is made up of several islands that have poor transportation links, a
young and rapidly increasing population, and few natural resources.
The low educational level of the labor force contributes to a
subsistence level of economic activity, high unemployment, and a
heavy dependence on foreign grants and technical assistance.
Agriculture, including fishing, hunting, and forestry, is the
leading sector of the economy. It contributes 40% to GDP, employs
80% of the labor force, and provides most of the exports. The
country is not self-sufficient in food production; rice, the main
staple, accounts for 90% of imports. The government is struggling to
upgrade education and technical training, to privatize commercial
and industrial enterprises, to improve health services, to diversify
exports, and to reduce the high population growth rate. Continued
foreign support is essential if the goal of 4% annual GDP growth is
to be reached in the late 1990s.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $370 million (1994 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 0.9% (1994 est.)
GDP per capita: $700 (1994 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 15% (1993 est.)
Labor force: 140,000 (1982)
by occupation: agriculture 80%, government 3%
Unemployment rate: 15.8% (1989)
Budget:
revenues: $83 million
expenditures: $92 million, including capital expenditures of $32
million (1992)
Industries: tourism, perfume distillation, textiles, furniture,
jewelry, construction materials, soft drinks
Industrial production growth rate: -6.5% (1989 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 16,000 kW
production: 17 million kWh
consumption per capita: 27 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: vanilla, cloves, perfume essences, copra, coconuts,
bananas, cassava (tapioca)
Exports: $13.7 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities: vanilla, ylang-ylang, cloves, perfume oil, copra
partners: US 44%, France 40%, Germany 6%, Africa 5% (1992)
Imports: $40.9 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities: rice and other foodstuffs, petroleum products, cement,
consumer goods
partners: France 34%, South Africa 14%, Kenya 8%, Japan 4% (1992)
External debt: $160 million (1992 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Comoran franc (CF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Comoran francs (CF) per US$1 - 375.42 (January
1996), 374.36 (1995), 416.40 (1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992),
282.11 (1991)
note: beginning 12 January 1994, the Comoran franc was devalued to
75 per French franc from 50 per French franc at which it had been
fixed since 1948
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 1,104 km
paved: 400 km
unpaved: 704 km (1988 est.)
Ports: Fomboni, Moroni, Mutsamudu
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 4
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 3,770 (1991 est.)
Telephone system: sparse system of microwave radio relay and HF
radiotelephone communication stations
domestic: HF radiotelephone communications and microwave radio relay
international: HF radiotelephone communications to Madagascar and
Reunion
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 0
Televisions: 200 (1991 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Comoran Security Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 121,854
males fit for military service: 72,873 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
======================================================================
@Congo
-----
Map
---
Location: 1 00 S, 15 00 E -- Western Africa, bordering the South
Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and Gabon
Flag
----
Description: divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a
yellow band; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the lower
triangle is red; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Geography
---------
Location: Western Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean,
between Angola and Gabon
Geographic coordinates: 1 00 S, 15 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 342,000 sq km
land area: 341,500 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Montana
Land boundaries:
total: 5,504 km
border countries: Angola 201 km, Cameroon 523 km, Central African
Republic 467 km, Gabon 1,903 km, Zaire 2,410 km
Coastline: 169 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 200 nm
International disputes: long segment of boundary with Zaire along
the Congo River is indefinite (no division of the river or its
islands has been made)
Climate: tropical; rainy season (March to June); dry season (June
to October); constantly high temperatures and humidity; particularly
enervating climate astride the Equator
Terrain: coastal plain, southern basin, central plateau, northern
basin
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Berongou 903 m
Natural resources: petroleum, timber, potash, lead, zinc, uranium,
copper, phosphates, natural gas
Land use:
arable land: 2%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 29%
forest and woodland: 62%
other: 7%
Irrigated land: 40 sq km (1989)
Environment:
current issues: air pollution from vehicle emissions; water
pollution from the dumping of raw sewage; tap water is not potable;
deforestation
natural hazards: seasonal flooding
international agreements: party to - Endangered Species, Ozone Layer
Protection, Tropical Timber 83; signed, but not ratified -
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea,
Tropical Timber 94
Geographic note: about 70% of the population lives in Brazzaville,
Pointe Noire, or along the railroad between them
People
------
Population: 2,527,841 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 43% (male 550,971; female 545,096)
15-64 years: 53% (male 657,035; female 688,441)
65 years and over: 4% (male 34,973; female 51,325) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.19% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 39.19 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 17.35 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: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.97 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 108.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 45.77 years
male: 44.21 years
female: 47.37 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.15 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Congolese (singular and plural)
adjective: Congolese or Congo
Ethnic divisions:
south: Kongo 48%
north: Sangha 20%, M'Bochi 12%
center: Teke 17%, Europeans 8,500 (mostly French)
Religions: Christian 50%, animist 48%, Muslim 2%
Languages: French (official), African languages (Lingala and
Kikongo are the most widely used)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 74.9%
male: 83.1%
female: 67.2%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of the Congo
conventional short form: Congo
local long form: Republique Populaire du Congo
local short form: Congo
former: Congo/Brazzaville
Data code: CF
Type of government: republic
Capital: Brazzaville
Administrative divisions: 9 regions (regions, singular - region)
and 1 commune*; Bouenza, Brazzaville*, Cuvette, Kouilou, Lekoumou,
Likouala, Niari, Plateaux, Pool, Sangha
Independence: 15 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday: Congolese National Day, 15 August (1960)
Constitution: new constitution approved by referendum March 1992
Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Pascal LISSOUBA (since August 1992);
elected for a five-year term by universal suffrage; election last
held NA August 1992 (next to be held NA August 1997); results -
President Pascal LISSOUBA won 61% of the vote
head of government: Prime Minister Jacques Joachim YHOMBI-OPANGO
(since 23 June 1993) appointed by the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
Legislative branch: bicameral
National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale): election last held 3
October 1993 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by
party NA; seats - (125 total) UPADS 64, URD/PCT 58, others 3
Senate: election last held 26 July 1992 (next to be held NA July
1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (60 total)
UPADS 23, MCDDI 14, RDD 8, RDPS 5, PCT 2, others 8
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders: of Congo's many political parties,
the most important are Congolese Labor Party (PCT), Denis
SASSOU-NGUESSO, president; Association for Democracy and Development
(RDD), Joachim Yhombi OPANGO, president; Association for Democracy
and Social Progress (RDPS), Jean-Pierre Thystere TCHICAYA,
president; Congolese Movement for Democracy and Integral Development
(MCDDI), Bernard KOLELAS, leader; Pan-African Union for Social
Development (UPADS), Pascal LISSOUBA, leader; Union of Democratic
Forces (UFD), David Charles GANAO, leader; Union for Democratic
Renewal (URD); Union for Development and Social Progress (UDPS),
Jean-Michael BOKAMBA-YANGOUMA, leader
Other political or pressure groups: Union of Congolese Socialist
Youth (UJSC); Congolese Trade Union Congress (CSC); Revolutionary
Union of Congolese Women (URFC); General Union of Congolese Pupils
and Students (UGEEC)
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC,
CCC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, UDEAC,
UN, UNAMIR, UNAVEM III, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,
WMO, WToO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Daniel
MOUELLET
chancery: 4891 Colorado Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20011
telephone: [1] (202) 726-0825
FAX: [1] (202) 726-1860
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador William C. RAMSEY
embassy: Avenue Amilcar Cabral, Brazzaville
mailing address: B. P. 1015, Brazzaville
telephone: [242] 83 20 70
FAX: [242] 83 63 38
Flag: divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a yellow
band; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the lower
triangle is red; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Congo's economy is a mixture of village
agriculture and handicrafts, an industrial sector based largely on
oil, support services, and a government characterized by budget
problems and overstaffing. Oil has supplanted forestry as the
mainstay of the economy, providing about 90% of government revenues
and exports. In the early 1980s, rapidly rising oil revenues enabled
Congo to finance large-scale development projects with GDP growth
averaging 5% annually, one of the highest rates in Africa.
Subsequently, falling oil prices cut GDP growth by half. Moreover,
the Congolese Government has mortgaged a substantial portion of its
oil earnings, contributing to the government's shortage of revenues.
The 12 January 1994 devaluation of Franc Zone currencies by 50%
resulted in inflation of 61% in 1994. Recent efforts to implement
economic reforms have begun to show progress; the IMF has
recommended approval of an Enhanced Structural Adjustment Facility
agreement in 1996.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $7.7 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 3.3% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $3,100 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 11.4%
industry: 35.2%
services: 53.4% (1993)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 61% (1994 est.)
Labor force: 79,100 wage earners
by occupation: agriculture 75%, commerce, industry, and government
25%
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $2.18 billion (1994 est.)
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: petroleum extraction, cement kilning, lumbering,
brewing, sugar milling, palm oil, soap, cigarette making
Industrial production growth rate: 3.7% (estimated average annual
growth rate for 1980-92)
Electricity:
capacity: 120,000 kW
production: 400 million kWh
consumption per capita: 201 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: cassava (tapioca) accounts for 90% of food output,
sugar, rice, corn, peanuts, vegetables, coffee, cocoa; forest
products
Exports: $1 billion (f.o.b., 1995)
commodities: crude oil 90%, lumber, plywood, sugar, cocoa, coffee,
diamonds
partners: Italy, France, Spain, other EU countries, US, Taiwan
Imports: $600 million (c.i.f., 1995)
commodities: intermediate manufactures, capital equipment,
construction materials, foodstuffs, petroleum products
partners: France, Italy, other EU countries, US, Japan, Thailand
External debt: $5 billion (1993)
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: 795 km (1995 est.)
narrow gauge: 795 km 1.067-m gauge (includes 285 km that are
privately owned)
Highways:
total: 12,745 km
paved: 1,236 km
unpaved: 11,509 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: the Congo and Ubangi (Oubangui) Rivers provide 1,120 km
of commercially navigable water transport; other rivers are used for
local traffic only
Pipelines: crude oil 25 km
Ports: Brazzaville, Impfondo, Ouesso, Oyo, Pointe-Noire
Merchant marine:
total: 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,218 GRT/4,100 DWT
(1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 34
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 3
with paved runways under 914 m: 9
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 7
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 14 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 18,000 (1983 est.)
Telephone system: services adequate for government use; key
exchanges are in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, and Loubomo
domestic: primary network consists of microwave radio relay and
coaxial cable
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 4 (1987 est.)
Televisions: 8,500 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy (includes Marines), Air Force, National Police
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 582,103
males fit for military service: 296,602
males reach military age (20) annually: 25,247 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $110 million,
3.8% of GDP (1993)
======================================================================
@Cook Islands
------------
(free association with New Zealand)
Map
---
Location: 21 14 S, 159 46 W -- Oceania, group of islands in the
South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New
Zealand
Flag
----
Description: blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and a large circle of 15 white five-pointed stars (one for
every island) centered in the outer half of the flag
Geography
---------
Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean,
about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Geographic coordinates: 21 14 S, 159 46 W
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total area: 240 sq km
land area: 240 sq km
comparative area: slightly more than one times the size of
Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 120 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds
Terrain: low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in
south
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Te Manga 652 m
Natural resources: negligible
Land use:
arable land: 4%
permanent crops: 22%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 74%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: typhoons (November to March)
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Law of the Sea
People
------
Population: 19,561 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 1.11% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 22.87 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.2 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -6.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: NA male(s)/female
under 15 years: NA male(s)/female
15-64 years: NA male(s)/female
65 years and over: NA male(s)/female
all ages: NA male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: 24.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 71.14 years
male: 69.2 years
female: 73.1 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.25 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Cook Islander(s)
adjective: Cook Islander
Ethnic divisions: Polynesian (full blood) 81.3%, Polynesian and
European 7.7%, Polynesian and non-European 7.7%, European 2.4%,
other 0.9%
Religions: Christian (majority of populace members of Cook Islands
Christian Church)
Languages: English (official), Maori
Literacy: NA
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Cook Islands
Data code: CW
Type of government: self-governing parliamentary government in
free association with New Zealand; Cook Islands is fully responsible
for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for
external affairs, in consultation with the Cook Islands
Capital: Avarua
Administrative divisions: none
Independence: none (became self-governing in free association with
New Zealand on 4 August 1965 and has the right at any time to move
to full independence by unilateral action)
National holiday: Constitution Day, 4 August
Constitution: 4 August 1965
Legal system: NA
Suffrage: NA years of age; universal adult
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (of the United Kingdom since 6
February 1952), a hereditary monarch, is represented by Apenera
SHORT (since NA); New Zealand High Commissioner Darryl DUNN (since
NA 1994), representative of New Zealand was appointed by the New
Zealand Government
head of government: Prime Minister Sir Geoffrey A. HENRY (since 1
February 1989); Deputy Prime Minister Inatio AKARURU (since 1
February 1989)
cabinet: Cabinet; collectively responsible to Parliament
Legislative branch: unicameral
Parliament: elections last held 6 March 1994 (next to be held NA
1999); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (25 total)
Cook Islands Party 20, Democratic Party 3, Democratic Alliance Party
2
note: the House of Arikis (chiefs) advises on traditional matters,
but has no legislative powers
Judicial branch: High Court
Political parties and leaders: Cook Islands Party, Geoffrey HENRY;
Democratic Party, Sir Thomas DAVIS; Democratic Alliance Party,
Norman GEORGE
International organization participation: AsDB, ESCAP (associate),
ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), IOC, Sparteca, SPC,
SPF, UNESCO, WHO
Diplomatic representation in US: none (self-governing in free
association with New Zealand)
US diplomatic representation: none (self-governing in free
association with New Zealand)
Flag: blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and a large circle of 15 white five-pointed stars (one for
every island) centered in the outer half of the flag
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Agriculture provides the economic base. The
major export earners are fruit, copra, and clothing. Manufacturing
activities are limited to a fruit-processing plant and several
clothing factories. Economic development is hindered by the
isolation of the islands from foreign markets and a lack of natural
resources and good transportation links. A large trade deficit is
annually made up for by remittances from emigrants and by foreign
aid, largely from New Zealand. Current economic development plans
call for exploiting the tourism potential and expanding the mining
and fishing industries. Despite these plans, the Cook Islands will
continue to face severe financial problems.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $57 million (1993 est.)
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $3,000 (1993 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.2% (1990)
Labor force: 5,810
by occupation: agriculture 29%, government 27%, services 25%,
industry 15%, other 4% (1981)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: fruit processing, tourism
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 14,000 kW
production: 21 million kWh
consumption per capita: 741 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: copra, citrus, pineapples, tomatoes, bananas, yams,
taro
Exports: $3.4 million (f.o.b., 1990)
commodities: copra, fresh and canned fruit, clothing
partners: NZ 80%, Japan
Imports: $50 million (c.i.f., 1990)
commodities: foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timber
partners: NZ 49%, Japan, Australia, US
External debt: $160 million (1994)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
note: in 1994, Cook Islands received $5.4 million in budget support
and $3.3 million in project aid from New Zealand, the country's
largest source of aid
Currency: 1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1 - 1.5138
(January 1996), 1.5235 (1995), 1.6844 (1994), 1.8495 (1993), 1.8584
(1992), 1.7265 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 187 km
paved: 35 km
unpaved: 152 km (1980 est.)
Ports: Avarua, Avatiu
Merchant marine:
total: 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,464 GRT/2,181 DWT
(1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 7
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 3
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 4,180 (1994)
Telephone system:
domestic: the individual islands are connected by a combination of
satellite earth stations, microwave systems, and VHF and HF
radiotelephone; within the islands, service is provided by small
exchanges connected to subscribers by open wire, cable, and
fiber-optic cable
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 1
Radios: 13,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1 studio and 8 low-powered
repeaters to achieve good coverage on the island of Rarotonga
Televisions: 3,500 (1995 est.)
Defense
-------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of New Zealand
======================================================================
@Coral Sea Islands
-----------------
(territory of Australia)
Map
---
Location: 18 00 S, 152 00 E -- Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea,
northeast of Australia
Flag
----
Description: the flag of Australia is used
Geography
---------
Location: Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia
Geographic coordinates: 18 00 S, 152 00 E
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total area: less than 3 sq km
land area: less than 3 sq km
comparative area: NA
note: includes numerous small islands and reefs scattered over a sea
area of about 1 million sq km, with Willis Islets the most important
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 3,095 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 3 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical