Nationality:
noun: Chinese
adjective: Chinese
Ethnic groups: Chinese 95%, other 5%
Religions: eclectic mixture of local religions 90%, Christian 10%
Languages: Chinese (Cantonese), English
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school
total population: 92.2%
male: 96%
female: 88.2% (1996 est.)
@Hong Kong:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
conventional short form: Hong Kong
local long form: Xianggang Tebie Xingzhengqu
local short form: Xianggang
abbreviation: HK
Data code: HK
Dependency status: special administrative region of China
Government type: NA
National capital: Victoria
Administrative divisions: none (special administrative region of
China)
Independence: none (special administrative region of China)
National holiday: National Day, 1-2 October
note: 1 July 1997 is celebrated as Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region Establishment Day
Constitution: Basic Law approved in March 1990 by China's National
People's Congress is Hong Kong's "mini-constitution"
Legal system: based on English common law
Suffrage: direct election 18 years of age; universal for permanent
residents living in the territory of Hong Kong for the past seven
years; indirect election limited to about 100,000 members of
functional constituencies and an 800-member Election Commission drawn
from broad regional groupings and other central government bodies
Executive branch:
chief of state: President of China JIANG Zemin (since 27 March 1993)
head of government: Chief Executive TUNG Chee-hwa (since 1 July 1997)
cabinet: Executive Council consists of three ex-officio members and 10
appointed members; ex-officio members are: Chief Secretary Anson CHAN
(since 29 November 1993), Financial Secretary Donald TSANG (since NA
1995), and Secretary of Justice Elsie LEUNG (since NA 1997)
elections: NA
Legislative branch: a provisional legislature replaced the unicameral
Legislative Council or LEGCO (60 seats; 30 indirectly elected by
functional constituencies, 20 elected by popular vote, and 10 elected
by election committee; members served four-year terms) on 1 July 1997
elections: indirect and direct elections for the Legislative Council
were last held on 17 September 1995; elections for the first Special
Administrative Region Legislative Council are scheduled to be held in
May 1998
election results: the following are results of the 1995 election of
the Legislative Council - percent of vote by party-NA; seats by
party-Democratic Party 21, Liberal Party 10, Democratic Alliance for
the Betterment of Hong Kong 6, other parties and independents 23
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party, Martin LEE, chairman;
Liberal Party, Allen LEE, chairman; Democratic Alliance for the
Betterment of Hong Kong, TSANG Yuk-shing, chairman; Hong Kong
Democratic Foundation, Dr. Patrick SHIU Kin-ying, chairman; The
Frontier, Emily LAN Wai-hang, chairwoman
Political pressure groups and leaders: Association for Democracy and
People's Livelihood (ADPL), Frederick FUNG Kin Kee, chairman; Liberal
Democratic Federation, HU Fa-kuang, chairman; Federation of Trade
Unions (pro-China), LEE Chark-tim, president; Hong Kong and Kowloon
Trade Union Council (pro-Taiwan); Confederation of Trade Unions
(pro-democracy), LEE Cheuk-yan, chairman; Hong Kong General Chamber of
Commerce; Chinese General Chamber of Commerce (pro-China); Federation
of Hong Kong Industries; Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong
Kong; Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union, CHEUNG Man-kwong,
president; Hong Kong Alliance in Support of the Patriotic Democratic
Movement in China, Szeto WAH, chairman
International organization participation: APEC, AsDB, BIS (pending
member), CCC, ESCAP (associate), ICFTU, IMO (associate), Interpol
(subbureau), IOC, ISO (correspondent), WCL, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (special administrative
region of China)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Consul General Richard A. BOUCHER
consulate(s) general: 26 Garden Road, Hong Kong
mailing address: PSC 464, Box 30, FPO AP 96522-0002
telephone: [852] 2523-9011
FAX: [852] 2845-1598
Flag description: red with a stylized, white, five-petal bauhinia
flower in the center
@Hong Kong:Economy
Economy-overview: Hong Kong has a bustling free market economy highly
dependent on international trade. Natural resources are limited, and
food and raw materials must be imported. Indeed, imports and exports,
including reexports, each exceed GDP in dollar value. Real GDP growth
averaged a remarkable 8% in 1987-88, slowed to 3.0% in 1989-90, and
picked up to 4.2% in 1991, 5.0% in 1992, 5.2% in 1993, 5.5% in 1994,
4.8% in 1995, 4.7% in 1996, and an estimated 5.5% in 1997. A shortage
of labor continues to put upward pressure on prices and the cost of
living. Even before Hong Kong reverted to Chinese administration on 1
July 1997 it had extensive trade and investment ties with China.
GDP: purchasing power parity-$175.2 billion (1997 est.)
GDP-real growth rate: 5.5% (1997 est.)
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$26,800 (1997 est.)
GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 0.1%
industry: 16.1%
services: 83.8% (1996 est.)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 5.1% (1997 est.)
Labor force:
total: 3.183 million (1997)
by occupation: wholesale and retail trade, restaurants, and hotels
32.4%, social services 9.9%, manufacturing 9.9%, financing, insurance,
and real estate 13.0%, transport and communications 5.7%, construction
2.6%, other 26.5% (June 1997)
Unemployment rate: 3.1% (1996 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $19 billion
expenditures: $14.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $289
million (FY95/96 est.)
Industries: textiles, clothing, tourism, electronics, plastics, toys,
watches, clocks
Industrial production growth rate: -3.2% (1997 est.)
Electricity-capacity: 11.3 million kW (1996)
Electricity-production: 28 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 3,968 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: fresh vegetables; poultry
Exports:
total value: $180.7 billion (including reexports; f.o.b., 1996)
commodities: clothing, textiles, yarn and fabric, footwear, electrical
appliances, watches and clocks, toys
partners: China 34%, US 21%, Japan 7%, Germany 4%, UK 3% (1996)
Imports:
total value: $198.6 billion (c.i.f., 1996)
commodities: foodstuffs, transport equipment, raw materials,
semimanufactures, petroleum; a large share is reexported
partners: China 37%, Japan 14%, Taiwan 8%, US 8%, Singapore 5% (1996)
Debt-external: none (1996)
Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 Hong Kong dollar (HK$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Hong Kong dollars (HK$) per US$-7.74 (1997), 7.730
(1996), 7.800 (1995), 7.800 (1994), 7.800 (1993), 7.741 (1992);
note-linked to the US dollar at the rate of about 7.8 HK$ per 1 US$
Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March
Communications
Telephones: 4.37 million (1997 est.)
Telephone system: modern facilities provide excellent domestic and
international services
domestic: microwave radio relay links and extensive fiber-optic
network
international: satellite earth stations-3 Intelsat (1 Pacific Ocean
and 2 Indian Ocean); coaxial cable to Guangzhou, China; access to 5
international submarine cables providing connections to ASEAN member
nations, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, Middle East, and Western Europe
Radio broadcast stations: AM 6, FM 6, shortwave 0
Radios: 3 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 4 (British Broadcasting Corporation
repeater 1; British Forces Broadcasting Service repeater 1)
Televisions: 1.75 million (1992 est.)
@Hong Kong:Transportation
Railways:
total: 34 km
standard gauge: 34 km 1.435-m gauge (1996 est.)
note: also has 43 km of metro with 38 stations
Highways:
total: 1,760 km
paved: 1,760 km
unpaved: 0 km (1996 est.)
Ports and harbors: Hong Kong
Merchant marine:
total: 182 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,644,279 GRT/9,287,704
DWT
ships by type: bulk 104, cargo 23, combination bulk 2, container 42,
liquefied gas tanker 1, multifunction large load carrier 2, oil tanker
2, refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1, short-sea passenger
1, vehicle carrier 3
note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 13 countries
among which are UK 26, South Africa 9, China 9, Japan 8, Bermuda 3,
Germany 3, Israel 2, Canada 2, Belgium 1, and Norway 1; Hong Kong owns
an additional 459 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 17,179,262 DWT
that operate under the registries of The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize,
Bermuda, Cyprus, Hong Kong, Liberia, Malta, Panama, Philippines, Saint
Vincent and the Grenadines, Singapore, and Vanuatu (1997 est.)
Airports: 3 (1998)
Airports-with paved runways:
total: 3
over 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1998)
Heliports: 1 (1997 est.)
@Hong Kong:Military
Military branches: the People's Liberation Army (PLA) has a
low-profile presence in Hong Kong
Military manpower-military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower-availability:
males age 15-49: 1,908,604 (1998 est.)
Military manpower-fit for military service:
males: 1,442,870 (1998 est.)
Military manpower-reaching military age annually:
males: 45,276 (1998 est.)
Military expenditures-dollar figure: $NA
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: NA%
Military-note: defense is the responsibility of China
@Hong Kong:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
Illicit drugs: a hub for Southeast Asian heroin trade; transshipment
and money-laundering center; increasing indigenous amphetamine abuse
______________________________________________________________________
HOWLAND ISLAND
(territory of the US)
@Howland Island:Geography
Location: Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-half
of the way from Hawaii to Australia
Geographic coordinates: 0 48 N, 176 38 W
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total: 1.6 sq km
land: 1.6 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: about three times the size of The Mall in
Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 6.4 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun
Terrain: low-lying, nearly level, sandy, coral island surrounded by a
narrow fringing reef; depressed central area
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 3 m
Natural resources: guano (deposits worked until late 1800s)
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 0%
forests and woodland: 5%
other: 95%
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1993)
Natural hazards: the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can
be a maritime hazard
Environment-current issues: no natural fresh water resources
Environment-international agreements:
party to: NA
signed, but not ratified: NA
Geography-note: almost totally covered with grasses, prostrate vines,
and low-growing shrubs; small area of trees in the center; primarily a
nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and
marine wildlife; feral cats
@Howland Island:People
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 only and generally restricted to scientists and
educators
@Howland Island:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Howland Island
Data code: HQ
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
Legal system: NA
Flag description: the flag of the US is used
@Howland Island:Economy
Economy-overview: no economic activity
@Howland Island:Transportation
Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only; note-there is one
boat landing area along the middle of the west coast
Airports: airstrip constructed in 1937 for scheduled refueling stop on
the round-the-world flight of Amelia Earhart and Fred Noonan-they left
Lae, New Guinea, for Howland Island, but were never seen again; the
airstrip is no longer serviceable
Transportation-note: Earhart Light is a day beacon near the middle of
the west coast that was partially destroyed during World War II, but
has since been rebuilt; named in memory of famed aviatrix Amelia
Earhart
@Howland Island:Military
Military-note: defense is the responsibility of the US; visited
annually by the US Coast Guard
@Howland Island:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
______________________________________________________________________
HUNGARY
@Hungary:Geography
Location: Central Europe, northwest of Romania
Geographic coordinates: 47 00 N, 20 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total: 93,030 sq km
land: 92,340 sq km
water: 690 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly smaller than Indiana
Land boundaries:
total: 2,009 km
border countries: Austria 366 km, Croatia 329 km, Romania 443 km,
Serbia and Montenegro 151 km (all with Serbia), Slovakia 515 km,
Slovenia 102 km, Ukraine 103 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: temperate; cold, cloudy, humid winters; warm summers
Terrain: mostly flat to rolling plains; hills and low mountains on the
Slovakian border
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Tisza River 78 m
highest point: Kekes 1,014 m
Natural resources: bauxite, coal, natural gas, fertile soils
Land use:
arable land: 51%
permanent crops: 2%
permanent pastures: 13%
forests and woodland: 19%
other: 15% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 2,060 sq km (1993 est.)
Environment-current issues: the approximation of Hungary's standards
in waste management, energy efficiency, and air, soil, and water
pollution with environmental requirements for EU accession will
require large investments, estimated by the Government of Hungary at
$4 billion over six years; the 1997 budget allocated $9.7 million for
this purpose; the 1998 budget allocated $11.3 million; the Central
Environmental Fund, which collects monies from product charges,
environmental fines, and mining taxes, provided approximately $76.2
million in 1997 and is expected to provide $109.5 million in 1998
Environment-international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,
Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species,
Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear
Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Sulphur 94,
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Law of the Sea
Geography-note: landlocked; strategic location astride main land
routes between Western Europe and Balkan Peninsula as well as between
Ukraine and Mediterranean basin
@Hungary:People
Population: 10,208,127 (July 1998 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 18% (male 915,412; female 872,706)
15-64 years: 68% (male 3,413,170; female 3,533,085)
65 years and over: 14% (male 550,974; female 922,780) (July 1998 est.)
Population growth rate: -0.23% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 10.69 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 13.46 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate: 0.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 9.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 70.83 years
male: 66.46 years
female: 75.44 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.45 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Hungarian(s)
adjective: Hungarian
Ethnic groups: Hungarian 89.9%, Gypsy 4%, German 2.6%, Serb 2%, Slovak
0.8%, Romanian 0.7%
Religions: Roman Catholic 67.5%, Calvinist 20%, Lutheran 5%, atheist
and other 7.5%
Languages: Hungarian 98.2%, other 1.8%
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99%
male: 99%
female: 98% (1980 est.)
@Hungary:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Hungary
conventional short form: Hungary
local long form: Magyar Koztarsasag
local short form: Magyarorszag
Data code: HU
Government type: republic
National capital: Budapest
Administrative divisions: 19 counties (megyek, singular-megye), 20
urban counties* (singular - megyei varos), and 1 capital city**
(fovaros); Bacs-Kiskun, Baranya, Bekes, Bekescsaba*,
Borsod-Abauj-Zemplen, Budapest**, Csongrad, Debrecen*, Dunaujvaros*,
Eger*, Fejer, Gyor*, Gyor-Moson-Sopron, Hajdu-Bihar, Heves,
Hodmezovasarhely*, Jasz-Nagykun-Szolnok, Kaposvar*, Kecskemet*,
Komarom-Esztergom, Miskolc*, Nagykanizsa*, Nograd, Nyiregyhaza*,
Pecs*, Pest, Somogy, Sopron*, Szabolcs-Szatmar-Bereg, Szeged*,
Szekesfehervar*, Szolnok*, Szombathely*, Tatabanya*, Tolna, Vas,
Veszprem, Veszprem*, Zala, Zalaegerszeg*
Independence: 1001 (unification by King Stephen I)
National holiday: St. Stephen's Day (National Day), 20 August
(commemorates the coronation of King Stephen in 1000 AD)
Constitution: 18 August 1949, effective 20 August 1949, revised 19
April 1972; 18 October 1989 revision ensured legal rights for
individuals and constitutional checks on the authority of the prime
minister and also established the principle of parliamentary
oversight; 1997 amendment streamlined the judicial system
Legal system: in process of revision, moving toward rule of law based
on Western model
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Arpad GONCZ (since 3 August 1990; previously
interim president since 2 May 1990)
head of government: Prime Minister Gyula HORN (since 15 July 1994)
cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the National Assembly on the
recommendation of the president
elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a four-year
term; election last held 19 June 1995 (next to be held NA 1999); prime
minister elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the
president
election results: Arpad GONCZ elected president; a total of 335 votes
were cast by the National Assembly, Arpad GONCZ received 259; Gyula
HORN elected prime minister; percent of legislative vote NA
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Orszaggyules (386
seats; members are elected by popular vote under a system of
proportional and direct representation to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 8 and 29 May 1994 (next to be held 10 and 24
May 1998)
election results: percent of vote by party (5% or more of the vote
required for parliamentary representation in the first round)-MSzP
33.0%, SzDSz 19.8%, MDF 11.7%, FKgP 8.9%, KDNP 7.1%, FiDeSz 7.0%, MMP
3.2%, MIEP 1.6%, other 7.7%; seats by party - MSzP 209, SzDSz 70, MDF
37, FKgP 26, KDNP 22, FiDeSz 20, other 2
Judicial branch: Constitutional Court, judges are elected by the
National Assembly for a nine-year term
Political parties and leaders: Hungarian Democratic Forum or MDF
[Sandor LEZSAK, chairman]; Independent Smallholders or FKgP [Jozsef
TORGYAN, president]; Hungarian Socialist Party or MSzP [Gyula HORN,
president]; Christian Democratic People's Party or KDNP [Gyorgy GICZY,
president]; Hungarian Civic Party or FiDeSz [Viktor ORBAN, chairman];
Alliance of Free Democrats or SzDSz [Ivan PETO, chairman]; Hungarian
Democratic People's Party or MDNP [Ivan SZABO, chairman]; Hungarian
Justice and Life Party or MIEP [Istvan CSURKA, chairman]; Hungarian
Workers' Party or MMP [Gyula THURMER, chairman]
note: the Hungarian Socialist (Communist) Workers' Party or MSzMP
renounced Communism and became the Hungarian Socialist Party or MSzP
in October 1989; the MDNP was formed in March 1996 by breakaway
members of the Hungarian Democratic Forum; the KDNP lost its
parliamentary faction status in July 1997 after a party split reduced
its representation below the minimum 15 required
International organization participation: Australia Group, BIS, CCC,
CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, G- 9, IAEA, IBRD,
ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol,
IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUA, MTCR, NAM (guest), NSG, OAS
(observer), OECD, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR,
UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNOMIG, UNU, UPU, WEU (associate partner),
WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Gyorgy BANLAKI
chancery: 3910 Shoemaker Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 362-6730
FAX: [1] (202) 966-8135
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Peter F. TUFO
embassy: V. Szabadsag Ter 12, 1054 Budapest
mailing address: Pouch: American Embassy Budapest, Department of
State, Washington, DC 20521-5270
telephone: [36] (1) 267-4400, 269-9331 (after hours), 269-9339 (after
hours)
FAX: [36] (1) 269-9326
Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white,
and green
@Hungary:Economy
Economy-overview: Hungary has consolidated its March 1995
stabilization program and undergone enough restructuring to become an
established market economy. The country appears to have entered a
period of sustainable growth, gradually falling inflation, and stable
external balances. The government's main economic priorities are to
complete structural reforms, particularly the implementation of the
1997 pension reform act (the first in the region), taxation reform,
and planning for comprehensive health care, local government finance
reform, and the reform of education at all levels. Foreign investment
has totaled more than $17 billion through 1997. In recognition of
Hungary's improved macro-economic situation, all major credit-rating
agencies listed the country's foreign currency debt issuances as
investment grade in 1996. The current IMF stand-by arrangement expired
in February 1998, and Budapest and the IMF agree that there is no need
to renew it. The OECD welcomed Hungary as a member in May 1996, and in
December 1997 the EU invited Hungary to begin the accession process.
Forecasters expect 4%-5% growth in 1998.
GDP: purchasing power parity-$73.2 billion (1997 est.)
GDP-real growth rate: 4.4% (1997 est.)
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$7,400 (1997 est.)
GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 7.2%
industry: 31.8%
services: 61% (1995)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 18% (1997 est.)
Labor force:
total: 4.5 million (1996)
by occupation: services 65.0%, industry 26.7%, agriculture 8.3 (1996)
Unemployment rate: 9% (1997 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $12.1 billion
expenditures: $13.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1997 est.)
Industries: mining, metallurgy, construction materials, processed
foods, textiles, chemicals (especially pharmaceuticals), motor
vehicles
Industrial production growth rate: 7% (1997 est.)
Electricity-capacity: 6.979 million kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 32.92 billion kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 3,423 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: wheat, corn, sunflower seed, potatoes, sugar
beets; pigs, cattle, poultry, dairy products