1996), 29.480 (1995), 33.456 (1994), 34.597 (1993), 32.150 (1992),
34.148 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 3,396 km (2,363 km electrified; 2,563 km double track)
standard gauge: 3,396 km 1.435-m gauge (1995)
Highways:
total: 137,876 km
paved: 129,603 km (including 1,667 km of expressways)
unpaved: 8,273 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: 2,043 km (1,528 km in regular commercial use)
Pipelines: crude oil 161 km; petroleum products 1,167 km; natural
gas 3,300 km
Ports: Antwerp, Brugge, Gent, Hasselt, Liege, Mons, Namur,
Oostende, Zeebrugge
Merchant marine:
total: 23 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 64,220 GRT/83,360 DWT
ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 8, chemical tanker 5, liquefied gas
tanker 3, oil tanker 6 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 42
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 6
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 9
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 21
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 5.691 million (1992 est.)
Telephone system: highly developed, technologically advanced, and
completely automated domestic and international telephone and
telegraph facilities
domestic: nationwide cellular telephone system; extensive cable
network; limited microwave radio relay network
international: 5 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 2
Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Eutelsat
Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 39, shortwave 0
Radios: 100,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 32 (1987 est.)
Televisions: 3,315,662 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 2,571,588
males fit for military service: 2,135,375
males reach military age (19) annually: 61,986 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $4.6 billion,
1.7% of GDP (1995)
======================================================================
@Belize
------
Map
---
Location: 17 15 N, 88 45 W -- Middle America, bordering the
Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Mexico
Flag
----
Description: blue with a narrow red stripe along the top and the
bottom edges; centered is a large white disk bearing the coat of
arms; the coat of arms features a shield flanked by two workers in
front of a mahogany tree with the related motto SUB UMBRA FLOREO (I
Flourish in the Shade) on a scroll at the bottom, all encircled by a
green garland
Geography
---------
Location: Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between
Guatemala and Mexico
Geographic coordinates: 17 15 N, 88 45 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total area: 22,960 sq km
land area: 22,800 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Massachusetts
Land boundaries:
total: 516 km
border countries: Guatemala 266 km, Mexico 250 km
Coastline: 386 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm in the north, 3 nm in the south; note - from
the mouth of the Sarstoon River to Ranguana Cay, Belize's
territorial sea is 3 nm; according to Belize's Maritime Areas Act,
1992, the purpose of this limitation is to provide a framework for
the negotiation of a definitive agreement on territorial differences
with Guatemala
International disputes: border with Guatemala in dispute; talks to
resolve the dispute are stalled
Climate: tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to
February)
Terrain: flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Victoria Peak 1,160 m
Natural resources: arable land potential, timber, fish
Land use:
arable land: 2%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 2%
forest and woodland: 44%
other: 52%
Irrigated land: 20 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: deforestation; water pollution from sewage,
industrial effluents, agricultural runoff
natural hazards: frequent, devastating hurricanes (September to
December) and coastal flooding (especially in south)
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Whaling
Geographic note: national capital moved 80 km inland from Belize
City to Belmopan because of hurricanes; only country in Central
America without a coastline on the North Pacific Ocean
People
------
Population: 219,296 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 43% (male 48,291; female 46,451)
15-64 years: 53% (male 59,132; female 57,498)
65 years and over: 4% (male 3,881; female 4,043) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.42% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 32.8 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.73 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -2.89 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.96 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.03 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 33.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 68.53 years
male: 66.58 years
female: 70.58 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 4.12 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Belizean(s)
adjective: Belizean
Ethnic divisions: mestizo 44%, Creole 30%, Maya 11%, Garifuna 7%,
other 8%
Religions: Roman Catholic 62%, Protestant 30% (Anglican 12%,
Methodist 6%, Mennonite 4%, Seventh-Day Adventist 3%, Pentecostal
2%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1%, other 2%), none 2%, other 6% (1980)
Languages: English (official), Spanish, Mayan, Garifuna (Carib)
Literacy: age 14 and over has ever attended school (1991 est.)
total population: 70.3%
male: 70.3%
female: 70.3%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Belize
former: British Honduras
Data code: BH
Type of government: parliamentary democracy
Capital: Belmopan
Administrative divisions: 6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal,
Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo
Independence: 21 September 1981 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 21 September (1981)
Constitution: 21 September 1981
Legal system: English law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), a
hereditary monarch, is represented by Governor General Sir Colville
YOUNG (since 17 November 1993), who, according to the constitution,
must be a Belizean; was appointed by the queen
head of government: Prime Minister Manuel ESQUIVEL (since July 1993)
was appointed by the governor general; Deputy Prime Minister Dean
BARROW (since NA 1993)
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the governor general on the advice
of the prime minister
Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly
Senate: consists of an eight-member appointed body; five members are
appointed on the advice of the prime minister, two on the advice of
the leader of the opposition, and one after consultation with the
Belize Advisory Council (this council serves as an independent body
to advise the governor general with respect to difficult decisions
such as granting pardons, commutations, stays of execution, the
removal of justices of appeal who appear to be incompetent, etc.)
National Assembly: elections last held 30 June 1993 (next to be held
NA June 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (28
total) PUP 13 UDP 15
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, the chief justice is appointed by
the governor general on advice of the prime minister
Political parties and leaders: People's United Party (PUP), George
PRICE, Florencio MARIN, Said MUSA; United Democratic Party (UDP),
Manuel ESQUIVEL, Dean LINDO, Dean BARROW; National Alliance for
Belizean Rights, Philip GOLDSON
Other political or pressure groups: Society for the Promotion of
Education and Research (SPEAR), Assad SHOMAN; United Workers Front,
leader NA
International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CDB,
ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC,
IOM (observer), ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNIDO, UNMIH, UPU, WCL, WHO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Dean R. LINDO
chancery: 2535 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 332-9636
FAX: [1] (202) 332-6888
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles
consulate(s): New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador George Charles BRUNO
embassy: Gabourel Lane and Hutson Street, Belize City
mailing address: P. O. Box 286, Belize City; APO: Unit 7401, APO AA
34025
telephone: [501] (2) 77161 through 77163
FAX: [501] (2) 30802
Flag: blue with a narrow red stripe along the top and the bottom
edges; centered is a large white disk bearing the coat of arms; the
coat of arms features a shield flanked by two workers in front of a
mahogany tree with the related motto SUB UMBRA FLOREO (I Flourish in
the Shade) on a scroll at the bottom, all encircled by a green
garland
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The small, essentially private enterprise
economy is based primarily on agriculture, agro-based industry, and
merchandising, with tourism and construction assuming increasing
importance. Agriculture accounts for about 30% of GDP and provides
75% of export earnings, while sugar, the chief crop, accounts for
almost 40% of hard currency earnings. The US, Belize's main trading
partner, is assisting in efforts to reduce dependency on sugar with
an agricultural diversification program.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $575 million (1994 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2% (1994 est.)
GDP per capita: $2,750 (1994 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 30%
industry: NA
services: NA (1995 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.3% (1994 est.)
Labor force: 51,500
by occupation: agriculture 30%, services 16%, government 15.4%,
commerce 11.2%, manufacturing 10.3%
note: shortage of skilled labor and all types of technical personnel
(1985)
Unemployment rate: 10% (1993 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $126.8 million
expenditures: $123.1 million, including capital expenditures of
$44.8 million (FY90/91 est.)
Industries: garment production, food processing, tourism,
construction
Industrial production growth rate: 3.7% (1990)
Electricity:
capacity: 34,532 kW
production: 110 million kWh
consumption per capita: 490 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: bananas, coca, citrus, sugarcane; lumber; fish,
cultured shrimp
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine; an illicit
producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; minor
money-laundering center
Exports: $115 million (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities: sugar, citrus fruits, bananas, clothing, fish products,
molasses, wood
partners: US 38%, UK, other EC (1994)
Imports: $281 million (c.i.f., 1993)
commodities: machinery and transportation equipment, food,
manufactured goods, fuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticals
partners: US 53%, UK, other EC, Mexico (1994)
External debt: $167.5 million (1992)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Belizean dollar (Bz$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Belizean dollars (Bz$) per US$1 - 2.00 (fixed rate)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 2,560 km
paved: 336 km
unpaved: 2,224 km (1987 est.)
Waterways: 825 km river network used by shallow-draft craft;
seasonally navigable
Ports: Belize City, Big Creek, Corozol, Punta Gorda
Merchant marine:
total: 89 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 311,731 GRT/470,272 DWT
ships by type: bulk 9, cargo 60, container 6, liquefied gas tanker
1, oil tanker 3, refrigerated cargo 4, roll-on/roll-off cargo 4,
specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 35
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 25
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 8 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 15,917 (1990 est.)
Telephone system: above-average system
domestic: trunk network depends primarily on microwave radio relay
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 6, FM 5, shortwave 1
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: 27,048 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Belize Defense Force (includes Army, Navy, Air Force,
and Volunteer Guard), Belize National Police
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 52,290
males fit for military service: 31,086
males reach military age (18) annually: 2,390 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $8.1 million, NA%
of GDP (FY95/96)
======================================================================
@Benin
-----
Map
---
Location: 9 30 N, 2 15 E -- Western Africa, bordering the North
Atlantic Ocean, between Nigeria and Togo
Flag
----
Description: two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red
with a vertical green band on the hoist side
Geography
---------
Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean,
between Nigeria and Togo
Geographic coordinates: 9 30 N, 2 15 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 112,620 sq km
land area: 110,620 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Pennsylvania
Land boundaries:
total: 1,989 km
border countries: Burkina Faso 306 km, Niger 266 km, Nigeria 773 km,
Togo 644 km
Coastline: 121 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 200 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north
Terrain: mostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low
mountains
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Tanekas 641 m
Natural resources: small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble,
timber
Land use:
arable land: 12%
permanent crops: 4%
meadows and pastures: 4%
forest and woodland: 35%
other: 45%
Irrigated land: 60 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: recent droughts have severely affected marginal
agriculture in north; inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching
threatens wildlife populations; deforestation; desertification
natural hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan wind may affect north in
winter
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Nuclear Test Ban,
Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified - Desertification,
Law of the Sea
Geographic note: no natural harbors
People
------
Population: 5,709,529 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 48% (male 1,376,531; female 1,367,394)
15-64 years: 50% (male 1,349,386; female 1,480,251)
65 years and over: 2% (male 60,030; female 75,937) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.32% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 46.76 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 13.53 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.95 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 105.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 52.69 years
male: 50.74 years
female: 54.7 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.64 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Beninese (singular and plural)
adjective: Beninese
Ethnic divisions: African 99% (42 ethnic groups, most important
being Fon, Adja, Yoruba, Bariba), Europeans 5,500
Religions: indigenous beliefs 70%, Muslim 15%, Christian 15%
Languages: French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common
vernaculars in south), tribal languages (at least six major ones in
north)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 37%
male: 48.7%
female: 25.8%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Benin
conventional short form: Benin
local long form: Republique du Benin
local short form: Benin
former: Dahomey
Data code: BN
Type of government: 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 Mathieu KEREKOU
(since 4 April 1996) was elected for a five-year term by popular
vote; election last held 18 March 1996 (next to be held March 2001);
results - Mathieu KEREKOU 52.49%, Nicephore SOGLO 47.51%
cabinet: Executive Council, appointed by the president
Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale): elections last held 28
March 1995 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party
NA; seats - (83 total) Renaissance Party and allies 20, PRD 19,
FARD-ALAFIA 10, PSD 7, NCC 3, RDL-VIVOTEN 3, Communist Party 2,
Alliance Chameleon 1, RDP 1, ADP 1, other 16
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders: as of February 1996, more than 80
political parties were officially recognized; the following are
represented in the National Assembly: Alliance of the National Party
for Democracy and Development (PNDD) and the Democratic Renewal
Party (PRD), Pascal Chabi KAO; Action for Renewal and Development
(FARD-ALAFIA), Mathieu KEREKOU; Alliance of the Social Democratic
Party (PSD) and the National Union for Solidarity and Progress
(UNSP), Bruno AMOUSSOU; Alliance Chameleon; Alliance for Democracy
and Progress (ADP), Adekpedjon AKINDES; Alliance for Social
Democracy (ASD), Robert DOSSOU; Assembly of Liberal Democrats for
National Reconstruction (RDL), Severin ADJOVI; Communist Party of
Benin, Pascal FATONDJI, First Secretary; Our Common Cause (NCC),
Albert TEVOEDJRE; Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP); The
Renaissance Party, Nicephore SOGLO
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, ECA,
ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB,
IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM,
OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIH, UPU, WADB, WCL, WFTU,
WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Lucien Edgar TONOUKOUIN
chancery: 2737 Cathedral Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 232-6656, 6657, 6658
FAX: [1] (202) 265-1996
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador John M. YATES
embassy: Rue Caporal Bernard Anani, Cotonou
mailing address: B. P. 2012, Cotonou
telephone: [229] 30-06-50, 30-05-13, 30-17-92
FAX: [229] 30-14-39, 30-19-74
Flag: two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red with a
vertical green band on the hoist side
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The economy of Benin remains underdeveloped and
dependent on subsistence agriculture, cotton production, and
regional trade. Growth in real output, which had averaged a sound 4%
in 1990-94, rose to 6% in 1995. Rapid population growth, now 3.3%
per year, offset much of this growth in output. Inflation jumped to
55% in 1994 (compared to 3% in 1993) following the 50% currency
devaluation in January 1994, but subsided gradually in 1995.
Commercial and transport activities, which make up 37% of GDP, are
extremely vulnerable to developments in Nigeria as evidenced by
decreased reexport trade in 1994 due to a severe contraction in
Nigerian demand. Support by the Paris Club and official bilateral
creditors has eased the external debt situation in recent years. The
government, still burdened with money-losing state enterprises and a
bloated civil service, has been gradually implementing a World Bank
supported structural adjustment program since 1991.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $7.6 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 6% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,380 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 36.8%
industry: 12.6%
services: 50.6% (1993)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 55% (1994 est.)
Labor force: 1.9 million (1987)
by occupation: agriculture 60%, transport, commerce, and public
services 38%, industry less than 2%
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $272 million (1993 est.)
expenditures: $375 million, including capital expenditures of $84
million (1993 est.)
Industries: textiles, cigarettes; beverages, food; construction
materials, petroleum
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 30,000 kW
production: 10 million kWh
consumption per capita: 25 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: corn, sorghum, cassava (tapioca), yams, beans, rice,
cotton, palm oil, peanuts; poultry, livestock
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for narcotics associated with
Nigerian trafficking organizations and most commonly destined for
Western Europe and the US
Exports: $310 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: cotton, crude oil, palm products, cocoa
partners: France, Morocco 37%, Portugal 14%, Spain, Italy, UK, US,
Libya
Imports: $439 million (c.i.f., 1994 est.)
commodities: foodstuffs, beverages, tobacco, petroleum products,
intermediate goods, capital goods, light consumer goods
partners: France 24%, Thailand 12%, Netherlands 7%, US 5%, China,
Hong Kong
External debt: $1.5 billion (1993 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100
centimes
Exchange rates: CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 500.56 (January
1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992),
282.11 (1991)
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
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 578 km (single track) (1995 est.)
narrow gauge: 578 km 1.000-m gauge
Highways:
total: 6,070 km
paved: 1,214 km
unpaved: 4,856 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: navigable along small sections, important only locally
Ports: Cotonou, Porto-Novo
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 5
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 16,200 (1986 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: fair system of open wire and microwave radio relay
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic
Ocean); submarine cable
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 2, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 2
Televisions: 20,000 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Armed Forces (includes Army, Navy, Air Force), National
Gendarmerie
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 1,212,440
females age 15-49: 1,290,773
males fit for military service: 620,923
females fit for military service: 653,094
males reach military age (18) annually: 62,526
females reach military age (18) annually: 60,968 (1996 est.)
note: both sexes are liable for military service
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $33 million, 3.2%
of GDP (1994)
======================================================================
@Bermuda
-------
(dependent territory of the UK)
Map
---
Location: 32 20 N, 64 45 W -- North America, group of islands in
the North Atlantic Ocean, east of North Carolina (US)
Flag
----