Names:
conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Grenada
Digraph:
GJ
Type:
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
Saint George's
Administrative divisions:
6 parishes and 1 dependency*; Carriacou and Petit Martinique*, Saint
Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mark, Saint
Patrick
Independence:
7 February 1974 (from UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 7 February (1974)
Constitution:
19 December 1973
Legal system:
based on English common law
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor
General Reginald Oswald PALMER (since 6 August 1992)
head of government:
Prime Minister Nicholas BRATHWAITE (since 13 March 1990)
cabinet:
Cabinet; appointed by the governor general on advice of the prime
minister
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament
Senate:
consists of a 13-member body, 10 appointed by the government and 3 by
the Leader of the Opposition
House of Representatives:
elections last held on 13 March 1990 (next to be held by NA March
1995); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (15 total) NDC
7, GULP 4, TNP 2, NNP 2
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
National Democratic Congress (NDC), Nicholas BRATHWAITE; Grenada
United Labor Party (GULP), Sir Eric GAIRY; The National Party (TNP),
Ben JONES; New National Party (NNP), Keith MITCHELL; Maurice Bishop
Patriotic Movement (MBPM), Terrence MARRYSHOW
Member of:
ACP, C, CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA,
IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LAES, LORCS, NAM, OAS, OECS,
OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Denneth MODESTE
chancery:
1701 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone:
(202) 265-2561
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Charge d'Affaires Ollie P. ANDERSON
embassy:
Point Salines, Saint George's
mailing address:
P. O. Box 54, Saint George's, Grenada, W.I.
telephone:
(809) 444-1173 through 1178
FAX:
(809) 444-4820
Flag:
a rectangle divided diagonally into yellow triangles (top and bottom)
and green triangles (hoist side and outer side) with a red border
around the flag; there are seven yellow five-pointed stars with three
centered in the top red border, three centered in the bottom red
border, and one on a red disk superimposed at the center of the flag;
there is also a symbolic nutmeg pod on the hoist-side triangle
(Grenada is the world's second-largest producer of nutmeg, after
Indonesia); the seven stars represent the seven administrative
divisions
@Grenada, Economy
Overview:
The economy is essentially agricultural and centers on the traditional
production of spices and tropical plants. Agriculture accounts for
about 15% of GDP and 80% of exports and employs 24% of the labor
force. Tourism is the leading foreign exchange earner, followed by
agricultural exports. Manufacturing remains relatively undeveloped,
but is expected to grow, given a more favorable private investment
climate since 1983. The economy achieved an impressive average annual
growth rate of 5.5% in 1986-91 but stalled in 1992. Unemployment
remains high at about 25%.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $250 million (1992 est.)
National product real growth rate:
-0.4% (1992 est.)
National product per capita:
$3,000 (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.6% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate:
25% (1992 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
$78 million
expenditures:
$51 million, including capital expenditures of $22 million (1991 est.)
Exports:
$19.9 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities:
bananas, cocoa, nutmeg, fruit and vegetables, clothing, mace
partners:
Netherlands, UK, Trinidad and Tobago, United States
Imports:
$103.2 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities:
food 25%, manufactured goods 22%, machinery 20%, chemicals 10%, fuel
6% (1989)
partners:
US 29%, UK, Trinidad and Tobago, Japan, Canada (1989)
External debt:
$109 million (1992)
Industrial production:
growth rate 1.8% (1992 est.); accounts for 9% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
12,500 kW
production:
26 million kWh
consumption per capita:
310 kWh (1992)
Industries:
food and beverage, textile, light assembly operations, tourism,
construction
Agriculture:
accounts for 15% of GDP and 80% of exports; bananas, cocoa, nutmeg,
and mace account for two-thirds of total crop production; world's
second-largest producer and fourth-largest exporter of nutmeg and
mace; small-size farms predominate, growing a variety of citrus
fruits, avocados, root crops, sugarcane, corn, and vegetables
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY84-89), $60 million; Western
(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $70
million; Communist countries (1970-89), $32 million
Currency:
1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.70 (fixed rate since 1976)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
@Grenada, Communications
Highways:
total:
1,000 km
paved:
600 km
unpaved:
otherwise improved 300 km; unimproved earth 100 km
Ports:
Saint George's
Airports:
total:
3
usable:
3
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:
1
Telecommunications:
automatic, islandwide telephone system with 5,650 telephones; new SHF
radio links to the islands of Trinidad, Tobago and Saint Vincent; VHF
and UHF radio links to the islands of Trinidad and Carriacou;
broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, 1 TV
@Grenada, Defense Forces
Branches:
Royal Grenada Police Force, Coast Guard
Defense expenditures:
$NA, NA% of GDP
@Guadeloupe
Header
Affiliation:
(overseas department of France)
@Guadeloupe, Geography
Location:
Caribbean, in the Caribbean Sea, 500 km southeast of Puerto Rico
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total area:
1,780 sq km
land area:
1,760 sq km
comparative area:
10 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
306 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
none
Climate:
subtropical tempered by trade winds; relatively high humidity
Terrain:
Basse-Terre is volcanic in origin with interior mountains; Grand-Terre
is low limestone formation
Natural resources:
cultivable land, beaches and climate that foster tourism
Land use:
arable land:
18%
permanent crops:
5%
meadows and pastures:
13%
forest and woodland:
40%
other:
24%
Irrigated land:
30 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
NA
natural hazards:
subject to hurricanes (June to October); La Soufriere is an active
volcano
international agreements:
NA
@Guadeloupe, People
Population:
428,947 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.55% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
17.68 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
5.94 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
3.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
8.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
76.97 years
male:
73.91 years
female:
80.14 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.04 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Guadeloupian(s)
adjective:
Guadeloupe
Ethnic divisions:
black or mulatto 90%, white 5%, East Indian, Lebanese, Chinese less
than 5%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 95%, Hindu and pagan African 5%
Languages:
French, creole patois
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1982)
total population:
90%
male:
90%
female:
91%
Labor force:
120,000
by occupation:
services, government, and commerce 53.0%, industry 25.8%, agriculture
21.2%
@Guadeloupe, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
Department of Guadeloupe
conventional short form:
Guadeloupe
local long form:
Departement de la Guadeloupe
local short form:
Guadeloupe
Digraph:
GP
Type:
overseas department of France
Capital:
Basse-Terre
Administrative divisions:
none (overseas department of France)
Independence:
none (overseas department of France)
National holiday:
National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789)
Constitution:
28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Legal system:
French legal system
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981)
head of government:
Prefect Franck PERRIEZ (since NA 1992); President of the General
Council Dominique LARIFA (since NA); President of the Regional Council
Lucette MICHAUX-CHEVRY (since 22 March 1992)
cabinet:
Council of Ministers
Legislative branch:
unicameral General Council and unicameral Regional Council
General Council:
elections last held NA March 1992 (next to be held by NA 1996);
results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (43 total) FRUI.G 13,
RPR/DUD 13, PPDG 8, FGPS 3, PCG 3 UPLG 1, PSG 1, independent 1
Regional Council:
elections last held on 31 January 1993 (next to be held by 16 March
1998); results - RPR/DUD 48.30%, FGPS 17.09%, FRUI.G 7.44%, PPDG
8.90%, UPLG 7.75% PCG 6.05%; seats - (41 total) seats by party NA
French Senate:
elections last held in September 1986 (next to be held September
1995); Guadeloupe elects two representatives; results - percent of
vote by party NA; seats - (2 total) PCG 1, PS 1
French National Assembly:
elections last held on 21 and 28 March1993 (next to be held March
1998); Guadeloupe elects four representatives; results - percent of
vote by party NA; seats - (4 total) PS 1, RPR 1, PCG 1, independent 1
Judicial branch:
Court of Appeal (Cour d'Appel) with jurisdiction over Guadeloupe,
French Guiana, and Martinique
Political parties and leaders:
Rally for the Republic (RPR), Aldo BLAISE; Communist Party of
Guadeloupe (PCG), Christian Medard CELESTE; Socialist Party (FGPS),
Georges LOUISOR; Popular Union for the Liberation of Guadeloupe
(UPLG), Lucien PERATIN; FGPS Dissidents (FRUI.G); Union for French
Democracy (UDF), Simon BARLAGNE; Union for the Center Rally (URC;
coalition of the FGPS, RPR, and UDF); Guadeloupe Objective (OG),
Lucette MICHAUX-CHEVRY; Progressive Democratic Party (PPDG), Henri
BANGOU
Other political or pressure groups:
Popular Union for the Liberation of Guadeloupe (UPLG); Popular
Movement for Independent Guadeloupe (MPGI); General Union of
Guadeloupe Workers (UGTG); General Federation of Guadeloupe Workers
(CGT-G); Christian Movement for the Liberation of Guadeloupe (KLPG)
Member of:
FZ, WCL, WFTU
Diplomatic representation in US:
none (overseas department of France)
US diplomatic representation:
none (overseas department of France)
Flag:
the flag of France is used
@Guadeloupe, Economy
Overview:
The economy depends on agriculture, tourism, light industry, and
services. It is also dependent upon France for large subsidies and
imports. Tourism is a key industry, with most tourists from the US. In
addition, an increasingly large number of cruise ships visit the
islands. The traditionally important sugarcane crop is slowly being
replaced by other crops, such as bananas (which now supply about 50%
of export earnings), eggplant, and flowers. Other vegetables and root
crops are cultivated for local consumption, although Guadeloupe is
still dependent on imported food, which comes mainly from France.
Light industry consists mostly of sugar and rum production. Most
manufactured goods and fuel are imported. Unemployment is especially
high among the young.
National product:
GDP - exchange rate conversion - $2.9 billion (1991)
National product real growth rate:
NA%
National product per capita:
$8,400 (1991)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.7% (1990)
Unemployment rate:
31.3% (1990)
Budget:
revenues:
$333 million
expenditures:
$671 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1989)
Exports:
$168 million (f.o.b., 1988)
commodities:
bananas, sugar, rum
partners:
France 68%, Martinique 22% (1987)
Imports:
$1.2 billion (c.i.f., 1988)
commodities:
vehicles, foodstuffs, clothing and other consumer goods, construction
materials, petroleum products
partners:
France 64%, Italy, FRG, US (1987)
External debt:
$NA
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%
Electricity:
capacity:
171,500 kW
production:
441 million kWh
consumption per capita:
1,080 kWh (1992)
Industries:
construction, cement, rum, sugar, tourism
Agriculture:
cash crops - bananas, sugarcane; other products include tropical
fruits and vegetables; livestock - cattle, pigs, goats; not
self-sufficient in food
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $4 million; Western
(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89),
$8.235 billion
Currency:
1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates:
French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.9205 (January 1994), 5.6632 (1993),
5.2938 (1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453 (1990), 6.3801 (1989)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
@Guadeloupe, Communications
Railroads:
privately owned, narrow-gauge plantation lines
Highways:
total:
1,940 km
paved:
1,600 km
unpaved:
gravel, earth 340 km
Ports:
Pointe-a-Pitre, Basse-Terre
Airports:
total:
9
usable:
9
with permanent-surface runways:
8
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
1
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
1
Telecommunications:
domestic facilities inadequate; 57,300 telephones; interisland
microwave radio relay to Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, and
Martinique; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 8 FM (30 private stations
licensed to broadcast FM), 9 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT ground
station
@Guadeloupe, Defense Forces
Branches:
French Forces, Gendarmerie
Note:
defense is responsibility of France
@Guam
Header
Affiliation:
(territory of the US)
@Guam, Geography
Location:
Oceania, Micronesia, in the North Pacific Ocean, 5,955 km
west-southwest of Honolulu, about three-quarters of the way between
Hawaii and the Philippines
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total area:
541.3 sq km
land area:
541.3 sq km
comparative area:
slightly more than three times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
125.5 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
24 nm
continental shelf:
200-m depth or to depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
none
Climate:
tropical marine; generally warm and humid, moderated by northeast
trade winds; dry season from January to June, rainy season from July
to December; little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain:
volcanic origin, surrounded by coral reefs; relatively flat coraline
limestone plateau (source of most fresh water) with steep coastal
cliffs and narrow coastal plains in north, low-rising hills in center,
mountains in south
Natural resources:
fishing (largely undeveloped), tourism (especially from Japan)
Land use:
arable land:
11%
permanent crops:
11%
meadows and pastures:
15%
forest and woodland:
18%
other:
45%
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
NA
natural hazards:
frequent squalls during rainy season; subject to relatively rare, but
potentially very destructive typhoons (especially in August)
international agreements:
NA
Note:
largest and southernmost island in the Mariana Islands archipelago;
strategic location in western North Pacific Ocean
@Guam, People
Population:
149,620 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.48% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
25.66 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
3.86 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
15.17 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
74.29 years
male:
72.42 years
female:
76.13 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.39 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Guamanian(s)
adjective:
Guamanian
Ethnic divisions:
Chamorro 47%, Filipino 25%, Caucasian 10%, Chinese, Japanese, Korean,
and other 18%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 98%, other 2%
Languages:
English, Chamorro, Japanese
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1980)
total population:
96%
male:
96%
female:
96%
Labor force:
46,930 (1990)
by occupation:
federal and territorial government 40%, private 60% (trade 18%,
services 15.6%, construction 13.8%, other 12.6%) (1990)
@Guam, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
Territory of Guam
conventional short form:
Guam
Digraph:
GQ
Type:
organized, unincorporated territory of the US with policy relations
between Guam and the US under the jurisdiction of the Office of
Territorial and International Affairs, US Department of the Interior
Capital:
Agana
Administrative divisions:
none (territory of the US)
Independence:
none (territory of the US)
National holiday:
Guam Discovery Day (first Monday in March) (1521); Liberation Day, 21
July
Constitution:
Organic Act of 1 August 1950
Legal system:
modeled on US; federal laws apply
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal; US citizens, but do not vote in US
presidential elections
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President William Jefferson CLINTON (since 20 January 1993); Vice
President Albert GORE, Jr. (since 20 January 1993)
head of government:
Governor Joseph A. ADA (since November 1986); Lieutenant Governor
Frank F. BLAS (since NA); election last held on 6 November 1990 (next
to be held NA November 1994); results - Joseph F. ADA reelected
cabinet:
executive departments; heads appointed by the governor with the
consent of the Guam legislature
Legislative branch:
unicameral
Legislature:
elections last held on 9 November 1992 (next to be held NA November
1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (21 total)
Democratic 14, Republican 7
US House of Representatives:
elections last held 9 November 1992 (next to be held NA November
1994); Guam elects one delegate; results - Robert UNDERWOOD was
elected as delegate; seats - (1 total) Democrat 1
Judicial branch:
Federal District Court, Territorial Superior Court
Political parties and leaders:
Democratic Party (controls the legislature); Republican Party (party
of the Governor)
Member of:
ESCAP (associate), IOC, SPC
Diplomatic representation in US:
none (territory of the US)
US diplomatic representation:
none (territory of the US)
Flag:
territorial flag is dark blue with a narrow red border on all four
sides; centered is a red-bordered, pointed, vertical ellipse
containing a beach scene, outrigger canoe with sail, and a palm tree
with the word GUAM superimposed in bold red letters; US flag is the
national flag
@Guam, Economy
Overview:
The economy depends mainly on US military spending and on revenues
from tourism. Over the past 20 years the tourist industry has grown
rapidly, creating a construction boom for new hotels and the expansion
of older ones. Visitors numbered about 900,000 in 1992. The slowdown
in Japanese economic growth has been reflected in less vigorous growth
in the tourism sector. About 60% of the labor force works for the
private sector and the rest for government. Most food and industrial
goods are imported, with about 75% from the US. In early 1994, Guam
faces the problem of building up the civilian economic sector to
offset the impact of military downsizing.
National product:
GNP - purchasing power equivalent - $2 billion (1991 est.)
National product real growth rate:
NA%
National product per capita:
$14,000 (1991 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate:
2% (1992 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
$525 million
expenditures:
$395 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1991)
Exports:
$34 million (f.o.b., 1984)
commodities:
mostly transshipments of refined petroleum products, construction
materials, fish, food and beverage products
partners:
US 25%, Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands 63%, other 12%
Imports:
$493 million (c.i.f., 1984)
commodities:
petroleum and petroleum products, food, manufactured goods
partners:
US 23%, Japan 19%, other 58%
External debt:
$NA
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%
Electricity:
capacity:
500,000 kW
production:
2.3 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
16,300 kWh (1990)
Industries:
US military, tourism, construction, transshipment services, concrete
products, printing and publishing, food processing, textiles
Agriculture:
relatively undeveloped with most food imported; fruits, vegetables,
eggs, pork, poultry, beef, copra
Economic aid:
although Guam receives no foreign aid, it does receive large transfer
payments from the general revenues of the US Federal Treasury into
which Guamanians pay no income or excise taxes; under the provisions
of a special law of Congress, the Guamanian Treasury, rather than the
US Treasury, receives federal income taxes paid by military and
civilian Federal employees stationed in Guam
Currency:
1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
US currency is used
Fiscal year:
1 October - 30 September
@Guam, Communications
Highways:
total:
674 km (all-weather roads)
paved:
NA
unpaved:
NA
Ports:
Apra Harbor
Airports:
total:
5
usable:
4
with permanent-surface runways:
3
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
3
with runways 1,200-2,439 m:
0
Telecommunications:
26,317 telephones (1989); broadcast stations - 3 AM, 3 FM, 3 TV; 2
Pacific Ocean INTELSAT ground stations
@Guam, Defense Forces
Note:
defense is the responsibility of the US
@Guatemala, Geography
Location:
Middle America, between Honduras and Mexico
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean, North America, Standard Time Zones
of the World
Area:
total area:
108,890 sq km
land area:
108,430 sq km
comparative area:
slightly smaller than Tennessee
Land boundaries:
total 1,687 km, Belize 266 km, El Salvador 203 km, Honduras 256 km,
Mexico 962 km
Coastline:
400 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf:
the outer edge of the continental shelf
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
maritime border with Belize in dispute; desultory negotiations to
resolve the dispute have begun
Climate:
tropical; hot, humid in lowlands; cooler in highlands
Terrain:
mostly mountains with narrow coastal plains and rolling limestone
plateau (Peten)
Natural resources:
petroleum, nickel, rare woods, fish, chicle
Land use:
arable land:
12%
permanent crops:
4%
meadows and pastures:
12%
forest and woodland:
40%
other:
32%
Irrigated land:
780 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution
natural hazards:
numerous volcanoes in mountains, with frequent violent earthquakes;
Caribbean coast subject to hurricanes and other tropical storms
international agreements:
party to - Antarctic Treaty, Endangered Species, Environmental
Modification, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer
Protection, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified -
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea
Note:
no natural harbors on west coast
@Guatemala, People