The economy depends on agriculture, tourism, light industry, and services.
It is also dependent upon France for large subsidies and imports. Tourism is
a key industry, with most tourists from the US. In addition, an increasingly
large number of cruise ships visit the islands. The traditionally important
sugarcane crop is slowly being replaced by other crops, such as bananas
(which now supply about 50% of export earnings), eggplant, and flowers.
Other vegetables and root crops are cultivated for local consumption,
although Guadeloupe is still dependent on imported food, which comes mainly
from France. Light industry consists mostly of sugar and rum production.
Most manufactured goods and fuel are imported. Unemployment is especially
high among the young.
GDP:
exchange rate conversion - $1.1 billion, per capita $3,300; real growth rate
NA% (1987)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.3% (1988)
Unemployment rate:
38% (1987)
Budget:
revenues $254 million; expenditures $254 million, including capital
expenditures of NA (1989)
Exports:
$153 million (f.o.b., 1988)
commodities:
bananas, sugar, rum
partners:
France 68%, Martinique 22% (1987)
Imports:
$1.2 billion (c.i.f., 1988)
commodities:
vehicles, foodstuffs, clothing and other consumer goods, construction
materials, petroleum products
partners:
France 64%, Italy, FRG, US (1987)
External debt:
$NA
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%
Electricity:
171,500 kW capacity; 441 million kWh produced, 1,279 kWh per capita (1991)
Industries:
construction, cement, rum, sugar, tourism
Agriculture:
cash crops - bananas and sugarcane; other products include tropical fruits
and vegetables; livestock - cattle, pigs, and goats; not self-sufficient in
food
Economic aid:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $4 million; Western (non-US)
countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $8.235 billion
Currency:
French franc (plural - francs); 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates:
French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.6397 (March 1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453
(1990), 6.3801 (1989), 5.9569 (1988), 6.0107 (1987)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
:Guadeloupe Communications
Railroads:
privately owned, narrow-gauge plantation lines
Highways:
1,940 km total; 1,600 km paved, 340 km gravel and earth
Ports:
Pointe-a-Pitre, Basse-Terre
Civil air:
2 major transport aircraft
Airports:
9 total, 9 usable, 8 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over
3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m
Telecommunications:
domestic facilities inadequate; 57,300 telephones; interisland radio relay
to Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, and Martinique; broadcast stations - 2 AM,
8 FM (30 private stations licensed to broadcast FM), 9 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean
INTELSAT ground station
:Guadeloupe Defense Forces
Branches:
French Forces, Gendarmerie
Manpower availability:
males 15-49, 98,069; NA fit for military service
Note:
defense is responsibility of France
:Guam Geography
Total area:
541.3 km2
Land area:
541.3 km2
Comparative area:
slightly more than three times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
none
Coastline:
125.5 km
Maritime claims:
Contiguous zone:
12 nm
Continental shelf:
200 m (depth)
Exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
Territorial sea:
12 nm
Disputes:
none
Climate:
tropical marine; generally warm and humid, moderated by northeast trade
winds; dry season from January to June, rainy season from July to December;
little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain:
volcanic origin, surrounded by coral reefs; relatively flat coraline
limestone plateau (source of most fresh water) with steep coastal cliffs and
narrow coastal plains in north, low-rising hills in center, mountains in
south
Natural resources:
fishing (largely undeveloped), tourism (especially from Japan)
Land use:
arable land 11%; permanent crops 11%; meadows and pastures 15%; forest and
woodland 18%; other 45%
Environment:
frequent squalls during rainy season; subject to relatively rare, but
potentially very destructive typhoons (especially in August)
Note:
largest and southernmost island in the Mariana Islands archipelago;
strategic location in western North Pacific Ocean 5,955 km west-southwest of
Honolulu about three-quarters of the way between Hawaii and the Philippines
:Guam People
Population:
142,271 (July 1992), growth rate 2.6% (1992)
Birth rate:
27 births/1,000 population (1992)
Death rate:
4 deaths/1,000 population (1992)
Net migration rate:
3 migrants/1,000 population (1992)
Infant mortality rate:
15 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)
Life expectancy at birth:
72 years male, 76 years female (1992)
Total fertility rate:
2.5 children born/woman (1992)
Nationality:
noun - Guamanian(s); adjective - Guamanian; note - Guamanians are US
citizens
Ethnic divisions:
Chamorro 47%, Filipino 25%, Caucasian 10%, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and
other 18%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 98%, other 2%
Languages:
English and Chamorro, most residents bilingual; Japanese also widely spoken
Literacy:
96% (male 96%, female 96%) age 15 and over can read and write (1980)
Labor force:
46,930; federal and territorial government 40%, private 60% (trade 18%,
services 15.6%, construction 13.8%, other 12.6%) (1990)
Organized labor:
13% of labor force
:Guam Government
Long-form name:
Territory of Guam
Type:
organized, unincorporated territory of the US; policy relations between Guam
and the US are under the jurisdiction of the Office of Territorial and
International Affairs, US Department of the Interior
Capital:
Agana
Administrative divisions:
none (territory of the US)
Independence:
none (territory of the US)
Constitution:
Organic Act of 1 August 1950
Legal system:
NA
National holiday:
Guam Discovery Day (first Monday in March), Liberation Day (July 21), US
Government holidays
Executive branch:
President of the US, governor, lieutenant governor, Cabinet
Legislative branch:
unicameral Legislature
Judicial branch:
Federal District Court of Guam, Territorial Superior Court of Guam
Leaders:
Chief of State:
President George BUSH (since 20 January 1989)
Head of Government:
Governor Joseph A. ADA (since November 1986); Lieutenant Governor Frank F.
BLAS
Political parties and leaders:
Democratic Party (controls the legislature); Republican Party (party of the
Governor)
Suffrage:
universal at age 18; US citizens, but do not vote in US presidential
elections
Elections:
Governor:
last held on 6 November 1990 (next to be held November 1994); results -
Joseph F. ADA reelected
Legislature:
last held on 6 November 1990 (next to be held November 1992); a byelection
was held in April 1991 to replace a deceased legislator, results - percent
of vote by party NA; seats - (21 total) Democratic 11, Republican 10
US House of Representatives:
last held 6 November 1990 (next to be held 3 November 1992); Guam elects one
nonvoting delegate; results - Ben BLAZ was elected as the nonacting
delegate; seats - (1 total) Republican 1
Member of:
ESCAP (associate), IOC, SPC
Diplomatic representation:
none (territory of the US)
Flag:
territorial flag is dark blue with a narrow red border on all four sides;
centered is a red-bordered, pointed, vertical ellipse containing a beach
scene, outrigger canoe with sail, and a palm tree with the word GUAM
superimposed in bold red letters; US flag is the national flag
:Guam Economy
Overview:
The economy is based on US military spending and on revenues from tourism.
Over the past 20 years the tourist industry has grown rapidly, creating a
construction boom for new hotels and the expansion of older ones. Visitors
numbered about 900,000 in 1990. The small manufacturing sector includes
textiles and clothing, beverage, food, and watch production. About 60% of
the labor force works for the private sector and the rest for government.
Most food and industrial goods are imported, with about 75% from the US. In
1991 the unemployment rate was about 4.1%.
GNP:
purchasing power equivalent - $2.0 billion, per capita $14,000; real growth
rate NA% (1991 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
12.6% (1991)
Unemployment rate:
4.1% (1991 est.)
Budget:
revenues $525 million; expenditures $395 million, including capital
expenditures of $NA.
Exports:
$34 million (f.o.b., 1984)
commodities:
mostly transshipments of refined petroleum products, construction materials,
fish, food and beverage products
partners:
US 25%, Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands 63%, other 12%
Imports:
$493 million (c.i.f., 1984)
commodities:
petroleum and petroleum products, food, manufactured goods
partners:
US 23%, Japan 19%, other 58%
External debt:
$NA
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%
Electricity:
500,000 kW capacity; 2,300 million kWh produced, 16,300 kWh per capita
(1990)
Industries:
US military, tourism, construction, transshipment services, concrete
products, printing and publishing, food processing, textiles
Agriculture:
relatively undeveloped with most food imported; fruits, vegetables, eggs,
pork, poultry, beef, copra
Economic aid:
although Guam receives no foreign aid, it does receive large transfer
payments from the general revenues of the US Federal Treasury into which
Guamanians pay no income or excise taxes; under the provisions of a special
law of Congress, the Guamanian Treasury, rather than the US Treasury,
receives federal income taxes paid by military and civilian Federal
employees stationed in Guam
Currency:
US currency is used
Exchange rates:
US currency is used
Fiscal year:
1 October - 30 September
:Guam Communications
Highways:
674 km all-weather roads
Ports:
Apra Harbor
Airports:
5 total, 4 usable; 3 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over
3,659 m; 3 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; none with runways 1,220-2,439 m
Telecommunications:
26,317 telephones (1989); broadcast stations - 3 AM, 3 FM, 3 TV; 2 Pacific
Ocean INTELSAT ground stations
:Guam Defense Forces
Note:
defense is the responsibility of the US
:Guatemala Geography
Total area:
108,890 km2
Land area:
108,430 km2
Comparative area:
slightly smaller than Tennessee
Land boundaries:
1,687 km; Belize 266 km, El Salvador 203 km, Honduras 256 km, Mexico 962 km
Coastline:
400 km
Maritime claims:
Continental shelf:
not specific
Exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
Territorial sea:
12 nm
Disputes:
claims Belize, but boundary negotiations to resolve the dispute have begun
Climate:
tropical; hot, humid in lowlands; cooler in highlands
Terrain:
mostly mountains with narrow coastal plains and rolling limestone plateau
(Peten)
Natural resources:
crude oil, nickel, rare woods, fish, chicle
Land use:
arable land 12%; permanent crops 4%; meadows and pastures 12%; forest and
woodland 40%; other 32%; includes irrigated 1%
Environment:
numerous volcanoes in mountains, with frequent violent earthquakes;
Caribbean coast subject to hurricanes and other tropical storms;
deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution
Note:
no natural harbors on west coast
:Guatemala People
Population:
9,784,275 (July 1992), growth rate 2.4% (1992)
Birth rate:
34 births/1,000 population (1992)
Death rate:
8 deaths/1,000 population (1992)
Net migration rate:
-2 migrants/1,000 population (1992)
Infant mortality rate:
56 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)
Life expectancy at birth:
61 years male, 66 years female (1992)
Total fertility rate:
4.6 children born/woman (1992)
Nationality:
noun - Guatemalan(s); adjective - Guatemalan
Ethnic divisions:
Ladino (mestizo - mixed Indian and European ancestry) 56%, Indian 44%
Religions:
predominantly Roman Catholic; also Protestant, traditional Mayan
Languages:
Spanish, but over 40% of the population speaks an Indian language as a
primary tongue (18 Indian dialects, including Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi)
Literacy:
55% (male 63%, female 47%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
Labor force:
2,500,000; agriculture 60%, services 13%, manufacturing 12%, commerce 7%,
construction 4%, transport 3%, utilities 0.8%, mining 0.4% (1985)
Organized labor:
8% of labor force (1988 est.)
:Guatemala Government
Long-form name:
Republic of Guatemala
Type:
republic
Capital:
Guatemala
Administrative divisions:
22 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Alta Verapaz, Baja
Verapaz, Chimaltenango, Chiquimula, El Progreso, Escuintla, Guatemala,
Huehuetenango, Izabal, Jalapa, Jutiapa, Peten, Quetzaltenango, Quiche,
Retalhuleu, Sacatepequez, San Marcos, Santa Rosa, Solola, Suchitepequez,
Totonicapan, Zacapa
Independence:
15 September 1821 (from Spain)
Constitution:
31 May 1985, effective 14 January 1986
Legal system:
civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
National holiday:
Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
Executive branch:
president, vice president, Council of Ministers (cabinet)
Legislative branch:
unicameral Congress of the Republic (Congreso de la Republica)
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia)
Leaders:
Chief of State and Head of Government:
President Jorge SERRANO Elias (since 14 January 1991); Vice President
Gustavo ESPINA Salguero (since 14 January 1991)
Political parties and leaders:
National Centrist Union (UCN), Jorge CARPIO Nicolle; Solidarity Action
Movement (MAS), Jorge SERRANO Elias; Christian Democratic Party (DCG),
Alfonso CABRERA Hidalgo; National Advancement Party (PAN), Alvaro ARZU
Irigoyen; National Liberation Movement (MLN), Mario SANDOVAL Alarcon; Social
Democratic Party (PSD), Mario SOLARZANO Martinez; Popular Alliance 5 (AP-5),
Max ORLANDO Molina; Revolutionary Party (PR), Carlos CHAVARRIA; National
Authentic Center (CAN), Hector MAYORA Dawe; Democratic Institutional Party
(PID), Oscar RIVAS; Nationalist United Front (FUN), Gabriel GIRON;
Guatemalan Republican Front (FRG), Efrain RIOS Montt
Suffrage:
universal at age 18
Elections:
Congress:
last held on 11 November 1990 (next to be held 11 November 1995); results -
UCN 25.6%, MAS 24.3%, DCG 17. 5%, PAN 17.3%, MLN 4.8%, PSD/AP-5 3.6%, PR
2.1%; seats - (116 total) UCN 38, DCG 27, MAS 18, PAN 12, Pro - Rios Montt
10, MLN 4, PR 1, PSD/AP-5 1, independent 5
President:
runoff held on 11 January 1991 (next to be held 11 November 1995); results -
Jorge SERRANO Elias (MAS) 68.1%, Jorge CARPIO Nicolle (UCN) 31.9%
Communists:
Guatemalan Labor Party (PGT); main radical left guerrilla groups - Guerrilla
Army of the Poor (EGP), Revolutionary Organization of the People in Arms
(ORPA), Rebel Armed Forces (FAR), and PGT dissidents
:Guatemala Government
Other political or pressure groups:
Federated Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACIF), Mutual Support Group
(GAM), Unity for Popular and Labor Action (UASP), Agrarian Owners Group
(UNAGRO), Committee for Campesino Unity (CUC)
Member of:
BCIE, CACM, CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-24, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,
ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ITU,
LAES, LAIA, LORCS, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL,
WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation:
Ambassador Juan Jose CASO-FANJUL; Chancery at 2220 R Street NW, Washington,
DC 20008; telephone (202) 745-4952 through 4954; there are Guatemalan
Consulates General in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New
York, and San Francisco
US:
Ambassador Thomas F. STROOCK; Embassy at 7-01 Avenida de la Reforma, Zone
10, Guatemala City (mailing address is APO AA 34024); telephone [502] (2)
31-15-41
Flag:
three equal vertical bands of light blue (hoist side), white, and light blue
with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms includes
a green and red quetzal (the national bird) and a scroll bearing the
inscription LIBERTAD 15 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 1821 (the original date of
independence from Spain) all superimposed on a pair of crossed rifles and a
pair of crossed swords and framed by a wreath
:Guatemala Economy
Overview:
The economy is based on family and corporate agriculture, which accounts for
26% of GDP, employs about 60% of the labor force, and supplies two-thirds of
exports. Manufacturing, predominantly in private hands, accounts for about
18% of GDP and 12% of the labor force. In both 1990 and 1991, the economy
grew by 3%, the fourth and fifth consecutive years of mild growth. Inflation
at 40% in 1990-91 was more than double the 1987-89 level.
GDP:
exchange rate conversion - $11.7 billion, per capita $1,260; real growth
rate 3% (1991 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
40% (1991 est.)
Unemployment rate:
6.7%, with 30-40% underemployment (1989 est.)
Budget:
revenues $1.05 billion; expenditures $1.3 billion, including capital
expenditures of $270 million (1989 est.)
Exports:
$1.16 billion (f.o.b., 1990)
commodities:
coffee 26%, sugar 13%, bananas 7%, beef 2%
partners:
US 39%, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Germany, Honduras
Imports:
$1.66 billion (c.i.f., 1990)
commodities:
fuel and petroleum products, machinery, grain, fertilizers, motor vehicles
partners:
US 40%, Mexico, Venezuela, Japan, Germany
External debt:
$2.6 billion (December 1990 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate NA; accounts for 18% of GDP
Electricity:
802,600 kW capacity; 2,461 million kWh produced, 266 kWh per capita (1991)
Industries:
sugar, textiles and clothing, furniture, chemicals, petroleum, metals,
rubber, tourism
Agriculture:
accounts for 26% of GDP; most important sector of economy and contributes
two-thirds of export earnings; principal crops - sugarcane, corn, bananas,
coffee, beans, cardamom; livestock - cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens; food
importer
Illicit drugs:
illicit producer of opium poppy and cannabis for the international drug
trade; the government has an active eradication program for cannabis and
opium poppy; transit country for cocaine shipments
Economic aid:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-90), $1.1 billion; Western (non-US)
countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $7.92 billion
Currency:
quetzal (plural - quetzales); 1 quetzal (Q) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates:
free market quetzales (Q) per US$1 - 5.0854 (January 1992), 5.0289 (1991),
2.8161 (1989), 2.6196 (1988), 2.500 (1987); note - black-market rate 2.800
(May 1989)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
:Guatemala Communications
Railroads:
884 km 0.914-meter gauge, single track; 782 km government owned, 102 km
privately owned
Highways:
26,429 km total; 2,868 km paved, 11,421 km gravel, and 12,140 unimproved
Inland waterways:
260 km navigable year round; additional 730 km navigable during high-water
season
Pipelines:
crude oil 275 km
Ports:
Puerto Barrios, Puerto Quetzal, Santo Tomas de Castilla
Merchant marine:
1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,129 GRT/6,450 DWT
Civil air:
8 major transport aircraft
Airports:
448 total, 400 usable; 11 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways
over 3,659 m; 3 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 19 with runways 1,220-2,439 m
Telecommunications:
fairly modern network centered in Guatemala [city]; 97,670 telephones;
broadcast stations - 91 AM, no FM, 25 TV, 15 shortwave; connection into
Central American Microwave System; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
:Guatemala Defense Forces
Branches:
Army, Navy, Air Force
Manpower availability:
males 15-49, 2,169,073; 1,420,116 fit for military service; 107,239 reach
military age (18) annually
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $113 million, 1% of GDP (1990)
:Guernsey Geography
Total area:
194 km2
Land area:
194 km2; includes Alderney, Guernsey, Herm, Sark, and some other smaller
islands
Comparative area:
slightly larger than Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
none
Coastline:
50 km
Maritime claims:
Exclusive fishing zone:
200 nm
Territorial sea:
3 nm
Disputes:
none
Climate:
temperate with mild winters and cool summers; about 50% of days are overcast
Terrain:
mostly level with low hills in southwest
Natural resources:
cropland
Land use:
arable land NA%; permanent crops NA%; meadows and pastures NA%; forest and
woodland NA%; other NA%; cultivated about 50%
Environment:
large, deepwater harbor at Saint Peter Port
Note:
52 km west of France
:Guernsey People
Population:
57,949 (July 1992), growth rate 0.6% (1992)
Birth rate:
12 births/1,000 population (1992)
Death rate:
11 deaths/1,000 population (1992)
Net migration rate:
5 migrants/1,000 population (1992)
Infant mortality rate:
6 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)
Life expectancy at birth:
72 years male, 78 years female (1992)
Total fertility rate:
1.6 children born/woman (1992)
Nationality:
noun - Channel Islander(s); adjective - Channel Islander
Ethnic divisions:
UK and Norman-French descent
Religions:
Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Baptist, Congregational, Methodist
Languages:
English, French; Norman-French dialect spoken in country districts
Literacy:
NA% (male NA%, female NA%) but compulsory education age 5 to 16
Labor force:
NA
Organized labor:
NA
:Guernsey Government
Long-form name:
Bailiwick of Guernsey
Type:
British crown dependency
Capital:
Saint Peter Port
Administrative divisions:
none (British crown dependency)
Independence:
none (British crown dependency)
Constitution:
unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice
Legal system:
English law and local statute; justice is administered by the Royal Court
National holiday:
Liberation Day, 9 May (1945)
Executive branch:
British monarch, lieutenant governor, bailiff, deputy bailiff
Legislative branch:
unicameral Assembly of the States
Judicial branch:
Royal Court
Leaders:
Chief of State:
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)
Head of Government:
Lieutenant Governor Lt. Gen. Sir Michael WILKINS (since NA 1990); Bailiff
Mr. Graham Martyn DOREY (since February 1992)
Political parties and leaders:
none; all independents
Suffrage:
universal at age 18
Elections:
Assembly of the States:
last held NA (next to be held NA); results - no percent of vote by party
since all are independents; seats - (60 total, 33 elected), all independents
Member of:
none
Diplomatic representation:
none (British crown dependency)
Flag:
white with the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of England) extending
to the edges of the flag
:Guernsey Economy
Overview:
Tourism is a major source of revenue. Other economic activity includes
financial services, breeding the world-famous Guernsey cattle, and growing
tomatoes and flowers for export.
GDP:
$NA, per capita $NA; real growth rate 9% (1987)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
7% (1988)
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues $208.9 million; expenditures $173.9 million, including capital
expenditures of NA (1988)
Exports:
$NA
commodities:
tomatoes, flowers and ferns, sweet peppers, eggplant, other vegetables
partners:
UK (regarded as internal trade)
Imports:
$NA
commodities:
coal, gasoline, and oil
partners:
UK (regarded as internal trade)
External debt:
$NA
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%
Electricity:
173,000 kW capacity; 525 million kWh produced, 9,340 kWh per capita (1989)
Industries:
tourism, banking
Agriculture:
tomatoes, flowers (mostly grown in greenhouses), sweet peppers, eggplant,
other vegetables and fruit; Guernsey cattle
Economic aid:
none
Currency:
Guernsey pound (plural - pounds); 1 Guernsey (#G) pound = 100 pence
Exchange rates:
Guernsey pounds (#G) per US$1 - 0.5799 (March 1992), 0.5652 (1991), 0.5603
(1990), 0.6099 (1989), 0.5614 (1988), 0.6102 (1987); note - the Guernsey
pound is at par with the British pound
Fiscal year:
calendar year
:Guernsey Communications
Ports:
Saint Peter Port, Saint Sampson
Telecommunications:
broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 41,900 telephones; 1 submarine cable
:Guernsey Defense Forces
Note:
defense is the responsibility of the UK
:Guinea Geography