conventional long form:
Republic of Benin
conventional short form:
Benin
local long form:
Republique Populaire du Benin
local short form:
Benin
former:
Dahomey
Digraph:
BN
Type:
republic under multiparty democratic rule dropped Marxism-Leninism
December 1989; democratic reforms adopted February 1990; transition to
multiparty system completed 4 April 1991
Capital:
Porto-Novo
Administrative divisions:
6 provinces; Atakora, Atlantique, Borgou, Mono, Oueme, Zou
Independence:
1 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday:
National Day, 1 August (1990)
Constitution:
2 December 1990
Legal system:
based on French civil law and customary law; has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government:
President Nicephore SOGLO (since 4 April 1991); election last held 10
and 24 March 1991; results - Nicephore SOGLO 68%, Mathieu KEREKOU 32%
cabinet:
Executive Council; appointed by the president
Legislative branch:
unicameral
National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale):
elections last held 10 and 24 March 1991; results - percent of vote by
party NA; seats - (64 total) UDFP-MDPS-ULD 12, PNDD/PRD 9, PSD/UNSP 8,
NCC 7, RND 7, MNDD/MSUP/UDRN 6, UDS 5, RDL 4, ASD/BSD 3, ADP/UDRS 2,
UNDP 1
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders:
Alliance of the Democratic Union for the Forces of Progress (UDFP),
Timothee ADANLIN; Movement for Democracy and Social Progress (MDPS),
Jean-Roger AHOYO; Union for Liberty and Development (ULD), Marcellin
DEGBE; Alliance of the National Party for Democracy and Development
(PNDD) and the Democratic Renewal Party (PRD), Pascal Chabi KAO;
Alliance of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and the National Union
for Solidarity and Progress (UNSP), Bruno AMOUSSOU; Our Common Cause
(NCC), Albert TEVOEDJRE; National Rally for Democracy (RND), Joseph
KEKE; Alliance of the National Movement for Democracy and Development
(MNDD), leader NA; Movement for Solidarity, Union, and Progress
(MSUP), Adebo ADENIYI; Union for Democracy and National Reconstruction
(UDRN), Azaria FAKOREDE; Union for Democracy and National Solidarity
(UDS), Mama Amadou N'DIAYE; Assembly of Liberal Democrats for National
Reconstruction (RDL), Severin ADJOVI; Alliance of the Alliance for
Social Democracy (ASD), Robert DOSSOU; Bloc for Social Democracy
(BSD), Michel MAGNIDE; Alliance of the Alliance for Democracy and
Progress (ADP), Akindes ADEKPEDJOU; Democratic Union for Social
Renewal (UDRS), Bio Gado Seko N'GOYE; National Union for Democracy and
Progress (UNDP), Robert TAGNON; Party for Progress and Democracy,
Thiophile NATA; African Rally for Progress and Solidarity (RAPS),
Florentin MITO-BABA; The Benin Renaissance Party , Desire VIEYRA and
Rosine SOGLO; The Patriotic Union for the Republic (UPR), Jean-Marie
ZAHOUN; Union for the Conservation of Democracy, Bernard HOUEGNON
note:
as of May 1994, Benin had about 60 political parties
Member of:
ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CEAO, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, GATT,
IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT,
INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,
UPU, WADB, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Candide AHOUANSOU
chancery:
2737 Cathedral Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 232-6656
FAX:
(202) 265-1996
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Ruth A. DAVIS
embassy:
Rue Caporal Anani Bernard, Cotonou
mailing address:
B. P. 2012, Cotonou
telephone:
[229] 30-06-50, 30-05-13, 30-17-92
FAX:
[229] 30-14-39 and 30-19-74
Flag:
two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red with a vertical
green band on the hoist side
@Benin, Economy
Overview:
Benin is one of the least developed countries in the world because of
limited natural resources and a poorly developed infrastructure.
Agriculture accounts for about 35% of GDP, employs about 60% of the
labor force, and generates a major share of foreign exchange earnings.
The industrial sector contributes only about 10% to GDP and employs 2%
of the work force. Low prices in recent years have kept down hard
currency earnings from Benin's major exports of agricultural products,
primarily cotton. A World Bank supported structural adjustment program
begun in 1989 has helped strengthen the economy through such measures
as trimming the government payroll, reforming the tax system, and
encouraging private investment, both domestic and foreign. Benin has
experienced 3 consecutive years of moderate growth as a result.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $6.2 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
3% (1991)
National product per capita:
$1,200 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.4% (1990)
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues:
$218 million
expenditures:
$355 million, including capital expenditures of $100 million (1991
est.)
Exports:
$328.8 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.)
commodities:
crude oil, cotton, palm products, cocoa
partners:
FRG 36%, France 16%, Spain 14%, Italy 8%, UK 4%
Imports:
$482.3 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.)
commodities:
foodstuffs, beverages, tobacco, petroleum products, intermediate
goods, capital goods, light consumer goods
partners:
France 20%, Thailand 8%, Netherlands 7%, US 5%
External debt:
$1 billion (December 1990 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate -0.7% (1988); accounts for 10% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
30,000 kW
production:
25 million kWh
consumption per capita:
5 kWh (1991)
Industries:
textiles, cigarettes, construction materials, beverages, food
production, petroleum
Agriculture:
accounts for 35% of GDP; small farms produce 90% of agricultural
output; production is dominated by food crops - corn, sorghum,
cassava, beans, rice; cash crops include cotton, palm oil, peanuts;
poultry and livestock output has not kept up with consumption
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $46 million; Western
(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.3
billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $19 million; Communist
countries (1970-89), $101 million
Currency:
1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates:
Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 592.05
(January 1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26
(1990), 319.01 (1989)
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
@Benin, Communications
Railroads:
578 km, all 1.000-meter gauge, single track
Highways:
total:
8,435 km
paved:
1,038 km
unpaved:
crushed stone 2,600 km; improved earth 1,530 km; unimproved earth
3,267 km
Inland waterways:
navigable along small sections, important only locally
Ports:
Cotonou
Airports:
total:
7
usable:
6
with permanent-surface runways:
2
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
1
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
3
Telecommunications:
fair system of open wire, submarine cable, and radio relay microwave;
broadcast stations - 2 AM, 2 FM, 2 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth
station
@Benin, Defense Forces
Branches:
Armed Forces (including Army, Navy, Air Force), National Gendarmerie
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 1,209,226; females age 15-49 1,120,105; males fit for
military service 611,257; females fit for military service 573,775;
males reach military age (18) annually 58,293 (1994 est.);
femalesreach military age (18) annually 56,735 (1994 est.); both sexes
are liable for miltary service
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $29 million, 1.7% of GDP (1988 est.)
@Bermuda
Header
Affiliation:
(dependent territory of the UK)
@Bermuda, Geography
Location:
Northern North America, in the western North Atlantic Ocean, 1,050 km
east of North Carolina
Map references:
North America
Area:
total area:
50 sq km
land area:
50 sq km
comparative area:
about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
103 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
none
Climate:
subtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in winter
Terrain:
low hills separated by fertile depressions
Natural resources:
limestone, pleasant climate fostering tourism
Land use:
arable land:
0%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
0%
forest and woodland:
20%
other:
80%
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
NA
natural hazards:
subject to hurricanes (June to November)
international agreements:
NA
Note:
some reclaimed land leased by US Government; consists of about 360
small coral islands with ample rainfall, but no rivers or freshwater
lakes
@Bermuda, People
Population:
61,158 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.77% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
15.14 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
7.3 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
-0.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
13.16 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
75.03 years
male:
73.36 years
female:
76.97 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.81 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Bermudian(s)
adjective:
Bermudian
Ethnic divisions:
black 61%, white and other 39%
Religions:
Anglican 37%, Roman Catholic 14%, African Methodist Episcopal (Zion)
10%, Methodist 6%, Seventh-Day Adventist 5%, other 28%
Languages:
English
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1970)
total population:
98%
male:
98%
female:
99%
Labor force:
32,000
by occupation:
clerical 25%, services 22%, laborers 21%, professional and technical
13%, administrative and managerial 10%, sales 7%, agriculture and
fishing 2% (1984)
@Bermuda, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Bermuda
Digraph:
BD
Type:
dependent territory of the UK
Capital:
Hamilton
Administrative divisions:
9 parishes and 2 municipalities*; Devonshire, Hamilton, Hamilton*,
Paget, Pembroke, Saint George*, Saint Georges, Sandys, Smiths,
Southampton, Warwick
Independence:
none (dependent territory of the UK)
National holiday:
Bermuda Day, 22 May
Constitution:
8 June 1968
Legal system:
English law
Suffrage:
21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor
Lord David WADDINGTON (since 25 August 1992)
head of government:
Premier John William David SWAN (since NA January 1982); Deputy
Premier J. Irving PEARMAN (since 5 October 1993)
cabinet:
Cabinet; nominated by the premier, appointed by the governor
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament
Senate:
consists of an 11-member body appointed by the governor
House of Assembly:
elections last held 5 October 1993 (next to be held by NA October
1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (40 total) UBP
22, PLP 18
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
United Bermuda Party (UBP), John W. D. SWAN; Progressive Labor Party
(PLP), Frederick WADE; National Liberal Party (NLP), Gilbert DARRELL
Other political or pressure groups:
Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU), Ottiwell SIMMONS
Member of:
CARICOM (observer), CCC, ICFTU, INTERPOL (subbureau), IOC
Diplomatic representation in US:
none (dependent territory of the UK)
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
(vacant)
consulate general:
Crown Hill, 16 Middle Road, Devonshire, Hamilton
mailing address:
P. O. Box HM325, Hamilton HMBX; PSC 1002, FPO AE 09727-1002
telephone:
(809) 295-1342
FAX:
(809) 295-1592
Flag:
red with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the
Bermudian coat of arms (white and blue shield with a red lion holding
a scrolled shield showing the sinking of the ship Sea Venture off
Bermuda in 1609) centered on the outer half of the flag
@Bermuda, Economy
Overview:
Bermuda enjoys one of the highest per capita incomes in the world,
having successfully exploited its location by providing luxury tourist
facilities and financial services. The tourist industry attracts more
than 90% of its business from North America. The industrial sector is
small, and agriculture is severely limited by a lack of suitable land.
About 80% of food needs are imported.
National product:
GDP - exchange rate conversion - $1.63 billion (1992)
National product real growth rate:
-1.5% (1991)
National product per capita:
$27,100 (1992)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4.4% (1991)
Unemployment rate:
6% (1991)
Budget:
revenues:
$327.5 million
expenditures:
$308.9 million, including capital expenditures of $35.4 million (FY91
est.)
Exports:
$60 million (f.o.b., 1991)
commodities:
semitropical produce, light manufactures, re-exports of
pharmaceuticals
partners:
US 55%, UK 32%, Canada 11%, other 2%
Imports:
$468 million (f.o.b.,1991)
commodities:
fuel, foodstuffs, machinery
partners:
US 60%, UK 8%, Venezuela 7%, Canada 5%, Japan 5%, other 15%
External debt:
$NA
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%
Electricity:
capacity:
154,000 kW
production:
504 million kWh
consumption per capita:
8,370 kWh (1992)
Industries:
tourism, finance, structural concrete products, paints,
pharmaceuticals, ship repairing
Agriculture:
accounts for less than 1% of GDP; most basic foods must be imported;
produces bananas, vegetables, citrus fruits, flowers, dairy products
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-81), $34 million; Western
(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $277
million
Currency:
1 Bermudian dollar (Bd$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
Bermudian dollar (Bd$) per US$1 - 1.0000 (fixed rate)
Fiscal year:
1 April - 31 March
@Bermuda, Communications
Highways:
total:
210 km
paved:
210 km
note:
in addition, there are 400 km of paved and unpaved roads that are
privately owned
Ports:
Freeport, Hamilton, Saint George
Merchant marine:
67 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,407,518 GRT/5,775,281 DWT,
bulk 15, cargo 4, container 3, liquefied gas 14, oil tanker 20,
refrigerated cargo 4, roll-on/roll-off cargo 7
note:
a flag of convenience registry
Airports:
total:
1
usable:
1
with permanent-surface runways:
1
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
1
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
0
Telecommunications:
modern, fully automatic telephone system; 52,670 telephones; broadcast
stations - 5 AM, 3 FM, 2 TV; 3 submarine cables; 2 Atlantic Ocean
INTELSAT earth stations
@Bermuda, Defense Forces
Branches:
Bermuda Regiment, Bermuda Police Force, Bermuda Reserve Constabulary
Note:
defense is the responsibility of the UK
@Bhutan, Geography
Location:
Southern Asia, in the Himalayas, between China and India
Map references:
Asia, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
47,000 sq km
land area:
47,000 sq km
comparative area:
slightly more than half the size of Indiana
Land boundaries:
total 1,075 km, China 470 km, India 605 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none; landlocked
International disputes:
none
Climate:
varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in
central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in Himalayas
Terrain:
mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna
Natural resources:
timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbide
Land use:
arable land:
2%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
5%
forest and woodland:
70%
other:
23%
Irrigated land:
340 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
soil erosion; limited access to safe drinking water
natural hazards:
violent storms coming down from the Himalayas are the source of the
country's name which translates as Land of the Thunder Dragon
international agreements:
party to - Nuclear Test Ban; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity,
Climate Change, Law of the Sea
Note:
landlocked; strategic location between China and India; controls
several key Himalayan mountain passes
@Bhutan, People
Population:
716,380 (July 1994 est.)
note:
other estimates range as high as 1.7 million (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.34% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
39.31 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
15.93 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
121 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
50.6 years
male:
51.15 years
female:
50.03 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
5.42 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Bhutanese (singular and plural)
adjective:
Bhutanese
Ethnic divisions:
Bhote 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35%, indigenous or migrant tribes 15%
Religions:
Lamaistic Buddhism 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25%
Languages:
Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects; Nepalese
speak various Nepalese dialects
Literacy:
total population:
NA%
male:
NA%
female:
NA%
Labor force:
NA
by occupation:
agriculture 93%, services 5%, industry and commerce 2%
note:
massive lack of skilled labor
@Bhutan, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
Kingdom of Bhutan
conventional short form:
Bhutan
Digraph:
BT
Type:
monarchy; special treaty relationship with India
Capital:
Thimphu
Administrative divisions:
18 districts (dzongkhag, singular and plural); Bumthang, Chhukha,
Chirang, Daga, Geylegphug, Ha, Lhuntshi, Mongar, Paro, Pemagatsel,
Punakha, Samchi, Samdrup Jongkhar, Shemgang, Tashigang, Thimphu,
Tongsa, Wangdi Phodrang
Independence:
8 August 1949 (from India)
National holiday:
National Day, 17 December (1907) (Ugyen Wangchuck became first
hereditary king)
Constitution:
no written constitution or bill of rights
Legal system:
based on Indian law and English common law; has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
each family has one vote in village-level elections
Executive branch:
Chief of State and Head of Government:
King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK (since 24 July 1972)
Royal Advisory Council (Lodoi Tsokde):
nominated by the king
cabinet:
Council of Ministers (Lhengye Shungtsog); appointed by the king
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly (Tshogdu); no national elections
Judicial branch:
High Court
Political parties and leaders:
no legal parties
Other political or pressure groups:
Buddhist clergy; Indian merchant community; ethnic Nepalese
organizations leading militant antigovernment campaign
Member of:
AsDB, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IMF, INTELSAT, IOC,
ITU, NAM, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO
Diplomatic representation in US:
no formal diplomatic relations; the Bhutanese mission to the UN in New
York has consular jurisdiction in the US
consulate(s) general:
New York
US diplomatic representation:
no formal diplomatic relations, although informal contact is
maintained between the Bhutanese and US Embassies in New Delhi (India)
Flag:
divided diagonally from the lower hoist side corner; the upper
triangle is orange and the lower triangle is red; centered along the
dividing line is a large black and white dragon facing away from the
hoist side
@Bhutan, Economy
Overview:
The economy, one of the world's least developed, is based on
agriculture and forestry, which provide the main livelihood for 90% of
the population and account for about 50% of GDP. Rugged mountains
dominate the terrain and make the building of roads and other
infrastructure difficult and expensive. The economy is closely aligned
with that of India through strong trade and monetary links. The
industrial sector is small and technologically backward, with most
production of the cottage industry type. Most development projects,
such as road construction, rely on Indian migrant labor. Bhutan's
hydropower potential and its attraction for tourists are its most
important natural resources; however, the government limits the number
of tourists to 4,000 per year to minimize foreign influence. Much of
the impetus for growth has come from large public-sector companies.
Nevertheless, in recent years, Bhutan has shifted toward decentralized
development planning and greater private initiative. The government
privatized several large public-sector firms, is revamping its trade
regime and liberalizing administerial procedures over industrial
licensing. The government's industrial contribution to GDP decreased
from 13% in 1988 to about 10% in 1992.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $500 million (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
5% (FY93 est.)
National product per capita:
$700 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
11% (October 1993)
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues:
$100 million
expenditures:
$112 million, including capital expenditures of $60 million (FY92
est.)
note:
the government of India finances nearly one-quarter of Bhutan's budget
expenditures
Exports:
$66 million (f.o.b., FY93 est.)
commodities:
cardamon, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, cement, fruit, electricity (to
India), precious stones, spices
partners:
India 82%, Bangladesh, Singapore
Imports:
$125 million (c.i.f., FY93 est.)
commodities:
fuel and lubricants, grain, machinery and parts, vehicles, fabrics
partners:
India 60%, Japan, Germany, US, UK
External debt:
$141 million (June 1993)
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%; accounts for 8% of GDP; primarily cottage industry
and home based handicrafts
Electricity:
capacity:
336,000 kW
production:
1.5422 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
2,203 kWh (25.8% is exported to India leaving 1,633 kWh per capita;
1990-91)
Industries:
cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages, calcium
carbide
Agriculture:
accounts for 45% of GDP; based on subsistence farming and animal
husbandry; self-sufficient in food except for foodgrains; other
production - rice, corn, root crops, citrus fruit, dairy products,
eggs
Economic aid:
recipient:
Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments
(1970-89), $115 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $11 million
Currency:
1 ngultrum (Nu) = 100 chetrum; note - Indian currency is also legal
tender
Exchange rates:
ngultrum (Nu) per US$1 - 31.370 (January 1994), 30.493 (1993), 25.918
(1992), 22.742 (1991), 17.504 (1990), 16.226 (1989); note - the
Bhutanese ngultrum is at par with the Indian rupee
Fiscal year:
1 July - 30 June
@Bhutan, Communications
Highways:
total:
2,165 km
paved:
NA
unpaved:
gravel 1,703 km
undifferentiated:
462 km
Airports:
total:
2
usable:
2
with permanent-surface runways:
1
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
0
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
2
Telecommunications:
domestic telephone service is very poor with very few telephones in
use; international telephone and telegraph service is by land line
through India; a satellite earth station was planned (1990); broadcast
stations - 1 AM, 1 FM, no TV (1990)
@Bhutan, Defense Forces
Branches:
Royal Bhutan Army, Palace Guard, Militia
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 424,558; fit for military service 226,851; reach
military age (18) annually 17,310 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
$NA, NA% of GDP
@Bolivia, Geography
Location:
Central South America, between Brazil and Chile
Map references:
South America, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
1,098,580 sq km
land area:
1,084,390 sq km
comparative area:
slightly less than three times the size of Montana
Land boundaries:
total 6,743 km, Argentina 832 km, Brazil 3,400 km, Chile 861 km,
Paraguay 750 km, Peru 900 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none; landlocked
International disputes:
has wanted a sovereign corridor to the South Pacific Ocean since the
Atacama area was lost to Chile in 1884; dispute with Chile over Rio
Lauca water rights
Climate:
varies with altitude; humid and tropical to cold and semiarid
Terrain:
rugged Andes Mountains with a highland plateau (Altiplano), hills,
lowland plains of the Amazon Basin
Natural resources:
tin, natural gas, petroleum, zinc, tungsten, antimony, silver, iron
ore, lead, gold, timber
Land use:
arable land:
3%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
25%
forest and woodland:
52%
other:
20%
Irrigated land:
1,650 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
deforestation contributing to loss of biodiversity; overgrazing; soil
erosion; desertification; industrial pollution of water supplies used
for drinking and irrigation
natural hazards:
flooding in the northeast (March to April)
international agreements:
party to - Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Wetlands; signed, but
not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Environmental
Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine
Life Conservation, Tropical Timber
Note:
landlocked; shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigable
lake (elevation 3,805 m), with Peru; cold, thin air of high plateau is
obstacle to efficient fuel combustion, as well as to physical activity
by those unaccustomed to it from birth
@Bolivia, People