Ecuador has substantial oil resources and rich agricultural areas. Growth
has been uneven because of natural disasters, fluctuations in global oil
prices, and government policies designed to curb inflation. Banana exports,
second only to oil, have suffered as a result of EC import quotas and banana
blight. The new President Sixto DURAN-BALLEN, has a much more favorable
attitude toward foreign investment than did his predecessor. Ecuador has
implemented trade agreements with Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, and Venezuela and
has applied for GATT membership. At the end of 1991, Ecuador received a
standby IMF loan of $105 million, which will permit the country to proceed
with the rescheduling of Paris Club debt. In September 1992, the government
launched a new, macroeconomic program that gives more play to market forces;
as of March 1993, the program seemed to be paying off.
National product:
GDP - exchange rate conversion - $11.8 billion (1992)
National product real growth rate:
3% (1992)
National product per capita:
$1,100 (1992)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 70% (1992)
Unemployment rate:
8% (1992)
Budget:
revenues $1.9 billion; expenditures $1.9 billion, including capital
expenditures of $NA (1992)
Exports:
$3.0 billion (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities:
petroleum 42%, bananas, shrimp, cocoa, coffee
partners:
US 53.4%, Latin America, Caribbean, EC countries
Imports:
$2.4 billion (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities:
transport equipment, vehicles, machinery, chemicals
partners:
US 32.7%, Latin America, Caribbean, EC countries, Japan
External debt:
$12.7 billion (1992)
Industrial production:
growth rate 3.9% (1991); accounts for almost 40% of GDP, including petroleum
Electricity:
2,921,000 kW capacity; 7,676 million kWh produced, 700 kWh per capita (1992)
Industries:
petroleum, food processing, textiles, metal works, paper products, wood
products, chemicals, plastics, fishing, timber
Agriculture:
accounts for 18% of GDP and 35% of labor force (including fishing and
forestry); leading producer and exporter of bananas and balsawood; other
exports - coffee, cocoa, fish, shrimp; crop production - rice, potatoes,
manioc, plantains, sugarcane; livestock sector - cattle, sheep, hogs, beef,
pork, dairy products; net importer of foodgrains, dairy products, and sugar
Illicit drugs:
minor illicit producer of coca following the successful eradication campaign
of 1985-87; significant transit country, however, for derivatives of coca
originating in Colombia, Bolivia, and Peru; importer of precursor chemicals
used in production of illicit narcotics; important money-laundering hub
*Ecuador, Economy
Economic aid:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $498 million; Western (non-US)
countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $2.15 billion;
Communist countries (1970-89), $64 million
Currency:
1 sucre (S/) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates:
sucres (S/) per US$1 - 1,453.8 (August 1992), 1,046.25 (1991), 869.54
(December 1990), 767.75 (1990), 526.35 (1989), 301.61 (1988)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
*Ecuador, Communications
Railroads:
965 km total; all 1.067-meter-gauge single track
Highways:
28,000 km total; 3,600 km paved, 17,400 km gravel and improved earth, 7,000
km unimproved earth
Inland waterways:
1,500 km
Pipelines:
crude oil 800 km; petroleum products 1,358 km
Ports:
Guayaquil, Manta, Puerto Bolivar, Esmeraldas
Merchant marine:
45 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 333,380 GRT/483,862 DWT; includes 2
passenger, 4 cargo, 17 refrigerated cargo, 4 container, 1 roll-on/roll-off,
15 oil tanker, 1 liquefied gas, 1 bulk
Airports:
total:
174
usable:
173
with permanent-surface runways:
52
with runway over 3,659 m:
1
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
6
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
21
Telecommunications:
domestic facilities generally adequate; 318,000 telephones; broadcast
stations - 272 AM, no FM, 33 TV, 39 shortwave; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT
earth station
*Ecuador, Defense Forces
Branches:
Army (Ejercito Ecuatoriano), Navy (Armada Ecuatoriana), Air Force (Fuerza
Aerea Ecuatoriana), National Police
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 2,655,520; fit for military service 1,798,122; reach
military age (20) annually 109,413 (1993 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP
*Egypt, Geography
Location:
Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea, between
Sudan and Libya
Map references:
Africa, Middle East, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
1,001,450 km2
land area:
995,450 km2
comparative area:
slightly more than three times the size of New Mexico
Land boundaries:
total 2,689 km, Gaza Strip 11 km, Israel 255 km, Libya 1,150 km, Sudan 1,273
km
Coastline:
2,450 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
24 nm
continental shelf:
200 m depth or to depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone:
not specified
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
administrative boundary with Sudan does not coincide with international
boundary creating the "Hala'ib Triangle," a barren area of 20,580 km2, the
dispute over this area escalated in 1993
Climate:
desert; hot, dry summers with moderate winters
Terrain:
vast desert plateau interrupted by Nile valley and delta
Natural resources:
petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, manganese, limestone, gypsum,
talc, asbestos, lead, zinc
Land use:
arable land:
3%
permanent crops:
2%
meadows and pastures:
0%
forest and woodland:
0%
other:
95%
Irrigated land:
25,850 km2 (1989 est.)
Environment:
Nile is only perennial water source; increasing soil salinization below
Aswan High Dam; hot, driving windstorm called khamsin occurs in spring;
water pollution; desertification
Note:
controls Sinai Peninsula, only land bridge between Africa and remainder of
Eastern Hemisphere; controls Suez Canal, shortest sea link between Indian
Ocean and Mediterranean; size and juxtaposition to Israel establish its
major role in Middle Eastern geopolitics
*Egypt, People
Population:
59,585,529 (July 1993 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.3% (1993 est.)
note:
the US Bureau of the Census has lowered its 1993 estimate of growth to 2.0%
on the basis of a 1992 Egyptian government survey, whereas estimates of
other observers go as high as 2.9%
Birth rate:
33 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Death rate:
9 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Net migration rate:
NEGL
Infant mortality rate:
78.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
60.46 years
male:
58.61 years
female:
62.41 years (1993 est.)
Total fertility rate:
4.35 children born/woman (1993 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Egyptian(s)
adjective:
Egyptian
Ethnic divisions:
Eastern Hamitic stock 90%, Greek, Italian, Syro-Lebanese 10%
Religions:
Muslim (mostly Sunni) 94% (official estimate), Coptic Christian and other 6%
(official estimate)
Languages:
Arabic (official), English and French widely understood by educated classes
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990)
total population:
48%
male:
63%
female:
34%
Labor force:
15 million (1989 est.)
by occupation:
government, public sector enterprises, and armed forces 36%, agriculture
34%, privately owned service and manufacturing enterprises 20% (1984)
note: shortage of skilled labor; 2,500,000 Egyptians work abroad, mostly in Saudi
Arabia and the Gulf Arab states (1988 est.)
*Egypt, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
Arab Republic of Egypt
conventional short form:
Egypt
local long form:
Jumhuriyat Misr al-Arabiyah
local short form:
none
former:
United Arab Republic (with Syria)
Digraph:
EG
Type:
republic
Capital:
Cairo
Administrative divisions:
26 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Ad Daqahliyah, Al Bahr al
Ahmar, Al Buhayrah, Al Fayyum, Al Gharbiyah, Al Iskandariyah, Al
Isma'iliyah, Al Jizah, Al Minufiyah, Al Minya, Al Qahirah, Al Qalyubiyah, Al
Wadi al Jadid, Ash Sharqiyah, As Suways, Aswan, Asyu't, Bani Suwayf, Bur
Sa'id, Dumyat, Janub Sina, Kafr ash Shaykh, Matruh, Qina, Shamal Sina, Suhaj
Independence:
28 February 1922 (from UK)
Constitution:
11 September 1971
Legal system:
based on English common law, Islamic law, and Napoleonic codes; judicial
review by Supreme Court and Council of State (oversees validity of
administrative decisions); accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with
reservations
National holiday:
Anniversary of the Revolution, 23 July (1952)
Political parties and leaders:
National Democratic Party (NDP), President Mohammed Hosni MUBARAK, leader,
is the dominant party; legal opposition parties are Socialist Liberal Party
(SLP), Kamal MURAD; Socialist Labor Party, Ibrahim SHUKRI; National
Progressive Unionist Grouping (NPUG), Khalid MUHYI-AL-DIN; Umma Party, Ahmad
al-SABAHI; New Wafd Party (NWP), Fu'ad SIRAJ AL-DIN; Misr al-Fatah Party
(Young Egypt Party), Ali al-Din SALIH; The Greens Party, Hasan RAJABD;
Nasserist Arab Democratic Party, Muhammad Rif'at al-MUHAMI; Democratic
Unionist Party, Mohammed 'Abd-al-Mun'im TURK; Democratic Peoples' Party,
Anwar AFISI
note:
formation of political parties must be approved by government
Other political or pressure groups:
Islamic groups are illegal, but the largest one, the Muslim Brotherhood, is
tolerated by the government; trade unions and professional associations are
officially sanctioned
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Elections:
Advisory Council:
last held 8 June 1989 (next to be held June 1995); results - NDP 100%; seats
- (258 total, 172 elected) NDP 172
*Egypt, Government
People's Assembly:
last held 29 November 1990 (next to be held November 1995); results - NDP
78.4%, NPUG 1.4%, independents 18.7%; seats - (437 total, 444 elected) NDP
348, NPUG 6, independents 83; note - most opposition parties boycotted
President:
last held 5 October 1987 (next to be held October 1993); results - President
Hosni MUBARAK was reelected
Executive branch:
president, prime minister, Cabinet
Legislative branch:
unicameral People's Assembly (Majlis al-Cha'b); note - there is an Advisory
Council (Majlis al-Shura) that functions in a consultative role
Judicial branch:
Supreme Constitutional Court
Leaders:
Chief of State:
President Mohammed Hosni MUBARAK (was made acting President on 6 October
1981 upon the assassination of President SADAT and sworn in as president on
14 October 1981)
Head of Government:
Prime Minister Atef Mohammed Najib SEDKY (since 12 November 1986)
Member of:
ABEDA, ACC, ACCT (associate), AfDB, AFESD, AG (observer), AL, AMF, CAEU,
CCC, EBRD, ECA, ESCWA, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,
ICC, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC,
IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, MINURSO, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OAU, OIC, PCA,
UN, UNAVEM II, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOMOZ, UNOSOM, UNPROFOR, UPU, UNRWA,
WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Ahmed MAHER El Sayed
chancery:
2310 Decatur Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 232-5400
consulates general:
Chicago, Houston, New York, and San Francisco
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Robert PELLETREAU
embassy:
Lazougi Street, Garden City, Cairo
mailing address:
APO AE 09839 telephone:
[20] (2) 355-7371
FAX:
[20] (2) 355-7375
consulate general:
Alexandria
Flag:
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black with the
national emblem (a shield superimposed on a golden eagle facing the hoist
side above a scroll bearing the name of the country in Arabic) centered in
the white band; similar to the flag of Yemen, which has a plain white band;
also similar to the flag of Syria that has two green stars and to the flag
of Iraq, which has three green stars (plus an Arabic inscription) in a
horizontal line centered in the white band
*Egypt, Economy
Overview:
Egypt has one of the largest public sectors of all the Third World
economies, most industrial plants being owned by the government.
Overregulation holds back technical modernization and foreign investment.
Even so, the economy grew rapidly during the late 1970s and early 1980s, but
in 1986 the collapse of world oil prices and an increasingly heavy burden of
debt servicing led Egypt to begin negotiations with the IMF for
balance-of-payments support. Egypt's first IMF standby arrangement concluded
in mid-1987 was suspended in early 1988 because of the government's failure
to adopt promised reforms. Egypt signed a follow-on program with the IMF and
also negotiated a structural adjustment loan with the World Bank in 1991. In
1991-92 the government made solid progress on administrative reforms such as
liberalizing exchange and interest rates but resisted implementing major
structural reforms like streamlining the public sector. As a result, the
economy has not gained momentum and unemployment has become a growing
problem. In 1992-93 tourism has plunged 20% or so because of sporadic
attacks by Islamic extremists on tourist groups. President MUBARAK has cited
population growth as the main cause of the country's economic troubles. The
addition of about 1.4 million people a year to the already huge population
of 60 million exerts enormous pressure on the 5% of the land area available
for agriculture.
National product:
GDP - exchange rate conversion - $41.2 billion (1992 est.)
National product real growth rate:
2.1% (1992 est.)
National product per capita:
$730 (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
21% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate:
20% (1992 est.)
Budget:
revenues $12.6 billion; expenditures $15.2 billion, including capital
expenditures of $4 billion (FY92 est.)
Exports:
$3.6 billion (f.o.b., FY92 est.)
commodities: crude oil and petroleum products, cotton yarn, raw cotton, textiles, metal
products, chemicals
partners:
EC, Eastern Europe, US, Japan
Imports:
$10.0 billion (c.i.f., FY92 est.)
commodities:
machinery and equipment, foods, fertilizers, wood products, durable consumer
goods, capital goods
partners:
EC, US, Japan, Eastern Europe
External debt:
$38 billion (December 1991 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate 7.3% (FY89 est.); accounts for 18% of GDP
Electricity:
14,175,000 kW capacity; 47,000 million kWh produced, 830 kWh per capita
(1992)
Industries:
textiles, food processing, tourism, chemicals, petroleum, construction,
cement, metals
*Egypt, Economy
Agriculture:
accounts for 20% of GDP and employs more than one-third of labor force;
dependent on irrigation water from the Nile; world's sixth-largest cotton
exporter; other crops produced include rice, corn, wheat, beans, fruit,
vegetables; not self-sufficient in food for a rapidly expanding population;
livestock - cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats; annual fish catch about
140,000 metric tons
Illicit drugs:
a transit point for Southwest Asian and Southeast Asian heroin and opium
moving to Europe and the US; popular transit stop for Nigerian couriers;
large domestic consumption of hashish and heroin from Lebanon and Syria
Economic aid:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $15.7 billion; Western (non-US)
countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-88), $10.1 billion; OPEC
bilateral aid (1979-89), $2.9 billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $2.4
billion
Currency:
1 Egyptian pound (#E) = 100 piasters
Exchange rates:
Egyptian pounds (#E) per US$1 - 3.345 (November 1992), 2.7072 (1990), 2.5171
(1989), 2.2233 (1988), 1.5183 (1987)
Fiscal year:
1 July - 30 June
*Egypt, Communications
Railroads:
5,110 km total; 4,763 km 1,435-meter standard gauge, 347 km 0.750-meter
gauge; 951 km double track; 25 km electrified
Highways:
51,925 km total; 17,900 km paved, 2,500 km gravel, 13,500 km improved earth,
18,025 km unimproved earth
Inland waterways:
3,500 km (including the Nile, Lake Nasser, Alexandria-Cairo Waterway, and
numerous smaller canals in the delta); Suez Canal, 193.5 km long (including
approaches), used by oceangoing vessels drawing up to 16.1 meters of water
Pipelines:
crude oil 1,171 km; petroleum products 596 km; natural gas 460 km
Ports:
Alexandria, Port Said, Suez, Bur Safajah, Damietta
Merchant marine:
168 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,097,707 GRT/1,592,885 DWT; includes
25 passenger, 6 short-sea passenger, 2 passenger-cargo, 88 cargo, 3
refrigerated cargo, 14 roll-on/roll-off, 13 oil tanker, 16 bulk, 1 container
Airports:
total:
92
usable:
82
with permanent-surface runways:
66
with runways over 3,659 m:
2
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
44
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
24
Telecommunications:
large system by Third World standards but inadequate for present
requirements and undergoing extensive upgrading; about 600,000 telephones
(est.) - 11 telephones per 1,000 persons; principal centers at Alexandria,
Cairo, Al Mansurah, Ismailia Suez, and Tanta are connected by coaxial cable
and microwave radio relay; international traffic is carried by satellite -
one earth station for each of Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT, Indian Ocean
INTELSAT, ARABSAT and INMARSAT; by 5 coaxial submarine cables, microwave
troposcatter (to Sudan), and microwave radio relay (to Libya, Israel, and
Jordan); broadcast stations - 39 AM, 6 FM, and 41 TV
*Egypt, Defense Forces
Branches:
Army, Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Command
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 14,513,752; fit for military service 9,434,020; reach
military age (20) annually 581,858 (1993 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $2.05 billion, 5% of GDP (FY92/93)
*El Salvador, Geography
Location:
Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean between Guatemala and
Honduras
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean, North America, Standard Time Zones of the
World
Area:
total area:
21,040 km2
land area:
20,720 km2
comparative area:
slightly smaller than Massachusetts
Land boundaries:
total 545 km, Guatemala 203 km, Honduras 342 km
Coastline:
307 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea:
200 nm; overflight and navigation permitted beyond 12 nm
International disputes:
land boundary dispute with Honduras mostly resolved by 11 September 1992
International Court of Justice (ICJ) decision; ICJ referred the maritime
boundary in the Golfo de Fonseca to an earlier agreement in this century and
advised that some tripartite resolution among El Salvador, Honduras and
Nicaragua likely would be required
Climate:
tropical; rainy season (May to October); dry season (November to April)
Terrain:
mostly mountains with narrow coastal belt and central plateau
Natural resources:
hydropower, geothermal power, petroleum
Land use:
arable land:
27%
permanent crops:
8%
meadows and pastures:
29%
forest and woodland:
6%
other:
30%
Irrigated land:
1,200 km2 (1989)
Environment:
the Land of Volcanoes; subject to frequent and sometimes very destructive
earthquakes; deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution
Note:
smallest Central American country and only one without a coastline on
Caribbean Sea
*El Salvador, People
Population:
5,636,524 (July 1993 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.04% (1993 est.)
Birth rate:
33.12 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Death rate:
6.53 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Net migration rate:
-6.21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
42.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
66.5 years
male:
63.93 years
female:
69.2 years (1993 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.87 children born/woman (1993 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Salvadoran(s)
adjective:
Salvadoran
Ethnic divisions:
mestizo 94%, Indian 5%, white 1%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 75%
note:
Roman Catholic about 75%; there is extensive activity by Protestant groups
throughout the country; by the end of 1992, there were an estimated 1
million Protestant evangelicals in El Salvador
Languages:
Spanish, Nahua (among some Indians)
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990)
total population:
73%
male:
76%
female:
70%
Labor force:
1.7 million (1982 est.)
by occupation:
agriculture 40%, commerce 16%, manufacturing 15%, government 13%, financial
services 9%, transportation 6%, other 1%
note:
shortage of skilled labor and a large pool of unskilled labor, but manpower
training programs improving situation (1984 est.)
*El Salvador, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of El Salvador
conventional short form:
El Salvador
local long form:
Republica de El Salvador
local short form:
El Salvador
Digraph:
ES
Type:
republic
Capital:
San Salvador
Administrative divisions:
14 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Ahuachapan,
Cabanas, Chalatenango, Cuscatlan, La Libertad, La Paz, La Union, Morazan,
San Miguel, San Salvador, Santa Ana, San Vicente, Sonsonate, Usulutan
Independence:
15 September 1821 (from Spain)
Constitution:
20 December 1983
Legal system:
based on civil and Roman law, with traces of common law; judicial review of
legislative acts in the Supreme Court; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction,
with reservations
National holiday:
Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
Political parties and leaders:
National Republican Alliance (Arena), Armando CALDERON Sol, president;
Christian Democratic Party (PDC), Fidel CHAVEZ Mena, secretary general;
National Conciliation Party (PCN), Ciro CRUZ Zepeda, president; Democratic
Convergence (CD) is a coalition of three parties - the Social Democratic
Party (PSD), Carlos Diaz BARRERA, secretary general; Democratic Nationalist
Union (UDN), Mario AGUINADA Carranza, secretary general; and the Popular
Social Christian Movement (MPSC), Dr. Ruben Ignacio ZAMORA Rivas; Authentic
Christian Movement (MAC), Guillermo Antonia GUEVARA Lacayo, president;
Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLM), Jorge Shafik HANDAL,
general coordinator, has five factions - Popular Liberation Forces (FPL),
Salvador SANCHEZ Ceren; Armed Forces of National Resistance (FARN), Ferman
CIENFUEGOS; People's Revolutionary Army (ERP), Joaquin VILLA LOBOS Huezo;
Salvadoran Communist Party/Armed Forces of Liberation (PCES/FAL), Jorge
Shafik HANDAL; and
Central American Workers' Revolutionary Party (PRTC)/Popular Liberation
Revolutionary Aermed Forces (FARLP), Francisco JOVEL
Other political or pressure groups:
FMLN labor front organizations:
National Union of Salvadoran Workers (UNTS), leftist umbrella front group,
leads FMLN front network; National Federation of Salvadoran Workers
(FENASTRAS), best organized of front groups and controlled by FMLN's
National Resistance (RN); Social Security Institute Workers Union (STISSS),
one of the most militant fronts, is controlled by FMLN's Armed Forces of
National Resistance (FARN) and RN; Association of Telecommunications Workers
(ASTTEL); Unitary Federation of Salvadoran Unions (FUSS), leftist; Treasury
Ministry Employees (AGEMHA)
*El Salvador, Government
FMLN nonlabor front organizations:
Committee of Mothers and Families of Political Prisoners, Disappeared
Persons, and Assassinated of El Salvador (COMADRES); Nongovernmental Human
Rights Commission (CDHES); Committee of Dismissed and Unemployed of El
Salvador (CODYDES); General Association of Salvadoran University Students
(AGEUS); National Association of Salvadoran Educators (ANDES-21 DE JUNIO);
Salvadoran Revolutionary Student Front (FERS), associated with the Popular
Forces of Liberation (FPL); Association of National University Educators
(ADUES); Salvadoran University Students Front (FEUS); Christian Committee
for the Displaced of El Salvador (CRIPDES), an FPL front; The Association
for Communal Development in El Salvador (PADECOES), controlled by the
People's Revolutionary Army (ERP); Confederation of Cooperative Associations
of El Salvador (COACES)
labor organizations:
Federation of Construction and Transport Workers Unions (FESINCONSTRANS),
independent; Salvadoran Communal Union (UCS), peasant association;
Democratic Workers Central (CTD), moderate; General Confederation of Workers
(CGT), moderate; National Union of Workers and Peasants (UNOC), moderate
labor coalition of democratic labor organizations; United Workers Front
(FUT)
business organizations:
National Association of Private Enterprise (ANEP), conservative; Productive
Alliance (AP), conservative; National Federation of Salvadoran Small
Businessmen (FENAPES), conservative
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Elections:
Legislative Assembly:
last held 10 March 1991 (next to be held March 1994); results - ARENA 44.3%,
PDC 27.96%, CD 12.16%, PCN 8.99%, MAC 3.23%, UDN 2.68%; seats - (84 total)
ARENA 39, PDC 26, PCN 9, CD 8, UDN 1, MAC 1
President:
last held 19 March 1989 (next to be held March 1994); results - Alfredo
CRISTIANI (ARENA) 53.8%, Fidel CHAVEZ Mena (PDC) 36.6%, other 9.6%
Executive branch:
president, vice president, Council of Ministers (cabinet)
Legislative branch:
unicameral Legislative Assembly (Asamblea Legislativa)
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (Corte Suprema)
Leaders:
Chief of State and Head of Government:
President (Felix) Alfredo CRISTIANI Buchard (since 1 June 1989); Vice
President (Jose) Francisco MERINO Lopez (since 1 June 1989)
Member of:
BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA,
IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer),
LORCS, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU,
WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission:
Ambassador Miguel Angel SALAVERRIA
chancery:
2308 California Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 265-9671 through 3482
consulates general:
Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, and San Francisco
*El Salvador, Government
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Charge d'Affaires Peter F. ROMERO
embassy:
Final Boulevard, Station Antigua Cuscatlan, San Salvador
mailing address:
APO AA 34023
telephone:
[503] 78-4444
FAX:
[503] 78-6011
Flag:
three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with the
national coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features
a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA
CENTRAL; similar to the flag of Nicaragua, which has a different coat of
arms centered in the white band - it features a triangle encircled by the
words REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; also
similar to the flag of Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X
pattern centered in the white band
*El Salvador, Economy
Overview:
The agricultural sector accounts for 24% of GDP, employs about 40% of the
labor force, and contributes about 66% to total exports. Coffee is the major
commercial crop, accounting for 45% of export earnings. The manufacturing
sector, based largely on food and beverage processing, accounts for 18% of
GDP and 15% of employment. Economic losses because of guerrilla sabotage
total more than $2 billion since 1979. The costs of maintaining a large
military seriously constrain the government's efforts to provide essential
social services. Nevertheless, growth in national output during the period
1990-92 exceeded growth in population for the first time since 1987.
National product:
GDP - exchange rate conversion - $5.9 billion (1992 est.)
National product real growth rate:
4.6% (1992 est.)
National product per capita:
$1,060 (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
17% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate:
7.5% (1991)
Budget:
revenues $846 million; expenditures $890 million, including capital
expenditures of $NA (1992 est.)
Exports:
$693 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities:
coffee 45%, sugar, shrimp, cotton
partners:
US 33%, Guatemala, Germany, Costa Rica
Imports:
$1.47 billion (c.i.f., 1992 est.)
commodities:
raw materials, consumer goods, capital goods
partners:
US 43%, Guatemala, Mexico, Venezuela, Germany
External debt:
$2.6 billion (December 1992)
Industrial production:
growth rate 4.7% (1991); accounts for 22% of GDP
Electricity:
713,800 kW capacity; 2,190 million kWh produced, 390 kWh per capita (1992)
Industries:
food processing, beverages, petroleum, nonmetallic products, tobacco,
chemicals, textiles, furniture
Agriculture:
accounts for 24% of GDP and 40% of labor force (including fishing and
forestry); coffee most important commercial crop; other products -
sugarcane, corn, rice, beans, oilseeds, beef, dairy products, shrimp; not
self-sufficient in food
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for cocaine
Economic aid:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-90), $2.95 billion, plus $250 million
for 1992-96; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments
(1970-89), $525 million
Currency:
1 Salvadoran colon (C) = 100 centavos
*El Salvador, Economy
Exchange rates:
Salvadoran colones (C) per US$1 - 8.7600 (January 1993), 9.1700 (1992),
8.0300 (1991), fixed rate of 5.000 (1986-1989)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
*El Salvador, Communications
Railroads:
602 km 0.914-meter gauge, single track; 542 km in use
Highways:
10,000 km total; 1,500 km paved, 4,100 km gravel, 4,400 km improved and
unimproved earth
Inland waterways:
Rio Lempa partially navigable
Ports:
Acajutla, Cutuco
Airports:
total:
105
usable:
74
with permanent-surface runways:
5
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
1
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
5
Telecommunications:
nationwide trunk microwave radio relay system; connection into Central
American Microwave System; 116,000 telephones (21 telephones per 1,000
persons); broadcast stations - 77 AM, no FM, 5 TV, 2 shortwave; 1 Atlantic
Ocean INTELSAT earth station
*El Salvador, Defense Forces
Branches:
Army, Navy, Air Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 1,305,853; fit for military service 836,192; reach military
age (18) annually 71,101 (1993 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $104 million, 3%-4% of GDP (1993 est.)
*Equatorial Guinea, Geography
Location:
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean between Cameroon and
Gabon
Map references:
Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
28,050 km2
land area:
28,050 km2
comparative area:
slightly larger than Maryland
Land boundaries:
total 539 km, Cameroon 189 km, Gabon 350 km
Coastline:
296 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
maritime boundary dispute with Gabon because of disputed sovereignty over
islands in Corisco Bay
Climate:
tropical; always hot, humid
Terrain:
coastal plains rise to interior hills; islands are volcanic
Natural resources:
timber, petroleum, small unexploited deposits of gold, manganese, uranium
Land use:
arable land:
8%
permanent crops:
4%
meadows and pastures:
4%
forest and woodland:
51%
other:
33%
Irrigated land:
NA km2
Environment:
subject to violent windstorms
Note:
insular and continental regions rather widely separated
*Equatorial Guinea, People
Population:
399,055 (July 1993 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.6% (1993 est.)
Birth rate:
41.1 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Death rate:
15.11 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
104.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
51.63 years
male:
49.56 years
female: 53.76 years (1993 est.)
Total fertility rate:
5.33 children born/woman (1993 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Equatorial Guinean(s) or Equatoguinean(s)
adjective:
Equatorial Guinean or Equatoguinean
Ethnic divisions:
Bioko (primarily Bubi, some Fernandinos), Rio Muni (primarily Fang),
Europeans less than 1,000, mostly Spanish
Religions:
nominally Christian and predominantly Roman Catholic, pagan practices
Languages:
Spanish (official), pidgin English, Fang, Bubi, Ibo
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990)
total population:
50%
male:
64%
female:
37%
Labor force:
172,000 (1986 est.)
by occupation:
agriculture 66%, services 23%, industry 11% (1980)
note:
labor shortages on plantations; 58% of population of working age (1985)
*Equatorial Guinea, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Equatorial Guinea
conventional short form:
Equatorial Guinea
local long form:
Republica de Guinea Ecuatorial
local short form:
Guinea Ecuatorial
former:
Spanish Guinea
Digraph:
EK
Type:
republic in transition to multiparty democracy
Capital:
Malabo
Administrative divisions:
7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Annobon, Bioko Norte, Bioko
Sur, Centro Sur, Kie-Ntem, Litoral, Wele-Nzas
Independence:
12 October 1968 (from Spain)
Constitution:
new constitution 17 November 1991
Legal system:
partly based on Spanish civil law and tribal custom
National holiday:
Independence Day, 12 October (1968)
Political parties and leaders:
ruling - Democratic Party for Equatorial Guinea (PDGE), Brig. Gen. (Ret.)
Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO, party leader
Suffrage:
universal adult at age NA
Elections:
President:
last held 25 June 1989 (next to be held 25 June 1996); results - President
Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO was reelected without
opposition
Chamber of People's Representatives:
last held 10 July 1988 (next to be held 10 July 1993); results - PDGE is the
only party; seats - (41 total) PDGE 41
Executive branch:
president, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Council of Ministers
(cabinet)
Legislative branch:
unicameral House of Representatives of the People (Camara de Representantes
del Pueblo)
Judicial branch:
Supreme Tribunal
Leaders:
Chief of State:
President Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO (since 3 August
1979)
Head of Government:
Prime Minister Silvestre SIALE BILEKA (since 17 January 1992); Deputy Prime
Minister Miguel OYONO NDONG MIFUMU (since 22 January 1992)
*Equatorial Guinea, Government
Member of:
ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CEEAC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA,
IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS (associate), NAM, OAS
(observer), OAU, UDEAC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Damaso OBIANG NDONG
chancery:
(temporary) 57 Magnolia Avenue, Mount Vernon, NY 10553
telephone:
(914) 667-9664
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador John E. BENNETT
embassy:
Calle de Los Ministros, Malabo
mailing address: P.O. Box 597, Malabo
telephone:
[240] (9) 2185
FAX:
[240] (9) 2164
Flag:
three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red with a blue
isosceles triangle based on the hoist side and the coat of arms centered in
the white band; the coat of arms has six yellow six-pointed stars
(representing the mainland and five offshore islands) above a gray shield
bearing a silk-cotton tree and below which is a scroll with the motto
UNIDAD, PAZ, JUSTICIA (Unity, Peace, Justice)
*Equatorial Guinea, Economy
Overview:
The economy, devastated during the regime of former President Macias NGUEMA,
is based on agriculture, forestry, and fishing, which account for about half
of GDP and nearly all exports. Subsistence agriculture predominates, with
cocoa, coffee, and wood products providing income, foreign exchange, and
government revenues. There is little industry. Commerce accounts for about
8% of GDP and the construction, public works, and service sectors for about
38%. Undeveloped natural resources include titanium, iron ore, manganese,
uranium, and alluvial gold. Oil exploration, taking place under concessions
offered to US, French, and Spanish firms, has been moderately successful.
Increased production from recently discovered natural gas deposits will
provide a greater share of exports by 1995.
National product:
GDP - exchange rate conversion - $144 million (1991 est.)
National product real growth rate:
-1% (1991 est.)
National product per capita:
$380 (1991 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1.4% (1990)
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues $26 million; expenditures $30 million, including capital
expenditures of $3 million (1991 est.)
Exports:
$37 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.)
commodities:
coffee, timber, cocoa beans
partners:
Spain 38.2%, Italy 12.2%, Netherlands 11.4%, FRG 6.9%, Nigeria 12.4% (1988)
Imports:
$63.0 million (c.i.f., 1990)
commodities:
petroleum, food, beverages, clothing, machinery
partners:
France 25.9%, Spain 21.0%, Italy 16%, US 12.8%, Netherlands 8%, FRG 3.1%,
Gabon 2.9%, Nigeria 1.8% (1988)
External debt: $213 million (1990)
Industrial production:
growth rate 6.8% (1990 est.)
Electricity:
23,000 kW capacity; 60 million kWh produced, 160 kWh per capita (1991)
Industries:
fishing, sawmilling
Agriculture:
cash crops - timber and coffee from Rio Muni, cocoa from Bioko; food crops -
rice, yams, cassava, bananas, oil palm nuts, manioc, livestock
Economic aid:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY81-89), $14 million; Western (non-US)
countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89) $130 million;
Communist countries (1970-89), $55 million
Currency:
1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates:
Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 274.06 (January
1993), 264.69 (1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26 (1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85
(1988)
*Equatorial Guinea, Economy
Fiscal year:
1 April - 31 March
*Equatorial Guinea, Communications
Highways:
Rio Muni - 2,460 km; Bioko - 300 km
Ports:
Malabo, Bata
Merchant marine:
2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 6,413 GRT/6,699 DWT; includes 1 cargo
and 1 passenger-cargo
Airports:
total:
3
usable:
3
with permanent-surface runways:
2
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
1
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
1
Telecommunications:
poor system with adequate government services; international communications
from Bata and Malabo to African and European countries; 2,000 telephones;
broadcast stations - 2 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth
station
*Equatorial Guinea, Defense Forces
Branches:
Army, Navy, Air Force, National Guard, National Police
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 84,323; fit for military service 42,812 (1993 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP
*Eritrea, Geography
Location:
Eastern Africa, bordering the Red Sea between Djibouti and Sudan
Map references:
Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
121,320 km2
land area:
121,320 km2
comparative area:
slightly larger than Pennsylvania
Land boundaries:
total 1,630 km, Djibouti 113 km, Ethiopia 912 km, Sudan 605 km
Coastline:
1,151 km (land and island coastline is 2,234 km)
Maritime claims:
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
none
Climate:
hot, dry desert strip along Red Sea coast; cooler and wetter in the central
highlands (up to 61 cm of rainfall annually); semiarid in western hills and
lowlands; rainfall heaviest during June-September except on coast desert
Terrain:
dominated by extension of Ethiopian north-south trending highlands,
descending on the east to a coastal desert plan, on the northwest to hilly
terrain and on the southwest to flat-to-rolling plains
Natural resources:
gold, potash, zinc, copper, salt, probably oil, fish
Land use:
arable land:
3%
permanent crops:
2% (coffee)
meadows and pastures:
40%
forest and woodland:
5% other:
50%
Irrigated land:
NA km2
Environment:
frequent droughts, famine; deforestation; soil eroision; overgrazing; loss
of infrastructure from civil warfare
Note:
strategic geopolitical position along world's busiest shipping lanes and
close to Arabian oilfields, Eritrea retained the entire coastline of
Ethiopia along the Red Sea upon de jure independence from Ethiopia on 27
April 1993
*Eritrea, People
Population:
3,467,087 (July 1993 est.)
Population growth rate:
3.46% (1993 est.)
Birth rate:
NA births/1,000 population
Death rate:
NA deaths/1,000 population
Net migration rate:
NA migrant(s)/1,000 population
Infant mortality rate:
NA deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
NA years
male:
NA years
female:
NA years
Total fertility rate:
NA children born/woman
Nationality:
noun:
Eritrean(s)
adjective:
Eritrean
Ethnic divisions:
ethnic Tigrays 50%, Tigre and Kunama 40%, Afar 4%, Saho (Red Sea coast
dwellers) 3%
Religions:
Muslim, Coptic Christian, Roman Catholic, Protestant
Languages:
Tigre and Kunama, Cushitic dialects, Tigre, Nora Bana, Arabic
Literacy:
NA%
Labor force:
NA
*Eritrea, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Eritrea
local long form:
none
local short form:
none
former:
Eritrea Autonomous Region in Ethiopia
Digraph:
ER
Type:
transitional government
note:
on 29 May 1991 ISSAIAS Afeworke, secretary general of the Eritrean People's
Liberation Front (EPLF), announced the formation of the Provisional
Government in Eritrea (PGE), in preparation for the 23-25 April 1993
referendum on independence for the autonomous region of Eritrea; the result
was a landslide vote for independence that was announced on 27 April 1993
Capital:
Asmara (formerly Asmera)
Administrative divisions:
NA
Independence:
27 April 1993 (from Ethiopia; formerly the Eritrea Autonomous Region)
Constitution:
transitional "constitution" decreed 19 May 1993
Legal system:
NA
National holiday:
National Day (independence from Ethiopia), 24 May (1993)
Political parties and leaders:
Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF) (Christian Muslim), ISSAIAS
Aferworke, PETROS Soloman; Eritrean Liberation Front (ELF) (Muslim),
ABDULLAH Muhammed; Eritrean Liberation Front - United Organization (ELF-UO),
leader NA
Other political or pressure groups:
Oromo Liberation Front (OLF); Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Party (EPRP);
numerous small, ethnic-based groups have formed since Mengistu's
resignation, including several Islamic militant groups
Suffrage:
NA
Elections:
multinational election before 20 May 1997
Executive branch:
president, Eritrean National Council
Legislative branch:
National Assembly
Judicial branch:
Judiciary
Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government:
President ISSAIAS Aferworke
Member of:
OAU, UN, UNCTAD
*Eritrea, Government
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
NA
chancery:
NA
telephone:
NA
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Joseph P. O'NEILL
embassy:
NA
mailing address:
NA
telephone:
251-4-113-720
FAX:
NA
Flag:
red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) dividing the flag into two
right triangles; the upper triangle is green, the lower one is blue; a gold
wreath encircling a gold olive branch is centered on the hoist side of the
red triangle
*Eritrea, Economy
Overview:
With independence from Ethiopia on 27 April 1993, Eritrea faces the bitter
economic problems of a small, desperately poor African country. Most of the
population will continue to depend on subsistence farming. Domestic output
is substantially augmented by worker remittances from abroad. Government
revenues come from custom duties and income and sales taxes. Eritrea has
inherited the entire coastline of Ethiopia and has long-term prospects for
revenues from the devlopment of offshore oil, offshore fishing and tourist
development. For the time being, Ethiopia will be largely dependent on
Eritrean ports for its foreign trade.
National product:
GDP - exchange rate conversion - $400 million (1992 est.)
National product real growth rate:
NA%
National product per capita:
$115 (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
NA%
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues $NA; expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Exports:
$NA
commodities:
NA
partners:
NA
Imports:
$NA
commodities:
NA
partners:
NA
External debt:
$NA
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%
Electricity:
NA kW capacity; NA kWh produced, NA kWh per capita
Industries:
food processing, beverages, clothing and textiles
Agriculture:
NA
Economic aid:
NA
Currency:
NA
Exchange rates:
NA
Fiscal year:
NA
*Eritrea, Communications
Railroads:
307 km total; 307 km 1.000-meter gauge; 307 km 0.950-meter gauge
(nonoperational) linking Ak'ordat and Asmera with the port of Mits'iwe (1993
est.)
Highways:
3,845 km total; 807 km paved, 840 km gravel, 402 km improved earth, 1,796 km
unimproved earth
Ports:
Assab (formerly Aseb), Massawa (formerly Mits'iwa)
Merchant marine:
14 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 71,837 GRT/90,492 DWT; includes 9
cargo, 1 roll-on/roll off, 1 livestock carrier, 2 oil tanker, 1 refrigerated
cargo
Airports:
total:
5
usable:
5 with permanent-surface runways:
2
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
2
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
2
Telecommunications:
NA
*Eritrea, Defense Forces
Branches:
Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 NA; fit for military service NA; reach military age (18)
annually NA
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP
*Estonia, Geography
Location:
Northeastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Sweden and Russia
Map references:
Arctic Region, Asia, Europe, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
45,100 km2
land area:
43,200 km2
comparative area:
slightly larger than New Hampshire and Vermont combined
note:
includes 1,520 islands in the Baltic Sea
Land boundaries:
total 557 km, Latvia 267 km, Russia 290 km
Coastline:
1,393 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
international small border strips along the northern (Narva) and southern
(Petseri) sections of eastern border with Russia ceded to Russia in 1945 by
the Estonian SSR
Climate:
maritime, wet, moderate winters
Terrain:
marshy, lowlands
Natural resources: shale oil, peat, phosphorite, amber
Land use:
arable land:
22%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
11%
forest and woodland:
31%
other:
36%
Irrigated land:
110 km2 (1990)
Environment:
air heavily polluted with sulphur dioxide from oil-shale burning power
plants in northeast; radioactive wastes dumped in open reservoir in
Sillamae, a few dozen meters from Baltic Sea; contamination of soil and
ground water with petroleum products, chemicals at military bases
*Estonia, People
Population:
1,608,469 (July 1993 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.52% (1993 est.)
Birth rate:
14.05 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Death rate:
12.13 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Net migration rate:
3.28 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
19.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
69.75 years
male:
64.75 years
female:
74.99 years (1993 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.01 children born/woman (1993 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Estonian(s)
adjective:
Estonian
Ethnic divisions:
Estonian 61.5%, Russian 30.3%, Ukrainian 3.17%, Belarusian 1.8%, Finn 1.1%,
other 2.13% (1989)
Religions:
Lutheran
Languages: Estonian (official), Latvian, Lithuanian, Russian, other
Literacy:
age 9-49 can read and write (1970)
total population:
100%
male:
100%
female:
100%
Labor force:
796,000
by occupation:
industry and construction 42%, agriculture and forestry 20%, other 38%
(1990)
*Estonia, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Estonia
conventional short form:
Estonia
local long form:
Eesti Vabariik
local short form:
Eesti
former:
Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic
Digraph:
EN
Type:
republic
Capital:
Tallinn
Administrative divisions:
none (all districts are under direct republic jurisdiction)
Independence:
6 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)
Constitution:
adopted 28 June 1992
Legal system:
based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts
National holiday:
Independence Day, 24 February (1918)
Political parties and leaders:
Popular Front of Estonia (Rahvarinne), NA chairman; Estonian Christian
Democratic Party, Aivar KALA, chairman; Estonian Christian Democratic Union,
Illar HALLASTE, chairman; Estonian Heritage Society (EMS), Trivimi VELLISTE,
chairman; Estonian National Independence Party (ENIP), Lagle PAREK,
chairman; Estonian Social Democratic Party, Marju LAURISTIN, chairman;
Estonian Green Party, Tonu OJA; Independent Estonian Communist Party, Vaino
VALJAS; People's Centrist Party, Edgar SAVISAAR, chairman; Estonian Royalist
Party (ERP), Kalle KULBOK, chairman; Entrpreneurs' Party (EP), Tiit MADE;
Estonian Fatherland Party, Mart LAAR, chairman; Safe Home; Moderates;
Estonian Citizen
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Elections:
President:
last held 20 September 1992; (next to be held NA); results - no candidate
received majority; newly elected Parliament elected Lennart MERI (NA October
1992)
Parliament:
last held 20 September 1992; (next to be held NA); results - Fatherland 21%,
Safe Home 14%, Popular Front 13%, Moderates 10%, Estonian National
Independence Party 8%, Royalists 7%, Estonian Citizen 7%, Estonian
Entrepreneurs 2%, other 18%; seats - (101 total) Fatherland 29, Safe Home
18, Popular Front 15, Moderates 12, ENIP 10, Royalists 8, Estonian Citizen
8, Estonian Entrepreneurs 1
Congress of Estonia:
last held March 1990 (next to be held NA); note - Congress of Estonia was a
quasi-governmental structure which disbanded itself October 1992 after the
new Parliament and government were installed
Executive branch:
president, prime minister, cabinet
*Estonia, Government
Legislative branch:
unicameral Parliament (Riigikogu)
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Leaders:
Chief of State:
President Lennart MERI (since NA October 1992)
Head of Government:
Prime Minister Mart LAAR (since NA October 1992)
Member of:
CBSS, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ILO, IMF, IMO, NACC,
UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Toomas Hendrik IIVES
chancery:
(temporary) 630 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2415, New York, NY 10111
telephone:
(212) 247-2131
consulate general:
New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Robert C. FRASURE
embassy:
Kentmanni 20, Tallin EE 0001
mailing address:
use embassy street address
telephone:
011-[358] (49) 303-182 (cellular) FAX:
[358] (49) 306-817 (cellular)
note:
dialing to Baltics still requires use of an international operator unless
you use the cellular phone lines
Flag:
pre-1940 flag restored by Supreme Soviet in May 1990 - three equal
horizontal bands of blue (top), black, and white
*Estonia, Economy
Overview:
As of June 1993 Estonia ranks first among the 15 former Soviet republics in
moving from its obsolete command economy to a modern market economy. Yet
serious problems remain. In contrast to the estimated 30% drop in output in
1992, GDP should grow by a small percent in 1993. Of key importance has been
the introduction of the kroon in August 1993 and the subsequent reductions
in inflation to 1%-2% per month. Starting in July 1991, under a new law on
private ownership, small enterprises, such as retail shops and restaurants,
were sold to private owners. The auctioning of large-scale enterprises is
progressing with the proceeds being held in escrow until the prior ownership
(that is, Estonian or the Commonwealth of Independent States) can be
established. Estonia ranks first in per capita consumption among the former
Soviet republics. Agriculture is well developed, especially meat production,
and provides a surplus for export. Only about one-fifth of the work force is
in agriculture. The major share of the work force engages in manufacturing
both capital and consumer goods based on raw materials and intermediate
products from the other former Soviet republics. These manufactures are of
high quality by ex-Soviet standards and are exported to the other republics.
Estonia's mineral resources are limited to major deposits of shale oil (60%
of the old Soviet total) and phosphorites (400 million tons). Estonia has a
large, relatively modern port and produces more than half of its own energy
needs at highly polluting shale oil power plants. It has advantages in the
transition, not having suffered so long under the Soviet yoke and having
better chances of developing profitable ties to the Nordic and West European
countries. Like Latvia, but unlike Lithuania, the large portion of ethnic
Russians (30%) in the population poses still another difficulty in the
transition to an independent market economy.
National product:
GDP $NA
National product real growth rate:
-30% (1992 est.)
National product per capita:
$NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1%-2% per month (first quarter 1993)
Unemployment rate:
3% (March 1993); but large number of underemployed workers
Budget:
revenues $223 million; expenditures $142 million, including capital
expenditures of $NA (1992)
Exports:
$NA
commodities: textile 11%, wood products and timber 9%, dairy products 9%
partners:
Russia and the other former Soviet republics 50%, West 50% (1992)
Imports:
$NA
commodities:
machinery 45%, oil 13%, chemicals 12%
partners:
Finland 15%, Russia 18%
External debt:
$650 million (end of 1991)
Industrial production:
growth rate -40% (1992)
Electricity:
3,700,000 kW capacity; 22,900 million kWh produced, 14,245 kWh per capita
(1992)
*Estonia, Economy
Industries:
accounts for 30% of labor force; oil shale, shipbuilding, phosphates,
electric motors, excavators, cement, furniture, clothing, textiles, paper,
shoes, apparel
Agriculture:
employs 20% of work force; very efficient; net exports of meat, fish, dairy
products, and potatoes; imports of feedgrains for livestock; fruits and
vegetables
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for illicit drugs from Central and Southwest Asia to
Western Europe; limited illicit opium producer; mostly for domestic
production
Economic aid:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (1992), $10 million
Currency:
1 Estonian kroon (EEK) = 100 NA; (introduced in August 1992)
Exchange rates:
kroons (EEK) per US$1 - 12 (January 1993)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
*Estonia, Communications
Railroads:
1,030 km (includes NA km electrified); does not include industrial lines
(1990)
Highways:
30,300 km total (1990); 29,200 km hard surfaced; 1,100 km earth
Inland waterways:
500 km perennially navigable
Pipelines:
natural gas 420 km (1992)
Ports: coastal - Tallinn, Novotallin, Parnu; inland - Narva
Merchant marine:
68 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 394,501 GRT/526,502 DWT; includes 52
cargo, 6 roll-on/roll-off, 2 short-sea passenger, 6 bulk, 2 container
Airports:
total:
29
useable:
18
with permanent-surface runways:
11
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
10
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
8
Telecommunications:
300,000 telephone subscribers in 1990 with international direct dial service
available to Finland, Germany, Austria, UK and France; 21 telephone lines
per 100 persons as of 1991; broadcast stations - 3 TV (provide Estonian
programs as well as Moscow Ostenkino's first and second programs);
international traffic is carried to the other former USSR republics by
landline or microwave and to other countries by leased connection to the
Moscow international gateway switch via 19 incoming/20 outgoing
international channels, by the Finnish cellular net, and by an old copper
submarine cable to Finland soon to be replaced by an undersea fiber optic
cable system; there is also a new international telephone exchange in
Tallinn handling 60 channels via Helsinki; 2 analog mobile cellular networks
with international roaming capability to Scandinavia are operating in major
cities
*Estonia, Defense Forces
Branches:
Ground Forces, Maritime Border Guard, National Guard (Kaitseliit), Security
Forces (internal and border troops)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 387,733; fit for military service 306,056; reach military
age (18) annually 11,570 (1993 est.)
Defense expenditures:
124.4 million kroons, NA% of GDP (forecast for 1993); note - conversion of
the military budget into US dollars using the current exchange rate could
produce misleading results
*Ethiopia, Geography
Location:
Eastern Africa, between Somalia and Sudan
Map references:
Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area: total area:
1,127,127 km2
land area:
1,119,683 km2
comparative area:
slightly less than twice the size of Texas
Land boundaries:
total 5,311 km, Djibouti 337 km, Erithea 912 km, Kenya 830 km, Somalia 1,626
km, Sudan 1,606 km
Coastline:
none - landlocked
Maritime claims:
none - landlocked
International disputes:
southern half of the boundary with Somalia is a Provisional Administrative
Line; possible claim by Somalia based on unification of ethnic Somalis;
territorial dispute with Somalia over the Ogaden
Climate:
tropical monsoon with wide topographic-induced variation; some areas prone
to extended droughts
Terrain:
high plateau with central mountain range divided by Great Rift Valley
Natural resources:
small reserves of gold, platinum, copper, potash
Land use:
arable land:
12%
permanent crops:
1%
meadows and pastures:
41%
forest and woodland:
24%
other:
22%
Irrigated land:
1,620 km2 (1989 est.)
Environment:
geologically active Great Rift Valley susceptible to earthquakes, volcanic
eruptions; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification;
frequent droughts; famine
Note:
landlocked - entire coastline along the Red Sea was lost with the de jure
independence of Eritrea on 27 April 1993
*Ethiopia, People
Population:
53,278,446 (July 1993 est.)
note:
Ethiopian demographic data, except population and population growth rate,
include Eritrea
Population growth rate:
3.41% (1993 est.)
Birth rate:
45.37 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Death rate:
14.23 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Net migration rate:
2.94 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
108.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
52.21 years
male:
50.6 years
female:
53.88 years (1993 est.)
Total fertility rate:
6.88 children born/woman (1993 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Ethiopian(s)
adjective:
Ethiopian
Ethnic divisions:
Oromo 40%, Amhara and Tigrean 32%, Sidamo 9%, Shankella 6%, Somali 6%, Afar
4%, Gurage 2%, other 1%
Religions:
Muslim 45-50%, Ethiopian Orthodox 35-40%, animist 12%, other 5%
Languages:
Amharic (official), Tigrinya, Orominga, Guaraginga, Somali, Arabic, English
(major foreign language taught in schools)
Literacy:
age 10 and over can read and write (1983)
total population:
62%
male:
NA%
female:
NA%
Labor force:
18 million
by occupation:
agriculture and animal husbandry 80%, government and services 12%, industry
and construction 8% (1985)
*Ethiopia, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Ethiopia
local long form:
none
local short form: Ityop'iya
Digraph:
ET
Type:
transitional government
note:
on 28 May 1991 the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF)
toppled the authoritarian government of MENGISTU Haile-Mariam and took
control in Addis Ababa; the Transitional Government of Ethiopia (TGE),
announced a two-year transitional period
Capital:
Addis Ababa
Administrative divisions:
14 administrative regions (astedader akababiwach, singular - astedader
akababi) Addis Ababa, Afar, Amhara, Benishangul, Gambela,
Gurage-Hadiya-Kambata, Harer, Kefa, Omo, Oromo, Sidamo, Somali, Tigray,
Wolayta
Independence:
oldest independent country in Africa and one of the oldest in the world - at
least 2,000 years
Constitution:
to be redrafted by 1993
Legal system:
NA
National holiday:
National Day, 28 May (1991) (defeat of Mengistu regime)
Political parties and leaders:
NA
Other political or pressure groups:
Oromo Liberation Front (OLF); Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Party (EPRP);
numerous small, ethnic-based groups have formed since Mengistu's
resignation, including several Islamic militant groups
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Elections:
President:
last held 10 September 1987; next election planned after new constitution
drafted; results - MENGISTU Haile-Mariam elected by the now defunct National
Assembly, but resigned and left Ethiopia on 21 May 1991
Constituent Assembly:
now planned for January 1994 (to ratify constitution to be drafted by end of
1993)
Executive branch:
president, prime minister, Council of Ministers
Legislative branch:
unicameral Constituent Assembly
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Leaders:
Chief of State:
President MELES Zenawi (since 1 June 1991)
*Ethiopia, Government
Head of Government:
Prime Minister TAMIRAT Layne (since 6 June 1991)
Member of:
ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC,
IGADD, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU,
UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador BERHANE Gebre-Christos
chancery:
2134 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 234-2281 or 2282
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Marc A. BAAS
embassy:
Entoto Street, Addis Ababa
mailing address:
P. O. Box 1014, Addis Ababa
telephone:
[251] (1) 550-666
FAX:
[251] (1) 551-166
Flag:
three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and red; Ethiopia is
the oldest independent country in Africa, and the colors of her flag were so
often adopted by other African countries upon independence that they became
known as the pan-African colors
*Ethiopia, Economy
Overview:
With the independence of Eritrea on 27 April 1993, Ethiopia continues to
face difficult economic problems as one of the poorest and least developed
countries in Africa. (The accompanying analysis and figures predate the
independence of Eritrea.) Its economy is based on subsistence agriculture,
which accounts for about 45% of GDP, 90% of exports, and 80% of total
employment; coffee generates 60% of export earnings. The manufacturing
sector is heavily dependent on inputs from the agricultural sector. Over 90%
of large-scale industry, but less than 10% of agriculture, is state run; the
government is considering selling off a portion of state-owned plants.
Favorable agricultural weather largely explains the 4.5% growth in output in
FY89, whereas drought and deteriorating internal security conditions
prevented growth in FY90. In 1991 the lack of law and order, particularly in
the south, interfered with economic development and growth. In 1992, because
of some easing of civil strife and aid from the outside world, the economy
substantially improved.
National product:
GDP - exchange rate conversion - $6.6 billion (FY92 est.)
National product real growth rate:
6% (FY92 est.)
National product per capita:
$130 (FY92 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
7.8% (1989)
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues $1.4 billion; expenditures $2.3 billion, including capital
expenditures of $565 million (FY91)
Exports:
$276 million (f.o.b., FY90)
commodities:
coffee, leather products, gold, petroleum products
partners:
EC, Djibouti, Japan, Saudi Arabia, US
Imports:
$1.0 billion (c.i.f., FY90)
commodities:
capital goods, consumer goods, fuel
partners:
EC, Eastern Europe, Japan, US
External debt:
$3.48 billion (1991)
Industrial production:
growth rate 2.3% (FY89 est.); accounts for 12% of GDP
Electricity:
330,000 kW capacity; 650 million kWh produced, 10 kWh per capita (1991)
Industries:
food processing, beverages, textiles, chemicals, metals processing, cement
Agriculture:
accounts for 47% of GDP and is the most important sector of the economy even
though frequent droughts and poor cultivation practices keep farm output
low; famines not uncommon; export crops of coffee and oilseeds grown partly
on state farms; estimated 50% of agricultural production at subsistence
level; principal crops and livestock - cereals, pulses, coffee, oilseeds,
sugarcane, potatoes and other vegetables, hides and skins, cattle, sheep,
goats
*Ethiopia, Economy
Illicit drugs:
transit hub for heroin originating in Southwest and Southeast Asia and
destined for Europe and North America; cultivates qat (chat) for local use
and regional export
Economic aid:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $504 million; Western (non-US)
countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $3.4 billion; OPEC
bilateral aid (1979-89), $8 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $2.0
billion
Currency:
1 birr (Br) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
birr (Br) per US$1 - 5.0000 (fixed rate)
Fiscal year:
8 July - 7 July
*Ethiopia, Communications
Railroads:
781 km total; 781 km 1.000-meter gauge; 307 km 0.950-meter gauge linking
Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) to Djibouti; control of railroad is shared between
Djibouti and Ethiopia
Highways:
39,150 km total; 2,776 km paved, 7,504 km gravel, 2,054 km improved earth,
26,816 km unimproved earth (1993 est.)
Ports:
none; landlocked
Merchant marine:
none; landlocked
Airports:
total:
121
usable:
82
with permanent-surface runways:
9
with runways over 3,659 m:
1
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
13
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
83 (1993 est.)
Telecommunications:
open-wire and radio relay system adequate for government use; open-wire to
Sudan and Djibouti; microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti; broadcast
stations - 4 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 100,000 TV sets; 9,000,000 radios; satellite
earth stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 2 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT
*Ethiopia, Defense Forces
Branches:
Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 12,793,340; fit for military service 6,640,616; reach
military age (18) annually 576,329 (1993 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP
*Europa Island, Header
Affiliation:
(possession of France)
*Europa Island, Geography
Location:
Southern Africa, in the southern Mozambique Channel about halfway between
Madagascar and Mozambique
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total area:
28 km2
land area:
28 km2
comparative area:
about 0.2 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
22.2 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
claimed by Madagascar
Climate:
tropical
Terrain:
NA
Natural resources:
negligible
Land use:
arable land:
NA%
permanent crops:
NA%
meadows and pastures:
NA%
forest and woodland:
NA%
other:
NA% (heavily wooded)
Irrigated land:
0 km2
Environment:
wildlife sanctuary
*Europa Island, People
Population:
uninhabited
*Europa Island, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Europa Island
local long form:
none
local short form:
Ile Europa
Digraph:
EU
Type:
French possession administered by Commissioner of the Republic; resident in
Reunion
Capital:
none; administered by France from Reunion
Independence:
none (possession of France)
*Europa Island, Economy
Overview:
no economic activity
*Europa Island, Communications
Ports:
none; offshore anchorage only
Airports:
total:
1
usable:
1
with permanent-surface runways:
0
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,439-3,659 m:
0
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
1
Telecommunications:
1 meteorological station
*Europa Island, Defense Forces
Note:
defense is the responsibility of France
*Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), Header
Affiliation:
(dependent territory of the UK)
*Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), Geography
Location:
in the South Atlantic Ocean, off the southern coast of Argentina
Map references:
Antarctic Region, South America
Area:
total area:
12,170 km2
land area:
12,170 km2
comparative area:
slightly smaller than Connecticut
note:
includes the two main islands of East and West Falkland and about 200 small
islands
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
1,288 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf:
100 m depth
exclusive fishing zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
administered by the UK, claimed by Argentina
Climate:
cold marine; strong westerly winds, cloudy, humid; rain occurs on more than
half of days in year; occasional snow all year, except in January and
February, but does not accumulate
Terrain:
rocky, hilly, mountainous with some boggy, undulating plains
Natural resources:
fish, wildlife
Land use:
arable land:
0%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
99%
forest and woodland:
0%
other: 1%
Irrigated land:
NA km2
Environment:
poor soil fertility and a short growing season
Note:
deeply indented coast provides good natural harbors
*Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), People
Population:
2,206 (July 1993 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.43% (1993 est.)
Birth rate:
NA births/1,000 population
Death rate:
NA deaths/1,000 population
Net migration rate:
NA migrant(s)/1,000 population
Infant mortality rate:
NA deaths/1,000 population
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
NA years
male:
NA years
female:
NA years
Total fertility rate:
NA children born/woman
Nationality:
noun:
Falkland Islander(s)
adjective:
Falkland Island
Ethnic divisions:
British
Religions:
primarily Anglican, Roman Catholic, United Free Church, Evangelist Church,
Jehovah's Witnesses, Lutheran, Seventh-Day Adventist
Languages:
English
Literacy:
total population:
NA%
male:
NA%
female:
NA%
Labor force:
1,100 (est.)
by occupation:
agriculture 95% (mostly sheepherding)
*Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), Government
Names:
conventional long form:
Colony of the Falkland Islands
conventional short form:
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Digraph:
FA
Type:
dependent territory of the UK
Capital:
Stanley
Administrative divisions:
none (dependent territory of the UK)
Independence:
none (dependent territory of the UK)
Constitution:
3 October 1985
Legal system:
English common law
National holiday:
Liberation Day, 14 June (1982)
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Elections:
Legislative Council:
last held 11 October 1989 (next to be held October 1994); results - percent
of vote by party NA; seats - (10 total, 8 elected) number of seats by party
NA
Executive branch:
British monarch, governor, Executive Council
Legislative branch:
unicameral Legislative Council
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Leaders:
Chief of State:
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)
Head of Government:
Governor David Everard TATHAM (since August 1992)
Member of:
ICFTU
Diplomatic representation in US:
none (dependent territory of the UK)
US diplomatic representation:
none (dependent territory of the UK)
Flag:
blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the
Falkland Island coat of arms in a white disk centered on the outer half of
the flag; the coat of arms contains a white ram (sheep raising is the major
economic activity) above the sailing ship Desire (whose crew discovered the
islands) with a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto DESIRE THE RIGHT
*Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), Economy
Overview:
The economy is based on sheep farming, which directly or indirectly employs
most of the work force. A few dairy herds are kept to meet domestic
consumption of milk and milk products, and crops grown are primarily those
for providing winter fodder. Exports feature shipments of high-grade wool to
the UK and the sale of postage stamps and coins. Rich stocks of fish in the
surrounding waters are not presently exploited by the islanders. So far,
efforts to establish a domestic fishing industry have been unsuccessful. In
1987 the government began selling fishing licenses to foreign trawlers
operating within the Falklands exclusive fishing zone. These license fees
amount to more than $40 million per year and are a primary source of income
for the government. To encourage tourism, the Falkland Islands Development
Corporation has built three lodges for visitors attracted by the abundant
wildlife and trout fishing.
National product:
GDP $NA
National product real growth rate:
NA%
National product per capita:
$NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
7.4% (1980-87 average)
Unemployment rate:
NA%; labor shortage
Budget:
revenues $62.7 million; expenditures $41.8 million, including capital
expenditures of $NA (FY90)
Exports:
at least $14.7 million
commodities:
wool, hides and skins, and meat
partners:
UK, Netherlands, Japan (1987 est.)
Imports:
at least $13.9 million
commodities:
food, clothing, fuels, and machinery
partners:
UK, Netherlands Antilles (Curacao), Japan (1987 est.)
External debt:
$NA
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%
Electricity:
9,200 kW capacity; 17 million kWh produced, 8,940 kWh per capita (1992)
Industries:
wool and fish processing
Agriculture:
predominantly sheep farming; small dairy herds; some fodder and vegetable
crops
Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89),
$277 million
Currency:
1 Falkland pound (#F) = 100 pence
Exchange rates:
Falkland pound (#F) per US$1 - 0.6527 (January 1993), 0.5664 (1992), 0.5652
(1991), 0.5604 (1990), 0.6099 (1989), 0.5614 (1988); note - the Falkland
pound is at par with the British pound
*Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), Economy
Fiscal year:
1 April - 31 March
*Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), Communications
Highways:
510 km total; 30 km paved, 80 km gravel, and 400 km unimproved earth
Ports:
Stanley
Airports:
total:
5
usable:
5
with permanent-surface runways:
2
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
1
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
0
Telecommunications:
government-operated radiotelephone and private VHF/CB radio networks provide
effective service to almost all points on both islands; 590 telephones;
broadcast stations - 2 AM, 3 FM, no TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth
station with links through London to other countries
*Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), Defense Forces
Branches:
British Forces Falkland Islands (including Army, Royal Air Force, Royal
Navy, and Royal Marines), Police Force
Note:
defense is the responsibility of the UK
*Faroe Islands, Header
Affiliation:
(part of the Danish realm)
*Faroe Islands, Geography
Location:
in the north Atlantic Ocean, located half way between Norway and Iceland
Map references:
Arctic Region
Area:
total area:
1,400 km2
land area:
1,400 km2
comparative area:
slightly less than eight times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
764 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
3 nm
International disputes:
none
Climate:
mild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy
Terrain:
rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast
Natural resources:
fish
Land use:
arable land:
2%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
0%
forest and woodland:
0%
other:
98%
Irrigated land:
NA km2
Environment:
precipitous terrain limits habitation to small coastal lowlands; archipelago
of 18 inhabited islands and a few uninhabited islets
Note:
strategically located along important sea lanes in northeastern Atlantic
*Faroe Islands, People
Population:
48,065 (July 1993 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.67% (1993 est.)
Birth rate:
18.45 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Death rate:
7.57 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Net migration rate:
-4.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
8.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
77.92 years
male:
74.51 years
female:
81.45 years (1993 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.52 children born/woman (1993 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Faroese (singular and plural)
adjective:
Faroese
Ethnic divisions:
Scandinavian
Religions:
Evangelical Lutheran
Languages:
Faroese (derived from Old Norse), Danish
Literacy:
total population:
NA%
male:
NA%
female:
NA%
Labor force:
17,585
by occupation:
largely engaged in fishing, manufacturing, transportation, and commerce
*Faroe Islands, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Faroe Islands local long form:
none
local short form:
Foroyar
Digraph:
FO
Type:
part of the Danish realm; self-governing overseas administrative division of
Denmark
Capital:
Torshavn
Administrative divisions:
none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Independence:
none (part of the Danish realm; self-governing overseas administrative
division of Denmark)
Constitution:
Danish
Legal system:
Danish
National holiday:
Birthday of the Queen, 16 April (1940)
Political parties and leaders:
three-party ruling coalition:
Social Democratic Party, Marita PETERSEN; Republican Party, Signer HANSEN;
Home Rule Party, Hilmar KASS
opposition:
Cooperation Coalition Party, Pauli ELLEFSEN; Progressive and Fishing
Industry Party-Christian People's Party (PFIP-CPP), leader NA; Progress
Party, leader NA; People's Party, Jogvan SUND-STEIN
Suffrage:
20 years of age; universal
Elections:
Danish Parliament:
last held on 12 December 1990 (next to be held by December 1994); results -
percent of vote by party NA; seats - (2 total) Social Democratic 1, People's
Party 1; note - the Faroe Islands elects two representatives to the Danish
Parliament
Faroese Parliament:
last held 17 November 1990 (next to be held November 1994); results - Social
Democratic 27.4%, People's Party 21.9%, Cooperation Coalition Party 18.9%,
Republican Party 14.7%, Home Rule 8.8%, PFIP-CPP 5.9%, other 2.4%; seats -
(32 total) two-party coalition 17 (Social Democratic 10, People's Party 7),
Cooperation Coalition Party 6, Republican Party 4, Home Rule 3, PFIP-CPP 2
Executive branch:
Danish monarch, high commissioner, prime minister, deputy prime minister,
Cabinet (Landsstyri)
Legislative branch:
unicameral Parliament (Lgting)
Judicial branch:
none
*Faroe Islands, Government
Leaders:
Chief of State:
Queen MARGRETHE II (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner
Bent KLINTE (since NA)
Head of Government:
Prime Minister Marita PETERSEN (since 18 January 1993)
Member of:
none
Diplomatic representation in US:
none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
US diplomatic representation:
none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Flag:
white with a red cross outlined in blue that extends to the edges of the
flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the
style of the DANNEBROG (Danish flag)
*Faroe Islands, Economy
Overview:
The Faroese, who have long enjoyed the affluent living standards of the
Danes and other Scandinavians, now must cope with the decline of the
all-important fishing industry and one of the world's heaviest per capita
external debts of nearly $30,000. When the nations of the world extended
their fishing zones to 200 nautical miles in the early 1970s, the Faroese no
longer could continue their traditional long-distance fishing and
subsequently depleted their own nearby fishing areas. The government's tight
controls on fish stocks and its austerity measures have caused a recession,
and subsidy cuts will force nationalization in the fishing industry, which
has already been plagued with bankruptcies. Copenhagen has threatened to
withhold its annual subsidy of $130 million - roughly one-third of the
islands' budget revenues - unless the Faroese make significant efforts to
balance their budget. To this extent the Faroe government is expected to
continue its tough policies, including introducing a 20% VAT in 1993, and
has agreed to an IMF economic-political stabilization plan. In addition to
its annual subsidy, the Danish government has bailed out the second largest
Faroe bank to the tune of $140 million since October 1992.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $662 million (1989 est.)
National product real growth rate:
3% (1989 est.)
National product per capita:
$14,000 (1989 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2% (1988)
Unemployment rate:
5%-6% (1991 est.)
Budget:
revenues $425 million; expenditures $480 million, including capital
expenditures of $NA (1991 est.)
Exports:
$386 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.)
commodities:
fish and fish products 88%, animal feedstuffs, transport equipment (ships)
(1989)
partners:
Denmark 20%, Germany 18.3%, UK 14.2%, France 11.2%, Spain 7.9%, US 4.5%
Imports:
$322 million (c.i.f., 1990 est.)
commodities:
machinery and transport equipment 24.4%, manufactures 24%, food and
livestock 19%, fuels 12%, chemicals 6.5%
partners:
Denmark 43.8%, Norway 19.8%, Sweden 4.9%, Germany 4.2%, US 1.3%
External debt:
$1.3 billion (1991)
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%
Electricity:
80,000 kW capacity; 280 million kWh produced, 5,760 kWh per capita (1992)
Industries:
fishing, shipbuilding, handicrafts
Agriculture:
accounts for 27% of GDP and employs 27% of labor force; principal crops -
potatoes and vegetables; livestock - sheep; annual fish catch about 360,000
metric tons
Economic aid:
receives an annual subsidy from Denmark of about $130 million
*Faroe Islands, Economy
Currency:
1 Danish krone (DKr) = 100 ore
Exchange rates:
Danish kroner (DKr) per US$1 - 6.236 (January 1993), 6.036 (1992), 6.396
(1991), 6.189 (1990), 7.310 (1989), 6.732 (1988)
Fiscal year:
1 April - 31 March
*Faroe Islands, Communications
Highways:
200 km
Ports:
Torshavn, Tvoroyri
Merchant marine:
10 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 22,015 GRT/24,007 DWT; includes 1
short-sea passenger, 5 cargo, 2 roll-on/roll-off, 2 refrigerated cargo; note
- a subset of the Danish register
Airports:
total:
1
useable:
1
with permanent-surface runways:
1 with runways over 3659 m:
0
with runways 2440-3659 m:
0
with runways 1220-2439 m:
1
Telecommunications:
good international communications; fair domestic facilities; 27,900
telephones; broadcast stations - 1 AM, 3 (10 repeaters) FM, 3 (29 repeaters)
TV; 3 coaxial submarine cables
*Faroe Islands, Defense Forces
Branches:
small Police Force, no organized native military forces
Note:
defense is the responsibility of Denmark
*Fiji, Geography
Location:
Oceania, 2,500 km north of New Zealand in the South Pacific Ocean
Map references:
Oceania, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
18,270 km2
land area:
18,270 km2
comparative area:
slightly smaller than New Jersey
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
1,129 km
Maritime claims:
(measured from claimed archipelagic baselines)
continental shelf:
200 m depth or to depth of exploitation; rectilinear shelf claim added
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
none
Climate:
tropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature variation
Terrain:
mostly mountains of volcanic origin
Natural resources:
timber, fish, gold, copper, offshore oil potential
Land use: arable land:
8%
permanent crops:
5%
meadows and pastures:
3%
forest and woodland:
65%
other:
19%
Irrigated land:
10 km2 (1989 est.)
Environment:
subject to hurricanes from November to January; includes 332 islands of
which approximately 110 are inhabited
*Fiji, People
Population:
756,762 (July 1993 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.95% (1993 est.)
Birth rate:
24.74 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Death rate:
6.59 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Net migration rate:
-8.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
18.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
64.86 years
male:
62.62 years
female:
67.21 years (1993 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.98 children born/woman (1993 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Fijian(s)
adjective:
Fijian
Ethnic divisions:
Fijian 49%, Indian 46%, European, other Pacific Islanders, overseas Chinese,
and other 5%
Religions:
Christian 52% (Methodist 37%, Roman Catholic 9%), Hindu 38%, Muslim 8%,
other 2%
note:
Fijians are mainly Christian, Indians are Hindu, and there is a Muslim
minority (1986)
Languages: English (official), Fijian, Hindustani
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1985)
total population:
86%
male:
90%
female:
81%
Labor force:
235,000
by occupation:
subsistence agriculture 67%, wage earners 18%, salary earners 15% (1987)
*Fiji, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Fiji
conventional short form:
Fiji
Digraph:
FJ
Type:
republic
note:
military coup leader Maj. Gen. Sitiveni RABUKA formally declared Fiji a
republic on 6 October 1987
Capital:
Suva
Administrative divisions:
4 divisions and 1 dependency*; Central, Eastern, Northern, Rotuma*, Western, Independence:
10 October 1970 (from UK)
Constitution:
10 October 1970 (suspended 1 October 1987); a new Constitution was proposed
on 23 September 1988 and promulgated on 25 July 1990; the 1990 Constitution
is currently still under review (February 1993)
Legal system:
based on British system
National holiday:
Independence Day, 10 October (1970)
Political parties and leaders:
Fijian Political Party (SVT - primarily Fijian), leader Maj. Gen. Sitivini
RABUKA; National Federation Party (NFP; primarily Indian), Siddiq KOYA;
Christian Fijian Nationalist Party (CFNP), Sakeasi BUTADROKA; Fiji Labor
Party (FLP), Jokapeci KOROI; All National Congress (ANC), Apisai TORA;
General Voters Party (GVP), Max OLSSON; Fiji Conservative Party (FCP),
Isireli VUIBAU; Conservative Party of Fiji (CPF), Jolale ULUDOLE and Viliame
SAVU; Fiji Indian Liberal Party, Swami MAHARAJ; Fiji Indian Congress Party,
Ishwari BAJPAI; Fiji Independent Labor (Muslim), leader NA; Four Corners
Party, David TULVANUAVOU
Suffrage:
none
Elections:
House of Representatives:
last held 23-29 May 1992 (next to be held NA 1997); results - percent of
vote by party NA; seats - (70 total, with ethnic Fijians allocated 37 seats,
ethnic Indians 27 seats, and independents and other 6 seats) number of seats
by party NA
Executive branch:
president, prime minister, Cabinet, Great Councils of Chiefs (highest
ranking members of the traditional chiefly system)
Legislative branch:
the bicameral Parliament, consisting of an upper house or Senate and a lower
house or House of Representatives, was dissolved following the coup of 14
May 1987; the Constitution of 23 September 1988 provides for a bicameral
Parliament
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Leaders:
Chief of State:
President Ratu Sir Penaia Kanatabatu GANILAU (since 5 December 1987); Vice
President Ratu Sir Kamisese MARA (since 14 April 1992); Vice President Ratu
Sir Josaia TAIVAIQIA (since 14 April 1992)
*Fiji, Government
Head of Government:
Prime Minister Sitiveni RABUKA (since 2 June 1992); Deputy Prime Minister
Filipe BOLE (since 11 June 1992); Deputy Prime Minister Ratu Timoci VESIKULA
(since 11 June 1993)
Member of:
ACP, AsDB, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO,
IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, PCA, SPARTECA, SPC, SPF, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNOSOM, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Pita Kewa NACUVA
chancery:
Suite 240, 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone:
(202) 337-8320
consulate:
New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Evelyn I. H. TEEGEN
embassy:
31 Loftus Street, Suva
mailing address:
P. O. Box 218, Suva
telephone:
[679] 314-466
FAX:
[679] 300-081
Flag:
light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the
Fijian shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield depicts a
yellow lion above a white field quartered by the cross of Saint George
featuring stalks of sugarcane, a palm tree, bananas, and a white dove
*Fiji, Economy
Overview:
Fiji's economy is primarily agricultural, with a large subsistence sector.
Sugar exports are a major source of foreign exchange, and sugar processing
accounts for one-third of industrial output. Industry, including sugar
milling, contributes 13% to GDP. Fiji traditionally had earned considerable
sums of hard currency from the 250,000 tourists who visited each year. In
1987, however, after two military coups, the economy went into decline. GDP
dropped by 7.8% in 1987 and by another 2.5% in 1988; political uncertainty
created a drop in tourism, and the worst drought of the century caused sugar
production to fall sharply. In contrast, sugar and tourism turned in strong
performances in 1989, and the economy rebounded vigorously. In 1990 the
economy received a setback from cyclone Sina, which cut sugar output by an
estimated 21%. Sugar exports recovered in 1991-92.
National product:
GDP - exchange rate conversion - $1.4 billion (1992 est.)
National product real growth rate:
3% (1992 est.)
National product per capita:
$1,900 (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
5% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate:
5.9% (1991 est.)
Budget:
revenues $455 million; expenditures $546 million, including capital
expenditures of $NA (1993 est.)
Exports:
$435 million (f.o.b., 1991)
commodities:
sugar 40%, gold, clothing, copra, processed fish, lumber
partners:
EC 31%, Australia 21%, Japan 8%, US 6%
Imports:
$553 million (c.i.f., 1991)
commodities:
machinery and transport equipment 32%, food 15%, petroleum products,
consumer goods, chemicals
partners:
Australia 30%, NZ 17%, Japan 13%, EC 6%, US 6%
External debt:
$428 million (December 1990 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate 8.4% (1991 est.); accounts for 13% of GDP
Electricity:
215,000 kW capacity; 420 million kWh produced, 560 kWh per capita (1992)
Industries:
sugar, tourism, copra, gold, silver, clothing, lumber, small cottage
industries
Agriculture:
accounts for 23% of GDP; principal cash crop is sugarcane; coconuts,
cassava, rice, sweet potatoes, bananas; small livestock sector includes
cattle, pigs, horses, and goats; fish catch nearly 33,000 tons (1989)
Economic aid:
Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1980-89),
$815 million
Currency:
1 Fijian dollar (F$) = 100 cents
*Fiji, Economy
Exchange rates:
Fijian dollars (F$) per US$1 - 1.5809 (January 1993), 1.5029 (1992), 1.4756
(1991), 1.4809 (1990), 1.4833 (1989), 1.4303 (1988)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
*Fiji, Communications
Railroads:
644 km 0.610-meter narrow gauge, belonging to the government-owned Fiji
Sugar Corporation
Highways:
3,300 km total; 1,590 km paved; 1,290 km gravel, crushed stone, or
stabilized soil surface; 420 unimproved earth (1984)
Inland waterways:
203 km; 122 km navigable by motorized craft and 200-metric-ton barges
Ports:
Lambasa, Lautoka, Savusavu, Suva
Merchant marine:
7 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 40,072 GRT/47,187 DWT; includes 2
roll-on/roll-off, 2 container, 1 oil tanker, 1 chemical tanker, 1 cargo
Airports:
total:
25
usable:
22
with permanent-surface runways:
2
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
1
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
2
Telecommunications:
modern local, interisland, and international (wire/radio integrated) public
and special-purpose telephone, telegraph, and teleprinter facilities;
regional radio center; important COMPAC cable link between US-Canada and New
Zealand-Australia; 53,228 telephones (71 telephones per 1,000 persons);
broadcast stations - 7 AM, 1 FM, no TV; 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth
station
*Fiji, Defense Forces
Branches:
Fiji Military Force (FMF; including a naval division, police)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 194,634; fit for military service 107,304; reach military
age (18) annually 7,834 (1993 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $22.4 million, about 2% of GDP (FY91/92)
*Finland, Geography
Location:
Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea between Sweden and Russia
Map references:
Arctic Region, Europe, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
337,030 km2
land area:
305,470 km2
comparative area:
slightly smaller than Montana
Land boundaries:
total 2,628 km, Norway 729 km, Sweden 586 km, Russia 1,313 km
Coastline:
1,126 km (excludes islands and coastal indentations)
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
6 nm
continental shelf:
200 m depth or to depth of exploitation
exclusive fishing zone:
12 nm
territorial sea:
4 nm
International disputes:
none
Climate:
cold temperate; potentially subarctic, but comparatively mild because of
moderating influence of the North Atlantic Current, Baltic Sea, and more
than 60,000 lakes
Terrain:
mostly low, flat to rolling plains interspersed with lakes and low hills
Natural resources:
timber, copper, zinc, iron ore, silver
Land use:
arable land:
8%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures:
0%
forest and woodland:
76%
other:
16%
Irrigated land:
620 km2 (1989 est.)
Environment:
permanently wet ground covers about 30% of land; population concentrated on
small southwestern coastal plain
Note:
long boundary with Russia; Helsinki is northernmost national capital on
European continent
*Finland, People
Population:
5,050,942 (July 1993 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.37% (1993 est.)
Birth rate:
12.61 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Death rate:
9.91 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Net migration rate:
1.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
5.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
75.65 years
male:
71.85 years
female:
79.62 years (1993 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.79 children born/woman (1993 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Finn(s)
adjective:
Finnish
Ethnic divisions:
Finn, Swede, Lapp, Gypsy, Tatar
Religions:
Evangelical Lutheran 89%, Greek Orthodox 1%, none 9%, other 1%
Languages:
Finnish 93.5% (official), Swedish 6.3% (official), small Lapp- and
Russian-speaking minorities
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1980)
total population: 100%
male:
NA%
female:
NA%
Labor force:
2.533 million
by occupation:
public services 30.4%, industry 20.9%, commerce 15.0%, finance, insurance,
and business services 10.2%, agriculture and forestry 8.6%, transport and
communications 7.7%, construction 7.2%
*Finland, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Finland
conventional short form:
Finland
local long form:
Suomen Tasavalta
local short form:
Suomi
Digraph:
FI
Type:
republic
Capital:
Helsinki
Administrative divisions:
12 provinces (laanit, singular - laani); Ahvenanmaa, Hame, Keski-Suomi,
Kuopio, Kymi, Lappi, Mikkeli, Oulu, Pohjois-Karjala, Turku ja Pori, Uusimaa,
Vaasa
Independence:
6 December 1917 (from Soviet Union)
Constitution:
17 July 1919
Legal system:
civil law system based on Swedish law; Supreme Court may request legislation
interpreting or modifying laws; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with
reservations
National holiday:
Independence Day, 6 December (1917)
Political parties and leaders:
government coalition:
Center Party, Esko AHO; National Coalition (conservative) Party, Perti
SALOLAINEN; Swedish People's Party, (Johan) Ole NORRBACK; Finnish Christian
League, Toimi KANKAANNIEMI
other parties:
Social Democratic Party, Antero KEKKONEN, Acting Chairman; Leftist Alliance
(Communist) People's Democratic League and Democratic Alternative, Claes
ANDERSON; Green League, Pekka SAURI; Rural Party, Tina MAKELA; Liberal
People's Party, Kalle MAATTA
Other political or pressure groups: Finnish Communist Party-Unity, Yrjo HAKANEN; Constitutional
Rightist Party;
Finnish Pensioners Party; Communist Workers Party, Timo LAHDENMAKI
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Elections:
President:
last held 31 January - 1 February and 15 February 1988 (next to be held
January 1994); results - Mauno KOIVISTO 48%, Paavo VAYRYNEN 20%, Harri
HOLKERI 18%
Parliament:
last held 17 March 1991 (next to be held March 1995); results - Center Party
24.8%, Social Democratic Party 22.1%, National Coalition (Conservative)
Party 19.3%, Leftist Alliance (Communist) 10.1%, Green League 6.8%, Swedish
People's Party 5.5%, Rural 4.8%, Finnish Christian League 3.1%, Liberal
People's Party 0.8%; seats - (200 total) Center Party 55, Social Democratic
Party 48, National Coalition (Conservative) Party 40, Leftist Alliance
(Communist) 19, Swedish People's Party 12, Green League 10, Finnish
Christian League 8, Rural 7, Liberal People's Party 1
*Finland, Government
Executive branch:
president, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Council of State
(Valtioneuvosto)
Legislative branch:
unicameral Parliament (Eduskunta)
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (Korkein Oikeus)
Leaders:
Chief of State:
President Mauno KOIVISTO (since 27 January 1982)
Head of Government:
Prime Minister Esko AHO (since 26 April 1991); Deputy Prime Minister Ilkka
KANERVA (since 26 April 1991)
Member of:
AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, CERN, COCOM
(cooperating country), CSCE, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, ESA (associate), FAO, G-9,
GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO,
INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, MTCR, NAM (guest),
NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO,
UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNMOGIP, UNOSOM, UNPROFOR, UNTSO,
UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Jukka VALTASAARI
chancery:
3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016
telephone:
(202) 363-2430
FAX:
(202) 363-8233
consulates general:
Los Angeles and New York
consulates: Chicago and Houston
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador John H. KELLY
embassy:
Itainen Puistotie 14A, SF-00140, Helsinki
mailing address:
APO AE 09723
telephone:
[358] (0) 171931
FAX:
[358] (0) 174681
Flag:
white with a blue cross that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical
part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the DANNEBROG
(Danish flag)
*Finland, Economy
Overview:
Finland has a highly industrialized, largely free market economy, with per
capita output two-thirds of the US figure. Its key economic sector is
manufacturing - principally the wood, metals, and engineering industries.
Trade is important, with the export of goods representing about 30% of GDP.
Except for timber and several minerals, Finland depends on imports of raw
materials, energy, and some components for manufactured goods. Because of
the climate, agricultural development is limited to maintaining
self-sufficiency in basic products. The economy, which experienced an
average of 4.9% annual growth between 1987 and 1989, sank into deep
recession in 1991 as growth contracted by 6.5%. The recession - which
continued in 1992 with growth contracting by 3.5% - has been caused by
economic overheating, depressed foreign markets, and the dismantling of the
barter system between Finland and the former Soviet Union under which Soviet
oil and gas had been exchanged for Finnish manufactured goods. The Finnish
Government has proposed efforts to increase industrial competitiveness and
efficiency by an increase in exports to Western markets, cuts in public
expenditures, partial privatization of state enterprises, and changes in
monetary policy. In June 1991 Helsinki had tied the markka to the EC's
European Currency Unit (ECU) to promote stability. Ongoing speculation
resulting from a lack of confidence in the government's policies forced
Helsinki to devalue the markka by about 12% in November 1991 and to
indefinitely break the link in September 1992. By boosting the
competitiveness of Finnish exports, these measures presumably have kept the
economic downturn from being even more severe. Unemployment probably will
remain a serious problem during the next few years - monthly figures in
early 1993 are approaching 20% - with the majority of Finnish firms facing a
weak domestic market and the troubled German and Swedish export markets.
Declining revenues, increased transfer payments, and extensive funding to
bail out the banking system are expected to push the central government's
budget deficit to nearly 13% in 1993. Helsinki continues to harmonize its
economic policies with those of the EC during Finland's current EC
membership bid.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $79.4 billion (1992)
National product real growth rate:
-3.5% (1992)
National product per capita:
$15,900 (1992)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.1% (1992)
Unemployment rate:
13.1% (1992)
Budget:
revenues $26.8 billion; expenditures $40.6 billion, including capital
expenditures of $NA (1992)
Exports:
$24.0 billion (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities:
timber, paper and pulp, ships, machinery, clothing and footwear
partners:
EC 53.2% (Germany 15.6%, UK 10.7%), EFTA 19.5% (Sweden 12.8%), US 5.9%,
Japan 1.3%, Russia 2.8% (1992)
Imports:
$21.2 billion (c.i.f., 1992)
commodities:
foodstuffs, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, transport
equipment, iron and steel, machinery, textile yarn and fabrics, fodder
grains
*Finland, Economy
partners:
EC 47.2% (Germany 16.9%, UK 8.7%), EFTA 19.0% (Sweden 11.7%), US 6.1%, Japan
5.5%, Russia 7.1% (1992)
External debt:
$25 billion (1992)
Industrial production:
growth rate 7.6% (1992 est.)
Electricity:
13,500,000 kW capacity; 55,300 million kWh produced, 11,050 kWh per capita
(1992)
Industries:
metal products, shipbuilding, forestry and wood processing (pulp, paper),
copper refining, foodstuffs, chemicals, textiles, clothing
Agriculture:
accounts for 5% of GDP (including forestry); livestock production,
especially dairy cattle, predominates; forestry is an important export
earner and a secondary occupation for the rural population; main crops -
cereals, sugar beets, potatoes; 85% self-sufficient, but short of foodgrains
and fodder grains; annual fish catch about 160,000 metric tons
Economic aid:
donor - ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $2.7 billion
Currency:
1 markkaa (FMk) or Finmark = 100 pennia
Exchange rates:
markkaa (FMk) per US$1 - 5.4193 (January 1993), 4.4794 (1992), 4.0440
(1991), 3.8235 (1990), 4.2912 (1989), 4.1828 (1988)
Fiscal year: calendar year
*Finland, Communications
Railroads:
5,924 km total; Finnish State Railways (VR) operate a total of 5,863 km
1.524-meter gauge, of which 480 km are multiple track and 1,445 km are
electrified
Highways:
about 103,000 km total, including 35,000 km paved (bituminous, concrete,
bituminous-treated surface) and 38,000 km unpaved (stabilized gravel,
gravel, earth); additional 30,000 km of private (state-subsidized) roads
Inland waterways:
6,675 km total (including Saimaa Canal); 3,700 km suitable for steamers
Pipelines:
natural gas 580 km
Ports:
Helsinki, Oulu, Pori, Rauma, Turku
Merchant marine:
87 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 935,260 GRT/973,995 DWT; includes 3
passenger, 11 short-sea passenger, 17 cargo, 1 refrigerated cargo, 26
roll-on/roll-off, 14 oil tanker, 6 chemical tanker, 2 liquefied gas, 7 bulk
Airports:
total:
160
usable:
157
with permanent-surface runways:
66
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
25
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
22
Telecommunications:
good service from cable and microwave radio relay network; 3,140,000
telephones; broadcast stations - 6 AM, 105 FM, 235 TV; 1 submarine cable;
INTELSAT satellite transmission service via Swedish earth station and a
receive-only INTELSAT earth station near Helsinki
*Finland, Defense Forces
Branches:
Army, Navy, Air Force, Frontier Guard (including Coast Guard)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 1,323,381; fit for military service 1,091,613; reach
military age (17) annually 33,828 (1993 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $1.93 billion, about 2% of GDP (1992)
*France, Geography
Location:
Western Europe, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean between Spain and Germany
Map references:
Europe, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
547,030 km2
land area:
545,630 km2
comparative area:
slightly more than twice the size of Colorado
note:
includes Corsica and the rest of metropolitan France, but excludes the
overseas administrative divisions
Land boundaries:
total 2,892.4 km, Andorra 60 km, Belgium 620 km, Germany 451 km, Italy 488
km, Luxembourg 73 km, Monaco 4.4 km, Spain 623 km, Switzerland 573 km
Coastline:
3,427 km (mainland 2,783 km, Corsica 644 km)
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
12-24 nm
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
Madagascar claims Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de
Nova Island, and Tromelin Island; Comoros claims Mayotte; Mauritius claims
Tromelin Island; Seychelles claims Tromelin Island; Suriname claims part of
French Guiana; Mexico claims Clipperton Island; territorial claim in
Antarctica (Adelie Land); Saint Pierre and Miquelon is focus of maritime
boundary dispute between Canada and France
Climate:
generally cool winters and mild summers, but mild winters and hot summers
along the Mediterranean
Terrain:
mostly flat plains or gently rolling hills in north and west; remainder is
mountainous, especially Pyrenees in south, Alps in east
Natural resources:
coal, iron ore, bauxite, fish, timber, zinc, potash
Land use:
arable land:
32%
permanent crops:
2%
meadows and pastures:
23%
forest and woodland:
27%
other:
16%
Irrigated land: 11,600 km2 (1989 est.)
Environment:
most of large urban areas and industrial centers in Rhone, Garonne, Seine,
or Loire River basins; occasional warm tropical wind known as mistral
Note:
largest West European nation
*France, People
Population:
57,566,091 (July 1993 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.48% (1993 est.)
Birth rate:
13.24 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Death rate:
9.3 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Net migration rate:
0.87 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
6.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
78 years
male:
74.04 years
female:
82.16 years (1993 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.8 children born/woman (1993 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Frenchman(men), Frenchwoman(women)
adjective:
French
Ethnic divisions:
Celtic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic, North African, Indochinese, Basque
minorities
Religions:
Roman Catholic 90%, Protestant 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim (North African workers)
1%, unaffiliated 6%
Languages:
French 100%, rapidly declining regional dialects and languages (Provencal,
Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque, Flemish)
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1980)
total population:
99%
male:
NA%
female:
NA%
Labor force:
24.17 million by occupation:
services 61.5%, industry 31.3%, agriculture 7.2% (1987)
*France, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
French Republic
conventional short form:
France
local long form:
Republique Francaise
local short form:
France
Digraph:
FR
Type:
republic
Capital:
Paris
Administrative divisions:
22 regions (regions, singular - region); Alsace, Aquitaine, Auvergne,
Basse-Normandie, Bourgogne, Bretagne, Centre, Champagne-Ardenne, Corse,
Franche-Comte, Haute-Normandie, Ile-de-France, Languedoc-Roussillon,
Limousin, Lorraine, Midi-Pyrenees, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Pays de la Loire,
Picardie, Poitou-Charentes, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, Rhone-Alpes
note:
the 22 regions are subdivided into 96 departments; see separate entries for
the overseas departments (French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Reunion)
and the territorial collectivities (Mayotte, Saint Pierre and Miquelon)
Dependent areas:
Bassas da India, Clipperton Island, Europa Island, French Polynesia, French
Southern and Antarctic Lands, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, New
Caledonia, Tromelin Island, Wallis and Futuna
note:
the US does not recognize claims to Antarctica
Independence:
486 (unified by Clovis)
Constitution:
28 September 1958, amended concerning election of president in 1962,
ammended to comply with provisions of EC Maastricht Treaty in 1992
Legal system:
civil law system with indigenous concepts; review of administrative but not
legislative acts
National holiday:
National Day, Taking of theBastille, 14 July (1789)
Political parties and leaders:
Rally for the Republic (RPR), Jacques CHIRAC; Union for French Democracy
(UDF, federation of UREI, UC, RDE), Valery Giscard d'ESTAING; Republican
Party (PR), Gerard LONGUET; Center for Social Democrats (CDS), Pierre
MEHAIGNERIE; Radical (RAD), Yves GALLAND; Socialist Party (PS), Michel
ROCARD; Left Radical Movement (MRG), Emile ZUCCARELLI; Communist Party
(PCF), Georges MARCHAIS; National Front (FN), Jean-Marie LE PEN; Union of
Republican and Independents (UREI); Centrist Union (UC); (RDE)
Other political or pressure groups:
Communist-controlled labor union (Confederation Generale du Travail) nearly
2.4 million members (claimed); Socialist-leaning labor union (Confederation
Francaise Democratique du Travail or CFDT) about 800,000 members est.;
independent labor union (Force Ouvriere) 1 million members (est.);
independent white-collar union (Confederation Generale des Cadres) 340,000
members (claimed); National Council of French Employers (Conseil National du
Patronat Francais - CNPF or Patronat)
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
*France, Government
Elections:
President:
last held 8 May 1988 (next to be held by May 1995); results - Second Ballot
Francois MITTERRAND 54%, Jacques CHIRAC 46%
Senate:
last held NA September 1992 (next to be held September 1995 - nine-year
term, elected by thirds every three years); results - percent of vote by
party NA; seats - (321 total; 296 metropolitan France, 13 for overseas
departments and territories, and 12 for French nationals abroad) RPR 91, UDF
142 (UREI 51, UC 68, RDE 23), PS 66, PCF 16, independents 2, other 4
National Assembly:
last held 21 and 28 March 1993 (next to be held NA 1998); results - percent
of vote by party NA; seats - (577 total) RPR 247, UDF 213, PS 67, PCF 24,
independents 26
Executive branch:
president, prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet)
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament (Parlement) consists of an upper house or Senate
(Senat) and a lower house or National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale)
Judicial branch:
Constitutional Court (Cour Constitutionnelle)
Leaders:
Chief of State:
President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981)
Head of Government:
Prime Minister Edouard BALLADUR (since 29 March 1993)
Member of:
ACCT, AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, Australia Group, BDEAC, BIS, CCC, CDB
(non-regional), CE, CERN, COCOM, CSCE, EBRD, EC, ECA (associate), ECE,
ECLAC, EIB, ESA, ESCAP, FAO, FZ, GATT, G-5, G-7, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD,
ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT,
INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, MINURSO, MTCR, NACC, NATO, NEA, NSG,
OAS (observer), OECD, PCA, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL,
UNIKOM, UNPROFOR, UNRWA, UN Security Council, UNTAC, UN Trusteeship Council,
UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Jacques ANDREANI
chancery:
4101 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone: (202) 944-6000
consulates general:
Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New
Orleans, New York, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico)
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Pamela HARRIMAN
embassy:
2 Avenue Gabriel, 75382 Paris Cedex 08, Unit 21551
mailing address:
APO AE 09777
telephone:
[33] (1) 4296-12-02 or 4261-80-75
FAX:
[33] (1) 4266-9783
consulates general:
Bordeaux, Marseille, Strasbourg