agriculture and fishing. The government is the major employer of the
work force, relying heavily on financial assistance from the US. The
population, in effect, enjoys a per capita income of $5,000, twice
that of the Philippines and much of Micronesia. Long-run prospects
for the tourist sector have been greatly bolstered by the expansion
of air travel in the Pacific and the rapidly rising prosperity of
leading East Asian countries. Reducing budgeted operating
expenditures - which have increased 56% from 1989 to 1993 - will be
the biggest challenge for the government over the next several years.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $81.8 million (1994 est.)
note: GDP numbers reflect US spending
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $5,000 (1994 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%
Labor force: NA
by occupation: NA
Unemployment rate: 20% (1986)
Budget:
revenues: $17 million
expenditures: $57 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1995 est.)
Industries: tourism, craft items (from shell, wood, pearls), some
commercial fishing and agriculture
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 16,000 kW
production: 22 million kWh
consumption per capita: 1,540 kWh (1990)
Agriculture: coconuts, copra, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes
Exports: $600,000 (f.o.b., 1989)
commodities: trochus (type of shellfish), tuna, copra, handicrafts
partners: US, Japan
Imports: $24.6 million (c.i.f., 1989)
commodities: NA
partners: US
External debt: about $100 million (1989)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
note: the compact of "free association" with the US, entered into
after the end of the UN trusteeship on 1 October 1994, provides
Palau with $500 million in US aid over 15 years in return for
furnishing military facilities
Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: US currency is used
Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 61 km
paved: 36 km
unpaved: 25 km
Ports: Koror
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 3
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 1,500 (1988 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: 9,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 2
Televisions: 1,600 (1993 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: NA
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the US
======================================================================
@Palmyra Atoll
-------------
(territory of the US)
Map
---
Location: 5 52 N, 162 06 W -- Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific
Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to American Samoa
Flag
----
Description: the flag of the US is used
Geography
---------
Location: Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about
one-half of the way from Hawaii to American Samoa
Geographic coordinates: 5 52 N, 162 06 W
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total area: 11.9 sq km
land area: 11.9 sq km
comparative area: about 20 times the size of The Mall in Washington,
DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 14.5 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: equatorial, hot, and very rainy
Terrain: very low
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 2 m
Natural resources: none
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 100%
other: 0%
Irrigated land: 0 sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: about 50 islets covered with dense vegetation,
coconut trees, and balsa-like trees up to 30 meters tall
People
------
Population: uninhabited
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Palmyra Atoll
Data code: LQ
Type of government: incorporated territory of the US; privately
owned, but administered by the Office of Territorial and
International Affairs, US Department of the Interior
Capital: none; administered from Washington, DC
Flag: the flag of the US is used
Economy
-------
Economic overview: no economic activity
Transportation
--------------
Highways: much of the road and many causeways built during World
War II are unserviceable and overgrown
Ports: West Lagoon
Airports: airstrip has been overgrown by vegetation and is no
longer serviceable
Defense
-------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the US
======================================================================
@Panama
------
Map
---
Location: 9 00 N, 80 00 W -- Middle America, bordering both the
Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Colombia and
Costa Rica
Flag
----
Description: divided into four, equal rectangles; the top
quadrants are white (hoist side) with a blue five-pointed star in
the center and plain red, the bottom quadrants are plain blue (hoist
side) and white with a red five-pointed star in the center
Geography
---------
Location: Middle America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the
North Pacific Ocean, between Colombia and Costa Rica
Geographic coordinates: 9 00 N, 80 00 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total area: 78,200 sq km
land area: 75,990 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than South Carolina
Land boundaries:
total: 555 km
border countries: Colombia 225 km, Costa Rica 330 km
Coastline: 2,490 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 200 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; hot, humid, cloudy; prolonged rainy season (May
to January), short dry season (January to May)
Terrain: interior mostly steep, rugged mountains and dissected,
upland plains; coastal areas largely plains and rolling hills
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Volcan de Chiriqui 3,475 m
Natural resources: copper, mahogany forests, shrimp
Land use:
arable land: 6%
permanent crops: 2%
meadows and pastures: 15%
forest and woodland: 54%
other: 23%
Irrigated land: 320 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: water pollution from agricultural runoff threatens
fishery resources; deforestation of tropical rain forest; land
degradation
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test
Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83,
Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Desertification, Law of the
Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Tropical Timber 94
Geographic note: strategic location on eastern end of isthmus
forming land bridge connecting North and South America; controls
Panama Canal that links North Atlantic Ocean via Caribbean Sea with
North Pacific Ocean
People
------
Population: 2,655,094 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 33% (male 445,382; female 426,111)
15-64 years: 62% (male 828,384; female 806,205)
65 years and over: 5% (male 71,823; female 77,189) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.64% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 23.2 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.42 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.42 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.03 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 29.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 73.92 years
male: 71.19 years
female: 76.75 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.71 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Panamanian(s)
adjective: Panamanian
Ethnic divisions: mestizo (mixed Indian and European ancestry)
70%, West Indian 14%, white 10%, Indian 6%
Religions: Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant 15%
Languages: Spanish (official), English 14%
note: many Panamanians bilingual
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 90.8%
male: 91.4%
female: 90.2%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Panama
conventional short form: Panama
local long form: Republica de Panama
local short form: Panama
Data code: PM
Type of government: constitutional republic
Capital: Panama
Administrative divisions: 9 provinces (provincias, singular -
provincia) and 1 territory* (comarca); Bocas del Toro, Chiriqui,
Cocle, Colon, Darien, Herrera, Los Santos, Panama, San Blas*,
Veraguas
Independence: 3 November 1903 (from Colombia; became independent
from Spain 28 November 1821)
National holiday: Independence Day, 3 November (1903)
Constitution: 11 October 1972; major reforms adopted April 1983
Legal system: based on civil law system; judicial review of
legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Justice; accepts compulsory
ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Ernesto PEREZ
BALLADARES Gonzalez Revilla (since 1 September 1994), First Vice
President Tomas Gabriel ALTAMIRANO DUQUE (since 1 September 1994),
Second Vice President Felipe Alejandro VIRZI Lopez (since 1
September 1994) were elected for five-year terms by popular vote;
election last held 8 May 1994 (next to be held 9 May 1999); results
- Ernesto PEREZ BALLADARES (PRD) 33%, Mireya MOSCOSO DE GRUBER (PA)
29%, Ruben BLADES (MPE) 17%, Ruben Dario CARLES (MOLIRENA) 16%
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the president
Legislative branch: unicameral
Legislative Assembly (Asamblea Legislativa): legislators from
outlying rural districts are chosen on a plurality basis while
districts located in more populous towns and cities elect multiple
legislators by means of a proportion-based formula; elections last
held 8 May 1994 (next to be held 9 May 1999); results - percent of
vote by party NA; seats - (72 total) PRD 32, PS 4, PALA 1, PA 14,
MPE 6, MOLIRENA 4, PLA 3, PRC 3, PL 2, PDC 1, UDI 1, MORENA 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de
Justicia), nine judges appointed for 10-year terms; five superior
courts; three courts of appeal
Political parties and leaders:
governing coalition: Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD), Gerardo
GONZALEZ; Liberal Republican Party (PLR), Rodolfo CHIARI; Labor
Party (PALA), Carlos Lopez GUEVARA
other parties: Solidarity Party (PS), Samuel LEWIS GALINDO;
Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement (MOLIRENA), Delia CARDENAS;
Authentic Liberal Party (PLA), Arnulfo ESCALONA; Arnulfista Party
(PA), Mireya MOSCOSO DE GRUBER; Christian Democratic Party (PDC),
Ruben AROSEMENA; Liberal Party (PL), Roberto ALEMAN Zubieta; Papa
Egoro Movement (MPE), Gloria YOUNG; Civic Renewal Party (PRC), Tomas
HERRERA; National Unity Mission Party (MUN), Jose Manuel PAREDES;
Independent Democratic Union (UDI), Jacinto CARDENAS; National
Renovation Movement (MORENA), Pedro VALLERINO
Other political or pressure groups: National Council of Organized
Workers (CONATO); National Council of Private Enterprise (CONEP);
Panamanian Association of Business Executives (APEDE); National
Civic Crusade; Chamber of Commerce; Panamanian Industrialists
Society (SIP); Workers Confederation of the Republic of Panama (CTRP)
International organization participation: AG (associate), ECLAC,
FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA
(observer), NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU,
WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Ricardo Alberto ARIAS
chancery: 2862 McGill Terrace NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 483-1407
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, New
York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Tampa
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador William John HUGHES
embassy: Avenida Balboa and Calle 38, Apartado 6959, Panama City 5
mailing address: American Embassy Panama, Unit 0945, APO AA 34002
telephone: [507] 227-1377
FAX: [507] 227-1964
Flag: divided into four, equal rectangles; the top quadrants are
white (hoist side) with a blue five-pointed star in the center and
plain red, the bottom quadrants are plain blue (hoist side) and
white with a red five-pointed star in the center
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Because of its key geographic location,
Panama's economy is service-based, heavily weighted toward banking,
commerce, and tourism. The manufacturing and agriculture sectors
have become inefficient under protectionist policies. After fast
growth during the early 1990s, the economy has slowed down in the
last two years, with GDP growth at 2.8% in 1994 and in 1995. The
slowdown has been due mostly to a reduction in construction
activities and stagnation in the Colon Free Zone and financial
services, the three fastest growing sectors early in the decade. To
counter the slowdown, the PEREZ BALLADARES administration has
launched an economic reform program designed to reverse
unemployment, attract foreign investment, cut back the size of
government, and modernize the economy. In 1995, Panama reached an
agreement in principle to reschedule its commercial debt - one of
the highest in the world in per capita terms - which will allow the
country to reenter international financial markets. Panama should
complete all requirements to join the World Trade Organization
(WTrO) in 1996.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $13.6 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2.8% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $5,100 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 10%
industry: 16%
services: 74% (1995 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.1% (1995)
Labor force: 979,000 (1994 est.)
by occupation: government and community services 31.8%, agriculture,
hunting, and fishing 26.8%, commerce, restaurants, and hotels 16.4%,
manufacturing and mining 9.4%, construction 3.2%, transportation and
communications 6.2%, finance, insurance, and real estate 4.3%
note: shortage of skilled labor, but an oversupply of unskilled labor
Unemployment rate: 13.8% (1995)
Budget:
revenues: $1.86 billion
expenditures: $1.86 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1995)
Industries: construction, petroleum refining, brewing, cement and
other construction materials, sugar milling
Industrial production growth rate: 0.4% (1995 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 960,000 kW
production: 2.8 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 1,047 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: bananas, rice, corn, coffee, sugarcane, vegetables;
livestock; fishing (shrimp)
Illicit drugs: major cocaine transshipment point and major drug
money laundering center; minor producer of coca leaf; active
eradication program
Exports: $548 million (f.o.b., 1995)
commodities: bananas 43%, shrimp 11%, sugar 4%, clothing 5%, coffee
2%
partners: US 39%, EU, Central America and Caribbean
Imports: $2.45 billion (c.i.f., 1995)
commodities: capital goods 21%, crude oil 11%, foodstuffs 9%,
consumer goods, chemicals
partners: US 40%, EU, Central America and Caribbean, Japan
External debt: $6.7 billion (yearend 1993 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $58 million (1993)
Currency: 1 balboa (B) = 100 centesimos
Exchange rates: balboas (B) per US$1 - 1.000 (fixed rate)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 355 km
broad gauge: 76 km 1.524-m gauge
narrow gauge: 279 km 0.914-m gauge
Highways:
total: 10,103 km
paved: 3,233 km
unpaved: 6,870 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: 800 km navigable by shallow draft vessels; 82 km Panama
Canal
Pipelines: crude oil 130 km
Ports: Balboa, Cristobal, Coco Solo North, Vacamonte
Merchant marine:
total: 3,758 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 69,960,500
GRT/107,632,713 DWT
ships by type: bulk 902, cargo 1,050, chemical tanker 168,
combination bulk 40, combination ore/oil 19, container 307,
liquefied gas tanker 155, livestock carrier 7, multifunction
large-load carrier 3, oil tanker 488, passenger 31, passenger-cargo
5, refrigerated cargo 295, roll-on/roll-off cargo 93, short-sea
passenger 34, specialized tanker 11, vehicle carrier 150
note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 83
countries among which are Japan 1,212, Greece 360, Hong Kong 263,
Taiwan 203, South Korea 198, US 160, China 152, Singapore 118, UK
79, Switzerland 67, and Norway 58 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 99
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 5
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 14
with paved runways under 914 m: 60
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 18 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 273,000 (1991 est.)
Telephone system: domestic and international facilities well
developed
domestic: NA
international: 1 coaxial submarine cable; satellite earth stations -
2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to the Central American
Microwave System
Radio broadcast stations: AM 91, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 564,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 23
Televisions: 420,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Panamanian Public Forces (PPF; includes the National
Police, National Maritime Service, National Air Service, and
Institutional Protective Service); Judicial Technical Police
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 705,427
males fit for military service: 484,571 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $78 million, NA%
of GDP (1995); note - for police and security forces
======================================================================
@Papua New Guinea
----------------
Map
---
Location: 6 00 S, 147 00 E -- Southeastern Asia, group of islands
including the eastern half of the island of New Guinea between the
Coral Sea and the South Pacific Ocean, east of Indonesia
Flag
----
Description: divided diagonally from upper hoist-side corner; the
upper triangle is red with a soaring yellow bird of paradise
centered; the lower triangle is black with five white five-pointed
stars of the Southern Cross constellation centered
Geography
---------
Location: Southeastern Asia, group of islands including the
eastern half of the island of New Guinea between the Coral Sea and
the South Pacific Ocean, east of Indonesia
Geographic coordinates: 6 00 S, 147 00 E
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total area: 461,690 sq km
land area: 451,710 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than California
Land boundaries:
total: 820 km
border country: Indonesia 820 km
Coastline: 5,152 km
Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; northwest monsoon (December to March),
southeast monsoon (May to October); slight seasonal temperature
variation
Terrain: mostly mountains with coastal lowlands and rolling
foothills
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Wilhelm 4,509 m
Natural resources: gold, copper, silver, natural gas, timber, oil
potential
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 1%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 71%
other: 28%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: rain forest subject to deforestation as a result of
growing commercial demand for tropical timber; pollution from mining
projects
natural hazards: active volcanism; situated along the Pacific "Rim
of Fire"; the country is subject to frequent and sometimes severe
earthquakes; mud slides
international agreements: party to - Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity,
Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,
Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified -
Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Tropical Timber 94
Geographic note: shares island of New Guinea with Indonesia; one
of world's largest swamps along southwest coast
People
------
Population: 4,394,537 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 40% (male 906,709; female 860,534)
15-64 years: 57% (male 1,303,084; female 1,195,245)
65 years and over: 3% (male 59,513; female 69,452) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.29% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 32.93 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 10.01 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.09 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.07 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 60.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 57.25 years
male: 56.4 years
female: 58.15 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 4.45 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Papua New Guinean(s)
adjective: Papua New Guinean
Ethnic divisions: Melanesian, Papuan, Negrito, Micronesian,
Polynesian
Religions: Roman Catholic 22%, Lutheran 16%,
Presbyterian/Methodist/London Missionary Society 8%, Anglican 5%,
Evangelical Alliance 4%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1%, other Protestant
sects 10%, indigenous beliefs 34%
Languages: English spoken by 1%-2%, pidgin English widespread,
Motu spoken in Papua region
note: 715 indigenous languages
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 72.2%
male: 81%
female: 62.7%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Independent State of Papua New Guinea
conventional short form: Papua New Guinea
abbreviation: PNG
Data code: PP
Type of government: parliamentary democracy
Capital: Port Moresby
Administrative divisions: 20 provinces; Central, Chimbu, Eastern
Highlands, East New Britain, East Sepik, Enga, Gulf, Madang, Manus,
Milne Bay, Morobe, National Capital, New Ireland, Northern, North
Solomons, Sandaun, Southern Highlands, Western, Western Highlands,
West New Britain
Independence: 16 September 1975 (from the Australian-administered
UN trusteeship)
National holiday: Independence Day, 16 September (1975)
Constitution: 16 September 1975
Legal system: based on English common law
Suffrage: 19 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) is a
hereditary monarch, represented by Governor General Wiwa KOROWI
(since 11 November 1991), who was appointed by the National
Executive Council
head of government: Prime Minister Sir Julius CHAN (since 30 August
1994) and Deputy Prime Minister Chris HAIVETA (since 7 September
1994) were appointed by the governor general
cabinet: National Executive Council was appointed by the governor
general on recommendation of the prime minister
Legislative branch: unicameral
National Parliament (sometimes referred to as the House of A:
elections last held 13-26 June 1992 (next to be held NA 1997);
results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (109 total) Pangu
Party 24, PDM 17, PPP 10, PAP 10, independents 30, others 18; note -
association with political parties is fluid
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, the chief justice is appointed by
the governor general on the proposal of the National Executive
Council after consultation with the minister responsible for
justice, other judges are appointed by the Judicial and Legal
Services Commission