Map references: Europe
Area:
total area: 65,200 sq km
land area: 65,200 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than West Virginia
Land boundaries:
total: 1,273 km
border countries: Belarus 502 km, Latvia 453 km, Poland 91 km,
Russia (Kaliningrad) 227 km
Coastline: 108 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: dispute with Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast)
over the position of the Nemunas (Nemen) River border presently
located on the Lithuanian bank and not in midriver as by
international standards; disputes maritime border with Latvia
(primary concern is oil exploration rights); treaty with Belarus
defining the border awaits ratification
Climate: maritime; wet, moderate winters and summers
Terrain: lowland, many scattered small lakes, fertile soil
lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m
highest point: Juozapine Kalnas 292 m
Natural resources: peat
Land use:
arable land: 49%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 22%
forest and woodland: 16%
other: 13%
Irrigated land: 430 sq km (1990)
Environment:
current issues: contamination of soil and groundwater with petroleum
products and chemicals at military bases
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: party to - Climate Change, Ship Pollution,
Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Ozone Layer
Protection
People
------
Population: 3,646,041 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 22% (male 400,823; female 384,592)
15-64 years: 66% (male 1,162,626; female 1,244,103)
65 years and over: 12% (male 154,862; female 299,035) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: -0.35% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 12.93 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 13.33 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -3.09 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: 0.94 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.52 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.89 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 17 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 68.03 years
male: 62.15 years
female: 74.21 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.78 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Lithuanian(s)
adjective: Lithuanian
Ethnic divisions: Lithuanian 80.1%, Russian 8.6%, Polish 7.7%,
Byelorussian 1.5%, other 2.1%
Religions: Roman Catholic, Lutheran, other
Languages: Lithuanian (official), Polish, Russian
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1989 est.)
total population: 98%
male: 99%
female: 98%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Lithuania
conventional short form: Lithuania
local long form: Lietuvos Respublika
local short form: Lietuva
former: Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic
Data code: LH
Type of government: republic
Capital: Vilnius
Administrative divisions: 44 regions (rajonai, singular - rajonas)
and 11 municipalities*: Akmenes Rajonas, Alytaus Rajonas, Alytus*,
Anyksciu Rajonas, Birsionas*, Birzu Rajonas, Druskininkai*,
Ignalinos Rajonas, Jonavos Rajonas, Joniskio Rajonas, Jurbarko
Rajonas, Kaisiadoriu Rajonas, Marijampoles Rajonas, Kaunas*, Kauno
Rajonas, Kedainiu Rajonas, Kelmes Rajonas, Klaipeda*, Klaipedos
Rajonas, Kretingos Rajonas, Kupiskio Rajonas, Lazdiju Rajonas,
Marijampole*, Mazeikiu Rajonas, Moletu Rajonas, Neringa* Pakruojo
Rajonas, Palanga*, Panevezio Rajonas, Panevezys*, Pasvalio Rajonas,
Plunges Rajonas, Prienu Rajonas, Radviliskio Rajonas, Raseiniu
Rajonas, Rokiskio Rajonas, Sakiu Rajonas, Salcininky Rajonas,
Siauliai*, Siauliu Rajonas, Silales Rajonas, Siltues Rajonas,
Sirvinty Rajonas, Skuodo Rajonas, Svencioniu Rajonas, Taurages
Rajonas, Telsiu Rajonas, Traky Rajonas, Ukmerges Rajonas, Utenos
Rajonas, Varenos Rajonas, Vilkaviskio Rajonas, Vilniaus Rajonas,
Vilnius*, Zarasu Rajonas
Independence: 6 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday: Independence Day, 16 February (1918)
Constitution: adopted 25 October 1992
Legal system: based on civil law system; no judicial review of
legislative acts
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Algirdas Mykolas BRAZAUSKAS (since 25
November 1992; elected acting president by Parliament 25 November
1992 and elected by direct vote 15 February 1993) was elected for a
five-year term by universal suffrage; election last held 14 February
1993 (next to be held spring 1997); results - Algirdas BRAZAUSKAS
was elected; percent of vote NA
head of government: Premier Mindaugas STANKEVICIUS (since 15
February 1996) was appointed by the president on approval of the
Seimas
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president on the
nomination of the prime minister
Legislative branch: unicameral
Seimas (parliament): elections last held 26 October and 25 November
1992 (next to be held NA October 1996); results - LDDP 51%; seats -
(141 total) LDDP 73, Conservative Party 30, LKDP 17, LTS 8, Farmers'
Union 4, LLS 4, Center Union 2, others 3
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges appointed by the Seimas;
Court of Appeal, judges appointed by the Seimas
Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Party (LKDP),
Algirdas SAUDARGAS, chairman; Democratic Labor Party of Lithuania
(LDDP), Mindaugas STANKEVICIUS , chairman; Lithuanian Nationalist
Union (LTS), Rimantas SMETONA, chairman; Lithuanian Social
Democratic Party (LSDP), Aloyzas SAKALAS, chairman; Farmers' Union,
Jonas CIULEVICIUS, chairman; Center Union, Romualdas OZOLAS,
chairman; Homeland Union/Conservative Party, Vytautas LANDSBERGIS,
chairman; Lithuanian Polish Union (LLS), Rytardas MACIEKIANIEC,
chairman
Other political or pressure groups: Lithuanian Future Forum
International organization participation: BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE,
EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS,
ILO, IMF, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ISO
(correspondent), ITU, NACC, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UPU, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Alfonsas EIDINTAS
chancery: 2622 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 234-5860, 2639
FAX: [1] (202) 328-0466
consulate(s) general: New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador James W. SWIHART, Jr.
embassy: Akmenu 6, Vilnius 2600
mailing address: PSC 78, Box V, APO AE 09723
telephone: [78] (8) 973-0000, 227-224
FAX: [78] (8) 670-6084
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), green, and red
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Since declaring independence in 1990, Lithuania
has implemented reforms aimed at eliminating the vestiges of the
former socialist system. With the help of the IMF and other
international institutions, the government has adopted a disciplined
program to restrain inflation, reduce price controls, lower the
budget deficit and privatize the economy. Lithuania has embarked on
a series of price liberalizations; most price controls have been
abolished. More than two-thirds of its industrial facilities as well
as most housing and agricultural enterprises have been privatized,
although important "strategic" enterprises have been exempted from
privatization - namely energy and telecommunications. While
Lithuania has reduced its trade dependence on Russia and other
republics of the FSU from 85% in 1991 to about 40% in 1995, Russia
remains Lithuania's leading trading partner. Lithuania has made
great strides in reducing its annual rate of inflation - from over
1,100% in 1992 to about 35% in 1995. Production bottomed out in
1994-95. A banking crisis beginning in September, during which
central bank reserves dropped one-third, held back growth in 1995.
If the government can stay the course on economic reform and fiscal
discipline - which may be politically difficult in the election year
of 1996 - Lithuania could be set for strong economic growth in the
near term. As for real resources, Lithuania's growth depends largely
on its ability to exploit its strategic location - with its ice-free
port at Klaipeda and its rail and highway hub in Vilnius connecting
it with Eastern Europe, Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine. Lacking
important natural resources, it will remain dependent on imports of
fuels and raw materials.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $13.3 billion (1995 estimate as
extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1994)
GDP real growth rate: 1% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $3,400 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 20%
industry: 42%
services: 38% (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 35% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 1.836 million
by occupation: industry and construction 42%, agriculture and
forestry 18%, other 40% (1990)
Unemployment rate: 6.1% (January 1996)
Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: metal-cutting machine tools, electric motors,
television sets, refrigerators and freezers, petroleum refining,
shipbuilding (small ships), furniture making, textiles, food
processing, fertilizers, agricultural machinery, optical equipment,
electronic components, computers, amber
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 6,190,000 kW
production: 18.9 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 4,608 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: grain, potatoes, sugar beets, vegetables; meat, milk,
eggs; fish
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for illicit drugs from Central
and Southwest Asia and Latin America to Western Europe; limited
producer of illicit opium; mostly for domestic consumption
Exports: $2.2 billion (1994)
commodities: electronics 18%, food 10%, chemicals 6%, petroleum
products 5% (1989)
partners: Russia, Ukraine, Germany
Imports: $2.7 billion (1994)
commodities: oil 24%, machinery 14%, chemicals 8%, grain NA% (1989)
partners: Russia, Germany, Belarus
External debt: $895 million
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $144 million (1993)
note: commitments from the West and international financial
institutions, $765 million (1992-95)
Currency: introduced the convertible litas in June 1993
Exchange rates: litai per US$1 - 4.000 (January 1996), 4.000
(1995), 3.978 (1994), 4.344 (1993), 1.773 (1992); note - fixed rate
since 1 May 1994
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 2,002 km
broad gauge: 2,002 km 1.524-m gauge (122 km electrified) (1994)
Highways:
total: 55,603 km
paved: 42,209 km (including 382 km of expressways)
unpaved: 13,394 km (1994)
Waterways: 600 km perennially navigable
Pipelines: crude oil, 105 km; natural gas 760 km (1992)
Ports: Kaunas, Klaipeda
Merchant marine:
total: 43 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 264,639 GRT/303,649 DWT
ships by type: cargo 26, combination bulk 11, oil tanker 2, railcar
carrier 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1, short-sea passenger 2 (1995
est.)
Airports:
total: 96
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 3
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 4
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2
with paved runways under 914 m: 14
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 6
with unpaved runways under 914 m: 63 (1994 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 900,000
Telephone system: telecommunications system ranks among the most
modern of the former Soviet republics
domestic: an NMT-450 analog cellular telephone network operates in
Vilnius and other cities; landlines and microwave radio relay
connect switching centers
international: international connections no longer depend on the
Moscow international gateway switch, but are established by
satellite through Oslo from Vilnius and through Copenhagen from
Kaunas; satellite earth stations - 1 Eutelsat and 1 Intelsat
(Atlantic Ocean); cellular network linked internationally through
Copenhagen by Eutelsat; international electronic mail is available;
landlines or microwave radio relay to former Soviet republics
Radio broadcast stations: AM 13, FM 26, shortwave 1, longwave 1
Radios: 1.42 million (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 3
Televisions: 1.77 million (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Force, Security
Forces (internal and border troops), National Guard (Skat)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 903,437
males fit for military service: 712,875
males reach military age (18) annually: 26,162 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $31.7 million, 1%
of GDP (1995)
======================================================================
@Luxembourg
----------
Map
---
Location: 49 45 N, 6 10 E -- Western Europe, between France and
Germany
Flag
----
Description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and
light blue; similar to the flag of the Netherlands, which uses a
darker blue and is shorter; design was based on the flag of France
Geography
---------
Location: Western Europe, between France and Germany
Geographic coordinates: 49 45 N, 6 10 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total area: 2,586 sq km
land area: 2,586 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Rhode Island
Land boundaries:
total: 359 km
border countries: Belgium 148 km, France 73 km, Germany 138 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: none
Climate: modified continental with mild winters, cool summers
Terrain: mostly gently rolling uplands with broad, shallow
valleys; uplands to slightly mountainous in the north; steep slope
down to Moselle floodplain in the southeast
lowest point: Moselle River 133 m
highest point: Burgplatz 559 m
Natural resources: iron ore (no longer exploited)
Land use:
arable land: 24%
permanent crops: 1%
meadows and pastures: 20%
forest and woodland: 21%
other: 34%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: deforestation; air and water pollution in urban areas
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Air
Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air
Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test
Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83;
signed, but not ratified - Air Pollution-Sulphur 94,
Desertification, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea
Geographic note: landlocked
People
------
Population: 415,870 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 18% (male 39,199; female 37,239)
15-64 years: 68% (male 142,394; female 138,349)
65 years and over: 14% (male 23,118; female 35,571) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.57% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 13.14 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 8.32 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 10.93 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.09 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.65 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.97 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 4.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 78.26 years
male: 75.24 years
female: 81.56 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.76 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Luxembourger(s)
adjective: Luxembourg
Ethnic divisions: Celtic base (with French and German blend),
Portuguese, Italian, and European (guest and worker residents)
Religions: Roman Catholic 97%, Protestant and Jewish 3%
Languages: Luxembourgisch, German, French, English
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.)
total population: 100%
male: 100%
female: 100%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
conventional short form: Luxembourg
local long form: Grand-Duche de Luxembourg
local short form: Luxembourg
Data code: LU
Type of government: constitutional monarchy
Capital: Luxembourg
Administrative divisions: 3 districts; Diekirch, Grevenmacher,
======================================================================
@Macau
-----
(overseas territory of Portugal)
Map
---
Location: 22 10 N, 113 33 E -- Eastern Asia, bordering the South
China Sea and China
Flag
----
Description: the flag of Portugal is used
Geography
---------
Location: Eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China
Geographic coordinates: 22 10 N, 113 33 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area:
total area: 16 sq km
land area: 16 sq km
comparative area: about 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
total: 0.34 km
border country: China 0.34 km
Coastline: 40 km
Maritime claims: not specified
International disputes: none
Climate: subtropical; marine with cool winters, warm summers
Terrain: generally flat
lowest point: South China Sea 0 m
highest point: Coloane Alto 174 m
Natural resources: NEGL
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 100%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: party to - Ozone Layer Protection
(extended from Portugal)
Geographic note: essentially urban; one causeway and one bridge
connect the two islands to the peninsula on mainland
People
------
Population: 496,837 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 24% (male 60,709; female 57,004)
15-64 years: 68% (male 167,466; female 169,486)
65 years and over: 8% (male 17,569; female 24,603) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.15% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 14.16 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 4.31 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 1.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 5.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 79.95 years
male: 77.49 years
female: 82.54 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.51 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Macanese (singular and plural)
adjective: Macau
Ethnic divisions: Chinese 95%, Portuguese 3%, other 2%
Religions: Buddhist 45%, Roman Catholic 7%, Protestant 1%, none
45.8%, other 1.2% (1981)
Languages: Portuguese (official) 4%, Chinese (Cantonese) is the
language of commerce
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1981 est.)
total population: 90%
male: 93%
female: 86%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Macau
local long form: none
local short form: Ilha de Macau
Data code: MC
Type of government: overseas territory of Portugal scheduled to
revert to China in 1999
Capital: Macau
Administrative divisions: 2 districts (concelhos, singular -
concelho); Ilhas, Macau
Independence: none (territory of Portugal; Portugal signed an
agreement with China on 13 April 1987 to return Macau to China on 20
December 1999; in the joint declaration, China promises to respect
Macau's existing social and economic systems and lifestyle for 50
years after transition)
National holiday: Day of Portugal, 10 June (1580)
Constitution: 17 February 1976, Organic Law of Macau; basic law
drafted primarily by Beijing promulgated 31 March 1993
Legal system: Portuguese civil law system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President (of Portugal) Mario Alberto SOARES (since
9 March 1986)
head of government: Governor Gen. Vasco Joachim Rocha VIEIRA (since
20 March 1991) was appointed by the President of Portugal after
consultation with the Legislative Assembly
cabinet: Consultative Council consists of a total of 15 members -
five appointed by the governor, two nominated by the governor, five
elected for a four-year term (two represent administrative bodies,
one represents moral, cultural, and welfare interests, and two
represent economic interests), and three statutory members
Legislative branch: unicameral
Legislative Assembly: elections last held 10 March 1991 (next to be
held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (23 total,
8 elected by direct vote, 8 by indirect vote, and 7 appointed by the
governor) number of seats by party NA
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, consisting of five magistrates
including the president; lower court judges appointed for three
years by governor
Political parties and leaders: Association to Defend the Interests
of Macau; Macau Democratic Center; Group to Study the Development of
Macau; Macau Independent Group
Other political or pressure groups: wealthy Macanese and Chinese
representing local interests, wealthy procommunist merchants
representing China's interests; in January 1967 the Macau Government
acceded to Chinese demands that gave China veto power over
administration
International organization participation: CCC, ESCAP (associate),
IMO (associate), Interpol (subbureau), UNESCO (associate), WToO
(associate), WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US: none (Chinese territory under
Portuguese administration)
US diplomatic representation: the US has no offices in Macau, and
US interests are monitored by the US Consulate General in Hong Kong
Flag: the flag of Portugal is used
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The economy is based largely on tourism
(including gambling) and textile and fireworks manufacturing.
Efforts to diversify have spawned other small industries - toys,
artificial flowers, and electronics. The tourist sector has
accounted for roughly 25% of GDP, and the clothing industry has
provided about two-thirds of export earnings; the gambling industry
probably represents over 40% of GDP. Macau depends on China for most
of its food, fresh water, and energy imports. Japan and Hong Kong
are the main suppliers of raw materials and capital goods.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $6.4 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 4% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $13,000 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.6% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 180,000 (1986)
by occupation: NA
Unemployment rate: 2% (1992 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $305 million
expenditures: $298 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1989 est.)
Industries: clothing, textiles, toys, plastic products, furniture,
tourism
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 258,000 kW
production: 950 million kWh
consumption per capita: 2,093 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: rice, vegetables
Exports: $1.9 billion (1995 est.)
commodities: textiles, clothing, toys
partners: US 35%, Hong Kong 12.5%, Germany 12%, China 9.9%, France
8% (1992 est.)
Imports: $2 billion (1992 est.)
commodities: raw materials, foodstuffs, capital goods
partners: Hong Kong 33%, China 20%, Japan 18% (1992 est.)
External debt: $0 (1995)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 pataca (P) = 100 avos
Exchange rates: patacas (P) per US$1 - 8.034 (1991-95), 8.024
(1990), 8.030 (1989); note - linked to the Hong Kong dollar at the
rate of 1.03 patacas per Hong Kong dollar
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 90 km
paved: 42 km
unpaved: 48 km (1987 est.)
Ports: Macau
Merchant marine: none
Airports: new international airport completed in 1995; 1 seaplane
station
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 170,021 (1994 est.)