Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Europa Island
local long form: none
local short form: Ile Europa
Data code: EU
Type of government: French possession administered by Commissioner
of the Republic; resident in Reunion
Capital: none; administered by France from Reunion
Independence: none (possession of France)
Flag: the flag of France is used
Economy
-------
Economic overview: no economic activity
Transportation
--------------
Ports: none; offshore anchorage only
Airports:
total: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Communications note: 1 meteorological station
Defense
-------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of France
======================================================================
@Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
---------------------------------
(dependent territory of the UK)
Map
---
Location: 51 45 S, 59 00 W -- Southern South America, islands in
the South Atlantic Ocean, east of southern Argentina
Flag
----
Description: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and the Falkland Island coat of arms in a white disk
centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms contains a
white ram (sheep raising is the major economic activity) above the
sailing ship Desire (whose crew discovered the islands) with a
scroll at the bottom bearing the motto DESIRE THE RIGHT
Geography
---------
Location: Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic
Ocean, east of southern Argentina
Geographic coordinates: 51 45 S, 59 00 W
Map references: South America
Area:
total area: 12,170 sq km
land area: 12,170 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Connecticut
note: includes the two main islands of East and West Falkland and
about 200 small islands
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 1,288 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: administered by the UK, claimed by
Argentina
Climate: cold marine; strong westerly winds, cloudy, humid; rain
occurs on more than half of days in year; occasional snow all year,
except in January and February, but does not accumulate
Terrain: rocky, hilly, mountainous with some boggy, undulating
plains
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Usborne 705 m
Natural resources: fish, wildlife
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 99%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 1%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: strong winds persist throughout the year
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: deeply indented coast provides good natural
harbors; short growing season
People
------
Population: 2,374 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 2.43% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population
Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population
Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population
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: NA deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: NA years
male: NA years
female: NA years
Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman
Nationality:
noun: Falkland Islander(s)
adjective: Falkland Island
Ethnic divisions: British
Religions: primarily Anglican, Roman Catholic, United Free Church,
Evangelist Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, Lutheran, Seventh-Day
Adventist
Languages: English
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Colony of the Falkland Islands
conventional short form: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Data code: FA
Type of government: dependent territory of the UK
Capital: Stanley
Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK)
National holiday: Liberation Day, 14 June (1982)
Constitution: 3 October 1985
Legal system: English common law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (of the UK since 6 February 1952)
is a hereditary monarch
head of government: Governor R. RALPH (since NA) was appointed by
the queen
cabinet: Executive Council; three members elected by the Legislative
Council, two ex-officio members (chief executive and the financial
secretary), and the governor
Legislative branch: unicameral
Legislative Council: elections last held 11 October 1989 (next was
to be held NA October 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA;
seats - (10 total, 8 elected) independents 8
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: NA
International organization participation: ICFTU
Diplomatic representation in US: none (dependent territory of the
UK)
US diplomatic representation: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Flag: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and the Falkland Island coat of arms in a white disk
centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms contains a
white ram (sheep raising is the major economic activity) above the
sailing ship Desire (whose crew discovered the islands) with a
scroll at the bottom bearing the motto DESIRE THE RIGHT
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The economy was formerly based on agriculture,
mainly sheep farming, which directly or indirectly employs most of
the work force. Dairy farming supports domestic consumption; crops
furnish winter fodder. Exports feature shipments of high-grade wool
to the UK and the sale of postage stamps and coins. Rich stocks of
fish in the surrounding waters are not presently exploited by the
islanders. So far, efforts to establish a domestic fishing industry
have been unsuccessful. The economy has diversified since 1987, when
the government began selling fishing licenses to foreign trawlers
operating within the Falklands exclusive fishing zone. These license
fees total more than $40 million per year and support the island's
health, education, and welfare system. To encourage tourism, the
Falkland Islands Development Corporation has built three lodges for
visitors attracted by the abundant wildlife and trout fishing. The
islands are now self-financing except for defense. The British
Geological Survey announced a 200-mile oil exploration zone around
the islands in 1993, and early seismic surveys suggest substantial
reserves capable of producing 500,000 barrels per day. An agreement
between Argentina and the United Kingdom in 1995 seeks to defuse
licensing and sovereignty conflicts that would dampen foreign
interest in exploiting potential oil reserves.
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: 1,100 (est.)
by occupation: agriculture 95% (mostly sheepherding)
Unemployment rate: NA%; labor shortage
Budget:
revenues: $42.7 million
expenditures: $28.5 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1993-94 est.)
Industries: wool and fish processing
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 9,200 kW
production: 17 million kWh
consumption per capita: 7,253 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: fodder and vegetable crops; sheep farming, small
dairy herds
Exports: $5.4 million
commodities: wool, hides, meat
partners: UK, Netherlands, Japan (1992)
Imports: $26.2 million
commodities: food, clothing, timber, and machinery
partners: UK, Netherlands Antilles (Curacao), Japan (1992)
External debt: $NA
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
note: UK, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments totaled $18 million
(1993-94)
Currency: 1 Falkland pound (LF) = 100 pence
Exchange rates: Falkland pound (LF) per US$1 - 0.6535 (January
1996), 0.6335 (1995), 0.6529 (1994), 0.6658 (1993), 0.5664 (1992),
0.5652 (1991); note - the Falkland pound is at par with the British
pound
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 510 km
paved: 30 km
unpaved: 480 km
Ports: Stanley
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 5
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 4 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 1,180 (1991 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: government-operated radiotelephone and private VHF/CB
radiotelephone networks provide effective service to almost all
points on both islands
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
with links through London to other countries
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 0
Radios: 1,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1 (government operated)
Televisions: NA
Defense
-------
Branches: British Forces Falkland Islands (includes Army, Royal
Air Force, Royal Navy, and Royal Marines), Police Force
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
======================================================================
@Faroe Islands
-------------
(part of the Danish realm)
Map
---
Location: 62 00 N, 7 00 W -- Northern Europe, island group between
the Norwegian Sea and the north Atlantic Ocean, about one-half of
the way from Iceland to Norway
Flag
----
Description: white with a red cross outlined in blue that extends
to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted
to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
Geography
---------
Location: Northern Europe, island group between the Norwegian Sea
and the north Atlantic Ocean, about one-half of the way from Iceland
to Norway
Geographic coordinates: 62 00 N, 7 00 W
Map references: Europe
Area:
total area: 1,400 sq km
land area: 1,400 sq km
comparative area: eight times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 764 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 3 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: mild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy
Terrain: rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Slaettaratindur 882 m
Natural resources: fish
Land use:
arable land: 2%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 98%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: archipelago of 18 inhabited islands and a few
uninhabited islets; strategically located along important sea lanes
in northeastern Atlantic; precipitous terrain limits habitation to
small coastal lowlands
People
------
Population: 43,857 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 24% (male 5,461; female 5,280)
15-64 years: 62% (male 14,488; female 12,617)
65 years and over: 14% (male 2,661; female 3,350) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: -1.8% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 13.91 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 8.69 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -23.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 0.99 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.15 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.06 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 7.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 77.83 years
male: 74.75 years
female: 80.88 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.38 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Faroese (singular and plural)
adjective: Faroese
Ethnic divisions: Scandinavian
Religions: Evangelical Lutheran
Languages: Faroese (derived from Old Norse), Danish
Literacy: NA
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Faroe Islands
local long form: none
local short form: Foroyar
Data code: FO
Type of government: part of the Danish realm; self-governing
overseas administrative division of Denmark
Capital: Torshavn
Administrative divisions: none (self-governing overseas
administrative division of Denmark)
Independence: none (part of the Danish realm; self-governing
overseas administrative division of Denmark)
National holiday: Birthday of the Queen, 16 April (1940)
Constitution: 5 June 1953 (Danish constitution)
Legal system: Danish
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II (of Denmark since 14 January
1972), who is a constitutional monarch, is represented by High
Commissioner Bent KLINTE, chief administrative officer (since NA)
head of government: Prime Minister Edmund JOENSEN (since 15
September 1994) was elected by the Logting
cabinet: Landsstyri was elected by the Logting
Legislative branch: unicameral
Faroese Parliament (Logting): elections last held 8 July 1994 (next
to be held by July 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA;
seats - (32 total) Liberal Party 8, People's Party 6, Social
Democrats 5, Republicans 4, Workers' Party 3, Christian Democrats 2,
Center Party 2, Home Rule Party 2
Danish Parliament: elections last held on 21 September 1994 (next to
be held by September 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA;
seats - (2 total) Liberals 2
Judicial branch: none
Political parties and leaders: Social Democratic Party, Marita
PETERSEN; Workers Front, Oli JACOBSEN; Home Rule Party, Helena Dam A
NEYSTABO; The "Coalition Party," Edmund JOENSEN; Republican Party,
Finnbogi ISAKSON; Centrist Party, Tordur NICLASEN; Christian
People's Party, Niels Pauli DANIELSEN; People's Party, Arnfinn
KALLSBERG; Liberal Party, Jorgen ESTRUP; Christian Democratic Party
International organization participation: none
Diplomatic representation in US: none (self-governing overseas
administrative division of Denmark)
US diplomatic representation: none (self-governing overseas
administrative division of Denmark)
Flag: white with a red cross outlined in blue that extends to the
edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the
hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The Faroese economy is experiencing a moderate
upturn after several years of decline brought on by over-fishing and
declining fish prices, large budget deficits by the Faroese Home
Rule Government (FHRG), plummeting property values, and a bail-out
merger of the two largest Faroese banks. Near-term forecasts suggest
continued economic recovery, and oil finds close to the Faroese area
may lay the basis for an eventual economic rebound. Aided by a
substantial annual subsidy from Denmark, the Faroese have enjoyed a
standard of living comparable to the Danes and other Scandinavians.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $733 million (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $15,000 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.8% (1993 est.)
Labor force: 17,585
by occupation: largely engaged in fishing, manufacturing,
transportation, and commerce
Unemployment rate: 23% (1993)
Budget:
revenues: $407.2 million
expenditures: $482.7 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1993 est.)
Industries: fishing, shipbuilding, handicrafts
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 90,000 kW
production: 200 million kWh
consumption per capita: 3,953 kWh (1992)
Agriculture: potatoes, vegetables; sheep; annual fish catch about
360,000 metric tons
Exports: $345.3 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities: fish and fish products 88%, animal feedstuffs,
transport equipment (ships) (1989)
partners: Denmark 20%, Germany 18.3%, UK 14.2%, France 11.2%, Spain
7.9%, US 4.5%
Imports: $234.4 million (c.i.f., 1993 est.)
commodities: machinery and transport equipment 24.4%, manufactures
24%, food and livestock 19%, fuels 12%, chemicals 6.5%
partners: Denmark 43.8%, Norway 19.8%, Sweden 4.9%, Germany 4.2%, US
1.3%
External debt: $1.2 billion (1993 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
note: receives an annual subsidy from Denmark of about $130 million
Currency: 1 Danish krone (DKr) = 100 oere
Exchange rates: Danish kroner (DKr) per US$1 - 5.652 (January
1996), 5.602 (1995), 6.361 (1994), 6.484 (1993), 6.036 (1992), 6.396
(1991)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 443 km
paved: NA km
unpaved: NA km
Ports: Klaksvick, Torshavn, Tvoroyri
Merchant marine:
total: 7 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 19,879 GRT/18,444 DWT
ships by type: cargo 5, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1, short-sea
passenger 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 1
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 27,900 (1984 est.)
Telephone system: good international communications; fair domestic
facilities
domestic: NA
international: 3 coaxial submarine cables
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 3 (repeaters 10), shortwave 0
Radios: 24,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 3 (repeaters 29)
Televisions: 14,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: no organized native military forces; only a small Police
Force and Coast Guard are maintained
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of Denmark
======================================================================
@Fiji
----
Map
---
Location: 18 00 S, 175 00 E -- Oceania, island group in the South
Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Flag
----
Description: light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper
hoist-side quadrant and the Fijian shield centered on the outer half
of the flag; the shield depicts a yellow lion above a white field
quartered by the cross of Saint George featuring stalks of
sugarcane, a palm tree, bananas, and a white dove
Geography
---------
Location: Oceania, island group in the South Pacific Ocean, about
two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Geographic coordinates: 18 00 S, 175 00 E
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total area: 18,270 sq km
land area: 18,270 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than New Jersey
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 1,129 km
Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation;
rectilinear shelf claim added
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature
variation
Terrain: mostly mountains of volcanic origin
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Tomanivi 1,324 m
Natural resources: timber, fish, gold, copper, offshore oil
potential
Land use:
arable land: 8%
permanent crops: 5%
meadows and pastures: 3%
forest and woodland: 65%
other: 19%
Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: deforestation; soil erosion
natural hazards: cyclonic storms can occur from November to January
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone
Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Whaling
Geographic note: includes 332 islands of which approximately 110
are inhabited
People
------
Population: 782,381 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 35% (male 141,652; female 135,829)
15-64 years: 62% (male 240,621; female 240,620)
65 years and over: 3% (male 11,235; female 12,424) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.28% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 23.37 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 6.35 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -4.22 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 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.01 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 17.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 65.71 years
male: 63.39 years
female: 68.14 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.83 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Fijian(s)
adjective: Fijian
Ethnic divisions: Fijian 49%, Indian 46%, European, other Pacific
Islanders, overseas Chinese, and other 5%
Religions: Christian 52% (Methodist 37%, Roman Catholic 9%), Hindu
38%, Muslim 8%, other 2%
note: Fijians are mainly Christian, Indians are Hindu, and there is
a Muslim minority (1986)
Languages: English (official), Fijian, Hindustani
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 91.6%
male: 93.8%
female: 89.3%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Fiji
conventional short form: Fiji
Data code: FJ
Type of government: republic
note: military coup leader Maj. Gen. Sitiveni RABUKA formally
declared Fiji a republic on 6 October 1987
Capital: Suva
Administrative divisions: 4 divisions and 1 dependency*; Central,
Eastern, Northern, Rotuma*, Western
Independence: 10 October 1970 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 10 October (1970)
Constitution: 10 October 1970 (suspended 1 October 1987); a new
Constitution was proposed on 23 September 1988 and promulgated on 25
July 1990; the 1990 Constitution is under review; the review is
scheduled to be complete by 1997
Legal system: based on British system
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Ratu Sir Kamisese MARA (Acting President
since 15 December 1993, President since 12 January 1994) was
appointed for a five-year term by the Great Council of Chiefs; First
Vice President Ratu Sir Josaia TAIVAIQIA (since 12 January 1994);
Second Vice President Ratu Inoke TAKIVEIKATA (since 12 January 1994)
head of government: Prime Minister Sitiveni RABUKA (since 2 June
1992) was appointed by the president; Deputy Prime Minister Timoci
VESIKULA (since NA)
Presidential Council: advises the president on matters of national
importance
Great Council of Chiefs: highest ranking members of the traditional
chiefly system
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the prime minister from among the
members of Parliament and is responsible to Parliament
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament
Senate: nonelective body, members are appointed by the president and
serve five-year terms; seats - (34 total, 24 reserved for ethnic
Fijians, 9 for Indians and others, and 1 for the island of Rotuma)
House of Representatives: members serve five-year terms; elections
last held 18-25 February 1994 (next to be held NA 1999); results -
percent of vote by party NA; seats - (70 total, with ethnic Fijians
allocated 37 seats, ethnic Indians 27 seats, and independents and
other 6 seats) SVT 31, NFP 20, FLP 7, FAP 5, GVP 4, independents 2,
ANC 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court