Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 73.35 years
male: 70.75 years
female: 75.84 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 4.28 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Qatari(s)
adjective: Qatari
Ethnic divisions: Arab 40%, Pakistani 18%, Indian 18%, Iranian
10%, other 14%
Religions: Muslim 95%
Languages: Arabic (official), English commonly used as a second
language
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 79.4%
male: 79.2%
female: 79.9%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: State of Qatar
conventional short form: Qatar
local long form: Dawlat Qatar
local short form: Qatar
note: pronounced gutter
Data code: QA
Type of government: traditional monarchy
Capital: Doha
Administrative divisions: 9 municipalities (baladiyat, singular -
baladiyah); Ad Dawhah, Al Ghuwayriyah, Al Jumayliyah, Al Khawr, Al
Wakrah, Ar Rayyan, Jarayan al Batnah, Ash Shamal, Umm Salal
Independence: 3 September 1971 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 3 September (1971)
Constitution: provisional constitution enacted 2 April 1970
Legal system: discretionary system of law controlled by the amir,
although civil codes are being implemented; Islamic law is
significant in personal matters
Suffrage: none
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: Amir and Prime Minister HAMAD
bin Khalifa Al Thani (since 27 June 1995 when, as crown prince, he
ousted his father, Amir KHALIFA bin Hamad Al Thani, in a bloodless
coup) is an absolute monarch; Deputy Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin
Khalifa Al Thani (since NA July 1995); note - Amir HAMAD who also
holds the positions of minister of defense and commander-in-chief of
the armed forces, has not yet selected a new crown prince
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the amir
Legislative branch: unicameral
Advisory Council (Majlis al-Shura): the constitution calls for
elections for part of this consultative body, but no elections have
been held since 1970, when there were partial elections to the body;
Council members have had their terms extended every four years
since; seats - (30 total)
Judicial branch: Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders: none
International organization participation: ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF,
CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDB, IFAD,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO
(correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador ABD AL-RAHMAN bin Saud bin Fahd Al Thani
chancery: Suite 1180, 600 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC
20037
telephone: [1] (202) 338-0111
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Patrick N. THEROS
embassy: 149 Armed Bin Ali St., Fariq Bin Omran (opposite the
television station), Doha
mailing address: P. O. Box 2399, Doha
telephone: [974] 864701 through 864703
FAX: [974] 861669
Flag: maroon with a broad white serrated band (nine white points)
on the hoist side
Economy
-------
Economic overview: Oil is the backbone of the economy and accounts
for more than 30% of GDP, roughly 75% of export earnings, and 70% of
government revenues. Proved oil reserves of 3.3 billion barrels
should ensure continued output at current levels for about 25 years.
Oil has given Qatar a per capita GDP comparable to the leading West
European industrial countries. Production and export of natural gas
are becoming increasingly important. Long-term goals feature the
development of off-shore petroleum and the diversification of the
economy.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $10.7 billion (1994 est.)
GDP real growth rate: -1% (1994 est.)
GDP per capita: $20,820 (1994 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 1%
industry: 50%
services: 49% (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3% (1993 est.)
Labor force: 233,000 (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $2.5 billion
expenditures: $3.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(FY95/96)
Industries: crude oil production and refining, fertilizers,
petrochemicals, steel reinforcing bars, cement
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 1,520,000 kW
production: 4.5 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 8,415 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: fruits, vegetables; poultry, dairy products, beef;
fish (all on small scale)
Exports: $2.9 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: petroleum products 75%, steel, fertilizers
partners: Japan 61%, Australia 5%, UAE 4%, Singapore 4% (1994)
Imports: $2 billion (c.i.f., 1994 est.)
commodities: machinery and equipment, consumer goods, food, chemicals
partners: Germany 14%, Japan 12%, UK 11%, US 9%, Italy 5% (1994)
External debt: $1.5 billion (1993 est.)
Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 Qatari riyal (QR) = 100 dirhams
Exchange rates: Qatari riyals (QR) per US$1 - 3.6400 riyals (fixed
rate)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 1,191 km
paved: 1,028 km
unpaved: 163 km (1988 est.)
Pipelines: crude oil 235 km; natural gas 400 km
Ports: Doha, Halul Island, Umm Sa'id
Merchant marine:
total: 19 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 467,447 GRT/771,483 DWT
ships by type: combination ore/oil 2, container 3, cargo 11, oil
tanker 3 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 3
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 160,717 (1992 est.)
Telephone system: modern system centered in Doha
domestic: NA
international: tropospheric scatter to Bahrain; microwave radio
relay to Saudi Arabia and UAE; submarine cable to Bahrain and UAE;
satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian
Ocean) and 1 Arabsat
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 0
Radios: 201,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 3 (1988 est.)
Televisions: 205,000 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Public Security
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 220,635
males fit for military service: 115,403
males reach military age (18) annually: 4,115 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
======================================================================
@Reunion
-------
(overseas department of France)
Map
---
Location: 21 06 S, 55 36 E -- Southern Africa, island in the
Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar
Flag
----
Description: the flag of France is used
Geography
---------
Location: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of
Madagascar
Geographic coordinates: 21 06 S, 55 36 E
Map references: World
Area:
total area: 2,510 sq km
land area: 2,500 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Rhode Island
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 201 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical, but moderates with elevation; cool and dry from
May to November, hot and rainy from November to April
Terrain: mostly rugged and mountainous; fertile lowlands along
coast
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Piton des Neiges 3,069 m
Natural resources: fish, arable land
Land use:
arable land: 16%
permanent crops: 3%
meadows and pastures: 5%
forest and woodland: 35%
other: 41% (1993)
Irrigated land: 60 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: periodic, devastating cyclones (December to April);
Piton de la Fournaise on the southeastern coast is an active volcano
international agreements: NA
People
------
Population: 679,198 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 32% (male 112,413; female 107,187)
15-64 years: 62% (male 207,386; female 214,308)
65 years and over: 6% (male 15,610; female 22,294) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.93% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 24.01 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 4.75 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: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 7.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 74.77 years
male: 71.71 years
female: 77.98 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.72 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Reunionese (singular and plural)
adjective: Reunionese
Ethnic divisions: French, African, Malagasy, Chinese, Pakistani,
Indian
Religions: Roman Catholic 94%, Hindu, Islam, Buddhist
Languages: French (official), Creole widely used
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1982 est.)
total population: 79%
male: 76%
female: 80%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: Department of Reunion
conventional short form: Reunion
local long form: none
local short form: Ile de la Reunion
Data code: RE
Type of government: overseas department of France
Capital: Saint-Denis
Administrative divisions: overseas department of France; there are
no first-order divisions as defined by the US Government but there
are four arrondissements, 24 communes, and 47 cantons
Independence: none (overseas department of France)
National holiday: National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July
(1789)
Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Legal system: French law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President (of France) Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May
1995) represented by Prefect Pierre STEINMETZ (since NA) who was
appointed by the French Ministry of the Interior
head of government: President of the General Council Christophe
PAYET (since NA)
Legislative branch: unicameral General Council and unicameral
Regional Council
General Council: elections last held NA March 1994 (next to be held
NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (47 total) PCR
12, PS 12, UDF 11, RPR 5, others 7
Regional Council: elections last held 25 June 1993 (next to be held
NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (45 total) UPF
17, Free-Dom Movement 13, PCR 9, PS 6
French Senate: elections last held 24 September 1992 (next to be
held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (3 total)
RPR 1, FRA 1, independent 1
French National Assembly: elections last held 21 and 28 March 1993
(next to be held NA 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA;
seats - (5 total) PS 1, PCR 1, UPF 1, RPR 1, UDF-CDS 1
Judicial branch: Court of Appeals (Cour d'Appel)
Political parties and leaders: Rally for the Republic (RPR), Alain
DEFAUD; Union for French Democracy (UDF), Gilbert GERARD; Communist
Party of Reunion (PCR), Elie HOARAU; France-Reunion Future (FRA),
Andre THIEN AH KOON; Socialist Party (PS), Jean-Claude FRUTEAU;
Social Democrats (CDS), leader NA; Union for France (UPF - includes
RPR and UDF); Free-Dom Movement, Marguerite SUDRE
International organization participation: FZ, IOC, WFTU
Diplomatic representation in US: none (overseas department of
France)
US diplomatic representation: none (overseas department of France)
Flag: the flag of France is used
Economy
-------
Economic overview: The economy has traditionally been based on
agriculture. Sugarcane has been the primary crop for more than a
century, and in some years it accounts for 85% of exports. The
government has been pushing the development of a tourist industry to
relieve high unemployment, which recently amounted to one-third of
the labor force. The gap in Reunion between the well-off and the
poor is extraordinary and accounts for the persistent social
tensions. The white and Indian communities are substantially better
off than other segments of the population, often approaching
European standards, whereas indigenous groups suffer the poverty and
unemployment typical of the poorer nations of the African continent.
The outbreak of severe rioting in February 1991 illustrates the
seriousness of socioeconomic tensions. The economic well-being of
Reunion depends heavily on continued financial assistance from
France.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $2.9 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2.7% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $4,300 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%
Labor force: 242,169 (1993)
by occupation: agriculture 30%, industry 21%, services 49% (1981)
Unemployment rate: 35% (February 1991)
Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA
Industries: sugar, rum, cigarettes, handicraft items
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 180,000 kW
production: 1 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 1,454 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: sugarcane, vanilla, tobacco, tropical fruits,
vegetables, corn
Exports: $174 million (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities: sugar 63%, rum and molasses 4%, perfume essences 2%,
lobster 3%, (1993)
partners: France, Mauritius, Bahrain, South Africa, Italy, Madagascar
Imports: $2.08 billion (c.i.f., 1993)
commodities: manufactured goods, food, beverages, tobacco, machinery
and transportation equipment, raw materials, and petroleum products
partners: France, Mauritius, Bahrain, South Africa, Italy, Madagascar
External debt: $NA
Economic aid:
recipient: substantial annual subsidies from France
Currency: 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.0056 (January
1996), 4.9915 (1995), 5.5520 (1994), 5.6632 (1993), 5.2938 (1992),
5.6421 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation
--------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 2,784 km
paved: 2,187 km
unpaved: 597 km (1987 est.)
Ports: Le Port, Pointe des Galets
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 2
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
--------------
Telephones: 191,647 (1993 est.)
Telephone system: adequate system; principal center is Saint-Denis
domestic: modern open wire and microwave radio relay network
international: radiotelephone communication to Comoros, France,
Madagascar; new microwave route to Mauritius; satellite earth
station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 13, shortwave 0
Radios: 151,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1 (repeaters 18)
Televisions: 116,181 (1992 est.)
Defense
-------
Branches: French forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, and Gendarmerie)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 176,609
males fit for military service: 90,784
males reach military age (18) annually: 5,728 (1996 est.)
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of France
======================================================================
@Romania
-------
Map
---
Location: 46 00 N, 25 00 E -- Southeastern Europe, bordering the
Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Ukraine
Flag
----
Description: three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side),
yellow, and red; the national coat of arms that used to be centered
in the yellow band has been removed; now similar to the flags of
Andorra and Chad
Geography
---------
Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between
Bulgaria and Ukraine
Geographic coordinates: 46 00 N, 25 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area:
total area: 237,500 sq km
land area: 230,340 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Oregon
Land boundaries:
total: 2,508 km
border countries: Bulgaria 608 km, Hungary 443 km, Moldova 450 km,
Serbia and Montenegro 476 km (all with Serbia), Ukraine (north) 362
km, Ukraine (south) 169 km
Coastline: 225 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: certain territory of Moldova and Ukraine -
including Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina - are considered by
Bucharest as historically a part of Romania; this territory was
incorporated into the former Soviet Union following the
Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact in 1940
Climate: temperate; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow and
fog; sunny summers with frequent showers and thunderstorms
Terrain: central Transylvanian Basin is separated from the Plain
of Moldavia on the east by the Carpathian Mountains and separated
from the Walachian Plain on the south by the Transylvanian Alps
lowest point: Black Sea 0 m
highest point: Moldoveanu 2,544 m
Natural resources: petroleum (reserves declining), timber, natural
gas, coal, iron ore, salt
Land use:
arable land: 43%
permanent crops: 3%
meadows and pastures: 19%
forest and woodland: 28%
other: 7%
Irrigated land: 34,500 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: soil erosion and degradation; water pollution; air
pollution in south from industrial effluents; contamination of
Danube delta wetlands
natural hazards: earthquakes most severe in south and southwest;
geologic structure and climate promote landslides
international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Antarctic
Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species,
Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban,
Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands; signed, but not
ratified - Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Law of the Sea
Geographic note: controls most easily traversable land route
between the Balkans, Moldova, and Ukraine
People
------
Population: 21,657,162 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 20% (male 2,180,023; female 2,088,496)
15-64 years: 68% (male 7,261,160; female 7,393,531)
65 years and over: 12% (male 1,138,583; female 1,595,369) (July 1996
est.)
Population growth rate: -1.21% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 9.77 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 12.27 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -9.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.96 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 23.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 69.42 years
male: 65.51 years
female: 73.57 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.25 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Romanian(s)
adjective: Romanian
Ethnic divisions: Romanian 89.1%, Hungarian 8.9%, German 0.4%,
Ukrainian, Serb, Croat, Russian, Turk, and Gypsy 1.6%
Religions: Romanian Orthodox 70%, Roman Catholic 6% (of which 3%
are Uniate), Protestant 6%, unaffiliated 18%
Languages: Romanian, Hungarian, German
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1992 est.)
total population: 97%
male: 98%
female: 95%
Government
----------
Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Romania
local long form: none
local short form: Romania
Data code: RO
Type of government: republic
Capital: Bucharest
Administrative divisions: 40 counties (judete, singular - judet)
and 1 municipality* (municipiu); Alba, Arad, Arges, Bacau, Bihor,
Bistrita-Nasaud, Botosani, Braila, Brasov, Bucuresti*, Buzau,
Calarasi, Caras-Severin, Cluj, Constanta, Covasna, Dimbovita, Dolj,
Galati, Gorj, Giurgiu, Harghita, Hunedoara, Ialomita, Iasi,
Maramures, Mehedinti, Mures, Neamt, Olt, Prahova, Salaj, Satu Mare,
Sibiu, Suceava, Teleorman, Timis, Tulcea, Vaslui, Vilcea, Vrancea
Independence: 1881 (from Turkey; republic proclaimed 30 December
1947)
National holiday: National Day of Romania, 1 December (1990)
Constitution: 8 December 1991
Legal system: former mixture of civil law system and communist
legal theory; is now based on the Constitution of France's Fifth
Republic
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Ion ILIESCU (since 20 June 1990,
previously President of Provisional Council of National Unity since
23 December 1989) was elected for a four-year term by universal
suffrage; election last held 27 September 1992, with runoff between
top two candidates on 11 October 1992 (next to be held NA 1996);
results - Ion ILIESCU 61.4%, Emil CONSTANTINESCU 38.6%
head of government: Prime Minister Nicolae VACAROIU (since NA
November 1992) was appointed by the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the prime minister
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament
Senate (Senat): elections last held 27 September 1992 (next to be
held NA 1996); results - PSDR 34.3%, CDR 18.2%, DP-FSN 12.6%, others
34.9%; seats - (143 total) PSDR 49, CDR 26, DP-FSN 18, PUNR 13, UDMR
12, PRM 6, PAC 6, PDAR 5, PSM 5, PL-93 2, other 1
House of Deputies (Adunarea Deputatilor): elections last held 27
September 1992 (next to be held NA 1996); results - PSDR 34.0%, CDR
16.4%, DP-FSN 12.3%, others 37.3%; seats - (341 total) PSDR 116, CDR
56, DP-FSN 42, PUNR 29, UDMR 27, PL-93 19, PRM 15, PSM 13, PAC 5,
other 19
Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice, judges are appointed by
the president on recommendation of the Superior Council of
Magistrates
Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party (DP-FSN), Petre
ROMAN; Social Democratic Party of Romania (PSDR), Adrian NASTASE;
Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR), Bela MARKO;
National Liberal Party (PNL), Mircea IONESCU-QUINTUS; National
Peasants' Christian and Democratic Party (PNTCD), Ion DIACONESCU;
Romanian National Unity Party (PUNR), Gheorghe FUNAR; Socialist
Labor Party (PSM), Ilie VERDET; Agrarian Democratic Party of Romania
(PDAR), Victor SURDU; The Democratic Convention (CDR), Emil
CONSTANTINESCU; Romania Mare Party (PRM), Corneliu Vadim TUDOR;
Civic Alliance Party (PAC), Nicolae MANOLESCU, chairman; Liberal
Party 1993 (PL-93)
note: numerous other small parties exist but almost all failed to
gain representation in the most recent election
Other political or pressure groups: various human rights and
professional associations
International organization participation: ACCT, BIS, BSEC, CCC,
CE, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, G- 9, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,
ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarset, Intelsat,
Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NACC, NAM (guest), NSG, OAS
(observer), OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNAVEM III, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,
UNIKOM, UPU, WCL, WEU (associate partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,
WToO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Mircea Dan GEOANA
chancery: 1607 23rd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 332-4846, 4848, 4851
FAX: [1] (202) 232-4748
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Alfred H. MOSES
embassy: Strada Tudor Arghezi 7-9, Bucharest
mailing address: American Consulate General (Bucharest), Unit 1315,
APO AE 09213-1315
telephone: [40] (1) 210 01 49, 210 40 42
FAX: [40] (1) 210 03 95
branch office: Cluj-Napoca
Flag: three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and
red; the national coat of arms that used to be centered in the
yellow band has been removed; now similar to the flags of Andorra
and Chad
Economy
-------