conventional long form:
Republic of Djibouti
conventional short form:
Djibouti
former:
French Territory of the Afars and Issas French Somaliland
Digraph:
DJ
Type:
republic
Capital:
Djibouti
Administrative divisions:
5 districts (cercles, singular - cercle); 'Ali Sabih, Dikhil,
Djibouti, Obock, Tadjoura
Independence:
27 June 1977 (from France)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 27 June (1977)
Constitution:
multiparty constitution approved in referendum 4 September 1992
Legal system:
based on French civil law system, traditional practices, and Islamic
law
Suffrage:
universal adult at age NA
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President HASSAN GOULED Aptidon (since 24 June 1977); election last
held 7 May 1993 (next to be held NA 1999); results - President Hassan
GOULED Aptidon was reelected
head of government:
Prime Minister BARKAT Gourad Hamadou (since 30 September 1978)
cabinet:
Council of Ministers; responsible to the president
Legislative branch:
unicameral
Chamber of Deputies (Chambre des Deputes):
elections last held 18 December 1992; results - RPP is the only party;
seats - (65 total) RPP 65
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders:
ruling party:
People's Progress Assembly (RPP), Hassan GOULED Aptidon
other parties:
Democratic Renewal Party (PRD), Mohamed Jama ELABE; Democratic
National Party (PND), ADEN Robleh Awaleh
Other political or pressure groups:
Front for the Restoration of Unity and Democracy (FRUD) and
affiliates; Movement for Unity and Democracy (MUD)
Member of:
ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB,
IFAD, IFC, IGADD, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user),
INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNESCO, UNCTAD, UNIDO,
UPU, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Roble OLHAYE
chancery:
Suite 515, 1156 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005
telephone:
(202) 331-0270
FAX:
(202) 331-0302
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Martin CHESES
embassy:
Plateau du Serpent, Boulevard Marechal Joffre, Djibouti
mailing address:
B. P. 185, Djibouti
telephone:
[253] 35-39-95
FAX:
[253] 35-39-40
Flag:
two equal horizontal bands of light blue (top) and light green with a
white isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bearing a red
five-pointed star in the center
@Djibouti, Economy
Overview:
The economy is based on service activities connected with the
country's strategic location and status as a free trade zone in
northeast Africa. Djibouti provides services as both a transit port
for the region and an international transshipment and refueling
center. It has few natural resources and little industry. The nation
is, therefore, heavily dependent on foreign assistance (an important
supplement to GDP) to help support its balance of payments and to
finance development projects. An unemployment rate of over 30%
continues to be a major problem. Per capita consumption dropped an
estimated 35% over the last five years because of recession, civil
war, and a high population growth rate (including immigrants and
refugees).
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $500 million (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
-1% (1992 est.)
National product per capita:
$1,200 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
6% (1992)
Unemployment rate:
over 30% (1989)
Budget:
revenues:
$170 million
expenditures:
$203 million, including capital expenditures of $70 million (1991
est.)
Exports:
$158 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities:
hides and skins, coffee (in transit)
partners:
Africa 47%, Middle East 40%, Western Europe 12%
Imports:
$334 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities:
foods, beverages, transport equipment, chemicals, petroleum products
partners:
Western Europe 48%, Asia 25%, Africa 8%
External debt:
$355 million (December 1990)
Industrial production:
growth rate 3% (1991 est.); manufacturing accounts for 12% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
115,000 kW
production:
200 million kWh
consumption per capita:
580 kWh (1991)
Industries:
limited to a few small-scale enterprises, such as dairy products and
mineral-water bottling
Agriculture:
accounts for only 2% of GDP; scanty rainfall limits crop production to
mostly fruit and vegetables; half of population pastoral nomads
herding goats, sheep, and camels; imports bulk of food needs
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY78-89), $39 million; Western
(non-US) countries, including ODA and OOF bilateral commitments
(1970-89), $1.1 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $149 million;
Communist countries (1970-89), $35 million
Currency:
1 Djiboutian franc (DF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates:
Djiboutian francs (DF) per US$1 - 177.721 (fixed rate since 1973)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
@Djibouti, Communications
Railroads:
the Ethiopian-Djibouti railroad extends for 97 km through Djibouti
Highways:
total:
2,900 km
paved:
280 km
unpaved:
improved, unimproved earth 2,620 km (1982)
Ports:
Djibouti
Merchant marine:
1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,369 GRT/3,030 DWT
Airports:
total:
13
usable:
11
with permanent-surface runways:
2
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
2
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
4
Telecommunications:
telephone facilities in the city of Djibouti are adequate as are the
microwave radio relay connections to outlying areas of the country;
international connections via submarine cable to Saudi Arabia and by
satellite to other countries; one ground station each for Indian Ocean
INTELSAT and ARABSAT; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 2 FM, 1 TV
@Djibouti, Defense Forces
Branches:
Djibouti National Army (including Navy and Air Force), National
Security Force (Force Nationale de Securite), National Police Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 99,811; fit for military service 58,346
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $26 million, NA% of GDP (1989)
@Dominica, Geography
Location:
Caribbean, in the eastern Caribbean Sea, about halfway between Puerto
Rico and Trinidad and Tobago
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean, South America, Standard Time Zones
of the World
Area:
total area:
750 sq km
land area:
750 sq km
comparative area:
slightly more than four times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
148 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
24 nm
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
none
Climate:
tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds; heavy rainfall
Terrain:
rugged mountains of volcanic origin
Natural resources:
timber
Land use:
arable land:
9%
permanent crops:
13%
meadows and pastures:
3%
forest and woodland:
41%
other:
34%
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
NA
natural hazards:
flash floods are a constant threat; occasional hurricanes
international agreements:
party to - Climate Change, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea,
Ozone Layer Protection
@Dominica, People
Population:
87,696 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.32% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
20.46 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
4.98 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
-2.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
10.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
76.96 years
male:
74.12 years
female:
79.95 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.99 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Dominican(s)
adjective:
Dominican
Ethnic divisions:
black, Carib Indians
Religions:
Roman Catholic 77%, Protestant 15% (Methodist 5%, Pentecostal 3%,
Seventh-Day Adventist 3%, Baptist 2%, other 2%), none 2%, unknown 1%,
other 5%
Languages:
English (official), French patois
Literacy:
age 15 and over having ever attended school (1970)
total population:
94%
male:
94%
female:
94%
Labor force:
25,000
by occupation:
agriculture 40%, industry and commerce 32%, services 28% (1984)
@Dominica, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
Commonwealth of Dominica
conventional short form:
Dominica
Digraph:
DO
Type:
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
Roseau
Administrative divisions:
10 parishes; Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint John,
Saint Joseph, Saint Luke, Saint Mark, Saint Patrick, Saint Paul, Saint
Peter
Independence:
3 November 1978 (from UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 3 November (1978)
Constitution:
3 November 1978
Legal system:
based on English common law
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Crispin Anselm SORHAINDO (since 25 October 1993) election
last held 4 October 1993 (next to be held NA October 1998); results -
President Crispin Anselm SORHAINDO was elected by the House of
Assembly to a five year term
head of government:
Prime Minister (Mary) Eugenia CHARLES (since 21 July 1980, elected for
a third term 28 May 1990)
cabinet:
Cabinet; appointed by the president on the advice of the prime
minister
Legislative branch:
unicameral
House of Assembly:
elections last held 28 May 1990 (next to be held May 1995); results -
percent of vote by party NA; seats - (30 total; 9 appointed senators
and 21 elected representatives) DFP 11, UWP 6, DLP 4
Judicial branch:
Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
Dominica Freedom Party (DFP), Brian ALLEYNE; Dominica Labor Party
(DLP), Rosie DOUGLAS; United Workers Party (UWP), Edison JAMES
Other political or pressure groups:
Dominica Liberation Movement (DLM), a small leftist group
Member of:
ACCT, ACP, C, CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICFTU, IDA,
IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, LORCS, NAM (observer), OAS, OECS,
UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
Dominica has no chancery in the US
consulate(s) general:
New York
US diplomatic representation:
no official presence since the Ambassador resides in Bridgetown
(Barbados), but travels frequently to Dominica
Flag:
green with a centered cross of three equal bands - the vertical part
is yellow (hoist side), black, and white - the horizontal part is
yellow (top), black, and white; superimposed in the center of the
cross is a red disk bearing a sisserou parrot encircled by 10 green
five-pointed stars edged in yellow; the 10 stars represent the 10
administrative divisions (parishes)
@Dominica, Economy
Overview:
The economy is dependent on agriculture and thus is highly vulnerable
to climatic conditions. Agriculture accounts for about 30% of GDP and
employs 40% of the labor force. Principal products include bananas,
citrus, mangoes, root crops, and coconuts. Development of the tourist
industry remains difficult because of the rugged coastline and the
lack of an international airport.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $185 million (1992 est.)
National product real growth rate:
2.6% (1992 est.)
National product per capita:
$2,100 (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
5.2% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate:
15% (1992 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
$70 million
expenditures:
$84 million, including capital expenditures of $26 million (FY91 est.)
Exports:
$54.6 million (1992)
commodities:
bananas, soap, bay oil, vegetables, grapefruit, oranges
partners:
UK 50%, CARICOM countries, Italy, US
Imports:
$97.5 million (1992)
commodities:
manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, food, chemicals
partners:
US 25%, CARICOM, UK, Canada
External debt:
$92.8 million (1992)
Industrial production:
growth rate 4.2% (1992); accounts for 7% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
7,000 kW
production:
16 million kWh
consumption per capita:
185 kWh (1992)
Industries:
soap, coconut oil, tourism, copra, furniture, cement blocks, shoes
Agriculture:
accounts for 30% of GDP; principal crops - bananas, citrus, mangoes,
root crops, coconuts; bananas provide the bulk of export earnings;
forestry and fisheries potential not exploited
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for the US and
Europe
Economic aid:
recipient:
Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments
(1970-89), $120 million
Currency:
1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.70 (fixed rate since 1976)
Fiscal year:
1 July - 30 June
@Dominica, Communications
Highways:
total:
750 km
paved:
370 km
unpaved:
gravel or earth 380 km
Ports:
Roseau, Portsmouth
Airports:
total:
2
usable:
2
with permanent-surface runways:
2
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
0
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
1
Telecommunications:
4,600 telephones in fully automatic network; VHF and UHF link to Saint
Lucia; new SHF links to Martinique and Guadeloupe; broadcast stations
- 3 AM, 2 FM, 1 cable TV
@Dominica, Defense Forces
Branches:
Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force
Defense expenditures:
$NA, NA% of GDP
@Dominican Republic, Geography
Location:
Caribbean, in the northern Caribbean Sea, about halfway between Cuba
and Puerto Rico
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
48,730 sq km
land area:
48,380 sq km
comparative area:
slightly more than twice the size of New Hampshire
Land boundaries:
total 275 km, Haiti 275 km
Coastline:
1,288 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
24 nm
continental shelf:
200 nm or the outer edge of continental margin
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
6 nm
International disputes:
none
Climate:
tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation; seasonal
variation in rainfall
Terrain:
rugged highlands and mountains with fertile valleys interspersed
Natural resources:
nickel, bauxite, gold, silver
Land use:
arable land:
23%
permanent crops:
7%
meadows and pastures:
43%
forest and woodland:
13%
other:
14%
Irrigated land:
2,250 sq km (1989)
Environment:
current issues:
water shortages; soil eroding into the sea damages coral reefs;
deforestation
natural hazards:
subject to occasional hurricanes (July to October)
international agreements:
party to - Endangered Species, Marine Dumping, Marine Life
Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but
not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea
Note:
shares island of Hispaniola with Haiti (eastern two-thirds is the
Dominican Republic, western one-third is Haiti)
@Dominican Republic, People
Population:
7,826,075 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.8% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
24.87 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
6.2 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
-0.63 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
51.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
68.35 years
male:
66.22 years
female:
70.6 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.8 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Dominican(s)
adjective:
Dominican
Ethnic divisions:
white 16%, black 11%, mixed 73%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 95%
Languages:
Spanish
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
total population:
83%
male:
85%
female:
82%
Labor force:
2.3 million to 2.6 million
by occupation:
agriculture 49%, services 33%, industry 18% (1986)
@Dominican Republic, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
Dominican Republic
conventional short form:
none
local long form:
Republica Dominicana
local short form:
none
Digraph:
DR
Type:
republic
Capital:
Santo Domingo
Administrative divisions:
29 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 district*
(distrito); Azua, Baoruco, Barahona, Dajabon, Distrito Nacional*,
Duarte, Elias Pina, El Seibo, Espaillat, Hato Mayor, Independencia, La
Altagracia, La Romana, La Vega, Maria Trinidad Sanchez, Monsenor
Nouel, Monte Cristi, Monte Plata, Pedernales, Peravia, Puerto Plata,
Salcedo, Samana, Sanchez Ramirez, San Cristobal, San Juan, San Pedro
De Macoris, Santiago, Santiago Rodriguez, Valverde
Independence:
27 February 1844 (from Haiti)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 27 February (1844)
Constitution:
28 November 1966
Legal system:
based on French civil codes
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal and compulsory or married persons
regardless of age
note:
members of the armed forces and police cannot vote
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government:
President Joaquin BALAGUER Ricardo (since 16 August 1986, fifth
elected term began 16 August 1990); Vice President Carlos A. MORALES
Troncoso (since 16 August 1986); election last held 16 May 1990 (next
to be held May 1994); results - Joaquin BALAGUER (PRSC) 35.7%, Juan
BOSCH Gavino (PLD) 34.4%, Jose Francisco PENA Gomez (PRD) 22.9%
cabinet:
Cabinet; nominated by the president
Legislative branch:
bicameral National Congress (Congreso Nacional)
Senate (Senado):
elections last held 16 May 1990 (next to be held May 1994); results -
percent of vote by party NA; seats - (30 total) PRSC 16, PLD 12, PRD 2
Chamber of Deputies (Camara de Diputados):
elections last held 16 May 1990 (next to be held May 1994); results -
percent of vote by party NA; seats - (120 total) PLD 44, PRSC 41, PRD
33, PRI 2
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (Corte Suprema)
Political parties and leaders:
Major parties:
Social Christian Reformist Party (PRSC), Joaquin BALAGUER Ricardo;
Dominican Liberation Party (PLD), Juan BOSCH Gavino; Dominican
Revolutionary Party (PRD), Jose Franciso PENA Gomez; Independent
Revolutionary Party (PRI), Jacobo MAJLUTA
Minor parties:
National Veterans and Civilian Party (PNVC), Juan Rene BEAUCHAMPS
Javier; Liberal Party of the Dominican Republic (PLRD), Andres Van Der
HORST; Democratic Quisqueyan Party (PQD), Elias WESSIN Chavez;
National Progressive Force (FNP), Marino VINICIO Castillo; Popular
Christian Party (PPC), Rogelio DELGADO Bogaert; Dominican Communist
Party (PCD), Narciso ISA Conde; Dominican Workers' Party (PTD), Ivan
RODRIGUEZ; Anti-Imperialist Patriotic Union (UPA), Ignacio RODRIGUEZ
Chiappini; Alliance for Democracy Party (APD), Maximilano Rabelais
PUIG Miller, Nelsida MARMOLEJOS, Vicente BENGOA
note:
in 1983 several leftist parties, including the PCD, joined to form the
Dominican Leftist Front (FID); however, they still retain individual
party structures
Other political or pressure groups:
Collective of Popular Organzations (COP), leader NA
Member of:
ACP, CARICOM (observer), ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA,
IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL,
IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), LORCS, NAM (guest), OAS, OPANAL,
PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Jose del Carmen ARIZA Gomez
chancery:
1715 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 332-6280
FAX:
(202) 265-8057
consulate(s) general:
Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Mayaguez (Puerto Rico), Miami, New
Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto
Rico)
consulate(s):
Charlotte Amalie (Virgin Islands), Detroit, Houston, Jacksonville,
Minneapolis, Mobile, Ponce (Puerto Rico), and San Francisco
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Robert S. PASTORINO
embassy:
corner of Calle Cesar Nicolas Penson and Calle Leopoldo Navarro, Santo
Domingo
mailing address:
Unit 5500, Santo Domingo; APO AA 34041-0008
telephone:
(809) 541-2171 and 541-8100
FAX:
(809) 686-7437
Flag:
a centered white cross that extends to the edges, divides the flag
into four rectangles - the top ones are blue (hoist side) and red, the
bottom ones are red (hoist side) and blue; a small coat of arms is at
the center of the cross
@Dominican Republic, Economy
Overview:
Rapid growth of free trade zones has led to a substantial expansion of
manufacturing for export, especially of wearing apparel. Over the past
decade, tourism has also increased in importance and is a major earner
of foreign exchange and a source of new jobs. Agriculture remains a
key sector of the economy. The principal commercial crop is sugarcane,
followed by coffee, cotton, cocoa, and tobacco. Domestic industry is
based on the processing of agricultural products, oil refining,
minerals, and chemicals. Unemployment is officially reported at about
30%, but there is considerable underemployment. Growth fell to a
moderate 3% in 1993 because of power shortages in industry and
political uncertainty which slowed down foreign investment.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $23 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
3% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
$3,000 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
8% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate:
30% (1993 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
$1.4 billion
expenditures:
$1.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1993 est.)
Exports:
$769 million (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities:
ferronickel, sugar, gold, coffee, cocoa
partners:
US 56%, EC 22%, Puerto Rico 8% (1991)
Imports:
$2.2 billion (c.i.f., 1993 est.)
commodities:
foodstuffs, petroleum, cotton and fabrics, chemicals and
pharmaceuticals
partners:
US 50%
External debt:
$4.7 billion (1993 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate -0.1% (1991); accounts for 14% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
2,283,000 kW
production:
5 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
660 kWh (1992)
Industries:
tourism, sugar processing, ferronickel and gold mining, textiles,
cement, tobacco
Agriculture:
accounts for 18% of GDP and employs 49% of labor force; sugarcane is
the most important commercial crop, followed by coffee, cotton, cocoa,
and tobacco; food crops - rice, beans, potatoes, corn, bananas; animal
output - cattle, hogs, dairy products, meat, eggs; not self-sufficient
in food
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and
Europe
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY85-89), $575 million; Western
(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $655
million
Currency:
1 Dominican peso (RD$) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates:
Dominican pesos (RD$) per US$1 - 12.841 (January 1994), 12.679 (1993),
12.774 (1992), 12.692 (1991), 8.525 (1990), 6.340 (1989)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
@Dominican Republic, Communications
Railroads:
1,655 km total in numerous segments; 4 different gauges from 0.558 m
to 1.435 m
Highways:
total:
12,000 km
paved:
5,800 km
unpaved:
gravel or improved earth 5,600 km; unimproved earth 600 km
Pipelines:
crude oil 96 km; petroleum products 8 km
Ports:
Santo Domingo, Haina, San Pedro de Macoris, Puerto Plata
Merchant marine:
1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,587 GRT/1,165 DWT
Airports:
total:
36
usable:
31
with permanent-surface runways:
12
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
4
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
8
Telecommunications:
relatively efficient domestic system based on islandwide microwave
relay network; 190,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 120 AM, no FM,
18 TV, 6 shortwave; 1 coaxial submarine cable; 1 Atlantic Ocean
INTELSAT earth station
@Dominican Republic, Defense Forces
Branches:
Army, Navy, Air Force, National Police
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 2,114,606; fit for military service 1,333,049; reach
military age (18) annually 81,919 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $110 million, 0.7% of GDP (1993 est.)
@Ecuador, Geography
Location:
Western South America, bordering the Pacific Ocean at the Equator
between Colombia and Peru
Map references:
South America, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
283,560 sq km
land area:
276,840 sq km
comparative area:
slightly smaller than Nevada
note:
includes Galapagos Islands
Land boundaries:
total 2,010 km, Colombia 590 km, Peru 1,420 km
Coastline:
2,237 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf:
claims continental shelf between mainland and Galapagos Islands
territorial sea:
200 nm
International disputes:
three sections of the boundary with Peru are in dispute
Climate:
tropical along coast becoming cooler inland
Terrain:
coastal plain (costa), inter-Andean central highlands (sierra), and
flat to rolling eastern jungle (oriente)
Natural resources:
petroleum, fish, timber
Land use:
arable land:
6%
permanent crops:
3%
meadows and pastures:
17%
forest and woodland:
51%
other:
23%
Irrigated land:
5,500 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; water pollution
natural hazards:
subject to frequent earthquakes, landslides, volcanic activity;
periodic droughts
international agreements:
party to - Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty,
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes,
Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical
Timber, Wetlands
Note:
Cotopaxi in Andes is highest active volcano in world
@Ecuador, People