Western Europe, bordering on the North Sea, between France and the
Netherlands
Map references:
Arctic Region, Europe, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
30,510 sq km
land area:
30,230 sq km
comparative area:
slightly larger than Maryland
Land boundaries:
total 1,385 km, France 620 km, Germany 167 km, Luxembourg 148 km,
Netherlands 450 km
Coastline:
64 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf:
equidistant line with neighbors
exclusive fishing zone:
equidistant line with neighbors (extends about 68 km from coast)
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
none
Climate:
temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy
Terrain:
flat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills, rugged
mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast
Natural resources:
coal, natural gas
Land use:
arable land:
24%
permanent crops:
1%
meadows and pastures:
20%
forest and woodland:
21%
other:
34%
Irrigated land:
10 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
Meuse River, a major source of drinking water, polluted from steel
production wastes; other rivers polluted by animal wastes and
fertilizers; industrial air pollution contributes to acid rain in
neighboring countries
natural hazards:
NA
international agreements:
party to - Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Sulphur, Antarctic Treaty,
Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes,
Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone
Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber, Wetlands; signed,
but not ratified - Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental
Protocol, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea
Note:
crossroads of Western Europe; majority of West European capitals
within 1,000 km of Brussels which is the seat of the EC
@Belgium, People
Population:
10,062,836 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.2% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
11.71 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
10.26 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
0.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
7.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
76.96 years
male:
73.67 years
female:
80.44 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.62 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Belgian(s)
adjective:
Belgian
Ethnic divisions:
Fleming 55%, Walloon 33%, mixed or other 12%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 75%, Protestant or other 25%
Languages:
Dutch 56%, French 32%, German 1%, legally bilingual 11% divided along
ethnic lines
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.)
total population:
99%
male:
NA%
female:
NA%
Labor force:
4.126 million
by occupation:
services 63.6%, industry 28%, construction 6.1%, agriculture 2.3%
(1988)
@Belgium, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
Kingdom of Belgium
conventional short form:
Belgium
local long form:
Royaume de Belgique
local short form:
Belgique
Digraph:
BE
Type:
constitutional monarchy
Capital:
Brussels
Administrative divisions:
9 provinces (French: provinces, singular - province; Flemish:
provincien, singular - provincie); Antwerpen, Brabant, Hainaut, Liege,
Limburg, Luxembourg, Namur, Oost-Vlaanderen, West-Vlaanderen
Independence:
4 October 1830 (from the Netherlands)
National holiday:
National Day, 21 July (ascension of King Leopold to the throne in
1831)
Constitution:
7 February 1831, last revised 14 July 1993; parliament approved a
constitutional package creating a federal state
Legal system:
civil law system influenced by English constitutional theory; judicial
review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with
reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age, universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state:
King ALBERT II (since NA August 1993)
head of government:
Prime Minister Jean-Luc DEHAENE (since 6 March 1992)
cabinet:
Cabinet; the king appoints the ministers who are chosen by the
legislature
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament
Senate:
(Flemish - Senaat, French - Senat); elections last held 24 November
1991 (next to be held by November 1996); results - percent of vote by
party NA; seats - (184 total; of which 106 are directly elected) CVP
20, SP 14, PVV (now VLD) 13, VU 5, AGALEV 5, VB 5, ROSSEN 1, PS 18,
PRL 9, PSC 9, ECOLO 6, FDF 1
Chamber of Representatives:
(Flemish - Kamer van Volksvertegenwoordigers, French - Chambre des
Representants); elections last held 24 November 1991 (next to be held
by November 1996); results - CVP 16.7%, PS 13.6%, SP 12.0%, PVV (now
VLD) 11.9%, PRL 8.2%, PSC 7.8%, VB 6.6%, VU 5.9%, ECOLO 5.1%, AGALEV
4.9%, FDF 2.6%, ROSSEM 3.2%, FN 1.5%; seats - (212 total) CVP 39, PS
35, SP 28, PVV (now VLD) 26, PRL 20, PSC 18, FB 12, VU 10, ECOLO 10,
AGALEV 7, FDF 3, ROSSEM 3, FN 1
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court of Justice (Flemish - Hof van Cassatie, French - Cour de
Cassation)
Political parties and leaders:
Flemish Social Christian (CVP), Johan van HECKE, president;
Francophone Social Christian (PSC), Melchior WATHELET, president;
Flemish Socialist (SP), Frank VANDENBROUCKE, president; Francophone
Socialist (PS), Philippe BUSQUIN; Flemish Liberals and Democrats
(VLD), Guy VERHOFSTADT, president; Francophone Liberal (PRL), Jean
GOL, president; Francophone Democratic Front (FDF), Georges CLERFAYT,
president; Volksunie (VU), Bert ANCIAUX, president; Communist Party
(PCB), Louis VAN GEYT, president; Vlaams Blok (VB), Karel DILLEN,
chairman; ROSSEM, Jean Pierre VAN ROSSEM; National Front (FN), Werner
van STEEN; AGALEV (Flemish Greens), no president; ECOLO (Francophone
Ecologists), no president; other minor parties
Other political or pressure groups:
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 the Flemish Action
Committee Against Nuclear Weapons and Pax Christi
Member of:
AG (observer), ACCT, AfDB, AsDB, Australian Group, Benelux, BIS, CCC,
CE, CERN, COCOM, CSCE, EBRD, EC, ECE, EIB, ESA, FAO, G-9, G-10, GATT,
IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF,
IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, MINURSO,
MTCR, NACC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, PCA, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMOGIP, UNOSOM, UNPROFOR, UNRWA, UNTAC, UNTSO,
UPU, WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Juan CASSIERS
chancery:
3330 Garfield Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 333-6900
FAX:
(202) 333-3079
consulate(s) general:
Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Alan J. BLINKEN
embassy:
27 Boulevard du Regent, Brussels
mailing address:
B-1000 Brussels, APO AE 09724
telephone:
[32] (2) 513-3830
FAX:
[32] (2) 511-2725
Flag:
three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow, and red; the
design was based on the flag of France
@Belgium, Economy
Overview:
This small 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, although the
government is encouraging reinvestment in the southern region of
Walloon. 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.
Three fourths of its trade is with other EC countries. The economy
grew at a strong 4% pace during the period 1988-90, but economic
growth slowed to a 1% pace in 1991-92 and dropped by 1.5% in 1993.
Belgium's public debt has risen to 140% of GDP, and the government is
trying to control its expenditures to bring the figure more into line
with other industrialized countries.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $177.5 billion (1993)
National product real growth rate:
-1.5% (1993)
National product per capita:
$17,700 (1993)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.8% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate:
13.5% (March 1994)
Budget:
revenues:
$97.8 billion
enditures:
$109.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1989)
Exports:
7 billion (f.o.b., 1992) Belgium-Luxembourg Economic Union
commodities:
iron and steel, transportation equipment, tractors, diamonds,
petroleum products
partners:
EC 75.5%, US 3.7%, former Communist countries 1.4% (1991)
Imports:
$120 billion (c.i.f., 1992) Belgium-Luxembourg Economic Union
commodities:
fuels, grains, chemicals, foodstuffs
partners:
EC 73%, US 4.8%, oil-exporting less developed countries 4%, former
Communist countries 1.8% (1991)
External debt:
$31.3 billion (1992 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate -0.1% (1993 est.); accounts for 25% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
17,500,000 kW
production:
68 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
6,790 kWh (1992)
Industries:
engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, processed food
and beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass, petroleum,
coal
Agriculture:
accounts for 2.0% of GDP; emphasis on livestock production - beef,
veal, pork, milk; major crops are sugar beets, fresh vegetables,
fruits, grain, tobacco; net importer of farm products
Illicit drugs:
source of precursor chemicals for South American cocaine processors;
important gateway country for cocaine entering the European market
Economic aid:
donor:
ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $5.8 billion
Currency:
1 Belgian franc (BF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates:
Belgian francs (BF) per US$1 - 36.242 (January 1994), 34.597 (1993),
32.150 (1992), 34.148 (1991), 33.418 (1990), 39.404 (1989)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
@Belgium, Communications
Railroads:
Belgian National Railways (SNCB) operates 3,568 km 1.435-meter
standard gauge, government owned; 2,563 km double track; 2,207 km
electrified
Highways:
total:
137,876 km
paved:
129,603 km (including 1,631 km of limited access divided highway)
unpaved:
8,273 km (1989)
Inland waterways:
2,043 km (1,528 km in regular commercial use)
Pipelines:
crude oil 161 km; petroleum products 1,167 km; natural gas 3,300 km
Ports:
Antwerp, Brugge, Gent, Oostende, Zeebrugge
Merchant marine:
21 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 36,200 GRT/52,039 DWT, bulk 1,
cargo 9, chemical tanker 5, liquefied gas 1, oil tanker 5
Airports:
total:
42
usable:
42
with permanent-surface runways:
24
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
15
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
3
Telecommunications:
highly developed, technologically advanced, and completely automated
domestic and international telephone and telegraph facilities;
extensive cable network; limited microwave radio relay network;
4,720,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 3 AM, 39 FM, 32 TV; 5
submarine cables; 2 satellite earth stations - Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT
and EUTELSAT systems; nationwide mobile phone system
@Belgium, Defense Forces
Branches:
Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 2,558,109; fit for military service 2,130,172; reach
military age (19) annually 61,710 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $3.8 billion, 1.8% of GDP (1993)
@Belize, Geography
Location:
Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea between Guatemala and
Mexico
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean, North America, Standard Time Zones
of the World
Area:
total area:
22,960 sq km
land area:
22,800 sq km
comparative area:
slightly larger than Massachusetts
Land boundaries:
total 516 km, Guatemala 266 km, Mexico 250 km
Coastline:
386 km
Maritime claims:
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 miles; 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
International disputes:
maritime border with Guatemala in dispute; desultory negotiations to
resolve the dispute have begun
Climate:
tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to February)
Terrain:
flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south
Natural resources:
arable land potential, timber, fish
Land use:
arable land:
2%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
2%
forest and woodland:
44%
other:
52%
Irrigated land:
20 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
deforestation; water pollution from sewage, industrial effluents,
agricultural runoff
natural hazards:
frequent devastating hurricanes (September to December) and coastal
flooding (especially in south)
international agreements:
party to - Biodiversity, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Whaling;
signed, but not ratified - Climate Change
Note:
national capital moved 80 km inland from Belize City to Belmopan
because of hurricanes; only country in Central America without a
coastline on the North Pacific Ocean
@Belize, People
Population:
208,949 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.42% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
34.74 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
6 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
-4.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
35.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
68.08 years
male:
66.14 years
female:
70.12 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
4.39 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Belizean(s)
adjective:
Belizean
Ethnic divisions:
mestizo 44%, Creole 30%, Maya 11%, Garifuna 7%, other 8%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 62%, Protestant 30% (Anglican 12%, Methodist 6%,
Mennonite 4%, Seventh-Day Adventist 3%, Pentecostal 2%, Jehovah's
Witnesses 1%, other 2%), none 2%, other 6% (1980)
Languages:
English (official), Spanish, Maya, Garifuna (Carib)
Literacy:
age 15 and over having ever attended school (1970)
total population:
91%
male:
91%
female:
91%
Labor force:
51,500
by occupation:
agriculture 30%, services 16%, government 15.4%, commerce 11.2%,
manufacturing 10.3%
note:
shortage of skilled labor and all types of technical personnel (1985)
@Belize, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Belize
former:
British Honduras
Digraph:
BH
Type:
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
Belmopan
Administrative divisions:
6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo
Independence:
21 September 1981 (from UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 21 September (1981)
Constitution:
21 September 1981
Legal system:
English law
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor
General Sir Colville YOUNG (since 17 November 1993)
head of government:
Prime Minister Manuel ESQUIVEL (since July 1993); Deputy Prime
Minister Dean BARROW (since NA 1993)
cabinet:
Cabinet; appointed by the governor general on advice from the prime
minister
Legislative branch:
bicameral National Assembly
Senate:
consists of an 8-member body, 5 are appointed on the advice of the
prime minister, 2 on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and 1
after consultation with the Belize Advisory Council
National Assembly:
elections last held 30 June 1993 (next to be held June 1998); results
- percent of vote by party NA; seats - (28 total) PUP 13 UDP 15
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
People's United Party (PUP), George PRICE, Florencio MARIN, Said MUSA;
United Democratic Party (UDP), Manuel ESQUIVEL, Dean LINDO, Dean
BARROW; National Alliance for Belizean Rights, Philip GOLDSON
Other political or pressure groups:
Society for the Promotion of Education and Research (SPEAR), Assad
SHOMAN; United Workers Front, leader NA
Member of:
ACP, C, CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU,
IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL,
IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, LAES, LORCS, NAM, OAS, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Dean LINDO
chancery:
2535 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 332-9636
FAX:
(202) 332-6888
consulate(s) general:
Miami
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Eugene L. SCASSA
embassy:
Gabourel Lane and Hutson Street, Belize City
mailing address:
P. O. Box 286, Belize City
telephone:
[501] (2) 77161 through 77163
FAX:
[501] (2) 30802
Flag:
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:
The economy is based primarily on agriculture, agro-based industry,
and merchandising, with tourism and construction assuming increasing
importance. Agriculture accounts for about 30% of GDP and provides 75%
of export earnings, while sugar, the chief crop, accounts for almost
40% of hard currency earnings. The US, Belize's main trading partner,
is assisting in efforts to reduce dependency on sugar with an
agricultural diversification program.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $550 million (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
5.3% (1992)
National product per capita:
$2,700 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
5.5% (1991)
Unemployment rate:
15% (1992 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
$126.8 million
expenditures:
$123.1 million, including capital expenditures of $44.8 million (FY91
est.)
Exports:
$116 million (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities:
sugar, citrus, clothing, fish products, bananas, molasses, wood
partners:
US 51%, UK, other EC (1992)
Imports:
$273 million (c.i.f., 1992 est.)
commodities:
machinery and transportation equipment, food, manufactured goods,
fuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticals
partners:
US 57%, UK 8%, other EC 7%, Mexico (1992)
External debt:
$143.7 million (1991)
Industrial production:
growth rate 3.7% (1990); accounts for 12% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
34,532 kW
production:
90 million kWh
consumption per capita:
393 kWh (1992)
Industries:
garment production, citrus concentrates, sugar refining, rum,
beverages, tourism
Agriculture:
accounts for 30% of GDP (including fish and forestry); commercial
crops include sugar cane, bananas, coca, citrus fruits; expanding
output of lumber and cultured shrimp; net importer of basic foods
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for cocaine; an illicit producer of cannabis for
the international drug trade; eradication program cut marijuana
production from 200 metric tons in 1987 to about 50 metric tons in
1991
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $104 million; Western
(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $215
million
Currency:
1 Belizean dollar (Bz$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
Belizean dollars (Bz$) per US$1 - 2.00 (fixed rate)
Fiscal year:
1 April - 31 March
@Belize, Communications
Highways:
total:
2,710 km
paved:
500 km
unpaved:
gravel 1,600 km; improved earth 300 km; unimproved earth 310 km
Inland waterways:
825 km river network used by shallow-draft craft; seasonally navigable
Ports:
Belize City; additional ports for shallow draught craft include
Corozol, Punta Gorda, Big Creek
Merchant marine:
25 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 53,509 GRT/80,345 DWT, bulk 6,
cargo 11, container 2, oil tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 2,
roll-on/roll-off cargo 3
Airports:
total:
47
usable:
38
with permanent-surface runways:
3
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
1
with runways 1,229-2,439 m:
3
Telecommunications:
8,650 telephones; above-average system based on microwave radio relay;
broadcast stations - 6 AM, 5 FM, 1 TV, 1 shortwave; 1 Atlantic Ocean
INTELSAT earth station
@Belize, Defense Forces
Branches:
British Forces Belize withdrawn by the end of 1993 except for a small
training detachment, Belize Defense Force (including Army, Navy, Air
Force, and Volunteer Guard), Belize National Police
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 48,789; fit for military service 29,040; reach
military age (18) annually 2,175 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $4.8 million, 1.8% of GDP (1992)
@Benin, Geography
Location:
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean between Nigeria and
Togo
Map references:
Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
112,620 sq km
land area:
110,620 sq km
comparative area:
slightly smaller than Pennsylvania
Land boundaries:
total 1,989 km, Burkina 306 km, Niger 266 km, Nigeria 773 km, Togo 644
km
Coastline:
121 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea:
200 nm
International disputes:
none
Climate:
tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north
Terrain:
mostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low mountains
Natural resources:
small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble, timber
Land use:
arable land:
12%
permanent crops:
4%
meadows and pastures:
4%
forest and woodland:
35%
other:
45%
Irrigated land:
60 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
limited supply of safe drinking water; illegal hunting threatens
wildlife populations; deforestation; desertification
natural hazards:
hot, dry, dusty harmattan wind may affect north in winter
international agreements:
party to - Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Nuclear
Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified -
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea
Note:
recent droughts have severely affected marginal agriculture in north;
no natural harbors
@Benin, People
Population:
5,341,710 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
3.33% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
47.67 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
14.36 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
110.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
51.77 years
male:
49.92 years
female:
53.68 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
6.79 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Beninese (singular and plural)
adjective:
Beninese
Ethnic divisions:
African 99% (42 ethnic groups, most important being Fon, Adja, Yoruba,
Bariba), Europeans 5,500
Religions:
indigenous beliefs 70%, Muslim 15%, Christian 15%
Languages:
French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars in south),
tribal languages (at least six major ones in north)
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
total population:
23%
male:
32%
female:
16%
Labor force:
1.9 million (1987)
by occupation:
agriculture 60%, transport, commerce, and public services 38%,
industry less than 2%
note:
49% of population of working age (1985)
@Benin, Government