sole cash crop. Copra and fresh coconuts are the major export
earners. Small local gardens and fishing contribute to the food
supply, but additional food and most other necessities must be
imported from Australia.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $NA
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $NA
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%
Labor force: NA
Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: copra products
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 1,000 kW
production: 2 million kWh
consumption per capita: 2,980 kWh (1990)
Agriculture: vegetables, bananas, pawpaws, coconuts
Exports: $NA
commodities: copra
partners: Australia
Imports: $NA
commodities: foodstuffs
partners: Australia
External debt: $NA
Economic aid: none
Currency: 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.3477 (January
1996), 1.3486 (1995), 1.3667 (1994), 1.4704 (1993), 1.3600 (1992),
1.2836 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: NA km
paved: NA km
unpaved: NA km
Ports: none; lagoon anchorage only
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 1
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: NA
Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: telephone, telex, and facsimile communications with
Australia via satellite; 1 satellite earth station of NA type
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 300 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 0
note: intermittent television service via satellite
Televisions: NA
Defense
-------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of Australia
======================================================================
@Colombia
--------
Map
---
Location: 4 00 N, 72 00 W -- Northern South America, bordering the
Caribbean Sea, between Panama and Venezuela, and bordering the North
Pacific Ocean, between Ecuador and Panama
Flag
----
Description: three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double-width),
blue, and red; similar to the flag of Ecuador, which is longer and
bears the Ecuadorian coat of arms superimposed in the center
Geography
---------
Location: Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea,
between Panama and Venezuela, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean,
between Ecuador and Panama
Geographic coordinates: 4 00 N, 72 00 W
Map references: South America
Area:
total area: 1,138,910 sq km
land area: 1,038,700 sq km
comparative area: slightly less than three times the size of Montana
note: includes Isla de Malpelo, Roncador Cay, Serrana Bank, and
Serranilla Bank
Land boundaries:
total: 7,408 km
border countries: Brazil 1,643 km, Ecuador 590 km, Panama 225 km,
Peru 2,900 km, Venezuela 2,050 km
Coastline: 3,208 km (Caribbean Sea 1,760 km, North Pacific Ocean
1,448 km)
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: maritime boundary dispute with Venezuela
in the Gulf of Venezuela; territorial dispute with Nicaragua over
Archipelago de San Andres y Providencia and Quita Sueno Bank
Climate: tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in
highlands
Terrain: flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes
Mountains, eastern lowland plains
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Nevado del Huila 5,750 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel,
gold, copper, emeralds
Land use:
arable land: 4%
permanent crops: 2%
meadows and pastures: 29%
forest and woodland: 49%
other: 16%
Irrigated land: 5,150 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: deforestation; soil damage from overuse of
pesticides; air pollution, especially in Bogota, from vehicle
emissions
natural hazards: highlands subject to volcanic eruptions; occasional
earthquakes; periodic droughts
international agreements: party to - Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity,
Climate Change, Endangered Species, Marine Life Conservation,
Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical
Timber 83; signed, but not ratified - Antarctic-Environmental
Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine
Dumping, Tropical Timber 94
Geographic note: only South American country with coastlines on
both North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea
People
------
Population: 36,813,161 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 32% (male 5,948,599; female 5,806,450)
15-64 years: 64% (male 11,496,931; female 11,890,875)
65 years and over: 4% (male 741,788; female 928,518) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.66% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 21.34 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 4.65 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 25.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 72.81 years
male: 69.97 years
female: 75.73 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.35 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Colombian(s)
adjective: Colombian
Ethnic divisions: mestizo 58%, white 20%, mulatto 14%, black 4%,
mixed black-Indian 3%, Indian 1%
Religions: Roman Catholic 95%
Languages: Spanish
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 91.3%
male: 91.2%
female: 91.4%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Colombia
conventional short form: Colombia
local long form: Republica de Colombia
local short form: Colombia
Data code: CO
Type of government: republic; executive branch dominates
government structure
Capital: Bogota
Administrative divisions: 32 departments (departamentos, singular
- departamento) and 1 capital district* (distrito capital);
Amazonas, Antioquia, Arauca, Atlantico, Bogota*, Bolivar, Boyaca,
Caldas, Caqueta, Casanare, Cauca, Cesar, Choco, Cordoba,
Cundinamarca, Guainia, Guaviare, Huila, La Guajira, Magdalena, Meta,
Narino, Norte de Santander, Putumayo, Quindio, Risaralda, San Andres
y Providencia, Santander, Sucre, Tolima, Valle del Cauca, Vaupes,
Vichada
Independence: 20 July 1810 (from Spain)
National holiday: Independence Day, 20 July (1810)
Constitution: 5 July 1991
Legal system: based on Spanish law; a new criminal code modeled
after US procedures was enacted in 1992-93; judicial review of
executive and legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction,
with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Ernesto SAMPER
Pizano (since 7 August 1994) elected for a four-year term by popular
vote; election last held 29 May 1994 (next to be held NA May 1998)
results - no candidate received more than 50% of the total vote; a
run-off election to select a president from the two leading
candidates was held 19 June 1994; results - Ernesto SAMPER Pizano
(Liberal Party) 50.4%, Andres PASTRANA Arango (Conservative Party)
48.6%, blank votes 1%; Humberto de la CALLE Lombana elected vice
president for a four-year term by popular vote in a new procedure
that replaces the traditional designation of vice presidents by
newly elected presidents
cabinet: Cabinet
Legislative branch: bicameral Congress (Congreso)
Senate (Senado): elections last held 13 March 1994 (next to be held
NA March 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (102
total) Liberal Party 59, conservatives (includes PC, MSN, and NDF)
31, other 12
House of Representatives (Camara de Representantes): elections last
held 13 March 1994 (next to be held NA March 1998); seats - (161
total) Liberal Party 89, conservatives (includes PC, MSN, and NDF)
53, AD/M-19 2, other 17
Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de
Justical), highest court of criminal law, judges are selected from
the nominees of the Higher Council of Justice for eight-year terms;
Council of State, highest court of administrative law, judges are
selected from the nominees of the Higher Council of Justice for
eight-year terms; Constitutional Court, guards integrity and
supremacy of the constitution, rules on constitutionality of laws,
amendments to the constitution, and international treaties
Political parties and leaders: Liberal Party (PL), Luis Fernando
JARAMILLO; Conservative Party (PC), Jaime ARIAS; New Democratic
Force (NDF), Andres PASTRANA Arango; Democratic Alliance M-19
(AD/M-19) is a coalition of small leftist parties and dissident
liberals and conservatives; Patriotic Union (UP) is a legal
political party formed by Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia
(FARC) and Colombian Communist Party (PCC), Aida ABELLA; National
Salvation Movement (MSN) Alvaro GOMEZ Hurtado
Other political or pressure groups: three insurgent groups are
active in Colombia - Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC);
National Liberation Army (ELN); and dissidents of the recently
demobilized People's Liberation Army (EPL/D)
International organization participation: AG, CCC, CDB, ECLAC,
FAO, G- 3, G-11, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU,
ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC,
IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Carlos LLERAS de la Fuente
chancery: 2118 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 387-8338
FAX: [1] (202) 232-8643
consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami,
New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), and
Washington, DC
consulate(s): Atlanta and Tampa
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Myles R. R. FRECHETTE
embassy: Calle 22D-BIS, No. 47-51, Apartado Aereo 3831
mailing address: APO AA 34038
telephone: [57] (1) 315-0811
FAX: [57] (1) 315-2197
consulate(s): Barranquilla
Flag: three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double-width), blue,
and red; similar to the flag of Ecuador, which is longer and bears
the Ecuadorian coat of arms superimposed in the center
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Boasting a diversified and stable economy,
Colombia has enjoyed Latin America's most consistent record of
growth over the last several decades. Gross domestic product (GDP)
has expanded every year for more than 25 years, and unlike many
other South American countries, Colombia did not default on any of
its official debts during the "lost decade" of the 1980s. Since
1990, when Bogota introduced a comprehensive reform program that
opened the economy to foreign trade and investment, GDP growth has
averaged more than 4% annually. Growth has been fueled in recent
years by the expansion of the construction and financial service
industries and an influx of foreign capital. Some foreign investors
have been deterred by an inadequate energy and transportation
infrastructure and the violence stemming from drug trafficking and
persistent rural guerrilla warfare, but direct foreign investment,
especially in the oil industry, is still rising at a rapid rate.
Although oil consequently is overtaking coffee as the main legal
export, earnings from illicit drugs probably exceed those from any
other export. Non-petroleum economic growth has been slowing,
however, in part because the tight monetary policies adopted to
offset the inflationary impact of high capital inflows and rising
government spending have slowed local sales and investment. Business
confidence also has been damaged by a political crisis stemming from
allegations that senior government officials, including President
SAMPER, solicited contributions from drug traffickers during the
1994 election campaign. The slowdown in the growth of
labor-intensive industries such as manufacturing has caused a small
rise in unemployment and interfered with President SAMPER'S plans to
lower the country's poverty rate, which has remained at about 40%
despite the expanding economy. Nevertheless, the booming oil sector,
growing foreign investment, and the fundamental stability of the
economy promise to keep growth positive for the foreseeable future,
barring severe, unpredictable shocks from developments in the
political or international arenas.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $192.5 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 5.3% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $5,300 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 21.5%
industry: 29%
services: 49.5%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 19.5% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 12 million (1990)
by occupation: services 46%, agriculture 30%, industry 24% (1990)
Unemployment rate: 9.5% (1995)
Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $24 billion including capital expenditures of $NA
(1996 est.)
Industries: textiles, food processing, oil, clothing and footwear,
beverages, chemicals, cement; gold, coal, emeralds
Industrial production growth rate: 3.5% (1995 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 10,220,000 kW
production: 33 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 890 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: coffee, cut flowers, bananas, rice, tobacco, corn,
sugarcane, cocoa beans, oilseed, vegetables; forest products; shrimp
farming
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of coca, opium poppies, and
cannabis; about 50,900 hectares of coca under cultivation in 1995;
the world's largest processor of coca derivatives into cocaine;
supplier of cocaine to the US and other international drug markets;
active aerial eradication program seeks to virtually eliminate coca
and opium crops by 1997
Exports: $10.5 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: petroleum, coffee, coal, bananas, fresh cut flowers
partners: US 39%, EC 25.7%, Japan 2.9%, Venezuela 8.5% (1992)
Imports: $13.5 billion (c.i.f., 1995 est.)
commodities: industrial equipment, transportation equipment,
consumer goods, chemicals, paper products
partners: US 36%, EC 18%, Brazil 4%, Venezuela 6.5%, Japan 8.7%
(1992)
External debt: $14 billion (1995 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $30 million (1993)
Currency: 1 Colombian peso (Col$) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: Colombian pesos (Col$) per US$1 - 1,011.11
(January 1996), 912.83 (1995), 844.84 (1994), 863.06 (1993), 759.28
(1992), 633.05 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 3,386 km
standard gauge: 150 km 1.435-m gauge (connects Cerrejon coal mines
to maritime port at Bahia Portete)
narrow gauge: 3,236 km 0.914-m gauge (1830 km in use) (1995)
Highways:
total: 107,200 km
paved: 12,600 km
unpaved: 94,600 km
Waterways: 14,300 km, navigable by river boats
Pipelines: crude oil 3,585 km; petroleum products 1,350 km;
natural gas 830 km; natural gas liquids 125 km
Ports: Barranquilla, Buenaventura, Cartagena, Leticia, Puerto
Bolivar, San Andres, Santa Marta, Tumaco, Turbo
Merchant marine:
total: 19 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 97,037 GRT/129,404 DWT
ships by type: bulk 5, cargo 8, container 3, oil tanker 3 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 989
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 9
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 33
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 35
with paved runways under 914 m: 557
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 41
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 311 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 1.89 million (1986 est.)
Telephone system: modern system in many respects
domestic: nationwide microwave radio relay system; domestic
satellite system with 11 earth stations
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 413 (licensed), FM 217 (licensed),
shortwave 28
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 33
Televisions: 5.5 million (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army (Ejercito Nacional), Navy (Armada Nacional,
includes Marines and Coast Guard), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea
Colombiana), National Police (Policia Nacional)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 10,067,538
males fit for military service: 6,774,105
males reach military age (18) annually: 346,372 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $2 billion, 2.8%
of GDP (1995)
======================================================================
@Comoros
-------
Map
---
Location: 12 10 S, 44 15 E -- Southern Africa, group of islands in
the Mozambique Channel, about two-thirds of the way between northern
Madagascar and northern Mozambique
Flag
----
Description: green with a white crescent in the center of the
field, its points facing downward; there are four white five-pointed
stars placed in a line between the points of the crescent; the
crescent, stars, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam;
the four stars represent the four main islands of the archipelago -
Mwali, Njazidja, Nzwani, and Mayotte (a territorial collectivity of
France, but claimed by Comoros); the design, the most recent of
several, is described in the constitution approved by referendum on
7 June 1992
Geography
---------
Location: Southern Africa, group of islands in the Mozambique
Channel, about two-thirds of the way between northern Madagascar and
northern Mozambique
Geographic coordinates: 12 10 S, 44 15 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 2,170 sq km
land area: 2,170 sq km
comparative area: slightly more than 12 times the size of
Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 340 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: claims French-administered Mayotte
Climate: tropical marine; rainy season (November to May)
Terrain: volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to
low hills
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Kartala 2,360 m
Natural resources: negligible
Land use:
arable land: 35%
permanent crops: 8%
meadows and pastures: 7%
forest and woodland: 16%
other: 34%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: soil degradation and erosion results from crop
cultivation on slopes without proper terracing; deforestation
natural hazards: cyclones and tsunamis possible during rainy season
(December to April); Mount Kartala on Grand Comore is an active
volcano
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer
Protection; signed, but not ratified - Desertification
Geographic note: important location at northern end of Mozambique
Channel
People
------
Population: 569,237 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 48% (male 137,235; female 136,207)
15-64 years: 49% (male 138,447; female 142,058)
65 years and over: 3% (male 7,242; female 8,048) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.55% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 45.82 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 10.28 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: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.99 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 75.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 58.7 years
male: 56.43 years
female: 61.05 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.65 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Comoran(s)
adjective: Comoran
Ethnic divisions: Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava
Religions: Sunni Muslim 86%, Roman Catholic 14%
Languages: Arabic (official), French (official), Comoran (a blend
of Swahili and Arabic)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 57.3%
male: 64.2%
female: 50.4%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Federal Islamic Republic of the Comoros
conventional short form: Comoros
local long form: Republique Federale Islamique des Comores
local short form: Comores
Data code: CN
Type of government: independent republic
Capital: Moroni
Administrative divisions: three islands; Grand Comore (Njazidja),
Anjouan (Nzwani), and Moheli (Mwali)
note: there are also four municipalities named Domoni, Fomboni,
Moroni, and Mutsamudu
Independence: 6 July 1975 (from France)
National holiday: Independence Day, 6 July (1975)
Constitution: 7 June 1992
Legal system: French and Muslim law in a new consolidated code
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Mohamed TAKI Abdulkarim (since 16 March
1996) was elected by popular vote; election last held 16 March 1996
(next to be held March 2001)
head of government: Prime Minister MASSOUNDI Tadjidine Ben Said
(since March 1996) was appointed by the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
Legislative branch: unicameral
Federal Assembly (Assemblee Federale): elections last held 12-20
December 1993 (next to be held by NA January 1998); results -
percent of vote by party NA; seats - (42 total) ruling coalition:
RDR 15, UNDC 5, MWANGAZA 2; opposition: UDZIMA 8; other smaller
parties: 10; two seats remained unfilled
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme), two members are
appointed by the president, two members are elected by the Federal
Assembly, one by the Council of each island, plus all the former
presidents of the republic
Political parties and leaders: Islands' Fraternity and Unity Party
(CHUMA), Said Ali KEMAL; over 20 political parties are currently
active, the most important of which are Comoran Union for Progress
(UDZIMA), Omar TAMOU; Comoran Party for Democracy and Progress
(PCDP), Ali MROUDJAE; Realizing Freedom's Capability (UWEZO),
Mouazair ABDALLAH; Democratic Front of the Comoros (FDR), Moustapha
CHELKH; Dialogue Proposition Action (DPA/MWANGAZA), Said MCHAWGAMA;
Rally for Change and Democracy (RACHADE), Hassan HACHIM; Union for
Democracy and Decentralization (UNDC), Mohamed Taki Halidi IBRAHAM;
Rally for Democracy and Renewal (RDR); Comoran Popular Front (FPC),
Mohamed HASSANALI, Mohamed El Arif OUKACHA, Abdou MOUSTAKIM
(Secretary General)
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AL,
CCC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF,
Intelsat (nonsignatory user), IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Mohamed Ahamada DJIMBANAOU (ambassador
to the US and Canada)
chancery: (temporary) care of the Permanent Mission of the Federal
and Islamic Republic of the Comoros to the United Nations, 336 East
45th Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10017
telephone: [1] (212) 972-8010
FAX: [1] (212) 983-4712
US diplomatic representation: the US does not have an embassy in
Comoros; the ambassador to Mauritius is accredited to Comoros
Flag: green with a white crescent in the center of the field, its
points facing downward; there are four white five-pointed stars
placed in a line between the points of the crescent; the crescent,
stars, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam; the four
stars represent the four main islands of the archipelago - Mwali,
Njazidja, Nzwani, and Mayotte (a territorial collectivity of France,
but claimed by Comoros); the design, the most recent of several, is
described in the constitution approved by referendum on 7 June 1992
Economy
-------