world economy and particularly to those nations its waters directly
touch. It provides low-cost sea transportation between East and
West, extensive fishing grounds, offshore oil and gas fields,
minerals, and sand and gravel for the construction industry. In 1985
over half (54%) of the world's fish catch came from the Pacific
Ocean, which is the only ocean where the fish catch has increased
every year since 1978. Exploitation of offshore oil and gas reserves
is playing an ever-increasing role in the energy supplies of
Australia, NZ, China, US, and Peru. The high cost of recovering
offshore oil and gas, combined with the wide swings in world prices
for oil since 1985, has slowed but not stopped new drillings.
Transportation
--------------
Ports: Bangkok (Thailand), Hong Kong, Kao-hsiung (Taiwan), Los
Angeles (US), Manila (Philippines), Pusan (South Korea), San
Francisco (US), Seattle (US), Shanghai (China), Singapore, Sydney
(Australia), Vladivostok (Russia), Wellington (NZ), Yokohama (Japan)
Communications
--------------
Telephone system:
international: several submarine cables with network nodal points on
Guam and Hawaii
======================================================================
@Pakistan
--------
Map
---
Location: 30 00 N, 70 00 E -- Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian
Sea, between India and Iran
Flag
----
Description: green with a vertical white band (symbolizing the
role of religious minorities) on the hoist side; a large white
crescent and star are centered in the green field; the crescent,
star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam
Geography
---------
Location: Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea, between India
and Iran
Geographic coordinates: 30 00 N, 70 00 E
Map references: Asia
Area:
total area: 803,940 sq km
land area: 778,720 sq km
comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of California
Land boundaries:
total: 6,774 km
border countries: Afghanistan 2,430 km, China 523 km, India 2,912
km, Iran 909 km
Coastline: 1,046 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: status of Kashmir with India; border
dispute with Afghanistan (Durand Line); water-sharing problems over
the Indus (Wular Barrage) with upstream riparian India
Climate: mostly hot, dry desert; temperate in northwest; arctic in
north
Terrain: flat Indus plain in east; mountains in north and
northwest; Balochistan plateau in west
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: K2 (Mt. Godwin-Austen) 8,611 m
Natural resources: land, extensive natural gas reserves, limited
petroleum, poor quality coal, iron ore, copper, salt, limestone
Land use:
arable land: 23%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 6%
forest and woodland: 4%
other: 67% (1993)
Irrigated land: 170,000 sq km (1992)
Environment:
current issues: water pollution from raw sewage, industrial wastes,
and agricultural runoff; limited natural fresh water resources; a
majority of the population does not have access to potable water;
deforestation; soil erosion; desertification
natural hazards: frequent earthquakes, occasionally severe
especially in north and west; flooding along the Indus after heavy
rains (July and August)
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes,
Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands;
signed, but not ratified - Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine
Life Conservation
Geographic note: controls Khyber Pass and Bolan Pass, traditional
invasion routes between Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent
People
------
Population: 129,275,660 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 42% (male 28,286,823; female 26,640,019)
15-64 years: 53% (male 35,396,281; female 33,733,798)
65 years and over: 5% (male 2,621,721; female 2,597,018) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: 2.24% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 36.16 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 11.22 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -2.6 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: 1.05 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.01 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.05 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 96.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 58.46 years
male: 57.7 years
female: 59.25 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.25 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Pakistani(s)
adjective: Pakistani
Ethnic divisions: Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashtun (Pathan), Baloch,
Muhajir (immigrants from India and their descendants)
Religions: Muslim 97% (Sunni 77%, Shi'a 20%), Christian, Hindu,
and other 3%
Languages: Punjabi 48%, Sindhi 12%, Siraiki (a Punjabi variant)
10%, Pashtu 8%, Urdu (official) 8%, Balochi 3%, Hindko 2%, Brahui
1%, English (official and lingua franca of Pakistani elite and most
government ministries), Burushaski, and other 8%
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 37.8%
male: 50%
female: 24.4%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Pakistan
conventional short form: Pakistan
former: West Pakistan
Data code: PK
Type of government: republic
Capital: Islamabad
Administrative divisions: 4 provinces, 1 territory*, and 1 capital
territory**; Balochistan, Federally Administered Tribal Areas*,
Islamabad Capital Territory**, North-West Frontier, Punjab, Sindh
note: the Pakistani-administered portion of the disputed Jammu and
Kashmir region includes Azad Kashmir and the Northern Areas
Independence: 14 August 1947 (from UK)
National holiday: Pakistan Day, 23 March (1956) (proclamation of
the republic)
Constitution: 10 April 1973, suspended 5 July 1977, restored with
amendments 30 December 1985
Legal system: based on English common law with provisions to
accommodate Pakistan's stature as an Islamic state; accepts
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal; separate electorates and
reserved parliamentary seats for non-Muslims
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Sardar Farooq LEGHARI (since 13 November
1993) was elected for a five-year term by Parliament; election last
held 13 November 1993 (next to be held no later than 14 October
1998); results - LEGHARI was elected by Parliament and the four
provincial assemblies
head of government: Prime Minister Benazir BHUTTO (since 19 October
1993) was elected by the National Assembly
cabinet: Cabinet was elected by the National Assembly
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament (Majlis-e-Shoora)
Senate: elections last held NA March 1994 (next to be held NA March
1997); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (87 total) PPP
22, PML/N 17; Tribal Area Representatives (nonparty) 8, ANP 6, PML/J
5, JWP 5, MQM/A 5, JUI/F 2, PKMAP 2, JI 2, NPP 2, BNM/H 1, BNM/M 1,
JUP/NI 1, JUP/NO 1, JAH 1, JUI/S 1, PML/F 1, PNP 1, independents 2,
vacant 1
National Assembly: elections last held 6 October 1993 (next to be
held by October 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats
- (217 total) PPP 92, PML/N 75, PML/J 6, IJM-Islamic Democratic
Front 4, ANP 3, PKMAP 4, PIF 3, JWP 2, MDM 2, BNM/H 1, BNM/M 1, NDA
1, NPP 1, PKQP 1, religious minorities 10 reserved seats,
independents 9, results pending 2
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judicial chiefs are appointed by
the president; Federal Islamic (Shari'at) Court
Political parties and leaders:
government: Pakistan People's Party (PPP), Benazir BHUTTO; Pakistan
Muslim League, Junejo faction (PML/J), Hamid Nasir CHATTHA; National
People's Party (NPP), Ghulam Mustapha JATOI; Pakhtun Khwa Milli
Awami Party (PKMAP), Mahmood Khan ACHAKZAI; Balochistan National
Movement, Hayee Group (BNM/H), Dr. HAYEE Baluch; National Democratic
Alliance (NDA); Pakhtun Quami Party (PKQP), Mohammed AFZAL Khan
opposition: Pakistan Muslim League, Nawaz Sharif faction (PML/N),
Nawaz SHARIF; Awami National Party (ANP), Ajmal Khan KHATTAK;
Pakistan Islamic Front (PIF); Balochistan National Movement, Mengal
Group (BNM/M), Sardar Akhtar MENGAL; Mohajir Quami Movement, Altaf
faction (MQM/A), Altaf HUSSAIN; Jamiat-al-Hadith (JAH); Jamhoori
Watan Party (JWP), Akbar Khan BUGTI
frequently shifting: Mutaheda Deeni Mahaz (MDM), Maulana
Sami-ul-HAQ, the MDM includes Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan, Niazi faction
(JUP/NI) and Anjuman Sepah-i-Sahaba Pakistan (ASSP);
Islami-Jamhoori-Mahaz (IJM-Islamic Democratic Front) includes Jamiat
Ulema-i-Islami, Fazlur Rehman group (JUI/F); Pakistan Muslim League,
Functional Group (PML/F), Pir PAGARO; Pakistan National Party (PNP);
Milli Yakjheti Council (MYC) is an umbrella organization which
includes Jamaat-i-Islami (JI), Qazi Hussain AHMED, Jamiat
Ulema-i-Islam, Sami-ul-Haq faction (JUI/S), Tehrik-I-Jafria Pakistan
(TJP), Allama Sajid NAQVI, and Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan, Noorani
faction (JUP/NO)
note: political alliances in Pakistan can shift frequently
Other political or pressure groups: military remains important
political force; ulema (clergy), landowners, industrialists, and
small merchants also influential
International organization participation: AsDB, C, CCC, CP, ECO,
ESCAP, FAO, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM,
IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat,
Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC,
PCA, SAARC, UN, UNAMIR, UNAVEM III, UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR,
UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMIH, UNOMIG, UNOMIL, UNPREDEP, UNPROFOR,
UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Maleeha LODHI
chancery: 2315 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 939-6200
FAX: [1] (202) 387-0484
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas SIMONS, Jr.
embassy: Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5, Islamabad
mailing address: P. O. Box 1048, Unit 6220, APO AE 09812-2200
telephone: [92] (51) 826161 through 826179
FAX: [92] (51) 214222
consulate(s) general: Karachi, Lahore
consulate(s): Peshawar
Flag: green with a vertical white band (symbolizing the role of
religious minorities) on the hoist side; a large white crescent and
star are centered in the green field; the crescent, star, and color
green are traditional symbols of Islam
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Pakistan is a poor, highly populated Third
World country struggling to make the difficult transition to the
modern world of high technology and internationalized markets. Prime
Minister Benazir BHUTTO has been under pressure from the IMF and
other donors to continue the economic reforms and austerity measures
begun by her predecessor, caretaker Prime Minister Moeen QURESHI
(July-October 1993). The IMF suspended a $1.5 billion Enhanced
Structural Adjustment Facility (ESAF) in mid-1995 because Pakistan
slowed the pace of economic reform. Islamabad's most recent budget -
announced in June 1995 - reversed some reforms agreed to by the IMF
earlier that year, including a slowing of tariff reform. In
mid-December 1995, however, the IMF approved a $600 million standby
arrangement and urged Pakistan to move forward with economic
liberalization. Islamabad has agreed to new economic targets with
the IMF, which could lay the basis for a return to an ESAF in 1996.
Little progress was made in the privatization of large state-owned
units in 1995. The sale of the power plant Kot Addu - scheduled for
April 1995 - was stalled by opposition from labor unions. The sale
of a 26% share of United Bank Limited and the Pakistan
Telecommunications Corporation to strategic investors was due to
take place in 1995 but has been pushed back to 1996. On the plus
side real GDP grew 4.7% in 1995, up from 3.9% in 1994: GDP should
grow even faster in 1996 as a result of an above average cotton
crop. Secondly, Islamabad reduced the budget deficit to 5.6% of GDP
at the end of FY94/95, down from 8% two years earlier. Thirdly,
Pakistan attracted $1.6 billion in foreign direct and portfolio
investment in FY94/95, more than double inflows of $650 million in
the previous fiscal year; financial agreements were reached on five
power projects in 1995, including the 1,300-MW $1.8 billion Hab
River project. Despite these improvements, the economy remains
vulnerable to crisis. Foreign exchange reserves fell dramatically in
1995, reaching a low of about $1 billion in early December 1995 -
only five weeks of import cover - before rising to $1.5 billion by
yearend. The trade deficit rose to $2 billion for the first six
months of FY94/95, triple the deficit of $600 million during the
same period in FY93/94. The government responded to this situation
with a package of stabilization reforms on 28 October 1995 which
included a 7% devaluation of the rupee, supplementary duties of 10%
on many imports, and higher petroleum prices. Islamabad hopes these
moves will help make its exports more competitive. For the long run,
Pakistan must deal with serious problems of deteriorating
infrastructure, low literacy levels, and persistent law and order
problems in Karachi.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $274.2 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 4.7% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $2,100 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 24%
industry: 27%
services: 49% (1995 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 13% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 36 million
by occupation: agriculture 46%, mining and manufacturing 18%,
services 17%, other 19%
note: extensive export of labor
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $11.9 billion
expenditures: $12.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(FY94/95)
Industries: textiles, food processing, beverages, construction
materials, clothing, paper products, shrimp
Industrial production growth rate: 5% (1995 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 12,530,000 kW (1995)
production: 43.3 billion kWh (1995)
consumption per capita: 389 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: cotton, wheat, rice, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables;
milk, beef, mutton, eggs
Illicit drugs: major illicit producer of opium and hashish for the
international drug trade; remains world's fourth largest opium
producer (155 metric tons in 1995); major center for processing
Afghan heroin and key transit area for Southwest Asian heroin moving
to Western market
Exports: $8.7 billion (1995 est.)
commodities: cotton, textiles, clothing, rice, leather, carpets
partners: US, Japan, Hong Kong, Germany, UK, UAE, France
Imports: $10.7 billion (1995 est.)
commodities: petroleum, petroleum products, machinery,
transportation equipment, vegetable oils, animal fats, chemicals
partners: Japan, US, Germany, UK, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, South Korea
External debt: $26 billion (1995 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $697 million (1993)
note: $2.5 billion (includes bilateral and multilateral aid but no
US commitments) (FY93/94); $3 billion (includes bilateral and
multilateral aid but no US commitments) (FY94/95)
Currency: 1 Pakistani rupee (PRe) = 100 paisa
Exchange rates: Pakistani rupees (PRs) per US$1 - 34.339 (January
1996), 31.643 (1995), 30.567 (1994), 28.107 (1993), 25.083 (1992),
23.801 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 8,163 km
broad gauge: 7,718 km 1.676-m gauge (293 km electrified; 1,037 km
double track)
narrow gauge: 445 km 1.000-m gauge; 661 km less than 1.000-m gauge
(1995 est.)
Highways:
total: 205,304 km
paved: 104,735 km
unpaved: 100,569 km (1995 est.)
Pipelines: crude oil 250 km; petroleum products 885 km; natural
gas 4,044 km (1987)
Ports: Karachi, Port Muhammad bin Qasim
Merchant marine:
total: 24 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 345,606 GRT/560,641 DWT
ships by type: bulk 3, cargo 19, oil tanker 1, passenger-cargo 1
(1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 100
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 12
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 19
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 25
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 11
with paved runways under 914 m: 18
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 7
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 8 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 6 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 1.572 million (1993 est.)
Telephone system: the domestic system is mediocre, but adequate
for government and business use, in part because major businesses
have established their own private systems; since 1988, the
government has promoted investment in the national
telecommunications system on a priority basis; despite major
improvements in trunk and urban systems, telecommunication services
are still not readily available to the major portion of the
population
domestic: microwave radio relay
international: satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic
Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean); microwave radio relay to neighboring
countries
Radio broadcast stations: AM 26, FM 8, shortwave 11
Radios: 11.3 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 29
Televisions: 2.08 million (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Civil Armed Forces, National Guard
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 30,519,339
males fit for military service: 18,720,175
males reach military age (17) annually: 1,437,208 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $3.1 billion,
5.3% of GDP (FY95/96)
======================================================================
@Palau
-----
Map
---
Location: 7 30 N, 134 30 E -- Oceania, group of islands in the
North Pacific Ocean, southeast of the Philippines
Flag
----
Description: light blue with a large yellow disk (representing the
moon) shifted slightly to the hoist side
Geography
---------
Location: Oceania, group of islands in the North Pacific Ocean,
southeast of the Philippines
Geographic coordinates: 7 30 N, 134 30 E
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total area: 458 sq km
land area: 458 sq km
comparative area: slightly more than 2.5 times the size of
Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 1,519 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm
extended fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 3 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: wet season May to November; hot and humid
Terrain: varying geologically from the high, mountainous main
island of Babelthuap to low, coral islands usually fringed by large
barrier reefs
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Ngerchelchauus 242 m
Natural resources: forests, minerals (especially gold), marine
products, deep-seabed minerals
Land use:
arable land: NA%
permanent crops: NA%
meadows and pastures: NA%
forest and woodland: NA%
other: NA%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: inadequate facilities for disposal of solid waste;
threats to the marine ecosystem from sand and coral dredging and
illegal fishing practices that involve the use of dynamite
natural hazards: typhoons (June to December)
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: includes World War II battleground of Beliliou
(Peleliu) and world-famous rock islands; archipelago of six island
groups totaling over 200 islands in the Caroline chain
People
------
Population: 16,952 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 1.71% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 21.61 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 6.61 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 2.12 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: 25.07 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 71.01 years
male: 69.14 years
female: 73.02 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.79 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Palauan(s)
adjective: Palauan
Ethnic divisions: Palauans are a composite of Polynesian, Malayan,
and Melanesian races
Religions: Christian (Catholics, Seventh-Day Adventists, Jehovah's
Witnesses, the Assembly of God, the Liebenzell Mission, and
Latter-Day Saints), Modekngei religion (one-third of the population
observes this religion which is indigenous to Palau)
Languages: English (official in all of Palau's 16 states),
Sonsorolese (official in the state of Sonsoral), Angaur and Japanese
(in the state of Anguar), Tobi (in the state of Tobi), Palauan (in
the other 13 states)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.)
total population: 92%
male: 93%
female: 90%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Palau
conventional short form: Palau
local long form: Beluu er a Belau
local short form: Belau
former: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands
Data code: PS
Type of government: constitutional government in free association
with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 1
October 1994
Capital: Koror
note: a new capital is being built about 20 km northeast in eastern
Babelthuap
Administrative divisions: there are no first-order administrative
divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 16 states:
Aimeliik, Airai, Angaur, Kayangel, Koror, Melekeok, Ngaraard,
Ngardmau, Ngaremlengui, Ngatpang, Ngchesar, Ngerchelong, Ngiwal,
Peleliu, Sonsorol, Tobi
Independence: 1 October 1994 (from the US-administered UN
Trusteeship)
National holiday: Constitution Day, 9 July (1979)
Constitution: 1 January 1981
Legal system: based on Trust Territory laws, acts of the
legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Kuniwo NAKAMURA
(since 1 January 1993) and Vice President Tommy E. REMENGESAU Jr.
(since 1 January 1993) were elected for four-year terms by popular
vote; election last held 4 November 1992 (next to be held NA
November 1996); results - Kuniwo NAKAMURA 50.7%, Johnson TORIBIONG
49.3%
cabinet: Cabinet
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament (Olbiil Era Kelulau or
OEK)
Senate: elections last held 4 November 1992 (next to be held NA
November 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (14
total) number of seats by party NA
House of Delegates: elections last held 4 November 1992 (next to be
held NA November 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats
- (16 total) number of seats by party NA
Judicial branch: Supreme Court; National Court; Court of Common
Pleas
Political parties and leaders: Palau Nationalist Party, Polycarp
BASILIUS
International organization participation: ESCAP (associate), SPC,
SPF, UN, WHO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires ad interim
Isaac Ngewakl SOALADAOB
chancery: 2000 L Street NW, Suite 407, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 452-6814
FAX: [1] (202) 452-6281
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Richard G.
WATKINS
embassy: address NA, Koror
mailing address: P.O. Box 6028, Republic of Palau 96940
telephone: [680] 488-2920, 2990
FAX: [680] 488-2911
Flag: light blue with a large yellow disk (representing the moon)
shifted slightly to the hoist side
Economy
-------