natural resource base, serious water shortages exacerbated by cycles
of long-term drought, and a high birth rate. The economy is
service-oriented, with commerce, transport, and public services
accounting for almost 70% of GDP. Although nearly 70% of the
population lives in rural areas, the share of agriculture in GDP in
1995 was only 8%, of which fishing accounts for 1.5%. About 90% of
food must be imported. The fishing potential, mostly lobster and tuna,
is not fully exploited. Cape Verde annually runs a high trade deficit,
financed by foreign aid and remittances from emigrants; remittances
constitute a supplement to GDP of more than 20%. Economic reforms,
launched by the new democratic government in 1991, are aimed at
developing the private sector and attracting foreign investment to
diversify the economy. Prospects for 1998 depend heavily on the
maintenance of aid flows, remittances, and the momentum of the
government's development program.
GDP: purchasing power parity-$538 million (1997 est.)
GDP-real growth rate: 4.5% (1997 est.)
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$1,370 (1997 est.)
GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 8%
industry: 18%
services: 74% (1996 est.)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 6.2% (1996)
Labor force: NA
Unemployment rate: NA %
Budget:
revenues: $188 million
expenditures: $228 million, including capital expenditures of $116
million (1996)
Industries: food and beverages, fish processing, shoes and garments,
salt mining, ship repair,
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity-capacity: 7,000 kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 40 million kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 92 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: bananas, corn, beans, sweet potatoes, sugarcane,
coffee, peanuts; fish
Exports:
total value: $12.8 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.)
commodities: shoes, garments, fish, bananas, hides,
partners: Portugal, Spain, France, UK
Imports:
total value: $237 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.)
commodities: foodstuffs, consumer goods, industrial products,
transport equipment, fuels
partners: Portugal 41%, Netherlands, France, Spain, US
Debt-external: $202 million (1996)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $70 million (1995)
Currency: 1 Cape Verdean escudo (CVEsc) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: Cape Verdean escudos (CVEsc) per US$1-95.400 (December
1997), 93.177 (1997), 82.591 (1996), 76.853 (1995), 81.891 (1994),
80.427 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 22,900 (1995 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: interisland microwave radio relay system with both analog
and digital exchanges; work is in progress on a submarine fiber-optic
cable system scheduled for completion in 1998
international: 2 coaxial submarine cables; HF radiotelephone to
Senegal and Guinea-Bissau; satellite earth station-1 Intelsat
(Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 6, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 1 (1997 est.)
Televisions: 7,000 (1991 est.)
@Cape Verde:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 1,100 km
paved: 858 km
unpaved: 242 km (1995 est.)
Ports and harbors: Mindelo, Praia, Tarrafal
Merchant marine:
total: 4 (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 9,620 GRT/13,920 DWT
ships by type: cargo 3, chemical tanker 1 (1997 est.)
Airports: 6 (1997 est.)
Airports-with paved runways:
total: 6
over 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 5 (1997 est.)
@Cape Verde:Military
Military branches: People's Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARP; includes
Army and Navy), Security Service
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 81,265 (1998 est.)
Military manpower-fit for military service:
males: 46,235 (1998 est.)
Military expenditures-dollar figure: $3.4 million (1994)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 2.2% (1997 est.)
@Cape Verde:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
Illicit drugs: increasingly used as a transshipment point for illicit
drugs moving from Latin America and Africa destined for Western Europe
______________________________________________________________________
CAYMAN ISLANDS
(dependent territory of the UK)
@Cayman Islands:Geography
Location: Caribbean, island group in Caribbean Sea, nearly one-half of
the way from Cuba to Honduras
Geographic coordinates: 19 30 N, 80 30 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 260 sq km
land: 260 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 160 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and
cool, relatively dry winters (November to April)
Terrain: low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: The Bluff 43 m
Natural resources: fish, climate and beaches that foster tourism
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 8%
forests and woodland: 23%
other: 69% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: hurricanes (July to November)
Environment-current issues: no natural fresh water resources, drinking
water supplies must be met by rainwater catchment
Environment-international agreements:
party to: NA
signed, but not ratified: NA
Geography-note: important location between Cuba and Central America
@Cayman Islands:People
Population: 37,716 (July 1998 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 4.22% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 13.95 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 4.98 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate: 33.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)
note: major destination for Cubans trying to migrate to the US
Infant mortality rate: 8.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 77.1 years
male: 75.37 years
female: 78.81 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.34 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Caymanian(s)
adjective: Caymanian
Ethnic groups: mixed 40%, white 20%, black 20%, expatriates of various
ethnic groups 20%
Religions: United Church (Presbyterian and Congregational), Anglican,
Baptist, Roman Catholic, Church of God, other Protestant denominations
Languages: English
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school
total population: 98%
male: 98%
female: 98% (1970 est.)
@Cayman Islands:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Cayman Islands
Data code: CJ
Dependency status: dependent territory of the UK
Government type: NA
National capital: George Town
Administrative divisions: 8 districts; Creek, Eastern, Midland, South
Town, Spot Bay, Stake Bay, West End, Western
Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK)
National holiday: Constitution Day (first Monday in July)
Constitution: 1959, revised 1972 and 1992
Legal system: British common law and local statutes
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952)
head of government: Governor and President of the Executive Council
John Wynne OWEN (since 15 September 1995)
cabinet: Executive Council (three members appointed by the governor,
four members elected by the Legislative Assembly)
elections: none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; the governor is
appointed by the queen
Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly (18 seats, 3
official members and 15 elected by popular vote; members serve
four-year terms)
elections: last held 20 November 1996 (next to be held NA November
2000)
election results: percent of vote-NA; seats-National Team coalition 9,
independents 6
Judicial branch: Grand Court; Cayman Islands Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders: no formal political parties
International organization participation: Caricom (observer), CDB,
Interpol (subbureau), IOC
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (dependent territory of the
UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (dependent territory of
the UK)
Flag description: blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper
hoist-side quadrant and the Caymanian coat of arms on a white disk
centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms includes a
pineapple and turtle above a shield with three stars (representing the
three islands) and a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto HE HATH
FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS
@Cayman Islands:Economy
Economy-overview: With no direct taxation, the Islands are a thriving
offshore financial center; 28,000 foreign companies do business with
the 600 registered banks and trust companies; banking assets exceed
$500 billion. Tourism is also a mainstay, accounting for about 70% of
GDP and 75% of foreign currency earnings. The tourist industry is
aimed at the luxury market and caters mainly to visitors from North
America. Total tourist arrivals exceeded 1 million visitors in 1995
and again in 1996. About 90% of the islands' food and consumer goods
must be imported. The Caymanians enjoy one of the highest outputs per
capita and one of the highest standards of living in the world.
GDP: purchasing power parity-$860 million (1996 est.)
GDP-real growth rate: 4.5% (1996 est.)
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$23,800 (1996 est.)
GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 1.4%
industry: 3.2%
services: 95.4% (1994 est.)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 2.1% (1996 est.)
Labor force:
total: 8,061
by occupation: service workers 18.7%, clerical 18.6%, construction
12.5%, finance and investment 6.7%, directors and business managers
5.9% (1979)
Unemployment rate: 7% (1992)
Budget:
revenues: $141.5 million
expenditures: $160.7 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1991)
Industries: tourism, banking, insurance and finance, construction,
construction materials, furniture
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity-capacity: 75,000 kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 230 million kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 6,929 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: vegetables, fruit; livestock; turtle farming
Exports:
total value: $3.4 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: turtle products, manufactured consumer goods
partners: mostly US
Imports:
total value: $333 million (c.i.f., 1995 est.)
commodities: foodstuffs, manufactured goods
partners: US, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, Netherlands Antilles, Japan
Debt-external: $NA
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Caymanian dollar (CI$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Caymanian dollars (CI$) per US$1-0.83 (3 November
1995), 0.85 (22 November 1993)
Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March
Communications
Telephones: 21,584 (1993 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: 1 submarine coaxial cable; satellite earth station-1
Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: 28,200 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1 (1995)
Televisions: 6,000 (1992 est.)
@Cayman Islands:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 406 km
paved: 304 km
unpaved: 102 km
Ports and harbors: Cayman Brac, George Town
Merchant marine:
total: 54 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 751,113 GRT/1,139,958 DWT
ships by type: bulk 4, cargo 8, chemical tanker 4, container 5, oil
tanker 6, refrigerated cargo 18, roll-on/roll-off cargo 7, specialized
tanker 1, vehicle carrier 1
note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 10
countries: Greece 11, US 8, UK 5, Cyprus 1, Finland 1, India 1, Japan
1, Norway 1, Sweden 1, and Switzerland 1 (1997 est.)
Airports: 3 (1997 est.)
Airports-with paved runways:
total: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (1997 est.)
Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1997 est.)
@Cayman Islands:Military
Military branches: Royal Cayman Islands Police Force (RCIPF)
Military-note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
@Cayman Islands:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
Illicit drugs: vulnerable to drug money-laundering and drug
transshipment
______________________________________________________________________
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
Introduction
Current issues: In 1996, the Central African Republic experienced
three mutinies by dissident elements of the armed forces, which
demanded back pay as well as political and military reforms.
Continuing violence in 1997 between the government and rebel military
groups over pay issues, living conditions, and lack of opposition
party representation in the government has destroyed many businesses
in the capital, reducing tax revenues and exacerbating the
government's problems in meeting expenses.
@Central African Republic:Geography
Location: Central Africa, north of Democratic Republic of the Congo
Geographic coordinates: 7 00 N, 21 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total: 622,980 sq km
land: 622,980 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than Texas
Land boundaries:
total: 5,203 km
border countries: Cameroon 797 km, Chad 1,197 km, Democratic Republic
of the Congo 1,577 km, Republic of the Congo 467 km, Sudan 1,165 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers
Terrain: vast, flat to rolling, monotonous plateau; scattered hills in
northeast and southwest
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Oubangui River 335 m
highest point: Mount Gaou 1,420 m
Natural resources: diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil
Land use:
arable land: 3%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 5%
forests and woodland: 75%
other: 17% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds affect northern
areas; floods are common
Environment-current issues: tap water is not potable; poaching has
diminished its reputation as one of the last great wildlife refuges;
desertification; deforestation
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 94
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography-note: landlocked; almost the precise center of Africa
@Central African Republic:People
Population: 3,375,771 (July 1998 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 44% (male 745,128; female 737,879)
15-64 years: 52% (male 864,263; female 906,656)
65 years and over: 4% (male 55,051; female 66,794) (July 1998 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.02% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 38.72 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 16.75 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 105.73 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 46.82 years
male: 45.02 years
female: 48.68 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.12 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Central African(s)
adjective: Central African
Ethnic groups: Baya 34%, Banda 27%, Sara 10%, Mandjia 21%, Mboum 4%,
M'Baka 4%, Europeans 6,500 (including 3,600 French)
Religions: indigenous beliefs 24%, Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%,
Muslim 15%, other 11%
note: animistic beliefs and practices strongly influence the Christian
majority
Languages: French (official), Sangho (lingua franca and national
language), Arabic, Hunsa, Swahili
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 60%
male: 68.5%
female: 52.4% (1995 est.)
@Central African Republic:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Central African Republic
conventional short form: none
local long form: Republique Centrafricaine
local short form: none
former: Central African Empire
abbreviation: CAR
Data code: CT
Government type: republic
National capital: Bangui
Administrative divisions: 14 prefectures (prefectures,
singular-prefecture), 2 economic prefectures* (prefectures
economiques, singular-prefecture economique), and 1 commune**;
Bamingui-Bangoran, Bangui**, Basse-Kotto, Gribingui*, Haute-Kotto,
Haute-Sangha, Haut-Mbomou, Kemo-Gribingui, Lobaye, Mbomou,
Nana-Mambere, Ombella-Mpoko, Ouaka, Ouham, Ouham-Pende, Sangha*,
Vakaga
Independence: 13 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday: National Day, 1 December (1958) (proclamation of the
republic)
Constitution: passed by referendum 29 December 1994; adopted 7 January
1995
Legal system: based on French law
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Ange PATASSE (since 22 October 1993)
head of government: Prime Minister Michel GBEZERA-BRIA (since January
1997)
cabinet: Council of Ministers
elections: president elected by popular vote for a 6-year term;
election last held 19 September 1993 (next to be held NA 1999); prime
minister appointed by the president
election results: Ange PATASSE elected president; percent of
vote-PATASSE 52.45%, Abel GOUMBA 45.62%
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee
Nationale (85 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve
five-year terms)
elections: last held 19 September 1993 (next to be held NA 1998)
election results: percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-MLPC 34,
RDC 13, PLD 7, FPP 7, ADP 6, PSD 3, CN 3, MDREC 1, PRC 1, FC 1, MESAN
1, independents supporting David DACKO 6, other independents 2
note: the National Assembly is advised by the Economic and Regional
Council or Conseil Economique et Regional; when they sit together they
are called the Congress or Congres
Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Cour Supreme, judges appointed by
the president; Constitutional Court, judges appointed by the president
Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Democracy and Progress or
ADP [Tchapka BREDE]; Central African Democratic Assembly or RDC [Andre
KOLINGBA]; Central African Republican Party or PRC; Civic Forum or FC
[Gen. Timothee MALENDOMA]; Democratic Movement for the Renaissance and
Evolution of Central Africa or MDREC [Joseph BENDOUNGA]; Liberal
Democratic Party or PLD [Nestor KOMBO-NAGUEMON]; Movement for the
Liberation of the Central African People or MLPC [the party of the
president, Ange Felix PATASSE]; Movement for Democracy and Development
or MDD [David DACKO]; National Convention or CN [David GALIAMBO];
Patriotic Front for Progress or FPP [Abel GOUMBA]; Social Democratic
Party or PSD [Enoch Derant LAKOUE]; Social Evolution Movement of Black
Africa or MESAN [Prosper LAVODRAMA and Joseph NGBANGADIBO]
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CCC,
CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC
(observer), UDEAC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO,
WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Henri KOBA
chancery: 1618 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 462 2517
FAX: [1] (202) 462 2517
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Mosina H. JORDAN
embassy: Avenue David Dacko, Bangui
mailing address: B. P. 924, Bangui
telephone: [236] 61 26 21
FAX: [236] 61 44 94
Flag description: four equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white,
green, and yellow with a vertical red band in center; there is a
yellow five-pointed star on the hoist side of the blue band
@Central African Republic:Economy
Economy-overview: Subsistence agriculture, together with forestry,
remains the backbone of the economy of the Central African Republic
(CAR), with more than 70% of the population living in outlying areas.
The agricultural sector generates half of GDP. Timber has accounted
for about 16% of export earnings and the diamond industry for nearly
54%. Important constraints to economic development include the CAR's
landlocked position, a poor transportation system, a largely unskilled
work force, and a legacy of misdirected macroeconomic policies. The
50% devaluation of the currencies of 14 Francophone African nations on
12 January 1994 had mixed effects on the CAR's economy. Diamond,
timber, coffee, and cotton exports increased, leading an estimated
rise of GDP of 7% in 1994 and nearly 5% in 1995. Military rebellions
and social unrest in 1996 were accompanied by widespread destruction
of property and a drop in GDP of 1%. Ongoing violence between the
government and rebel military groups over pay issues, living
conditions, and political representation has destroyed many businesses
in the capital, reduced tax revenues for the government, and delayed
negotiations for an IMF financial aid agreement.
GDP: purchasing power parity-$3.3 billion (1997 est.)
GDP-real growth rate: NA%
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$1,000 (1997 est.)
GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 50%
industry: 14%
services: 36% (1994 est.)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 4% (1996 est.)
Labor force: NA
Unemployment rate: 6% (1993)
Budget:
revenues: $638 million
expenditures: $1.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $888
million (1994 est.)
Industries: diamond mining, sawmills, breweries, textiles, footwear,
assembly of bicycles and motorcycles
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity-capacity: 43,000 kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 100 million kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 31 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: cotton, coffee, tobacco, manioc (tapioca), yams,
millet, corn, bananas; timber
Exports:
total value: $171 million (f.o.b., 1995)
commodities: diamonds, timber, cotton, coffee, tobacco
partners: France 16%, Belgium-Luxembourg 40.1%, Italy, Japan, US,
Spain, Iran, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo
Imports:
total value: $174 million (f.o.b., 1995)
commodities: food, textiles, petroleum products, machinery, electrical
equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods,
industrial products
partners: France 37%, other EU countries, Japan 24%, Algeria,
Cameroon, Namibia
Debt-external: $890 million (1994 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA; traditional budget subsidies from France
Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100
centimes
Exchange rates: CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1-608.36 (January 1998),
583.67 (1997), 511.55 (1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16
(1993)
note: beginning 12 January 1994, the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF
100 per French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since
1948
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 16,867 (1992 est.)
Telephone system: fair system
domestic: network consists principally of microwave radio relay and
low-capacity, low-powered radiotelephone communication
international: satellite earth station-1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 1 (1987 est.)
Televisions: 7,500 (1993 est.)
@Central African Republic:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 23,810 km
paved: 429 km
unpaved: 23,381 km (1995 est.)
Waterways: 800 km; traditional trade carried on by means of
shallow-draft dugouts; Oubangui is the most important river
Ports and harbors: Bangui, Nola
Airports: 52 (1997 est.)
Airports-with paved runways:
total: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (1997 est.)
Airports-with unpaved runways:
total: 49
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 10
914 to 1,523 m: 23
under 914 m: 15 (1997 est.)
@Central African Republic:Military
Military branches: Central African Army (includes Republican Guard),
Air Force, National Gendarmerie, Police Force
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 763,085 (1998 est.)
Military manpower-fit for military service:
males: 398,617 (1998 est.)
Military expenditures-dollar figure: $30 million (1994)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 2.3% (1994)
@Central African Republic:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
______________________________________________________________________
CHAD
Introduction