reserves	46 billion cu m (37257)
Bahrain	Agriculture - products	fruit, vegetables; poultry, dairy products; shrimp, fish
Bahrain	Exports	$5.8 billion (2002)
Bahrain	Exports - commodities	petroleum and petroleum products, aluminum, textiles
Bahrain	Exports - partners	US 4.5%, India 3.2%, Saudi Arabia 2.1% (2002)
Bahrain	Imports	$4.2 billion (2002)
Bahrain	Imports - commodities	crude oil, machinery, chemicals
Bahrain	Imports - partners	Saudi Arabia 30.1%, US 11.7%, Japan 7.1%, Germany 6.5%, UK 5.6% (2002)
Bahrain	Debt - external	$3.7 billion (2002)
Bahrain	Economic aid - recipient	$150 million; note - $50 million annually since 1992 from each of Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Kuwait (2002)
Bahrain	Currency	Bahraini dinar (BHD)
Bahrain	Currency code	BHD
Bahrain	Exchange rates	Bahraini dinars per US dollar - 0.38 (2002), 0.38 (2001), 0.38 (2000), 0.38 (1999), 0.38 (1998)
Bahrain	Fiscal year	calendar year
Bahrain	Telephones - main lines in use	152,000 (1997)
Bahrain	Telephones - mobile cellular	58,543 (1997)
Bahrain	Telephone system	general assessment: modern system domestic: modern fiber-optic integrated services; digital network with rapidly growing use of mobile cellular telephones international: tropospheric scatter to Qatar and UAE; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia; submarine cable to Qatar, UAE, and Saudi Arabia; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat (1997)
Bahrain	Radio broadcast stations	AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998)
Bahrain	Television broadcast stations	4 (1997)
Bahrain	Internet country code	.bh
Bahrain	Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	1 (2000)
Bahrain	Internet users	140,200 (2002)
Bahrain	Railways	0 km
Bahrain	Highways	total: 3,261 km paved: 2,531 km unpaved: 730 km (2000)
Bahrain	Waterways	none
Bahrain	Pipelines	gas 20 km; oil 53 km (2003)
Bahrain	Ports and harbors	Manama, Mina' Salman, Sitrah
Bahrain	Merchant marine	total: 7 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 234,599 GRT/336,528 DWT ships by type: bulk 3, cargo 1, container 2, petroleum tanker 1, includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: Kuwait 1 (2002 est.)
Bahrain	Airports	4 (2002)
Bahrain	Airports - with paved runways	total: 3 over 3,047 m: 2 1524 to 2437 m: 1 (2002)
Bahrain	Airports - with unpaved runways	total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002)
Bahrain	Heliports	1 (2002)
Bahrain	Military branches	Bahrain Defense Forces (BDF) comprising Ground Force (includes Air Defense), Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Police Force, Amiri Guards, National Guard
Bahrain	Military manpower - military age	15 years of age (2003 est.)
Bahrain	Military manpower - availability	males age 15-49: 222,242 (2003 est.)
Bahrain	Military manpower - fit for military service	males age 15-49: 121,739 (2003 est.)
Bahrain	Military manpower - reaching military age annually	males: 6,126 (2003 est.)
Bahrain	Military expenditures - dollar figure	$526.2 million (FY01)
Bahrain	Military expenditures - percent of GDP	6.7% (FY01)
Bahrain	Disputes - international	none
Baker Island	Background	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.
Baker Island	Location	Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and Australia
Baker Island	Geographic coordinates	0 13 N, 176 31 W
Baker Island	Map references	Oceania
Baker Island	Area	total: 1.4 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 1.4 sq km
Baker Island	Area - comparative	about 2.5 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Baker Island	Land boundaries	0 km
Baker Island	Coastline	4.8 km
Baker Island	Maritime claims	exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM
Baker Island	Climate	equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun
Baker Island	Terrain	low, nearly level coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef
Baker Island	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 8 m
Baker Island	Natural resources	guano (deposits worked until 1891), terrestrial and aquatic wildlife
Baker Island	Land use	arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.)
Baker Island	Irrigated land	0 sq km (1998 est.)
Baker Island	Natural hazards	the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard
Baker Island	Environment - current issues	no natural fresh water resources
Baker Island	Geography - note	treeless, sparse, and scattered vegetation consisting of grasses, prostrate vines, and low growing shrubs; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife
Baker Island	Population	uninhabited note: American civilians evacuated in 1942 after Japanese air and naval attacks during World War II; occupied by US military during World War II, but abandoned after the war; public entry is by special-use permit from US Fish and Wildlife Service only and generally restricted to scientists and educators; a cemetery and remnants of structures from early settlement are located near the middle of the west coast; visited annually by US Fish and Wildlife Service (July 2003 est.)
Baker Island	Country name	conventional long form: none conventional short form: Baker Island
Baker Island	Dependency status	unincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington, DC, by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge system
Baker Island	Legal system	the laws of the US, where applicable, apply
Baker Island	Flag description	the flag of the US is used
Baker Island	Economy - overview	no economic activity
Baker Island	Waterways	none
Baker Island	Ports and harbors	none; offshore anchorage only; note - there is one small boat landing area along the middle of the west coast
Baker Island	Airports	1 abandoned World War II runway of 1,665 m, completely covered with vegetation and unusable (2002)
Baker Island	Transportation - note	there is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast
Baker Island	Military - note	defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US Coast Guard
Baker Island	Disputes - international	none
Baker Island	Background	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.
Baker Island	Location	Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and Australia
Baker Island	Geographic coordinates	0 13 N, 176 31 W
Baker Island	Map references	Oceania
Baker Island	Area	total: 1.4 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 1.4 sq km
Baker Island	Area - comparative	about 2.5 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Baker Island	Land boundaries	0 km
Baker Island	Coastline	4.8 km
Baker Island	Maritime claims	exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM
Baker Island	Climate	equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun
Baker Island	Terrain	low, nearly level coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef
Baker Island	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 8 m
Baker Island	Natural resources	guano (deposits worked until 1891), terrestrial and aquatic wildlife
Baker Island	Land use	arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.)
Baker Island	Irrigated land	0 sq km (1998 est.)
Baker Island	Natural hazards	the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard
Baker Island	Environment - current issues	no natural fresh water resources
Baker Island	Geography - note	treeless, sparse, and scattered vegetation consisting of grasses, prostrate vines, and low growing shrubs; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife
Baker Island	Population	uninhabited note: American civilians evacuated in 1942 after Japanese air and naval attacks during World War II; occupied by US military during World War II, but abandoned after the war; public entry is by special-use permit from US Fish and Wildlife Service only and generally restricted to scientists and educators; a cemetery and remnants of structures from early settlement are located near the middle of the west coast; visited annually by US Fish and Wildlife Service (July 2003 est.)
Baker Island	Country name	conventional long form: none conventional short form: Baker Island
Baker Island	Dependency status	unincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington, DC, by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge system
Baker Island	Legal system	the laws of the US, where applicable, apply
Baker Island	Flag description	the flag of the US is used
Baker Island	Economy - overview	no economic activity
Baker Island	Waterways	none
Baker Island	Ports and harbors	none; offshore anchorage only; note - there is one small boat landing area along the middle of the west coast
Baker Island	Airports	1 abandoned World War II runway of 1,665 m, completely covered with vegetation and unusable (2002)
Baker Island	Transportation - note	there is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast
Baker Island	Military - note	defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US Coast Guard
Baker Island	Disputes - international	none
Bangladesh	Background	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.
Bangladesh	Location	Southern Asia, bordering the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and India
Bangladesh	Geographic coordinates	24 00 N, 90 00 E
Bangladesh	Map references	Asia
Bangladesh	Area	total: 144,000 sq km land: 133,910 sq km water: 10,090 sq km
Bangladesh	Area - comparative	slightly smaller than Iowa
Bangladesh	Land boundaries	total: 4,246 km border countries: Burma 193 km, India 4,053 km
Bangladesh	Coastline	580 km
Bangladesh	Maritime claims	contiguous zone: 18 NM territorial sea: 12 NM continental shelf: up to the outer limits of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 NM
Bangladesh	Climate	tropical; mild winter (October to March); hot, humid summer (March to June); humid, warm rainy monsoon (June to October)
Bangladesh	Terrain	mostly flat alluvial plain; hilly in southeast
Bangladesh	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Keokradong 1,230 m
Bangladesh	Natural resources	natural gas, arable land, timber, coal
Bangladesh	Land use	arable land: 60.7% permanent crops: 2.61% other: 36.69% (1998 est.)
Bangladesh	Irrigated land	38,440 sq km (1998 est.)
Bangladesh	Natural hazards	droughts, cyclones; much of the country routinely inundated during the summer monsoon season
Bangladesh	Environment - current issues	many people are landless and forced to live on and cultivate flood-prone land; water-borne diseases prevalent in surface water; water pollution, especially of fishing areas, results from the use of commercial pesticides; ground water contaminated by naturally occurring arsenic; intermittent water shortages because of falling water tables in the northern and central parts of the country; soil degradation and erosion; deforestation; severe overpopulation
Bangladesh	Environment - international agreements	party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Bangladesh	Geography - note	most of the country is situated on deltas of large rivers flowing from the Himalayas: the Ganges unites with the Jamuna (main channel of the Brahmaputra) and later joins the Meghna to eventually empty into the Bay of Bengal
Bangladesh	Population	138,448,210 (July 2003 est.)
Bangladesh	Age structure	0-14 years: 34.1% (male 24,255,300; female 23,007,632) 15-64 years: 62.5% (male 44,261,739; female 42,281,331) 65 years and over: 3.4% (male 2,506,606; female 2,135,602) (2003 est.)
Bangladesh	Median age	total: 21.2 years male: 21.2 years female: 21.1 years (2002)
Bangladesh	Population growth rate	2.06% (2003 est.)
Bangladesh	Birth rate	29.9 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Bangladesh	Death rate	8.63 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Bangladesh	Net migration rate	-0.72 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Bangladesh	Sex ratio	at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.17 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Bangladesh	Infant mortality rate	total: 66.08 deaths/1,000 live births female: 64.88 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 67.21 deaths/1,000 live births
Bangladesh	Life expectancy at birth	total population: 61.33 years male: 61.46 years female: 61.2 years (2003 est.)
Bangladesh	Total fertility rate	3.17 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Bangladesh	HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate	less than 0.1% (2001 est.)
Bangladesh	HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS	13,000 (2001 est.)
Bangladesh	HIV/AIDS - deaths	650 (2001 est.)
Bangladesh	Nationality	noun: Bangladeshi(s) adjective: Bangladeshi
Bangladesh	Ethnic groups	Bengali 98%, tribal groups, non-Bengali Muslims (1998)
Bangladesh	Religions	Muslim 83%, Hindu 16%, other 1% (1998)
Bangladesh	Languages	Bangla (official, also known as Bengali), English
Bangladesh	Literacy	definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 43.1% male: 53.9% female: 31.8% (2003 est.)
Bangladesh	Country name	conventional long form: People's Republic of Bangladesh conventional short form: Bangladesh former: East Pakistan
Bangladesh	Government type	parliamentary democracy
Bangladesh	Capital	Dhaka
Bangladesh	Administrative divisions	5 divisions; Barisal, Chittagong, Dhaka, Khulna, Rajshahi; note - there may be one additional division named Sylhet
Bangladesh	Independence	16 December 1971 (from West Pakistan); note - 26 March 1971 is the date of independence from West Pakistan, 16 December 1971 is known as Victory Day and commemorates the official creation of the state of Bangladesh
Bangladesh	National holiday	Independence Day, 26 March (1971); note - 26 March 1971 is the date of independence from West Pakistan, 16 December 1971 is Victory Day and commemorates the official creation of the state of Bangladesh
Bangladesh	Constitution	4 November 1972, effective 16 December 1972, suspended following coup of 24 March 1982, restored 10 November 1986, amended many times
Bangladesh	Legal system	based on English common law
Bangladesh	Suffrage	18 years of age; universal
Bangladesh	Executive branch	chief of state: President Iajuddin AHMED (since 6 September 2002); note - the president's duties are normally ceremonial, but with the 13th amendment to the constitution ("Caretaker Government Amendment"), the president's role becomes significant at times when Parliament is dissolved and a caretaker government is installed - at presidential direction - to supervise the elections head of government: Prime Minister Khaleda ZIA (since 10 October 2001) cabinet: Cabinet selected by the prime minister and appointed by the president elections: president elected by National Parliament for a five-year term; election scheduled for 16 September 2002 was not held since Iajuddin AHMED was the only presidential candidate; he was sworn in on 6 September 2002 (next election to be held by NA 2007); following legislative elections, the leader of the party that wins the most seats is usually appointed prime minister by the president election results: Iajuddin AHMED declared by the Election Commission elected unopposed as president; percent of National Parliament vote - NA%
Bangladesh	Legislative branch	unicameral National Parliament or Jatiya Sangsad; 300 seats elected by popular vote from single territorial constituencies (the constitutional amendment reserving 30 seats for women over and above the 300 regular parliament seats expired in May 2001); members serve five-year terms elections: last held 1 October 2001 (next to be held before October 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - BNP and alliance partners 46%, AL 42%; seats by party - BNP 191, AL 62, JI 18, JP (Ershad faction) 14, IOJ 2, JP (Naziur) 4, other 9; note - the election of October 2001 brought a majority BNP government aligned with three other smaller parties - Jamaat-i-Islami, Islami Oikya Jote, and Jatiya Party (Naziur)
Bangladesh	Judicial branch	Supreme Court (the chief justices and other judges are appointed by the president)
Bangladesh	Political parties and leaders	Awami League or AL [Sheikh HASINA]; Bangladesh Communist Party or BCP [Saifuddin Ahmed MANIK]; Bangladesh Nationalist Party or BNP [Khaleda ZIA, chairperson]; Islami Oikya Jote or IOJ [Mufti Fazlul Haq AMINI]; Jamaat-E-Islami or JI [Motiur Rahman NIZAMI]; Jatiya Party or JP (Ershad faction) [Hussain Mohammad ERSHAD]; Jatiya Party (Manzur faction) [Naziur Rahman MANZUR]
Bangladesh	Political pressure groups and leaders	NA
Bangladesh	International organization participation	AsDB, C, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OPCW, SAARC, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMISET, UNMOP, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Bangladesh	Diplomatic representation in the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Syed Hasan AHMAD consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York FAX: [1] (202) 244-5366 telephone: [1] (202) 244-0183 chancery: 3510 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008
Bangladesh	Diplomatic representation from the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Mary Ann PETERS embassy: Madani Avenue, Baridhara, Dhaka 1212 mailing address: G. P. O. Box 323, Dhaka 1000 telephone: [880] (2) 8824700 through 8824722 FAX: [880] (2) 8823744
Bangladesh	Flag description	green with a large red disk slightly to the hoist side of center; the red sun of freedom represents the blood shed to achieve independence; the green field symbolizes the lush countryside, and secondarily, the traditional color of Islam
Bangladesh	Economy - overview	Despite sustained domestic and international efforts to improve economic and demographic prospects, Bangladesh remains a poor, overpopulated, and ill-governed nation. Although half of GDP is generated through the service sector, nearly two-thirds of Bangladeshis are employed in the agriculture sector, with rice as the single-most-important product. Major impediments to growth include frequent cyclones and floods, inefficient state-owned enterprises, inadequate port facilities, a rapidly growing labor force that cannot be absorbed by agriculture, delays in exploiting energy resources (natural gas), insufficient power supplies, and slow implementation of economic reforms. Economic reform is stalled in many instances by political infighting and corruption at all levels of government. Progress also has been blocked by opposition from the bureaucracy, public sector unions, and other vested interest groups. The BNP government, led by Prime Minister Khaleda ZIA, has the parliamentary strength to push through needed reforms, but the party's political will to do so has been lacking in key areas.
Bangladesh	GDP	purchasing power parity - $238.2 billion (2002 est.)
Bangladesh	GDP - real growth rate	4.8% (2002 est.)
Bangladesh	GDP - per capita	purchasing power parity - $1,800 (2002 est.)
Bangladesh	GDP - composition by sector	agriculture: 35% industry: 19% services: 46% (2001 est.)
Bangladesh	Population below poverty line	35.6% (FY 95/96 est.)
Bangladesh	Household income or consumption by percentage share	lowest 10%: 3.9% highest 10%: 28.6% (1995-96 est.)
Bangladesh	Distribution of family income - Gini index	33.6 (FY 95/96)
Bangladesh	Inflation rate (consumer prices)	3.1% (2002 est.)
Bangladesh	Labor force	64.1 million note: extensive export of labor to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Oman, Qatar, and Malaysia; workers' remittances estimated at $1.71 billion in 1998-99 (1998)
Bangladesh	Labor force - by occupation	agriculture 63%, services 26%, industry 11% (FY 95/96)
Bangladesh	Unemployment rate	40% (includes underemployment) (2002 est.)
Bangladesh	Budget	revenues: $4.9 billion expenditures: $6.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY99/00 est.)
Bangladesh	Industries	cotton textiles, jute, garments, tea processing, paper newsprint, cement, chemical fertilizer, light engineering, sugar
Bangladesh	Industrial production growth rate	1.8% (2002 est.)
Bangladesh	Electricity - production	15.33 billion kWh (2001)
Bangladesh	Electricity - production by source	fossil fuel: 93.7% hydro: 6.3% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Bangladesh	Electricity - consumption	14.25 billion kWh (2001)
Bangladesh	Electricity - exports	0 kWh (2001)
Bangladesh	Electricity - imports	0 kWh (2001)
Bangladesh	Oil - production	3,581 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Bangladesh	Oil - consumption	71,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Bangladesh	Oil - exports	NA (2001)
Bangladesh	Oil - imports	NA (2001)
Bangladesh	Oil - proved reserves	28.45 million bbl (37257)
Bangladesh	Natural gas - production	9.9 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Bangladesh	Natural gas - consumption	9.9 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Bangladesh	Natural gas - exports	0 cu m (2001 est.)
Bangladesh	Natural gas - imports	0 cu m (2001 est.)
Bangladesh	Natural gas - proved reserves	150.3 billion cu m (37257)
Bangladesh	Agriculture - products	rice, jute, tea, wheat, sugarcane, potatoes, tobacco, pulses, oilseeds, spices, fruit; beef, milk, poultry
Bangladesh	Exports	$6.2 billion (2002)
Bangladesh	Exports - commodities	garments, jute and jute goods, leather, frozen fish and seafood (2001)
Bangladesh	Exports - partners	US 27.6%, Germany 10.4%, UK 9.8%, France 5.7%, Italy 4% (2002)
Bangladesh	Imports	$8.5 billion (2002)
Bangladesh	Imports - commodities	machinery and equipment, chemicals, iron and steel, textiles, foodstuffs, petroleum products, cement (2000)
Bangladesh	Imports - partners	India 14.6%, China 11.6%, Singapore 11.5%, Japan 7.6%, Hong Kong 5.4%, South Korea 4.3% (2002)
Bangladesh	Debt - external	$16.5 billion (2002)
Bangladesh	Economic aid - recipient	$1.575 billion (2000 est.)
Bangladesh	Currency	taka (BDT)
Bangladesh	Currency code	BDT
Bangladesh	Exchange rates	taka per US dollar - 57.89 (2002), 55.81 (2001), 52.14 (2000), 49.09 (1999), 46.91 (1998)
Bangladesh	Fiscal year	1 July - 30 June
Bangladesh	Telephones - main lines in use	500,000 (2000)
Bangladesh	Telephones - mobile cellular	283,000 (2000)
Bangladesh	Telephone system	general assessment: totally inadequate for a modern country domestic: modernizing; introducing digital systems; trunk systems include VHF and UHF microwave radio relay links, and some fiber-optic cable in cities international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Indian Ocean); international radiotelephone communications and landline service to neighboring countries (2000)
Bangladesh	Radio broadcast stations	AM 12, FM 12, shortwave 2 (1999)
Bangladesh	Television broadcast stations	15 (1999)
Bangladesh	Internet country code	.bd
Bangladesh	Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	10 (2000)
Bangladesh	Internet users	150,000 (2002)
Bangladesh	Railways	total: 2,706 km broad gauge: 884 km 1.676-m gauge narrow gauge: 1,822 km 1.000-m gauge (2002)
Bangladesh	Highways	total: 207,486 km paved: 19,773 km unpaved: 187,713 km (1999)
Bangladesh	Waterways	up to 8,046 km depending on season note: includes 3,058 km main cargo routes
Bangladesh	Pipelines	gas 2,016 km (2003)
Bangladesh	Ports and harbors	Chittagong, Dhaka, Mongla Port, Narayanganj
Bangladesh	Merchant marine	total: 40 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 314,437 GRT/436,465 DWT ships by type: bulk 2, cargo 23, container 11, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 2, refrigerated cargo 1 (2002 est.)
Bangladesh	Airports	18 (2002)
Bangladesh	Airports - with paved runways	total: 15 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 6 (2002)
Bangladesh	Airports - with unpaved runways	total: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2002)
Bangladesh	Military branches	Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, paramilitary forces (includes Bangladesh Rifles, Bangladesh Ansars, Village Defense Parties, Armed Police Battalions, National Cadet Corps)
Bangladesh	Military manpower - availability	males age 15-49: 38,436,912 (2003 est.)
Bangladesh	Military manpower - fit for military service	males age 15-49: 22,807,339 (2003 est.)
Bangladesh	Military expenditures - dollar figure	$559 million (FY96)
Bangladesh	Military expenditures - percent of GDP	1.8% (FY96)
Bangladesh	Disputes - international	discussions with India remain stalled to delimit a small section of river boundary, demarcate and fence the porous land boundary, exchange 162 miniscule enclaves, allocate divided villages, and stop illegal cross-border trade and violence; Bangladesh protests India's attempts to fence off high-traffic sections of the porous boundary; dispute with India over New Moore/South Talpatty Island in the Bay of Bengal prevents maritime boundary delimitation; Burmese Muslim refugees strain Bangladesh's meager resources
Bangladesh	Illicit drugs	transit country for illegal drugs produced in neighboring countries
Bangladesh	Background	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.
Bangladesh	Location	Southern Asia, bordering the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and India
Bangladesh	Geographic coordinates	24 00 N, 90 00 E
Bangladesh	Map references	Asia
Bangladesh	Area	total: 144,000 sq km land: 133,910 sq km water: 10,090 sq km
Bangladesh	Area - comparative	slightly smaller than Iowa
Bangladesh	Land boundaries	total: 4,246 km border countries: Burma 193 km, India 4,053 km
Bangladesh	Coastline	580 km
Bangladesh	Maritime claims	contiguous zone: 18 NM territorial sea: 12 NM continental shelf: up to the outer limits of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 NM
Bangladesh	Climate	tropical; mild winter (October to March); hot, humid summer (March to June); humid, warm rainy monsoon (June to October)
Bangladesh	Terrain	mostly flat alluvial plain; hilly in southeast
Bangladesh	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Keokradong 1,230 m
Bangladesh	Natural resources	natural gas, arable land, timber, coal
Bangladesh	Land use	arable land: 60.7% permanent crops: 2.61% other: 36.69% (1998 est.)
Bangladesh	Irrigated land	38,440 sq km (1998 est.)
Bangladesh	Natural hazards	droughts, cyclones; much of the country routinely inundated during the summer monsoon season
Bangladesh	Environment - current issues	many people are landless and forced to live on and cultivate flood-prone land; water-borne diseases prevalent in surface water; water pollution, especially of fishing areas, results from the use of commercial pesticides; ground water contaminated by naturally occurring arsenic; intermittent water shortages because of falling water tables in the northern and central parts of the country; soil degradation and erosion; deforestation; severe overpopulation
Bangladesh	Environment - international agreements	party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Bangladesh	Geography - note	most of the country is situated on deltas of large rivers flowing from the Himalayas: the Ganges unites with the Jamuna (main channel of the Brahmaputra) and later joins the Meghna to eventually empty into the Bay of Bengal
Bangladesh	Population	138,448,210 (July 2003 est.)
Bangladesh	Age structure	0-14 years: 34.1% (male 24,255,300; female 23,007,632) 15-64 years: 62.5% (male 44,261,739; female 42,281,331) 65 years and over: 3.4% (male 2,506,606; female 2,135,602) (2003 est.)
Bangladesh	Median age	total: 21.2 years male: 21.2 years female: 21.1 years (2002)
Bangladesh	Population growth rate	2.06% (2003 est.)
Bangladesh	Birth rate	29.9 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Bangladesh	Death rate	8.63 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Bangladesh	Net migration rate	-0.72 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Bangladesh	Sex ratio	at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.17 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Bangladesh	Infant mortality rate	total: 66.08 deaths/1,000 live births female: 64.88 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 67.21 deaths/1,000 live births
Bangladesh	Life expectancy at birth	total population: 61.33 years male: 61.46 years female: 61.2 years (2003 est.)
Bangladesh	Total fertility rate	3.17 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Bangladesh	HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate	less than 0.1% (2001 est.)
Bangladesh	HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS	13,000 (2001 est.)
Bangladesh	HIV/AIDS - deaths	650 (2001 est.)
Bangladesh	Nationality	noun: Bangladeshi(s) adjective: Bangladeshi
Bangladesh	Ethnic groups	Bengali 98%, tribal groups, non-Bengali Muslims (1998)
Bangladesh	Religions	Muslim 83%, Hindu 16%, other 1% (1998)
Bangladesh	Languages	Bangla (official, also known as Bengali), English
Bangladesh	Literacy	definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 43.1% male: 53.9% female: 31.8% (2003 est.)
Bangladesh	Country name	conventional long form: People's Republic of Bangladesh conventional short form: Bangladesh former: East Pakistan
Bangladesh	Government type	parliamentary democracy
Bangladesh	Capital	Dhaka
Bangladesh	Administrative divisions	5 divisions; Barisal, Chittagong, Dhaka, Khulna, Rajshahi; note - there may be one additional division named Sylhet
Bangladesh	Independence	16 December 1971 (from West Pakistan); note - 26 March 1971 is the date of independence from West Pakistan, 16 December 1971 is known as Victory Day and commemorates the official creation of the state of Bangladesh
Bangladesh	National holiday	Independence Day, 26 March (1971); note - 26 March 1971 is the date of independence from West Pakistan, 16 December 1971 is Victory Day and commemorates the official creation of the state of Bangladesh
Bangladesh	Constitution	4 November 1972, effective 16 December 1972, suspended following coup of 24 March 1982, restored 10 November 1986, amended many times
Bangladesh	Legal system	based on English common law
Bangladesh	Suffrage	18 years of age; universal
Bangladesh	Executive branch	chief of state: President Iajuddin AHMED (since 6 September 2002); note - the president's duties are normally ceremonial, but with the 13th amendment to the constitution ("Caretaker Government Amendment"), the president's role becomes significant at times when Parliament is dissolved and a caretaker government is installed - at presidential direction - to supervise the elections head of government: Prime Minister Khaleda ZIA (since 10 October 2001) cabinet: Cabinet selected by the prime minister and appointed by the president elections: president elected by National Parliament for a five-year term; election scheduled for 16 September 2002 was not held since Iajuddin AHMED was the only presidential candidate; he was sworn in on 6 September 2002 (next election to be held by NA 2007); following legislative elections, the leader of the party that wins the most seats is usually appointed prime minister by the president election results: Iajuddin AHMED declared by the Election Commission elected unopposed as president; percent of National Parliament vote - NA%
Bangladesh	Legislative branch	unicameral National Parliament or Jatiya Sangsad; 300 seats elected by popular vote from single territorial constituencies (the constitutional amendment reserving 30 seats for women over and above the 300 regular parliament seats expired in May 2001); members serve five-year terms elections: last held 1 October 2001 (next to be held before October 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - BNP and alliance partners 46%, AL 42%; seats by party - BNP 191, AL 62, JI 18, JP (Ershad faction) 14, IOJ 2, JP (Naziur) 4, other 9; note - the election of October 2001 brought a majority BNP government aligned with three other smaller parties - Jamaat-i-Islami, Islami Oikya Jote, and Jatiya Party (Naziur)
Bangladesh	Judicial branch	Supreme Court (the chief justices and other judges are appointed by the president)
Bangladesh	Political parties and leaders	Awami League or AL [Sheikh HASINA]; Bangladesh Communist Party or BCP [Saifuddin Ahmed MANIK]; Bangladesh Nationalist Party or BNP [Khaleda ZIA, chairperson]; Islami Oikya Jote or IOJ [Mufti Fazlul Haq AMINI]; Jamaat-E-Islami or JI [Motiur Rahman NIZAMI]; Jatiya Party or JP (Ershad faction) [Hussain Mohammad ERSHAD]; Jatiya Party (Manzur faction) [Naziur Rahman MANZUR]
Bangladesh	Political pressure groups and leaders	NA
Bangladesh	International organization participation	AsDB, C, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OPCW, SAARC, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMISET, UNMOP, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Bangladesh	Diplomatic representation in the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Syed Hasan AHMAD consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York FAX: [1] (202) 244-5366 telephone: [1] (202) 244-0183 chancery: 3510 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008
Bangladesh	Diplomatic representation from the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Mary Ann PETERS embassy: Madani Avenue, Baridhara, Dhaka 1212 mailing address: G. P. O. Box 323, Dhaka 1000 telephone: [880] (2) 8824700 through 8824722 FAX: [880] (2) 8823744
Bangladesh	Flag description	green with a large red disk slightly to the hoist side of center; the red sun of freedom represents the blood shed to achieve independence; the green field symbolizes the lush countryside, and secondarily, the traditional color of Islam
Bangladesh	Economy - overview	Despite sustained domestic and international efforts to improve economic and demographic prospects, Bangladesh remains a poor, overpopulated, and ill-governed nation. Although half of GDP is generated through the service sector, nearly two-thirds of Bangladeshis are employed in the agriculture sector, with rice as the single-most-important product. Major impediments to growth include frequent cyclones and floods, inefficient state-owned enterprises, inadequate port facilities, a rapidly growing labor force that cannot be absorbed by agriculture, delays in exploiting energy resources (natural gas), insufficient power supplies, and slow implementation of economic reforms. Economic reform is stalled in many instances by political infighting and corruption at all levels of government. Progress also has been blocked by opposition from the bureaucracy, public sector unions, and other vested interest groups. The BNP government, led by Prime Minister Khaleda ZIA, has the parliamentary strength to push through needed reforms, but the party's political will to do so has been lacking in key areas.
Bangladesh	GDP	purchasing power parity - $238.2 billion (2002 est.)
Bangladesh	GDP - real growth rate	4.8% (2002 est.)
Bangladesh	GDP - per capita	purchasing power parity - $1,800 (2002 est.)
Bangladesh	GDP - composition by sector	agriculture: 35% industry: 19% services: 46% (2001 est.)
Bangladesh	Population below poverty line	35.6% (FY 95/96 est.)
Bangladesh	Household income or consumption by percentage share	lowest 10%: 3.9% highest 10%: 28.6% (1995-96 est.)
Bangladesh	Distribution of family income - Gini index	33.6 (FY 95/96)
Bangladesh	Inflation rate (consumer prices)	3.1% (2002 est.)
Bangladesh	Labor force	64.1 million note: extensive export of labor to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Oman, Qatar, and Malaysia; workers' remittances estimated at $1.71 billion in 1998-99 (1998)
Bangladesh	Labor force - by occupation	agriculture 63%, services 26%, industry 11% (FY 95/96)
Bangladesh	Unemployment rate	40% (includes underemployment) (2002 est.)
Bangladesh	Budget	revenues: $4.9 billion expenditures: $6.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY99/00 est.)
Bangladesh	Industries	cotton textiles, jute, garments, tea processing, paper newsprint, cement, chemical fertilizer, light engineering, sugar
Bangladesh	Industrial production growth rate	1.8% (2002 est.)
Bangladesh	Electricity - production	15.33 billion kWh (2001)
Bangladesh	Electricity - production by source	fossil fuel: 93.7% hydro: 6.3% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Bangladesh	Electricity - consumption	14.25 billion kWh (2001)
Bangladesh	Electricity - exports	0 kWh (2001)
Bangladesh	Electricity - imports	0 kWh (2001)
Bangladesh	Oil - production	3,581 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Bangladesh	Oil - consumption	71,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Bangladesh	Oil - exports	NA (2001)
Bangladesh	Oil - imports	NA (2001)
Bangladesh	Oil - proved reserves	28.45 million bbl (37257)
Bangladesh	Natural gas - production	9.9 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Bangladesh	Natural gas - consumption	9.9 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Bangladesh	Natural gas - exports	0 cu m (2001 est.)
Bangladesh	Natural gas - imports	0 cu m (2001 est.)
Bangladesh	Natural gas - proved reserves	150.3 billion cu m (37257)
Bangladesh	Agriculture - products	rice, jute, tea, wheat, sugarcane, potatoes, tobacco, pulses, oilseeds, spices, fruit; beef, milk, poultry
Bangladesh	Exports	$6.2 billion (2002)
Bangladesh	Exports - commodities	garments, jute and jute goods, leather, frozen fish and seafood (2001)
Bangladesh	Exports - partners	US 27.6%, Germany 10.4%, UK 9.8%, France 5.7%, Italy 4% (2002)
Bangladesh	Imports	$8.5 billion (2002)
Bangladesh	Imports - commodities	machinery and equipment, chemicals, iron and steel, textiles, foodstuffs, petroleum products, cement (2000)
Bangladesh	Imports - partners	India 14.6%, China 11.6%, Singapore 11.5%, Japan 7.6%, Hong Kong 5.4%, South Korea 4.3% (2002)
Bangladesh	Debt - external	$16.5 billion (2002)
Bangladesh	Economic aid - recipient	$1.575 billion (2000 est.)
Bangladesh	Currency	taka (BDT)
Bangladesh	Currency code	BDT
Bangladesh	Exchange rates	taka per US dollar - 57.89 (2002), 55.81 (2001), 52.14 (2000), 49.09 (1999), 46.91 (1998)
Bangladesh	Fiscal year	1 July - 30 June
Bangladesh	Telephones - main lines in use	500,000 (2000)
Bangladesh	Telephones - mobile cellular	283,000 (2000)
Bangladesh	Telephone system	general assessment: totally inadequate for a modern country domestic: modernizing; introducing digital systems; trunk systems include VHF and UHF microwave radio relay links, and some fiber-optic cable in cities international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Indian Ocean); international radiotelephone communications and landline service to neighboring countries (2000)
Bangladesh	Radio broadcast stations	AM 12, FM 12, shortwave 2 (1999)
Bangladesh	Television broadcast stations	15 (1999)
Bangladesh	Internet country code	.bd
Bangladesh	Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	10 (2000)
Bangladesh	Internet users	150,000 (2002)
Bangladesh	Railways	total: 2,706 km broad gauge: 884 km 1.676-m gauge narrow gauge: 1,822 km 1.000-m gauge (2002)
Bangladesh	Highways	total: 207,486 km paved: 19,773 km unpaved: 187,713 km (1999)
Bangladesh	Waterways	up to 8,046 km depending on season note: includes 3,058 km main cargo routes
Bangladesh	Pipelines	gas 2,016 km (2003)
Bangladesh	Ports and harbors	Chittagong, Dhaka, Mongla Port, Narayanganj
Bangladesh	Merchant marine	total: 40 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 314,437 GRT/436,465 DWT ships by type: bulk 2, cargo 23, container 11, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 2, refrigerated cargo 1 (2002 est.)
Bangladesh	Airports	18 (2002)
Bangladesh	Airports - with paved runways	total: 15 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 6 (2002)
Bangladesh	Airports - with unpaved runways	total: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2002)
Bangladesh	Military branches	Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, paramilitary forces (includes Bangladesh Rifles, Bangladesh Ansars, Village Defense Parties, Armed Police Battalions, National Cadet Corps)
Bangladesh	Military manpower - availability	males age 15-49: 38,436,912 (2003 est.)
Bangladesh	Military manpower - fit for military service	males age 15-49: 22,807,339 (2003 est.)
Bangladesh	Military expenditures - dollar figure	$559 million (FY96)
Bangladesh	Military expenditures - percent of GDP	1.8% (FY96)
Bangladesh	Disputes - international	discussions with India remain stalled to delimit a small section of river boundary, demarcate and fence the porous land boundary, exchange 162 miniscule enclaves, allocate divided villages, and stop illegal cross-border trade and violence; Bangladesh protests India's attempts to fence off high-traffic sections of the porous boundary; dispute with India over New Moore/South Talpatty Island in the Bay of Bengal prevents maritime boundary delimitation; Burmese Muslim refugees strain Bangladesh's meager resources
Bangladesh	Illicit drugs	transit country for illegal drugs produced in neighboring countries
Barbados	Background	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.
Barbados	Location	Caribbean, island in the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela
Barbados	Geographic coordinates	13 10 N, 59 32 W
Barbados	Map references	Central America and the Caribbean
Barbados	Area	total: 431 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 431 sq km
Barbados	Area - comparative	2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Barbados	Land boundaries	0 km
Barbados	Coastline	97 km
Barbados	Maritime claims	exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM
Barbados	Climate	tropical; rainy season (June to October)
Barbados	Terrain	relatively flat; rises gently to central highland region
Barbados	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Hillaby 336 m
Barbados	Natural resources	petroleum, fish, natural gas
Barbados	Land use	arable land: 37.21% permanent crops: 2.33% other: 60.46% (1998 est.)
Barbados	Irrigated land	10 sq km (1998 est.)
Barbados	Natural hazards	infrequent hurricanes; periodic landslides
Barbados	Environment - current issues	pollution of coastal waters from waste disposal by ships; soil erosion; illegal solid waste disposal threatens contamination of aquifers
Barbados	Environment - international agreements	party to: Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity
Barbados	Geography - note	easternmost Caribbean island
Barbados	Population	277,264 (July 2003 est.)
Barbados	Age structure	0-14 years: 21.2% (male 29,621; female 29,207) 15-64 years: 70% (male 94,840; female 99,230) 65 years and over: 8.8% (male 9,355; female 15,011) (2003 est.)
Barbados	Median age	total: 33.3 years male: 32.2 years female: 34.4 years (2002)
Barbados	Population growth rate	0.38% (2003 est.)
Barbados	Birth rate	13.15 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Barbados	Death rate	9.02 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Barbados	Net migration rate	-0.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Barbados	Sex ratio	at birth: 1.01 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Barbados	Infant mortality rate	total: 12.72 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.04 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 14.39 deaths/1,000 live births
Barbados	Life expectancy at birth	total population: 71.84 years male: 69.56 years female: 74.14 years (2003 est.)
Barbados	Total fertility rate	1.65 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Barbados	HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate	1.2% - note: no country specific models provided (2001 est.)
Barbados	HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS	1,800 (2001 est.)
Barbados	HIV/AIDS - deaths	250 (2001 est.)
Barbados	Nationality	noun: Barbadian(s) or Bajan (colloquial) adjective: Barbadian or Bajan (colloquial)
Barbados	Ethnic groups	black 90%, white 4%, Asian and mixed 6%
Barbados	Religions	Protestant 67% (Anglican 40%, Pentecostal 8%, Methodist 7%, other 12%), Roman Catholic 4%, none 17%, other 12%
Barbados	Languages	English
Barbados	Literacy	definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 97.4% male: 98% female: 96.8% (1995 est.)
Barbados	Country name	conventional long form: none conventional short form: Barbados
Barbados	Government type	parliamentary democracy; independent sovereign state within the Commonwealth
Barbados	Capital	Bridgetown
Barbados	Administrative divisions	11 parishes; Christ Church, Saint Andrew, Saint George, Saint James, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint Lucy, Saint Michael, Saint Peter, Saint Philip, Saint Thomas; note - the city of Bridgetown may be given parish status
Barbados	Independence	30 November 1966 (from UK)
Barbados	National holiday	Independence Day, 30 November (1966)
Barbados	Constitution	30 November 1966
Barbados	Legal system	English common law; no judicial review of legislative acts
Barbados	Suffrage	18 years of age; universal
Barbados	Executive branch	chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Clifford Straughn HUSBANDS (since 1 June 1996) head of government: Prime Minister Owen Seymour ARTHUR (since 6 September 1994); Deputy Prime Minister Mia MOTTLEY (since 26 May 2003) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; the prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister
Barbados	Legislative branch	bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (21-member body appointed by the governor general) and the House of Assembly (30 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Assembly - last held 21 May 2003 (next to be held by May 2008) election results: House of Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - BLP 23, DLP 7
Barbados	Judicial branch	Supreme Court of Judicature (judges are appointed by the Service Commissions for the Judicial and Legal Services)
Barbados	Political parties and leaders	Barbados Labor Party or BLP [Owen ARTHUR]; Democratic Labor Party or DLP [Clyde Mascoll]
Barbados	Political pressure groups and leaders	Barbados Workers Union [Leroy TROTMAN]; Clement Payne Labor Union [David COMMISSIONG]; People's Progressive Movement [Eric SEALY]; Worker's Party of Barbados [Dr. George BELLE]
Barbados	International organization participation	ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Barbados	Diplomatic representation in the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Michael Ian KING consulate(s): Los Angeles consulate(s) general: Miami and New York FAX: [1] (202) 332-7467 telephone: [1] (202) 339-9201 chancery: 2144 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Barbados	Diplomatic representation from the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Earl N. PHILLIPS, Jr. embassy: Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Building, Broad Street, Bridgetown; (courier) ALICO Building-Cheapside, Bridgetown mailing address: P. O. Box 302, Bridgetown; FPO AA 34055 telephone: [1] (246) 436-4950 FAX: [1] (246) 429-5246, 429-3379
Barbados	Flag description	three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold, and blue with the head of a black trident centered on the gold band; the trident head represents independence and a break with the past (the colonial coat of arms contained a complete trident)
Barbados	Economy - overview	Historically, the Barbadian economy had been dependent on sugarcane cultivation and related activities, but production in recent years has diversified into manufacturing and tourism. Offshore finance and information services are important foreign exchange earners, and there is also a light-manufacturing sector. The government continues its efforts to reduce unemployment, to encourage direct foreign investment, and to privatize remaining state-owned enterprises. The economy contracted in 2002 mainly due to a 3% decline in tourism. Growth should be positive in 2003, the precise level largely dependent on economic conditions in the US and Europe.
Barbados	GDP	purchasing power parity - $4.153 billion (2002 est.)
Barbados	GDP - real growth rate	-2.8% (2002 est.)
Barbados	GDP - per capita	purchasing power parity - $15,000 (2002 est.)
Barbados	GDP - composition by sector	agriculture: 6% industry: 16% services: 78% (2000 est.)
Barbados	Population below poverty line	NA%
Barbados	Household income or consumption by percentage share	lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Barbados	Inflation rate (consumer prices)	-0.6% (2002 est.)
Barbados	Labor force	128,500 (2001 est.)
Barbados	Labor force - by occupation	services 75%, industry 15%, agriculture 10% (1996 est.)
Barbados	Unemployment rate	10% (2001 est.)
Barbados	Budget	revenues: $847 million (including grants) expenditures: $886 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)
Barbados	Industries	tourism, sugar, light manufacturing, component assembly for export
Barbados	Industrial production growth rate	-3.2% (2000 est.)
Barbados	Electricity - production	780 million kWh (2001)
Barbados	Electricity - production by source	fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Barbados	Electricity - consumption	725.4 million kWh (2001)
Barbados	Electricity - exports	0 kWh (2001)
Barbados	Electricity - imports	0 kWh (2001)
Barbados	Oil - production	1,271 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Barbados	Oil - consumption	10,900 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Barbados	Oil - exports	NA (2001)
Barbados	Oil - imports	NA (2001)
Barbados	Oil - proved reserves	1.254 million bbl (37257)
Barbados	Natural gas - production	29.17 million cu m (2001 est.)
Barbados	Natural gas - consumption	29.17 million cu m (2001 est.)
Barbados	Natural gas - exports	0 cu m (2001 est.)
Barbados	Natural gas - imports	0 cu m (2001 est.)
Barbados	Natural gas - proved reserves	70.79 million cu m (37257)
Barbados	Agriculture - products	sugarcane, vegetables, cotton
Barbados	Exports	$227 million (2002)
Barbados	Exports - commodities	sugar and molasses, rum, other foods and beverages, chemicals, electrical components
Barbados	Exports - partners	US 14.7%, Trinidad and Tobago 12%, UK 10.6%, Jamaica 6.2%, Saint Lucia 4.7% (2002)
Barbados	Imports	$987 million (2002)
Barbados	Imports - commodities	consumer goods, machinery, foodstuffs, construction materials, chemicals, fuel, electrical components
Barbados	Imports - partners	US 41.1%, Trinidad and Tobago 17%, UK 7.3%, Japan 4.2% (2002)
Barbados	Debt - external	$692 million (2002)
Barbados	Economic aid - recipient	$9.1 million (1995)
Barbados	Currency	Barbadian dollar (BBD)
Barbados	Currency code	BBD
Barbados	Exchange rates	Barbadian dollars per US dollar - 2 (2002), 2 (2001), 2 (2000), 2 (1999), 2 (1998)
Barbados	Fiscal year	1 April - 31 March
Barbados	Telephones - main lines in use	108,000 (1997)
Barbados	Telephones - mobile cellular	8,013 (1997)
Barbados	Telephone system	general assessment: NA domestic: island-wide automatic telephone system international: satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); tropospheric scatter to Trinidad and Saint Lucia
Barbados	Radio broadcast stations	AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998)
Barbados	Television broadcast stations	1 (plus two cable channels) (1997)
Barbados	Internet country code	.bb
Barbados	Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	19 (2000)
Barbados	Internet users	6,000 (2000)
Barbados	Railways	0 km
Barbados	Highways	total: 1,793 km paved: 1,719 km unpaved: 74 km (1999)
Barbados	Waterways	none
Barbados	Ports and harbors	Bridgetown, Speightstown (Port Charles Marina)
Barbados	Merchant marine	total: 34 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 284,222 GRT/439,810 DWT note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Australia 1, The Bahamas 1, Canada 4, Germany 1, Greece 2, Hong Kong 7, Norway 7, UK 18 (2002 est.) ships by type: bulk 8, cargo 22, combination bulk 1, container 1, petroleum tanker 2
Barbados	Airports	1 (2002)
Barbados	Airports - with paved runways	total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2002)
Barbados	Military branches	Royal Barbados Defense Force (including Ground Forces and Coast Guard), Royal Barbados Police Force
Barbados	Military manpower - availability	males age 15-49: 77,862 (2003 est.)
Barbados	Military manpower - fit for military service	males age 15-49: 53,282 (2003 est.)
Barbados	Military expenditures - dollar figure	$NA
Barbados	Military expenditures - percent of GDP	NA%
Barbados	Disputes - international	none
Barbados	Illicit drugs	one of many Caribbean transshipment points for narcotics bound for Europe and the US; offshore financial center
Barbados	Background	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.
Barbados	Location	Caribbean, island in the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela
Barbados	Geographic coordinates	13 10 N, 59 32 W
Barbados	Map references	Central America and the Caribbean
Barbados	Area	total: 431 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 431 sq km
Barbados	Area - comparative	2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Barbados	Land boundaries	0 km
Barbados	Coastline	97 km
Barbados	Maritime claims	exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM
Barbados	Climate	tropical; rainy season (June to October)
Barbados	Terrain	relatively flat; rises gently to central highland region
Barbados	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Hillaby 336 m
Barbados	Natural resources	petroleum, fish, natural gas
Barbados	Land use	arable land: 37.21% permanent crops: 2.33% other: 60.46% (1998 est.)
Barbados	Irrigated land	10 sq km (1998 est.)
Barbados	Natural hazards	infrequent hurricanes; periodic landslides
Barbados	Environment - current issues	pollution of coastal waters from waste disposal by ships; soil erosion; illegal solid waste disposal threatens contamination of aquifers
Barbados	Environment - international agreements	party to: Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity
Barbados	Geography - note	easternmost Caribbean island
Barbados	Population	277,264 (July 2003 est.)
Barbados	Age structure	0-14 years: 21.2% (male 29,621; female 29,207) 15-64 years: 70% (male 94,840; female 99,230) 65 years and over: 8.8% (male 9,355; female 15,011) (2003 est.)
Barbados	Median age	total: 33.3 years male: 32.2 years female: 34.4 years (2002)
Barbados	Population growth rate	0.38% (2003 est.)
Barbados	Birth rate	13.15 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Barbados	Death rate	9.02 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Barbados	Net migration rate	-0.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Barbados	Sex ratio	at birth: 1.01 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Barbados	Infant mortality rate	total: 12.72 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.04 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 14.39 deaths/1,000 live births
Barbados	Life expectancy at birth	total population: 71.84 years male: 69.56 years female: 74.14 years (2003 est.)
Barbados	Total fertility rate	1.65 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Barbados	HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate	1.2% - note: no country specific models provided (2001 est.)
Barbados	HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS	1,800 (2001 est.)
Barbados	HIV/AIDS - deaths	250 (2001 est.)
Barbados	Nationality	noun: Barbadian(s) or Bajan (colloquial) adjective: Barbadian or Bajan (colloquial)
Barbados	Ethnic groups	black 90%, white 4%, Asian and mixed 6%
Barbados	Religions	Protestant 67% (Anglican 40%, Pentecostal 8%, Methodist 7%, other 12%), Roman Catholic 4%, none 17%, other 12%
Barbados	Languages	English
Barbados	Literacy	definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 97.4% male: 98% female: 96.8% (1995 est.)
Barbados	Country name	conventional long form: none conventional short form: Barbados
Barbados	Government type	parliamentary democracy; independent sovereign state within the Commonwealth
Barbados	Capital	Bridgetown
Barbados	Administrative divisions	11 parishes; Christ Church, Saint Andrew, Saint George, Saint James, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint Lucy, Saint Michael, Saint Peter, Saint Philip, Saint Thomas; note - the city of Bridgetown may be given parish status
Barbados	Independence	30 November 1966 (from UK)
Barbados	National holiday	Independence Day, 30 November (1966)
Barbados	Constitution	30 November 1966
Barbados	Legal system	English common law; no judicial review of legislative acts
Barbados	Suffrage	18 years of age; universal
Barbados	Executive branch	chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Clifford Straughn HUSBANDS (since 1 June 1996) head of government: Prime Minister Owen Seymour ARTHUR (since 6 September 1994); Deputy Prime Minister Mia MOTTLEY (since 26 May 2003) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; the prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister
Barbados	Legislative branch	bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (21-member body appointed by the governor general) and the House of Assembly (30 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Assembly - last held 21 May 2003 (next to be held by May 2008) election results: House of Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - BLP 23, DLP 7
Barbados	Judicial branch	Supreme Court of Judicature (judges are appointed by the Service Commissions for the Judicial and Legal Services)
Barbados	Political parties and leaders	Barbados Labor Party or BLP [Owen ARTHUR]; Democratic Labor Party or DLP [Clyde Mascoll]
Barbados	Political pressure groups and leaders	Barbados Workers Union [Leroy TROTMAN]; Clement Payne Labor Union [David COMMISSIONG]; People's Progressive Movement [Eric SEALY]; Worker's Party of Barbados [Dr. George BELLE]
Barbados	International organization participation	ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Barbados	Diplomatic representation in the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Michael Ian KING consulate(s): Los Angeles consulate(s) general: Miami and New York FAX: [1] (202) 332-7467 telephone: [1] (202) 339-9201 chancery: 2144 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Barbados	Diplomatic representation from the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Earl N. PHILLIPS, Jr. embassy: Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Building, Broad Street, Bridgetown; (courier) ALICO Building-Cheapside, Bridgetown mailing address: P. O. Box 302, Bridgetown; FPO AA 34055 telephone: [1] (246) 436-4950 FAX: [1] (246) 429-5246, 429-3379
Barbados	Flag description	three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold, and blue with the head of a black trident centered on the gold band; the trident head represents independence and a break with the past (the colonial coat of arms contained a complete trident)
Barbados	Economy - overview	Historically, the Barbadian economy had been dependent on sugarcane cultivation and related activities, but production in recent years has diversified into manufacturing and tourism. Offshore finance and information services are important foreign exchange earners, and there is also a light-manufacturing sector. The government continues its efforts to reduce unemployment, to encourage direct foreign investment, and to privatize remaining state-owned enterprises. The economy contracted in 2002 mainly due to a 3% decline in tourism. Growth should be positive in 2003, the precise level largely dependent on economic conditions in the US and Europe.
Barbados	GDP	purchasing power parity - $4.153 billion (2002 est.)
Barbados	GDP - real growth rate	-2.8% (2002 est.)
Barbados	GDP - per capita	purchasing power parity - $15,000 (2002 est.)
Barbados	GDP - composition by sector	agriculture: 6% industry: 16% services: 78% (2000 est.)
Barbados	Population below poverty line	NA%
Barbados	Household income or consumption by percentage share	lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Barbados	Inflation rate (consumer prices)	-0.6% (2002 est.)
Barbados	Labor force	128,500 (2001 est.)
Barbados	Labor force - by occupation	services 75%, industry 15%, agriculture 10% (1996 est.)
Barbados	Unemployment rate	10% (2001 est.)
Barbados	Budget	revenues: $847 million (including grants) expenditures: $886 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)
Barbados	Industries	tourism, sugar, light manufacturing, component assembly for export
Barbados	Industrial production growth rate	-3.2% (2000 est.)
Barbados	Electricity - production	780 million kWh (2001)
Barbados	Electricity - production by source	fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Barbados	Electricity - consumption	725.4 million kWh (2001)
Barbados	Electricity - exports	0 kWh (2001)
Barbados	Electricity - imports	0 kWh (2001)
Barbados	Oil - production	1,271 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Barbados	Oil - consumption	10,900 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Barbados	Oil - exports	NA (2001)
Barbados	Oil - imports	NA (2001)
Barbados	Oil - proved reserves	1.254 million bbl (37257)
Barbados	Natural gas - production	29.17 million cu m (2001 est.)
Barbados	Natural gas - consumption	29.17 million cu m (2001 est.)
Barbados	Natural gas - exports	0 cu m (2001 est.)
Barbados	Natural gas - imports	0 cu m (2001 est.)
Barbados	Natural gas - proved reserves	70.79 million cu m (37257)
Barbados	Agriculture - products	sugarcane, vegetables, cotton
Barbados	Exports	$227 million (2002)
Barbados	Exports - commodities	sugar and molasses, rum, other foods and beverages, chemicals, electrical components
Barbados	Exports - partners	US 14.7%, Trinidad and Tobago 12%, UK 10.6%, Jamaica 6.2%, Saint Lucia 4.7% (2002)
Barbados	Imports	$987 million (2002)
Barbados	Imports - commodities	consumer goods, machinery, foodstuffs, construction materials, chemicals, fuel, electrical components
Barbados	Imports - partners	US 41.1%, Trinidad and Tobago 17%, UK 7.3%, Japan 4.2% (2002)
Barbados	Debt - external	$692 million (2002)
Barbados	Economic aid - recipient	$9.1 million (1995)
Barbados	Currency	Barbadian dollar (BBD)
Barbados	Currency code	BBD
Barbados	Exchange rates	Barbadian dollars per US dollar - 2 (2002), 2 (2001), 2 (2000), 2 (1999), 2 (1998)
Barbados	Fiscal year	1 April - 31 March
Barbados	Telephones - main lines in use	108,000 (1997)
Barbados	Telephones - mobile cellular	8,013 (1997)
Barbados	Telephone system	general assessment: NA domestic: island-wide automatic telephone system international: satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); tropospheric scatter to Trinidad and Saint Lucia
Barbados	Radio broadcast stations	AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998)
Barbados	Television broadcast stations	1 (plus two cable channels) (1997)
Barbados	Internet country code	.bb
Barbados	Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	19 (2000)
Barbados	Internet users	6,000 (2000)
Barbados	Railways	0 km
Barbados	Highways	total: 1,793 km paved: 1,719 km unpaved: 74 km (1999)
Barbados	Waterways	none
Barbados	Ports and harbors	Bridgetown, Speightstown (Port Charles Marina)
Barbados	Merchant marine	total: 34 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 284,222 GRT/439,810 DWT note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Australia 1, The Bahamas 1, Canada 4, Germany 1, Greece 2, Hong Kong 7, Norway 7, UK 18 (2002 est.) ships by type: bulk 8, cargo 22, combination bulk 1, container 1, petroleum tanker 2
Barbados	Airports	1 (2002)
Barbados	Airports - with paved runways	total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2002)
Barbados	Military branches	Royal Barbados Defense Force (including Ground Forces and Coast Guard), Royal Barbados Police Force
Barbados	Military manpower - availability	males age 15-49: 77,862 (2003 est.)
Barbados	Military manpower - fit for military service	males age 15-49: 53,282 (2003 est.)
Barbados	Military expenditures - dollar figure	$NA
Barbados	Military expenditures - percent of GDP	NA%
Barbados	Disputes - international	none
Barbados	Illicit drugs	one of many Caribbean transshipment points for narcotics bound for Europe and the US; offshore financial center
Bassas da India	Background	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.
Bassas da India	Location	Southern Africa, islands in the southern Mozambique Channel, about one-half of the way from Madagascar to Mozambique
Bassas da India	Geographic coordinates	21 30 S, 39 50 E
Bassas da India	Map references	Africa
Bassas da India	Area	total: 0.2 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 0.2 sq km
Bassas da India	Area - comparative	about one-third the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Bassas da India	Land boundaries	0 km
Bassas da India	Coastline	35.2 km
Bassas da India	Maritime claims	exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM
Bassas da India	Climate	tropical
Bassas da India	Terrain	volcanic rock
Bassas da India	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 2.4 m
Bassas da India	Natural resources	none
Bassas da India	Land use	arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all rock) (1998 est.)
Bassas da India	Irrigated land	0 sq km (1998 est.)
Bassas da India	Natural hazards	maritime hazard since it is usually under water during high tide and surrounded by reefs; subject to periodic cyclones
Bassas da India	Environment - current issues	NA
Bassas da India	Geography - note	the islands emerge from a circular reef that sits atop a long-extinct, submerged volcano
Bassas da India	Population	uninhabited (July 2003 est.)
Bassas da India	Country name	conventional long form: none conventional short form: Bassas da India
Bassas da India	Dependency status	possession of France; administered by a high commissioner of the Republic, resident in Reunion
Bassas da India	Legal system	the laws of France, where applicable, apply
Bassas da India	Flag description	the flag of France is used
Bassas da India	Economy - overview	no economic activity
Bassas da India	Waterways	none
Bassas da India	Ports and harbors	none; offshore anchorage only
Bassas da India	Military - note	defense is the responsibility of France
Bassas da India	Disputes - international	claimed by Madagascar
Bassas da India	Background	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.
Bassas da India	Location	Southern Africa, islands in the southern Mozambique Channel, about one-half of the way from Madagascar to Mozambique
Bassas da India	Geographic coordinates	21 30 S, 39 50 E
Bassas da India	Map references	Africa
Bassas da India	Area	total: 0.2 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 0.2 sq km
Bassas da India	Area - comparative	about one-third the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Bassas da India	Land boundaries	0 km
Bassas da India	Coastline	35.2 km
Bassas da India	Maritime claims	exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM
Bassas da India	Climate	tropical
Bassas da India	Terrain	volcanic rock
Bassas da India	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 2.4 m
Bassas da India	Natural resources	none
Bassas da India	Land use	arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all rock) (1998 est.)
Bassas da India	Irrigated land	0 sq km (1998 est.)
Bassas da India	Natural hazards	maritime hazard since it is usually under water during high tide and surrounded by reefs; subject to periodic cyclones
Bassas da India	Environment - current issues	NA
Bassas da India	Geography - note	the islands emerge from a circular reef that sits atop a long-extinct, submerged volcano
Bassas da India	Population	uninhabited (July 2003 est.)
Bassas da India	Country name	conventional long form: none conventional short form: Bassas da India
Bassas da India	Dependency status	possession of France; administered by a high commissioner of the Republic, resident in Reunion
Bassas da India	Legal system	the laws of France, where applicable, apply
Bassas da India	Flag description	the flag of France is used
Bassas da India	Economy - overview	no economic activity
Bassas da India	Waterways	none
Bassas da India	Ports and harbors	none; offshore anchorage only
Bassas da India	Military - note	defense is the responsibility of France
Bassas da India	Disputes - international	claimed by Madagascar
Belarus	Background	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.
Belarus	Location	Eastern Europe, east of Poland
Belarus	Geographic coordinates	53 00 N, 28 00 E
Belarus	Map references	Europe
Belarus	Area	total: 207,600 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 207,600 sq km
Belarus	Area - comparative	slightly smaller than Kansas
Belarus	Land boundaries	total: 2,900 km border countries: Latvia 141 km, Lithuania 502 km, Poland 407 km, Russia 959 km, Ukraine 891 km
Belarus	Coastline	0 km (landlocked)
Belarus	Maritime claims	none (landlocked)
Belarus	Climate	cold winters, cool and moist summers; transitional between continental and maritime
Belarus	Terrain	generally flat and contains much marshland
Belarus	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Nyoman River 90 m highest point: Dzyarzhynskaya Hara 346 m
Belarus	Natural resources	forests, peat deposits, small quantities of oil and natural gas, granite, dolomitic limestone, marl, chalk, sand, gravel, clay
Belarus	Land use	arable land: 29.76% permanent crops: 0.69% other: 69.55% (1998 est.)
Belarus	Irrigated land	1,150 sq km (1998 est.)
Belarus	Natural hazards	NA
Belarus	Environment - current issues	soil pollution from pesticide use; southern part of the country contaminated with fallout from 1986 nuclear reactor accident at Chornobyl' in northern Ukraine
Belarus	Environment - international agreements	party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Belarus	Geography - note	landlocked; glacial scouring accounts for the flatness of Belarusian terrain and for its 11,000 lakes; the country is geologically well endowed with extensive deposits of granite, dolomitic limestone, marl, chalk, sand, gravel, and clay
Belarus	Population	10,322,151 (July 2003 est.)
Belarus	Age structure	0-14 years: 16.8% (male 885,265; female 848,516) 15-64 years: 68.9% (male 3,456,769; female 3,652,766) 65 years and over: 14.3% (male 490,529; female 988,306) (2003 est.)
Belarus	Median age	total: 36.7 years male: 34.1 years female: 39.3 years (2002)
Belarus	Population growth rate	-0.12% (2003 est.)
Belarus	Birth rate	10.18 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Belarus	Death rate	14.05 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Belarus	Net migration rate	2.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Belarus	Sex ratio	at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.5 male(s)/female total population: 0.88 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Belarus	Infant mortality rate	total: 13.87 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.56 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 15.13 deaths/1,000 live births
Belarus	Life expectancy at birth	total population: 68.43 years male: 62.54 years female: 74.6 years (2003 est.)
Belarus	Total fertility rate	1.34 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Belarus	HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate	0.3% (2001 est.)
Belarus	HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS	15,000 (2001 est.)
Belarus	HIV/AIDS - deaths	1,000 (2001 est.)
Belarus	Nationality	noun: Belarusian(s) adjective: Belarusian
Belarus	Ethnic groups	Belarusian 81.2%, Russian 11.4%, Polish, Ukrainian, and other 7.4%
Belarus	Religions	Eastern Orthodox 80%, other (including Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, and Muslim) 20% (1997 est.)
Belarus	Languages	Belarusian, Russian, other
Belarus	Literacy	definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.6% male: 99.8% female: 99.5% (2003 est.)
Belarus	Country name	conventional long form: Republic of Belarus conventional short form: Belarus local short form: none former: Belorussian (Byelorussian) Soviet Socialist Republic local long form: Respublika Byelarus'
Belarus	Government type	republic
Belarus	Capital	Minsk
Belarus	Administrative divisions	6 voblastsi (singular - voblasts') and one municipality* (harady, singular - horad); Brestskaya (Brest), Homyel'skaya (Homyel'), Horad Minsk*, Hrodzyenskaya (Hrodna), Mahilyowskaya (Mahilyow), Minskaya, Vitsyebskaya (Vitsyebsk); note - when using a place name with the adjectival ending 'skaya,' the word voblasts' should be added to the place name note: voblasti have the administrative center name following in parentheses
Belarus	Independence	25 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)
Belarus	National holiday	Independence Day, 3 July (1944); note - 3 July 1944 was the date Minsk was liberated from German troops, 25 August 1991 was the date of independence from the Soviet Union
Belarus	Constitution	30 March 1994; revised by national referendum of 24 November 1996 giving the presidency greatly expanded powers and became effective 27 November 1996
Belarus	Legal system	based on civil law system
Belarus	Suffrage	18 years of age; universal
Belarus	Executive branch	chief of state: President Aleksandr LUKASHENKO (since 20 July 1994) head of government: Prime Minister Sergei SIDORSKY (acting; since 10 July 2003); Deputy Prime Ministers Andrei KOBYAKOV (since 13 March 2000), Sergei SIDORSKY (since 24 September 2001), Vladimir DRAZHIN (since 24 September 2001), Roman VNUCHKO (since 10 July 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers election results: Aleksandr LUKASHENKO reelected president; percent of vote - Aleksandr LUKASHENKO 75.6%, Vladimir GONCHARIK 15.4% elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; first election took place 23 June and 10 July 1994; according to the 1994 constitution, the next election should have been held in 1999, however LUKASHENKO extended his term to 2001 via a November 1996 referendum; new election held 9 September 2001 (next election to be held by September 2006); prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president
Belarus	Legislative branch	bicameral Parliament or Natsionalnoye Sobranie consists of the Council of the Republic or Soviet Respubliki (64 seats; 56 members elected by regional councils and 8 members appointed by the president, all for 4-year terms) and the Chamber of Representatives or Palata Pretsaviteley (110 seats; members elected by universal adult suffrage to serve 4-year terms) election results: party affiliation data unavailable; under present political conditions party designations are meaningless elections: last held October 2000 (next to be held NA 2004)
Belarus	Judicial branch	Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president); Constitutional Court (half of the judges appointed by the president and half appointed by the Chamber of Representatives)
Belarus	Political parties and leaders	Agrarian Party or AP [Mikhail SHIMANSKY]; Belarusian Communist Party or KPB [Viktor CHIKIN, chairman]; Belarusian Ecological Green Party (merger of Belarusian Ecological Party and Green Party of Belarus) [leader NA]; Belarusian Patriotic Movement (Belarusian Patriotic Party) or BPR [Anatoliy BARANKEVICH, chairman]; Belarusian Popular Front or BNF [Vintsuk VYACHORKA]; Belarusian Social-Democrat Party or SDBP [Nikolay STATKEVICH, chairman]; Belarusian Social-Democratic Party or Hromada [Stanislav SHUSHKEVICH, chairman]; Belarusian Socialist Party [Vyacheslav KUZNETSOV]; Civic Accord Bloc (United Civic Party) or CAB [Anatol LIABEDZKA]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDPB [Sergei GAYDUKEVICH, chairman]; Party of Communists Belarusian or PKB [Sergei KALYAKIN, chairman]; Republican Party of Labor and Justice or RPPS [Anatoliy NETYLKIN, chairman]; Social-Democrat Party of Popular Accord or PPA [Leanid SECHKA]; Women's Party or "Nadezhda" [Valentina POLEVIKOVA, chairperson]
Belarus	Political pressure groups and leaders	NA
Belarus	International organization participation	CEI, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NAM, NAM (observer), NSG, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer)
Belarus	Diplomatic representation in the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Mikhail KHVOSTOV chancery: 1619 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 consulate(s) general: New York FAX: [1] (202) 986-1805 telephone: [1] (202) 986-1604
Belarus	Diplomatic representation from the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Michael G. KOZAK embassy: 46 Starovilenskaya St., Minsk 220002 mailing address: PSC 78, Box B Minsk, APO 09723 telephone: [375] (17) 210-12-83 FAX: [375] (17) 234-7853
Belarus	Flag description	red horizontal band (top) and green horizontal band one-half the width of the red band; a white vertical stripe on the hoist side bears a Belarusian national ornament in red
Belarus	Economy - overview	Belarus has seen little structural reform since 1995, when President LUKASHENKO launched the country on the path of "market socialism." In keeping with this policy, LUKASHENKO reimposed administrative controls over prices and currency exchange rates and expanded the state's right to intervene in the management of private enterprise. In addition to the burdens imposed by high inflation and persistent trade deficits, businesses have been subject to pressure on the part of central and local governments, e.g., arbitrary changes in regulations, numerous rigorous inspections, retroactive application of new business regulations, and arrests of "disruptive" businessmen and factory owners. A wide range of redistributive policies has helped those at the bottom of the ladder. Close relations with Russia, possibly leading to reunion, color the pattern of economic developments. For the time being, Belarus remains self-isolated from the West and its open-market economies.
Belarus	GDP	purchasing power parity - $90.19 billion (2002 est.)
Belarus	GDP - real growth rate	4.7% (2002 est.)
Belarus	GDP - per capita	purchasing power parity - $8,700 (2002 est.)
Belarus	GDP - composition by sector	agriculture: 15% industry: 40% services: 45% (2002 est.)
Belarus	Population below poverty line	22% (1995 est.)
Belarus	Household income or consumption by percentage share	lowest 10%: 5.1% highest 10%: 20% (1998)
Belarus	Distribution of family income - Gini index	21.7 (1998)
Belarus	Inflation rate (consumer prices)	42.8% (2002 est.)
Belarus	Labor force	4.8 million (2000)
Belarus	Labor force - by occupation	industry and construction NA%, agriculture and forestry NA%, services NA%
Belarus	Unemployment rate	2.1% officially registered unemployed (December 2000); large number of underemployed workers
Belarus	Budget	revenues: $4 billion expenditures: $4.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $180 million (1997 est.)
Belarus	Industries	metal-cutting machine tools, tractors, trucks, earthmovers, motorcycles, television sets, chemical fibers, fertilizer, textiles, radios, refrigerators
Belarus	Industrial production growth rate	2.5% (2002 est.)
Belarus	Electricity - production	24.4 billion kWh (2001)
Belarus	Electricity - production by source	fossil fuel: 99.5% hydro: 0.1% other: 0.4% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Belarus	Electricity - consumption	26.69 billion kWh (2001)
Belarus	Electricity - exports	300 million kWh (2001)
Belarus	Electricity - imports	4.3 billion kWh (2001)
Belarus	Oil - production	37,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Belarus	Oil - consumption	230,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Belarus	Oil - exports	NA (2001)
Belarus	Oil - imports	NA (2001)
Belarus	Natural gas - production	200 million cu m (2001 est.)
Belarus	Natural gas - consumption	18 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Belarus	Natural gas - exports	0 cu m (2001 est.)
Belarus	Natural gas - imports	17.8 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Belarus	Agriculture - products	grain, potatoes, vegetables, sugar beets, flax; beef, milk
Belarus	Exports	$7.7 billion f.o.b. (2002)
Belarus	Exports - commodities	machinery and equipment, mineral products, chemicals, metals; textiles, foodstuffs
Belarus	Exports - partners	Russia 50.8%, Latvia 7.3%, Ukraine 6.3%, Lithuania 4.1%, Germany 4.1% (2002)
Belarus	Imports	$8.8 billion f.o.b. (2002)
Belarus	Imports - commodities	mineral products, machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs, metals
Belarus	Imports - partners	Russia 68.2%, Germany 9.4%, Ukraine 3.2% (2002)
Belarus	Debt - external	$851 million (2001 est.)
Belarus	Economic aid - recipient	$194.3 million (1995)
Belarus	Currency	Belarusian ruble (BYB/BYR)
Belarus	Currency code	BYB/BYR
Belarus	Exchange rates	Belarusian rubles per US dollar - NA (2002), 1,390 (2001), 876.75 (2000), 248.8 (1999), 46.13 (1998)
Belarus	Fiscal year	calendar year
Belarus	Telephones - main lines in use	2.313 million (1997)
Belarus	Telephones - mobile cellular	8,167 (1997)
Belarus	Telephone system	general assessment: the Ministry of Telecommunications controls all telecommunications through its carrier (a joint stock company) Beltelcom which is a monopoly domestic: local - Minsk has a digital metropolitan network and a cellular NMT-450 network; waiting lists for telephones are long; local service outside Minsk is neglected and poor; intercity - Belarus has a partly developed fiber-optic backbone system presently serving at least 13 major cities (1998); Belarus's fiber optics form synchronous digital hierarchy rings through other countries' systems; an inadequate analog system remains operational international: Belarus is a member of the Trans-European Line (TEL), Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic line, and has access to the Trans-Siberia Line (TSL); three fiber-optic segments provide connectivity to Latvia, Poland, Russia, and Ukraine; worldwide service is available to Belarus through this infrastructure; additional analog lines to Russia; Intelsat, Eutelsat, and Intersputnik earth stations
Belarus	Radio broadcast stations	AM 28, FM 37, shortwave 11 (1998)
Belarus	Television broadcast stations	47 (plus 27 repeaters) (1995)
Belarus	Internet country code	.by
Belarus	Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	23 (2002)
Belarus	Internet users	422,000 (2002)
Belarus	Railways	total: 5,523 km broad gauge: 5,523 km 1.520-m gauge (875 km electrified) (2002)
Belarus	Highways	total: 74,385 km paved: 66,203 km unpaved: 8,182 km (2000)
Belarus	Waterways	NA km; note - Belarus has extensive and widely used canal and river systems
Belarus	Pipelines	gas 4,519 km; oil 1,811 km; refined products 1,686 km (2003)
Belarus	Ports and harbors	Mazyr
Belarus	Airports	124 (2002)
Belarus	Airports - with paved runways	total: 28 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 21 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 under 914 m: 1 (2002)
Belarus	Airports - with unpaved runways	total: 96 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 14 under 914 m: 67 (2002)
Belarus	Military branches	Army, Air Force (including air defense), Interior Ministry Troops, Border Guards
Belarus	Military manpower - military age	18 years of age (2003 est.)
Belarus	Military manpower - availability	males age 15-49: 2,756,572 (2003 est.)
Belarus	Military manpower - fit for military service	males age 15-49: 2,158,875 (2003 est.)
Belarus	Military manpower - reaching military age annually	males: 86,654 (2003 est.)
Belarus	Military expenditures - dollar figure	$176.1 million (FY02)
Belarus	Military expenditures - percent of GDP	1.4% (FY02)
Belarus	Disputes - international	1997 boundary treaty with Ukraine remains unratified over unresolved financial claims, preventing demarcation and encouraging illegal border crossing; boundaries with Latvia and Lithuania remain undemarcated despite European Union financial support
Belarus	Illicit drugs	limited cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis, mostly for the domestic market; transshipment point for illicit drugs to and via Russia, and to the Baltics and Western Europe; lax money-laundering and banking regulations
Belarus	Background	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.
Belarus	Location	Eastern Europe, east of Poland
Belarus	Geographic coordinates	53 00 N, 28 00 E
Belarus	Map references	Europe
Belarus	Area	total: 207,600 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 207,600 sq km
Belarus	Area - comparative	slightly smaller than Kansas
Belarus	Land boundaries	total: 2,900 km border countries: Latvia 141 km, Lithuania 502 km, Poland 407 km, Russia 959 km, Ukraine 891 km
Belarus	Coastline	0 km (landlocked)
Belarus	Maritime claims	none (landlocked)
Belarus	Climate	cold winters, cool and moist summers; transitional between continental and maritime
Belarus	Terrain	generally flat and contains much marshland
Belarus	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Nyoman River 90 m highest point: Dzyarzhynskaya Hara 346 m
Belarus	Natural resources	forests, peat deposits, small quantities of oil and natural gas, granite, dolomitic limestone, marl, chalk, sand, gravel, clay
Belarus	Land use	arable land: 29.76% permanent crops: 0.69% other: 69.55% (1998 est.)
Belarus	Irrigated land	1,150 sq km (1998 est.)
Belarus	Natural hazards	NA
Belarus	Environment - current issues	soil pollution from pesticide use; southern part of the country contaminated with fallout from 1986 nuclear reactor accident at Chornobyl' in northern Ukraine
Belarus	Environment - international agreements	party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Belarus	Geography - note	landlocked; glacial scouring accounts for the flatness of Belarusian terrain and for its 11,000 lakes; the country is geologically well endowed with extensive deposits of granite, dolomitic limestone, marl, chalk, sand, gravel, and clay
Belarus	Population	10,322,151 (July 2003 est.)
Belarus	Age structure	0-14 years: 16.8% (male 885,265; female 848,516) 15-64 years: 68.9% (male 3,456,769; female 3,652,766) 65 years and over: 14.3% (male 490,529; female 988,306) (2003 est.)
Belarus	Median age	total: 36.7 years male: 34.1 years female: 39.3 years (2002)
Belarus	Population growth rate	-0.12% (2003 est.)
Belarus	Birth rate	10.18 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Belarus	Death rate	14.05 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Belarus	Net migration rate	2.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Belarus	Sex ratio	at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.5 male(s)/female total population: 0.88 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Belarus	Infant mortality rate	total: 13.87 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.56 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 15.13 deaths/1,000 live births
Belarus	Life expectancy at birth	total population: 68.43 years male: 62.54 years female: 74.6 years (2003 est.)
Belarus	Total fertility rate	1.34 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Belarus	HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate	0.3% (2001 est.)
Belarus	HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS	15,000 (2001 est.)
Belarus	HIV/AIDS - deaths	1,000 (2001 est.)
Belarus	Nationality	noun: Belarusian(s) adjective: Belarusian
Belarus	Ethnic groups	Belarusian 81.2%, Russian 11.4%, Polish, Ukrainian, and other 7.4%
Belarus	Religions	Eastern Orthodox 80%, other (including Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, and Muslim) 20% (1997 est.)
Belarus	Languages	Belarusian, Russian, other
Belarus	Literacy	definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.6% male: 99.8% female: 99.5% (2003 est.)
Belarus	Country name	conventional long form: Republic of Belarus conventional short form: Belarus local short form: none former: Belorussian (Byelorussian) Soviet Socialist Republic local long form: Respublika Byelarus'
Belarus	Government type	republic
Belarus	Capital	Minsk
Belarus	Administrative divisions	6 voblastsi (singular - voblasts') and one municipality* (harady, singular - horad); Brestskaya (Brest), Homyel'skaya (Homyel'), Horad Minsk*, Hrodzyenskaya (Hrodna), Mahilyowskaya (Mahilyow), Minskaya, Vitsyebskaya (Vitsyebsk); note - when using a place name with the adjectival ending 'skaya,' the word voblasts' should be added to the place name note: voblasti have the administrative center name following in parentheses
Belarus	Independence	25 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)
Belarus	National holiday	Independence Day, 3 July (1944); note - 3 July 1944 was the date Minsk was liberated from German troops, 25 August 1991 was the date of independence from the Soviet Union
Belarus	Constitution	30 March 1994; revised by national referendum of 24 November 1996 giving the presidency greatly expanded powers and became effective 27 November 1996
Belarus	Legal system	based on civil law system
Belarus	Suffrage	18 years of age; universal
Belarus	Executive branch	chief of state: President Aleksandr LUKASHENKO (since 20 July 1994) head of government: Prime Minister Sergei SIDORSKY (acting; since 10 July 2003); Deputy Prime Ministers Andrei KOBYAKOV (since 13 March 2000), Sergei SIDORSKY (since 24 September 2001), Vladimir DRAZHIN (since 24 September 2001), Roman VNUCHKO (since 10 July 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers election results: Aleksandr LUKASHENKO reelected president; percent of vote - Aleksandr LUKASHENKO 75.6%, Vladimir GONCHARIK 15.4% elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; first election took place 23 June and 10 July 1994; according to the 1994 constitution, the next election should have been held in 1999, however LUKASHENKO extended his term to 2001 via a November 1996 referendum; new election held 9 September 2001 (next election to be held by September 2006); prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president
Belarus	Legislative branch	bicameral Parliament or Natsionalnoye Sobranie consists of the Council of the Republic or Soviet Respubliki (64 seats; 56 members elected by regional councils and 8 members appointed by the president, all for 4-year terms) and the Chamber of Representatives or Palata Pretsaviteley (110 seats; members elected by universal adult suffrage to serve 4-year terms) election results: party affiliation data unavailable; under present political conditions party designations are meaningless elections: last held October 2000 (next to be held NA 2004)
Belarus	Judicial branch	Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president); Constitutional Court (half of the judges appointed by the president and half appointed by the Chamber of Representatives)
Belarus	Political parties and leaders	Agrarian Party or AP [Mikhail SHIMANSKY]; Belarusian Communist Party or KPB [Viktor CHIKIN, chairman]; Belarusian Ecological Green Party (merger of Belarusian Ecological Party and Green Party of Belarus) [leader NA]; Belarusian Patriotic Movement (Belarusian Patriotic Party) or BPR [Anatoliy BARANKEVICH, chairman]; Belarusian Popular Front or BNF [Vintsuk VYACHORKA]; Belarusian Social-Democrat Party or SDBP [Nikolay STATKEVICH, chairman]; Belarusian Social-Democratic Party or Hromada [Stanislav SHUSHKEVICH, chairman]; Belarusian Socialist Party [Vyacheslav KUZNETSOV]; Civic Accord Bloc (United Civic Party) or CAB [Anatol LIABEDZKA]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDPB [Sergei GAYDUKEVICH, chairman]; Party of Communists Belarusian or PKB [Sergei KALYAKIN, chairman]; Republican Party of Labor and Justice or RPPS [Anatoliy NETYLKIN, chairman]; Social-Democrat Party of Popular Accord or PPA [Leanid SECHKA]; Women's Party or "Nadezhda" [Valentina POLEVIKOVA, chairperson]
Belarus	Political pressure groups and leaders	NA
Belarus	International organization participation	CEI, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NAM, NAM (observer), NSG, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer)
Belarus	Diplomatic representation in the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Mikhail KHVOSTOV chancery: 1619 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 consulate(s) general: New York FAX: [1] (202) 986-1805 telephone: [1] (202) 986-1604
Belarus	Diplomatic representation from the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Michael G. KOZAK embassy: 46 Starovilenskaya St., Minsk 220002 mailing address: PSC 78, Box B Minsk, APO 09723 telephone: [375] (17) 210-12-83 FAX: [375] (17) 234-7853
Belarus	Flag description	red horizontal band (top) and green horizontal band one-half the width of the red band; a white vertical stripe on the hoist side bears a Belarusian national ornament in red
Belarus	Economy - overview	Belarus has seen little structural reform since 1995, when President LUKASHENKO launched the country on the path of "market socialism." In keeping with this policy, LUKASHENKO reimposed administrative controls over prices and currency exchange rates and expanded the state's right to intervene in the management of private enterprise. In addition to the burdens imposed by high inflation and persistent trade deficits, businesses have been subject to pressure on the part of central and local governments, e.g., arbitrary changes in regulations, numerous rigorous inspections, retroactive application of new business regulations, and arrests of "disruptive" businessmen and factory owners. A wide range of redistributive policies has helped those at the bottom of the ladder. Close relations with Russia, possibly leading to reunion, color the pattern of economic developments. For the time being, Belarus remains self-isolated from the West and its open-market economies.
Belarus	GDP	purchasing power parity - $90.19 billion (2002 est.)
Belarus	GDP - real growth rate	4.7% (2002 est.)
Belarus	GDP - per capita	purchasing power parity - $8,700 (2002 est.)
Belarus	GDP - composition by sector	agriculture: 15% industry: 40% services: 45% (2002 est.)
Belarus	Population below poverty line	22% (1995 est.)
Belarus	Household income or consumption by percentage share	lowest 10%: 5.1% highest 10%: 20% (1998)
Belarus	Distribution of family income - Gini index	21.7 (1998)
Belarus	Inflation rate (consumer prices)	42.8% (2002 est.)
Belarus	Labor force	4.8 million (2000)
Belarus	Labor force - by occupation	industry and construction NA%, agriculture and forestry NA%, services NA%
Belarus	Unemployment rate	2.1% officially registered unemployed (December 2000); large number of underemployed workers
Belarus	Budget	revenues: $4 billion expenditures: $4.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $180 million (1997 est.)
Belarus	Industries	metal-cutting machine tools, tractors, trucks, earthmovers, motorcycles, television sets, chemical fibers, fertilizer, textiles, radios, refrigerators
Belarus	Industrial production growth rate	2.5% (2002 est.)
Belarus	Electricity - production	24.4 billion kWh (2001)
Belarus	Electricity - production by source	fossil fuel: 99.5% hydro: 0.1% other: 0.4% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Belarus	Electricity - consumption	26.69 billion kWh (2001)
Belarus	Electricity - exports	300 million kWh (2001)
Belarus	Electricity - imports	4.3 billion kWh (2001)
Belarus	Oil - production	37,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Belarus	Oil - consumption	230,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Belarus	Oil - exports	NA (2001)
Belarus	Oil - imports	NA (2001)
Belarus	Natural gas - production	200 million cu m (2001 est.)
Belarus	Natural gas - consumption	18 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Belarus	Natural gas - exports	0 cu m (2001 est.)
Belarus	Natural gas - imports	17.8 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Belarus	Agriculture - products	grain, potatoes, vegetables, sugar beets, flax; beef, milk
Belarus	Exports	$7.7 billion f.o.b. (2002)
Belarus	Exports - commodities	machinery and equipment, mineral products, chemicals, metals; textiles, foodstuffs
Belarus	Exports - partners	Russia 50.8%, Latvia 7.3%, Ukraine 6.3%, Lithuania 4.1%, Germany 4.1% (2002)
Belarus	Imports	$8.8 billion f.o.b. (2002)
Belarus	Imports - commodities	mineral products, machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs, metals
Belarus	Imports - partners	Russia 68.2%, Germany 9.4%, Ukraine 3.2% (2002)
Belarus	Debt - external	$851 million (2001 est.)
Belarus	Economic aid - recipient	$194.3 million (1995)
Belarus	Currency	Belarusian ruble (BYB/BYR)
Belarus	Currency code	BYB/BYR
Belarus	Exchange rates	Belarusian rubles per US dollar - NA (2002), 1,390 (2001), 876.75 (2000), 248.8 (1999), 46.13 (1998)
Belarus	Fiscal year	calendar year
Belarus	Telephones - main lines in use	2.313 million (1997)
Belarus	Telephones - mobile cellular	8,167 (1997)
Belarus	Telephone system	general assessment: the Ministry of Telecommunications controls all telecommunications through its carrier (a joint stock company) Beltelcom which is a monopoly domestic: local - Minsk has a digital metropolitan network and a cellular NMT-450 network; waiting lists for telephones are long; local service outside Minsk is neglected and poor; intercity - Belarus has a partly developed fiber-optic backbone system presently serving at least 13 major cities (1998); Belarus's fiber optics form synchronous digital hierarchy rings through other countries' systems; an inadequate analog system remains operational international: Belarus is a member of the Trans-European Line (TEL), Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic line, and has access to the Trans-Siberia Line (TSL); three fiber-optic segments provide connectivity to Latvia, Poland, Russia, and Ukraine; worldwide service is available to Belarus through this infrastructure; additional analog lines to Russia; Intelsat, Eutelsat, and Intersputnik earth stations
Belarus	Radio broadcast stations	AM 28, FM 37, shortwave 11 (1998)
Belarus	Television broadcast stations	47 (plus 27 repeaters) (1995)
Belarus	Internet country code	.by
Belarus	Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	23 (2002)
Belarus	Internet users	422,000 (2002)
Belarus	Railways	total: 5,523 km broad gauge: 5,523 km 1.520-m gauge (875 km electrified) (2002)
Belarus	Highways	total: 74,385 km paved: 66,203 km unpaved: 8,182 km (2000)
Belarus	Waterways	NA km; note - Belarus has extensive and widely used canal and river systems
Belarus	Pipelines	gas 4,519 km; oil 1,811 km; refined products 1,686 km (2003)
Belarus	Ports and harbors	Mazyr
Belarus	Airports	124 (2002)
Belarus	Airports - with paved runways	total: 28 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 21 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 under 914 m: 1 (2002)
Belarus	Airports - with unpaved runways	total: 96 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 14 under 914 m: 67 (2002)
Belarus	Military branches	Army, Air Force (including air defense), Interior Ministry Troops, Border Guards
Belarus	Military manpower - military age	18 years of age (2003 est.)
Belarus	Military manpower - availability	males age 15-49: 2,756,572 (2003 est.)
Belarus	Military manpower - fit for military service	males age 15-49: 2,158,875 (2003 est.)
Belarus	Military manpower - reaching military age annually	males: 86,654 (2003 est.)
Belarus	Military expenditures - dollar figure	$176.1 million (FY02)
Belarus	Military expenditures - percent of GDP	1.4% (FY02)
Belarus	Disputes - international	1997 boundary treaty with Ukraine remains unratified over unresolved financial claims, preventing demarcation and encouraging illegal border crossing; boundaries with Latvia and Lithuania remain undemarcated despite European Union financial support
Belarus	Illicit drugs	limited cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis, mostly for the domestic market; transshipment point for illicit drugs to and via Russia, and to the Baltics and Western Europe; lax money-laundering and banking regulations
Belgium	Background	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.
Belgium	Location	Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between France and the Netherlands
Belgium	Geographic coordinates	50 50 N, 4 00 E
Belgium	Map references	Europe
Belgium	Area	total: 30,510 sq km land: 30,230 sq km water: 280 sq km
Belgium	Area - comparative	about the size of Maryland
Belgium	Land boundaries	total: 1,385 km border countries: France 620 km, Germany 167 km, Luxembourg 148 km, Netherlands 450 km
Belgium	Coastline	66 km
Belgium	Maritime claims	continental shelf: median line with neighbors territorial sea: 12 NM exclusive economic zone: median line with neighbors (extends about 68 km from coast)
Belgium	Climate	temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy
Belgium	Terrain	flat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills, rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast
Belgium	Elevation extremes	lowest point: North Sea 0 m highest point: Signal de Botrange 694 m
Belgium	Natural resources	coal, natural gas
Belgium	Land use	arable land: 25% permanent crops: 0% note: includes Luxembourg (1998 est.) other: 75%
Belgium	Irrigated land	40 sq km (includes Luxembourg) (1998 est.)
Belgium	Natural hazards	flooding is a threat in areas of reclaimed coastal land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes
Belgium	Environment - current issues	the environment is exposed to intense pressures from human activities: urbanization, dense transportation network, industry, extensive animal breeding and crop cultivation; air and water pollution also have repercussions for neighboring countries; uncertainties regarding federal and regional responsibilities (now resolved) have slowed progress in tackling environmental challenges
Belgium	Environment - international agreements	party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants
Belgium	Geography - note	crossroads of Western Europe; majority of West European capitals within 1,000 km of Brussels, the seat of both the European Union and NATO
Belgium	Population	10,289,088 (July 2003 est.)
Belgium	Age structure	0-14 years: 17.2% (male 905,856; female 865,589) 15-64 years: 65.6% (male 3,400,419; female 3,346,182) 65 years and over: 17.2% (male 725,162; female 1,045,880) (2003 est.)
Belgium	Median age	total: 40 years male: 38.7 years female: 41.3 years (2002)
Belgium	Population growth rate	0.14% (2003 est.)
Belgium	Birth rate	10.45 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Belgium	Death rate	10.07 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Belgium	Net migration rate	0.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Belgium	Sex ratio	at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Belgium	Infant mortality rate	total: 4.57 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 5.16 deaths/1,000 live births
Belgium	Life expectancy at birth	total population: 78.29 years male: 74.97 years female: 81.78 years (2003 est.)
Belgium	Total fertility rate	1.62 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Belgium	HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate	0.2% (2001 est.)
Belgium	HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS	8,500 (2001 est.)
Belgium	HIV/AIDS - deaths	less than 100 (2001 est.)
Belgium	Nationality	noun: Belgian(s) adjective: Belgian
Belgium	Ethnic groups	Fleming 58%, Walloon 31%, mixed or other 11%
Belgium	Religions	Roman Catholic 75%, Protestant or other 25%
Belgium	Languages	Dutch (official) 60%, French (official) 40%, German (official) less than 1%, legally bilingual (Dutch and French)
Belgium	Literacy	definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98% male: NA% female: NA%
Belgium	Country name	conventional long form: Kingdom of Belgium conventional short form: Belgium local short form: Belgique/Belgie local long form: Royaume de Belgique/Koninkrijk Belgie
Belgium	Government type	federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarch
Belgium	Capital	Brussels
Belgium	Administrative divisions	10 provinces (French: provinces, singular - province; Dutch: provincies, singular - provincie) and 3 regions* (French: regions; Dutch: gewesten); Antwerpen, Brabant Wallon, Brussels* (Bruxelles), Flanders*, Hainaut, Liege, Limburg, Luxembourg, Namur, Oost-Vlaanderen, Vlaams-Brabant, Wallonia*, West-Vlaanderen
Belgium	Independence	4 October 1830 a provisional government declared independence from the Netherlands; 21 July 1831 the ascension of King Leopold I to the throne
Belgium	National holiday	21 July (1831) ascension to the Throne of King Leopold I
Belgium	Constitution	7 February 1831, last revised 14 July 1993; parliament approved a constitutional package creating a federal state
Belgium	Legal system	civil law system influenced by English constitutional theory; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Belgium	Suffrage	18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Belgium	Executive branch	chief of state: King ALBERT II (since 9 August 1993); Heir Apparent Prince PHILIPPE, son of the monarch head of government: Prime Minister Guy VERHOFSTADT (since 13 July 1999) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch and approved by Parliament elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch and then approved by Parliament note: government coalition - VLD, MR, PS, SP, AGALEV, and ECOLO
Belgium	Legislative branch	bicameral Parliament consists of a Senate or Senaat in Dutch, Senat in French (71 seats; 40 members are directly elected by popular vote, 31 are indirectly elected; members serve four-year terms) and a Chamber of Deputies or Kamer van Volksvertegenwoordigers in Dutch, Chambre des Representants in French (150 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate and Chamber of Deputies - last held 18 June 2003 (next to be held in NA May 2007) note: as a result of the 1993 constitutional revision that furthered devolution into a federal state, there are now three levels of government (federal, regional, and linguistic community) with a complex division of responsibilities; this reality leaves six governments each with its own legislative assembly; for other acronyms of the listed parties see the Political parties and leaders entry election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - SP.A-Spirit 15.5%, VLD 15.4%, CD & V 12.7%, PS 12.8%, MR 12.1%, VB 9.4%, CDH 5.6%; seats by party - SP.A-Spirit 7, VLD 7, CD & V 6, PS 6, MR 5, VB 5, CDH 2, other 2 (note - there are also 31 indirectly elected senators); Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - VLD 15.4%, SP.A-Spirit 14.9%, CD & V 13.3%, PS 13.0%, VB 11.6%, MR 11.4%, CDH 5.5%, Ecolo 3.1%; seats by party - VLD 25, SP.A-Spirit 23, CD & V 21, PS 25, VB 18, MR 24, CDH 8 Ecolo 4, other 2
Belgium	Judicial branch	Supreme Court of Justice or Hof van Cassatie (in Dutch) or Cour de Cassation (in French) (judges are appointed for life by the monarch, although selected by the Government)
Belgium	Political parties and leaders	AGALEV (Flemish Greens) [Dirk HOLEMANS]; Christian Democrats and Flemish or CD & V [Yves LETERME]; note - used to be the Flemish Christian Democrats or CVP; Ecolo (Francophone Greens) [Jean-Michel JAVAUK, Evelyne HUYTEBROECK, Claude BROUIR]; Flemish Liberal Democrats or VLD [Karel DE GUCHT]; Francophone Humanist and Democratic Center of CDH (used to be Social Christian Party or PSC) [Joelle MILQUET]; Francophone Reformist Movement or MR (used to be Liberal Reformation Party or PRL) [Antoine DUQUESNE]; Francophone Socialist Party or PS [Elio DI RUPO]; National Front or FN [Daniel FERET]; New Flemish Alliance or NVA [Geert BOURGEOIS]; note - new party that emerged after the demise of the People's Union or VU; Social Progressive Alternative Party or SP.A [Steve STEVAERT]; note - was Flemish Socialist Party or SP; Spirit [Els VAN WEERT]; note - new party that emerged after the demise of the People's Union or VU; Vlaams Blok or VB [Frank VANHECKE]; other minor parties
Belgium	Political pressure groups and leaders	Christian and Socialist Trade Unions; Federation of Belgian Industries; numerous other associations representing bankers, manufacturers, middle-class artisans, and the legal and medical professions; various organizations represent the cultural interests of Flanders and Wallonia; various peace groups such as Pax Christi and groups representing immigrants
Belgium	International organization participation	ACCT, AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MONUC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMOGIP, UNMOP, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WADB (nonregional), WCL, WCO, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC
Belgium	Diplomatic representation in the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Franciskus VAN DAELE chancery: 3330 Garfield Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York FAX: [1] (202) 333-3079 telephone: [1] (202) 333-6900
Belgium	Diplomatic representation from the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Stephen Franklin BRAUER embassy: Regentlaan 27 Boulevard du Regent, B-1000 Brussels mailing address: PSC 82, Box 002, APO AE 09710 telephone: [32] (2) 508-2111 FAX: [32] (2) 511-2725
Belgium	Flag description	three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow, and red; the design was based on the flag of France
Belgium	Economy - overview	This modern private enterprise economy has capitalized on its central geographic location, highly developed transport network, and diversified industrial and commercial base. Industry is concentrated mainly in the populous Flemish area in the north. With few natural resources, Belgium must import substantial quantities of raw materials and export a large volume of manufactures, making its economy unusually dependent on the state of world markets. Roughly three-quarters of its trade is with other EU countries. Public debt is about 100% of GDP, and the government has succeeded in balancing its budget. Belgium, together with 11 of its EU partners, began circulating the euro currency in January 2002. Economic growth in 2001-03 dropped sharply due to the global economic slowdown. Prospects for 2004 again depend largely on recovery in the EU and the US.
Belgium	GDP	purchasing power parity - $299.7 billion (2002 est.)
Belgium	GDP - real growth rate	0.7% (2002 est.)
Belgium	GDP - per capita	purchasing power parity - $29,200 (2002 est.)
Belgium	GDP - composition by sector	agriculture: 1.3% industry: 24.4% services: 74.3% (2001)
Belgium	Population below poverty line	4%
Belgium	Household income or consumption by percentage share	lowest 10%: 3.2% highest 10%: 23% (1996)
Belgium	Distribution of family income - Gini index	28.7 (1996)
Belgium	Inflation rate (consumer prices)	1.7% (2002 est.)
Belgium	Labor force	4.44 million (2001)
Belgium	Labor force - by occupation	services 73%, industry 25%, agriculture 2% (1999 est.)
Belgium	Unemployment rate	7.2% (2002 est.)
Belgium	Budget	revenues: $113.4 billion expenditures: $106 billion, including capital expenditures of $7.17 billion (2000)
Belgium	Industries	engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, processed food and beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass, petroleum, coal
Belgium	Industrial production growth rate	4.5% (2000 est.)
Belgium	Electricity - production	74.28 billion kWh (2001)
Belgium	Electricity - production by source	fossil fuel: 38.4% hydro: 0.6% other: 1.8% (2001) nuclear: 59.3%
Belgium	Electricity - consumption	78.18 billion kWh (2001)
Belgium	Electricity - exports	6.712 billion kWh (2001)
Belgium	Electricity - imports	15.82 billion kWh (2001)
Belgium	Oil - production	0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Belgium	Oil - consumption	595,100 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Belgium	Oil - exports	450,000 bbl/day (2001)
Belgium	Oil - imports	1.042 million bbl/day (2001)
Belgium	Natural gas - production	0 cu m (2001 est.)
Belgium	Natural gas - consumption	15.5 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Belgium	Natural gas - exports	0 cu m (2001 est.)
Belgium	Natural gas - imports	15.4 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Belgium	Agriculture - products	sugar beets, fresh vegetables, fruits, grain, tobacco; beef, veal, pork, milk
Belgium	Exports	$162 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Belgium	Exports - commodities	machinery and equipment, chemicals, diamonds, metals and metal products, foodstuffs
Belgium	Exports - partners	Germany 18.6%, France 16.3%, Netherlands 11.6%, UK 9.6%, US 7.9%, Italy 5.4% (2002)
Belgium	Imports	$152 billion f.o.b. (2001)
Belgium	Imports - commodities	machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals and metal products, foodstuffs
Belgium	Imports - partners	Germany 17.2%, Netherlands 15.6%, France 12.8%, UK 7.3%, Ireland 7%, US 6.4%, Italy 4% (2002)
Belgium	Debt - external	$28.3 billion (1999 est.)
Belgium	Economic aid - donor	ODA, $764 million (1997)
Belgium	Currency	euro (EUR) note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions within the member countries
Belgium	Currency code	EUR
Belgium	Exchange rates	euros per US dollar - 1.06 (2002), 1.12 (2001), 1.09 (2000), 0.94 (1999), 36.3 (1998)
Belgium	Fiscal year	calendar year
Belgium	Telephones - main lines in use	4.769 million (1997)
Belgium	Telephones - mobile cellular	974,494 (1997)
Belgium	Telephone system	general assessment: highly developed, technologically advanced, and completely automated domestic and international telephone and telegraph facilities domestic: nationwide cellular telephone system; extensive cable network; limited microwave radio relay network international: 5 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Eutelsat
Belgium	Radio broadcast stations	FM 79, AM 7, shortwave 1 (1998)
Belgium	Television broadcast stations	25 (plus 10 repeaters) (1997)
Belgium	Internet country code	.be
Belgium	Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	61 (2000)
Belgium	Internet users	3.76 million (2002)
Belgium	Railways	total: 3,471 km standard gauge: 3,471 km 1.435-m gauge (2,631 km electrified) (2002)
Belgium	Highways	total: 148,216 km paved: 116,687 km (including 1,727 km of expressways) unpaved: 31,529 km (2000)
Belgium	Waterways	1,570 km (route length in regular commercial use) (2001)
Belgium	Pipelines	gas 1,485 km; oil 158 km; refined products 535 km (2003)
Belgium	Ports and harbors	Antwerp (one of the world's busiest ports), Brugge, Gent, Hasselt, Liege, Mons, Namur, Oostende, Zeebrugge
Belgium	Merchant marine	total: 20 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 32,215 GRT/55,725 DWT ships by type: cargo 6, chemical tanker 10, petroleum tanker 4, includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Finland 1, Netherlands 3 (2002 est.)
Belgium	Airports	42 (2002)
Belgium	Airports - with paved runways	total: 25 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 7 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
Belgium	Airports - with unpaved runways	total: 17 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 15 (2002)
Belgium	Heliports	1 (2002)
Belgium	Military branches	Army, Navy, Air Components, Federal Police
Belgium	Military manpower - military age	19 years of age (2003 est.)
Belgium	Military manpower - availability	males age 15-49: 2,497,423 (2003 est.)
Belgium	Military manpower - fit for military service	males age 15-49: 2,059,131 (2003 est.)
Belgium	Military manpower - reaching military age annually	males: 60,921 (2003 est.)
Belgium	Military expenditures - dollar figure	$3.077 billion (FY01/02)
Belgium	Military expenditures - percent of GDP	1.4% (FY01/02)
Belgium	Disputes - international	none
Belgium	Illicit drugs	growing producer of synthetic drugs; transit point for US-bound ecstasy; source of precursor chemicals for South American cocaine processors; transshipment point for cocaine, heroin, hashish, and marijuana entering Western Europe; money laundering related to trafficking of drugs, automobiles, alcohol, and tobacco
Belgium	Background	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.
Belgium	Location	Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between France and the Netherlands
Belgium	Geographic coordinates	50 50 N, 4 00 E
Belgium	Map references	Europe
Belgium	Area	total: 30,510 sq km land: 30,230 sq km water: 280 sq km
Belgium	Area - comparative	about the size of Maryland
Belgium	Land boundaries	total: 1,385 km border countries: France 620 km, Germany 167 km, Luxembourg 148 km, Netherlands 450 km
Belgium	Coastline	66 km
Belgium	Maritime claims	continental shelf: median line with neighbors territorial sea: 12 NM exclusive economic zone: median line with neighbors (extends about 68 km from coast)
Belgium	Climate	temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy
Belgium	Terrain	flat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills, rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast
Belgium	Elevation extremes	lowest point: North Sea 0 m highest point: Signal de Botrange 694 m
Belgium	Natural resources	coal, natural gas
Belgium	Land use	arable land: 25% permanent crops: 0% note: includes Luxembourg (1998 est.) other: 75%
Belgium	Irrigated land	40 sq km (includes Luxembourg) (1998 est.)
Belgium	Natural hazards	flooding is a threat in areas of reclaimed coastal land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes
Belgium	Environment - current issues	the environment is exposed to intense pressures from human activities: urbanization, dense transportation network, industry, extensive animal breeding and crop cultivation; air and water pollution also have repercussions for neighboring countries; uncertainties regarding federal and regional responsibilities (now resolved) have slowed progress in tackling environmental challenges
Belgium	Environment - international agreements	party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants
Belgium	Geography - note	crossroads of Western Europe; majority of West European capitals within 1,000 km of Brussels, the seat of both the European Union and NATO
Belgium	Population	10,289,088 (July 2003 est.)
Belgium	Age structure	0-14 years: 17.2% (male 905,856; female 865,589) 15-64 years: 65.6% (male 3,400,419; female 3,346,182) 65 years and over: 17.2% (male 725,162; female 1,045,880) (2003 est.)
Belgium	Median age	total: 40 years male: 38.7 years female: 41.3 years (2002)
Belgium	Population growth rate	0.14% (2003 est.)
Belgium	Birth rate	10.45 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Belgium	Death rate	10.07 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Belgium	Net migration rate	0.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Belgium	Sex ratio	at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Belgium	Infant mortality rate	total: 4.57 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 5.16 deaths/1,000 live births
Belgium	Life expectancy at birth	total population: 78.29 years male: 74.97 years female: 81.78 years (2003 est.)
Belgium	Total fertility rate	1.62 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Belgium	HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate	0.2% (2001 est.)
Belgium	HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS	8,500 (2001 est.)
Belgium	HIV/AIDS - deaths	less than 100 (2001 est.)
Belgium	Nationality	noun: Belgian(s) adjective: Belgian
Belgium	Ethnic groups	Fleming 58%, Walloon 31%, mixed or other 11%
Belgium	Religions	Roman Catholic 75%, Protestant or other 25%
Belgium	Languages	Dutch (official) 60%, French (official) 40%, German (official) less than 1%, legally bilingual (Dutch and French)
Belgium	Literacy	definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98% male: NA% female: NA%
Belgium	Country name	conventional long form: Kingdom of Belgium conventional short form: Belgium local short form: Belgique/Belgie local long form: Royaume de Belgique/Koninkrijk Belgie
Belgium	Government type	federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarch
Belgium	Capital	Brussels
Belgium	Administrative divisions	10 provinces (French: provinces, singular - province; Dutch: provincies, singular - provincie) and 3 regions* (French: regions; Dutch: gewesten); Antwerpen, Brabant Wallon, Brussels* (Bruxelles), Flanders*, Hainaut, Liege, Limburg, Luxembourg, Namur, Oost-Vlaanderen, Vlaams-Brabant, Wallonia*, West-Vlaanderen
Belgium	Independence	4 October 1830 a provisional government declared independence from the Netherlands; 21 July 1831 the ascension of King Leopold I to the throne
Belgium	National holiday	21 July (1831) ascension to the Throne of King Leopold I
Belgium	Constitution	7 February 1831, last revised 14 July 1993; parliament approved a constitutional package creating a federal state
Belgium	Legal system	civil law system influenced by English constitutional theory; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Belgium	Suffrage	18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Belgium	Executive branch	chief of state: King ALBERT II (since 9 August 1993); Heir Apparent Prince PHILIPPE, son of the monarch head of government: Prime Minister Guy VERHOFSTADT (since 13 July 1999) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch and approved by Parliament elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch and then approved by Parliament note: government coalition - VLD, MR, PS, SP, AGALEV, and ECOLO
Belgium	Legislative branch	bicameral Parliament consists of a Senate or Senaat in Dutch, Senat in French (71 seats; 40 members are directly elected by popular vote, 31 are indirectly elected; members serve four-year terms) and a Chamber of Deputies or Kamer van Volksvertegenwoordigers in Dutch, Chambre des Representants in French (150 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate and Chamber of Deputies - last held 18 June 2003 (next to be held in NA May 2007) note: as a result of the 1993 constitutional revision that furthered devolution into a federal state, there are now three levels of government (federal, regional, and linguistic community) with a complex division of responsibilities; this reality leaves six governments each with its own legislative assembly; for other acronyms of the listed parties see the Political parties and leaders entry election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - SP.A-Spirit 15.5%, VLD 15.4%, CD & V 12.7%, PS 12.8%, MR 12.1%, VB 9.4%, CDH 5.6%; seats by party - SP.A-Spirit 7, VLD 7, CD & V 6, PS 6, MR 5, VB 5, CDH 2, other 2 (note - there are also 31 indirectly elected senators); Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - VLD 15.4%, SP.A-Spirit 14.9%, CD & V 13.3%, PS 13.0%, VB 11.6%, MR 11.4%, CDH 5.5%, Ecolo 3.1%; seats by party - VLD 25, SP.A-Spirit 23, CD & V 21, PS 25, VB 18, MR 24, CDH 8 Ecolo 4, other 2
Belgium	Judicial branch	Supreme Court of Justice or Hof van Cassatie (in Dutch) or Cour de Cassation (in French) (judges are appointed for life by the monarch, although selected by the Government)
Belgium	Political parties and leaders	AGALEV (Flemish Greens) [Dirk HOLEMANS]; Christian Democrats and Flemish or CD & V [Yves LETERME]; note - used to be the Flemish Christian Democrats or CVP; Ecolo (Francophone Greens) [Jean-Michel JAVAUK, Evelyne HUYTEBROECK, Claude BROUIR]; Flemish Liberal Democrats or VLD [Karel DE GUCHT]; Francophone Humanist and Democratic Center of CDH (used to be Social Christian Party or PSC) [Joelle MILQUET]; Francophone Reformist Movement or MR (used to be Liberal Reformation Party or PRL) [Antoine DUQUESNE]; Francophone Socialist Party or PS [Elio DI RUPO]; National Front or FN [Daniel FERET]; New Flemish Alliance or NVA [Geert BOURGEOIS]; note - new party that emerged after the demise of the People's Union or VU; Social Progressive Alternative Party or SP.A [Steve STEVAERT]; note - was Flemish Socialist Party or SP; Spirit [Els VAN WEERT]; note - new party that emerged after the demise of the People's Union or VU; Vlaams Blok or VB [Frank VANHECKE]; other minor parties
Belgium	Political pressure groups and leaders	Christian and Socialist Trade Unions; Federation of Belgian Industries; numerous other associations representing bankers, manufacturers, middle-class artisans, and the legal and medical professions; various organizations represent the cultural interests of Flanders and Wallonia; various peace groups such as Pax Christi and groups representing immigrants
Belgium	International organization participation	ACCT, AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MONUC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMOGIP, UNMOP, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WADB (nonregional), WCL, WCO, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC
Belgium	Diplomatic representation in the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Franciskus VAN DAELE chancery: 3330 Garfield Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York FAX: [1] (202) 333-3079 telephone: [1] (202) 333-6900
Belgium	Diplomatic representation from the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Stephen Franklin BRAUER embassy: Regentlaan 27 Boulevard du Regent, B-1000 Brussels mailing address: PSC 82, Box 002, APO AE 09710 telephone: [32] (2) 508-2111 FAX: [32] (2) 511-2725
Belgium	Flag description	three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow, and red; the design was based on the flag of France
Belgium	Economy - overview	This modern private enterprise economy has capitalized on its central geographic location, highly developed transport network, and diversified industrial and commercial base. Industry is concentrated mainly in the populous Flemish area in the north. With few natural resources, Belgium must import substantial quantities of raw materials and export a large volume of manufactures, making its economy unusually dependent on the state of world markets. Roughly three-quarters of its trade is with other EU countries. Public debt is about 100% of GDP, and the government has succeeded in balancing its budget. Belgium, together with 11 of its EU partners, began circulating the euro currency in January 2002. Economic growth in 2001-03 dropped sharply due to the global economic slowdown. Prospects for 2004 again depend largely on recovery in the EU and the US.
Belgium	GDP	purchasing power parity - $299.7 billion (2002 est.)
Belgium	GDP - real growth rate	0.7% (2002 est.)
Belgium	GDP - per capita	purchasing power parity - $29,200 (2002 est.)
Belgium	GDP - composition by sector	agriculture: 1.3% industry: 24.4% services: 74.3% (2001)
Belgium	Population below poverty line	4%
Belgium	Household income or consumption by percentage share	lowest 10%: 3.2% highest 10%: 23% (1996)
Belgium	Distribution of family income - Gini index	28.7 (1996)
Belgium	Inflation rate (consumer prices)	1.7% (2002 est.)
Belgium	Labor force	4.44 million (2001)
Belgium	Labor force - by occupation	services 73%, industry 25%, agriculture 2% (1999 est.)
Belgium	Unemployment rate	7.2% (2002 est.)
Belgium	Budget	revenues: $113.4 billion expenditures: $106 billion, including capital expenditures of $7.17 billion (2000)
Belgium	Industries	engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, processed food and beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass, petroleum, coal
Belgium	Industrial production growth rate	4.5% (2000 est.)
Belgium	Electricity - production	74.28 billion kWh (2001)
Belgium	Electricity - production by source	fossil fuel: 38.4% hydro: 0.6% other: 1.8% (2001) nuclear: 59.3%
Belgium	Electricity - consumption	78.18 billion kWh (2001)
Belgium	Electricity - exports	6.712 billion kWh (2001)
Belgium	Electricity - imports	15.82 billion kWh (2001)
Belgium	Oil - production	0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Belgium	Oil - consumption	595,100 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Belgium	Oil - exports	450,000 bbl/day (2001)
Belgium	Oil - imports	1.042 million bbl/day (2001)
Belgium	Natural gas - production	0 cu m (2001 est.)
Belgium	Natural gas - consumption	15.5 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Belgium	Natural gas - exports	0 cu m (2001 est.)
Belgium	Natural gas - imports	15.4 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Belgium	Agriculture - products	sugar beets, fresh vegetables, fruits, grain, tobacco; beef, veal, pork, milk
Belgium	Exports	$162 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Belgium	Exports - commodities	machinery and equipment, chemicals, diamonds, metals and metal products, foodstuffs
Belgium	Exports - partners	Germany 18.6%, France 16.3%, Netherlands 11.6%, UK 9.6%, US 7.9%, Italy 5.4% (2002)
Belgium	Imports	$152 billion f.o.b. (2001)
Belgium	Imports - commodities	machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals and metal products, foodstuffs
Belgium	Imports - partners	Germany 17.2%, Netherlands 15.6%, France 12.8%, UK 7.3%, Ireland 7%, US 6.4%, Italy 4% (2002)
Belgium	Debt - external	$28.3 billion (1999 est.)
Belgium	Economic aid - donor	ODA, $764 million (1997)
Belgium	Currency	euro (EUR) note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions within the member countries
Belgium	Currency code	EUR
Belgium	Exchange rates	euros per US dollar - 1.06 (2002), 1.12 (2001), 1.09 (2000), 0.94 (1999), 36.3 (1998)
Belgium	Fiscal year	calendar year
Belgium	Telephones - main lines in use	4.769 million (1997)
Belgium	Telephones - mobile cellular	974,494 (1997)
Belgium	Telephone system	general assessment: highly developed, technologically advanced, and completely automated domestic and international telephone and telegraph facilities domestic: nationwide cellular telephone system; extensive cable network; limited microwave radio relay network international: 5 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Eutelsat
Belgium	Radio broadcast stations	FM 79, AM 7, shortwave 1 (1998)
Belgium	Television broadcast stations	25 (plus 10 repeaters) (1997)
Belgium	Internet country code	.be
Belgium	Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	61 (2000)
Belgium	Internet users	3.76 million (2002)
Belgium	Railways	total: 3,471 km standard gauge: 3,471 km 1.435-m gauge (2,631 km electrified) (2002)
Belgium	Highways	total: 148,216 km paved: 116,687 km (including 1,727 km of expressways) unpaved: 31,529 km (2000)
Belgium	Waterways	1,570 km (route length in regular commercial use) (2001)
Belgium	Pipelines	gas 1,485 km; oil 158 km; refined products 535 km (2003)
Belgium	Ports and harbors	Antwerp (one of the world's busiest ports), Brugge, Gent, Hasselt, Liege, Mons, Namur, Oostende, Zeebrugge
Belgium	Merchant marine	total: 20 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 32,215 GRT/55,725 DWT ships by type: cargo 6, chemical tanker 10, petroleum tanker 4, includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Finland 1, Netherlands 3 (2002 est.)
Belgium	Airports	42 (2002)
Belgium	Airports - with paved runways	total: 25 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 7 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
Belgium	Airports - with unpaved runways	total: 17 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 15 (2002)
Belgium	Heliports	1 (2002)
Belgium	Military branches	Army, Navy, Air Components, Federal Police
Belgium	Military manpower - military age	19 years of age (2003 est.)
Belgium	Military manpower - availability	males age 15-49: 2,497,423 (2003 est.)
Belgium	Military manpower - fit for military service	males age 15-49: 2,059,131 (2003 est.)
Belgium	Military manpower - reaching military age annually	males: 60,921 (2003 est.)
Belgium	Military expenditures - dollar figure	$3.077 billion (FY01/02)
Belgium	Military expenditures - percent of GDP	1.4% (FY01/02)
Belgium	Disputes - international	none
Belgium	Illicit drugs	growing producer of synthetic drugs; transit point for US-bound ecstasy; source of precursor chemicals for South American cocaine processors; transshipment point for cocaine, heroin, hashish, and marijuana entering Western Europe; money laundering related to trafficking of drugs, automobiles, alcohol, and tobacco
Belize	Background	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.
Belize	Location	Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Mexico
Belize	Geographic coordinates	17 15 N, 88 45 W
Belize	Map references	Central America and the Caribbean
Belize	Area	total: 22,966 sq km water: 160 sq km land: 22,806 sq km
Belize	Area - comparative	slightly smaller than Massachusetts
Belize	Land boundaries	total: 516 km border countries: Guatemala 266 km, Mexico 250 km
Belize	Coastline	386 km
Belize	Maritime claims	exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM in the north, 3 NM in the south; note - from the mouth of the Sarstoon River to Ranguana Cay, Belize's territorial sea is 3 NM; according to Belize's Maritime Areas Act, 1992, the purpose of this limitation is to provide a framework for the negotiation of a definitive agreement on territorial differences with Guatemala
Belize	Climate	tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May)
Belize	Terrain	flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south
Belize	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Victoria Peak 1,160 m
Belize	Natural resources	arable land potential, timber, fish, hydropower
Belize	Land use	arable land: 2.81% permanent crops: 1.1% other: 96.09% (1998 est.)
Belize	Irrigated land	30 sq km (1998 est.)
Belize	Natural hazards	frequent, devastating hurricanes (June to November) and coastal flooding (especially in south)
Belize	Environment - current issues	deforestation; water pollution from sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff; solid and sewage waste disposal
Belize	Environment - international agreements	party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Belize	Geography - note	only country in Central America without a coastline on the North Pacific Ocean
Belize	Population	266,440 (July 2003 est.)
Belize	Age structure	0-14 years: 41.1% (male 55,880; female 53,706) 15-64 years: 55.3% (male 74,612; female 72,813) 65 years and over: 3.5% (male 4,571; female 4,858) (2003 est.)
Belize	Median age	total: 18.9 years male: 18.8 years female: 19 years (2002)
Belize	Population growth rate	2.44% (2003 est.)
Belize	Birth rate	30.46 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Belize	Death rate	6.05 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Belize	Net migration rate	0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Belize	Sex ratio	at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Belize	Infant mortality rate	total: 27.07 deaths/1,000 live births female: 23.42 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 30.56 deaths/1,000 live births
Belize	Life expectancy at birth	total population: 67.36 years male: 65.19 years female: 69.63 years (2003 est.)
Belize	Total fertility rate	3.86 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Belize	HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate	2% (2001 est.)
Belize	HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS	2,500 (2001 est.)
Belize	HIV/AIDS - deaths	300 (2001 est.)
Belize	Nationality	noun: Belizean(s) adjective: Belizean
Belize	Ethnic groups	mestizo 48.7%, Creole 24.9%, Maya 10.6%, Garifuna 6.1%, other 9.7%
Belize	Religions	Roman Catholic 49.6%, Protestant 27% (Anglican 5.3%, Methodist 3.5%, Mennonite 4.1%, Seventh-Day Adventist 5.2%, Pentecostal 7.4%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.5%), none 9.4%, other 14% (2000)
Belize	Languages	English (official), Spanish, Mayan, Garifuna (Carib), Creole
Belize	Literacy	definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 94.1% male: 94.1% female: 94.1% (2003 est.)
Belize	Country name	conventional long form: none conventional short form: Belize former: British Honduras
Belize	Government type	parliamentary democracy
Belize	Capital	Belmopan
Belize	Administrative divisions	6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo
Belize	Independence	21 September 1981 (from UK)
Belize	National holiday	Independence Day, 21 September (1981)
Belize	Constitution	21 September 1981
Belize	Legal system	English law
Belize	Suffrage	18 years of age; universal
Belize	Executive branch	chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Colville YOUNG, Sr. (since 17 November 1993) head of government: Prime Minister Said Wilbert MUSA (since 28 August 1998); Deputy Prime Minister John BRICENO (since 1 September 1998) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister
Belize	Legislative branch	bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (12 members appointed by the governor general - six on the advice of the prime minister, three on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and one each on the advice of the Belize Council of Churches and Evangelical Association of Churches, the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Belize Better Business Bureau, and the National Trade Union Congress and the Civil Society Steering Committee; members are appointed for five-year terms) and the House of Representatives (29 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Representatives - last held 5 March 2003 (next to be held NA March 2008) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PUP 21, UDP 8
Belize	Judicial branch	Supreme Court (the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister)
Belize	Political parties and leaders	People's United Party or PUP [Said MUSA]; United Democratic Party or UDP [Dean BARROW, party leader; Douglas SINGH, party chairman]
Belize	Political pressure groups and leaders	Society for the Promotion of Education and Research or SPEAR [Adele CATZIM]
Belize	International organization participation	ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Belize	Diplomatic representation in the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Lisa M. SHOMAN consulate(s) general: Los Angeles FAX: [1] (202) 332-6888 telephone: [1] (202) 332-9636 chancery: 2535 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Belize	Diplomatic representation from the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Russell F. FREEMAN embassy: 29 Gabourel Lane and Hutson Street, Belize City mailing address: P. O. Box 286, Unit 7401, APO AA 34025 telephone: [501] 227-7161 through 7163 FAX: [501] 30802
Belize	Flag description	blue with a narrow red stripe along the top and the bottom edges; centered is a large white disk bearing the coat of arms; the coat of arms features a shield flanked by two workers in front of a mahogany tree with the related motto SUB UMBRA FLOREO (I Flourish in the Shade) on a scroll at the bottom, all encircled by a green garland
Belize	Economy - overview	In this small, essentially private enterprise economy the tourism industry is the number one foreign exchange earner followed by cane sugar, citrus, marine products, bananas, and garments. The government's expansionary monetary and fiscal policies, initiated in September 1998, led to GDP growth of 6.5% in 1999, 10.8% in 2000, 4.6% in 2001, and 3.7% in 2002. Major concerns continue to be the sizable trade deficit and foreign debt. A key short-term objective remains the reduction of poverty with the help of international donors.
Belize	GDP	purchasing power parity - $1.28 billion (2002 est.)
Belize	GDP - real growth rate	3.7% (2002 est.)
Belize	GDP - per capita	purchasing power parity - $4,900 (2002 est.)
Belize	GDP - composition by sector	agriculture: 18% industry: 24% services: 58% (2001 est.)
Belize	Population below poverty line	33% (1999 est.)
Belize	Household income or consumption by percentage share	lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Belize	Inflation rate (consumer prices)	1.9% (2002 est.)
Belize	Labor force	90,000 note: shortage of skilled labor and all types of technical personnel
Belize	Labor force - by occupation	agriculture 27%, industry 18%, services 55% (2001 est.)
Belize	Unemployment rate	9.1% (2002)
Belize	Budget	revenues: $224 million expenditures: $209 million, including capital expenditures of $70 million (2002 est.)
Belize	Industries	garment production, food processing, tourism, construction
Belize	Industrial production growth rate	4.6% (1999)
Belize	Electricity - production	199.5 million kWh (2001)
Belize	Electricity - production by source	fossil fuel: 59.9% hydro: 40.1% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Belize	Electricity - consumption	185.5 million kWh (2001)
Belize	Electricity - exports	0 kWh (2001)
Belize	Electricity - imports	0 kWh (2001)
Belize	Oil - production	0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Belize	Oil - consumption	5,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Belize	Oil - exports	NA (2001)
Belize	Oil - imports	NA (2001)
Belize	Agriculture - products	bananas, coca, citrus, sugar; fish, cultured shrimp; lumber; garments
Belize	Exports	$290 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Belize	Exports - commodities	sugar, bananas, citrus, clothing, fish products, molasses, wood
Belize	Exports - partners	US 40.5%, UK 23.2%, Peru 8.3% (2002)
Belize	Imports	$430 million c.i.f. (2002 est.)
Belize	Imports - commodities	machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods; fuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticals; food, beverages, tobacco
Belize	Imports - partners	US 35.7%, Mexico 10.1%, Netherlands Antilles 6.1%, Japan 5.9%, Cuba 5.7%, UK 5.4% (2002)
Belize	Debt - external	$475 million (2001 est.)
Belize	Economic aid - recipient	$NA
Belize	Currency	Belizean dollar (BZD)
Belize	Currency code	BZD
Belize	Exchange rates	Belizean dollars per US dollar - 2 (2002), 2 (2001), 2 (2000), 2 (1999), 2 (1998)
Belize	Fiscal year	1 April - 31 March
Belize	Telephones - main lines in use	31,000 (1997)
Belize	Telephones - mobile cellular	3,023 (1997)
Belize	Telephone system	general assessment: above-average system domestic: trunk network depends primarily on microwave radio relay international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Belize	Radio broadcast stations	AM 1, FM 12, shortwave 0 (1998)
Belize	Television broadcast stations	2 (1997)
Belize	Internet country code	.bz
Belize	Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	2 (2000)
Belize	Internet users	18,000 (2002)
Belize	Railways	0 km
Belize	Highways	total: 2,872 km paved: 488 km unpaved: 2,384 km (1999 est.)
Belize	Waterways	825 km (river network used by shallow-draft craft; seasonally navigable)
Belize	Ports and harbors	Belize City, Big Creek, Corozol, Punta Gorda
Belize	Merchant marine	total: 292 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,030,141 GRT/1,499,777 DWT ships by type: bulk 15, cargo 200, chemical tanker 7, combination ore/oil 1, container 12, petroleum tanker 31, refrigerated cargo 18, roll on/roll off 5, specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Albania 2, Belgium 3, British Virgin Islands 6, Cambodia 1, China 38, Cyprus 1, Ecuador 1, Egypt 1, Equatorial Guinea 1, Eritrea 1, Estonia 7, Germany 3, Greece 4, Grenada 1, Honduras 1, Hong Kong 20, Indonesia 6, Italy 2, Japan 4, Jordan 1, Lebanon 1, Liberia 5, Malaysia 3, Malta 2, Man, Isle of 1, Marshall Islands 13, Mexico 1, Netherlands 1, Nigeria 1, Panama 12, Philippines 4, Portugal 1, Romania 1, Russia 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 3, Saudi Arabia 1, Singapore 22, South Korea 10, Spain 4, Switzerland 1, Taiwan 1, Thailand 6, Tunisia 1, Turkey 1, Ukraine 3, United Arab Emirates 9, United Kingdom 2, United States 4, Virgin Islands (UK) 6, Yemen 1 (2002 est.)
Belize	Airports	42 (2002)
Belize	Airports - with paved runways	total: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2002)
Belize	Airports - with unpaved runways	total: 38 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 27 (2002)
Belize	Military branches	Belize Defense Force (includes Army, Maritime Wing, Air Wing, and Volunteer Guard)
Belize	Military manpower - military age	18 years of age (2003 est.)
Belize	Military manpower - availability	males age 15-49: 66,332 (2003 est.)
Belize	Military manpower - fit for military service	males age 15-49: 39,337 (2003 est.)
Belize	Military manpower - reaching military age annually	males: 3,046 (2003 est.)
Belize	Military expenditures - dollar figure	$7.7 million (FY00/01)
Belize	Military expenditures - percent of GDP	1.87% (FY00/01)
Belize	Disputes - international	Guatemala has claimed half of southern Belize; Guatemalan squatters continue to settle along the border despite a 2000 agreement; OAS brokered a Differendum in 2002 that created a small adjustment to land boundary, a large Guatemalan maritime corridor in the Caribbean, a joint ecological park for disputed Sapodilla Cays, and a substantial US-UK financial package, but agreement was not brought to a popular referendum
Belize	Illicit drugs	major transshipment point for cocaine; small-scale illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; some money-laundering activity related to offshore sector
Belize	Background	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.
Belize	Location	Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Mexico
Belize	Geographic coordinates	17 15 N, 88 45 W
Belize	Map references	Central America and the Caribbean
Belize	Area	total: 22,966 sq km water: 160 sq km land: 22,806 sq km
Belize	Area - comparative	slightly smaller than Massachusetts
Belize	Land boundaries	total: 516 km border countries: Guatemala 266 km, Mexico 250 km
Belize	Coastline	386 km
Belize	Maritime claims	exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM in the north, 3 NM in the south; note - from the mouth of the Sarstoon River to Ranguana Cay, Belize's territorial sea is 3 NM; according to Belize's Maritime Areas Act, 1992, the purpose of this limitation is to provide a framework for the negotiation of a definitive agreement on territorial differences with Guatemala
Belize	Climate	tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May)
Belize	Terrain	flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south
Belize	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Victoria Peak 1,160 m
Belize	Natural resources	arable land potential, timber, fish, hydropower
Belize	Land use	arable land: 2.81% permanent crops: 1.1% other: 96.09% (1998 est.)
Belize	Irrigated land	30 sq km (1998 est.)
Belize	Natural hazards	frequent, devastating hurricanes (June to November) and coastal flooding (especially in south)
Belize	Environment - current issues	deforestation; water pollution from sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff; solid and sewage waste disposal
Belize	Environment - international agreements	party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Belize	Geography - note	only country in Central America without a coastline on the North Pacific Ocean
Belize	Population	266,440 (July 2003 est.)
Belize	Age structure	0-14 years: 41.1% (male 55,880; female 53,706) 15-64 years: 55.3% (male 74,612; female 72,813) 65 years and over: 3.5% (male 4,571; female 4,858) (2003 est.)
Belize	Median age	total: 18.9 years male: 18.8 years female: 19 years (2002)
Belize	Population growth rate	2.44% (2003 est.)
Belize	Birth rate	30.46 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Belize	Death rate	6.05 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Belize	Net migration rate	0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Belize	Sex ratio	at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Belize	Infant mortality rate	total: 27.07 deaths/1,000 live births female: 23.42 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 30.56 deaths/1,000 live births
Belize	Life expectancy at birth	total population: 67.36 years male: 65.19 years female: 69.63 years (2003 est.)
Belize	Total fertility rate	3.86 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Belize	HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate	2% (2001 est.)
Belize	HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS	2,500 (2001 est.)
Belize	HIV/AIDS - deaths	300 (2001 est.)
Belize	Nationality	noun: Belizean(s) adjective: Belizean
Belize	Ethnic groups	mestizo 48.7%, Creole 24.9%, Maya 10.6%, Garifuna 6.1%, other 9.7%
Belize	Religions	Roman Catholic 49.6%, Protestant 27% (Anglican 5.3%, Methodist 3.5%, Mennonite 4.1%, Seventh-Day Adventist 5.2%, Pentecostal 7.4%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.5%), none 9.4%, other 14% (2000)
Belize	Languages	English (official), Spanish, Mayan, Garifuna (Carib), Creole
Belize	Literacy	definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 94.1% male: 94.1% female: 94.1% (2003 est.)
Belize	Country name	conventional long form: none conventional short form: Belize former: British Honduras
Belize	Government type	parliamentary democracy
Belize	Capital	Belmopan
Belize	Administrative divisions	6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo
Belize	Independence	21 September 1981 (from UK)
Belize	National holiday	Independence Day, 21 September (1981)
Belize	Constitution	21 September 1981
Belize	Legal system	English law
Belize	Suffrage	18 years of age; universal
Belize	Executive branch	chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Colville YOUNG, Sr. (since 17 November 1993) head of government: Prime Minister Said Wilbert MUSA (since 28 August 1998); Deputy Prime Minister John BRICENO (since 1 September 1998) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister
Belize	Legislative branch	bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (12 members appointed by the governor general - six on the advice of the prime minister, three on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and one each on the advice of the Belize Council of Churches and Evangelical Association of Churches, the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Belize Better Business Bureau, and the National Trade Union Congress and the Civil Society Steering Committee; members are appointed for five-year terms) and the House of Representatives (29 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Representatives - last held 5 March 2003 (next to be held NA March 2008) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PUP 21, UDP 8
Belize	Judicial branch	Supreme Court (the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister)
Belize	Political parties and leaders	People's United Party or PUP [Said MUSA]; United Democratic Party or UDP [Dean BARROW, party leader; Douglas SINGH, party chairman]
Belize	Political pressure groups and leaders	Society for the Promotion of Education and Research or SPEAR [Adele CATZIM]
Belize	International organization participation	ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Belize	Diplomatic representation in the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Lisa M. SHOMAN consulate(s) general: Los Angeles FAX: [1] (202) 332-6888 telephone: [1] (202) 332-9636 chancery: 2535 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Belize	Diplomatic representation from the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Russell F. FREEMAN embassy: 29 Gabourel Lane and Hutson Street, Belize City mailing address: P. O. Box 286, Unit 7401, APO AA 34025 telephone: [501] 227-7161 through 7163 FAX: [501] 30802
Belize	Flag description	blue with a narrow red stripe along the top and the bottom edges; centered is a large white disk bearing the coat of arms; the coat of arms features a shield flanked by two workers in front of a mahogany tree with the related motto SUB UMBRA FLOREO (I Flourish in the Shade) on a scroll at the bottom, all encircled by a green garland
Belize	Economy - overview	In this small, essentially private enterprise economy the tourism industry is the number one foreign exchange earner followed by cane sugar, citrus, marine products, bananas, and garments. The government's expansionary monetary and fiscal policies, initiated in September 1998, led to GDP growth of 6.5% in 1999, 10.8% in 2000, 4.6% in 2001, and 3.7% in 2002. Major concerns continue to be the sizable trade deficit and foreign debt. A key short-term objective remains the reduction of poverty with the help of international donors.
Belize	GDP	purchasing power parity - $1.28 billion (2002 est.)
Belize	GDP - real growth rate	3.7% (2002 est.)
Belize	GDP - per capita	purchasing power parity - $4,900 (2002 est.)
Belize	GDP - composition by sector	agriculture: 18% industry: 24% services: 58% (2001 est.)
Belize	Population below poverty line	33% (1999 est.)
Belize	Household income or consumption by percentage share	lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Belize	Inflation rate (consumer prices)	1.9% (2002 est.)
Belize	Labor force	90,000 note: shortage of skilled labor and all types of technical personnel
Belize	Labor force - by occupation	agriculture 27%, industry 18%, services 55% (2001 est.)
Belize	Unemployment rate	9.1% (2002)
Belize	Budget	revenues: $224 million expenditures: $209 million, including capital expenditures of $70 million (2002 est.)
Belize	Industries	garment production, food processing, tourism, construction
Belize	Industrial production growth rate	4.6% (1999)
Belize	Electricity - production	199.5 million kWh (2001)
Belize	Electricity - production by source	fossil fuel: 59.9% hydro: 40.1% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Belize	Electricity - consumption	185.5 million kWh (2001)
Belize	Electricity - exports	0 kWh (2001)
Belize	Electricity - imports	0 kWh (2001)
Belize	Oil - production	0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Belize	Oil - consumption	5,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Belize	Oil - exports	NA (2001)
Belize	Oil - imports	NA (2001)
Belize	Agriculture - products	bananas, coca, citrus, sugar; fish, cultured shrimp; lumber; garments
Belize	Exports	$290 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Belize	Exports - commodities	sugar, bananas, citrus, clothing, fish products, molasses, wood
Belize	Exports - partners	US 40.5%, UK 23.2%, Peru 8.3% (2002)
Belize	Imports	$430 million c.i.f. (2002 est.)
Belize	Imports - commodities	machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods; fuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticals; food, beverages, tobacco
Belize	Imports - partners	US 35.7%, Mexico 10.1%, Netherlands Antilles 6.1%, Japan 5.9%, Cuba 5.7%, UK 5.4% (2002)
Belize	Debt - external	$475 million (2001 est.)
Belize	Economic aid - recipient	$NA
Belize	Currency	Belizean dollar (BZD)
Belize	Currency code	BZD
Belize	Exchange rates	Belizean dollars per US dollar - 2 (2002), 2 (2001), 2 (2000), 2 (1999), 2 (1998)
Belize	Fiscal year	1 April - 31 March
Belize	Telephones - main lines in use	31,000 (1997)
Belize	Telephones - mobile cellular	3,023 (1997)
Belize	Telephone system	general assessment: above-average system domestic: trunk network depends primarily on microwave radio relay international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Belize	Radio broadcast stations	AM 1, FM 12, shortwave 0 (1998)
Belize	Television broadcast stations	2 (1997)
Belize	Internet country code	.bz
Belize	Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	2 (2000)
Belize	Internet users	18,000 (2002)
Belize	Railways	0 km
Belize	Highways	total: 2,872 km paved: 488 km unpaved: 2,384 km (1999 est.)
Belize	Waterways	825 km (river network used by shallow-draft craft; seasonally navigable)
Belize	Ports and harbors	Belize City, Big Creek, Corozol, Punta Gorda
Belize	Merchant marine	total: 292 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,030,141 GRT/1,499,777 DWT ships by type: bulk 15, cargo 200, chemical tanker 7, combination ore/oil 1, container 12, petroleum tanker 31, refrigerated cargo 18, roll on/roll off 5, specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Albania 2, Belgium 3, British Virgin Islands 6, Cambodia 1, China 38, Cyprus 1, Ecuador 1, Egypt 1, Equatorial Guinea 1, Eritrea 1, Estonia 7, Germany 3, Greece 4, Grenada 1, Honduras 1, Hong Kong 20, Indonesia 6, Italy 2, Japan 4, Jordan 1, Lebanon 1, Liberia 5, Malaysia 3, Malta 2, Man, Isle of 1, Marshall Islands 13, Mexico 1, Netherlands 1, Nigeria 1, Panama 12, Philippines 4, Portugal 1, Romania 1, Russia 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 3, Saudi Arabia 1, Singapore 22, South Korea 10, Spain 4, Switzerland 1, Taiwan 1, Thailand 6, Tunisia 1, Turkey 1, Ukraine 3, United Arab Emirates 9, United Kingdom 2, United States 4, Virgin Islands (UK) 6, Yemen 1 (2002 est.)
Belize	Airports	42 (2002)
Belize	Airports - with paved runways	total: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2002)
Belize	Airports - with unpaved runways	total: 38 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 27 (2002)
Belize	Military branches	Belize Defense Force (includes Army, Maritime Wing, Air Wing, and Volunteer Guard)
Belize	Military manpower - military age	18 years of age (2003 est.)
Belize	Military manpower - availability	males age 15-49: 66,332 (2003 est.)
Belize	Military manpower - fit for military service	males age 15-49: 39,337 (2003 est.)
Belize	Military manpower - reaching military age annually	males: 3,046 (2003 est.)
Belize	Military expenditures - dollar figure	$7.7 million (FY00/01)
Belize	Military expenditures - percent of GDP	1.87% (FY00/01)
Belize	Disputes - international	Guatemala has claimed half of southern Belize; Guatemalan squatters continue to settle along the border despite a 2000 agreement; OAS brokered a Differendum in 2002 that created a small adjustment to land boundary, a large Guatemalan maritime corridor in the Caribbean, a joint ecological park for disputed Sapodilla Cays, and a substantial US-UK financial package, but agreement was not brought to a popular referendum
Belize	Illicit drugs	major transshipment point for cocaine; small-scale illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; some money-laundering activity related to offshore sector
Benin	Background	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.
Benin	Location	Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Nigeria and Togo
Benin	Geographic coordinates	9 30 N, 2 15 E
Benin	Map references	Africa
Benin	Area	total: 112,620 sq km water: 2,000 sq km land: 110,620 sq km
Benin	Area - comparative	slightly smaller than Pennsylvania
Benin	Land boundaries	total: 1,989 km border countries: Burkina Faso 306 km, Niger 266 km, Nigeria 773 km, Togo 644 km
Benin	Coastline	121 km
Benin	Maritime claims	territorial sea: 200 NM
Benin	Climate	tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north
Benin	Terrain	mostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low mountains
Benin	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Sokbaro 658 m
Benin	Natural resources	small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble, timber
Benin	Land use	arable land: 15.28% permanent crops: 1.36% other: 83.36% (1998 est.)
Benin	Irrigated land	120 sq km (1998 est.)
Benin	Natural hazards	hot, dry, dusty harmattan wind may affect north from December to March
Benin	Environment - current issues	inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching threatens wildlife populations; deforestation; desertification
Benin	Environment - international agreements	party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Benin	Geography - note	sandbanks create difficult access to a coast with no natural harbors, river mouths, or islands
Benin	Population	7,041,490 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.)
Benin	Age structure	0-14 years: 47% (male 1,668,817; female 1,638,291) 15-64 years: 50.7% (male 1,739,517; female 1,834,231) 65 years and over: 2.3% (male 67,504; female 93,130) (2003 est.)
Benin	Median age	total: 16.4 years male: 15.9 years female: 16.9 years (2002)
Benin	Population growth rate	2.95% (2003 est.)
Benin	Birth rate	43.15 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Benin	Death rate	13.65 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Benin	Net migration rate	0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Benin	Sex ratio	at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Benin	Infant mortality rate	total: 86.76 deaths/1,000 live births female: 81.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 91.79 deaths/1,000 live births
Benin	Life expectancy at birth	total population: 51.08 years male: 50.35 years female: 51.84 years (2003 est.)
Benin	Total fertility rate	6.04 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Benin	HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate	3.6% (2001 est.)
Benin	HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS	120,000 (2001 est.)
Benin	HIV/AIDS - deaths	8,100 (2001 est.)
Benin	Nationality	noun: Beninese (singular and plural) adjective: Beninese
Benin	Ethnic groups	African 99% (42 ethnic groups, most important being Fon, Adja, Yoruba, Bariba), Europeans 5,500
Benin	Religions	indigenous beliefs 50%, Christian 30%, Muslim 20%
Benin	Languages	French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars in south), tribal languages (at least six major ones in north)
Benin	Literacy	definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 40.9% male: 56.2% female: 26.5% (2000)
Benin	Country name	conventional long form: Republic of Benin conventional short form: Benin local short form: Benin former: Dahomey local long form: Republique du Benin
Benin	Government type	republic under multiparty democratic rule; dropped Marxism-Leninism December 1989; democratic reforms adopted February 1990; transition to multiparty system completed 4 April 1991
Benin	Capital	Porto-Novo is the official capital; Cotonou is the seat of government
Benin	Administrative divisions	12 departments; Alibori, Atakora, Atlantique, Borgou, Collines, Kouffo, Donga, Littoral, Mono, Oueme, Plateau, Zou
Benin	Independence	1 August 1960 (from France)
Benin	National holiday	National Day, 1 August (1960)
Benin	Constitution	December 1990
Benin	Legal system	based on French civil law and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Benin	Suffrage	18 years of age; universal
Benin	Executive branch	chief of state: President Mathieu KEREKOU (since 4 April 1996); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Mathieu KEREKOU (since 4 April 1996); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president reelected by popular vote for a five-year term; runoff election held 22 March 2001 (next to be held NA March 2006) note: the four top-ranking contenders following the first-round presidential elections were: Mathieu KEREKOU (incumbent) 45.4%, Nicephore SOGOLO (former president) 27.1%, Adrien HOUNGBEDJI (National Assembly Speaker) 12.6%, and Bruno AMOUSSOU (Minister of State) 8.6%; the second-round balloting, originally scheduled for 18 March 2001, was postponed four days because both SOGOLO and HOUNGBEDJI withdrew alleging electoral fraud; this left KEREKOU to run against his own Minister of State, AMOUSSOU, in what was termed a "friendly match" election results: Mathieu KEREKOU reelected president; percent of vote - Mathieu KEREKOU 84.1%, Bruno AMOUSSOU 15.9%
Benin	Legislative branch	unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (83 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Presidential Movement 52, opposition (PRB, PRD, E'toile, and 5 other small parties) 31 elections: last held 30 March 2003 (next to be held NA March 2007)
Benin	Judicial branch	Constitutional Court or Cour Constitutionnelle; Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; High Court of Justice
Benin	Political parties and leaders	African Congress for Renewal or DUNYA [Saka SALEY]; African Movement for Democracy and Progress or MADEP [Sefou FAGBOHOUN]; Alliance of the Social Democratic Party or PSD [Bruno AMOUSSOU]; Coalition of Democratic Forces [Gatien HOUNGBEDJI]; Democratic Renewal Party or PRD [Adrien HOUNGBEDJI]; Front for Renewal and Development or FARD-ALAFIA [Jerome Sakia KINA]; Impulse for Progress and Democracy or IPD [Bertin BORNA]; Key Force or FC [leader NA]; Presidential Movement (UBF, MADEP, FC, IDP, and 4 other small parties); Renaissance Party du Benin or PRB [Nicephore SOGLO]; The Star Alliance (Alliance E'toile) [Sacca LAFIA]; Union of Tomorrow's Benin or UBF [Bruno AMOUSSOU] note: approximately 20 additional minor parties
Benin	Political pressure groups and leaders	NA
Benin	International organization participation	ACP, AfDB, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, MIPONUH, MONUC, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Benin	Diplomatic representation in the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Cyrille Segbe OGUIN FAX: [1] (202) 265-1996 telephone: [1] (202) 232-6656 chancery: 2124 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008
Benin	Diplomatic representation from the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Wayne NEILL embassy: Rue Caporal Bernard Anani, Cotonou mailing address: 01 B. P. 2012, Cotonou telephone: [229] 30-06-50 FAX: [229] 30-06-70
Benin	Flag description	two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red with a vertical green band on the hoist side
Benin	Economy - overview	The economy of Benin remains underdeveloped and dependent on subsistence agriculture, cotton production, and regional trade. Growth in real output has averaged a stable 5% in the past six years, but rapid population rise has offset much of this increase. Inflation has subsided over the past several years. In order to raise growth still further, Benin plans to attract more foreign investment, place more emphasis on tourism, facilitate the development of new food processing systems and agricultural products, and encourage new information and communication technology. The 2001 privatization policy should continue in telecommunications, water, electricity, and agriculture in spite of initial government reluctance. The Paris Club and bilateral creditors have eased the external debt situation, while pressing for speeded-up structural reforms.
Benin	GDP	purchasing power parity - $7.38 billion (2002 est.)
Benin	GDP - real growth rate	6% (2002 est.)
Benin	GDP - per capita	purchasing power parity - $1,100 (2002 est.)
Benin	GDP - composition by sector	agriculture: 38% industry: 15% services: 47% (2002 est.)
Benin	Population below poverty line	37% (2001 est.)
Benin	Household income or consumption by percentage share	lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Benin	Inflation rate (consumer prices)	3.3% (2002 est.)
Benin	Labor force	NA
Benin	Unemployment rate	NA%
Benin	Budget	revenues: $377.4 million expenditures: $561.8 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001)
Benin	Industries	textiles, food processing, chemical production, construction materials (2001)
Benin	Industrial production growth rate	8.3% (2001 est.)
Benin	Electricity - production	274.3 million kWh (2001)
Benin	Electricity - production by source	fossil fuel: 14.2% hydro: 85.8% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Benin	Electricity - consumption	631.1 million kWh (2001)
Benin	Electricity - exports	0 kWh (2001)
Benin	Electricity - imports	376 million kWh (2001)
Benin	Oil - production	700 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Benin	Oil - consumption	11,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Benin	Oil - exports	NA (2001)
Benin	Oil - imports	NA (2001)
Benin	Oil - proved reserves	4.105 million bbl (37257)
Benin	Natural gas - proved reserves	608.8 million cu m (37257)
Benin	Agriculture - products	cotton, corn, cassava (tapioca), yams, beans, palm oil, peanuts, livestock (2001)
Benin	Exports	$207 million f.o.b. (2002)
Benin	Exports - commodities	cotton, crude oil, palm products, cocoa
Benin	Exports - partners	India 25%, Italy 11.1%, Indonesia 7.4%, China 7.2%, Thailand 6.7%, Brazil 6.1%, UK 4.4%, Niger 4% (2002)
Benin	Imports	$479 million c.i.f. (2002)
Benin	Imports - commodities	foodstuffs, capital goods, petroleum products
Benin	Imports - partners	China 30.7%, France 15.7%, UK 4.8%, Italy 4.2% (2002)
Benin	Debt - external	$1.6 billion (2000)
Benin	Economic aid - recipient	$342.6 million (2000)
Benin	Currency	Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States
Benin	Currency code	XOF
Benin	Exchange rates	Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.7 (1999), 589.95 (1998)
Benin	Fiscal year	calendar year
Benin	Telephones - main lines in use	51,000 (2000)
Benin	Telephones - mobile cellular	55,500 (2000)
Benin	Telephone system	general assessment: NA domestic: fair system of open-wire, microwave radio relay, and cellular connections international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); submarine cable
Benin	Radio broadcast stations	AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 4 (2000)
Benin	Television broadcast stations	1;; (2001)
Benin	Internet country code	.bj
Benin	Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	4 (2002)
Benin	Internet users	25,000 (2002)
Benin	Railways	total: 578 km narrow gauge: 578 km 1.000-m gauge (2002)
Benin	Highways	total: 6,787 km paved: 1,357 km (including 10 km of expressways) unpaved: 5,430 km (1999 est.)
Benin	Waterways	streams navigable along small sections, important only locally
Benin	Ports and harbors	Cotonou, Porto-Novo
Benin	Merchant marine	none (2002 est.)
Benin	Airports	5 (2002)
Benin	Airports - with paved runways	total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002)
Benin	Airports - with unpaved runways	total: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2002)
Benin	Military branches	Armed Forces (including Army, Navy, Air Force), National Gendarmerie
Benin	Military manpower - military age	18 years of age (2003 est.)
Benin	Military manpower - availability	note: both sexes are liable for military service females age 15-49: 1,536,036 (2003 est.) males age 15-49: 1,597,562
Benin	Military manpower - fit for military service	males age 15-49: 805,603 females age 15-49: 809,961 (2003 est.)
Benin	Military manpower - reaching military age annually	males: 75,021 females: 78,998 (2003 est.)
Benin	Military expenditures - dollar figure	$80.8 million (FY02)
Benin	Military expenditures - percent of GDP	2.7% (FY02)
Benin	Disputes - international	two villages are in dispute along the border with Burkina Faso; much of Benin-Niger boundary, including tripoint with Nigeria, remains undemarcated, but states accept 2001 arbitration over disputed Niger River islands; several villages along the Okpara River are in dispute with Nigeria; in 2001, Benin claimed Togo moved the boundary stones - joint commission presently resurveying the boundary
Benin	Illicit drugs	transshipment point for narcotics associated with Nigerian trafficking organizations and most commonly destined for Western Europe and the US; vulnerable to money laundering due to a poorly regulated financial infrastructure
Benin	Background	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.
Benin	Location	Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Nigeria and Togo
Benin	Geographic coordinates	9 30 N, 2 15 E
Benin	Map references	Africa
Benin	Area	total: 112,620 sq km water: 2,000 sq km land: 110,620 sq km
Benin	Area - comparative	slightly smaller than Pennsylvania
Benin	Land boundaries	total: 1,989 km border countries: Burkina Faso 306 km, Niger 266 km, Nigeria 773 km, Togo 644 km
Benin	Coastline	121 km
Benin	Maritime claims	territorial sea: 200 NM
Benin	Climate	tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north
Benin	Terrain	mostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low mountains
Benin	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Sokbaro 658 m
Benin	Natural resources	small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble, timber
Benin	Land use	arable land: 15.28% permanent crops: 1.36% other: 83.36% (1998 est.)
Benin	Irrigated land	120 sq km (1998 est.)
Benin	Natural hazards	hot, dry, dusty harmattan wind may affect north from December to March
Benin	Environment - current issues	inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching threatens wildlife populations; deforestation; desertification
Benin	Environment - international agreements	party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Benin	Geography - note	sandbanks create difficult access to a coast with no natural harbors, river mouths, or islands
Benin	Population	7,041,490 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.)
Benin	Age structure	0-14 years: 47% (male 1,668,817; female 1,638,291) 15-64 years: 50.7% (male 1,739,517; female 1,834,231) 65 years and over: 2.3% (male 67,504; female 93,130) (2003 est.)
Benin	Median age	total: 16.4 years male: 15.9 years female: 16.9 years (2002)
Benin	Population growth rate	2.95% (2003 est.)
Benin	Birth rate	43.15 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Benin	Death rate	13.65 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Benin	Net migration rate	0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Benin	Sex ratio	at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Benin	Infant mortality rate	total: 86.76 deaths/1,000 live births female: 81.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 91.79 deaths/1,000 live births
Benin	Life expectancy at birth	total population: 51.08 years male: 50.35 years female: 51.84 years (2003 est.)
Benin	Total fertility rate	6.04 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Benin	HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate	3.6% (2001 est.)
Benin	HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS	120,000 (2001 est.)
Benin	HIV/AIDS - deaths	8,100 (2001 est.)
Benin	Nationality	noun: Beninese (singular and plural) adjective: Beninese
Benin	Ethnic groups	African 99% (42 ethnic groups, most important being Fon, Adja, Yoruba, Bariba), Europeans 5,500
Benin	Religions	indigenous beliefs 50%, Christian 30%, Muslim 20%
Benin	Languages	French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars in south), tribal languages (at least six major ones in north)
Benin	Literacy	definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 40.9% male: 56.2% female: 26.5% (2000)
Benin	Country name	conventional long form: Republic of Benin conventional short form: Benin local short form: Benin former: Dahomey local long form: Republique du Benin
Benin	Government type	republic under multiparty democratic rule; dropped Marxism-Leninism December 1989; democratic reforms adopted February 1990; transition to multiparty system completed 4 April 1991
Benin	Capital	Porto-Novo is the official capital; Cotonou is the seat of government
Benin	Administrative divisions	12 departments; Alibori, Atakora, Atlantique, Borgou, Collines, Kouffo, Donga, Littoral, Mono, Oueme, Plateau, Zou
Benin	Independence	1 August 1960 (from France)
Benin	National holiday	National Day, 1 August (1960)
Benin	Constitution	December 1990
Benin	Legal system	based on French civil law and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Benin	Suffrage	18 years of age; universal
Benin	Executive branch	chief of state: President Mathieu KEREKOU (since 4 April 1996); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Mathieu KEREKOU (since 4 April 1996); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president reelected by popular vote for a five-year term; runoff election held 22 March 2001 (next to be held NA March 2006) note: the four top-ranking contenders following the first-round presidential elections were: Mathieu KEREKOU (incumbent) 45.4%, Nicephore SOGOLO (former president) 27.1%, Adrien HOUNGBEDJI (National Assembly Speaker) 12.6%, and Bruno AMOUSSOU (Minister of State) 8.6%; the second-round balloting, originally scheduled for 18 March 2001, was postponed four days because both SOGOLO and HOUNGBEDJI withdrew alleging electoral fraud; this left KEREKOU to run against his own Minister of State, AMOUSSOU, in what was termed a "friendly match" election results: Mathieu KEREKOU reelected president; percent of vote - Mathieu KEREKOU 84.1%, Bruno AMOUSSOU 15.9%
Benin	Legislative branch	unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (83 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Presidential Movement 52, opposition (PRB, PRD, E'toile, and 5 other small parties) 31 elections: last held 30 March 2003 (next to be held NA March 2007)
Benin	Judicial branch	Constitutional Court or Cour Constitutionnelle; Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; High Court of Justice
Benin	Political parties and leaders	African Congress for Renewal or DUNYA [Saka SALEY]; African Movement for Democracy and Progress or MADEP [Sefou FAGBOHOUN]; Alliance of the Social Democratic Party or PSD [Bruno AMOUSSOU]; Coalition of Democratic Forces [Gatien HOUNGBEDJI]; Democratic Renewal Party or PRD [Adrien HOUNGBEDJI]; Front for Renewal and Development or FARD-ALAFIA [Jerome Sakia KINA]; Impulse for Progress and Democracy or IPD [Bertin BORNA]; Key Force or FC [leader NA]; Presidential Movement (UBF, MADEP, FC, IDP, and 4 other small parties); Renaissance Party du Benin or PRB [Nicephore SOGLO]; The Star Alliance (Alliance E'toile) [Sacca LAFIA]; Union of Tomorrow's Benin or UBF [Bruno AMOUSSOU] note: approximately 20 additional minor parties
Benin	Political pressure groups and leaders	NA
Benin	International organization participation	ACP, AfDB, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, MIPONUH, MONUC, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Benin	Diplomatic representation in the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Cyrille Segbe OGUIN FAX: [1] (202) 265-1996 telephone: [1] (202) 232-6656 chancery: 2124 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008
Benin	Diplomatic representation from the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Wayne NEILL embassy: Rue Caporal Bernard Anani, Cotonou mailing address: 01 B. P. 2012, Cotonou telephone: [229] 30-06-50 FAX: [229] 30-06-70
Benin	Flag description	two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red with a vertical green band on the hoist side
Benin	Economy - overview	The economy of Benin remains underdeveloped and dependent on subsistence agriculture, cotton production, and regional trade. Growth in real output has averaged a stable 5% in the past six years, but rapid population rise has offset much of this increase. Inflation has subsided over the past several years. In order to raise growth still further, Benin plans to attract more foreign investment, place more emphasis on tourism, facilitate the development of new food processing systems and agricultural products, and encourage new information and communication technology. The 2001 privatization policy should continue in telecommunications, water, electricity, and agriculture in spite of initial government reluctance. The Paris Club and bilateral creditors have eased the external debt situation, while pressing for speeded-up structural reforms.
Benin	GDP	purchasing power parity - $7.38 billion (2002 est.)
Benin	GDP - real growth rate	6% (2002 est.)
Benin	GDP - per capita	purchasing power parity - $1,100 (2002 est.)
Benin	GDP - composition by sector	agriculture: 38% industry: 15% services: 47% (2002 est.)
Benin	Population below poverty line	37% (2001 est.)
Benin	Household income or consumption by percentage share	lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Benin	Inflation rate (consumer prices)	3.3% (2002 est.)
Benin	Labor force	NA
Benin	Unemployment rate	NA%
Benin	Budget	revenues: $377.4 million expenditures: $561.8 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001)
Benin	Industries	textiles, food processing, chemical production, construction materials (2001)
Benin	Industrial production growth rate	8.3% (2001 est.)
Benin	Electricity - production	274.3 million kWh (2001)
Benin	Electricity - production by source	fossil fuel: 14.2% hydro: 85.8% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Benin	Electricity - consumption	631.1 million kWh (2001)
Benin	Electricity - exports	0 kWh (2001)
Benin	Electricity - imports	376 million kWh (2001)
Benin	Oil - production	700 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Benin	Oil - consumption	11,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Benin	Oil - exports	NA (2001)
Benin	Oil - imports	NA (2001)
Benin	Oil - proved reserves	4.105 million bbl (37257)
Benin	Natural gas - proved reserves	608.8 million cu m (37257)
Benin	Agriculture - products	cotton, corn, cassava (tapioca), yams, beans, palm oil, peanuts, livestock (2001)
Benin	Exports	$207 million f.o.b. (2002)
Benin	Exports - commodities	cotton, crude oil, palm products, cocoa
Benin	Exports - partners	India 25%, Italy 11.1%, Indonesia 7.4%, China 7.2%, Thailand 6.7%, Brazil 6.1%, UK 4.4%, Niger 4% (2002)
Benin	Imports	$479 million c.i.f. (2002)
Benin	Imports - commodities	foodstuffs, capital goods, petroleum products
Benin	Imports - partners	China 30.7%, France 15.7%, UK 4.8%, Italy 4.2% (2002)
Benin	Debt - external	$1.6 billion (2000)
Benin	Economic aid - recipient	$342.6 million (2000)
Benin	Currency	Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States
Benin	Currency code	XOF
Benin	Exchange rates	Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.7 (1999), 589.95 (1998)
Benin	Fiscal year	calendar year
Benin	Telephones - main lines in use	51,000 (2000)
Benin	Telephones - mobile cellular	55,500 (2000)
Benin	Telephone system	general assessment: NA domestic: fair system of open-wire, microwave radio relay, and cellular connections international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); submarine cable
Benin	Radio broadcast stations	AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 4 (2000)
Benin	Television broadcast stations	1;; (2001)
Benin	Internet country code	.bj
Benin	Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	4 (2002)
Benin	Internet users	25,000 (2002)
Benin	Railways	total: 578 km narrow gauge: 578 km 1.000-m gauge (2002)
Benin	Highways	total: 6,787 km paved: 1,357 km (including 10 km of expressways) unpaved: 5,430 km (1999 est.)
Benin	Waterways	streams navigable along small sections, important only locally
Benin	Ports and harbors	Cotonou, Porto-Novo
Benin	Merchant marine	none (2002 est.)
Benin	Airports	5 (2002)
Benin	Airports - with paved runways	total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002)
Benin	Airports - with unpaved runways	total: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2002)
Benin	Military branches	Armed Forces (including Army, Navy, Air Force), National Gendarmerie
Benin	Military manpower - military age	18 years of age (2003 est.)
Benin	Military manpower - availability	note: both sexes are liable for military service females age 15-49: 1,536,036 (2003 est.) males age 15-49: 1,597,562
Benin	Military manpower - fit for military service	males age 15-49: 805,603 females age 15-49: 809,961 (2003 est.)
Benin	Military manpower - reaching military age annually	males: 75,021 females: 78,998 (2003 est.)
Benin	Military expenditures - dollar figure	$80.8 million (FY02)
Benin	Military expenditures - percent of GDP	2.7% (FY02)
Benin	Disputes - international	two villages are in dispute along the border with Burkina Faso; much of Benin-Niger boundary, including tripoint with Nigeria, remains undemarcated, but states accept 2001 arbitration over disputed Niger River islands; several villages along the Okpara River are in dispute with Nigeria; in 2001, Benin claimed Togo moved the boundary stones - joint commission presently resurveying the boundary
Benin	Illicit drugs	transshipment point for narcotics associated with Nigerian trafficking organizations and most commonly destined for Western Europe and the US; vulnerable to money laundering due to a poorly regulated financial infrastructure
Bermuda	Background	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.
Bermuda	Location	North America, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, east of North Carolina (US)
Bermuda	Geographic coordinates	32 20 N, 64 45 W
Bermuda	Map references	North America
Bermuda	Area	total: 53.3 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 53.3 sq km
Bermuda	Area - comparative	about one-third the size of Washington, DC
Bermuda	Land boundaries	0 km
Bermuda	Coastline	103 km
Bermuda	Maritime claims	exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM
Bermuda	Climate	subtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in winter
Bermuda	Terrain	low hills separated by fertile depressions
Bermuda	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Town Hill 76 m
Bermuda	Natural resources	limestone, pleasant climate fostering tourism
Bermuda	Land use	arable land: 6% permanent crops: 0% other: 94% (55% developed, 45% rural/open space) (1998 est.)
Bermuda	Irrigated land	NA sq km
Bermuda	Natural hazards	hurricanes (June to November)
Bermuda	Environment - current issues	asbestos disposal; water pollution; preservation of open space; sustainable development
Bermuda	Geography - note	consists of about 138 coral islands and islets with ample rainfall, but no rivers or freshwater lakes; some land was leased by US Government from 1941 to 1995
Bermuda	Population	64,482 (July 2003 est.)
Bermuda	Age structure	0-14 years: 19.2% (male 6,195; female 6,205) 15-64 years: 69.3% (male 22,110; female 22,574) 65 years and over: 11.5% (male 3,215; female 4,183) (2003 est.)
Bermuda	Median age	total: 38.7 years male: 37.8 years female: 39.6 years (2002)
Bermuda	Population growth rate	0.72% (2003 est.)
Bermuda	Birth rate	12.13 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Bermuda	Death rate	7.46 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Bermuda	Net migration rate	2.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Bermuda	Sex ratio	at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Bermuda	Infant mortality rate	total: 9.05 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 10.77 deaths/1,000 live births
Bermuda	Life expectancy at birth	total population: 77.41 years male: 75.38 years female: 79.49 years (2003 est.)
Bermuda	Total fertility rate	1.9 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Bermuda	HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate	NA%
Bermuda	HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS	NA
Bermuda	HIV/AIDS - deaths	NA
Bermuda	Nationality	noun: Bermudian(s) adjective: Bermudian
Bermuda	Ethnic groups	black 58%, white 36%, other 6%
Bermuda	Religions	non-Anglican Protestant 39%, Anglican 27%, Roman Catholic 15%, other 19%
Bermuda	Languages	English (official), Portuguese
Bermuda	Literacy	definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98% male: 98% female: 99% (1970 est.)
Bermuda	Country name	conventional long form: none conventional short form: Bermuda former: Somers Islands
Bermuda	Dependency status	overseas territory of the UK
Bermuda	Government type	parliamentary British overseas territory with internal self-government
Bermuda	Capital	Hamilton
Bermuda	Administrative divisions	9 parishes and 2 municipalities*; Devonshire, Hamilton, Hamilton*, Paget, Pembroke, Saint George*, Saint George's, Sandys, Smith's, Southampton, Warwick
Bermuda	Independence	none (overseas territory of the UK)
Bermuda	National holiday	Bermuda Day, 24 May
Bermuda	Constitution	8 June 1968, amended 1989
Bermuda	Legal system	English law
Bermuda	Suffrage	18 years of age; universal
Bermuda	Executive branch	chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Sir John VEREKER (since NA April 2002) head of government: Premier Alex SCOTT (since 24 July 2003) cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the premier, appointed by the governor elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed premier by the governor
Bermuda	Legislative branch	bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (an 11-member body appointed by the governor, the premier, and the opposition) and the House of Assembly (36 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last general election held 24 July 2003 (next to be held NA July 2008) election results: percent of vote by party - PLP 51.7%, UBP 48%; seats by party - PLP 22, UBP 14
Bermuda	Judicial branch	Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; Magistrate Courts
Bermuda	Political parties and leaders	National Liberal Party or NLP [Dessaline WALDRON]; Progressive Labor Party or PLP [Jennifer SMITH]; United Bermuda Party or UBP [Chairman Wayne FURBERT]
Bermuda	Political pressure groups and leaders	Bermuda Employer's Union [Eddie SAINTS]; Bermuda Industrial Union or BIU [Derrick BURGESS]; Bermuda Public Services Association or BPSA [leader NA]; Bermuda Union of Teachers [Michael CHARLES]
Bermuda	International organization participation	Caricom (observer), ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, WCO
Bermuda	Diplomatic representation in the US	none (overseas territory of the UK)
Bermuda	Diplomatic representation from the US	chief of mission: Consul General Denis Patrick COLEMAN, Jr. consulate(s) general: Crown Hill, 16 Middle Road, Devonshire DVO3 mailing address: P. O. Box HM325, Hamilton HMBX; American Consulate General Hamilton, Department of State, 5300 Hamilton Place, Washington, DC 20520-5300 telephone: [1] (441) 295-1342 FAX: [1] (441) 295-1592, [1] (441) 296-9233
Bermuda	Flag description	red, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Bermudian coat of arms (white and green shield with a red lion holding a scrolled shield showing the sinking of the ship Sea Venture off Bermuda in 1609) centered on the outer half of the flag
Bermuda	Economy - overview	Bermuda enjoys one of the highest per capita incomes in the world, with its economy primarily based on providing financial services for international business and luxury facilities for tourists. The effects of 11 September 2001 have had both positive and negative ramifications for Bermuda. On the positive side, a number of new reinsurance companies have located on the island, contributing to the expansion of an already robust international business sector. On the negative side, Bermuda's tourism industry - which derives over 80% of its visitors from the US - has been severely hit as American tourists have chosen not to travel. Tourism rebounded somewhat in 2002, but remains below the pre-11 September level. Most capital equipment and food must be imported. Bermuda's industrial sector is small, although construction continues to be important. Agriculture is limited, only 6% of the land being arable.
Bermuda	GDP	purchasing power parity - $2.25 billion (2002 est.)
Bermuda	GDP - real growth rate	0.5% (2002 est.)
Bermuda	GDP - per capita	purchasing power parity - $35,200 (2002 est.)
Bermuda	GDP - composition by sector	agriculture: 1% industry: 10% services: 89% (2002 est.)
Bermuda	Population below poverty line	NA%
Bermuda	Household income or consumption by percentage share	lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Bermuda	Inflation rate (consumer prices)	2.3% (July 2002)
Bermuda	Labor force	37,472 (2000)
Bermuda	Labor force - by occupation	clerical 22%, services 20%, laborers 17%, professional and technical 17%, administrative and managerial 13%, sales 8%, agriculture and fishing 3% (2000 est.)
Bermuda	Unemployment rate	4.5% (1993)
Bermuda	Budget	revenues: $609.5 million expenditures: $574.6 million, including capital expenditures of $54.8 million (FY 00/01)
Bermuda	Industries	tourism, international business, light manufacturing
Bermuda	Industrial production growth rate	NA%
Bermuda	Electricity - production	643.7 million kWh (2001)
Bermuda	Electricity - production by source	fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Bermuda	Electricity - consumption	598.6 million kWh (2001)
Bermuda	Electricity - exports	0 kWh (2001)
Bermuda	Electricity - imports	0 kWh (2001)
Bermuda	Oil - production	0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Bermuda	Oil - consumption	4,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Bermuda	Oil - exports	NA (2001)
Bermuda	Oil - imports	NA (2001)
Bermuda	Agriculture - products	bananas, vegetables, citrus, flowers; dairy products
Bermuda	Exports	$51 million (2000)
Bermuda	Exports - commodities	reexports of pharmaceuticals
Bermuda	Exports - partners	France 77.4%, UK 2.8%, US 2.4% (2002)
Bermuda	Imports	$719 million (2000)
Bermuda	Imports - commodities	machinery and transport equipment, construction materials, chemicals, food and live animals
Bermuda	Imports - partners	Kazakhstan 30.9%, France 24.7%, Italy 10.5%, US 9.7%, South Korea 8.4%, Mexico 4.3% (2002)
Bermuda	Debt - external	$145 million (FY 99/00)
Bermuda	Economic aid - recipient	$NA
Bermuda	Currency	Bermudian dollar (BMD)
Bermuda	Currency code	BMD
Bermuda	Exchange rates	Bermudian dollar per US dollar - 1.0000 (fixed rate pegged to the US dollar)
Bermuda	Fiscal year	1 April - 31 March
Bermuda	Telephones - main lines in use	52,000 (1997)
Bermuda	Telephones - mobile cellular	7,980 (1996)
Bermuda	Telephone system	general assessment: NA domestic: modern, fully automatic telephone system international: 3 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Bermuda	Radio broadcast stations	AM 5, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998)
Bermuda	Television broadcast stations	3 (1997)
Bermuda	Internet country code	.bm
Bermuda	Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	20 (2000)
Bermuda	Internet users	25,000 (2000)
Bermuda	Railways	0 km
Bermuda	Highways	total: 450 km paved: 450 km note: public roads - 209 km; private roads - 241 km (2002) unpaved: 0 km
Bermuda	Waterways	none
Bermuda	Ports and harbors	Hamilton, Saint George's, Dockyard
Bermuda	Merchant marine	total: 93 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 4,993,227 GRT/7,089,760 DWT note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Croatia 5, Denmark 2, Germany 1, Greece 1, Hong Kong 9, Indonesia 1, Norway 2, Sweden 11, United Kingdom 52, United States 13 (2002 est.) ships by type: bulk 25, cargo 4, chemical tanker 1, container 14, liquefied gas 9, passenger 5, petroleum tanker 11, refrigerated cargo 13, roll on/roll off 7, short-sea passenger 4
Bermuda	Airports	1 (2002)
Bermuda	Airports - with paved runways	total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2002)
Bermuda	Military branches	no regular indigenous military forces; Bermuda Regiment, Bermuda Police Force, Bermuda Reserve Constabulary
Bermuda	Military expenditures - dollar figure	$4.028 million (January 2002)
Bermuda	Military expenditures - percent of GDP	0.11% (FY00/01)
Bermuda	Military - note	defense is the responsibility of the UK
Bermuda	Disputes - international	none
Bermuda	Background	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.
Bermuda	Location	North America, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, east of North Carolina (US)
Bermuda	Geographic coordinates	32 20 N, 64 45 W
Bermuda	Map references	North America
Bermuda	Area	total: 53.3 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 53.3 sq km
Bermuda	Area - comparative	about one-third the size of Washington, DC
Bermuda	Land boundaries	0 km
Bermuda	Coastline	103 km
Bermuda	Maritime claims	exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM
Bermuda	Climate	subtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in winter
Bermuda	Terrain	low hills separated by fertile depressions
Bermuda	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Town Hill 76 m
Bermuda	Natural resources	limestone, pleasant climate fostering tourism
Bermuda	Land use	arable land: 6% permanent crops: 0% other: 94% (55% developed, 45% rural/open space) (1998 est.)
Bermuda	Irrigated land	NA sq km
Bermuda	Natural hazards	hurricanes (June to November)
Bermuda	Environment - current issues	asbestos disposal; water pollution; preservation of open space; sustainable development
Bermuda	Geography - note	consists of about 138 coral islands and islets with ample rainfall, but no rivers or freshwater lakes; some land was leased by US Government from 1941 to 1995
Bermuda	Population	64,482 (July 2003 est.)
Bermuda	Age structure	0-14 years: 19.2% (male 6,195; female 6,205) 15-64 years: 69.3% (male 22,110; female 22,574) 65 years and over: 11.5% (male 3,215; female 4,183) (2003 est.)
Bermuda	Median age	total: 38.7 years male: 37.8 years female: 39.6 years (2002)
Bermuda	Population growth rate	0.72% (2003 est.)
Bermuda	Birth rate	12.13 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Bermuda	Death rate	7.46 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Bermuda	Net migration rate	2.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Bermuda	Sex ratio	at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Bermuda	Infant mortality rate	total: 9.05 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 10.77 deaths/1,000 live births
Bermuda	Life expectancy at birth	total population: 77.41 years male: 75.38 years female: 79.49 years (2003 est.)
Bermuda	Total fertility rate	1.9 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Bermuda	HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate	NA%
Bermuda	HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS	NA
Bermuda	HIV/AIDS - deaths	NA
Bermuda	Nationality	noun: Bermudian(s) adjective: Bermudian
Bermuda	Ethnic groups	black 58%, white 36%, other 6%
Bermuda	Religions	non-Anglican Protestant 39%, Anglican 27%, Roman Catholic 15%, other 19%
Bermuda	Languages	English (official), Portuguese
Bermuda	Literacy	definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98% male: 98% female: 99% (1970 est.)
Bermuda	Country name	conventional long form: none conventional short form: Bermuda former: Somers Islands
Bermuda	Dependency status	overseas territory of the UK
Bermuda	Government type	parliamentary British overseas territory with internal self-government
Bermuda	Capital	Hamilton
Bermuda	Administrative divisions	9 parishes and 2 municipalities*; Devonshire, Hamilton, Hamilton*, Paget, Pembroke, Saint George*, Saint George's, Sandys, Smith's, Southampton, Warwick
Bermuda	Independence	none (overseas territory of the UK)
Bermuda	National holiday	Bermuda Day, 24 May
Bermuda	Constitution	8 June 1968, amended 1989
Bermuda	Legal system	English law
Bermuda	Suffrage	18 years of age; universal
Bermuda	Executive branch	chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Sir John VEREKER (since NA April 2002) head of government: Premier Alex SCOTT (since 24 July 2003) cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the premier, appointed by the governor elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed premier by the governor
Bermuda	Legislative branch	bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (an 11-member body appointed by the governor, the premier, and the opposition) and the House of Assembly (36 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last general election held 24 July 2003 (next to be held NA July 2008) election results: percent of vote by party - PLP 51.7%, UBP 48%; seats by party - PLP 22, UBP 14
Bermuda	Judicial branch	Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; Magistrate Courts
Bermuda	Political parties and leaders	National Liberal Party or NLP [Dessaline WALDRON]; Progressive Labor Party or PLP [Jennifer SMITH]; United Bermuda Party or UBP [Chairman Wayne FURBERT]
Bermuda	Political pressure groups and leaders	Bermuda Employer's Union [Eddie SAINTS]; Bermuda Industrial Union or BIU [Derrick BURGESS]; Bermuda Public Services Association or BPSA [leader NA]; Bermuda Union of Teachers [Michael CHARLES]
Bermuda	International organization participation	Caricom (observer), ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, WCO
Bermuda	Diplomatic representation in the US	none (overseas territory of the UK)
Bermuda	Diplomatic representation from the US	chief of mission: Consul General Denis Patrick COLEMAN, Jr. consulate(s) general: Crown Hill, 16 Middle Road, Devonshire DVO3 mailing address: P. O. Box HM325, Hamilton HMBX; American Consulate General Hamilton, Department of State, 5300 Hamilton Place, Washington, DC 20520-5300 telephone: [1] (441) 295-1342 FAX: [1] (441) 295-1592, [1] (441) 296-9233
Bermuda	Flag description	red, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Bermudian coat of arms (white and green shield with a red lion holding a scrolled shield showing the sinking of the ship Sea Venture off Bermuda in 1609) centered on the outer half of the flag
Bermuda	Economy - overview	Bermuda enjoys one of the highest per capita incomes in the world, with its economy primarily based on providing financial services for international business and luxury facilities for tourists. The effects of 11 September 2001 have had both positive and negative ramifications for Bermuda. On the positive side, a number of new reinsurance companies have located on the island, contributing to the expansion of an already robust international business sector. On the negative side, Bermuda's tourism industry - which derives over 80% of its visitors from the US - has been severely hit as American tourists have chosen not to travel. Tourism rebounded somewhat in 2002, but remains below the pre-11 September level. Most capital equipment and food must be imported. Bermuda's industrial sector is small, although construction continues to be important. Agriculture is limited, only 6% of the land being arable.
Bermuda	GDP	purchasing power parity - $2.25 billion (2002 est.)
Bermuda	GDP - real growth rate	0.5% (2002 est.)
Bermuda	GDP - per capita	purchasing power parity - $35,200 (2002 est.)
Bermuda	GDP - composition by sector	agriculture: 1% industry: 10% services: 89% (2002 est.)
Bermuda	Population below poverty line	NA%
Bermuda	Household income or consumption by percentage share	lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Bermuda	Inflation rate (consumer prices)	2.3% (July 2002)
Bermuda	Labor force	37,472 (2000)
Bermuda	Labor force - by occupation	clerical 22%, services 20%, laborers 17%, professional and technical 17%, administrative and managerial 13%, sales 8%, agriculture and fishing 3% (2000 est.)
Bermuda	Unemployment rate	4.5% (1993)
Bermuda	Budget	revenues: $609.5 million expenditures: $574.6 million, including capital expenditures of $54.8 million (FY 00/01)
Bermuda	Industries	tourism, international business, light manufacturing
Bermuda	Industrial production growth rate	NA%
Bermuda	Electricity - production	643.7 million kWh (2001)
Bermuda	Electricity - production by source	fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Bermuda	Electricity - consumption	598.6 million kWh (2001)
Bermuda	Electricity - exports	0 kWh (2001)
Bermuda	Electricity - imports	0 kWh (2001)
Bermuda	Oil - production	0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Bermuda	Oil - consumption	4,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Bermuda	Oil - exports	NA (2001)
Bermuda	Oil - imports	NA (2001)
Bermuda	Agriculture - products	bananas, vegetables, citrus, flowers; dairy products
Bermuda	Exports	$51 million (2000)
Bermuda	Exports - commodities	reexports of pharmaceuticals
Bermuda	Exports - partners	France 77.4%, UK 2.8%, US 2.4% (2002)
Bermuda	Imports	$719 million (2000)
Bermuda	Imports - commodities	machinery and transport equipment, construction materials, chemicals, food and live animals
Bermuda	Imports - partners	Kazakhstan 30.9%, France 24.7%, Italy 10.5%, US 9.7%, South Korea 8.4%, Mexico 4.3% (2002)
Bermuda	Debt - external	$145 million (FY 99/00)
Bermuda	Economic aid - recipient	$NA
Bermuda	Currency	Bermudian dollar (BMD)
Bermuda	Currency code	BMD
Bermuda	Exchange rates	Bermudian dollar per US dollar - 1.0000 (fixed rate pegged to the US dollar)
Bermuda	Fiscal year	1 April - 31 March
Bermuda	Telephones - main lines in use	52,000 (1997)
Bermuda	Telephones - mobile cellular	7,980 (1996)
Bermuda	Telephone system	general assessment: NA domestic: modern, fully automatic telephone system international: 3 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Bermuda	Radio broadcast stations	AM 5, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998)
Bermuda	Television broadcast stations	3 (1997)
Bermuda	Internet country code	.bm
Bermuda	Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	20 (2000)
Bermuda	Internet users	25,000 (2000)
Bermuda	Railways	0 km
Bermuda	Highways	total: 450 km paved: 450 km note: public roads - 209 km; private roads - 241 km (2002) unpaved: 0 km
Bermuda	Waterways	none
Bermuda	Ports and harbors	Hamilton, Saint George's, Dockyard
Bermuda	Merchant marine	total: 93 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 4,993,227 GRT/7,089,760 DWT note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Croatia 5, Denmark 2, Germany 1, Greece 1, Hong Kong 9, Indonesia 1, Norway 2, Sweden 11, United Kingdom 52, United States 13 (2002 est.) ships by type: bulk 25, cargo 4, chemical tanker 1, container 14, liquefied gas 9, passenger 5, petroleum tanker 11, refrigerated cargo 13, roll on/roll off 7, short-sea passenger 4
Bermuda	Airports	1 (2002)
Bermuda	Airports - with paved runways	total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2002)
Bermuda	Military branches	no regular indigenous military forces; Bermuda Regiment, Bermuda Police Force, Bermuda Reserve Constabulary
Bermuda	Military expenditures - dollar figure	$4.028 million (January 2002)
Bermuda	Military expenditures - percent of GDP	0.11% (FY00/01)
Bermuda	Military - note	defense is the responsibility of the UK
Bermuda	Disputes - international	none
Bhutan	Background	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.
Bhutan	Location	Southern Asia, between China and India
Bhutan	Geographic coordinates	27 30 N, 90 30 E
Bhutan	Map references	Asia
Bhutan	Area	total: 47,000 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 47,000 sq km
Bhutan	Area - comparative	about half the size of Indiana
Bhutan	Land boundaries	total: 1,075 km border countries: China 470 km, India 605 km
Bhutan	Coastline	0 km (landlocked)
Bhutan	Maritime claims	none (landlocked)
Bhutan	Climate	varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in Himalayas
Bhutan	Terrain	mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna
Bhutan	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Drangme Chhu 97 m highest point: Kula Kangri 7,553 m
Bhutan	Natural resources	timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbide
Bhutan	Land use	arable land: 2.98% permanent crops: 0.43% other: 96.59% (1998 est.)
Bhutan	Irrigated land	400 sq km (1998 est.)
Bhutan	Natural hazards	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
Bhutan	Environment - current issues	soil erosion; limited access to potable water
Bhutan	Environment - international agreements	party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Nuclear Test Ban signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Bhutan	Geography - note	landlocked; strategic location between China and India; controls several key Himalayan mountain passes
Bhutan	Population	2,139,549 note: other estimates range as low as 810,000 (July 2003 est.)
Bhutan	Age structure	0-14 years: 39.6% (male 438,784; female 407,919) 15-64 years: 56.4% (male 621,666; female 585,550) 65 years and over: 4% (male 43,262; female 42,368) (2003 est.)
Bhutan	Median age	total: 20.1 years male: 19.9 years female: 20.3 years (2002)
Bhutan	Population growth rate	2.14% (2003 est.)
Bhutan	Birth rate	34.82 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Bhutan	Death rate	13.47 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Bhutan	Net migration rate	0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Bhutan	Sex ratio	at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.02 male(s)/female total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Bhutan	Infant mortality rate	total: 104.68 deaths/1,000 live births female: 106.97 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 102.49 deaths/1,000 live births
Bhutan	Life expectancy at birth	total population: 53.58 years male: 53.9 years female: 53.25 years (2003 est.)
Bhutan	Total fertility rate	4.94 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Bhutan	HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate	less than 0.1% (2001 est.)
Bhutan	HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS	less than 100 (1999 est.)
Bhutan	HIV/AIDS - deaths	NA
Bhutan	Nationality	noun: Bhutanese (singular and plural) adjective: Bhutanese
Bhutan	Ethnic groups	Bhote 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35% (includes Lhotsampas--one of several Nepalese ethnic groups), indigenous or migrant tribes 15%
Bhutan	Religions	Lamaistic Buddhist 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25%
Bhutan	Languages	Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects, Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects
Bhutan	Literacy	definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 42.2% male: 56.2% female: 28.1% (1995 est.)
Bhutan	Country name	conventional long form: Kingdom of Bhutan conventional short form: Bhutan
Bhutan	Government type	monarchy; special treaty relationship with India
Bhutan	Capital	Thimphu
Bhutan	Administrative divisions	18 districts (dzongkhag, singular and plural); Bumthang, Chhukha, Chirang, Dagana, Geylegphug, Ha, Lhuntshi, Mongar, Paro, Pemagatsel, Punakha, Samchi, Samdrup Jongkhar, Shemgang, Tashigang, Thimphu, Tongsa, Wangdi Phodrang note: there may be two new districts named Gasa and Yangtse
Bhutan	Independence	8 August 1949 (from India)
Bhutan	National holiday	National Day (Ugyen WANGCHUCK became first hereditary king), 17 December (1907)
Bhutan	Constitution	no written constitution or bill of rights; note - the King commissioned a committee to draft a constitution in 2001, but has yet to be approved
Bhutan	Legal system	based on Indian law and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Bhutan	Suffrage	each family has one vote in village-level elections
Bhutan	Executive branch	chief of state: King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK (since 24 July 1972) elections: none; the monarch is hereditary, but democratic reforms in July 1998 grant the National Assembly authority to remove the monarch with two-thirds vote head of government: Chairman of the Council of Ministers Lyonpo Jigme Y. THINLEY (since 30 August 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers (Lhengye Shungtsog) nominated by the monarch, approved by the National Assembly; members serve fixed, five-year terms; note - there is also a Royal Advisory Council (Lodoi Tsokde), members nominated by the monarch
Bhutan	Legislative branch	unicameral National Assembly or Tshogdu (150 seats; 105 elected from village constituencies, 10 represent religious bodies, and 35 are designated by the monarch to represent government and other secular interests; members serve three-year terms) elections: local elections last held November 2002 (next to be held NA 2005) election results: NA
Bhutan	Judicial branch	Supreme Court of Appeal (the monarch); High Court (judges appointed by the monarch)
Bhutan	Political parties and leaders	no legal parties
Bhutan	Political pressure groups and leaders	Buddhist clergy; ethnic Nepalese organizations leading militant antigovernment campaign; Indian merchant community; United Front for Democracy (exiled)
Bhutan	International organization participation	AsDB, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IMF, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OPCW (signatory), SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WTrO (observer)
Bhutan	Diplomatic representation in the US	none; note - Bhutan has a Permanent Mission to the UN; address: 2 United Nations Plaza, 27th Floor, New York, NY 10017; telephone [1] (212) 826-1919; the Bhutanese mission to the UN has consular jurisdiction in the US consulate(s) general: New York
Bhutan	Diplomatic representation from the US	the US and Bhutan have no formal diplomatic relations, although informal contact is maintained between the Bhutanese and US Embassy in New Delhi (India)
Bhutan	Flag description	divided diagonally from the lower hoist side corner; the upper triangle is yellow and the lower triangle is orange; centered along the dividing line is a large black and white dragon facing away from the hoist side
Bhutan	Economy - overview	The economy, one of the world's smallest and least developed, is based on agriculture and forestry, providing the main livelihood for more than 90% of the population. Agriculture consists largely of subsistence farming and animal husbandry. Rugged mountains dominate the terrain and make the building of roads and other infrastructure difficult and expensive. The economy is closely aligned with India's through strong trade and monetary links and dependence on India's financial assistance. The industrial sector is technologically backward, with most production of the cottage industry type. Most development projects, such as road construction, rely on Indian migrant labor. Bhutan's hydropower potential and its attraction for tourists are key resources. The government has made some progress in expanding the nation's productive base and improving social welfare. Model education, social, and environment programs are underway with support from multilateral development organizations. Each economic program takes into account the government's desire to protect the country's environment and cultural traditions. Detailed controls and uncertain policies in areas like industrial licensing, trade, labor, and finance continue to hamper foreign investment.
Bhutan	GDP	purchasing power parity - $2.7 billion (2002 est.)
Bhutan	GDP - real growth rate	7.7% (2002 est.)
Bhutan	GDP - per capita	purchasing power parity - $1,300 (2002 est.)
Bhutan	GDP - composition by sector	agriculture: 45% industry: 10% services: 45% (2002 est.)
Bhutan	Population below poverty line	NA%
Bhutan	Household income or consumption by percentage share	lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Bhutan	Inflation rate (consumer prices)	3% (2002 est.)
Bhutan	Labor force	NA note: massive lack of skilled labor
Bhutan	Labor force - by occupation	agriculture 93%, services 5%, industry and commerce 2%
Bhutan	Unemployment rate	NA%
Bhutan	Budget	revenues: $146 million expenditures: $152 million, including capital expenditures of NA note: the government of India finances nearly three-fifths of Bhutan's budget expenditures (FY95/96 est.)
Bhutan	Industries	cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages, calcium carbide
Bhutan	Industrial production growth rate	9.3% (1996 est.)
Bhutan	Electricity - production	1.896 billion kWh (2001)
Bhutan	Electricity - production by source	fossil fuel: 0.1% hydro: 99.9% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Bhutan	Electricity - consumption	379.5 million kWh (2001)
Bhutan	Electricity - exports	1.4 billion kWh (2001)
Bhutan	Electricity - imports	16 million kWh (2001)
Bhutan	Oil - production	0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Bhutan	Oil - consumption	1,020 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Bhutan	Oil - exports	NA (2001)
Bhutan	Oil - imports	NA (2001)
Bhutan	Agriculture - products	rice, corn, root crops, citrus, foodgrains; dairy products, eggs
Bhutan	Exports	$154 million f.o.b. (2000 est.)
Bhutan	Exports - commodities	electricity (to India), cardamom, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, cement, fruit, precious stones, spices
Bhutan	Exports - partners	US 24.1%, UK 23.9%, Pakistan 23.1%, France 13.9% (2002)
Bhutan	Imports	$196 million c.i.f. (2000 est.)
Bhutan	Imports - commodities	fuel and lubricants, grain, machinery and parts, vehicles, fabrics, rice
Bhutan	Imports - partners	Japan 44.5%, Germany 12.2%, UK 8.5%, Singapore 6%, South Korea 5%, US 4.2% (2002)
Bhutan	Debt - external	$245 million (2000)
Bhutan	Economic aid - recipient	substantial aid from India and other nations
Bhutan	Currency	ngultrum (BTN); Indian rupee (INR)
Bhutan	Currency code	BTN; INR
Bhutan	Exchange rates	ngultrum per US dollar - 48.61 (2002), 47.19 (2001), 44.94 (2000), 43.06 (1999), 41.26 (1998)
Bhutan	Fiscal year	1 July - 30 June
Bhutan	Telephones - main lines in use	6,000 (1997)
Bhutan	Telephones - mobile cellular	NA
Bhutan	Telephone system	general assessment: NA domestic: domestic telephone service is very poor with few telephones in use international: international telephone and telegraph service is by landline through India; a satellite earth station was planned (1990)
Bhutan	Radio broadcast stations	AM 0, FM 1, shortwave 1 (1998)
Bhutan	Television broadcast stations	0 (1997)
Bhutan	Internet country code	.bt
Bhutan	Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	NA
Bhutan	Internet users	2,500 (2002)
Bhutan	Railways	0 km
Bhutan	Highways	total: 3,690 km paved: 2,240 km unpaved: 1,450 km (1999 est.)
Bhutan	Waterways	none
Bhutan	Ports and harbors	none
Bhutan	Airports	2 (2002)
Bhutan	Airports - with paved runways	total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002)
Bhutan	Airports - with unpaved runways	total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002)
Bhutan	Military branches	Royal Bhutan Army, Royal Bodyguard, National Militia, Royal Bhutan Police, Forest Guards
Bhutan	Military manpower - military age	18 years of age (2003 est.)
Bhutan	Military manpower - availability	males age 15-49: 530,860 (2003 est.)
Bhutan	Military manpower - fit for military service	males age 15-49: 283,493 (2003 est.)
Bhutan	Military manpower - reaching military age annually	males: 22,755 (2003 est.)
Bhutan	Military expenditures - dollar figure	$9.3 million (FY02)
Bhutan	Military expenditures - percent of GDP	1.9% (FY02)
Bhutan	Disputes - international	approximately 100,000 Bhutanese refugees living in Nepal, 90% of whom reside in seven UN Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees camps, place decades-long strains on Nepal
Bhutan	Background	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.
Bhutan	Location	Southern Asia, between China and India
Bhutan	Geographic coordinates	27 30 N, 90 30 E
Bhutan	Map references	Asia
Bhutan	Area	total: 47,000 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 47,000 sq km
Bhutan	Area - comparative	about half the size of Indiana
Bhutan	Land boundaries	total: 1,075 km border countries: China 470 km, India 605 km
Bhutan	Coastline	0 km (landlocked)
Bhutan	Maritime claims	none (landlocked)
Bhutan	Climate	varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in Himalayas
Bhutan	Terrain	mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna
Bhutan	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Drangme Chhu 97 m highest point: Kula Kangri 7,553 m
Bhutan	Natural resources	timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbide
Bhutan	Land use	arable land: 2.98% permanent crops: 0.43% other: 96.59% (1998 est.)
Bhutan	Irrigated land	400 sq km (1998 est.)
Bhutan	Natural hazards	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
Bhutan	Environment - current issues	soil erosion; limited access to potable water
Bhutan	Environment - international agreements	party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Nuclear Test Ban signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Bhutan	Geography - note	landlocked; strategic location between China and India; controls several key Himalayan mountain passes
Bhutan	Population	2,139,549 note: other estimates range as low as 810,000 (July 2003 est.)
Bhutan	Age structure	0-14 years: 39.6% (male 438,784; female 407,919) 15-64 years: 56.4% (male 621,666; female 585,550) 65 years and over: 4% (male 43,262; female 42,368) (2003 est.)
Bhutan	Median age	total: 20.1 years male: 19.9 years female: 20.3 years (2002)
Bhutan	Population growth rate	2.14% (2003 est.)
Bhutan	Birth rate	34.82 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Bhutan	Death rate	13.47 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Bhutan	Net migration rate	0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Bhutan	Sex ratio	at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.02 male(s)/female total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Bhutan	Infant mortality rate	total: 104.68 deaths/1,000 live births female: 106.97 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 102.49 deaths/1,000 live births
Bhutan	Life expectancy at birth	total population: 53.58 years male: 53.9 years female: 53.25 years (2003 est.)
Bhutan	Total fertility rate	4.94 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Bhutan	HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate	less than 0.1% (2001 est.)
Bhutan	HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS	less than 100 (1999 est.)
Bhutan	HIV/AIDS - deaths	NA
Bhutan	Nationality	noun: Bhutanese (singular and plural) adjective: Bhutanese
Bhutan	Ethnic groups	Bhote 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35% (includes Lhotsampas--one of several Nepalese ethnic groups), indigenous or migrant tribes 15%
Bhutan	Religions	Lamaistic Buddhist 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25%
Bhutan	Languages	Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects, Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects
Bhutan	Literacy	definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 42.2% male: 56.2% female: 28.1% (1995 est.)
Bhutan	Country name	conventional long form: Kingdom of Bhutan conventional short form: Bhutan
Bhutan	Government type	monarchy; special treaty relationship with India
Bhutan	Capital	Thimphu
Bhutan	Administrative divisions	18 districts (dzongkhag, singular and plural); Bumthang, Chhukha, Chirang, Dagana, Geylegphug, Ha, Lhuntshi, Mongar, Paro, Pemagatsel, Punakha, Samchi, Samdrup Jongkhar, Shemgang, Tashigang, Thimphu, Tongsa, Wangdi Phodrang note: there may be two new districts named Gasa and Yangtse
Bhutan	Independence	8 August 1949 (from India)
Bhutan	National holiday	National Day (Ugyen WANGCHUCK became first hereditary king), 17 December (1907)
Bhutan	Constitution	no written constitution or bill of rights; note - the King commissioned a committee to draft a constitution in 2001, but has yet to be approved
Bhutan	Legal system	based on Indian law and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Bhutan	Suffrage	each family has one vote in village-level elections
Bhutan	Executive branch	chief of state: King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK (since 24 July 1972) elections: none; the monarch is hereditary, but democratic reforms in July 1998 grant the National Assembly authority to remove the monarch with two-thirds vote head of government: Chairman of the Council of Ministers Lyonpo Jigme Y. THINLEY (since 30 August 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers (Lhengye Shungtsog) nominated by the monarch, approved by the National Assembly; members serve fixed, five-year terms; note - there is also a Royal Advisory Council (Lodoi Tsokde), members nominated by the monarch
Bhutan	Legislative branch	unicameral National Assembly or Tshogdu (150 seats; 105 elected from village constituencies, 10 represent religious bodies, and 35 are designated by the monarch to represent government and other secular interests; members serve three-year terms) elections: local elections last held November 2002 (next to be held NA 2005) election results: NA
Bhutan	Judicial branch	Supreme Court of Appeal (the monarch); High Court (judges appointed by the monarch)
Bhutan	Political parties and leaders	no legal parties
Bhutan	Political pressure groups and leaders	Buddhist clergy; ethnic Nepalese organizations leading militant antigovernment campaign; Indian merchant community; United Front for Democracy (exiled)
Bhutan	International organization participation	AsDB, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IMF, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OPCW (signatory), SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WTrO (observer)
Bhutan	Diplomatic representation in the US	none; note - Bhutan has a Permanent Mission to the UN; address: 2 United Nations Plaza, 27th Floor, New York, NY 10017; telephone [1] (212) 826-1919; the Bhutanese mission to the UN has consular jurisdiction in the US consulate(s) general: New York
Bhutan	Diplomatic representation from the US	the US and Bhutan have no formal diplomatic relations, although informal contact is maintained between the Bhutanese and US Embassy in New Delhi (India)
Bhutan	Flag description	divided diagonally from the lower hoist side corner; the upper triangle is yellow and the lower triangle is orange; centered along the dividing line is a large black and white dragon facing away from the hoist side
Bhutan	Economy - overview	The economy, one of the world's smallest and least developed, is based on agriculture and forestry, providing the main livelihood for more than 90% of the population. Agriculture consists largely of subsistence farming and animal husbandry. Rugged mountains dominate the terrain and make the building of roads and other infrastructure difficult and expensive. The economy is closely aligned with India's through strong trade and monetary links and dependence on India's financial assistance. The industrial sector is technologically backward, with most production of the cottage industry type. Most development projects, such as road construction, rely on Indian migrant labor. Bhutan's hydropower potential and its attraction for tourists are key resources. The government has made some progress in expanding the nation's productive base and improving social welfare. Model education, social, and environment programs are underway with support from multilateral development organizations. Each economic program takes into account the government's desire to protect the country's environment and cultural traditions. Detailed controls and uncertain policies in areas like industrial licensing, trade, labor, and finance continue to hamper foreign investment.
Bhutan	GDP	purchasing power parity - $2.7 billion (2002 est.)
Bhutan	GDP - real growth rate	7.7% (2002 est.)
Bhutan	GDP - per capita	purchasing power parity - $1,300 (2002 est.)
Bhutan	GDP - composition by sector	agriculture: 45% industry: 10% services: 45% (2002 est.)
Bhutan	Population below poverty line	NA%
Bhutan	Household income or consumption by percentage share	lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Bhutan	Inflation rate (consumer prices)	3% (2002 est.)
Bhutan	Labor force	NA note: massive lack of skilled labor
Bhutan	Labor force - by occupation	agriculture 93%, services 5%, industry and commerce 2%
Bhutan	Unemployment rate	NA%
Bhutan	Budget	revenues: $146 million expenditures: $152 million, including capital expenditures of NA note: the government of India finances nearly three-fifths of Bhutan's budget expenditures (FY95/96 est.)
Bhutan	Industries	cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages, calcium carbide
Bhutan	Industrial production growth rate	9.3% (1996 est.)
Bhutan	Electricity - production	1.896 billion kWh (2001)
Bhutan	Electricity - production by source	fossil fuel: 0.1% hydro: 99.9% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Bhutan	Electricity - consumption	379.5 million kWh (2001)
Bhutan	Electricity - exports	1.4 billion kWh (2001)
Bhutan	Electricity - imports	16 million kWh (2001)
Bhutan	Oil - production	0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Bhutan	Oil - consumption	1,020 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Bhutan	Oil - exports	NA (2001)
Bhutan	Oil - imports	NA (2001)
Bhutan	Agriculture - products	rice, corn, root crops, citrus, foodgrains; dairy products, eggs
Bhutan	Exports	$154 million f.o.b. (2000 est.)
Bhutan	Exports - commodities	electricity (to India), cardamom, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, cement, fruit, precious stones, spices
Bhutan	Exports - partners	US 24.1%, UK 23.9%, Pakistan 23.1%, France 13.9% (2002)
Bhutan	Imports	$196 million c.i.f. (2000 est.)
Bhutan	Imports - commodities	fuel and lubricants, grain, machinery and parts, vehicles, fabrics, rice
Bhutan	Imports - partners	Japan 44.5%, Germany 12.2%, UK 8.5%, Singapore 6%, South Korea 5%, US 4.2% (2002)
Bhutan	Debt - external	$245 million (2000)
Bhutan	Economic aid - recipient	substantial aid from India and other nations
Bhutan	Currency	ngultrum (BTN); Indian rupee (INR)
Bhutan	Currency code	BTN; INR
Bhutan	Exchange rates	ngultrum per US dollar - 48.61 (2002), 47.19 (2001), 44.94 (2000), 43.06 (1999), 41.26 (1998)
Bhutan	Fiscal year	1 July - 30 June
Bhutan	Telephones - main lines in use	6,000 (1997)
Bhutan	Telephones - mobile cellular	NA
Bhutan	Telephone system	general assessment: NA domestic: domestic telephone service is very poor with few telephones in use international: international telephone and telegraph service is by landline through India; a satellite earth station was planned (1990)
Bhutan	Radio broadcast stations	AM 0, FM 1, shortwave 1 (1998)
Bhutan	Television broadcast stations	0 (1997)
Bhutan	Internet country code	.bt
Bhutan	Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	NA
Bhutan	Internet users	2,500 (2002)
Bhutan	Railways	0 km
Bhutan	Highways	total: 3,690 km paved: 2,240 km unpaved: 1,450 km (1999 est.)
Bhutan	Waterways	none
Bhutan	Ports and harbors	none
Bhutan	Airports	2 (2002)
Bhutan	Airports - with paved runways	total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002)
Bhutan	Airports - with unpaved runways	total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002)
Bhutan	Military branches	Royal Bhutan Army, Royal Bodyguard, National Militia, Royal Bhutan Police, Forest Guards
Bhutan	Military manpower - military age	18 years of age (2003 est.)
Bhutan	Military manpower - availability	males age 15-49: 530,860 (2003 est.)
Bhutan	Military manpower - fit for military service	males age 15-49: 283,493 (2003 est.)
Bhutan	Military manpower - reaching military age annually	males: 22,755 (2003 est.)
Bhutan	Military expenditures - dollar figure	$9.3 million (FY02)
Bhutan	Military expenditures - percent of GDP	1.9% (FY02)
Bhutan	Disputes - international	approximately 100,000 Bhutanese refugees living in Nepal, 90% of whom reside in seven UN Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees camps, place decades-long strains on Nepal
Bolivia	Background	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.
Bolivia	Location	Central South America, southwest of Brazil
Bolivia	Geographic coordinates	17 00 S, 65 00 W
Bolivia	Map references	South America
Bolivia	Area	total: 1,098,580 sq km water: 14,190 sq km land: 1,084,390 sq km
Bolivia	Area - comparative	slightly less than three times the size of Montana
Bolivia	Land boundaries	total: 6,743 km border countries: Argentina 832 km, Brazil 3,400 km, Chile 861 km, Paraguay 750 km, Peru 900 km
Bolivia	Coastline	0 km (landlocked)
Bolivia	Maritime claims	none (landlocked)
Bolivia	Climate	varies with altitude; humid and tropical to cold and semiarid
Bolivia	Terrain	rugged Andes Mountains with a highland plateau (Altiplano), hills, lowland plains of the Amazon Basin
Bolivia	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Rio Paraguay 90 m highest point: Nevado Sajama 6,542 m
Bolivia	Natural resources	tin, natural gas, petroleum, zinc, tungsten, antimony, silver, iron, lead, gold, timber, hydropower
Bolivia	Land use	arable land: 1.73% permanent crops: 0.21% other: 98.06% (1998 est.)
Bolivia	Irrigated land	1,280 sq km (1998 est.)
Bolivia	Natural hazards	flooding in the northeast (March-April)
Bolivia	Environment - current issues	the clearing of land for agricultural purposes and the international demand for tropical timber are contributing to deforestation; soil erosion from overgrazing and poor cultivation methods (including slash-and-burn agriculture); desertification; loss of biodiversity; industrial pollution of water supplies used for drinking and irrigation
Bolivia	Environment - international agreements	party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection
Bolivia	Geography - note	landlocked; shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigable lake (elevation 3,805 m), with Peru
Bolivia	Population	8,586,443 (July 2003 est.)
Bolivia	Age structure	0-14 years: 37.1% (male 1,624,366; female 1,562,501) 15-64 years: 58.4% (male 2,452,892; female 2,561,873) 65 years and over: 4.5% (male 172,292; female 212,519) (2003 est.)
Bolivia	Median age	total: 20.8 years male: 20.1 years female: 21.5 years (2002)
Bolivia	Population growth rate	1.63% (2003 est.)
Bolivia	Birth rate	25.53 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Bolivia	Death rate	7.91 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Bolivia	Net migration rate	-1.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Bolivia	Sex ratio	at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Bolivia	Infant mortality rate	total: 56.05 deaths/1,000 live births female: 52.16 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 59.75 deaths/1,000 live births
Bolivia	Life expectancy at birth	total population: 64.78 years male: 62.2 years female: 67.48 years (2003 est.)
Bolivia	Total fertility rate	3.23 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Bolivia	HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate	0.1% - note: no country specific models provided (2001 est.)
Bolivia	HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS	4,600 (2001 est.)
Bolivia	HIV/AIDS - deaths	290 (2001 est.)
Bolivia	Nationality	noun: Bolivian(s) adjective: Bolivian
Bolivia	Ethnic groups	Quechua 30%, mestizo (mixed white and Amerindian ancestry) 30%, Aymara 25%, white 15%
Bolivia	Religions	Roman Catholic 95%, Protestant (Evangelical Methodist)
Bolivia	Languages	Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara (official)
Bolivia	Literacy	definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 87.2% male: 93.1% female: 81.6% (2003 est.)
Bolivia	Country name	conventional long form: Republic of Bolivia conventional short form: Bolivia local short form: Bolivia local long form: Republica de Bolivia
Bolivia	Government type	republic
Bolivia	Capital	La Paz (seat of government); Sucre (legal capital and seat of judiciary)
Bolivia	Administrative divisions	9 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Chuquisaca, Cochabamba, Beni, La Paz, Oruro, Pando, Potosi, Santa Cruz, Tarija
Bolivia	Independence	6 August 1825 (from Spain)
Bolivia	National holiday	Independence Day, 6 August (1825)
Bolivia	Constitution	2 February 1967; revised in August 1994
Bolivia	Legal system	based on Spanish law and Napoleonic Code; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Bolivia	Suffrage	18 years of age, universal and compulsory (married); 21 years of age, universal and compulsory (single)
Bolivia	Executive branch	chief of state: President Carlos Diego MESA Gisbert (since 17 October 2003); Vice President (vacant); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Carlos Diego MESA Gisbert (since 17 October 2003); Vice President (vacant); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 30 June 2002 (next to be held NA June 2007) election results: as a result of no candidate winning a majority in the 30 June 2002 election, Gonzalo SANCHEZ DE LOZADA Bustamante was chosen president by Congress; Congressional votes - Gonzalo SANCHEZ DE LOZADA Bustamante 84, Evo MORALES 43; note - following the resignation of the elected president on 17 October 2003, Vice President Carlos Diego MESA Gisbert assumed the presidency
Bolivia	Legislative branch	bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (27 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (130 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms; note - some members are drawn from party lists, thus not directly elected) elections: Chamber of Senators and Chamber of Deputies - last held 30 June 2002 (next to be held NA June 2007) election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - MNR 11, MAS 8, MIR 5, NFR 2, other 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - MNR 36, MAS 27, MIR 26, NFR 25, others 16
Bolivia	Judicial branch	Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges appointed for 10-year terms by National Congress); District Courts (one in each department); provincial and local courts (to try minor cases)
Bolivia	Political parties and leaders	Bolivian Socialist Falange or FSB [Romel PANTOJA]; Civic Solidarity Union or UCS [Johnny FERNANDEZ]; Free Bolivia Movement or MBL [Franz BARRIOS]; Marshal of Ayacucho Institutional Vanguard or VIMA [Freddy ZABALA]; Movement of the Revolutionary Left or MIR [Jaime PAZ Zamora]; Movement Toward Socialism or MAS [Evo MORALES]; Movement Without Fear or MSM [Juan DEL GRANADO]; Nationalist Democratic Action or ADN [Jorge Fernando QUIROGA Ramirez]; Nationalist Revolutionary Movement or MNR [Gonzalo SANCHEZ DE LOZADA]; New Republican Force or NFR [Manfred REYES-VILLA]; Pachakuti Indigenous Movement or MIP [Felipe QUISPE]; Socialist Party or PS [Jeres JUSTINIANO] note: the MNR, MIR, and UCS comprise the ruling coalition
Bolivia	Political pressure groups and leaders	Cocalero Groups; indigenous organizations; labor unions; Sole Confederation of Campesino Workers of Bolivia or CSUTCB [Felipe QUISPE]
Bolivia	International organization participation	ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MONUC, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMISET, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Bolivia	Diplomatic representation in the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Jaime APARICIO Otero chancery: 3014 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: Miami, New York, and San Francisco consulate(s): Washington, DC FAX: [1] (202) 328-3712 telephone: [1] (202) 483-4410
Bolivia	Diplomatic representation from the US	chief of mission: Ambassador David N. GREENLEE embassy: Avenida Arce 2780, San Jorge, La Paz mailing address: P. O. Box 425, La Paz; APO AA 34032 telephone: [591] (2) 2430120, 2430251 FAX: [591] (2) 2433900
Bolivia	Flag description	three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green with the coat of arms centered on the yellow band; similar to the flag of Ghana, which has a large black five-pointed star centered in the yellow band
Bolivia	Economy - overview	Bolivia, long one of the poorest and least developed Latin American countries, made considerable progress in the 1990s toward the development of a market-oriented economy. Successes under President SANCHEZ DE LOZADA (1993-97) included the signing of a free trade agreement with Mexico and becoming an associate member of the Southern Cone Common Market (Mercosur), as well as the privatization of the state airline, telephone company, railroad, electric power company, and oil company. Growth slowed in 1999, in part due to tight government budget policies, which limited needed appropriations for anti-poverty programs, and the fallout from the Asian financial crisis. In 2000, major civil disturbances held down growth to 2.5%. Bolivia's GDP failed to grow in 2001 due to the global slowdown and laggard domestic activity. Growth picked up slightly in 2002, but the first quarter of 2003 saw extensive civil riots and looting and loss of confidence in the government. Bolivia will remain highly dependent on foreign aid unless and until it can develop its substantial natural resources.
Bolivia	GDP	purchasing power parity - $21.15 billion (2002 est.)
Bolivia	GDP - real growth rate	2.8% (2002 est.)
Bolivia	GDP - per capita	purchasing power parity - $2,500 (2002 est.)
Bolivia	GDP - composition by sector	agriculture: 20% industry: 20% services: 60% (2002 est.)
Bolivia	Population below poverty line	70% (1999 est.)
Bolivia	Household income or consumption by percentage share	lowest 10%: 1.3% highest 10%: 32% (1999)
Bolivia	Distribution of family income - Gini index	58.9 (1997)
Bolivia	Inflation rate (consumer prices)	2% (2001 est.)
Bolivia	Labor force	2.5 million
Bolivia	Labor force - by occupation	agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%
Bolivia	Unemployment rate	7.6% note: widespread underemployment (2000)
Bolivia	Budget	revenues: $4 billion expenditures: $4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2002 est.)
Bolivia	Industries	mining, smelting, petroleum, food and beverages, tobacco, handicrafts, clothing
Bolivia	Industrial production growth rate	3.9% (1998)
Bolivia	Electricity - production	3.901 billion kWh (2001)
Bolivia	Electricity - production by source	fossil fuel: 44.4% hydro: 54% other: 1.5% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Bolivia	Electricity - consumption	3.634 billion kWh (2001)
Bolivia	Electricity - exports	3 million kWh (2001)
Bolivia	Electricity - imports	9 million kWh (2001)
Bolivia	Oil - production	44,340 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Bolivia	Oil - consumption	49,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Bolivia	Oil - exports	NA (2001)
Bolivia	Oil - imports	NA (2001)
Bolivia	Oil - proved reserves	458.8 million bbl (37257)
Bolivia	Natural gas - production	4.05 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Bolivia	Natural gas - consumption	1.15 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Bolivia	Natural gas - exports	2.9 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Bolivia	Natural gas - imports	0 cu m (2001 est.)
Bolivia	Natural gas - proved reserves	727.2 billion cu m (37257)
Bolivia	Agriculture - products	soybeans, coffee, coca, cotton, corn, sugarcane, rice, potatoes; timber
Bolivia	Exports	$1.3 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Bolivia	Exports - commodities	soybeans, natural gas, zinc, gold, wood (2000)
Bolivia	Exports - partners	Brazil 24.3%, Switzerland 15.7%, US 14.1%, Venezuela 12.8%, Colombia 10.2%, Peru 5.4% (2002)
Bolivia	Imports	$1.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Bolivia	Imports - commodities	capital goods, raw materials and semi-manufactures, chemicals, petroleum, food
Bolivia	Imports - partners	Brazil 22%, Argentina 17.4%, US 15.6%, Chile 7%, Japan 5.5%, Peru 5.4%, China 4.8% (2002)
Bolivia	Debt - external	$5.9 billion (2002 est.)
Bolivia	Economic aid - recipient	$588 million (1997)
Bolivia	Currency	boliviano (BOB)
Bolivia	Currency code	BOB
Bolivia	Exchange rates	bolivianos per US dollar - 7.17 (2002), 6.61 (2001), 6.18 (2000), 5.81 (1999), 5.51 (1998)
Bolivia	Fiscal year	calendar year
Bolivia	Telephones - main lines in use	327,600 (1996)
Bolivia	Telephones - mobile cellular	116,000 (1997)
Bolivia	Telephone system	general assessment: new subscribers face bureaucratic difficulties; most telephones are concentrated in La Paz and other cities; mobile cellular telephone use expanding rapidly domestic: primary trunk system, which is being expanded, employs digital microwave radio relay; some areas are served by fiber-optic cable; mobile cellular systems are being expanded international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Bolivia	Radio broadcast stations	AM 171, FM 73, shortwave 77 (1999)
Bolivia	Television broadcast stations	48 (1997)
Bolivia	Internet country code	.bo
Bolivia	Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	9 (2000)
Bolivia	Internet users	78,000 (2000)
Bolivia	Railways	total: 3,519 km narrow gauge: 3,519 km 1.000-m gauge (2002)
Bolivia	Highways	total: 53,790 km paved: 3,496 km (including 13 km of expressways) unpaved: 50,294 km (2000 est.)
Bolivia	Waterways	10,000 km (commercially navigable)
Bolivia	Pipelines	gas 4,860 km; liquid petroleum gas 47 km; oil 2,460 km; refined products 1,589 km; unknown (oil/water) 247 km (2003)
Bolivia	Ports and harbors	Puerto Aguirre (on the Paraguay/Parana waterway, at the Bolivia/Brazil border); also, Bolivia has free port privileges in maritime ports in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Paraguay
Bolivia	Merchant marine	total: 53 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 347,535 GRT/591,113 DWT ships by type: bulk 2, cargo 25, chemical tanker 4, container 4, livestock carrier 1, petroleum tanker 12, roll on/roll off 1, short-sea passenger 3, specialized tanker 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of Belize 2, China 2, Cuba 1, Cyprus 1, Egypt 1, Honduras 1, Latvia 2, Liberia 2, Panama 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Saudi Arabia 1, Singapore 1, South Korea 3, Switzerland 1, Ukraine 1, UAE 5, US 1 (2002 est.)
Bolivia	Airports	1,081 (2002)
Bolivia	Airports - with paved runways	total: 12 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002)
Bolivia	Airports - with unpaved runways	total: 1,069 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 64 914 to 1,523 m: 225 under 914 m: 776 (2002)
Bolivia	Military branches	Army (Ejercito Boliviano), Navy (Fuerza Naval, includes Marines), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Boliviana), National Police Force (Policia Nacional de Bolivia)
Bolivia	Military manpower - military age	19 years of age (2003 est.)
Bolivia	Military manpower - availability	males age 15-49: 2,118,908 (2003 est.)
Bolivia	Military manpower - fit for military service	males age 15-49: 1,380,883 (2003 est.)
Bolivia	Military manpower - reaching military age annually	males: 96,003 (2003 est.)
Bolivia	Military expenditures - dollar figure	$147 million (FY99)
Bolivia	Military expenditures - percent of GDP	1.8% (FY99)
Bolivia	Disputes - international	continues to press Chile and Peru to restore the Atacama corridor ceded to Chile in 1884; Chile demands water rights to Bolivia's Rio Lauca and Silala Spring
Bolivia	Illicit drugs	world's third-largest cultivator of coca (after Colombia and Peru) with an estimated 24,400 hectares under cultivation in June 2002, a 23% increase from June 2001; intermediate coca products and cocaine exported to or through Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, and Chile to the US and other international drug markets; eradication and alternative crop programs under the SANCHEZ DE LOZADA administration have been unable to keep pace with farmers' attempts to increase cultivation after significant reductions in 1998 and 1999; money-laundering activity related to narcotics trade, especially along the borders with Brazil and Paraguay
Bolivia	Background	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.
Bolivia	Location	Central South America, southwest of Brazil
Bolivia	Geographic coordinates	17 00 S, 65 00 W
Bolivia	Map references	South America
Bolivia	Area	total: 1,098,580 sq km water: 14,190 sq km land: 1,084,390 sq km
Bolivia	Area - comparative	slightly less than three times the size of Montana
Bolivia	Land boundaries	total: 6,743 km border countries: Argentina 832 km, Brazil 3,400 km, Chile 861 km, Paraguay 750 km, Peru 900 km
Bolivia	Coastline	0 km (landlocked)
Bolivia	Maritime claims	none (landlocked)
Bolivia	Climate	varies with altitude; humid and tropical to cold and semiarid
Bolivia	Terrain	rugged Andes Mountains with a highland plateau (Altiplano), hills, lowland plains of the Amazon Basin
Bolivia	Elevation extremes	lowest point: Rio Paraguay 90 m highest point: Nevado Sajama 6,542 m
Bolivia	Natural resources	tin, natural gas, petroleum, zinc, tungsten, antimony, silver, iron, lead, gold, timber, hydropower
Bolivia	Land use	arable land: 1.73% permanent crops: 0.21% other: 98.06% (1998 est.)
Bolivia	Irrigated land	1,280 sq km (1998 est.)
Bolivia	Natural hazards	flooding in the northeast (March-April)
Bolivia	Environment - current issues	the clearing of land for agricultural purposes and the international demand for tropical timber are contributing to deforestation; soil erosion from overgrazing and poor cultivation methods (including slash-and-burn agriculture); desertification; loss of biodiversity; industrial pollution of water supplies used for drinking and irrigation
Bolivia	Environment - international agreements	party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection
Bolivia	Geography - note	landlocked; shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigable lake (elevation 3,805 m), with Peru
Bolivia	Population	8,586,443 (July 2003 est.)
Bolivia	Age structure	0-14 years: 37.1% (male 1,624,366; female 1,562,501) 15-64 years: 58.4% (male 2,452,892; female 2,561,873) 65 years and over: 4.5% (male 172,292; female 212,519) (2003 est.)
Bolivia	Median age	total: 20.8 years male: 20.1 years female: 21.5 years (2002)
Bolivia	Population growth rate	1.63% (2003 est.)
Bolivia	Birth rate	25.53 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Bolivia	Death rate	7.91 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Bolivia	Net migration rate	-1.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Bolivia	Sex ratio	at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Bolivia	Infant mortality rate	total: 56.05 deaths/1,000 live births female: 52.16 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 59.75 deaths/1,000 live births
Bolivia	Life expectancy at birth	total population: 64.78 years male: 62.2 years female: 67.48 years (2003 est.)
Bolivia	Total fertility rate	3.23 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Bolivia	HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate	0.1% - note: no country specific models provided (2001 est.)
Bolivia	HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS	4,600 (2001 est.)
Bolivia	HIV/AIDS - deaths	290 (2001 est.)
Bolivia	Nationality	noun: Bolivian(s) adjective: Bolivian
Bolivia	Ethnic groups	Quechua 30%, mestizo (mixed white and Amerindian ancestry) 30%, Aymara 25%, white 15%
Bolivia	Religions	Roman Catholic 95%, Protestant (Evangelical Methodist)
Bolivia	Languages	Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara (official)
Bolivia	Literacy	definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 87.2% male: 93.1% female: 81.6% (2003 est.)
Bolivia	Country name	conventional long form: Republic of Bolivia conventional short form: Bolivia local short form: Bolivia local long form: Republica de Bolivia
Bolivia	Government type	republic
Bolivia	Capital	La Paz (seat of government); Sucre (legal capital and seat of judiciary)
Bolivia	Administrative divisions	9 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Chuquisaca, Cochabamba, Beni, La Paz, Oruro, Pando, Potosi, Santa Cruz, Tarija
Bolivia	Independence	6 August 1825 (from Spain)
Bolivia	National holiday	Independence Day, 6 August (1825)
Bolivia	Constitution	2 February 1967; revised in August 1994
Bolivia	Legal system	based on Spanish law and Napoleonic Code; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Bolivia	Suffrage	18 years of age, universal and compulsory (married); 21 years of age, universal and compulsory (single)
Bolivia	Executive branch	chief of state: President Carlos Diego MESA Gisbert (since 17 October 2003); Vice President (vacant); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Carlos Diego MESA Gisbert (since 17 October 2003); Vice President (vacant); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 30 June 2002 (next to be held NA June 2007) election results: as a result of no candidate winning a majority in the 30 June 2002 election, Gonzalo SANCHEZ DE LOZADA Bustamante was chosen president by Congress; Congressional votes - Gonzalo SANCHEZ DE LOZADA Bustamante 84, Evo MORALES 43; note - following the resignation of the elected president on 17 October 2003, Vice President Carlos Diego MESA Gisbert assumed the presidency
Bolivia	Legislative branch	bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (27 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (130 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms; note - some members are drawn from party lists, thus not directly elected) elections: Chamber of Senators and Chamber of Deputies - last held 30 June 2002 (next to be held NA June 2007) election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - MNR 11, MAS 8, MIR 5, NFR 2, other 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - MNR 36, MAS 27, MIR 26, NFR 25, others 16
Bolivia	Judicial branch	Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges appointed for 10-year terms by National Congress); District Courts (one in each department); provincial and local courts (to try minor cases)
Bolivia	Political parties and leaders	Bolivian Socialist Falange or FSB [Romel PANTOJA]; Civic Solidarity Union or UCS [Johnny FERNANDEZ]; Free Bolivia Movement or MBL [Franz BARRIOS]; Marshal of Ayacucho Institutional Vanguard or VIMA [Freddy ZABALA]; Movement of the Revolutionary Left or MIR [Jaime PAZ Zamora]; Movement Toward Socialism or MAS [Evo MORALES]; Movement Without Fear or MSM [Juan DEL GRANADO]; Nationalist Democratic Action or ADN [Jorge Fernando QUIROGA Ramirez]; Nationalist Revolutionary Movement or MNR [Gonzalo SANCHEZ DE LOZADA]; New Republican Force or NFR [Manfred REYES-VILLA]; Pachakuti Indigenous Movement or MIP [Felipe QUISPE]; Socialist Party or PS [Jeres JUSTINIANO] note: the MNR, MIR, and UCS comprise the ruling coalition
Bolivia	Political pressure groups and leaders	Cocalero Groups; indigenous organizations; labor unions; Sole Confederation of Campesino Workers of Bolivia or CSUTCB [Felipe QUISPE]
Bolivia	International organization participation	ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MONUC, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMISET, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Bolivia	Diplomatic representation in the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Jaime APARICIO Otero chancery: 3014 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: Miami, New York, and San Francisco consulate(s): Washington, DC FAX: [1] (202) 328-3712 telephone: [1] (202) 483-4410
Bolivia	Diplomatic representation from the US	chief of mission: Ambassador David N. GREENLEE embassy: Avenida Arce 2780, San Jorge, La Paz mailing address: P. O. Box 425, La Paz; APO AA 34032 telephone: [591] (2) 2430120, 2430251 FAX: [591] (2) 2433900
Bolivia	Flag description	three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green with the coat of arms centered on the yellow band; similar to the flag of Ghana, which has a large black five-pointed star centered in the yellow band
Bolivia	Economy - overview	Bolivia, long one of the poorest and least developed Latin American countries, made considerable progress in the 1990s toward the development of a market-oriented economy. Successes under President SANCHEZ DE LOZADA (1993-97) included the signing of a free trade agreement with Mexico and becoming an associate member of the Southern Cone Common Market (Mercosur), as well as the privatization of the state airline, telephone company, railroad, electric power company, and oil company. Growth slowed in 1999, in part due to tight government budget policies, which limited needed appropriations for anti-poverty programs, and the fallout from the Asian financial crisis. In 2000, major civil disturbances held down growth to 2.5%. Bolivia's GDP failed to grow in 2001 due to the global slowdown and laggard domestic activity. Growth picked up slightly in 2002, but the first quarter of 2003 saw extensive civil riots and looting and loss of confidence in the government. Bolivia will remain highly dependent on foreign aid unless and until it can develop its substantial natural resources.
Bolivia	GDP	purchasing power parity - $21.15 billion (2002 est.)
Bolivia	GDP - real growth rate	2.8% (2002 est.)
Bolivia	GDP - per capita	purchasing power parity - $2,500 (2002 est.)
Bolivia	GDP - composition by sector	agriculture: 20% industry: 20% services: 60% (2002 est.)
Bolivia	Population below poverty line	70% (1999 est.)
Bolivia	Household income or consumption by percentage share	lowest 10%: 1.3% highest 10%: 32% (1999)
Bolivia	Distribution of family income - Gini index	58.9 (1997)
Bolivia	Inflation rate (consumer prices)	2% (2001 est.)
Bolivia	Labor force	2.5 million
Bolivia	Labor force - by occupation	agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%
Bolivia	Unemployment rate	7.6% note: widespread underemployment (2000)
Bolivia	Budget	revenues: $4 billion expenditures: $4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2002 est.)
Bolivia	Industries	mining, smelting, petroleum, food and beverages, tobacco, handicrafts, clothing
Bolivia	Industrial production growth rate	3.9% (1998)
Bolivia	Electricity - production	3.901 billion kWh (2001)
Bolivia	Electricity - production by source	fossil fuel: 44.4% hydro: 54% other: 1.5% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Bolivia	Electricity - consumption	3.634 billion kWh (2001)
Bolivia	Electricity - exports	3 million kWh (2001)
Bolivia	Electricity - imports	9 million kWh (2001)
Bolivia	Oil - production	44,340 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Bolivia	Oil - consumption	49,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Bolivia	Oil - exports	NA (2001)
Bolivia	Oil - imports	NA (2001)
Bolivia	Oil - proved reserves	458.8 million bbl (37257)
Bolivia	Natural gas - production	4.05 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Bolivia	Natural gas - consumption	1.15 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Bolivia	Natural gas - exports	2.9 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Bolivia	Natural gas - imports	0 cu m (2001 est.)
Bolivia	Natural gas - proved reserves	727.2 billion cu m (37257)
Bolivia	Agriculture - products	soybeans, coffee, coca, cotton, corn, sugarcane, rice, potatoes; timber
Bolivia	Exports	$1.3 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Bolivia	Exports - commodities	soybeans, natural gas, zinc, gold, wood (2000)
Bolivia	Exports - partners	Brazil 24.3%, Switzerland 15.7%, US 14.1%, Venezuela 12.8%, Colombia 10.2%, Peru 5.4% (2002)
Bolivia	Imports	$1.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Bolivia	Imports - commodities	capital goods, raw materials and semi-manufactures, chemicals, petroleum, food
Bolivia	Imports - partners	Brazil 22%, Argentina 17.4%, US 15.6%, Chile 7%, Japan 5.5%, Peru 5.4%, China 4.8% (2002)
Bolivia	Debt - external	$5.9 billion (2002 est.)
Bolivia	Economic aid - recipient	$588 million (1997)
Bolivia	Currency	boliviano (BOB)
Bolivia	Currency code	BOB
Bolivia	Exchange rates	bolivianos per US dollar - 7.17 (2002), 6.61 (2001), 6.18 (2000), 5.81 (1999), 5.51 (1998)
Bolivia	Fiscal year	calendar year
Bolivia	Telephones - main lines in use	327,600 (1996)
Bolivia	Telephones - mobile cellular	116,000 (1997)
Bolivia	Telephone system	general assessment: new subscribers face bureaucratic difficulties; most telephones are concentrated in La Paz and other cities; mobile cellular telephone use expanding rapidly domestic: primary trunk system, which is being expanded, employs digital microwave radio relay; some areas are served by fiber-optic cable; mobile cellular systems are being expanded international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Bolivia	Radio broadcast stations	AM 171, FM 73, shortwave 77 (1999)
Bolivia	Television broadcast stations	48 (1997)
Bolivia	Internet country code	.bo
Bolivia	Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	9 (2000)
Bolivia	Internet users	78,000 (2000)
Bolivia	Railways	total: 3,519 km narrow gauge: 3,519 km 1.000-m gauge (2002)
Bolivia	Highways	total: 53,790 km paved: 3,496 km (including 13 km of expressways) unpaved: 50,294 km (2000 est.)
Bolivia	Waterways	10,000 km (commercially navigable)
Bolivia	Pipelines	gas 4,860 km; liquid petroleum gas 47 km; oil 2,460 km; refined products 1,589 km; unknown (oil/water) 247 km (2003)
Bolivia	Ports and harbors	Puerto Aguirre (on the Paraguay/Parana waterway, at the Bolivia/Brazil border); also, Bolivia has free port privileges in maritime ports in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Paraguay
Bolivia	Merchant marine	total: 53 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 347,535 GRT/591,113 DWT ships by type: bulk 2, cargo 25, chemical tanker 4, container 4, livestock carrier 1, petroleum tanker 12, roll on/roll off 1, short-sea passenger 3, specialized tanker 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of Belize 2, China 2, Cuba 1, Cyprus 1, Egypt 1, Honduras 1, Latvia 2, Liberia 2, Panama 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Saudi Arabia 1, Singapore 1, South Korea 3, Switzerland 1, Ukraine 1, UAE 5, US 1 (2002 est.)
Bolivia	Airports	1,081 (2002)
Bolivia	Airports - with paved runways	total: 12 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002)
Bolivia	Airports - with unpaved runways	total: 1,069 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 64 914 to 1,523 m: 225 under 914 m: 776 (2002)
Bolivia	Military branches	Army (Ejercito Boliviano), Navy (Fuerza Naval, includes Marines), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Boliviana), National Police Force (Policia Nacional de Bolivia)
Bolivia	Military manpower - military age	19 years of age (2003 est.)
Bolivia	Military manpower - availability	males age 15-49: 2,118,908 (2003 est.)