(Pangu Party), Chris HAIVETA; People's Democratic Movement (PDM),
Paias WINGTI; People's Action Party (PAP), Akoka DOI; People's
Progress Party (PPP), Sir Julius CHAN; United Party (UP), Paul
TORATO; Papua Party (PP), Galeva KWARARA; National Party (NP), Paul
PORA; Melanesian Alliance (MA), Fr. John MOMIS
International organization participation: ACP, APEC, AsDB, C, CP,
ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,
ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU,
NAM, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO,
WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Kepas Isimel WATANGIA
chancery: 3rd floor, 1615 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC
20009
telephone: [1] (202) 745-3680
FAX: [1] (202) 745-3679
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Richard W. TEARE
embassy: Douglas Street, Port Moresby
mailing address: P. O. Box 1492, Port Moresby
telephone: [675] 321-1455
FAX: [675] 321-3423
Flag: 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
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Papua New Guinea is richly endowed with natural
resources, but exploitation has been hampered by the rugged terrain
and the high cost of developing an infrastructure. Agriculture
provides a subsistence livelihood for the bulk of the population.
Mining of numerous deposits, including copper and gold, accounts for
about 60% of export earnings. Budgetary support from Australia and
development aid under World Bank auspices have helped sustain the
economy. In 1995, Port Moresby reached agreement with the IMF and
World Bank on a structural adjustment program. PNG will receive
loans totaling $350 million over the next two years from a variety
of lenders including the Fund, the Bank, the Australian Government,
and the Japanese Export-Import Bank. The loans will be provided only
if Port Moresby implements significant reforms to liberalize trade
and investment policies, reduce the public sector, and promote
sustainable development of the forestry sector. At the start of
1996, Port Moresby is looking primarily to the exploitation of
mineral and petroleum resources to drive economic development but
new prospecting in Papua New Guinea has slumped as other
mineral-rich countries have stepped up their competition for
international investment. Output from current projects will probably
begin to taper off in 1996, but no new large ventures are being
developed to succeed them.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $10.2 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: -3% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $2,400 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 15% (1995)
Labor force: 1.941 million
by occupation: agriculture 64% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $1.86 billion
expenditures: $1.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1995 est.)
Industries: copra crushing, palm oil processing, plywood
production, wood chip production; mining of gold, silver, and
copper; construction, tourism
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 490,000 kW
production: 1.8 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 390 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: coffee, cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, tea, rubber,
sweet potatoes, fruit, vegetables; poultry, pork
Exports: $2.4 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: gold, copper ore, oil, logs, palm oil, coffee, cocoa,
lobster
partners: Australia, Japan, US, Singapore, New Zealand
Imports: $1.4 billion (c.i.f., 1995 est.)
commodities: machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods,
food, fuels, chemicals
partners: Australia, Japan, UK, New Zealand, Netherlands
External debt: $3.2 billion (1995)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $291 million (1993)
Currency: 1 kina (K) = 100 toea
Exchange rates: kina (K) per US$1 - 0.7552 (October 1995), 0.9950
(1994), 1.0221 (1993), 1.0367 (1992), 1.0504 (1991); note - the
government floated the kina on 10 October 1994
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 19,088 km
paved: 640 km
unpaved: 18,448 km (1988 est.)
Waterways: 10,940 km
Ports: Kieta, Lae, Madang, Port Moresby, Rabaul
Merchant marine:
total: 12 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 22,565 GRT/27,114 DWT
ships by type: bulk 2, cargo 3, combination ore/oil 5, container 1,
roll-on/roll-off 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 451
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 12
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 5
with paved runways under 914 m: 371
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 11
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 51 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 2 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 63,212 (1986 est.)
Telephone system: services are adequate and being improved;
facilities provide radiotelephone and telegraph, coastal radio,
aeronautical radio, and international radio communication services
domestic: mostly radiotelephone
international: submarine cables to Australia and Guam; satellite
earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean); international radio
communication service
Radio broadcast stations: AM 31, FM 2, shortwave 0
Radios: 298,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 2 (1987 est.)
Televisions: 10,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Papua New Guinea Defense Force (includes Army, Navy, Air
Force, and Special Operations Unit)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 1,143,015
males fit for military service: 635,923 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $40 million, 0.9%
of GDP (1995)
======================================================================
@Paracel Islands
---------------
Map
---
Location: 16 30 N, 112 00 E -- Southeastern Asia, group of small
islands and reefs in the South China Sea, about one-third of the way
from central Vietnam to the northern Philippines
Geography
---------
Location: Southeastern Asia, group of small islands and reefs in
the South China Sea, about one-third of the way from central Vietnam
to the northern Philippines
Geographic coordinates: 16 30 N, 112 00 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area:
total area: NA sq km
land area: NA sq km
comparative area: NA
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 518 km
Maritime claims: NA
International disputes: occupied by China, but claimed by Taiwan
and Vietnam
Climate: tropical
Terrain: NA
lowest point: South China Sea 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Rocky Island 14 m
Natural resources: none
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 100%
Irrigated land: 0 sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: typhoons
international agreements: NA
People
------
Population: no indigenous inhabitants; note - there are scattered
Chinese garrisons
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Paracel Islands
Data code: PF
Economy
-------
Economic overview: no economic activity
Transportation
--------------
Ports: small Chinese port facilities on Woody Island and Duncan
Island being expanded
Airports:
total: 1
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1 (on Woody Island) (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: NA
Televisions: NA
Defense
-------
Defense note: occupied by China
======================================================================
@Paraguay
--------
Map
---
Location: 23 00 S, 58 00 W -- Central South America, northeast of
Argentina
Flag
----
Description: three equal, horizontal bands of red (top), white,
and blue with an emblem centered in the white band; unusual flag in
that the emblem is different on each side; the obverse (hoist side
at the left) bears the national coat of arms (a yellow five-pointed
star within a green wreath capped by the words REPUBLICA DEL
PARAGUAY, all within two circles); the reverse (hoist side at the
right) bears the seal of the treasury (a yellow lion below a red Cap
of Liberty and the words Paz y Justicia (Peace and Justice) capped
by the words REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all within two circles)
Geography
---------
Location: Central South America, northeast of Argentina
Geographic coordinates: 23 00 S, 58 00 W
Map references: South America
Area:
total area: 406,750 sq km
land area: 397,300 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than California
Land boundaries:
total: 3,920 km
border countries: Argentina 1,880 km, Bolivia 750 km, Brazil 1,290 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: short section of the boundary with Brazil,
just west of Salto del Guaira (Guaira Falls) on the Rio Parana, has
not been determined
Climate: subtropical; substantial rainfall in the eastern
portions, becoming semiarid in the far west
Terrain: grassy plains and wooded hills east of Rio Paraguay; Gran
Chaco region west of Rio Paraguay mostly low, marshy plain near the
river, and dry forest and thorny scrub elsewhere
lowest point: junction of Rio Paraguay and Rio Parana 46 m
highest point: Cerro San Rafael 850 m
Natural resources: hydropower, timber, iron ore, manganese,
limestone
Land use:
arable land: 20%
permanent crops: 1%
meadows and pastures: 39%
forest and woodland: 35%
other: 5%
Irrigated land: 670 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: deforestation (an estimated 2 million hectares of
forest land have been lost from 1958-85); water pollution;
inadequate means for waste disposal present health risks for many
urban residents
natural hazards: local flooding in southeast (early September to
June); poorly drained plains may become boggy (early October to June)
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection; signed,
but not ratified - Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test
Ban, Wetlands
Geographic note: landlocked; lies between Argentina, Bolivia, and
Brazil
People
------
Population: 5,504,146 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 41% (male 1,144,644; female 1,096,430)
15-64 years: 55% (male 1,518,661; female 1,513,577)
65 years and over: 4% (male 106,121; female 124,713) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.67% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 30.97 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 4.31 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: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.01 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 23.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 73.84 years
male: 72.33 years
female: 75.43 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 4.15 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Paraguayan(s)
adjective: Paraguayan
Ethnic divisions: mestizo (mixed Spanish and Indian) 95%, whites
plus Amerindians 5%
Religions: Roman Catholic 90%, Mennonite and other Protestant
denominations
Languages: Spanish (official), Guarani
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 92.1%
male: 93.5%
female: 90.6%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Paraguay
conventional short form: Paraguay
local long form: Republica del Paraguay
local short form: Paraguay
Data code: PA
Type of government: republic
Capital: Asuncion
Administrative divisions: 17 departments (departamentos, singular
- departamento); Alto Paraguay, Alto Parana, Amambay, Boqueron,
Caaguazu, Caazapa, Canindeyu, Central, Concepcion, Cordillera,
Guaira, Itapua, Misiones, Neembucu, Paraguari, Presidente Hayes, San
Pedro
Independence: 14 May 1811 (from Spain)
National holiday: Independence Days, 14-15 May (1811)
Constitution: promulgated 20 June 1992
Legal system: based on Argentine codes, Roman law, and French
codes; judicial review of legislative acts in Supreme Court of
Justice; does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory up to age 60
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Juan Carlos WASMOSY
(since 15 August 1993) and Vice President Roberto Angel SEIFART
(since 15 August 1993) were elected for five-year terms by popular
vote; election last held 9 May 1993 (next to be held NA May 1998);
results - Juan Carlos WASMOSY 40.09%, Domingo LAINO 32.06%,
Guillermo CABALLERO VARGAS 23.04%
cabinet: Council of Ministers was nominated by the president
Legislative branch: bicameral Congress (Congreso)
Chamber of Senators (Camara de Senadores): elections last held 9 May
1993 (next to be held NA May 1998); results - percent of vote by
party NA; seats - (45 total) Colorado Party 20, PLRA 17, EN 8
Chamber of Deputies (Camara de Diputados): elections last held 9 May
1993 (next to be held by May 1998); results - percent of vote by
party NA; seats - (80 total) Colorado Party 38, PLRA 33, EN 9
Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de
Justicia), judges appointed on the proposal of the Counsel of
Magistrates (Consejo de la Magistratura)
Political parties and leaders: Colorado Party, Luis Maria ARGANA,
president; Authentic Radical Liberal Party (PLRA), Domingo LAINO;
National Encounter (EN), Guillermo CABALLERO VARGAS; Christian
Democratic Party (PDC), Miguel MONTANER; Febrerista Revolutionary
Party (PRF), Euclides ACEVEDO; Popular Democratic Party (PDP), Hugo
RICHER
Other political or pressure groups: Confederation of Workers
(CUT); Roman Catholic Church
International organization participation: AG (observer), CCC,
ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD,
IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES,
LAIA, Mercosur, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,
UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Jorge PRIETO CONTI
chancery: 2400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 483-6960 through 6962
FAX: [1] (202) 234-4508
consulate(s) general: Miami and New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Robert E. SERVICE
embassy: 1776 Avenida Mariscal Lopez, Casilla Postal 402, Asuncion
mailing address: Unit 4711, APO AA 34036-0001
telephone: [595] (21) 213-715
FAX: [595] (21) 213-728
Flag: three equal, horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue
with an emblem centered in the white band; unusual flag in that the
emblem is different on each side; the obverse (hoist side at the
left) bears the national coat of arms (a yellow five-pointed star
within a green wreath capped by the words REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY,
all within two circles); the reverse (hoist side at the right) bears
the seal of the treasury (a yellow lion below a red Cap of Liberty
and the words Paz y Justicia (Peace and Justice) capped by the words
REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all within two circles)
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Paraguay has a market economy marked by a large
informal sector. The formal economy is largely oriented toward
services, but 45% of the population derive their living from
agricultural activity, often on a subsistence basis. The economy has
grown an average of 3% to 4% over the past five years. Population
has increased at 3% a year over the same period leaving per capita
income nearly stagnant. The informal sector is marked by both
reexport of imported consumer goods (electronics, whiskeys,
perfumes, cigarettes and office equipment) to neighboring countries
as well as by the activities of thousands of microenterprises and
urban street vendors. The Paraguayan Government has stated publicly
that it will continue its economic reform agenda in close
coordination with its Mercosur (Southern Cone Common Market)
partners. In 1995, the government also promised to undertake efforts
to formalize the financial sector, after a financial shock forced
the bail-out of the second and third largest banks. Paraguay's
continued integration into Mercosur also offers potential for
growth; it is closely linked with the success of foreign investment
promotion. Non-traditional exports, such as finished agricultural
products, light manufactures, and small consumer items, are growing
rapidly. Government reform efforts, including privatization, have
continued, but with little success in 1995.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $17 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 4.2% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $3,200 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 25.7%
industry: 25.8%
services: 48.5% (1994)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10.5% (1995)
Labor force: 1.692 million (1993 est.)
by occupation: agriculture 45%
Unemployment rate: 12% (1995)
Budget:
revenues: $1.25 billion (1995 est.)
expenditures: $1.66 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1995 est.)
Industries: meat packing, oilseed crushing, milling, brewing,
textiles, other light consumer goods, cement, construction
Industrial production growth rate: 1.3% (1995 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 6,530,000 kW
production: 26.5 billion kWh (1992)
consumption per capita: NA
note: much of the electricity produced in Paraguay is exported to
Brazil and domestic consumption cannot be determined
Agriculture: cotton, sugarcane, soybeans, corn, wheat, tobacco,
cassava (tapioca), fruits, vegetables; beef, pork, eggs, milk; timber
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis for the international
drug trade; transshipment point for Bolivian cocaine headed for
Europe and the US
Exports: $819.5 million (f.o.b., 1995)
commodities: cotton, soybeans, timber, vegetable oils, meat
products, coffee, tung oil
partners: EU 37%, Brazil 25%, Argentina 10%, Chile 6%, US 6%
Imports: $2.871 billion (c.i.f., 1995)
commodities: capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods, raw
materials, fuels
partners: Brazil 30%, EU 20%, US 18%, Argentina 8%, Japan 7%
External debt: $1.38 billion (yearend 1995)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $38 million (1993)
Currency: 1 guarani (G) = 100 centimos
Exchange rates: guaranies (G) per US$ - 2,003.8 (January 1996),
1,970.4 (1995), 1,911.5 (1994), 1,744.3 (1993), 1,500.3 (1992),
1,325.2 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways:
total: 971 km
standard gauge: 441 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge: 60 km 1.000-m gauge
other: 470 km various gauges (privately owned)
Highways:
total: 21,834 km
paved: 1,778 km
unpaved: 20,056 km (1987 est.)
Waterways: 3,100 km
Ports: Asuncion, Villeta, San Antonio, Encarnacion
Merchant marine:
total: 16 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 21,323 GRT/23,907 DWT
ships by type: cargo 13, oil tanker 2, roll-on/roll-off 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 739
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 3
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 4
with paved runways under 914 m: 438
with unpaved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 25
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 266 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 88,730 (1985 est.)
Telephone system: meager telephone service; principal switching
center is Asuncion
domestic: fair microwave radio relay network
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 40, FM 0, shortwave 7
Radios: 775,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 5
Televisions: 370,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy (includes Naval Air and Marines), Air Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 1,334,638
males fit for military service: 968,297
males reach military age (17) annually: 58,398 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $94 million, 0.6%
of GDP (1994)
======================================================================
@Peru
----
Map
---
Location: 10 00 S, 76 00 W -- Western South America, bordering the
South Pacific Ocean, between Chile and Ecuador
Flag
----
Description: three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side),
white, and red with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the
coat of arms features a shield bearing a llama, cinchona tree (the
source of quinine), and a yellow cornucopia spilling out gold coins,
all framed by a green wreath
Geography
---------
Location: Western South America, bordering the South Pacific
Ocean, between Chile and Ecuador
Geographic coordinates: 10 00 S, 76 00 W
Map references: South America
Area:
total area: 1,285,220 sq km
land area: 1.28 million sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Alaska
Land boundaries:
total: 6,940 km
border countries: Bolivia 900 km, Brazil 1,560 km, Chile 160 km,
Colombia 2,900 km, Ecuador 1,420 km
Coastline: 2,414 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200 nm
territorial sea: 200 nm
International disputes: three sections of the boundary with
Ecuador are in dispute
Climate: varies from tropical in east to dry desert in west
Terrain: western coastal plain (costa), high and rugged Andes in
center (sierra), eastern lowland jungle of Amazon Basin (selva)
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Nevado Huascaran 6,768 m
Natural resources: copper, silver, gold, petroleum, timber, fish,
iron ore, coal, phosphate, potash
Land use:
arable land: 3%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 21%
forest and woodland: 55%
other: 21%
Irrigated land: 12,500 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: deforestation; overgrazing of the slopes of the
costa and sierra leading to soil erosion; desertification; air
pollution in Lima; pollution of rivers and coastal waters from
municipal and mining wastes
natural hazards: earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, landslides, mild
volcanic activity
international agreements: party to - Antarctic-Environmental
Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test
Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83,
Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
Geographic note: shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest
navigable lake, with Bolivia
People
------
Population: 24,523,408 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 35% (male 4,360,379; female 4,214,970)
15-64 years: 61% (male 7,480,747; female 7,375,825)
65 years and over: 4% (male 497,775; female 593,712) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.74% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 24.33 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 6.13 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.76 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.01 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 52.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 69.13 years
male: 66.97 years
female: 71.39 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.04 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Peruvian(s)
adjective: Peruvian
Ethnic divisions: Indian 45%, mestizo (mixed Indian and European
ancestry) 37%, white 15%, black, Japanese, Chinese, and other 3%
Religions: Roman Catholic
Languages: Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 88.7%
male: 94.5%
female: 83%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Peru
conventional short form: Peru
local long form: Republica del Peru
local short form: Peru
Data code: PE
Type of government: republic
Capital: Lima