petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, bauxite, other
minerals, hydropower, diamonds
Vietnam
phosphates, coal, manganese, bauxite, chromate, offshore oil
and gas deposits, forests, hydropower
Virgin Islands
sun, sand, sea, surf
Wake Island
none
Wallis and Futuna
NEGL
West Bank
arable land
Western Sahara
phosphates, iron ore
World
the rapid depletion of nonrenewable mineral resources, the
depletion of forest areas and wetlands, the extinction of animal and
plant species, and the deterioration in air and water quality
(especially in Eastern Europe, the former USSR, and China) pose
serious long-term problems that governments and peoples are only
beginning to address
Yemen
petroleum, fish, rock salt, marble, small deposits of coal,
gold, lead, nickel, and copper, fertile soil in west
Zambia
copper, cobalt, zinc, lead, coal, emeralds, gold, silver,
uranium, hydropower
Zimbabwe
coal, chromium ore, asbestos, gold, nickel, copper, iron
ore, vanadium, lithium, tin, platinum group metals
This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005
======================================================================
@2112 Net migration rate (migrant(s)/1,000 population)
Afghanistan
21.43 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Albania
-4.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Algeria
-0.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
American Samoa
-20.89 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Andorra
6.53 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Angola
0.28 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Anguilla
8.83 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Antigua and Barbuda
-6.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Argentina
0.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Armenia
-6.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Aruba
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Australia
3.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Austria
1.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Azerbaijan
-4.64 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Bahamas, The
-2.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Bahrain
1.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Bangladesh
-0.69 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Barbados
-0.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Belarus
2.42 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Belgium
1.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Belize
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Benin
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Bermuda
2.45 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Bhutan
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Bolivia
-1.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Bosnia and Herzegovina
0.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Botswana
6.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Brazil
-0.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
British Virgin Islands
10.01 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Brunei
3.45 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Bulgaria
-4.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Burkina Faso
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Burma
-1.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Burundi
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Cambodia
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Cameroon
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Canada
5.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Cape Verde
-11.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Cayman Islands
18.25 migrant(s)/1,000 population
note: major destination for Cubans trying to migrate to the US (2005
est.)
Central African Republic
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Chad
-0.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Chile
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
China
-0.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Christmas Island
NA
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
NA
Colombia
-0.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Comoros
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
-0.17 migrant(s)/1,000 population
note: fighting between the Congolese Government and Uganda- and
Rwanda-backed Congolese rebels spawned a regional war in DROC in
August 1998, which left 1.8 million Congolese internally displaced
and caused 300,000 Congolese refugees to flee to surrounding
countries (2005 est.)
Congo, Republic of the
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Costa Rica
0.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Cote d'Ivoire
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Croatia
1.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Cuba
-1.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Cyprus
0.43 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Czech Republic
0.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Denmark
2.53 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Djibouti
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Dominica
-11.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Dominican Republic
-3.02 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
East Timor
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Ecuador
-6.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Egypt
-0.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
El Salvador
-3.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Equatorial Guinea
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Eritrea
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population
note: UNHCR began repatriating about 150,000 Eritrean refugees from
Sudan in 2001 following the restoration of diplomatic relations
between the two countries in 2000 (2005 est.)
Estonia
-3.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Ethiopia
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population
note: repatriation of Ethiopians who fled to Sudan for refuge from
war and famine in earlier years is expected to continue for several
years; some Sudanese and Somali refugees, who fled to Ethiopia from
the fighting or famine in their own countries, continue to return to
their homes (2005 est.)
European Union
1.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (July 2005 est.)
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
NA migrant(s)/1,000 population
(2005 est.)
Faroe Islands
0.94 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Fiji
-3.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Finland
0.89 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
France
0.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
French Guiana
5.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
French Polynesia
2.89 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Gabon
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Gambia, The
1.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Gaza Strip
1.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Georgia
-4.62 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Germany
2.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Ghana
-0.59 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Gibraltar
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Greece
2.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Greenland
-8.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Grenada
-13.25 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Guadeloupe
-0.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Guam
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Guatemala
-1.63 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Guernsey
3.83 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Guinea
-2.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population
note: as a result of conflict in neighboring countries, Guinea is
host to approximately 150,000 Liberian and Sierra Leonean refugees
(2005 est.)
Guinea-Bissau
-1.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Guyana
-7.51 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Haiti
-1.68 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Honduras
-1.95 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Hong Kong
5.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Hungary
0.86 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Iceland
2.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
India
-0.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Indonesia
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Iran
-2.64 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Iraq
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Ireland
4.93 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Israel
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Italy
2.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Jamaica
-4.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Japan
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Jersey
2.75 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Jordan
6.42 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Kazakhstan
-3.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Kenya
0.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population
note: according to UNHCR, by the end of 2001 Kenya was host to
220,000 refugees from neighboring countries, including: Somalia
145,000 and Sudan 68,000 (2005 est.)
Kiribati
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Korea, North
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Korea, South
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Kuwait
14.96 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Kyrgyzstan
-2.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Laos
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Latvia
-2.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Lebanon
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Lesotho
-0.74 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Liberia
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population
note: at least 200,000 Liberian refugees are in surrounding
countries; the uncertain security situation has hindered their
ability to return (2005 est.)
Libya
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Liechtenstein
4.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Lithuania
-0.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Luxembourg
8.86 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Macau
4.86 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Macedonia
-0.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Madagascar
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Malawi
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Malaysia
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population
note: does not reflect net flow of an unknown number of illegal
immigrants from other countries in the region (2005 est.)
Maldives
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Mali
-0.33 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Malta
2.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Man, Isle of
5.33 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Marshall Islands
-5.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Martinique
-0.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Mauritania
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Mauritius
-0.41 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Mayotte
5.62 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Mexico
-4.57 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Micronesia, Federated States of
-21.01 migrant(s)/1,000 population
(2005 est.)
Moldova
-0.25 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Monaco
7.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Mongolia
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Montserrat
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Morocco
-0.92 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Mozambique
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Namibia
0.52 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Nauru
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Nepal
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Netherlands
2.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Netherlands Antilles
-0.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
New Caledonia
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
New Zealand
3.83 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Nicaragua
-1.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Niger
-0.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Nigeria
0.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Niue
NA migrant(s)/1,000 population
Norfolk Island
NA
Northern Mariana Islands
8.92 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Norway
1.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Oman
0.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Pakistan
-1.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Palau
2.36 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Panama
-0.86 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Papua New Guinea
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Paraguay
-0.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Peru
-1.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Philippines
-1.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Pitcairn Islands
NA
Poland
-0.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Portugal
3.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Puerto Rico
-1.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Qatar
15.17 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Reunion
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Romania
-0.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Russia
1.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Rwanda
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Saint Helena
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Saint Kitts and Nevis
-5.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Saint Lucia
-2.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
-4.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005
est.)
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
-7.61 migrant(s)/1,000 population
(2005 est.)
Samoa
-11.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
San Marino
10.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Sao Tome and Principe
-2.51 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Saudi Arabia
-3.85 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Senegal
0.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Serbia and Montenegro
-1.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Seychelles
-5.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Sierra Leone
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population
note: refugees currently in surrounding countries are slowly
returning (2005 est.)
Singapore
10.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Slovakia
0.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Slovenia
1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Solomon Islands
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Somalia
5.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
South Africa
-0.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Spain
0.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Sri Lanka
-1.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Sudan
-0.02 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Suriname
-8.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Svalbard
NA migrant(s)/1,000 population
Swaziland
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Sweden
1.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Switzerland
3.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Syria
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Taiwan
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Tajikistan
-2.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Tanzania
-3.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Thailand
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Togo
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Tokelau
NA
Tonga
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Trinidad and Tobago
-10.87 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Tunisia
-0.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Turkey
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Turkmenistan
-0.81 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Turks and Caicos Islands
11.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005
est.)
Tuvalu
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Uganda
-1.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Ukraine
-0.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
United Arab Emirates
0.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
United Kingdom
2.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
United States
3.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Uruguay
-0.28 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Uzbekistan
-1.61 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Vanuatu
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Venezuela
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Vietnam
-0.43 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Virgin Islands
-8.64 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Wallis and Futuna
NA migrant(s)/1,000 population
note: there has been steady emigration from Wallis and Futuna to New
Caledonia (2005 est.)
West Bank
2.88 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Yemen
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Zambia
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Zimbabwe
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population negligible migrant(s)/1,000
population
note: there is an increasing flow of Zimbabweans into South Africa
and Botswana in search of better economic opportunities (2005 est.)
This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005
======================================================================
@2113 Geography - note
Afghanistan
landlocked; the Hindu Kush mountains that run northeast
to southwest divide the northern provinces from the rest of the
country; the highest peaks are in the northern Vakhan (Wakhan
Corridor)
Akrotiri
British extraterritorial rights also extended to several
small off-post sites scattered across Cyprus
Albania
strategic location along Strait of Otranto (links Adriatic
Sea to Ionian Sea and Mediterranean Sea)
Algeria
second-largest country in Africa (after Sudan)
American Samoa
Pago Pago has one of the best natural deepwater
harbors in the South Pacific Ocean, sheltered by shape from rough
seas and protected by peripheral mountains from high winds;
strategic location in the South Pacific Ocean
Andorra
landlocked; straddles a number of important crossroads in
the Pyrenees
Angola
the province of Cabinda is an exclave, separated from the
rest of the country by the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Anguilla
the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser
Antilles
Antarctica
the coldest, windiest, highest (on average), and driest
continent; during summer, more solar radiation reaches the surface
at the South Pole than is received at the Equator in an equivalent
period; mostly uninhabitable
Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua has a deeply indented shoreline with
many natural harbors and beaches; Barbuda has a very large western
harbor
Arctic Ocean
major chokepoint is the southern Chukchi Sea (northern
access to the Pacific Ocean via the Bering Strait); strategic
location between North America and Russia; shortest marine link
between the extremes of eastern and western Russia; floating
research stations operated by the US and Russia; maximum snow cover
in March or April about 20 to 50 centimeters over the frozen ocean;
snow cover lasts about 10 months
Argentina
second-largest country in South America (after Brazil);
strategic location relative to sea lanes between the South Atlantic
and the South Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel,
Drake Passage); Cerro Aconcagua is South America's tallest mountain,
while Laguna del Carbon is the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere
Armenia
landlocked in the Lesser Caucasus Mountains; Sevana Lich
(Lake Sevan) is the largest lake in this mountain range
Aruba
a flat, riverless island renowned for its white sand beaches;
its tropical climate is moderated by constant trade winds from the
Atlantic Ocean; the temperature is almost constant at about 27
degrees Celsius (81 degrees Fahrenheit)
Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve
established in August 1983
Atlantic Ocean
major chokepoints include the Dardanelles, Strait of
Gibraltar, access to the Panama and Suez Canals; strategic straits
include the Strait of Dover, Straits of Florida, Mona Passage, The
Sound (Oresund), and Windward Passage; the Equator divides the
Atlantic Ocean into the North Atlantic Ocean and South Atlantic Ocean
Australia
world's smallest continent but sixth-largest country;
population concentrated along the eastern and southeastern coasts;
the invigorating tropical sea breeze known as the "Fremantle Doctor"
affects the city of Perth on the west coast, and is one of the most
consistent winds in the world
Austria
landlocked; strategic location at the crossroads of central
Europe with many easily traversable Alpine passes and valleys; major
river is the Danube; population is concentrated on eastern lowlands
because of steep slopes, poor soils, and low temperatures elsewhere
Azerbaijan
both the main area of the country and the Naxcivan
exclave are landlocked
Bahamas, The
strategic location adjacent to US and Cuba; extensive
island chain of which 30 are inhabited
Bahrain
close to primary Middle Eastern petroleum sources; strategic
location in Persian Gulf, through which much of the Western world's
petroleum must transit to reach open ocean
Baker Island
treeless, sparse, and scattered vegetation consisting
of grasses, prostrate vines, and low growing shrubs; primarily a
nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds,
and marine wildlife
Bangladesh
most of the country is situated on deltas of large rivers
flowing from the Himalayas: the Ganges unites with the Jamuna (main
channel of the Brahmaputra) and later joins the Meghna to eventually
empty into the Bay of Bengal
Barbados
easternmost Caribbean island
Bassas da India
the islands emerge from a circular reef that sits
atop a long-extinct, submerged volcano
Belarus
landlocked; glacial scouring accounts for the flatness of
Belarusian terrain and for its 11,000 lakes; the country is
geologically well endowed with extensive deposits of granite,
dolomitic limestone, marl, chalk, sand, gravel, and clay
Belgium
crossroads of Western Europe; majority of West European
capitals within 1,000 km of Brussels, the seat of both the European
Union and NATO
Belize
only country in Central America without a coastline on the
North Pacific Ocean
Benin
sandbanks create difficult access to a coast with no natural
harbors, river mouths, or islands
Bermuda
consists of about 138 coral islands and islets with ample
rainfall, but no rivers or freshwater lakes; some land was leased by
US Government from 1941 to 1995
Bhutan
landlocked; strategic location between China and India;
controls several key Himalayan mountain passes
Bolivia
landlocked; shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest
navigable lake (elevation 3,805 m), with Peru
Bosnia and Herzegovina
within Bosnia and Herzegovina's recognized
borders, the country is divided into a joint Bosniak/Croat
Federation (about 51% of the territory) and the Bosnian Serb-led
Republika Srpska or RS (about 49% of the territory); the region
called Herzegovina is contiguous to Croatia and Serbia and
Montenegro (Montenegro), and traditionally has been settled by an
ethnic Croat majority in the west and an ethnic Serb majority in the
east
Botswana
landlocked; population concentrated in eastern part of the
country
Bouvet Island
covered by glacial ice; declared a nature reserve
Brazil
largest country in South America; shares common boundaries
with every South American country except Chile and Ecuador
British Indian Ocean Territory
archipelago of 2,300 islands; Diego
Garcia, largest and southernmost island, occupies strategic location
in central Indian Ocean; island is site of joint US-UK military
facility
British Virgin Islands
strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and
Puerto Rico
Brunei
close to vital sea lanes through South China Sea linking
Indian and Pacific Oceans; two parts physically separated by
Malaysia; almost an enclave of Malaysia
Bulgaria
strategic location near Turkish Straits; controls key land
routes from Europe to Middle East and Asia
Burkina Faso
landlocked savanna cut by the three principal rivers of
the Black, Red, and White Voltas
Burma
strategic location near major Indian Ocean shipping lanes
Burundi
landlocked; straddles crest of the Nile-Congo watershed; the
Kagera, which drains into Lake Victoria, is the most remote
headstream of the White Nile
Cambodia
a land of paddies and forests dominated by the Mekong River
and Tonle Sap
Cameroon
sometimes referred to as the hinge of Africa; throughout
the country there are areas of thermal springs and indications of
current or prior volcanic activity; Mount Cameroon, the highest
mountain in Sub-Saharan west Africa, is an active volcano
Canada
second-largest country in world (after Russia); strategic
location between Russia and US via north polar route; approximately
90% of the population is concentrated within 160 km of the US border
Cape Verde
strategic location 500 km from west coast of Africa near
major north-south sea routes; important communications station;
important sea and air refueling site
Cayman Islands
important location between Cuba and Central America
Central African Republic
landlocked; almost the precise center of
Africa
Chad
landlocked; Lake Chad is the most significant water body in the
Sahel
Chile
strategic location relative to sea lanes between Atlantic and
Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Drake Passage);
Atacama Desert is one of world's driest regions
China
world's fourth largest country (after Russia, Canada, and US);
Mount Everest on the border with Nepal is the world's tallest peak
Christmas Island
located along major sea lanes of Indian Ocean
Clipperton Island
reef 12 km in circumference
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
islands are thickly covered with coconut
palms and other vegetation
Colombia
only South American country with coastlines on both the
North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea
Comoros
important location at northern end of Mozambique Channel
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
straddles equator; has very narrow
strip of land that controls the lower Congo River and is only outlet
to South Atlantic Ocean; dense tropical rain forest in central river
basin and eastern highlands
Congo, Republic of the
about 70% of the population lives in
Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, or along the railroad between them
Cook Islands
the northern Cook Islands are seven low-lying, sparsely
populated, coral atolls; the southern Cook Islands consist of eight
elevated, fertile, volcanic isles where most of the populace lives
Coral Sea Islands
important nesting area for birds and turtles
Costa Rica
four volcanoes, two of them active, rise near the capital
of San Jose in the center of the country; one of the volcanoes,
Irazu, erupted destructively in 1963-65
Cote d'Ivoire
most of the inhabitants live along the sandy coastal
region; apart from the capital area, the forested interior is
sparsely populated
Croatia
controls most land routes from Western Europe to Aegean Sea
and Turkish Straits
Cuba
largest country in Caribbean and westernmost island of the
Greater Antilles
Cyprus
the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea (after
Sicily and Sardinia)
Czech Republic
landlocked; strategically located astride some of
oldest and most significant land routes in Europe; Moravian Gate is
a traditional military corridor between the North European Plain and
the Danube in central Europe
Denmark
controls Danish Straits (Skagerrak and Kattegat) linking
Baltic and North Seas; about one-quarter of the population lives in
greater Copenhagen
Dhekelia
British extraterritorial rights also extended to several
small off-post sites scattered across Cyprus
Djibouti
strategic location near world's busiest shipping lanes and
close to Arabian oilfields; terminus of rail traffic into Ethiopia;
mostly wasteland; Lac Assal (Lake Assal) is the lowest point in
Africa
Dominica
known as "The Nature Island of the Caribbean" due to its
spectacular, lush, and varied flora and fauna, which are protected
by an extensive natural park system; the most mountainous of the
Lesser Antilles, its volcanic peaks are cones of lava craters and
include Boiling Lake, the second-largest, thermally active lake in
the world
Dominican Republic
shares island of Hispaniola with Haiti
East Timor
Timor comes from the Malay word for "East"; the island of
Timor is part of the Malay Archipelago and is the largest and
easternmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands
Ecuador
Cotopaxi in Andes is highest active volcano in world
Egypt
controls Sinai Peninsula, only land bridge between Africa and
remainder of Eastern Hemisphere; controls Suez Canal, a sea link
between Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea; size, and juxtaposition
to Israel, establish its major role in Middle Eastern geopolitics;
dependence on upstream neighbors; dominance of Nile basin issues;
prone to influxes of refugees
El Salvador
smallest Central American country and only one without a
coastline on Caribbean Sea
Equatorial Guinea
insular and continental regions rather widely
separated
Eritrea
strategic geopolitical position along world's busiest
shipping lanes; Eritrea retained the entire coastline of Ethiopia
along the Red Sea upon de jure independence from Ethiopia on 24 May
1993
Estonia
the mainland terrain is flat, boggy, and partly wooded;
offshore lie more than 1,500 islands
Ethiopia
landlocked - entire coastline along the Red Sea was lost
with the de jure independence of Eritrea on 24 May 1993; the Blue
Nile, the chief headstream of the Nile by water volume, rises in
T'ana Hayk (Lake Tana) in northwest Ethiopia; three major crops are
believed to have originated in Ethiopia: coffee, grain sorghum, and
castor bean
Europa Island
wildlife sanctuary
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
deeply indented coast provides
good natural harbors; short growing season
Faroe Islands
archipelago of 17 inhabited islands and one
uninhabited island, and a few uninhabited islets; strategically
located along important sea lanes in northeastern Atlantic;
precipitous terrain limits habitation to small coastal lowlands
Fiji
includes 332 islands of which approximately 110 are inhabited
Finland
long boundary with Russia; Helsinki is northernmost national
capital on European continent; population concentrated on small
southwestern coastal plain
France
largest West European nation
French Guiana
mostly an unsettled wilderness; the only
non-independent portion of the South American continent
French Polynesia
includes five archipelagoes (4 volcanic, 1 coral);
Makatea in French Polynesia is one of the three great phosphate rock
islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (Ocean Island)
in Kiribati and Nauru
French Southern and Antarctic Lands
islands component is widely
scattered across remote locations in the southern Indian Ocean
Gabon
a small population and oil and mineral reserves have helped
Gabon become one of Africa's wealthier countries; in general, these
circumstances have allowed the country to maintain and conserve its
pristine rain forest and rich biodiversity
Gambia, The
almost an enclave of Senegal; smallest country on the
continent of Africa
Gaza Strip
there are 25 Israeli settlements and civilian land use
sites in the Gaza Strip (February 2002 est.)
Georgia
strategically located east of the Black Sea; Georgia
controls much of the Caucasus Mountains and the routes through them
Germany
strategic location on North European Plain and along the
entrance to the Baltic Sea
Ghana
Lake Volta is the world's largest artificial lake
Gibraltar
strategic location on Strait of Gibraltar that links the
North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea
Glorioso Islands
the islands and rocks are surrounded by an
extensive reef system
Greece
strategic location dominating the Aegean Sea and southern
approach to Turkish Straits; a peninsular country, possessing an
archipelago of about 2,000 islands
Greenland
dominates North Atlantic Ocean between North America and
Europe; sparse population confined to small settlements along coast,
but close to one-quarter of the population lives in the capital,
Nuuk; world's second largest ice cap
Grenada
the administration of the islands of the Grenadines group is
divided between Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada
Guadeloupe
a narrow channel, the Riviere Salee, divides Guadeloupe
proper into two islands: the larger, western Basse-Terre and the
smaller, eastern Grande-Terre
Guam
largest and southernmost island in the Mariana Islands
archipelago; strategic location in western North Pacific Ocean
Guatemala
no natural harbors on west coast
Guernsey
large, deepwater harbor at Saint Peter Port
Guinea
the Niger and its important tributary the Milo have their
sources in the Guinean highlands
Guinea-Bissau
this small country is swampy along its western coast
and low-lying further inland
Guyana
the third-smallest country in South America after Suriname
and Uruguay; substantial portions of its western and eastern
territories are claimed by Venezuela and Suriname respectively
Haiti
shares island of Hispaniola with Dominican Republic (western
one-third is Haiti, eastern two-thirds is the Dominican Republic)
Holy See (Vatican City)
urban; landlocked; enclave in Rome, Italy;
world's smallest state; outside the Vatican City, 13 buildings in
Rome and Castel Gandolfo (the pope's summer residence) enjoy
extraterritorial rights
Honduras
has only a short Pacific coast but a long Caribbean
shoreline, including the virtually uninhabited eastern Mosquito Coast
Hong Kong
more than 200 islands
Howland Island
almost totally covered with grasses, prostrate vines,
and low-growing shrubs; small area of trees in the center; primarily
a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds,
and marine wildlife
Hungary
landlocked; strategic location astride main land routes
between Western Europe and Balkan Peninsula as well as between
Ukraine and Mediterranean basin; the north-south flowing Duna
(Danube) and Tisza Rivers divide the country into three large regions
Iceland
strategic location between Greenland and Europe; westernmost
European country; Reykjavik is the northernmost national capital in
the world; more land covered by glaciers than in all of continental
Europe
India
dominates South Asian subcontinent; near important Indian
Ocean trade routes
Indian Ocean
major chokepoints include Bab el Mandeb, Strait of
Hormuz, Strait of Malacca, southern access to the Suez Canal, and
the Lombok Strait
Indonesia
archipelago of 17,508 islands (6,000 inhabited); straddles
equator; strategic location astride or along major sea lanes from
Indian Ocean to Pacific Ocean
Iran
strategic location on the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz,
which are vital maritime pathways for crude oil transport
Iraq
strategic location on Shatt al Arab waterway and at the head of
the Persian Gulf
Ireland
strategic location on major air and sea routes between North
America and northern Europe; over 40% of the population resides
within 100 km of Dublin
Israel
there are 242 Israeli settlements and civilian land use sites
in the West Bank, 42 in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, 25 in
the Gaza Strip, and 29 in East Jerusalem (February 2002 est.); Sea
of Galilee is an important freshwater source
Italy
strategic location dominating central Mediterranean as well as
southern sea and air approaches to Western Europe
Jamaica
strategic location between Cayman Trench and Jamaica
Channel, the main sea lanes for the Panama Canal
Jan Mayen
barren volcanic island with some moss and grass
Japan
strategic location in northeast Asia
Jarvis Island
sparse bunch grass, prostrate vines, and low-growing
shrubs; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for
seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife
Jersey
largest and southernmost of Channel Islands; about 30% of
population concentrated in Saint Helier
Johnston Atoll
strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean;
Johnston Island and Sand Island are natural islands, which have been
expanded by coral dredging; North Island (Akau) and East Island
(Hikina) are manmade islands formed from coral dredging; the
egg-shaped reef is 34 km in circumference; closed to the public; a
former US nuclear weapons test site; site of now-closed Johnston
Atoll Chemical Agent Disposal System (JACADS); most facilities
dismantled and cleanup complete in 2004; some low-growing vegetation
Jordan
strategic location at the head of the Gulf of Aqaba and as
the Arab country that shares the longest border with Israel and the
occupied West Bank
Juan de Nova Island
wildlife sanctuary
Kazakhstan
landlocked; Russia leases approximately 6,000 sq km of
territory enclosing the Baykonur Cosmodrome; in January 2004,
Kazakhstan and Russia extended the lease to 2050
Kenya
the Kenyan Highlands comprise one of the most successful
agricultural production regions in Africa; glaciers are found on
Mount Kenya, Africa's second highest peak; unique physiography
supports abundant and varied wildlife of scientific and economic
value
Kingman Reef
barren coral atoll with deep interior lagoon; closed to
the public
Kiribati
21 of the 33 islands are inhabited; Banaba (Ocean Island)
in Kiribati is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the
Pacific Ocean - the others are Makatea in French Polynesia, and Nauru
Korea, North
strategic location bordering China, South Korea, and
Russia; mountainous interior is isolated and sparsely populated
Korea, South
strategic location on Korea Strait
Kuwait
strategic location at head of Persian Gulf
Kyrgyzstan
landlocked; entirely mountainous, dominated by the Tien
Shan range; many tall peaks, glaciers, and high-altitude lakes
Laos
landlocked; most of the country is mountainous and thickly
forested; the Mekong River forms a large part of the western
boundary with Thailand
Latvia
most of the country is composed of fertile, low-lying plains,
with some hills in the east
Lebanon
Nahr el Litani only major river in Near East not crossing an
international boundary; rugged terrain historically helped isolate,
protect, and develop numerous factional groups based on religion,
clan, and ethnicity
Lesotho
landlocked, completely surrounded by South Africa;
mountainous, more than 80% of the country is 1,800 meters above sea
level
Liberia
facing the Atlantic Ocean, the coastline is characterized by
lagoons, mangrove swamps, and river-deposited sandbars; the inland
grassy plateau supports limited agriculture
Libya
more than 90% of the country is desert or semidesert
Liechtenstein
along with Uzbekistan, one of only two doubly
landlocked countries in the world; variety of microclimatic
variations based on elevation
Lithuania
fertile central plains are separated by hilly uplands that
are ancient glacial deposits
Luxembourg
landlocked; the only Grand Duchy in the world
Macau
essentially urban; one causeway and two bridges connect the
two islands of Coloane and Taipa to the peninsula on mainland
Macedonia
landlocked; major transportation corridor from Western and
Central Europe to Aegean Sea and Southern Europe to Western Europe
Madagascar
world's fourth-largest island; strategic location along
Mozambique Channel
Malawi
landlocked; Lake Nyasa, some 580 km long, is the country's
most prominent physical feature
Malaysia
strategic location along Strait of Malacca and southern
South China Sea
Maldives
1,190 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls (200 inhabited
islands, plus 80 islands with tourist resorts); archipelago with
strategic location astride and along major sea lanes in Indian Ocean
Mali
landlocked; divided into three natural zones: the southern,
cultivated Sudanese; the central, semiarid Sahelian; and the
northern, arid Saharan
Malta
the country comprises an archipelago, with only the three
largest islands (Malta, Ghawdex or Gozo, and Kemmuna or Comino)
being inhabited; numerous bays provide good harbors; Malta and
Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the
continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil
exploration
Man, Isle of
one small islet, the Calf of Man, lies to the
southwest, and is a bird sanctuary
Marshall Islands
two archipelagic island chains of 30 atolls and
1,152 islands; Bikini and Enewetak are former US nuclear test sites;
Kwajalein, the famous World War II battleground, is now used as a US
missile test range
Martinique
the island is dominated by Mount Pelee, which on 8 May
1902 erupted and completely destroyed the city of Saint Pierre,
killing 30,000 inhabitants
Mauritania
most of the population concentrated in the cities of
Nouakchott and Nouadhibou and along the Senegal River in the
southern part of the country
Mauritius
the main island, from which the country derives its name,
is of volcanic origin and is almost entirely surrounded by coral
reefs
Mayotte
part of Comoro Archipelago; 18 islands
Mexico
strategic location on southern border of US; corn (maize),
one of the world's major grain crops, is thought to have originated
in Mexico
Micronesia, Federated States of
four major island groups totaling
607 islands
Midway Islands
a coral atoll managed as a national wildlife refuge
and open to the public for wildlife-related recreation in the form
of wildlife observation and photography, sport fishing, snorkeling,
and scuba diving; the refuge is temporarily closed for
reorganization at present (2004)
Moldova
landlocked; well endowed with various sedimentary rocks and
minerals including sand, gravel, gypsum, and limestone
Monaco
second-smallest independent state in the world (after Holy
See); almost entirely urban
Mongolia
landlocked; strategic location between China and Russia
Montserrat
the island is entirely volcanic in origin and contains
seven active volcanoes
Morocco
strategic location along Strait of Gibraltar
Mozambique
the Zambezi flows through the north-central and most
fertile part of the country
Namibia
first country in the world to incorporate the protection of
the environment into its constitution; some 14% of the land is
protected, including virtually the entire Namib Desert coastal strip
Nauru
Nauru is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the
Pacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati and
Makatea in French Polynesia; only 53 km south of Equator
Navassa Island
strategic location 160 km south of the US Naval Base
at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; mostly exposed rock but with enough
grassland to support goat herds; dense stands of fig-like trees,
scattered cactus
Nepal
landlocked; strategic location between China and India;
contains eight of world's 10 highest peaks, including Mount Everest
- the world's tallest - on the border with China
Netherlands
located at mouths of three major European rivers (Rhine,
Maas or Meuse, and Schelde)
Netherlands Antilles
the five islands of the Netherlands Antilles
are divided geographically into the Leeward Islands (northern) group
(Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten) and the Windward Islands
(southern) group (Bonaire and Curacao)
New Caledonia
consists of the main island of New Caledonia (one of
the largest in the Pacific Ocean), the archipelago of Iles Loyaute,
and numerous small, sparsely populated islands and atolls
New Zealand
about 80% of the population lives in cities; Wellington
is the southernmost national capital in the world
Nicaragua
largest country in Central America; contains the largest
freshwater body in Central America, Lago de Nicaragua
Niger
landlocked; one of the hottest countries in the world:
northern four-fifths is desert, southern one-fifth is savanna,
suitable for livestock and limited agriculture
Nigeria
the Niger enters the country in the northwest and flows
southward through tropical rain forests and swamps to its delta in
the Gulf of Guinea
Niue
one of world's largest coral islands
Norfolk Island
most of the 32-km coastline consists of almost
inaccessible cliffs, but the land slopes down to the sea in one
small southern area on Sydney Bay, where the capital of Kingston is
situated
Northern Mariana Islands
strategic location in the North Pacific
Ocean
Norway
about two-thirds mountains; some 50,000 islands off its much
indented coastline; strategic location adjacent to sea lanes and air
routes in North Atlantic; one of most rugged and longest coastlines
in world
Oman
strategic location on Musandam Peninsula adjacent to Strait of
Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil
Pacific Ocean
the major chokepoints are the Bering Strait, Panama
Canal, Luzon Strait, and the Singapore Strait; the Equator divides
the Pacific Ocean into the North Pacific Ocean and the South Pacific
Ocean; dotted with low coral islands and rugged volcanic islands in
the southwestern Pacific Ocean
Pakistan
controls Khyber Pass and Bolan Pass, traditional invasion
routes between Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent
Palau
westernmost archipelago in the Caroline chain, consists of six
island groups totaling more than 300 islands; includes World War II
battleground of Beliliou (Peleliu) and world-famous rock islands
Palmyra Atoll
about 50 islets covered with dense vegetation, coconut
trees, and balsa-like trees up to 30 meters tall
Panama
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
Papua New Guinea
shares island of New Guinea with Indonesia; one of
world's largest swamps along southwest coast
Paracel Islands
composed of 130 small coral islands and reefs
divided into the northeast Amphitrite Group and the western Crescent
Group
Paraguay
landlocked; lies between Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil;
population concentrated in southern part of country
Peru
shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigable
lake, with Bolivia; a remote slope of Nevado Mismi, a 5,316 m peak,
is the ultimate source of the Amazon River
Philippines
the Philippine archipelago is made up of 7,107 islands;
favorably located in relation to many of Southeast Asia's main water
bodies: the South China Sea, Philippine Sea, Sulu Sea, Celebes Sea,
and Luzon Strait
Pitcairn Islands
Britain's most isolated dependency; only the larger
island of Pitcairn is inhabited but it has no port or natural
harbor; supplies must be transported by rowed longboat from larger
ships stationed offshore
Poland
historically, an area of conflict because of flat terrain and
the lack of natural barriers on the North European Plain
Portugal
Azores and Madeira Islands occupy strategic locations along
western sea approaches to Strait of Gibraltar
Puerto Rico
important location along the Mona Passage - a key
shipping lane to the Panama Canal; San Juan is one of the biggest
and best natural harbors in the Caribbean; many small rivers and
high central mountains ensure land is well watered; south coast
relatively dry; fertile coastal plain belt in north
Qatar
strategic location in central Persian Gulf near major
petroleum deposits
Reunion
this mountainous, volcanic island has an active volcano,
Piton de la Fournaise; there is a tropical cyclone center at
Saint-Denis, which is the monitoring station for the whole of the
Indian Ocean
Romania
controls most easily traversable land route between the
Balkans, Moldova, and Ukraine
Russia
largest country in the world in terms of area but unfavorably
located in relation to major sea lanes of the world; despite its
size, much of the country lacks proper soils and climates (either
too cold or too dry) for agriculture; Mount El'brus is Europe's
tallest peak
Rwanda
landlocked; most of the country is savanna grassland with the
population predominantly rural
Saint Helena
harbors at least 40 species of plants unknown anywhere
else in the world; Ascension is a breeding ground for sea turtles
and sooty terns
Saint Kitts and Nevis
with coastlines in the shape of a baseball bat
and ball, the two volcanic islands are separated by a three-km-wide
channel called The Narrows; on the southern tip of long, baseball
bat-shaped Saint Kitts lies the Great Salt Pond; Nevis Peak sits in
the center of its almost circular namesake island and its ball shape
complements that of its sister island
Saint Lucia
the twin Pitons (Gros Piton and Petit Piton), striking
cone-shaped peaks south of Soufriere, are one of the scenic natural
highlights of the Caribbean
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
vegetation scanty
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
the administration of the islands
of the Grenadines group is divided between Saint Vincent and the
Grenadines and Grenada; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is
comprised of 32 islands and cays
Samoa
occupies an almost central position within Polynesia
San Marino
landlocked; smallest independent state in Europe after
the Holy See and Monaco; dominated by the Apennines
Sao Tome and Principe
the smallest country in Africa; the two main
islands form part of a chain of extinct volcanoes and both are
fairly mountainous
Saudi Arabia
extensive coastlines on Persian Gulf and Red Sea
provide great leverage on shipping (especially crude oil) through
Persian Gulf and Suez Canal
Senegal
westernmost country on the African continent; The Gambia is
almost an enclave within Senegal
Serbia and Montenegro
controls one of the major land routes from
Western Europe to Turkey and the Near East; strategic location along
the Adriatic coast
Seychelles
41 granitic and about 75 coralline islands
Sierra Leone
rainfall along the coast can reach 495 cm (195 inches)
a year, making it one of the wettest places along coastal, western
Africa
Singapore
focal point for Southeast Asian sea routes
Slovakia
landlocked; most of the country is rugged and mountainous;
the Tatra Mountains in the north are interspersed with many scenic
lakes and valleys
Slovenia
despite its small size, this eastern Alpine country
controls some of Europe's major transit routes
Solomon Islands
strategic location on sea routes between the South
Pacific Ocean, the Solomon Sea, and the Coral Sea
Somalia
strategic location on Horn of Africa along southern
approaches to Bab el Mandeb and route through Red Sea and Suez Canal
South Africa
South Africa completely surrounds Lesotho and almost
completely surrounds Swaziland
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
the north coast of
South Georgia has several large bays, which provide good anchorage;
reindeer, introduced early in the 20th century, live on South Georgia
Southern Ocean
the major chokepoint is the Drake Passage between
South America and Antarctica; the Polar Front (Antarctic
Convergence) is the best natural definition of the northern extent
of the Southern Ocean; it is a distinct region at the middle of the
Antarctic Circumpolar Current that separates the very cold polar
surface waters to the south from the warmer waters to the north; the
Front and the Current extend entirely around Antarctica, reaching
south of 60 degrees south near New Zealand and near 48 degrees south
in the far South Atlantic coinciding with the path of the maximum
westerly winds
Spain
strategic location along approaches to Strait of Gibraltar
Spratly Islands
strategically located near several primary shipping
lanes in the central South China Sea; includes numerous small
islands, atolls, shoals, and coral reefs
Sri Lanka
strategic location near major Indian Ocean sea lanes
Sudan
largest country in Africa; dominated by the Nile and its
tributaries
Suriname
smallest independent country on South American continent;
mostly tropical rain forest; great diversity of flora and fauna
that, for the most part, is increasingly threatened by new
development; relatively small population, mostly along the coast
Svalbard
northernmost part of the Kingdom of Norway; consists of
nine main islands; glaciers and snowfields cover 60% of the total
area
Swaziland
landlocked; almost completely surrounded by South Africa
Sweden
strategic location along Danish Straits linking Baltic and
North Seas
Switzerland
landlocked; crossroads of northern and southern Europe;
along with southeastern France, northern Italy, and southwestern
Austria, has the highest elevations in the Alps
Syria
there are 42 Israeli settlements and civilian land use sites
in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights (February 2002 est.)
Taiwan
strategic location adjacent to both the Taiwan Strait and the
Luzon Strait
Tajikistan
landlocked; mountainous region dominated by the
Trans-Alay Range in the north and the Pamirs in the southeast;
highest point, Qullai Ismoili Somoni (formerly Communism Peak), was
the tallest mountain in the former USSR
Tanzania
Kilimanjaro is highest point in Africa; bordered by three
of the largest lakes on the continent: Lake Victoria (the world's
second-largest freshwater lake) in the north, Lake Tanganyika (the
world's second deepest) in the west, and Lake Nyasa in the southwest
Thailand
controls only land route from Asia to Malaysia and Singapore
Togo
the country's length allows it to stretch through six distinct
geographic regions; climate varies from tropical to savanna
Tokelau
consists of three atolls, each with a lagoon surrounded by a
number of reef-bound islets of varying length and rising to over
three meters above sea level
Tonga
archipelago of 169 islands (36 inhabited)
Trinidad and Tobago
Pitch Lake, on Trinidad's southwestern coast, is
the world's largest natural reservoir of asphalt
Tromelin Island
climatologically important location for forecasting
cyclones; wildlife sanctuary (seabirds, tortoises)
Tunisia
strategic location in central Mediterranean; Malta and
Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the
continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil
exploration
Turkey
strategic location controlling the Turkish Straits (Bosporus,
Sea of Marmara, Dardanelles) that link Black and Aegean Seas; Mount
Ararat, the legendary landing place of Noah's Ark, is in the far
eastern portion of the country
Turkmenistan
landlocked; the western and central low-lying, desolate
portions of the country make up the great Garagum (Kara-Kum) desert,
which occupies over 80% of the country; eastern part is plateau
Turks and Caicos Islands
about 40 islands (eight inhabited)
Tuvalu
one of the smallest and most remote countries on Earth; six
of the coral atolls - Nanumea, Nui, Vaitupu, Nukufetau, Funafuti,
and Nukulaelae - have lagoons open to the ocean; Nanumaya and Niutao
have landlocked lagoons; Niulakita does not have a lagoon
Uganda
landlocked; fertile, well-watered country with many lakes and
rivers
Ukraine
strategic position at the crossroads between Europe and
Asia; second-largest country in Europe
United Arab Emirates
strategic location along southern approaches to
Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil
United Kingdom
lies near vital North Atlantic sea lanes; only 35 km
from France and now linked by tunnel under the English Channel;
because of heavily indented coastline, no location is more than 125
km from tidal waters
United States
world's third-largest country by size (after Russia
and Canada) and by population (after China and India); Mt. McKinley
is highest point in North America and Death Valley the lowest point
on the continent
Uruguay
second-smallest South American country (after Suriname);
most of the low-lying landscape (three-quarters of the country) is
grassland, ideal for cattle and sheep raising
Uzbekistan
along with Liechtenstein, one of the only two doubly
landlocked countries in the world
Vanuatu
a Y-shaped chain of four main islands and 80 smaller
islands; several of the islands have active volcanoes
Venezuela
on major sea and air routes linking North and South
America; Angel Falls in the Guiana Highlands is the world's highest
waterfall
Vietnam
extending 1,650 km north to south, the country is only 50 km
across at its narrowest point
Virgin Islands
important location along the Anegada Passage - a key
shipping lane for the Panama Canal; Saint Thomas has one of the best
natural deepwater harbors in the Caribbean
Wake Island
strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean; emergency
landing location for transpacific flights
Wallis and Futuna
both island groups have fringing reefs
West Bank
landlocked; highlands are main recharge area for Israel's
coastal aquifers; there are 244 West Bank settlements and 29 East
Jerusalem settlements in addition to at least 20 occupied outposts
(August 2003 est.)
Western Sahara
the waters off the coast are particularly rich
fishing areas
World
the world is now thought to be about 4.55 billion years old,
just about one-third of the 13-billion-year age estimated for the
universe
Yemen
strategic location on Bab el Mandeb, the strait linking the
Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, one of world's most active shipping
lanes
Zambia
landlocked; the Zambezi forms a natural riverine boundary
with Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
landlocked; the Zambezi forms a natural riverine boundary
with Zambia; in full flood (February-April) the massive Victoria
Falls on the river forms the world's largest curtain of falling water
This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005
======================================================================
@2115 Political pressure groups and leaders
Afghanistan
Jamiat-e Islami (Society of Islam) [former President
Burhanuddin RABBANI]; Ittihad-e Islami (Islamic Union for the
Liberation of Afghanistan), [Abdul Rasul SAYYAF]; there are also
small monarchist, communist, and democratic groups
Albania
Confederation of Trade Unions of Albania or KSSH [Kastriot
MUCO]; Front for Albanian National Unification or FBKSH [Gafur
ADILI]; Omonia [Jani JANI]; Union of Independent Trade Unions of
Albania or BSPSH [Gezim KALAJA]
Algeria
The Algerian Human Rights League or LADH or LADDH [Yahia Ali
ABDENOUR]; SOS Disparus [Nacera DUTOUR]; Somoud [Ali MERABET]
American Samoa
NA
Andorra
NA
Angola
Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda or FLEC
[N'zita Henriques TIAGO, Antonio Bento BEMBE]
note: FLEC is waging a small-scale, highly factionalized, armed
struggle for the independence of Cabinda Province
Anguilla
NA
Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua Trades and Labor Union or ATLU [William
ROBINSON]; People's Democratic Movement or PDM [Hugh MARSHALL]
Argentina
Argentine Association of Pharmaceutical Labs (CILFA);
Argentine Industrial Union (manufacturers' association); Argentine
Rural Society (large landowners' association); business
organizations; Central of Argentine Workers or CTA (a radical union
for employed and unemployed workers); General Confederation of Labor
or CGT (Peronist-leaning umbrella labor organization);
Peronist-dominated labor movement; Roman Catholic Church; students
Armenia
Yerkrapah Union [Manvel GRIGORIAN]
Aruba
NA
Austria
Austrian Trade Union Federation (nominally independent but
primarily Socialist) or OeGB; Federal Economic Chamber;
OeVP-oriented League of Austrian Industrialists or VOeI; Roman
Catholic Church, including its chief lay organization, Catholic
Action; three composite leagues of the Austrian People's Party or
OeVP representing business, labor, and farmers and other
non-government organizations in the areas of environment and human
rights
Azerbaijan
Sadval, Lezgin movement; self-proclaimed Armenian
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic; Talysh independence movement; Union of
Pro-Azerbaijani Forces (UPAF)
Bahamas, The
NA
Bahrain
Shi'a activists fomented unrest sporadically in 1994-97,
demanding the return of an elected National Assembly and an end to
unemployment; several small, clandestine leftist and Islamic
fundamentalist groups are active
Bangladesh
NA
Barbados
Barbados Workers Union [Leroy TROTMAN]; Clement Payne Labor
Union [David COMMISSIONG]; People's Progressive Movement [Eric
SEALY]; Worker's Party of Barbados [Dr. George BELLE]
Belarus
NA
Belgium
Christian, Socialist, and Liberal Trade Unions; Federation
of Belgian Industries; numerous other associations representing
bankers, manufacturers, middle-class artisans, and the legal and
medical professions; various organizations represent the cultural
interests of Flanders and Wallonia; various peace groups such as Pax
Christi and groups representing immigrants
Belize
Society for the Promotion of Education and Research or SPEAR
[Adele CATZIM]
Benin
NA
Bermuda
Bermuda Employer's Union [Eddie SAINTS]; Bermuda Industrial
Union or BIU [Derrick BURGESS]; Bermuda Public Services Union or
BPSU [Ed BALL]; Bermuda Union of Teachers [Michael CHARLES]
Bhutan
Buddhist clergy; ethnic Nepalese organizations leading
militant antigovernment campaign; Indian merchant community; United
Front for Democracy (exiled)
Bolivia
Cocalero Groups; indigenous organizations; labor unions;
Sole Confederation of Campesino Workers of Bolivia or CSUTCB [Roman
LOAYZA]
Bosnia and Herzegovina
NA
Botswana
NA
Brazil
Landless Worker's Movement; labor unions and federations;
large farmers' associations; religious groups including evangelical
christian churches and the Catholic Church
British Virgin Islands
NA
Brunei
NA
Bulgaria
Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Bulgaria or
CITUB; Podkrepa Labor Confederation; numerous regional, ethnic, and
national interest groups with various agendas
Burkina Faso
Burkinabe General Confederation of Labor or CGTB;
Burkinabe Movement for Human Rights or MBDHP; Group of 14 February;
National Confederation of Burkinabe Workers or CNTB; National
Organization of Free Unions or ONSL; watchdog/political action
groups throughout the country in both organizations and communities
Burma
National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma or NCGUB
(self-proclaimed government in exile) ["Prime Minister" Dr. SEIN
WIN] consists of individuals, some legitimately elected to the
People's Assembly in 1990 (the group fled to a border area and
joined insurgents in December 1990 to form parallel government in
exile); Kachin Independence Army or KIA; Karen National Union or
KNU; several Shan factions; United Wa State Army or UWSA; Union
Solidarity and Development Association or USDA (pro-government, a
social and political organization) [THAN AUNG, general secretary]
Burundi
loosely organized Hutu and Tutsi militias, often affiliated
with Hutu and Tutsi extremist parties or subordinate to government
security forces
Cambodia
NA
Cameroon
Southern Cameroon National Council [Ayamba Ette OTUN];
Human Rights Defense Group [Albert MUKONG, president]
Canada
NA
Cape Verde
NA
Cayman Islands
NA
Central African Republic
NA
Chad
NA
Chile
revitalized university student federations at all major
universities; Roman Catholic Church; United Labor Central or CUT
includes trade unionists from the country's five largest labor
confederations
China
no substantial political opposition groups exist, although the
government has identified the Falungong spiritual movement and the
China Democracy Party as subversive groups
Christmas Island
none
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
none
Colombia
two largest insurgent groups active in Colombia -
Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia or FARC and National
Liberation Army or ELN; largest anti-insurgent paramilitary group is
United Self-Defense Groups of Colombia or AUC
Comoros
NA
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
NA
Congo, Republic of the
Congolese Trade Union Congress or CSC;
General Union of Congolese Pupils and Students or UGEEC;
Revolutionary Union of Congolese Women or URFC; Union of Congolese
Socialist Youth or UJSC
Cook Islands
NA
Costa Rica
Authentic Confederation of Democratic Workers or CATD
(Communist Party affiliate); Chamber of Coffee Growers; Confederated
Union of Workers or CUT (Communist Party affiliate); Costa Rican
Confederation of Democratic Workers or CCTD (Liberation Party
affiliate); Federation of Public Service Workers or FTSP; National
Association for Economic Development or ANFE; National Association
of Educators or ANDE; Rerum Novarum or CTRN (PLN affiliate) [Gilbert
Brown]
Cote d'Ivoire
NA
Croatia
NA
Cuba
NA
Cyprus
Confederation of Cypriot Workers or SEK (pro-West);
Confederation of Revolutionary Labor Unions or Dev-Is; Federation of
Turkish Cypriot Labor Unions or Turk-Sen; Pan-Cyprian Labor
Federation or PEO (Communist controlled)
Czech Republic
Bohemian and Moravian Trade Union Confederation
[Milan STECH]
Denmark
NA
Djibouti
Union for Presidential Majority UMP (coalition includes
RPP, FRUD, PPSD and PND); Union for Democratic Changeover or UAD
(opposition coalition includes ARD, MRDD, UDJ, and PDD) [Ahmed Dini
AHMED]
Dominica
Dominica Liberation Movement or DLM (a small leftist party)
Dominican Republic
Collective of Popular Organizations or COP;
Citizen Participation Group (Participacion Ciudadania); Foundation
for Institution-Building (FINJUS)
East Timor
Popular Council for the Defense of the Democratic
Republic of East Timor or CPD-RDTL [leader Antonio-Aitahan MATAK] is
largest political pressure group; it rejects current government and
claims to be rightful government; Kolimau 2000 [leader Dr. Bruno
MAGALHAES] is another opposition group; dissatisfied veterans of
struggle against Indonesia, led by one-time government advisor
Cornelio GAMA (also known as L-7), also play an important role in
pressuring government
Ecuador
Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador or
CONAIE [Luis MACAS, president]; Coordinator of Social Movements or
CMS [F. Napoleon SANTOS]; Federation of Indigenous Evangelists of
Ecuador or FEINE [Marco MURILLO, president]; National Federation of
Indigenous Afro-Ecuatorianos and Peasants or FENOCIN [Pedro DE LA
CRUZ, president]; Popular Front or FP [Luis VILLACIS]
Egypt
despite a constitutional ban against religious-based parties,
the technically illegal Muslim Brotherhood constitutes MUBARAK's
potentially most significant political opposition; MUBARAK tolerated
limited political activity by the Brotherhood for his first two
terms, but moved more aggressively since then to block its
influence; civic society groups are sanctioned, but constrained in
practical terms; trade unions and professional associations are
officially sanctioned
El Salvador
labor organizations - Electrical Industry Union of El
Salvador or SIES; Federation of the Construction Industry, Similar
Transport and other activities, or FESINCONTRANS; National
Confederation of Salvadoran Workers or CNTS; National Union of
Salvadoran Workers or UNTS; Port Industry Union of El Salvador or
SIPES; Salvadoran Union of Ex-Petrolleros and Peasant Workers or
USEPOC; Salvadoran Workers Central or CTS; Workers Union of
Electrical Corporation or STCEL; business organizations - National
Association of Small Enterprise or ANEP; Salvadoran Assembly
Industry Association or ASIC; Salvadoran Industrial Association or
ASI
Equatorial Guinea
NA
Eritrea
Eritrean Islamic Jihad or EIJ [leader NA] (also including
Eritrean Islamic Jihad Movement or EIJM (also known as the Abu Sihel
Movement) [leader NA]); Eritrean Islamic Salvation or EIS (also
known as the Arafa Movement) [leader NA]; Eritrean Liberation Front
or ELF [ABDULLAH Muhammed]; Eritrean National Alliance or ENA (a
coalition including EIJ, EIS, ELF, and a number of ELF factions)
[HERUY Tedla Biru]; Eritrean Public Forum or EPF [ARADOM Iyob]
Estonia
NA
Ethiopia
Afar Revolutionary Democratic Union Front or ARDUF [leader
NA]; Council of Alternative Forces for Peace and Democracy in
Ethiopia or CAFPDE [BEYANE Petros]; Southern Ethiopia People's
Democratic Coalition or SEPDC [BEYANE Petros]
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
none
Faroe Islands
NA
Fiji
NA
France
historically-Communist labor union (Confederation Generale du
Travail) or CGT, approximately 700,000 members (claimed);
left-leaning labor union (Confederation Francaise Democratique du
Travail) or CFDT, approximately 889,000 members (claimed);
independent labor union (Confederation Generale du Travail - Force
Ouvriere) or FO, 300,000 members (est.); independent white-collar
union (Confederation Generale des Cadres) or CGC, 196,000 members
(claimed); employers' union (Mouvement des Entreprises de France) or
MEDEF, 750,000 companies as members (claimed)
French Guiana
NA
French Polynesia
NA
Gabon
NA
Gambia, The
NA
Georgia
Georgian independent deputies from Abkhaz government in
exile; separatists in the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South
Ossetia; supporters of the late ousted President Zviad GAMSAKHURDYA
Germany
business associations, employers' organizations; expellee,
refugee, trade unions, and veterans groups
Ghana
NA
Gibraltar
Chamber of Commerce; Gibraltar Representatives
Organization; Women's Association
Greece
General Confederation of Greek Workers or GSEE [Khristos
POLYZOGOPOLOS]; Federation of Greek Industries or SEV [Odysseas
KYRIAKOPOULOS]; Civil Servants Confederation or ADEDY [Spyros
PAPASPYROS]
Greenland
NA
Grenada
NA
Guadeloupe
Christian Movement for the Liberation of Guadeloupe or
KLPG; General Federation of Guadeloupe Workers or CGT-G; General
Union of Guadeloupe Workers or UGTG; Movement for Independent
Guadeloupe or MPGI; The Socialist Renewal Movement
Guam
NA
Guatemala
Agrarian Owners Group or UNAGRO; Alliance Against Impunity
or AAI; Committee for Campesino Unity or CUC; Coordinating Committee
of Agricultural, Commercial, Industrial, and Financial Associations
or CACIF; Mutual Support Group or GAM
Guernsey
none
Guinea
NA
Guinea-Bissau
NA
Guyana
Civil Liberties Action Committee or CLAC; Guyana Council of
Indian Organizations or GCIO; Trades Union Congress or TUC
note: the GCIO and the CLAC are small and active but not well
organized
Haiti
Autonomous Organizations of Haitian Workers or CATH [Fignole
ST-CYR]; Confederation of Haitian Workers or CTH; Federation of
Workers Trade Unions or FOS; Group of 184 Civil Society
Organization, or G-184 [Andy APAID]; National Popular Assembly or
APN; Papaye Peasants Movement or MPP [Chavannes JEAN-BAPTISTE];
Popular Organizations Gathering Power or PROP; Roman Catholic
Church; Protestant Federation of Haiti
Holy See (Vatican City)
none (exclusive of influence exercised by
church officers)
Honduras
Committee for the Defense of Human Rights in Honduras or
CODEH; Confederation of Honduran Workers or CTH; Coordinating
Committee of Popular Organizations or CCOP; General Workers
Confederation or CGT; Honduran Council of Private Enterprise or
COHEP; National Association of Honduran Campesinos or ANACH;
National Union of Campesinos or UNC; Popular Bloc or BP; United
Federation of Honduran Workers or FUTH
Hong Kong
Chinese General Chamber of Commerce (pro-China); Chinese
Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong; Confederation of Trade
Unions or CTU (pro-democracy) [LAU Chin-shek, president; LEE
Cheuk-yan, general secretary]; Federation of Hong Kong Industries;
Federation of Trade Unions or FTU (pro-China) [CHENG Yiu-tong,
executive councilor]; Hong Kong Alliance in Support of the Patriotic
Democratic Movement in China [Szeto WAH, chairman]; Hong Kong and
Kowloon Trade Union Council (pro-Taiwan); Hong Kong General Chamber
of Commerce; Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union [CHEUNG
Man-kwong, president]; Neighborhood and Workers' Service Center or
NWSC (pro-democracy); The Alliance [Bernard CHAN, exco member]
Hungary
NA
Iceland
NA
India
numerous religious or militant/chauvinistic organizations,
including Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal, and Rashtriya
Swayamsevak Sangh; various separatist groups seeking greater
communal and/or regional autonomy, including the All Parties
Hurriyat Conference in the Kashmir Valley and the National Socialist
Council of Nagaland in the Northeast
Indonesia
NA
Iran
political pressure groups conduct most of Iran's political
activities; groups that generally support the Islamic Republic
include Ansar-e Hizballah, Muslim Students Following the Line of the
Imam, Tehran Militant Clergy Association (Ruhaniyat), Islamic
Coalition Party (Motalefeh), and Islamic Engineers Society; active
pro-reform student groups include the Organization for Strengthening
Unity; opposition groups include Freedom Movement of Iran, the
National Front, Marz-e Por Gohar, and various ethnic and Monarchist
organizations; armed political groups that have been almost
completely repressed by the government include Mujahidin-e Khalq
Organization (MEK), People's Fedayeen, Democratic Party of Iranian
Kurdistan, and Komala
Iraq
an insurgency against the Iraqi Interim Government and
Coalition forces is primarily concentrated in Baghdad and in areas
west and north of the capital; the diverse, multigroup insurgency is
led principally by Sunni Arabs whose only common denominator is a
shared desire to oust the Coalition and end US influence in Iraq
Ireland
NA
Israel
Israeli nationalists advocating Jewish settlement on the West
Bank and Gaza Strip; Peace Now supports territorial concessions in
the West Bank and Gaza Strip; Yesha (settler) Council promotes
settler interests and opposes territorial compromise; B'Tselem
monitors human rights abuses
Italy
Italian manufacturers and merchants associations
(Confindustria, Confcommercio); organized farm groups
(Confcoltivatori, Confagricoltura); Roman Catholic Church; three
major trade union confederations (Confederazione Generale Italiana
del Lavoro or CGIL [Guglielmo EPIFANI] which is left wing,
Confederazione Italiana dei Sindacati Lavoratori or CISL [Savino
PEZZOTTA], which is Roman Catholic centrist, and Unione Italiana del
Lavoro or UIL [Luigi ANGELETTI] which is lay centrist)
Jamaica
New Beginnings Movement or NBM; Rastafarians (black
religious/racial cultists, pan-Africanists)
Japan
NA
Jersey
none
Jordan
Anti-Normalization Committee [Ali Abu SUKKAR, president vice
chairman]; Jordanian Bar Association [Saleh ARMOUTI, president];
Jordanian Press Association [Sayf al-SHARIF, president]; Muslim
Brotherhood [Abd-al-Majid DHUNAYBAT, secretary general]
Kazakhstan
Adil-Soz [Tamara KALEYEVA]; Almaty Helsinki Group [Ninel
FOKINA]; Confederation of Free Trade Unions [Sergei BELKIN];
Kazakhstan International Bureau on Human Rights [Yevgeniy ZHOVTIS,
executive director]; Pensioners Movement or Pokoleniye [Irina
SAVOSTINA, chairwoman]; Republican Network of International Monitors
[Dos KUSHIM]; Transparency International [Sergei ZLOTNIKOV]
Kenya
human rights groups; labor unions; Muslim organizations;
National Convention Executive Council or NCEC, a proreform coalition
of political parties and nongovernment organizations [Kivutha
KIBWANA]; Protestant National Council of Churches of Kenya or NCCK
[Mutava MUSYIMI]; Roman Catholic and other Christian churches;
Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims or SUPKEM [Shaykh Abdul Gafur
al-BUSAIDY]
Kiribati
NA
Korea, North
none
Korea, South
Federation of Korean Industries; Federation of Korean
Trade Unions; Korean Confederation of Trade Unions; Korean National
Council of Churches; Korean Traders Association; Korean Veterans'
Association; National Council of Labor Unions; National Democratic
Alliance of Korea; National Federation of Farmers' Associations;
National Federation of Student Associations
Kuwait
several political groups act as de facto parties: Bedouins,
merchants, Sunni and Shi'a activists, and secular leftists and
nationalists
Kyrgyzstan
Council of Free Trade Unions; Kyrgyz Committee on Human
Rights [Ramazan DYRYLDAYEV]; National Unity Democratic Movement;
Union of Entrepreneurs
Laos
noncommunist political groups proscribed; most opposition
leaders fled the country in 1975
Latvia
Headquarters for the Protection of Russian Schools (SHTAB)
[Aleksandr KAZAKOV]
Lebanon
NA
Lesotho
NA
Liberia
NA
Libya
various Arab nationalist movements with almost negligible
memberships may be functioning clandestinely, as well as some
Islamic elements; an anti-QADHAFI Libyan exile movement exists,
primarily based in London, but has little influence
Liechtenstein
NA
Lithuania
NA
Luxembourg
ABBL (bankers' association); ALEBA (financial sector
trade union); Centrale Paysanne (federation of agricultural
producers); CEP (professional sector chamber); CGFP (trade union
representing civil service); Chambre de Commerce (Chamber of
Commerce); Chambre des Metiers (Chamber of Artisans); FEDIL
(federation of industrialists); LCGP (center-right trade union);
OGBL (center-left trade union)
Macau
NA
Macedonia
Civic Movement of Macedonia [Gordana SILJANOVSKA];
Movement for Macedonia's Euro-Atlantic Integration [Dosta DIMOVSKA]
Madagascar
Committee for the Defense of Truth and Justice or KMMR;
Committee for National Reconciliation or CRN [Albert Zafy]; National
Council of Christian Churches or FFKM
Malawi
NA
Malaysia
NA
Maldives
none
Mali
Patriotic Movement of the Ghanda Koye or MPGK; United Movement
and Fronts of Azawad or MFUA
Malta
NA
Man, Isle of
none
Marshall Islands
NA
Martinique
Caribbean Revolutionary Alliance or ARC; Central Union
for Martinique Workers or CSTM [Marc PULVAR]; Frantz Fanon Circle;
League of Workers and Peasants; Proletarian Action Group or GAP
Mauritania
Arab nationalists; Ba'thists; General Confederation of
Mauritanian Workers or CGTM [Abdallahi Ould MOHAMED, secretary
general]; Independent Confederation of Mauritanian Workers or CLTM
[Samory Ould BEYE]; Islamists; Mauritanian Workers Union or UTM
[Mohamed Ely Ould BRAHIM, secretary general]
Mauritius
various labor unions
Mayotte
NA
Mexico
Confederation of Employers of the Mexican Republic or
COPARMEX; Confederation of Industrial Chambers or CONCAMIN;
Confederation of Mexican Workers or CTM; Confederation of National
Chambers of Commerce or CONCANACO; Coordinator for Foreign Trade
Business Organizations or COECE; Federation of Unions Providing
Goods and Services or FESEBES; National Chamber of Transformation
Industries or CANACINTRA; National Peasant Confederation or CNC;
National Union of Workers or UNT; Regional Confederation of Mexican
Workers or CROM; Revolutionary Confederation of Workers and Peasants
or CROC; Roman Catholic Church
Moldova
NA
Monaco
NA
Mongolia
NA
Montserrat
NA
Morocco
Democratic Confederation of Labor or CDT [Noubir AMAOUI];
General Union of Moroccan Workers or UGTM [Abderrazzak AFILAL];
Moroccan Employers Association or CGEM [Hassan CHAMI]; National
Labor Union of Morocco or UNMT [Abdelslam MAATI]; Union of Moroccan
Workers or UMT [Mahjoub BENSEDDIK]
Mozambique
Institute for Peace and Democracy (Instituto para Paz e
Democracia) or IPADE [Raul DOMINGOS, president]; Etica [Abdul CARIMO
Issa, chairman]; Movement for Peace and Citizenship (Movimento para
Paz e Cidadania); Mozambican League of Human Rights (Liga
Mocambicana dos Direitos Humanos) or LDH [Alice MABOTE, president];
Human Rights and Development (Direitos Humanos e Desenvolvimento) or
DHD [Artemisia FRANCO, secretary general]
Namibia
NA
Nauru
NA
Nepal
Maoist guerrilla-based insurgency [Pushpa Kamal DAHAL, also
known as PRAHANDA, chairman; Dr. Baburam BHATTARAI, from Communist
Party of Nepal/Maoist, chief negotiator]; numerous small,
left-leaning student groups in the capital; several small, radical
Nepalese antimonarchist groups
Netherlands
Netherlands Trade Union Federation (FNV) (consisting of
a merger of Socialist and Catholic trade unions); Christian Trade
Union Federation (CNV); Trade Union Federation of Middle and High
Personnel (MHP); Federation of Catholic and Protestant Employers
Associations; Interchurch Peace Council or IKV; large multinational
firms; the nondenominational Federation of Netherlands Enterprises
Netherlands Antilles
NA
New Caledonia
NA
New Zealand
NA
Nicaragua
National Workers Front or FNT is a Sandinista umbrella
group of eight labor unions including - Farm Workers Association or
ATC, Health Workers Federation or FETASALUD, Heroes and Martyrs
Confederation of Professional Associations or CONAPRO, National
Association of Educators of Nicaragua or ANDEN, National Union of
Employees or UNE, National Union of Farmers and Ranchers or UNAG,
Sandinista Workers Central or CST, and Union of Journalists of
Nicaragua or UPN; Permanent Congress of Workers or CPT is an
umbrella group of four non-Sandinista labor unions including -
Autonomous Nicaraguan Workers Central or CTN-A, Confederation of
Labor Unification or CUS, Independent General Confederation of Labor
or CGT-I, and Labor Action and Unity Central or CAUS; Nicaraguan
Workers' Central or CTN is an independent labor union; Superior
Council of Private Enterprise or COSEP is a confederation of
business groups
Niger
NA
Nigeria
Niger Delta People's Volunteer Force or NDPVF [Mujahid
Dokubo ASARI]; Nigerian Labor Congress or NLC [Adams OSHIOMOLE]
Niue
NA
Norfolk Island
none
Northern Mariana Islands
NA
Norway
NA
Oman
none
Pakistan
military remains most important political force; ulema
(clergy), landowners, industrialists, and small merchants also
influential
Palau
NA
Panama
Chamber of Commerce; National Civic Crusade; National Council
of Organized Workers or CONATO; National Council of Private
Enterprise or CONEP; National Union of Construction and Similar
Workers (SUNTRACS); Panamanian Association of Business Executives or
APEDE; Panamanian Industrialists Society or SIP; Workers
Confederation of the Republic of Panama or CTRP
Papua New Guinea
NA
Paraguay
Ahorristas Estafados or AE; Coordinating Table of National
Campesino Organizations or MCNOC; National Federation of Campesinos
or FNC; National Workers Central or CNT; Paraguayan Workers
Confederation or CPT; Roman Catholic Church; Unitary Workers Central
or CUT
Peru
leftist guerrilla groups include Shining Path [Abimael GUZMAN
Reynoso (imprisoned), Gabriel MACARIO (top leader at-large)]; Tupac
Amaru Revolutionary Movement or MRTA [Victor POLAY (imprisoned),
Hugo AVALLENEDA Valdez (top leader at-large)]
Philippines
AKBAYAN [Reps. Etta ROSALES, Mario AGUJA, and Risa
HONTIVEROS-BARAQUIEL]; ANAKPAWIS [Reps. Crispin BELTRAN and Rafael
MARIANO]; Association of Philippine Electric Cooperatives (APEC)
[Reps. Edgar VALDEZ, Ernesto PABLO, and Sunny Rose MADAMBA]; Bayan
Muna [Reps. Satur OCAMPO, Joel VIRADOR, and Teodoro CASINO, Jr.];
BUHAY [Reps. Rene VELARDE and Hans Christian SENERES]; BUTIL [Rep.
Benjamin CRUZ]; CIBAC [Rep. Emmanuel Joel VILLANUEVA]; GABRIELA
[Rep. Liza MAZA]; PARTIDO NG MANGGAGAWA [Rep. Renato MAGTUBO] (2003)
Pitcairn Islands
none
Poland
All Poland Trade Union Alliance or OPZZ (trade union) [Jan
GUZ]; Roman Catholic Church [Cardinal Jozef GLEMP]; Solidarity Trade
Union [Janusz SNIADEK]
Portugal
NA
Puerto Rico
Armed Forces for National Liberation or FALN; Armed
Forces of Popular Resistance; Boricua Popular Army (also known as
the Macheteros); Volunteers of the Puerto Rican Revolution
Qatar
none
Reunion
NA
Romania
various human rights and professional associations
Russia
NA
Rwanda
IBUKA - association of genocide survivors
Saint Helena
none
Saint Kitts and Nevis
NA
Saint Lucia
NA
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
NA
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
NA
Samoa
NA
San Marino
NA
Sao Tome and Principe
NA
Saudi Arabia
none
Senegal
labor; Muslim brotherhoods; students; teachers
Serbia and Montenegro
Political Council for Presevo, Medvedja and
Bujanovac or PCPMB [leader NA]; Group for Changes of Montenegro or
GZP [Nebojsa MEDOJEVIC]
Seychelles
Roman Catholic Church; trade unions
Sierra Leone
trade unions and student unions
Singapore
NA
Slovakia
Association of Employers of Slovakia; Association of Towns
and Villages or ZMOS; Confederation of Trade Unions or KOZ; Metal
Workers Unions or KOVO and METALURG
Slovenia
NA
Solomon Islands
NA
Somalia
numerous clan and subclan factions are currently vying for
power
South Africa
Congress of South African Trade Unions or COSATU
[Zwelinzima VAVI, general secretary]; South African Communist Party
or SACP [Blade NZIMANDE, general secretary]; South African National
Civics Organization or SANCO [Mlungisi HLONGWANE, national
president]; note - COSATU and SACP are in a formal alliance with the
ANC
Spain
business and landowning interests; Catholic Church; free labor
unions (authorized in April 1977); Socialist General Union of
Workers or UGT and the smaller independent Workers Syndical Union or
USO; university students; Trade Union Confederation of Workers'
Commissions or CC.OO.; Nunca Mas (Galician for "Never Again"; formed
in response to the oil tanker Prestige oil spill)
Sri Lanka
Buddhist clergy; labor unions; Liberation Tigers of Tamil
Eelam or LTTE [Velupillai PRABHAKARAN](insurgent group fighting for
a separate state); radical chauvinist Sinhalese groups such as the
National Movement Against Terrorism; Sinhalese Buddhist lay groups
Sudan
Democratic Unionist Party [Muhammed Uthman AL-MIRGHANI];
National Democratic Alliance [Muhammed Uthman AL-MIRGHANI,
chairman]; Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army [Dr. John
GARANG]; Umma Party [Sadiq al-MAHDI]
Suriname
Association of Indigenous Village Chiefs [Ricardo PANE];
Association of Saramaccan Authorities or Maroon [Head Captain WASE];
Women's Parliament Forum or PVF [Iris GILLIAD]
Swaziland
NA
Sweden
NA
Switzerland
NA
Syria
conservative religious leaders; Kurdish Democratic Alliance
[leader NA]; Kurdish Democratic Front [leader NA]; Muslim
Brotherhood (operates in exile in London) [Ali Badr Eddine
al-BAYANOUNI]; National Democratic Front [Hassan Abd al-AZIM]
Taiwan
Taiwan independence movement, various business and
environmental groups
note: debate on Taiwan independence has become acceptable within the
mainstream of domestic politics on Taiwan; political liberalization
and the increased representation of opposition parties in Taiwan's
legislature have opened public debate on the island's national
identity; a broad popular consensus has developed that Taiwan
currently enjoys de facto independence and - whatever the ultimate
outcome regarding reunification or independence - that Taiwan's
people must have the deciding voice; advocates of Taiwan
independence oppose the stand that the island will eventually unify
with mainland China; goals of the Taiwan independence movement
include establishing a sovereign nation on Taiwan and entering the
UN; other organizations supporting Taiwan independence include the
World United Formosans for Independence and the Organization for
Taiwan Nation Building
Tajikistan
there are three unregistered political parties: Agrarian
Party or APT [Hikmatullo NASRIDDINOV]; Progressive Party [Sulton
QUVVATOV]; Unity Party [Hikmatullo SAIDOV]
Tanzania
NA
Thailand
NA
Togo
NA
Tokelau
none
Tonga
Human Rights and Democracy Movement Tonga or HRDMT [Rev.
Simote VEA, chairman]
Trinidad and Tobago
Jamaat-al Muslimeen [Yasin BAKR]
Tunisia
the Islamic fundamentalist party, Al Nahda (Renaissance), is
outlawed
Turkey
Confederation of Public Sector Unions or KESK [Sami EVREN];
Confederation of Revolutionary Workers Unions or DISK [Suleyman
CELEBI]; Independent Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association
or MUSIAD [Omer BOLAT]; Moral Rights Workers Union or Hak-Is [Salim
USLU]; Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association or
TUSIAD [Omer SABANCI]; Turkish Confederation of Employers' Unions or
TISK [Refik BAYDUR]; Turkish Confederation of Labor or Turk-Is
[Salih KILIC]; Turkish Confederation of Tradesmen and Craftsmen or
TESK [Dervis GUNDAY]; Turkish Union of Chambers of Commerce and
Commodity Exchanges or TOBB [M. Rifat HISARCIKLIOGLU]
Turkmenistan
NA
Turks and Caicos Islands
NA
Tuvalu
none
Uganda
Popular Resistance Against a Life President or PRALP
Ukraine
NA
United Arab Emirates
NA
United Kingdom
Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament; Confederation of
British Industry; National Farmers' Union; Trades Union Congress
United States
NA
Uruguay
Agrupacion UTE (powerful state worker's union), Rural
Association of Uruguay (rancher's association), Uruguayan
Construction League, Chamber of Uruguayan Industries (manufacturer's
association), Chemist and Pharmaceutical Association (professional
organization), Architect's Society of Uruguay (professional
organization), the Catholic Church, students
Uzbekistan
Agrarian and Entrepreneurs' Party [Marat ZAHIDOV]; Birlik
(Unity) Movement [Abdurakhim POLAT, chairman]; Erk (Freedom)
Democratic Party [Muhammad SOLIH, chairman] was banned 9 December
1992; Ezgulik Human Rights Society [Vasilia INOYATOVA]; Free
Farmers' Party or Ozod Dehqonlar [Nigara KHIDOYATOVA]; Human Rights
Society of Uzbekistan [Tolib YAKUBOV, chairman]; Independent Human
Rights Society of Uzbekistan [Mikhail ARDZINOV, chairman]; Mazlum
[leader NA]
Vanuatu
NA
Venezuela
FEDECAMARAS, a conservative business group; VECINOS
groups; Venezuelan Confederation of Workers or CTV (labor
organization dominated by the Democratic Action)
Vietnam
none
Virgin Islands
NA
Wallis and Futuna
NA
Western Sahara
none
Yemen
NA
Zambia
NA
Zimbabwe
National Constitutional Assembly or NCA [Lovemore MADHUKU];
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition [Brian KAGORO]; Zimbabwe Congress of
Trade Unions or ZCTU [Lovemore MATOMBO]
This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005
======================================================================
@2116 Economy - overview
Afghanistan
Afghanistan's economic outlook has improved
significantly since the fall of the Taliban regime in 2001 because
of the infusion of over $2 billion in international assistance,
recovery of the agricultural sector, and the reestablishment of
market institutions. Agriculture boomed in 2003 with the end of a
four-year drought, but drought conditions returned for the southern
half of the country in 2004. Despite the progress of the past few
years, Afghanistan remains extremely poor, landlocked, and highly
dependent on foreign aid, farming, and trade with neighboring
countries. It will probably take the remainder of the decade and
continuing donor aid and attention to raise Afghanistan's living
standards up from its current status among the lowest in the world.
Much of the population continues to suffer from shortages of
housing, clean water, electricity, medical care, and jobs, but the
Afghan government and international donors remain committed to
improving access to these basic necessities by prioritizing
infrastructure development, education, housing development, jobs
programs, and economic reform over the next year. Growing political
stability and continued international commitment to Afghan
reconstruction create an optimistic outlook for maintaining
improvements in the Afghan economy in 2005. Expanding poppy
cultivation and a growing opium trade may account for one-third of
GDP and looms as one of Kabul's most serious policy challenges.
Akrotiri
Economic activity is limited to providing services to the
military and their families located in Akrotiri. All food and
manufactured goods must be imported.
Albania
Poor and backward by European standards, Albania is making
the difficult transition to a more modern open-market economy. The
government has taken measures to curb violent crime and to spur
economic activity and trade. The economy is bolstered by annual
remittances from abroad of $600-$800 million, mostly from Greece and
Italy; this helps offset the towering trade deficit. Agriculture,
which accounts for about one-half of GDP, is held back because of
frequent drought and the need to modernize equipment, to clarify
property rights, and to consolidate small plots of land. Energy
shortages and antiquated and inadequate infrastructure make it
difficult to attract and sustain foreign investment. The planned
construction of a new thermal power plant near Vlore and improved
transmission and distribution facilities will help relieve the
energy shortages. Also, the government is moving slowly to improve
the poor national road and rail network, a long-standing barrier to
sustained economic growth. On the positive side: growth was strong
in 2003 and 2004, the nation has important oil and gas reserves, and
inflation is not a problem.
Algeria
The hydrocarbons sector is the backbone of the economy,
accounting for roughly 60% of budget revenues, 30% of GDP, and over
95% of export earnings. Algeria has the seventh-largest reserves of
natural gas in the world and is the second-largest gas exporter; it
ranks 14th in oil reserves. Sustained high oil prices in recent
years, along with macroeconomic policy reforms supported by the IMF,
have helped improve Algeria's financial and macroeconomic
indicators. Algeria is running substantial trade surpluses and
building up record foreign exchange reserves. Real GDP has risen due
to higher oil output and increased government spending. The
government's continued efforts to diversify the economy by
attracting foreign and domestic investment outside the energy
sector, however, has had little success in reducing high
unemployment and improving living standards. Structural reform
within the economy moves ahead slowly.
American Samoa
This is a traditional Polynesian economy in which
more than 90% of the land is communally owned. Economic activity is
strongly linked to the US, with which American Samoa conducts most
of its foreign trade. Tuna fishing and tuna processing plants are
the backbone of the private sector, with canned tuna the primary
export. Transfers from the US Government add substantially to
American Samoa's economic well-being. Attempts by the government to
develop a larger and broader economy are restrained by Samoa's
remote location, its limited transportation, and its devastating
hurricanes. Tourism is a promising developing sector.
Andorra
Tourism, the mainstay of Andorra's tiny, well-to-do economy,
accounts for roughly 80% of GDP. An estimated 9 million tourists
visit annually, attracted by Andorra's duty-free status and by its
summer and winter resorts. Andorra's comparative advantage has
recently eroded as the economies of neighboring France and Spain
have been opened up, providing broader availability of goods and
lower tariffs. The banking sector, with its "tax haven" status, also
contributes substantially to the economy. Agricultural production is
limited - only 2% of the land is arable - and most food has to be
imported. The principal livestock activity is sheep raising.
Manufacturing output consists mainly of cigarettes, cigars, and
furniture. Andorra is a member of the EU Customs Union and is
treated as an EU member for trade in manufactured goods (no tariffs)
and as a non-EU member for agricultural products.
Angola
Angola has been an economy in disarray because of a quarter
century of nearly continuous warfare. An apparently durable peace
was established after the death of rebel leader Jonas SAVIMBI in
February 2002, but consequences from the conflict continue including
the impact of widespread land mines. Subsistence agriculture
provides the main livelihood for 85% of the population. Oil
production and the supporting activities are vital to the economy,
contributing about 45% to GDP and more than half of exports. Much of
the country's food must still be imported. To fully take advantage
of its rich natural resources - gold, diamonds, extensive forests,
Atlantic fisheries, and large oil deposits - Angola will need to
continue reforming government policies and to reduce corruption.
While Angola made progress in further lowering inflation, from 325%
in 2000 to about 106% in 2002, the government has failed to make
sufficient progress on reforms recommended by the IMF such as
increasing foreign exchange reserves and promoting greater
transparency in government spending. Increased oil production
supported 7% GDP growth in 2003 and 12% growth in 2004.
Anguilla
Anguilla has few natural resources, and the economy depends
heavily on luxury tourism, offshore banking, lobster fishing, and
remittances from emigrants. Increased activity in the tourism
industry, which has spurred the growth of the construction sector,
has contributed to economic growth. Anguillan officials have put
substantial effort into developing the offshore financial sector,
which is small, but growing. In the medium term, prospects for the
economy will depend largely on the tourism sector and, therefore, on
revived income growth in the industrialized nations as well as on
favorable weather conditions.
Antarctica
Fishing off the coast and tourism, both based abroad,
account for the limited economic activity. Antarctic fisheries in
2000-01 (1 July-30 June) reported landing 112,934 metric tons.
Unregulated fishing, particularly of Patagonian toothfish, is a
serious problem. The Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic
Marine Living Resources determines the recommended catch limits for
marine species. A total of 13,571 tourists visited in the 2002-03
antarctic summer, up from the 11,588 visitors the previous year.
Nearly all of them were passengers on commercial (nongovernmental)
ships and several yachts that make trips during the summer. Most
tourist trips last approximately two weeks.
Antigua and Barbuda
Tourism continues to dominate the economy,
accounting for more than half of GDP. Weak tourist arrival numbers
since early 2000 have slowed the economy, however, and pressed the
government into a tight fiscal corner. The dual-island nation's
agricultural production is focused on the domestic market and
constrained by a limited water supply and a labor shortage stemming
from the lure of higher wages in tourism and construction.
Manufacturing comprises enclave-type assembly for export with major
products being bedding, handicrafts, and electronic components.
Prospects for economic growth in the medium term will continue to
depend on income growth in the industrialized world, especially in
the US, which accounts for slightly more than one-third of tourist
arrivals.
Arctic Ocean
Economic activity is limited to the exploitation of
natural resources, including petroleum, natural gas, fish, and seals.
Argentina
Argentina benefits from rich natural resources, a highly
literate population, an export-oriented agricultural sector, and a
diversified industrial base. Over the past decade, however, the
country has suffered problems of inflation, external debt, capital
flight, and budget deficits. Growth in 2000 was a negative 0.8%, as
both domestic and foreign investors remained skeptical of the
government's ability to pay debts and maintain the peso's fixed
exchange rate with the US dollar. The economic situation worsened in
2001 with the widening of spreads on Argentine bonds, massive
withdrawals from the banks, and a further decline in consumer and
investor confidence. Government efforts to achieve a "zero deficit,"
to stabilize the banking system, and to restore economic growth
proved inadequate in the face of the mounting economic problems. The
peso's peg to the dollar was abandoned in January 2002, and the peso
was floated in February; the exchange rate plunged and real GDP fell
by 10.9% in 2002, but by mid-year the economy had stabilized, albeit
at a lower level. GDP expanded by more than 8% in 2003 and again in
2004, with unemployment falling and inflation remaining in single
digits.
Armenia
Under the old Soviet central planning system, Armenia had
developed a modern industrial sector, supplying machine tools,
textiles, and other manufactured goods to sister republics in
exchange for raw materials and energy. Since the implosion of the
USSR in December 1991, Armenia has switched to small-scale
agriculture away from the large agroindustrial complexes of the
Soviet era. The agricultural sector has long-term needs for more
investment and updated technology. The privatization of industry has
been at a slower pace, but has been given renewed emphasis by the
current administration. Armenia is a food importer, and its mineral
deposits (copper, gold, bauxite) are small. The ongoing conflict
with Azerbaijan over the ethnic Armenian-dominated region of
Nagorno-Karabakh and the breakup of the centrally directed economic
system of the former Soviet Union contributed to a severe economic
decline in the early 1990s. By 1994, however, the Armenian
Government had launched an ambitious IMF-sponsored economic
liberalization program that resulted in positive growth rates in
1995-2003. Armenia joined the WTO in January 2003. Armenia also has
managed to slash inflation, stabilize the local currency (the dram),
and privatize most small- and medium-sized enterprises. The chronic
energy shortages Armenia suffered in the early and mid-1990s have
been offset by the energy supplied by one of its nuclear power
plants at Metsamor. Armenia is now a net energy exporter, although
it does not have sufficient generating capacity to replace Metsamor,
which is under international pressure to close. The electricity
distribution system was privatized in 2002. Armenia's severe trade
imbalance has been offset somewhat by international aid and foreign
direct investment. Economic ties with Russia remain close,
especially in the energy sector.
Aruba
Tourism is the mainstay of the small, open Aruban economy,
with offshore banking and oil refining and storage also important.
The rapid growth of the tourism sector over the last decade has
resulted in a substantial expansion of other activities.
Construction has boomed, with hotel capacity five times the 1985
level. In addition, the reopening of the country's oil refinery in
1993, a major source of employment and foreign exchange earnings,
has further spurred growth. Aruba's small labor force and
exceptionally low unemployment rate have led to a large number of
unfilled job vacancies, despite sharp rises in wage rates in recent
years. Tourist arrivals have declined in the aftermath of the 11
September 2001 terrorist attacks on the US. The government now must
deal with a budget deficit and a negative trade balance.
Ashmore and Cartier Islands
no economic activity
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean provides some of the world's most
heavily trafficked sea routes, between and within the Eastern and
Western Hemispheres. Other economic activity includes the
exploitation of natural resources, e.g., fishing, dredging of
aragonite sands (The Bahamas), and production of crude oil and
natural gas (Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and North Sea).
Australia
Australia has an enviable Western-style capitalist
economy, with a per capita GDP on par with the four dominant West
European economies. Rising output in the domestic economy, robust
business and consumer confidence, and rising exports of raw
materials and agricultural products are fueling the economy.
Australia's emphasis on reforms, low inflation, and growing ties
with China are other key factors behind the economy's strength. The
impact of drought, weak foreign demand, and strong import demand
pushed the trade deficit up from $8 billion in 2002, to $18 billion
in 2003, and to $13 billion in 2004. One other concern is the rapid
increase in domestic housing prices, which have raised the prospect
that interest rates will need to be raised to prevent a speculative
bubble.
Austria
Austria, with its well-developed market economy and high
standard of living, is closely tied to other EU economies,
especially Germany's. The economy features up-to-date industrial and
agricultural sectors. Timber is a key industry, 47% of the land area
being forested. Membership in the EU has drawn an influx of foreign
investors attracted by Austria's access to the single European
market and proximity to the new EU economies. Slow growth in Europe
has held the economy to 0.7% growth in 2001, 1.4% in 2002, 0.8% in
2003, and 1.9% in 2004. To meet increased competition from both EU
and Central European countries, particularly the new EU members,
Austria will need to emphasize knowledge-based sectors of the
economy, continue to deregulate the service sector, and encourage
much greater participation in the labor market by its aging
population. The aging phenomenon, together with already high health
and pension costs, poses fundamental problems in tax and welfare
policies.
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan's number one export is oil. Azerbaijan's oil
production declined through 1997 but has registered an increase
every year since. Negotiation of production-sharing arrangements
(PSAs) with foreign firms, which have thus far committed $60 billion
to long-term oilfield development, should generate the funds needed
to spur future industrial development. Oil production under the
first of these PSAs, with the Azerbaijan International Operating
Company, began in November 1997. Azerbaijan shares all the
formidable problems of the former Soviet republics in making the
transition from a command to a market economy, but its considerable
energy resources brighten its long-term prospects. Baku has only
recently begun making progress on economic reform, and old economic
ties and structures are slowly being replaced. One obstacle to
economic progress is the need for stepped up foreign investment in
the non-energy sector. A second obstacle is the continuing conflict
with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Trade with Russia and
the other former Soviet republics is declining in importance while
trade is building with Turkey and the nations of Europe. Long-term
prospects will depend on world oil prices, the location of new
pipelines in the region, and Azerbaijan's ability to manage its oil
wealth.
Bahamas, The
The Bahamas is a stable, developing nation with an
economy heavily dependent on tourism and offshore banking. Tourism
alone accounts for more than 60% of GDP and directly or indirectly
employs half of the archipelago's labor force. Steady growth in
tourism receipts and a boom in construction of new hotels, resorts,
and residences had led to solid GDP growth in recent years, but the
slowdown in the US economy and the attacks of 11 September 2001 held
back growth in these sectors in 2001-03. Financial services
constitute the second-most important sector of the Bahamian economy,
accounting for about 15% of GDP. However, since December 2000, when
the government enacted new regulations on the financial sector, many
international businesses have left The Bahamas. Manufacturing and
agriculture together contribute approximately a tenth of GDP and
show little growth, despite government incentives aimed at those
sectors. Overall growth prospects in the short run rest heavily on
the fortunes of the tourism sector, which depends on growth in the
US, the source of more than 80% of the visitors. In addition to
tourism and banking, the government supports the development of a
"third pillar," e-commerce.
Bahrain
In well-to-do Bahrain, petroleum production and refining
account for about 60% of export receipts, 60% of government
revenues, and 30% of GDP. With its highly developed communication
and transport facilities, Bahrain is home to numerous multinational
firms with business in the Gulf. A large share of exports consist of
petroleum products made from refining imported crude. Construction
proceeds on several major industrial projects. Unemployment,
especially among the young, and the depletion of oil and underground
water resources are major long-term economic problems. In September
2004 Bahrain signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United
States - the first such agreement undertaken by a Gulf state. Both
countries must ratify the FTA before it is enforced.
Baker Island
no economic activity
Bangladesh
Despite sustained domestic and international efforts to
improve economic and demographic prospects, Bangladesh remains a
poor, overpopulated, and ill-governed nation. Although half of GDP
is generated through the service sector, nearly two-thirds of
Bangladeshis are employed in the agriculture sector, with rice as
the single-most-important product. Major impediments to growth
include frequent cyclones and floods, inefficient state-owned
enterprises, inadequate port facilities, a rapidly growing labor
force that cannot be absorbed by agriculture, delays in exploiting
energy resources (natural gas), insufficient power supplies, and
slow implementation of economic reforms. Economic reform is stalled
in many instances by political infighting and corruption at all
levels of government. Progress also has been blocked by opposition
from the bureaucracy, public sector unions, and other vested
interest groups. The BNP government, led by Prime Minister Khaleda
ZIA, has the parliamentary strength to push through needed reforms,
but the party's political will to do so has been lacking in key
areas. One encouraging note: growth has been a steady 5% for the
past several years.
Barbados
Historically, the Barbadian economy had been dependent on
sugarcane cultivation and related activities, but production in
recent years has diversified into light industry and tourism.
Offshore finance and information services are important foreign
exchange earners. The government continues its efforts to reduce
unemployment, to encourage direct foreign investment, and to
privatize remaining state-owned enterprises. The economy contracted
in 2002-03 mainly due to a decline in tourism. Growth probably was
positive in 2004, as economic conditions in the US and Europe
moderately improved.
Bassas da India
no economic activity
Belarus
Belarus's economy in 2003-04 posted 6.1% and 6.4% growth.
Still, the economy continues to be hampered by high inflation,
persistent trade deficits, and ongoing rocky relations with Russia,
Belarus' largest trading partner and energy supplier. Belarus has
seen little structural reform since 1995, when President LUKASHENKO
launched the country on the path of "market socialism." In keeping
with this policy, LUKASHENKO reimposed administrative controls over
prices and currency exchange rates and expanded the state's right to
intervene in the management of private enterprises. In addition,
businesses have been subject to pressure on the part of central and
local governments, e.g., arbitrary changes in regulations, numerous
rigorous inspections, retroactive application of new business
regulations, and arrests of "disruptive" businessmen and factory
owners. A wide range of redistributive policies has helped those at
the bottom of the ladder; the Gini coefficient is among the lowest
in the world. For the time being, Belarus remains self-isolated from
the West and its open-market economies. Growth has been strong in
recent years, despite the roadblocks in a tough, centrally directed
economy and the high, but decreasing, rate of inflation. Growth has
been buoyed by increased Russian demand for generally noncompetitive
Belarusian goods.
Belgium
This modern private enterprise economy has capitalized on
its central geographic location, highly developed transport network,
and diversified industrial and commercial base. Industry is
concentrated mainly in the populous Flemish area in the north. With
few natural resources, Belgium must import substantial quantities of
raw materials and export a large volume of manufactures, making its
economy unusually dependent on the state of world markets. Roughly
three-quarters of its trade is with other EU countries. Public debt
is nearly 100% of GDP. On the positive side, the government has
succeeded in balancing its budget, and income distribution is
relatively equal. Belgium began circulating the euro currency in
January 2002. Economic growth in 2001-03 dropped sharply because of
the global economic slowdown, with moderate recovery in 2004.
Belize
In this small, essentially private enterprise economy the
tourism industry is the number one foreign exchange earner followed
by marine products, citrus, cane sugar, bananas, and garments. The
government's expansionary monetary and fiscal policies, initiated in
September 1998, led to sturdy GDP growth averaging nearly 6% in
1999-2004. Major concerns continue to be the sizable trade deficit
and foreign debt. A key short-term objective remains the reduction
of poverty with the help of international donors.
Benin
The economy of Benin remains underdeveloped and dependent on
subsistence agriculture, cotton production, and regional trade.
Growth in real output has averaged around 5% in the past six years,
but rapid population growth has offset much of this increase.
Inflation has subsided over the past several years. In order to
raise growth still further, Benin plans to attract more foreign
investment, place more emphasis on tourism, facilitate the
development of new food processing systems and agricultural
products, and encourage new information and communication
technology. The 2001 privatization policy should continue in
telecommunications, water, electricity, and agriculture in spite of
initial government reluctance. The Paris Club and bilateral
creditors have eased the external debt situation, while pressing for
more rapid structural reforms. Benin continues to be hurt by
Nigerian trade protection that bans imports of a growing list of
products from Benin and elsewhere. As a result, smuggling and
criminality along the Benin-Nigeria border has been on the rise.
Bermuda
Bermuda enjoys one of the highest per capita incomes in the
world, nearly equal to that of the US. Its economy is primarily
based on providing financial services for international business and
luxury facilities for tourists. The effects of 11 September 2001
have had both positive and negative ramifications for Bermuda. On
the positive side, a number of new reinsurance companies have
located on the island, contributing to the expansion of an already
robust international business sector. On the negative side,
Bermuda's tourism industry - which derives over 80% of its visitors
from the US - was severely hit as American tourists chose not to
travel. Tourism rebounded somewhat in 2002-04. Most capital
equipment and food must be imported. Bermuda's industrial sector is
small, although construction continues to be important; the average
cost of a house in June 2003 had risen to $976,000. Agriculture is
limited, only 20% of the land being arable.
Bhutan
The economy, one of the world's smallest and least developed,
is based on agriculture and forestry, which provide the main
livelihood for more than 90% of the population. Agriculture consists
largely of subsistence farming and animal husbandry. Rugged
mountains dominate the terrain and make the building of roads and
other infrastructure difficult and expensive. The economy is closely
aligned with India's through strong trade and monetary links and
dependence on India's financial assistance. The industrial sector is
technologically backward, with most production of the cottage
industry type. Most development projects, such as road construction,
rely on Indian migrant labor. Bhutan's hydropower potential and its
attraction for tourists are key resources. Model education, social,
and environment programs are underway with support from multilateral
development organizations. Each economic program takes into account
the government's desire to protect the country's environment and
cultural traditions. For example, the government, in its cautious
expansion of the tourist sector, encourages visits by upscale,
environmentally conscientious tourists. Detailed controls and
uncertain policies in areas like industrial licensing, trade, labor,
and finance continue to hamper foreign investment.
Bolivia
Bolivia, long one of the poorest and least developed Latin
American countries, reformed its economy after suffering a
disastrous economic crisis in the early 1980s. The reforms spurred
real GDP growth, which averaged 4 percent in the 1990s, and poverty
rates fell. Economic growth, however, lagged again beginning in 1999
because of a global slowdown and homegrown factors such as political
turmoil, civil unrest, and soaring fiscal deficits, all of which
hurt investor confidence. In 2003, violent protests against the
pro-foreign investment economic policies of President SANCHEZ DE
LOZADA led to his resignation and the cancellation of plans to
export Bolivia's newly discovered natural gas reserves to large
northern hemisphere markets. Foreign investment dried up as
companies adopted a wait-and-see attitude regarding new President
Carlos MESA's willingness to protect investor rights in the face of
increased demands by radical groups that the government expropriate
foreign-owned assets. Real GDP growth in 2003 and 2004 - helped by
increased demand for natural gas in neighboring Brazil - was
positive, but still below the levels seen during the 1990s. Bolivia
remains dependent on foreign aid from multilateral lenders and
foreign governments.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina ranked next to
Macedonia as the poorest republic in the old Yugoslav federation.
Although agriculture is almost all in private hands, farms are small
and inefficient, and the republic traditionally is a net importer of
food. Industry has been greatly overstaffed, one reflection of the
socialist economic structure of Yugoslavia. TITO had pushed the
development of military industries in the republic with the result
that Bosnia hosted a number of Yugoslavia's defense plants. The
interethnic warfare in Bosnia caused production to plummet by 80%
from 1992 to 1995 and unemployment to soar. With an uneasy peace in
place, output recovered in 1996-99 at high percentage rates from a
low base; but output growth slowed in 2000-02. Part of the lag in
output was made up in 2003-2004. National-level statistics are
limited and do not capture the large share of black market activity.
The konvertibilna marka (convertible mark or BAM)- the national
currency introduced in 1998 - is now pegged to the euro, and the
Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina has dramatically increased
its reserve holdings. Implementation of privatization, however, has
been slow, and local entities only reluctantly support
national-level institutions. Banking reform accelerated in 2001 as
all the Communist-era payments bureaus were shut down. A sizeable
current account deficit and high unemployment rate remain the two
most serious economic problems. The country receives substantial
amounts of reconstruction assistance and humanitarian aid from the
international community but will have to prepare for an era of
declining assistance.
Botswana
Botswana has maintained one of the world's highest economic
growth rates since independence in 1966. Through fiscal discipline
and sound management, Botswana has transformed itself from one of
the poorest countries in the world to a middle-income country with a
per capita GDP of $9,200 in 2004. Two major investment services rank
Botswana as the best credit risk in Africa. Diamond mining has
fueled much of the expansion and currently accounts for more than
one-third of GDP and for 70-80% of export earnings. Tourism,
financial services, subsistence farming, and cattle raising are
other key sectors. On the downside, the government must deal with
high rates of unemployment and poverty. Unemployment officially is
23.8%, but unofficial estimates place it closer to 40%. HIV/AIDS
infection rates are the second highest in the world and threaten
Botswana's impressive economic gains. An expected leveling off in
diamond mining production overshadow long-term prospects.
Bouvet Island
no economic activity; declared a nature reserve
Brazil
Possessing large and well-developed agricultural, mining,
manufacturing, and service sectors, Brazil's economy outweighs that
of all other South American countries and is expanding its presence
in world markets. From 2001-03 real wages fell and Brazil's economy
grew, on average, only 2.2% per year, as the country absorbed a
series of domestic and international economic shocks. That Brazil
absorbed these shocks without financial collapse is a tribute to the
resiliency of the Brazilian economy and the economic program put in
place by former President CARDOSO and strengthened by President LULA
DA SILVA. In 2004, Brazil enjoyed more robust growth that yielded
increases in employment and real wages. The three pillars of the
economic program are a floating exchange rate, an
inflation-targeting regime, and tight fiscal policy, all reinforced
by a series of IMF programs. The currency depreciated sharply in
2001 and 2002, which contributed to a dramatic current account
adjustment: in 2003 and 2004, Brazil ran record trade surpluses and
recorded its first current account surpluses since 1992.
Productivity gains - particularly in agriculture - also contributed
to the surge in exports, and Brazil in 2004 surpassed the previous
year's record export level and again posted a current account
surplus. While economic management has been good, there remain
important economic vulnerabilities. The most significant are
debt-related: the government's largely domestic debt increased
steadily from 1994 to 2003 - straining government finances - before
falling as a percentage of GDP in 2004, while Brazil's foreign debt
(a mix of private and public debt) is large in relation to Brazil's
small (but growing) export base. Another challenge is maintaining
economic growth over a period of time to generate employment and
make the government debt burden more manageable.
British Indian Ocean Territory
All economic activity is concentrated
on the largest island of Diego Garcia, where joint UK-US defense
facilities are located. Construction projects and various services
needed to support the military installations are done by military
and contract employees from the UK, Mauritius, the Philippines, and
the US. There are no industrial or agricultural activities on the
islands. When the Ilois return, they plan to reestablish sugarcane
production and fishing.
British Virgin Islands
The economy, one of the most stable and
prosperous in the Caribbean, is highly dependent on tourism,
generating an estimated 45% of the national income. An estimated
350,000 tourists, mainly from the US, visited the islands in 1998.
Tourism suffered in 2002 because of the lackluster US economy. In
the mid-1980s, the government began offering offshore registration
to companies wishing to incorporate in the islands, and
incorporation fees now generate substantial revenues. Roughly
400,000 companies were on the offshore registry by yearend 2000. The
adoption of a comprehensive insurance law in late 1994, which
provides a blanket of confidentiality with regulated statutory
gateways for investigation of criminal offenses, is expected to make
the British Virgin Islands even more attractive to international
business. Livestock raising is the most important agricultural
activity; poor soils limit the islands' ability to meet domestic
food requirements. Because of traditionally close links with the US
Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands has used the dollar as
its currency since 1959.
Brunei
This small, well-to-do economy encompasses a mixture of
foreign and domestic entrepreneurship, government regulation,
welfare measures, and village tradition. Crude oil and natural gas
production account for nearly half of GDP. Per capita GDP is far
above most other Third World countries, and substantial income from
overseas investment supplements income from domestic production. The
government provides for all medical services and free education
through the university level and subsidizes rice and housing.
Brunei's leaders are concerned that steadily increased integration
in the world economy will undermine internal social cohesion,
although it became a more prominent player by serving as chairman
for the 2000 APEC (Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation) forum. Plans
for the future include upgrading the labor force, reducing
unemployment, strengthening the banking and tourist sectors, and, in
general, further widening the economic base beyond oil and gas.
Bulgaria
Bulgaria, a former communist country striving to enter the
European Union, has experienced macroeconomic stability and strong
growth since a major economic downturn in 1996 led to the fall of
the then socialist government. As a result, the government became
committed to economic reform and responsible fiscal planning.
Minerals, including coal, copper, and zinc play an important role in
industry. In 1997, macroeconomic stability was reinforced by the
imposition of a fixed exchange rate of the lev against the German
D-mark and the negotiation of an IMF standby agreement. Low
inflation and steady progress on structural reforms improved the
business environment; Bulgaria has averaged 4% growth since 2000 and
has begun to attract significant amounts of foreign direct
investment. Corruption in the public administration, a weak
judiciary, and the presence of organized crime remain the largest
challenges for Bulgaria.
Burkina Faso
One of the poorest countries in the world, landlocked
Burkina Faso has few natural resources and a weak industrial base.
About 90% of the population is engaged in subsistence agriculture,
which is vulnerable to harsh climatic conditions. Cotton is the key
crop and the government has joined with other cotton producing
countries in the region to lobby for improved access to Western
markets. GDP growth has largely been driven by increases in world
cotton prices. Industry remains dominated by unprofitable
government-controlled corporations. Following the African franc
currency devaluation in January 1994 the government updated its
development program in conjunction with international agencies;
exports and economic growth have increased. The government devolved
macroeconomic policy and inflation targeting to the West African
regional central bank (BCEAO), but maintains control over
microeconomic policies, including reducing the trade deficit and
implementing reforms to encourage private investment. The bitter
internal crisis in neighboring Cote d'Ivoire continues to hurt trade
and industrial prospects and deepens the need for international
assistance.
Burma
Burma is a resource-rich country that suffers from government
controls, inefficient economic policies, and abject rural poverty.
The junta took steps in the early 1990s to liberalize the economy
after decades of failure under the "Burmese Way to Socialism", but
those efforts have since stalled and some of the liberalization
measures have been rescinded. Burma has been unable to achieve
monetary or fiscal stability, resulting in an economy that suffers
from serious macroeconomic imbalances - including inflation and
multiple official exchange rates that overvalue the Burmese kyat. In
addition, most overseas development assistance ceased after the
junta began to suppress the democracy movement in 1988 and
subsequently ignored the results of the 1990 legislative elections.
Economic sanctions against Burma by the United States - including a
ban on imports of Burmese products and a ban on provision of
financial services by US persons in response to the government of
Burma's attack in May 2003 on AUNG SAN SUU KYI and her convoy -
further slowed the inflow of foreign exchange. Official statistics
are inaccurate. Published statistics on foreign trade are greatly
understated because of the size of the black market and unofficial
border trade - often estimated to be one to two times the size of
the official economy. Though the Burmese government has good
economic relations with its neighbors, a better investment climate
and an improved political situation are needed to promote foreign
investment, exports, and tourism. In February 2003, a major banking
crisis hit the country's 20 private banks, shutting them down and
disrupting the economy. As of January 2004, the largest private
banks remained moribund, leaving the private sector with little
formal access to credit.
Burundi
Burundi is a landlocked, resource-poor country with an
underdeveloped manufacturing sector. The economy is predominantly
agricultural with roughly 90% of the population dependent on
subsistence agriculture. Economic growth depends on coffee and tea
exports, which account for 90% of foreign exchange earnings. The
ability to pay for imports, therefore, rests primarily on weather
conditions and international coffee and tea prices. The Tutsi
minority, 14% of the population, dominates the government and the
coffee trade at the expense of the Hutu majority, 85% of the
population. Since October 1993 an ethnic-based war has resulted in
more than 200,000 deaths, forced 450,000 refugees into Tanzania, and
displaced 140,000 others internally. Doubts about the prospects for
sustainable peace continue to impede development. Only one in two
children go to school, and approximately one in ten adults has
HIV/AIDS. Food, medicine, and electricity remain in short supply.
Cambodia
Cambodia's economy slowed dramatically in 1997 and 1998 due
to the regional economic crisis, civil violence, and political
infighting, and foreign investment and tourism decreased. In 1999,
the first full year of peace in 30 years, the government made
progress on economic reforms. Growth resumed and remained about 5%
from 2000 to 2004. Economic growth has been largely driven by
expansion in the garment sector and tourism, but is expected to fall
in 2005 as growth in the garment sector stalls. Clothing exports
were fostered by a US-Cambodian Bilateral Textile Agreement signed
in 1999 which gave Cambodia a guaranteed quota of US textile imports
and established a bonus for improving working conditions and
enforcing Cambodian labor laws and international labor standards in
the industry. With the January 2005 expiration of a WTO Agreement on
Textiles and Clothing, Cambodia-based textile producers are in
direct competition with lower priced producing countries such as
China and India. Faced with the possibility that over the next five
years Cambodia may lose orders and some of the 250,000 well-paid
jobs the industry provides, Cambodia has committed itself to a
policy of continued support for high labor standards in an attempt
to maintain favor with buyers. Tourism growth remains strong, with
arrivals up 15% in 2004. The long-term development of the economy
after decades of war remains a daunting challenge. The population
lacks education and productive skills, particularly in the
poverty-ridden countryside, which suffers from an almost total lack
of basic infrastructure. Fully 75% of the population remains engaged
in subsistence farming. Fear of renewed political instability and a
dysfunctional legal system coupled with extensive government
corruption discourage foreign investment. The Cambodian government
continues to work with bilateral and multilateral donors to address
the country's many pressing needs. In December 2004, official donors
pledged $504 million in aid for 2005 on the condition that the
Cambodian government begins taking steps to address rampant
corruption. The next donor pledging session is scheduled for
December 2005. The major economic challenge for Cambodia over the
next decade will be fashioning an economic environment in which the
private sector can create enough jobs to handle Cambodia's
demographic imbalance. More than 50% of the population is 20 years
or younger.
Cameroon
Because of its oil resources and favorable agricultural
conditions, Cameroon has one of the best-endowed primary commodity
economies in sub-Saharan Africa. Still, it faces many of the serious
problems facing other underdeveloped countries, such as a top-heavy
civil service and a generally unfavorable climate for business
enterprise. Since 1990, the government has embarked on various IMF
and World Bank programs designed to spur business investment,
increase efficiency in agriculture, improve trade, and recapitalize
the nation's banks. In June 2000, the government completed an
IMF-sponsored, three-year structural adjustment program; however,
the IMF is pressing for more reforms, including increased budget
transparency, privatization, and poverty reduction programs.
International oil and cocoa prices have considerable impact on the
economy.
Canada
As an affluent, high-tech industrial society, newly entered
in the trillion dollar class, Canada closely resembles the US in its
market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and affluent
living standards. Since World War II, the impressive growth of the
manufacturing, mining, and service sectors has transformed the
nation from a largely rural economy into one primarily industrial
and urban. The 1989 US-Canada Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the
1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) (which includes
Mexico) touched off a dramatic increase in trade and economic
integration with the US. Given its great natural resources, skilled
labor force, and modern capital plant Canada enjoys solid economic
prospects. Solid fiscal management has produced a long-term budget
surplus which is substantially reducing the national debt, although
public debate continues over how to manage the rising cost of the
publicly funded healthcare system. Exports account for roughly a
third of GDP. Canada enjoys a substantial trade surplus with its
principal trading partner, the United States, which absorbs more
than 85% of Canadian exports.
Cape Verde
This island economy suffers from a poor natural resource
base, including serious water shortages exacerbated by cycles of
long-term drought. The economy is service-oriented, with commerce,
transport, tourism, and public services accounting for 72% of GDP.
Although nearly 70% of the population lives in rural areas, the
share of agriculture in GDP in 2004 was only 12%, of which fishing
accounted for 1.5%. About 82% of food must be imported. The fishing
potential, mostly lobster and tuna, is not fully exploited. Cape
Verde annually runs a high trade deficit, financed by foreign aid
and remittances from emigrants; remittances supplement GDP by more
than 20%. Economic reforms are aimed at developing the private
sector and attracting foreign investment to diversify the economy.
Future prospects depend heavily on the maintenance of aid flows, the
encouragement of tourism, remittances, and the momentum of the
government's development program.
Cayman Islands
With no direct taxation, the islands are a thriving
offshore financial center. More than 40,000 companies were
registered in the Cayman Islands as of 1998, including almost 600
banks and trust companies; banking assets exceed $500 billion. A
stock exchange was opened in 1997. Tourism is also a mainstay,
accounting for about 70% of GDP and 75% of foreign currency
earnings. The tourist industry is aimed at the luxury market and
caters mainly to visitors from North America. Total tourist arrivals
exceeded 1.2 million in 1997, with 600,000 from the US. About 90% of
the islands' food and consumer goods must be imported. The
Caymanians enjoy one of the highest outputs per capita and one of
the highest standards of living in the world.
Central African Republic
Subsistence agriculture, together with
forestry, remains the backbone of the economy of the Central African
Republic (CAR), with more than 70% of the population living in
outlying areas. The agricultural sector generates half of GDP.
Timber has accounted for about 16% of export earnings and the
diamond industry, for 54%. Important constraints to economic
development include the CAR's landlocked position, a poor
transportation system, a largely unskilled work force, and a legacy
of misdirected macroeconomic policies. Factional fighting between
the government and its opponents remains a drag on economic
revitalization, with GDP growth at only 0.5% in 2004. Distribution
of income is extraordinarily unequal. Grants from France and the
international community can only partially meet humanitarian needs.
Chad
Chad's primarily agricultural economy will continue to be
boosted by major oilfield and pipeline projects that began in 2000.
Over 80% of Chad's population relies on subsistence farming and
livestock raising for its livelihood. Cotton, cattle, and gum arabic
provide the bulk of Chad's export earnings; Chad began to export oil
in 2004. Chad's economy has long been handicapped by its landlocked
position, high energy costs, and a history of instability. Chad
relies on foreign assistance and foreign capital for most public and
private sector investment projects. A consortium led by two US
companies has been investing $3.7 billion to develop oil reserves
estimated at 1 billion barrels in southern Chad. Oil production came
on stream in late 2003.
Chile
Chile has a market-oriented economy characterized by a high
level of foreign trade. During the early 1990s, Chile's reputation
as a role model for economic reform was strengthened when the
democratic government of Patricio AYLWIN - which took over from the
military in 1990 - deepened the economic reform initiated by the
military government. Growth in real GDP averaged 8% during 1991-97,
but fell to half that level in 1998 because of tight monetary
policies implemented to keep the current account deficit in check
and because of lower export earnings - the latter a product of the
global financial crisis. A severe drought exacerbated the recession
in 1999, reducing crop yields and causing hydroelectric shortfalls
and electricity rationing, and Chile experienced negative economic
growth for the first time in more than 15 years. Despite the effects
of the recession, Chile maintained its reputation for strong
financial institutions and sound policy that have given it the
strongest sovereign bond rating in South America. By the end of
1999, exports and economic activity had begun to recover, and growth
rebounded to 4.2% in 2000. Growth fell back to 3.1% in 2001 and 2.1%
in 2002, largely due to lackluster global growth and the devaluation
of the Argentine peso. Chile's economy began a slow recovery in
2003, growing 3.2% and accelerated to 5.8% in 2004. GDP growth
benefited from high copper prices, solid export earnings
(particularly forestry, fishing, and mining), and stepped-up foreign
direct investment. Unemployment, however, remains stubbornly high.
Chile deepened its longstanding commitment to trade liberalization
with the signing of a free trade agreement with the US, which took
effect on 1 January 2004.
China
In late 1978 the Chinese leadership began moving the economy
from a sluggish, inefficient, Soviet-style centrally planned economy
to a more market-oriented system. Whereas the system operates within
a political framework of strict Communist control, the economic
influence of non-state organizations and individual citizens has
been steadily increasing. The authorities switched to a system of
household and village responsibility in agriculture in place of the
old collectivization, increased the authority of local officials and
plant managers in industry, permitted a wide variety of small-scale
enterprises in services and light manufacturing, and opened the
economy to increased foreign trade and investment. The result has
been a quadrupling of GDP since 1978. Measured on a purchasing power
parity (PPP) basis, China in 2004 stood as the second-largest
economy in the world after the US, although in per capita terms the
country is still poor. Agriculture and industry have posted major
gains especially in coastal areas near Hong Kong and opposite Taiwan
and in Shanghai, where foreign investment has helped spur output of
both domestic and export goods. The leadership, however, often has
experienced - as a result of its hybrid system - the worst results
of socialism (bureaucracy and lassitude) and of capitalism (growing
income disparities and rising unemployment). China thus has
periodically backtracked, retightening central controls at
intervals. The government has struggled to (a) sustain adequate jobs
growth for tens of millions of workers laid off from state-owned
enterprises, migrants, and new entrants to the work force; (b)
reduce corruption and other economic crimes; and (c) keep afloat the
large state-owned enterprises, many of which had been shielded from
competition by subsidies and had been losing the ability to pay full
wages and pensions. From 100 to 150 million surplus rural workers
are adrift between the villages and the cities, many subsisting
through part-time, low-paying jobs. Popular resistance, changes in
central policy, and loss of authority by rural cadres have weakened
China's population control program, which is essential to
maintaining long-term growth in living standards. At the same time,
one demographic consequence of the "one child" policy is that China
is now one of the most rapidly aging countries in the world. Another
long-term threat to growth is the deterioration in the environment -
notably air pollution, soil erosion, and the steady fall of the
water table especially in the north. China continues to lose arable
land because of erosion and economic development. As part of its
effort to gradually slow the rapid economic growth seen in 2004,
Beijing says it will reduce somewhat its spending on infrastructure
in 2005, while continuing to focus on poverty relief and through
rural tax reform. Accession to the World Trade Organization helps
strengthen its ability to maintain strong growth rates but at the
same time puts additional pressure on the hybrid system of strong
political controls and growing market influences. China has
benefited from a huge expansion in computer Internet use, with 94
million users at the end of 2004. Foreign investment remains a
strong element in China's remarkable economic growth. Shortages of
electric power and raw materials may affect industrial output in
2005. More power generating capacity is scheduled to come on line in
2006. In its rivalry with India as an economic power, China has a
lead in the absorption of technology, the rising prominence in world
trade, and the alleviation of poverty; India has one important
advantage in its relative mastery of the English language, but the
number of competent Chinese English-speakers is growing rapidly.
Christmas Island
Phosphate mining had been the only significant
economic activity, but in December 1987 the Australian Government
closed the mine. In 1991, the mine was reopened. With the support of
the government, a $34 million casino opened in 1993. The casino
closed in 1998. The Australian Government in 2001 agreed to support
the creation of a commercial space-launching site on the island,
projected to begin operations in the near future
Clipperton Island
Although 115 species of fish have been identified
in the territorial waters of Clipperton Island, the only economic
activity is tuna fishing.
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Grown throughout the islands, coconuts are
the sole cash crop. Small local gardens and fishing contribute to
the food supply, but additional food and most other necessities must
be imported from Australia. There is a small tourist industry.
Colombia
Colombia's economy has been on a recovery trend during the
past two years despite a serious armed conflict. The economy
continues to improve thanks to austere government budgets, focused
efforts to reduce public debt levels, and an export-oriented growth
focus. Ongoing economic problems facing President URIBE range from
reforming the pension system to reducing high unemployment. New
exploration is needed to offset declining oil production. On the
positive side, several international financial institutions have
praised the economic reforms introduced by URIBE, which include
measures designed to reduce the public-sector deficit below 2.5% of
GDP. The government's economic policy and democratic security
strategy have engendered a growing sense of confidence in the
economy, particularly within the business sector. Coffee prices have
recovered from previous lows as the Colombian coffee industry
pursues greater market shares in developed countries such as the
United States.
Comoros
One of the world's poorest countries, Comoros is made up of
three islands that have inadequate transportation links, a young and
rapidly increasing population, and few natural resources. The low
educational level of the labor force contributes to a subsistence
level of economic activity, high unemployment, and a heavy
dependence on foreign grants and technical assistance. Agriculture,
including fishing, hunting, and forestry, contributes 40% to GDP,
employs 80% of the labor force, and provides most of the exports.
The country is not self-sufficient in food production; rice, the
main staple, accounts for the bulk of imports. The government -
which is hampered by internal political disputes - is struggling to
upgrade education and technical training, privatize commercial and
industrial enterprises, improve health services, diversify exports,
promote tourism, and reduce the high population growth rate.
Increased foreign support is essential if the goal of 4% annual GDP
growth is to be met. Remittances from 150,000 Comorans abroad help
supplement GDP.
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
The economy of the Democratic
Republic of the Congo - a nation endowed with vast potential wealth
- has declined drastically since the mid-1980s. The war, which began
in August 1998, dramatically reduced national output and government
revenue, increased external debt, and resulted in the deaths of
perhaps 3.5 million people from war, famine, and disease. Foreign
businesses curtailed operations due to uncertainty about the outcome
of the conflict, lack of infrastructure, and the difficult operating
environment. Conditions improved in late 2002 with the withdrawal of
a large portion of the invading foreign troops. Several IMF and
World Bank missions have met with the government to help it develop
a coherent economic plan, and President KABILA has begun
implementing reforms. Much economic activity lies outside the GDP
data. Economic stability, aided by international donors, improved in
2003-04, although an uncertain legal framework, corruption, and a
lack of openness in government policy continues to hamper growth. In
2005, renewed activity in the mining sector, the source of most
exports, could boost Kinshasa's fiscal position and GDP growth.
Congo, Republic of the
The economy is a mixture of village
agriculture and handicrafts, an industrial sector based largely on
oil, support services, and a government characterized by budget
problems and overstaffing. Oil has supplanted forestry as the
mainstay of the economy, providing a major share of government
revenues and exports. In the early 1980s, rapidly rising oil
revenues enabled the government to finance large-scale development
projects with GDP growth averaging 5% annually, one of the highest
rates in Africa. The government has mortgaged a substantial portion
of its oil earnings, contributing to a shortage of revenues. The 12
January 1994 devaluation of Franc Zone currencies by 50% resulted in
inflation of 61% in 1994, but inflation has subsided since. Economic
reform efforts continued with the support of international
organizations, notably the World Bank and the IMF. The reform
program came to a halt in June 1997 when civil war erupted. Denis
SASSOU-NGUESSO, who returned to power when the war ended in October
1997, publicly expressed interest in moving forward on economic
reforms and privatization and in renewing cooperation with
international financial institutions. However, economic progress was
badly hurt by slumping oil prices and the resumption of armed
conflict in December 1998, which worsened the republic's budget
deficit. The current administration presides over an uneasy internal
peace and faces difficult economic challenges of stimulating
recovery and reducing poverty.
Cook Islands
Like many other South Pacific island nations, the Cook
Islands' economic development is hindered by the isolation of the
country from foreign markets, the limited size of domestic markets,
lack of natural resources, periodic devastation from natural
disasters, and inadequate infrastructure. Agriculture provides the
economic base with major exports made up of copra and citrus fruit.
Manufacturing activities are limited to fruit processing, clothing,
and handicrafts. Trade deficits are offset by remittances from
emigrants and by foreign aid, overwhelmingly from New Zealand. In
the 1980s and 1990s, the country lived beyond its means, maintaining
a bloated public service and accumulating a large foreign debt.
Subsequent reforms, including the sale of state assets, the
strengthening of economic management, the encouragement of tourism,
and a debt restructuring agreement, have rekindled investment and
growth.
Coral Sea Islands
no economic activity
Costa Rica
Costa Rica's basically stable economy depends on tourism,
agriculture, and electronics exports. Poverty has been substantially
reduced over the past 15 years, and a strong social safety net has
been put into place. Foreign investors remain attracted by the
country's political stability and high education levels, and tourism
continues to bring in foreign exchange. Low prices for coffee and
bananas have hurt the agricultural sector. The government continues
to grapple with its large deficit and massive internal debt. The
reduction of inflation remains a difficult problem because of rises
in the price of imports, labor market rigidities, and fiscal
deficits. The country also needs to reform its tax system and its
pattern of public expenditure. Costa Rica recently concluded
negotiations to participate in the US-Central American Free Trade
Agreement, which, if ratified by the Costa Rican Legislature, would
result in economic reforms and an improved investment climate.
Cote d'Ivoire
Cote d'Ivoire is among the world's largest producers
and exporters of coffee, cocoa beans, and palm oil. Consequently,
the economy is highly sensitive to fluctuations in international
prices for these products and weather conditions. Despite government
attempts to diversify the economy, it is still heavily dependent on
agriculture and related activities, engaging roughly 68% of the
population. After several years of lagging performance, the Ivorian
economy began a comeback in 1994, due to the 50% devaluation of the
CFA franc and improved prices for cocoa and coffee, growth in
nontraditional primary exports such as pineapples and rubber,
limited trade and banking liberalization, offshore oil and gas
discoveries, and generous external financing and debt rescheduling
by multilateral lenders and France. Moreover, government adherence
to donor-mandated reforms led to a jump to 5% annual growth during
1996-99. Growth was negative in 2000-03 because of the difficulty of
meeting the conditions of international donors, continued low prices
of key exports, and severe civil war. In November 2004 the situation
deteriorated when President GBAGBO's troops attacked and killed nine
French peacekeeping forces, and the UN imposed an arms embargo.
Political uncertainty has clouded the economic outlook for 2005,
with fear among Ivorians spreading, foreign investment shriveling,
businessmen fleeing, travel within the country falling, and criminal
elements that traffic in weapons and diamonds gaining ground.
Croatia
Before the dissolution of Yugoslavia, the Republic of
Croatia, after Slovenia, was the most prosperous and industrialized
area, with a per capita output perhaps one-third above the Yugoslav
average. The economy emerged from a mild recession in 2000 with
tourism, banking, and public investments leading the way.
Unemployment remains high, at about 14 percent, with structural
factors slowing its decline. While macroeconomic stabilization has
largely been achieved, structural reforms lag because of deep
resistance on the part of the public and lack of strong support from
politicians. Growth, while impressively about 4% for the last
several years, has been achieved through high fiscal and current
account deficits. The government is gradually reducing a heavy back
log of civil cases, many involving land tenure. The EU accession
process should accelerate fiscal and structural reform.
Cuba
The government continues to balance the need for economic
loosening against a desire for firm political control. It has
undertaken limited reforms to increase enterprise efficiency and
alleviate serious shortages of food, consumer goods, and services. A
major feature of the economy is the dichotomy between relatively
efficient export enclaves and inefficient domestic sectors. The
average Cuban's standard of living remains at a lower level than
before the depression of the 1990s, which was caused by the loss of
Soviet aid and domestic inefficiencies. The government in 2004
strengthened its controls over dollars coming into the economy from
tourism, remittances, and trade.
Cyprus
The Greek Cypriot economy is prosperous but highly
susceptible to external shocks. The service sector, mainly tourism
and financial services, dominates the economy; erratic growth rates
over the past decade reflect the economy's reliance on tourism,
which often fluctuates with political instability in the region and
economic conditions in Western Europe. Economic policy is focused on
meeting the criteria to join the European Exchange Rate Mechanism
(ERM2) within the next two years although sluggish tourism and poor
fiscal management have resulted in growing budget deficits since
2001. As in the Turkish sector, water shortages are a perennial
problem; a few desalination plants are now on-line. After 10 years
of drought, the country received substantial rainfall from 2001-03,
alleviating immediate concerns. The Turkish Cypriot economy has
roughly one-third of the per capita GDP of the south, and economic
growth tends to be volatile, given north Cyprus's relative
isolation, bloated public sector, reliance on the Turkish lira, and
small market size. The Turkish Cypriot economy grew 2.6% in 2004,
fueled by growth in the construction and education sectors as well
as increased employment of Turkish Cypriots in the Republic of
Cyprus. The Turkish Cypriots are heavily dependent on transfers from
the Turkish government. Ankara provides around $300 million a year
directly into the "TRNC" budget and regularly provides additional
financing for large infrastructure projects. Agriculture and
government service, together employ almost half of the work force,
and the potential for tourism is promising, especially with the
easing of border restrictions with the Greek Cypriots in April 2003.
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is one of the most stable and
prosperous of the post-Communist states of Central and Eastern
Europe. Growth in 2000-04 was supported by exports to the EU,
primarily to Germany, and a strong recovery of foreign and domestic
investment. Domestic demand is playing an ever more important role
in underpinning growth as interest rates drop and the availability
of credit cards and mortgages increases. Current account deficits of
around 5% of GDP are beginning to decline as demand for Czech
products in the European Union increases. Inflation is under
control. Recent accession to the EU gives further impetus and
direction to structural reform. In early 2004 the government passed
increases in the Value Added Tax (VAT) and tightened eligibility for
social benefits with the intention to bring the public finance gap
down to 4% of GDP by 2006, but more difficult pension and healthcare
reforms will have to wait until after the next elections.
Privatization of the state-owned telecommunications firm Cesky
Telecom is scheduled to take place in 2005. Intensified
restructuring among large enterprises, improvements in the financial
sector, and effective use of available EU funds should strengthen
output growth.
Denmark
This thoroughly modern market economy features high-tech
agriculture, up-to-date small-scale and corporate industry,
extensive government welfare measures, comfortable living standards,
a stable currency, and high dependence on foreign trade. Denmark is
a net exporter of food and energy and enjoys a comfortable balance
of payments surplus. Government objectives include streamlining the
bureaucracy and further privatization of state assets. The
government has been successful in meeting, and even exceeding, the
economic convergence criteria for participating in the third phase
(a common European currency) of the European Economic and Monetary
Union (EMU), but Denmark has decided not to join 12 other EU members
in the euro; even so, the Danish krone remains pegged to the euro.
Growth in 2004 was sluggish, yet above the scanty 0.3% of 2003.
Because of high GDP per capita, welfare benefits, a low Gini index,
and political stability, the Danish people enjoy living standards
topped by no other nation. A major long-term issue will be the sharp
decline in the ratio of workers to retirees.
Dhekelia
Economic activity is limited to providing services to the
military and their families located in Dhekelia. All food and
manufactured goods must be imported.
Djibouti
The economy is based on service activities connected with
the country's strategic location and status as a free trade zone in
northeast Africa. Two-thirds of the inhabitants live in the capital
city, the remainder are mostly nomadic herders. Scanty rainfall
limits crop production to fruits and vegetables, and most food must
be imported. Djibouti provides services as both a transit port for
the region and an international transshipment and refueling center.
Djibouti has few natural resources and little industry. The nation
is, therefore, heavily dependent on foreign assistance to help
support its balance of payments and to finance development projects.
An unemployment rate of at least 50% continues to be a major
problem. While inflation is not a concern, due to the fixed tie of
the Djiboutian franc to the US dollar, the artificially high value
of the Djiboutian franc adversely affects Djibouti's balance of
payments. Per capita consumption dropped an estimated 35% over the
last seven years because of recession, civil war, and a high
population growth rate (including immigrants and refugees). Faced
with a multitude of economic difficulties, the government has fallen
in arrears on long-term external debt and has been struggling to
meet the stipulations of foreign aid donors.
Dominica
The Dominican economy depends on agriculture, primarily
bananas, and remains highly vulnerable to climatic conditions and
international economic developments. Production of bananas dropped
precipitously in 2003, a major reason for the 1% decline in GDP.
Tourism increased in 2003 as the government sought to promote
Dominica as an "ecotourism" destination. Development of the tourism
industry remains difficult, however, because of the rugged
coastline, lack of beaches, and the absence of an international
airport. The government began a comprehensive restructuring of the
economy in 2003 - including elimination of price controls,
privatization of the state banana company, and tax increases - to
address Dominica's economic crisis and to meet IMF targets. In order
to diversify the island's production base the government is
attempting to develop an offshore financial sector and is planning
to construct an oil refinery on the eastern part of the island.
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a Caribbean
representative democracy which enjoyed GDP growth of more than 7% in
1998-2000. Growth subsequently plummeted as part of the global
economic slowdown. Although the country has long been viewed
primarily as an exporter of sugar, coffee, and tobacco, in recent
years the service sector has overtaken agriculture as the economy's
largest employer, due to growth in tourism and free trade zones. The
country suffers from marked income inequality; the poorest half of
the population receives less than one-fifth of GNP, while the
richest 10% enjoys nearly 40% of national income. Growth turned
negative in 2003 with reduced tourism, a major bank fraud, and
limited growth in the US economy (the source of about 85% of export
revenues), but recovered slightly in 2004. Resumption of a badly
needed IMF loan, slowed due to government repurchase of electrical
power plants, is basic to the restoration of social and economic
stability. Newly elected President FERNANDEZ in mid-2004 promised
belt-tightening reform. His administration has passed tax reform and
is working to meet preconditions for a $600 IMF standby arrangement
to ease the country's fiscal situation.
East Timor
In late 1999, about 70% of the economic infrastructure of
East Timor was laid waste by Indonesian troops and anti-independence
militias, and 300,000 people fled westward. Over the next three
years, however, a massive international program, manned by 5,000
peacekeepers (8,000 at peak) and 1,300 police officers, led to
substantial reconstruction in both urban and rural areas. By 2003,
all but about 30,000 of the refugees had returned. Growth was held
back in 2003 by extensive drought and the gradual winding down of
the international presence. The country faces great challenges in
continuing the rebuilding of infrastructure, strengthening the
infant civil administration, and generating jobs for young people
entering the workforce. One promising long-term project is the
planned development of oil and gas resources in nearby waters, which
have begun to supplement government revenues ahead of schedule.
Ecuador
Ecuador has substantial petroleum resources, which have
accounted for 40% of the country's export earnings and one-fourth of
central government budget revenues in recent years. Consequently,
fluctuations in world market prices can have a substantial domestic
impact. In the late 1990s, Ecuador suffered its worst economic
crisis, with natural disasters and sharp declines in world petroleum
prices driving Ecuador's economy into free fall in 1999. Real GDP
contracted by more than 6%, with poverty worsening significantly.
The banking system also collapsed, and Ecuador defaulted on its
external debt later that year. The currency depreciated by some 70%
in 1999, and, on the brink of hyperinflation, the MAHAUD government
announced it would dollarize the economy. A coup, however, ousted
MAHAUD from office in January 2000, and after a short-lived junta
failed to garner military support, Vice President Gustavo NOBOA took
over the presidency. In March 2000, Congress approved a series of
structural reforms that also provided the framework for the adoption
of the US dollar as legal tender. Dollarization stabilized the
economy, and growth returned to its pre-crisis levels in the years
that followed. Under the administration of Lucio GUTIERREZ - January
2003 to April 2005 - Ecuador benefited from higher world petroleum
prices, but the government has made little progress on economic
reforms necessary to reduce Ecuador's vulnerability to petroleum
price swings and financial crises.
Egypt
Lack of substantial progress on economic reform since the mid
1990s has limited foreign direct investment in Egypt and kept annual
GDP growth in the range of 2%-3% in 2001-03. However, in 2004 Egypt
implemented several measures to boost foreign direct investment. In
September 2004, Egypt pushed through custom reforms, proposed income
and corporate tax reforms, reduced energy subsidies, and privatized
several enterprises. The budget deficit rose to an estimated 8% of
GDP in 2004 compared to 6.1% of GDP the previous year, in part as a
result of these reforms. Monetary pressures on an overvalued
Egyptian pound led the government to float the currency in January
2003, leading to a sharp drop in its value and consequent
inflationary pressure. In 2004, the Central Bank implemented
measures to improve currency liquidity. Egypt reached record tourism
levels, despite the Taba and Nuweiba bombings in September 2004. The
development of an export market for natural gas is a bright spot for
future growth prospects, but improvement in the capital-intensive
hydrocarbons sector does little to reduce Egypt's persistent
unemployment.
El Salvador
GDP per capita is roughly half that of Brazil,
Argentina, and Chile, and the distribution of income is highly
unequal. The government is striving to open new export markets,
encourage foreign investment, modernize the tax and healthcare
systems, and stimulate the sluggish economy. Implementation of the
Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement, ratified by
El Salvador in 2004, is viewed as a key policy to help achieve these
objectives. The trade deficit has been offset by annual remittances
from Salvadorans living abroad - 16% of GDP in 2004 - and external
aid. With the adoption of the US dollar as its currency, El Salvador
has lost control over monetary policy and must concentrate on
maintaining a disciplined fiscal policy.
Equatorial Guinea
The discovery and exploitation of large oil
reserves have contributed to dramatic economic growth in recent
years. Forestry, farming, and fishing are also major components of
GDP. Subsistence farming predominates. Although pre-independence
Equatorial Guinea counted on cocoa production for hard currency
earnings, the neglect of the rural economy under successive regimes
has diminished potential for agriculture-led growth (the government
has stated its intention to reinvest some oil revenue into
agriculture). A number of aid programs sponsored by the World Bank
and the IMF have been cut off since 1993 because of corruption and
mismanagement. No longer eligible for concessional financing because
of large oil revenues, the government has been unsuccessfully trying
to agree on a "shadow" fiscal management program with the World Bank
and IMF. Businesses, for the most part, are owned by government
officials and their family members. Undeveloped natural resources
include titanium, iron ore, manganese, uranium, and alluvial gold.
Growth presumably remained strong in 2004, led by oil.