total:
24,127 km
paved:
3,289 km
unpaved:
gravel 6,664 km; improved earth 1,652 km; unimproved earth 12,522 km
(1993)
Ports:
none; landlocked
Merchant marine:
12 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 62,627 GRT/88,909 DWT, cargo 8,
livestock carrier 1, oil tanker 2, roll on/roll off cargo 1
Airports:
total:
120
usable:
84
with permanent-surface runways:
10
with runways over 3,659 m:
1
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
15
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
83
Telecommunications:
open-wire and radio relay system adequate for government use;
open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti; microwave radio relay to Kenya and
Djibouti; broadcast stations - 4 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 100,000 TV sets;
9,000,000 radios; satellite earth stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT
and 2 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT
@Ethiopia, Defense Forces
Branches:
Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 13,229,078; fit for military service 6,867,582; reach
military age (18) annually 596,691 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
$NA, NA% of GDP
@Europa Island
Header
Affiliation:
(possession of France)
@Europa Island, Geography
Location:
Southern Africa, in the southern Mozambique Channel about halfway
between Madagascar and Mozambique
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total area:
28 sq km
land area:
28 sq km
comparative area:
about 0.2 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
22.2 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
claimed by Madagascar
Climate:
tropical
Terrain:
NA
Natural resources:
negligible
Land use:
arable land:
NA%
permanent crops:
NA%
meadows and pastures:
NA%
forest and woodland:
NA%
other:
NA% (heavily wooded)
Irrigated land:
0 sq km
Environment:
current issues:
NA
natural hazards:
NA
international agreements:
NA
Note:
wildlife sanctuary
@Europa Island, People
Population:
uninhabited
@Europa Island, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Europa Island
local long form:
none
local short form:
Ile Europa
Digraph:
EU
Type:
French possession administered by Commissioner of the Republic;
resident in Reunion
Capital:
none; administered by France from Reunion
Independence:
none (possession of France)
@Europa Island, Economy
Overview:
no economic activity
@Europa Island, Communications
Ports:
none; offshore anchorage only
Airports:
total:
1
usable:
1
with permanent-surface runways:
0
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,439-3,659 m:
0
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
1
Telecommunications:
1 meteorological station
@Europa Island, Defense Forces
Note:
defense is the responsibility of France
@Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Header
Affiliation:
(dependent territory of the UK)
@Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), Geography
Location:
Southern South America, in the South Atlantic Ocean, off the southern
coast of Argentina
Map references:
Antarctic Region, South America
Area:
total area:
12,170 sq km
land area:
12,170 sq km
comparative area:
slightly smaller than Connecticut
note:
includes the two main islands of East and West Falkland and about 200
small islands
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
1,288 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf:
100-m depth
exclusive fishing zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
administered by the UK, claimed by Argentina
Climate:
cold marine; strong westerly winds, cloudy, humid; rain occurs on more
than half of days in year; occasional snow all year, except in January
and February, but does not accumulate
Terrain:
rocky, hilly, mountainous with some boggy, undulating plains
Natural resources:
fish, wildlife
Land use:
arable land:
0%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
99%
forest and woodland:
0%
other:
1%
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
NA
natural hazards:
NA
international agreements:
NA
Note:
deeply indented coast provides good natural harbors; short growing
season
@Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), People
Population:
2,261 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.43% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
NA
Death rate:
NA
Net migration rate:
NA
Infant mortality rate:
NA
Life expectancy at birth:
NA
Total fertility rate:
NA
Nationality:
noun:
Falkland Islander(s)
adjective:
Falkland Island
Ethnic divisions:
British
Religions:
primarily Anglican, Roman Catholic, United Free Church, Evangelist
Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, Lutheran, Seventh-Day Adventist
Languages:
English
Literacy:
total population:
NA%
male:
NA%
female:
NA%
Labor force:
1,100 (est.)
by occupation:
agriculture 95% (mostly sheepherding)
@Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), Government
Names:
conventional long form:
Colony of the Falkland Islands
conventional short form:
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Digraph:
FA
Type:
dependent territory of the UK
Capital:
Stanley
Administrative divisions:
none (dependent territory of the UK)
Independence:
none (dependent territory of the UK)
National holiday:
Liberation Day, 14 June (1982)
Constitution:
3 October 1985
Legal system:
English common law
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)
head of government:
Governor David Everard TATHAM (since August 1992)
cabinet:
Executive Council; 3 members elected by the Legislative Council, 2
ex-officio members (chief executive and the financial secretary), and
the governor
Legislative branch:
unicameral
Legislative Council:
elections last held 11 October 1989 (next to be held October 1994);
results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (10 total, 8 elected)
number of seats by party NA
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
NA
Member of:
ICFTU
Diplomatic representation in US:
none (dependent territory of the UK)
US diplomatic representation:
none (dependent territory of the UK)
Flag:
blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the
Falkland Island coat of arms in a white disk centered on the outer
half of the flag; the coat of arms contains a white ram (sheep raising
is the major economic activity) above the sailing ship Desire (whose
crew discovered the islands) with a scroll at the bottom bearing the
motto DESIRE THE RIGHT
@Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), Economy
Overview:
The economy is based on sheep farming, which directly or indirectly
employs most of the work force. A few dairy herds are kept to meet
domestic consumption of milk and milk products, and crops grown are
primarily those for providing winter fodder. Exports feature shipments
of high-grade wool to the UK and the sale of postage stamps and coins.
Rich stocks of fish in the surrounding waters are not presently
exploited by the islanders. So far, efforts to establish a domestic
fishing industry have been unsuccessful. In 1987 the government began
selling fishing licenses to foreign trawlers operating within the
Falklands exclusive fishing zone. These license fees amount to more
than $40 million per year and are a primary source of income for the
government. To encourage tourism, the Falkland Islands Development
Corporation has built three lodges for visitors attracted by the
abundant wildlife and trout fishing.
National product:
GDP $NA
National product real growth rate:
NA%
National product per capita:
$NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
7.4% (1980-87 average)
Unemployment rate:
NA%; labor shortage
Budget:
revenues:
$62.7 million
expenditures:
$42.8 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY90)
Exports:
at least $14.7 million
commodities:
wool, hides and skins, and meat
partners:
UK, Netherlands, Japan (1987 est.)
Imports:
at least $13.9 million
commodities:
food, clothing, fuels, and machinery
partners:
UK, Netherlands Antilles (Curacao), Japan (1987 est.)
External debt:
$NA
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%
Electricity:
capacity:
9,200 kW
production:
17 million kWh
consumption per capita:
8,940 kWh (1992)
Industries:
wool and fish processing
Agriculture:
predominantly sheep farming; small dairy herds; some fodder and
vegetable crops
Economic aid:
recipient:
Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments
(1992-93), $87 million
Currency:
1 Falkland pound (#F) = 100 pence
Exchange rates:
Falkland pound (#F) per US$1 - 0.6699 (January 1994), 0.6658 (1993),
0.5664 (1992), 0.5652 (1991), 0.5604 (1990), 0.6099 (1989); note - the
Falkland pound is at par with the British pound
Fiscal year:
1 April - 31 March
@Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), Communications
Highways:
total:
510 km
paved:
30 km
unpaved:
gravel 80 km; unimproved earth 400 km
Ports:
Stanley
Airports:
total:
5
usable:
5
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:
0
Telecommunications:
government-operated radiotelephone and private VHF/CB radio networks
provide effective service to almost all points on both islands; 590
telephones; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 3 FM, no TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean
INTELSAT earth station with links through London to other countries
@Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), Defense Forces
Branches:
British Forces Falkland Islands (including Army, Royal Air Force,
Royal Navy, and Royal Marines), Police Force
Note:
defense is the responsibility of the UK
@Faroe Islands
Header
Affiliation:
(part of the Danish realm)
@Faroe Islands, Geography
Location:
Nordic States, Northern Europe in the north Atlantic Ocean, located
half way between Norway and Iceland
Map references:
Arctic Region
Area:
total area:
1,400 sq km
land area:
1,400 sq km
comparative area:
slightly less than eight times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
764 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
3 nm
International disputes:
none
Climate:
mild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy
Terrain:
rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast
Natural resources:
fish
Land use:
arable land:
2%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
0%
forest and woodland:
0%
other:
98%
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
NA
natural hazards:
NA
international agreements:
NA
Note:
archipelago of 18 inhabited islands and a few uninhabited islets;
strategically located along important sea lanes in northeastern
Atlantic; precipitous terrain limits habitation to small coastal
lowlands
@Faroe Islands, People
Population:
48,427 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.83% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
17.97 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
7.56 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
-2.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
8.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
78.1 years
male:
74.71 years
female:
81.62 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.47 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Faroese (singular and plural)
adjective:
Faroese
Ethnic divisions:
Scandinavian
Religions:
Evangelical Lutheran
Languages:
Faroese (derived from Old Norse), Danish
Literacy:
total population:
NA%
male:
NA%
female:
NA%
Labor force:
17,585
by occupation:
largely engaged in fishing, manufacturing, transportation, and
commerce
@Faroe Islands, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Faroe Islands
local long form:
none
local short form:
Foroyar
Digraph:
FO
Type:
part of the Danish realm; self-governing overseas administrative
division of Denmark
Capital:
Torshavn
Administrative divisions:
none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Independence:
none (part of the Danish realm; self-governing overseas administrative
division of Denmark)
National holiday:
Birthday of the Queen, 16 April (1940)
Constitution:
5 June 1953 (Danish constitution)
Legal system:
Danish
Suffrage:
20 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
Queen MARGRETHE II (since 14 January 1972), represented by High
Commissioner Bent KLINTE (since NA)
head of government:
Prime Minister Marita PETERSEN (since 18 January 1993)
cabinet:
Landsstyri; elected by the local legislature
Legislative branch:
unicameral
Faroese Parliament (Lgting):
elections last held 17 November 1990 (next to be held November 1994);
results - Social Democratic 27.4%, People's Party 21.9%, Cooperation
Coalition Party 18.9%, Republican Party 14.7%, Home Rule 8.8%,
PFIP-CPP 5.9%, other 2.4%; seats - (32 total) two-party coalition 17
(Social Democratic 10, People's Party 7), Cooperation Coalition Party
6, Republican Party 4, Home Rule 3, PFIP-CPP 2
Danish Parliament:
elections last held on 12 December 1990 (next to be held by December
1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (2 total) Social
Democratic 1, People's Party 1; note - the Faroe Islands elects two
representatives to the Danish Parliament
Judicial branch:
none
Political parties and leaders:
three-party ruling coalition:
Social Democratic Party, Marita PETERSEN; Republican Party, Signer
HANSEN; Home Rule Party, Hilmar KASS
opposition:
Cooperation Coalition Party, Pauli ELLEFSEN; Progressive and Fishing
Industry Party-Christian People's Party (PFIP-CPP), leader NA;
Progress Party, leader NA; People's Party, Jogvan SUND-STEIN
Member of:
none
Diplomatic representation in US:
none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
US diplomatic representation:
none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Flag:
white with a red cross outlined in blue that extends to the edges of
the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side
in the style of the DANNEBROG (Danish flag)
@Faroe Islands, Economy
Overview:
The Faroese, who have long enjoyed the affluent living standards of
the Danes and other Scandinavians, now must cope with the decline of
the all-important fishing industry and one of the world's heaviest per
capita external debts of nearly $30,000. When the nations of the world
extended their fishing zones to 200 nautical miles in the early 1970s,
the Faroese no longer could continue their traditional long-distance
fishing and subsequently depleted their own nearby fishing areas. The
government's tight controls on fish stocks and its austerity measures
have caused a recession, and subsidy cuts will force nationalization
in the fishing industry, which has already been plagued with
bankruptcies. Copenhagen has threatened to withhold its annual subsidy
of $130 million - roughly one-third of the islands' budget revenues -
unless the Faroese make significant efforts to balance their budget.
To this extent the Faroe government is expected to continue its tough
policies, including introducing a 20% value-added tax (VAT) in 1993,
and has agreed to an IMF economic-political stabilization plan. In
addition to its annual subsidy, the Danish government has bailed out
the second largest Faroe bank to the tune of $140 million since
October 1992.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $662 million (1989 est.)
National product real growth rate:
3% (1989 est.)
National product per capita:
$14,000 (1989 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2% (1988)
Unemployment rate:
2.5% (1993 est)
Budget:
revenues:
$425 million
expenditures:
$480 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1991 est.)
Exports:
$386 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.)
commodities:
fish and fish products 88%, animal feedstuffs, transport equipment
(ships) (1989)
partners:
Denmark 20%, Germany 18.3%, UK 14.2%, France 11.2%, Spain 7.9%, US
4.5%
Imports:
$322 million (c.i.f., 1990 est.)
commodities:
machinery and transport equipment 24.4%, manufactures 24%, food and
livestock 19%, fuels 12%, chemicals 6.5%
partners:
Denmark 43.8%, Norway 19.8%, Sweden 4.9%, Germany 4.2%, US 1.3%
External debt:
$1.3 billion (1991)
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%
Electricity:
capacity:
80,000 kW
production:
280 million kWh
consumption per capita:
5,760 kWh (1992)
Industries:
fishing, shipbuilding, handicrafts
Agriculture:
accounts for 27% of GDP and employs 27% of labor force; principal
crops - potatoes and vegetables; livestock - sheep; annual fish catch
about 360,000 metric tons
Economic aid:
recipient:
receives an annual subsidy from Denmark of about $130 million
Currency:
1 Danish krone (DKr) = 100 oere
Exchange rates:
Danish kroner (DKr) per US$1 - 6.771 (January 1994), 6.484 (1993),
6.036 (1992), 6.396 (1991), 6.189 (1990), 7.310 (1989)
Fiscal year:
1 April - 31 March
@Faroe Islands, Communications
Highways:
total:
200 km
paved:
NA
unpaved:
NA
Ports:
Torshavn, Tvoroyri
Merchant marine:
7 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 19,943 GRT/18,399 DWT, cargo 5,
roll-on/roll-off cargo 1, short-sea passenger 1
note:
a subset of the Danish register
Airports:
total:
1
usable:
1
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:
1
Telecommunications:
good international communications; fair domestic facilities; 27,900
telephones; broadcast stations - 1 AM, 3 (10 repeaters) FM, 3 (29
repeaters) TV; 3 coaxial submarine cables
@Faroe Islands, Defense Forces
Branches:
small Police Force, no organized native military forces
Note:
defense is the responsibility of Denmark
@Fiji, Geography
Location:
Oceania, Melanesia, 2,500 km north of New Zealand in the South Pacific
Ocean
Map references:
Oceania, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
18,270 sq km
land area:
18,270 sq km
comparative area:
slightly smaller than New Jersey
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
1,129 km
Maritime claims:
measured from claimed archipelagic baselines
continental shelf:
200-m depth or to depth of exploitation; rectilinear shelf claim added
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
none
Climate:
tropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature variation
Terrain:
mostly mountains of volcanic origin
Natural resources:
timber, fish, gold, copper, offshore oil potential
Land use:
arable land:
8%
permanent crops:
5%
meadows and pastures:
3%
forest and woodland:
65%
other:
19%
Irrigated land:
10 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
deforestation; soil erosion
natural hazards:
cyclonic storms can occur from November to January
international agreements:
party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea, Marine Life
Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection
Note:
includes 332 islands of which approximately 110 are inhabited
@Fiji, People
Population:
764,382 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.05% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
24.18 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
6.5 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
-7.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
18.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
65.14 years
male:
62.88 years
female:
67.51 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.92 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Fijian(s)
adjective:
Fijian
Ethnic divisions:
Fijian 49%, Indian 46%, European, other Pacific Islanders, overseas
Chinese, and other 5%
Religions:
Christian 52% (Methodist 37%, Roman Catholic 9%), Hindu 38%, Muslim
8%, other 2%
note:
Fijians are mainly Christian, Indians are Hindu, and there is a Muslim
minority (1986)
Languages:
English (official), Fijian, Hindustani
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1985 est.)
total population:
86%
male:
90%
female:
81%
Labor force:
235,000
by occupation:
subsistence agriculture 67%, wage earners 18%, salary earners 15%
(1987)
@Fiji, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Fiji
conventional short form:
Fiji
Digraph:
FJ
Type:
republic
note:
military coup leader Maj. Gen. Sitiveni RABUKA formally declared Fiji
a republic on 6 October 1987
Capital:
Suva
Administrative divisions:
4 divisions and 1 dependency*; Central, Eastern, Northern, Rotuma*,
Western
Independence:
10 October 1970 (from UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 10 October (1970)
Constitution:
10 October 1970 (suspended 1 October 1987); a new Constitution was
proposed on 23 September 1988 and promulgated on 25 July 1990; the
1990 Constitution is under review; the review will be complete by 1997
Legal system:
based on British system
Suffrage:
none
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Ratu Sir Kamisese MARA (since 12 January 1994); First Vice
President Ratu Sir Josaia TAIVAIQIA (since 12 January 1994); Second
Vice President Ratu Inoke TAKIVEIKATA (since 12 January 1994); note -
President GANILAU died on 15 December 1993 and Vice President MARA
became acting president; MARA was elected president by the Great
Council of Chiefs on 12 January 1994
head of government:
Prime Minister Sitiveni RABUKA (since 2 June 1992)
Presidential Council:
appointed by the governor general
Great Council of Chiefs:
(highest ranking members of the traditional chiefly system)
cabinet:
Cabinet; appointed by prime minister from members of Parliament and
responsible to Parliament
Legislative branch:
the bicameral Parliament was dissolved following the coup of 14 May
1987
Senate:
nonelective body containing 34 seats, 24 reserved for Melanesians, 9
for Indians and others, 1 for the island of Rotuma
House of Representatives:
elections last held 18-25 February 1994 (next to be held NA 1997);
results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (70 total, with ethnic
Fijians allocated 37 seats, ethnic Indians 27 seats, and independents
and other 6 seats) number of seats by party SVT 31, NFP 20, FLP 7, FA
5, GVP 4, independents 2, ANC 1
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
Fijian Political Party (SVT - primarily Fijian), leader Maj. Gen.
Sitivini RABUKA; National Federation Party (NFP; primarily Indian),
Jai Ram REDDY; Christian Fijian Nationalist Party (CFNP), Sakeasi
BUTADROKA; Fiji Labor Party (FLP), Mahendra CHAUDHRY; All National
Congress (ANC), Apisai TORA; General Voters Party (GVP), Max OLSSON;
Fiji Conservative Party (FCP), Isireli VUIBAU; Conservative Party of
Fiji (CPF), Jolale ULUDOLE and Viliame SAVU; Fiji Indian Liberal
Party, Swami MAHARAJ; Fiji Indian Congress Party, Ishwari BAJPAI; Fiji
Independent Labor (Muslim), leader NA; Four Corners Party, David
TULVANUAVOU; Fijian Association (FA), Josevata KAMIKAMICA
Member of:
ACP, AsDB, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD,
IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, PCA,
SPARTECA, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNOMUR,
UNTAC, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Pita Kewa NACUVA
chancery:
Suite 240, 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone:
(202) 337-8320
FAX:
(202) 337-1996
consulate(s):
New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
(vacant); Charge d'Affaires William ROPE
embassy:
31 Loftus Street, Suva
mailing address:
P. O. Box 218, Suva
telephone:
[679] 314-466
FAX:
[679] 300-081
Flag:
light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant
and the Fijian shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the
shield depicts a yellow lion above a white field quartered by the
cross of Saint George featuring stalks of sugarcane, a palm tree,
bananas, and a white dove
@Fiji, Economy