Names:

conventional long form:

none

conventional short form:

Greenland

local long form:

none

local short form:

Kalaallit Nunaat

Digraph:

GL

Type:

part of the Danish realm; self-governing overseas administrative division

Capital:

Nuuk (Godthab)

Administrative divisions:

3 municipalities (kommuner, singular - kommun); Nordgronland, Ostgronland,

Vestgronland

Independence:

none (part of the Danish realm; self-governing overseas administrative

division)

Constitution:

Danish

Legal system:

Danish

National holiday:

Birthday of the Queen, 16 April (1940)

Political parties and leaders:

two-party ruling coalition; Siumut (a moderate socialist party that

advocates more distinct Greenlandic identity and greater autonomy from

Denmark), Lars Emil JOHANSEN, chairman; Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA; a

Marxist-Leninist party that favors complete independence from Denmark rather

than home rule), Arqaluk LYNGE; Atassut Party (a more conservative party

that favors continuing close relations with Denmark), leader NA; Polar Party

(conservative-Greenland nationalist), Lars CHEMNITZ; Center Party (a new

nonsocialist protest party), leader NA

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Elections:

Danish Folketing:

last held on 12 December 1990 (next to be held by December 1994); Greenland

elects two representatives to the Folketing; results - percent of vote by

party NA; seats - (2 total) Siumut 1, Atassut 1

Landsting:

last held on 5 March 1991 (next to be held 5 March 1995); results - percent

of vote by party NA; seats - (27 total) Siumut 11, Atassut Party 8, Inuit

Ataqatigiit 5, Center Party 2, Polar Party 1

Executive branch:

Danish monarch, high commissioner, home rule chairman, prime minister,

Cabinet (Landsstyre)

Legislative branch:

unicameral Parliament (Landsting)

Judicial branch:

High Court (Landsret)

Leaders:

Chief of State:

Queen MARGRETHE II (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner

Torben Hede PEDERSEN (since NA)

*Greenland, Government

Head of Government:

Home Rule Chairman Lars Emil JOHANSEN (since 15 March 1991)

Diplomatic representation in US:

none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)

US diplomatic representation:

none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)

Flag:

two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a large disk slightly

to the hoist side of center - the top half of the disk is red, the bottom

half is white

*Greenland, Economy

Overview:

Greenland's economic situation at present is difficult and unemployment

increases. Prospects for economic growth in the immediate future are not

bright. The Home Rule Government's economic restraint measures introduced in

the late 1980s have assisted in shifting red figures into a balance in the

public budget. Foreign trade produced a surplus in 1989 and 1990, but has

now returned to a deficit. Following the closing of the Black Angel lead and

zinc mine in 1989, Greenland today is fully dependent on fishing and fish

processing, this sector accounting for 95% of exports. Prospects for

fisheries are not bright, as the important shrimp catches will at best

stabilize and cod catches have dropped. Resumption of mining and hydrocarbon

activities is not around the corner, thus leaving only tourism with some

potential for the near future. The public sector in Greenland, i.e. the HRG

and its commercial entities and the municipalities, plays a dominant role in

Greenland accounting for about two thirds of total employment. About half

the government's revenues come from grants from the Danish Government.

National product:

GNP - purchasing power equivalent - $500 million (1988)

National product real growth rate:

-10% (1990)

National product per capita:

$9,000 (1988)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.6% (1991)

Unemployment rate:

9% (1990 est.)

Budget:

revenues $381 million; expenditures $381 million, including capital

expenditures of $36 million (1989)

Exports:

$340.6 million (f.o.b., 1991)

commodities:

fish and fish products 95%

partners:

Denmark 79%, Benelux 9%, Germany 5%

Imports:

$403 million (c.i.f., 1991)

commodities:

manufactured goods 28%, machinery and transport equipment 24%, food and live

animals 12.4%, petroleum products 12%

partners:

Denmark 65%, Norway 8.8%, US 4.6%, Germany 3.8%, Japan 3.8%, Sweden 2.4%

External debt:

$480 million (1990 est.)

Industrial production:

growth rate NA%

Electricity:

84,000 kW capacity; 176 million kWh produced, 3,060 kWh per capita (1992)

Industries:

fish processing (mainly shrimp), lead and zinc mining, handicrafts, some

small shipyards, potential for platinum and gold mining

Agriculture:

sector dominated by fishing and sheep raising; crops limited to forage and

small garden vegetables; 1988 fish catch of 133,500 metric tons

Economic aid:

none

Currency:

1 Danish krone (DKr) = 100 re

*Greenland, Economy

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:

calendar year

*Greenland, Communications

Highways:

80 km

Ports:

Kangerluarsoruseq (Faeringehavn), Paamiut (Frederikshaab), Nuuk (Godthaab),

Sisimiut (Holsteinsborg), Julianehaab, Maarmorilik, North Star Bay

Airports: total:

11

usable:

8

with permanent-surface runways:

5

with runways over 3,659 m:

0

with runways 2,440-3,659 m:

2

with runways 1,220-2,439 m:

2

Telecommunications:

adequate domestic and international service provided by cables and microwave

radio relay; 17,900 telephones; broadcast stations - 5 AM, 7 (35 repeaters)

FM, 4 (9 repeaters) TV; 2 coaxial submarine cables; 1 Atlantic Ocean

INTELSAT earth station

*Greenland, Defense Forces

Note:

defense is responsibility of Denmark

*Grenada, Geography

Location:

in the eastern Caribbean Sea, about 150 im north of Trinidad and Tobago

Map references:

Central America and the Caribbean, South America, Standard Time Zones of the

World

Area:

total area:

340 km2

land area:

340 km2

comparative area:

slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

121 km

Maritime claims:

exclusive economic zone:

200 nm

territorial sea:

12 nm

International disputes:

none

Climate:

tropical; tempered by northeast trade winds

Terrain:

volcanic in origin with central mountains

Natural resources:

timber, tropical fruit, deepwater harbors

Land use:

arable land:

15%

permanent crops:

26%

meadows and pastures:

3%

forest and woodland:

9%

other:

47%

Irrigated land:

NA km2

Environment:

lies on edge of hurricane belt; hurricane season lasts from June to November

Note:

islands of the Grenadines group are divided politically with Saint Vincent

and the Grenadines

*Grenada, People

Population:

93,830 (July 1993 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.24% (1993 est.)

Birth rate:

30.85 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)

Death rate:

6.46 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)

Net migration rate:

-21.95 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

12.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population:

70.15 years

male:

67.79 years

female:

72.54 years (1993 est.)

Total fertility rate:

4 children born/woman (1993 est.)

Nationality:

noun:

Grenadian(s)

adjective:

Grenadian

Ethnic divisions:

black African

Religions:

Roman Catholic, Anglican, other Protestant sects

Languages: English (official), French patois

Literacy:

age 15 and over having ever attended school (1970)

total population:

98%

male:

98%

female:

98%

Labor force:

36,000

by occupation:

services 31%, agriculture 24%, construction 8%, manufacturing 5%, other 32%

(1985)

*Grenada, Government

Names:

conventional long form:

none

conventional short form:

Grenada

Digraph:

GJ

Type:

parliamentary democracy

Capital:

Saint George's

Administrative divisions:

6 parishes and 1 dependency*; Carriacou and Petit Martinique*, Saint Andrew,, Saint David, Saint

George, Saint John, Saint Mark, Saint Patrick

Independence:

7 February 1974 (from UK)

Constitution:

19 December 1973

Legal system:

based on English common law

National holiday:

Independence Day, 7 February (1974)

Political parties and leaders:

National Democratic Congress (NDC), Nicholas BRATHWAITE; Grenada United

Labor Party (GULP), Sir Eric GAIRY; The National Party (TNP), Ben JONES; New

National Party (NNP), Keith MITCHELL; Maurice Bishop Patriotic Movement

(MBPM), Terrence MARRYSHOW; New Jewel Movement (NJM), Bernard COARD

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Elections:

House of Representatives:

last held on 13 March 1990 (next to be held by NA March 1996); results -

percent of vote by party NA; seats - (15 total) NDC 8, GULP 3, TNP 2, NNP 2

Executive branch:

British monarch, governor general, prime minister, Ministers of Government

(cabinet)

Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of an upper house or Senate and a lower house

or House of Representatives

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court

Leaders:

Chief of State:

Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General

Reginald Oswald PALMER (since 6 August 1992)

Head of Government:

Prime Minister Nicholas BRATHWAITE (since 13 March 1990)

Member of:

ACP, C, CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC,

ILO, IMF, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LAES, LORCS, NAM, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, UN,

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in US:

chief of mission:

Ambassador Denneth MODESTE

chancery:

1701 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone:

(202) 265-2561

*Grenada, Government

consulate general:

New York

US diplomatic representation:

chief of mission:

Charge d'Affaires Annette T. VELER

embassy:

Ross Point Inn, Saint George's

mailing address:

P. O. Box 54, Saint George's

telephone:

(809) 444-1173 through 1178

FAX:

(809) 444-4820

Flag:

a rectangle divided diagonally into yellow triangles (top and bottom) and

green triangles (hoist side and outer side) with a red border around the

flag; there are seven yellow five-pointed stars with three centered in the

top red border, three centered in the bottom red border, and one on a red

disk superimposed at the center of the flag; there is also a symbolic nutmeg

pod on the hoist-side triangle (Grenada is the world's second-largest

producer of nutmeg, after Indonesia); the seven stars represent the seven

administrative divisions

*Grenada, Economy

Overview:

The economy is essentially agricultural and centers on the traditional

production of spices and tropical plants. Agriculture accounts for about 16%

of GDP and 80% of exports and employs 24% of the labor force. Tourism is the

leading foreign exchange earner, followed by agricultural exports.

Manufacturing remains relatively undeveloped, but is expected to grow, given

a more favorable private investment climate since 1983. The economy achieved

an impressive average annual growth rate of 5.5% in 1986-91 but stalled in

1992. Unemployment remains high at about 25%.

National product:

GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $250 million (1992 est.)

National product real growth rate:

-0.4% (1992 est.)

National product per capita:

$3,000 (1992 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2.6% (1991 est.)

Unemployment rate:

25% (1992 est.)

Budget:

revenues $78 million; expenditures $51 million, including capital

expenditures of $22 million (1991 est.)

Exports:

$30 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.)

commodities:

nutmeg 36%, cocoa beans 9%, bananas 14%, mace 8%, textiles 5%

partners:

US 12%, UK, FRG, Netherlands, Trinidad and Tobago (1989)

Imports:

$110 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.)

commodities:

food 25%, manufactured goods 22%, machinery 20%, chemicals 10%, fuel 6%

(1989)

partners:

US 29%, UK, Trinidad and Tobago, Japan, Canada (1989)

External debt:

$104 million (1990 est.)

Industrial production:

growth rate 5.8% (1989 est.); accounts for 9% of GDP

Electricity:

12,500 kW capacity; 26 million kWh produced, 310 kWh per capita (1992)

Industries:

food and beverage, textile, light assembly operations, tourism, construction

Agriculture:

accounts for 16% of GDP and 80% of exports; bananas, cocoa, nutmeg, and mace

account for two-thirds of total crop production; world's second-largest

producer and fourth-largest exporter of nutmeg and mace; small-size farms

predominate, growing a variety of citrus fruits, avocados, root crops,

sugarcane, corn, and vegetables

Economic aid:

US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY84-89), $60 million; Western (non-US)

countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $70 million;

Communist countries (1970-89), $32 million

Currency:

1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents

Exchange rates:

East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.70 (fixed rate since 1976)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

*Grenada, Communications

Highways:

1,000 km total; 600 km paved, 300 km otherwise improved; 100 km unimproved

Ports:

Saint George's

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:

automatic, islandwide telephone system with 5,650 telephones; new SHF radio

links to Trinidad and Tobago and Saint Vincent; VHF and UHF radio links to

Trinidad and Carriacou; broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, 1 TV

*Grenada, Defense Forces

Branches:

Royal Grenada Police Force, Coast Guard

Manpower availability:

NA

Defense expenditures:

$NA, NA% of GDP

*Guadeloupe, Header

Affiliation:

(overseas department of France)

*Guadeloupe, Geography

Location:

in the Caribbean Sea, 500 km southeast of Puerto Rico

Map references:

Central America and the Caribbean

Area:

total area:

1,780 km2 land area:

1,760 km2

comparative area:

10 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

306 km

Maritime claims:

exclusive economic zone:

200 nm

territorial sea:

12 nm

International disputes:

none

Climate:

subtropical tempered by trade winds; relatively high humidity

Terrain:

Basse-Terre is volcanic in origin with interior mountains; Grand-Terre is

low limestone formation

Natural resources:

cultivable land, beaches and climate that foster tourism

Land use:

arable land:

18%

permanent crops:

5%

meadows and pastures:

13%

forest and woodland:

40%

other:

24%

Irrigated land:

30 km2 (1989 est.)

Environment:

subject to hurricanes (June to October); La Soufriere is an active volcano

*Guadeloupe, People

Population:

422,114 (July 1993 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.67% (1993 est.)

Birth rate:

18.18 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)

Death rate:

5.94 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)

Net migration rate:

4.42 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

9.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 76.72 years

male:

73.67 years

female:

79.9 years (1993 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.08 children born/woman (1993 est.)

Nationality:

noun:

Guadeloupian(s)

adjective:

Guadeloupe

Ethnic divisions:

black or mulatto 90%, white 5%, East Indian, Lebanese, Chinese less than 5%

Religions:

Roman Catholic 95%, Hindu and pagan African 5%

Languages:

French, creole patois

Literacy:

age 15 and over can read and write (1982)

total population:

90%

male:

90%

female:

91%

Labor force:

120,000

by occupation:

services, government, and commerce 53.0%, industry 25.8%, agriculture 21.2%

*Guadeloupe, Government

Names:

conventional long form:

Department of Guadeloupe

conventional short form:

Guadeloupe

local long form:

Departement de la Guadeloupe

local short form:

Guadeloupe

Digraph:

GP

Type:

overseas department of France

Capital:

Basse-Terre

Administrative divisions:

none (overseas department of France)

Independence:

none (overseas department of France)

Constitution:

28 September 1958 (French Constitution)

Legal system:

French legal system

National holiday:

National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789)

Political parties and leaders:

Rally for the Republic (RPR), Marlene CAPTANT; Communist Party of Guadeloupe

(PCG), Christian Medard CELESTE; Socialist Party (PS), Dominique LARIFLA;

Popular Union for the Liberation of Guadeloupe (UPLG); Independent

Republicans; Union for French Democracy (UDF); Union for the Center Rally

(URC coalition of the PS, RPR, and UDF); Guadeloupe Objective (OG), Lucette

MICHAUX-CHEVRY

Other political or pressure groups:

Popular Union for the Liberation of Guadeloupe (UPLG); Popular Movement for

Independent Guadeloupe (MPGI); General Union of Guadeloupe Workers (UGTG);

General Federation of Guadeloupe Workers (CGT-G); Christian Movement for the

Liberation of Guadeloupe (KLPG)

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Elections:

French National Assembly:

last held on 5 and 12 June 1988 (next to be held March 1993); Guadeloupe

elects four representatives; results - percent of vote by party NA; seats -

(4 total) PS 2 seats, RPR 1 seat, PCG 1 seat

French Senate:

last held in September 1986 (next to be held September 1995); Guadeloupe

elects two representatives; results - percent of vote by party NA; seats -

(2 total) PCG 1, PS 1

General Council:

last held 25 September and 8 October 1988 (next to be held by NA 1992);

results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (42 total) PS 26, URC 16

Regional Council:

last held on 22 March 1992 (next to be held by 16 March 1998); results - OG

33.1%, PSG 28.7%, PCG 23.8%, UDF 10.7%, other 3.7%; seats - (41 total) OG

15, PSG 12, PCG 10, UDF 4

Executive branch:

government commissioner

Legislative branch:

unicameral General Council and unicameral Regional Council

*Guadeloupe, Government

Judicial branch:

Court of Appeal (Cour d'Appel) with jurisdiction over Guadeloupe, French

Guiana, and Martinique

Leaders:

Chief of State:

President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981)

Head of Government:

Prefect Franck PERRIEZ (since NA 1992)

Member of:

FZ, WCL

Diplomatic representation in US:

as an overseas department of France, the interests of Guadeloupe are

represented in the US by France

US diplomatic representation:

none (overseas department of France)

Flag:

the flag of France is used

*Guadeloupe, Economy

Overview:

The economy depends on agriculture, tourism, light industry, and services.

It is also dependent upon France for large subsidies and imports. Tourism is

a key industry, with most tourists from the US. In addition, an increasingly

large number of cruise ships visit the islands. The traditionally important

sugarcane crop is slowly being replaced by other crops, such as bananas

(which now supply about 50% of export earnings), eggplant, and flowers.

Other vegetables and root crops are cultivated for local consumption,

although Guadeloupe is still dependent on imported food, which comes mainly

from France. Light industry consists mostly of sugar and rum production.

Most manufactured goods and fuel are imported. Unemployment is especially

high among the young.

National product:

GDP - exchange rate conversion - $1.5 billion (1989)

National product real growth rate:

NA%

National product per capita:

$4,700 (1989)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

3.7% (1990)

Unemployment rate:

31.3% (1990)

Budget:

revenues $333 million; expenditures $671 million, including capital

expenditures of $NA (1989)

Exports:

$168 million (f.o.b., 1988)

commodities:

bananas, sugar, rum

partners:

France 68%, Martinique 22% (1987)

Imports:

$1.2 billion (c.i.f., 1988)

commodities:

vehicles, foodstuffs, clothing and other consumer goods, construction

materials, petroleum products

partners:

France 64%, Italy, FRG, US (1987)

External debt:

$NA

Industrial production:

growth rate NA%

Electricity:

171,500 kW capacity; 441 million kWh produced, 1,080 kWh per capita (1992)

Industries:

construction, cement, rum, sugar, tourism

Agriculture: cash crops - bananas, sugarcane; other products include tropical fruits and

vegetables; livestock - cattle, pigs, goats; not self-sufficient in food

Economic aid:

US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $4 million; Western (non-US)

countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $8.235 billion

Currency:

1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes

Exchange rates:

French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.4812 (January 1993), 5.2938 (1992), 5.6421

(1991), 5.4453 (1990), 6.3801 (1989), 5.9569 (1988)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

*Guadeloupe, Communications

Railroads:

privately owned, narrow-gauge plantation lines

Highways:

1,940 km total; 1,600 km paved, 340 km gravel and earth

Ports:

Pointe-a-Pitre, Basse-Terre

Airports:

total:

9

usable:

9

with permanent-surface runways:

8

with runways over 3,659 m:

0

with runways 2,440-3,659 m:

1

with runways 1,220-2,439 m:

1

Telecommunications:

domestic facilities inadequate; 57,300 telephones; interisland microwave

radio relay to Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, and Martinique; broadcast

stations - 2 AM, 8 FM (30 private stations licensed to broadcast FM), 9 TV;

1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT ground station

*Guadeloupe, Defense Forces

Branches:

French Forces, Gendarmerie

Manpower availability:

males age 15-49 98,069; fit for military service NA (1993 est.)

Note:

defense is responsibility of France

*Guam, Header

Affiliation:

(territory of the US)

*Guam, Geography

Location:

in the North Pacific Ocean, 5,955 km west-southwest of Honolulu, about

three-quarters of the way between Hawaii and the Philippines

Map references:

Oceania

Area:

total area:

541.3 km2

land area:

541.3 km2

comparative area:

slightly more than three times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

125.5 km

Maritime claims:

contiguous zone:

24 nm

continental shelf:

200 m or depth of exploitation

exclusive economic zone:

200 nm

territorial sea:

12 nm

International disputes:

none

Climate:

tropical marine; generally warm and humid, moderated by northeast trade

winds; dry season from January to June, rainy season from July to December;

little seasonal temperature variation

Terrain:

volcanic origin, surrounded by coral reefs; relatively flat coraline

limestone plateau (source of most fresh water) with steep coastal cliffs and

narrow coastal plains in north, low-rising hills in center, mountains in

south

Natural resources:

fishing (largely undeveloped), tourism (especially from Japan)

Land use:

arable land:

11%

permanent crops:

11%

meadows and pastures:

15%

forest and woodland:

18%

other: 45%

Irrigated land:

NA km2

Environment:

frequent squalls during rainy season; subject to relatively rare, but

potentially very destructive typhoons (especially in August)

Note:

largest and southernmost island in the Mariana Islands archipelago;

strategic location in western North Pacific Ocean

*Guam, People

Population:

145,935 (July 1993 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.53% (1993 est.)

Birth rate:

26.16 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)

Death rate:

3.86 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)

Net migration rate:

3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

15.17 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population:

74.29 years

male:

72.42 years

female:

76.13 years (1993 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.44 children born/woman (1993 est.)

Nationality:

noun:

Guamanian(s)

adjective:

Guamanian

Ethnic divisions:

Chamorro 47%, Filipino 25%, Caucasian 10%, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and

other 18%

Religions:

Roman Catholic 98%, other 2%

Languages:

English, Chamorro, Japanese

Literacy:

age 15 and over can read and write (1980)

total population:

96%

male:

96%

female:

96%

Labor force: 46,930 (1990)

by occupation:

federal and territorial government 40%, private 60% (trade 18%, services

15.6%, construction 13.8%, other 12.6%) (1990)

*Guam, Government

Names:

conventional long form:

Territory of Guam

conventional short form:

Guam

Digraph:

GQ

Type:

organized, unincorporated territory of the US with policy relations between

Guam and the US under the jurisdiction of the Office of Territorial and

International Affairs, US Department of the Interior

Capital:

Agana

Administrative divisions:

none (territory of the US)

Independence:

none (territory of the US)

Constitution:

Organic Act of 1 August 1950

Legal system:

modeled on US; federal laws apply

National holiday:

Guam Discovery Day (first Monday in March); Liberation Day, 21 July

Political parties and leaders:

Democratic Party (controls the legislature); Republican Party (party of the

Governor)

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal; US citizens, but do not vote in US presidential

elections

Elections:

Governor:

last held on 6 November 1990 (next to be held NA November 1994); results -

Joseph F. ADA reelected

Legislature:

last held on 9 November 1992 (next to be held NA November 1994); results -

percent of vote by party NA; seats - (21 total) Democratic 14, Republican 7

US House of Representatives:

last held 9 November 1992 (next to be held NA November 1994); Guam elects

one delegate; results - Robert UNDERWOOD was elected as delegate; seats - (1

total) Democrat 1

Executive branch:

US president, governor, lieutenant governor, Cabinet

Legislative branch:

unicameral Legislature

Judicial branch:

Federal District Court, Territorial Superior Court

Leaders: Chief of State:

President William Jefferson CLINTON (since 20 January 1993); Vice President

Albert GORE, Jr. (since 20 January 1993)

Head of Government:

Governor Joseph A. ADA (since November 1986); Lieutenant Governor Frank F.

BLAS (since NA)

Member of:

ESCAP (associate), IOC, SPC

Diplomatic representation in US:

none (territory of the US)

*Guam, Government

Flag:

territorial flag is dark blue with a narrow red border on all four sides;

centered is a red-bordered, pointed, vertical ellipse containing a beach

scene, outrigger canoe with sail, and a palm tree with the word GUAM

superimposed in bold red letters; US flag is the national flag

*Guam, Economy

Overview:

The economy depends mainly on US military spending and on revenues from

tourism. Over the past 20 years the tourist industry has grown rapidly,

creating a construction boom for new hotels and the expansion of older ones.

Visitors numbered about 900,000 in 1992. About 60% of the labor force works

for the private sector and the rest for government. Most food and industrial

goods are imported, with about 75% from the US.

National product:

GNP - purchasing power equivalent - $2 billion (1991 est.)

National product real growth rate:

NA%

National product per capita:

$14,000 (1991 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

4% (1992 est.)

Unemployment rate:

2% (1992 est.)

Budget:

revenues $525 million; expenditures $395 million, including capital

expenditures of $NA

Exports:

$34 million (f.o.b., 1984)

commodities:

mostly transshipments of refined petroleum products, construction materials,

fish, food and beverage products

partners:

US 25%, Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands 63%, other 12%

Imports:

$493 million (c.i.f., 1984)

commodities:

petroleum and petroleum products, food, manufactured goods

partners:

US 23%, Japan 19%, other 58%

External debt:

$NA

Industrial production:

growth rate NA%

Electricity:

500,000 kW capacity; 2,300 million kWh produced, 16,300 kWh per capita

(1990)

Industries:

US military, tourism, construction, transshipment services, concrete

products, printing and publishing, food processing, textiles

Agriculture:

relatively undeveloped with most food imported; fruits, vegetables, eggs,

pork, poultry, beef, copra

Economic aid:

although Guam receives no foreign aid, it does receive large transfer

payments from the general revenues of the US Federal Treasury into which

Guamanians pay no income or excise taxes; under the provisions of a special

law of Congress, the Guamanian Treasury, rather than the US Treasury,

receives federal income taxes paid by military and civilian Federal

employees stationed in Guam

Currency:

US currency is used

Fiscal year:

1 October - 30 September

*Guam, Communications

Highways:

674 km all-weather roads

Ports:

Apra Harbor

Airports:

total:

5

usable:

4

with permanent-surface runways:

3

with runways over 3,659 m:

0

with runways 2,440-3,659 m:

3

with runways 1,200-2,439 m:

0

Telecommunications:

26,317 telephones (1989); broadcast stations - 3 AM, 3 FM, 3 TV; 2 Pacific

Ocean INTELSAT ground stations

*Guam, Defense Forces

Note:

defense is the responsibility of the US

*Guatemala, Geography

Location:

Central America, between Honduras and Mexico

Map references:

Central America and the Caribbean, North America, Standard Time Zones of the

World

Area:

total area:

108,890 km2

land area:

108,430 km2

comparative area:

slightly smaller than Tennessee

Land boundaries:

total 1,687 km, Belize 266 km, El Salvador 203 km, Honduras 256 km, Mexico

962 km

Coastline:

400 km

Maritime claims:

continental shelf:

the outer edge of the continental shelf

exclusive economic zone:

200 nm

territorial sea:

12 nm

International disputes:

border with Belize in dispute; negotiations to resolve the dispute have

begun

Climate:

tropical; hot, humid in lowlands; cooler in highlands

Terrain:

mostly mountains with narrow coastal plains and rolling limestone plateau

(Peten)

Natural resources:

petroleum, nickel, rare woods, fish, chicle

Land use:

arable land:

12%

permanent crops:

4%

meadows and pastures:

12%

forest and woodland:

40%

other:

32%

Irrigated land:

780 km2 (1989 est.)

Environment:

numerous volcanoes in mountains, with frequent violent earthquakes;

Caribbean coast subject to hurricanes and other tropical storms;

deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution

Note:

no natural harbors on west coast

*Guatemala, People

Population:

10,446,015 (July 1993 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.63% (1993 est.)

Birth rate:

36.19 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)

Death rate:

7.74 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)

Net migration rate:

-2.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

55.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population:

63.99 years

male:

61.46 years

female:

66.65 years (1993 est.)

Total fertility rate:

4.9 children born/woman (1993 est.)

Nationality:

noun:

Guatemalan(s)

adjective:

Guatemalan

Ethnic divisions:

Ladino 56% (mestizo - mixed Indian and European ancestry), Indian 44%

Religions:

Roman Catholic, Protestant, traditional Mayan

Languages:

Spanish 60%, Indian language 40% (18 Indian dialects, including Quiche,

Cakchiquel, Kekchi)

Literacy:

age 15 and over can read and write (1990)

total population:

55%

male:

63%

female:

47%

Labor force:

2.5 million

by occupation:

agriculture 60%, services 13%, manufacturing 12%, commerce 7%, construction

4%, transport 3%, utilities 0.8%, mining 0.4% (1985)

*Guatemala, Government

Names:

conventional long form:

Republic of Guatemala

conventional short form:

Guatemala

local long form:

Republica de Guatemala

local short form:

Guatemala

Digraph:

GT

Type:

republic

Capital:

Guatemala

Administrative divisions:

22 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Alta Verapaz, Baja

Verapaz, Chimaltenango, Chiquimula, El Progreso, Escuintla, Guatemala,

Huehuetenango, Izabal, Jalapa, Jutiapa, Peten, Quetzaltenango, Quiche,

Retalhuleu, Sacatepequez, San Marcos, Santa Rosa, Solola, Suchitepequez,

Totonicapan, Zacapa

Independence:

15 September 1821 (from Spain)

Constitution:

31 May 1985, effective 14 January 1986

note:

suspended on 25 May 1993 by President SERRANO; reinstated on 5 June 1993

following ouster of president

Legal system:

civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted

compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

National holiday:

Independence Day, 15 September (1821)

Political parties and leaders:

National Centrist Union (UCN), Jorge CARPIO Nicolle; Solidarity Action

Movement (MAS), Jorge SERRANO Elias; Christian Democratic Party (DCG),

Alfonso CABRERA Hidalgo; National Advancement Party (PAN), Alvaro ARZU

Irigoyen; National Liberation Movement (MLN), Mario SANDOVAL Alarcon; Social

Democratic Party (PSD), Mario SOLARZANO Martinez; Popular Alliance 5 (AP-5),

Max ORLANDO Molina; Revolutionary Party (PR), Carlos CHAVARRIA; National

Authentic Center (CAN), Hector MAYORA Dawe; Democratic Institutional Party

(PID), Oscar RIVAS; Nationalist United Front (FUN), Gabriel GIRON;

Guatemalan Republican Front (FRG), Efrain RIOS Montt

Other political or pressure groups:

Federated Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACIF); Mutual Support Group

(GAM); Agrarian Owners Group (UNAGRO); Committee for Campesino Unity (CUC);

leftist guerrilla movement known as Guatemalan National Revolutionary Union

(URNG) has four main factions - Guerrilla army of the Poor (EGP);

Revolutionary Organization of the People in Arms (ORPA); Rebel Armed Forces

(FAR); Guatemalan Labor Party (PGT/O)

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Elections:

Congress:

last held on 11 November 1990 (next to be held 11 November 1995); results -

UCN 25.6%, MAS 24.3%, DCG 17.5%, PAN 17.3%, MLN 4.8%, PSD/AP-5 3.6%, PR

2.1%; seats - (116 total) UCN 38, DCG 27, MAS 18, PAN 12, Pro - Rios Montt

10, MLN 4, PR 1, PSD/AP-5 1, independent 5

*Guatemala, Government

President:

runoff held on 11 January 1991 (next to be held 11 November 1995); results -

Jorge SERRANO Elias (MAS) 68.1%, Jorge CARPIO Nicolle (UCN) 31.9%

note:

President SERRANO resigned on 1 June 1993 shortly after dissolving Congress

and the judiciary; on 6 June 1993, Ramiro DE LEON Carpio was chosen as the

new president by a vote of Congress; he will finish off the remainder of

SERRANO's five-year term which expires in 1995

Executive branch:

president, vice president, Council of Ministers (cabinet)

Legislative branch:

unicameral Congress of the Republic (Congreso de la Republica)

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia)

Leaders:

Chief of State and Head of Government:

President Ramiro DE LEON Carpio (since 6 June 1993); Vice President Arturo

HERBRUGER (since 18 June 1993)

Member of:

BCIE, CACM, CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-24, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,

ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ITU,

LAES, LAIA (observer), LORCS, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,

UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO

Diplomatic representation in US:

chief of mission:

Ambassador Juan Jose CASO-FANJUL

chancery:

2220 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone:

(202) 745-4952 through 4954

consulates general:

Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, and San

Francisco

US diplomatic representation:

chief of mission:

Ambassador Marilyn MCAFEE (since 28 May 1993)

embassy:

7-01 Avenida de la Reforma, Zone 10, Guatemala City

mailing address:

APO AA 34024

telephone:

[502] (2) 31-15-41

FAX:

[502] (2) 318855

Flag: three equal vertical bands of light blue (hoist side), white, and light blue

with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms includes

a green and red quetzal (the national bird) and a scroll bearing the

inscription LIBERTAD 15 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 1821 (the original date of

independence from Spain) all superimposed on a pair of crossed rifles and a

pair of crossed swords and framed by a wreath

*Guatemala, Economy

Overview:

The economy is based on family and corporate agriculture, which accounts for

26% of GDP, employs about 60% of the labor force, and supplies two-thirds of

exports. Manufacturing, predominantly in private hands, accounts for about

18% of GDP and 12% of the labor force. In both 1990 and 1991, the economy

grew by 3%, the fourth and fifth consecutive years of mild growth. In 1992

growth picked up to 4% as government policies favoring competition and

foreign trade and investment took stronger hold.

National product:

GDP - exchange rate conversion - $12.6 billion (1992 est.)

National product real growth rate:

4.2% (1992)

National product per capita:

$1,300 (1992 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

14% (1992 est.)

Unemployment rate:

6.5% (1991 est.), with 30-40% underemployment

Budget:

revenues $604 million; expenditures $808 million, including capital

expenditures of $134 million (1990 est.)

Exports:

$1.3 billion (f.o.b., 1992)

commodities:

coffee 26%, sugar 13%, bananas 7%, beef 3%

partners:

US 36%, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Germany, Honduras

Imports:

$1.8 billion (c.i.f., 1992)

commodities:

fuel and petroleum products, machinery, grain, fertilizers, motor vehicles

partners:

US 40%, Mexico, Venezuela, Japan, Germany

External debt:

$2.5 billion (December 1992 est.)

Industrial production:

growth rate 1.9% (1991 est.); accounts for 18% of GDP

Electricity:

847,600 kW capacity; 2,500 million kWh produced, 260 kWh per capita (1992)

Industries:

sugar, textiles and clothing, furniture, chemicals, petroleum, metals,

rubber, tourism

Agriculture:

accounts for 26% of GDP; most important sector of economy; contributes

two-thirds of export earnings; principal crops - sugarcane, corn, bananas,

coffee, beans, cardamom; livestock - cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens; food

importer

Illicit drugs:

illicit producer of opium poppy and cannabis for the international drug

trade; the government has an active eradication program for cannabis and

opium poppy; transit country for cocaine shipments

Economic aid:

US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-90), $1.1 billion; Western (non-US)

countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $7.92 billion

Currency:

1 quetzal (Q) = 100 centavos

*Guatemala, Economy

Exchange rates:

free market quetzales (Q) per US$1 - 5.2850 (December 1993), 5.1706 (1992),

5.0289 (1991), 2.8161 (1989), 2.6196 (1988); note - black-market rate 2.800

(May 1989)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

*Guatemala, Communications

Railroads:

1,019 km 0.914-meter gauge, single track; 917 km government owned, 102 km

privately owned

Highways:

26,429 km total; 2,868 km paved, 11,421 km gravel, and 12,140 unimproved

Inland waterways:

260 km navigable year round; additional 730 km navigable during high-water

season

Pipelines:

crude oil 275 km

Ports:

Puerto Barrios, Puerto Quetzal, Santo Tomas de Castilla

Merchant marine:

1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,129 GRT/6,450 DWT

Airports:

total:

474

usable:

418

with permanent-surface runways:

11

with runways over 3,659 m:

0

with runways 2,440-3,659 m:

3

with runways 1,220-2,439 m:

21

Telecommunications:

fairly modern network centered in Guatemala [city]; 97,670 telephones;

broadcast stations - 91 AM, no FM, 25 TV, 15 shortwave; connection into

Central American Microwave System; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station

*Guatemala, Defense Forces

Branches:

Army, Navy, Air Force

Manpower availability:

males age 15-49 2,410,760; fit for military service 1,576,569; reach

military age (18) annually 115,178 (1993 est.)

Defense expenditures:

exchange rate conversion - $121 million, 1% of GDP (1993)

*Guernsey, Header

Affiliation:

(British crown dependency)

*Guernsey, Geography

Location:

in the English Channel, 52 km west of France between UK and France

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total area:

194 km2

land area:

194 km2

comparative area:

slightly larger than Washington, DC

note:

includes Alderney, Guernsey, Herm, Sark, and some other smaller islands

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

50 km

Maritime claims:

exclusive fishing zone:

200 nm

territorial sea:

3 nm

International disputes:

none

Climate:

temperate with mild winters and cool summers; about 50% of days are overcast

Terrain:

mostly level with low hills in southwest

Natural resources:

cropland

Land use:

arable land:

NA%

permanent crops:

NA%

meadows and pastures:

NA%

forest and woodland:

NA%

other:

NA%

Irrigated land:

NA km2

Environment:

large, deepwater harbor at Saint Peter Port

*Guernsey, People

Population:

63,075 (July 1993 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.02% (1993 est.)

Birth rate:

13.1 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)

Death rate:

10.08 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)

Net migration rate:

7.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

6.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population:

77.96 years

male:

75.27 years

female:

80.68 years (1993 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.66 children born/woman (1993 est.)

Nationality:

noun:

Channel Islander(s)

adjective:

Channel Islander

Ethnic divisions:

UK and Norman-French descent

Religions:

Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Baptist, Congregational, Methodist

Languages:

English, French; Norman-French dialect spoken in country districts

Literacy:

total population:

NA%

male: NA%

female:

NA%

Labor force:

NA

*Guernsey, Government

Names:

conventional long form:

Bailiwick of Guernsey

conventional short form:

Guernsey

Digraph:

GK

Type:

British crown dependency

Capital:

Saint Peter Port

Administrative divisions:

none (British crown dependency)

Independence:

none (British crown dependency)

Constitution:

unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice

Legal system:

English law and local statute; justice is administered by the Royal Court

National holiday:

Liberation Day, 9 May (1945)

Political parties and leaders:

none; all independents

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Elections:

Assembly of the States:

last held NA (next to be held NA); results - no percent of vote by party

since all are independents; seats - (60 total, 33 elected), all independents

Executive branch:

British monarch, lieutenant governor, bailiff, deputy bailiff

Legislative branch:

unicameral Assembly of the States

Judicial branch:

Royal Court

Leaders:

Chief of State:

Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)

Head of Government:

Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief Lt. Gen. Sir Michael WILKINS

(since NA 1990); Bailiff Mr. Graham Martyn DOREY (since February 1992)

Member of:

none

Diplomatic representation in US:

none (British crown dependency)

US diplomatic representation: none (British crown dependency)

Flag:

white with the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of England) extending

to the edges of the flag

*Guernsey, Economy

Overview:

Tourism is a major source of revenue. Other economic activity includes

financial services, breeding the world-famous Guernsey cattle, and growing

tomatoes and flowers for export.

National product:

GDP - $NA

National product real growth rate:

9% (1987)

National product per capita:

$NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

7% (1988)

Unemployment rate:

NA%

Budget:

revenues $208.9 million; expenditures $173.9 million, including capital

expenditures of $NA (1988)

Exports:

$NA

commodities:

tomatoes, flowers and ferns, sweet peppers, eggplant, other vegetables

partners:

UK (regarded as internal trade)

Imports:

$NA

commodities:

coal, gasoline, and oil

partners:

UK (regarded as internal trade)

External debt:

$NA

Industrial production:

growth rate NA%

Electricity:

173,000 kW capacity; 525 million kWh produced, 9,060 kWh per capita (1992)

Industries:

tourism, banking

Agriculture:

tomatoes, flowers (mostly grown in greenhouses), sweet peppers, eggplant,

other vegetables, fruit; Guernsey cattle

Economic aid:

none

Currency:

1 Guernsey (#G) pound = 100 pence

Exchange rates:

Guernsey pounds (#G) per US$1 - 0.6527 (January 1993), 0.5664 (1992), 0.5652

(1991), 0.5603 (1990), 0.6099 (1989), 0.5614 (1988); note - the Guernsey

pound is at par with the British pound

Fiscal year:

calendar year

*Guernsey, Communications

Ports:

Saint Peter Port, Saint Sampson

Airports:

total:

2

useable:

2

with permanent-surface runways:

2

with runways over 3,659 m:

0

with runways 2,440-3,659 m:

0

with runways 1,220-2,439 m:

1

Telecommunications:

broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 41,900 telephones; 1 submarine cable

*Guernsey, Defense Forces

Note:

defense is the responsibility of the UK

*Guinea, Geography

Location:

Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean between Guinea-Bissau and

Sierra Leone

Map references:

Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World

Area:

total area:

245,860 km2

land area:

245,860 km2

comparative area:

slightly smaller than Oregon

Land boundaries:

total 3,399 km, Guinea-Bissau 386 km, Cote d'Ivoire 610 km, Liberia 563 km,

Mali 858 km, Senegal 330 km, Sierra Leone 652 km

Coastline:

320 km

Maritime claims:

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

territorial sea:

12 nm

International disputes:

none

Climate:

generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with

southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly

harmattan winds

Terrain:

generally flat coastal plain, hilly to mountainous interior

Natural resources:

bauxite, iron ore, diamonds, gold, uranium, hydropower, fish

Land use:

arable land:

6%

permanent crops:

0%

meadows and pastures:

12%

forest and woodland:

42%

other:

40%

Irrigated land:

240 km2 (1989 est.)

Environment:

hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry season;

deforestation

*Guinea, People

Population:

6,236,506 (July 1993 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.46% (1993 est.)

Birth rate:

44.76 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)

Death rate:

20.13 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

141.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population:

43.68 years

male:

41.49 years

female:

45.93 years (1993 est.)

Total fertility rate:

5.9 children born/woman (1993 est.)

Nationality: noun:

Guinean(s)

adjective:

Guinean

Ethnic divisions:

Fulani 35%, Malinke 30%, Soussou 20%, indigenous tribes 15%

Religions:

Muslim 85%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs 7%

Languages:

French (official); each tribe has its own language

Literacy:

age 15 and over can read and write (1990)

total population:

24%

male:

35%

female:

13%

Labor force:

2.4 million (1983)

by occupation:

agriculture 82.0%, industry and commerce 11.0%, services 5.4%

note:

88,112 civil servants (1987); 52% of population of working age (1985)

*Guinea, Government

Names:

conventional long form:

Republic of Guinea

conventional short form:

Guinea

local long form:

Republique de Guinee

local short form:

Guinee

former:

French Guinea

Digraph:

GV

Type:

republic

Capital:

Conakry

Administrative divisions:

33 administrative regions (regions administratives, singular - region

administrative); Beyla, Boffa, Boke, Conakry, Coyah, Dabola, Dalaba,

Dinguiraye, Faranah, Forecariah, Fria, Gaoual, Gueckedou, Kankan, Kerouane,

Kindia, Kissidougou, Koubia, Koundara, Kouroussa, Labe, Lelouma, Lola,

Macenta, Mali, Mamou, Mandiana, Nzerekore, Pita, Siguiri, Telimele, Tougue,

Yomou

Independence:

2 October 1958 (from France)

Constitution: 23 December 1990 (Loi Fundamentale)

Legal system:

based on French civil law system, customary law, and decree; legal codes

currently being revised; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

National holiday:

Anniversary of the Second Republic, 3 April (1984)

Political parties and leaders:

political parties were legalized on 1 April 1992

pro-government:

Party for Unity and Progress (PUP), leader NA

other:

Rally for the Guinean People (RPG), Alpha CONDE; Union for a New Republic

(UNR), Mamadon BAH; Party for Renewal and Progress (PRP), Siradion DIALLO

Suffrage:

none

Elections:

none

Executive branch:

president, Transitional Committee for National Recovery (Comite

Transitionale de Redressement National or CTRN) replaced the Military

Committee for National Recovery (Comite Militaire de Redressement National

or CMRN); Council of Ministers (cabinet)

Legislative branch:

unicameral People's National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale Populaire) was

dissolved after the 3 April 1984 coup; framework established in December

1991 for a new National Assembly with 114 seats

Judicial branch:

Court of Appeal (Cour d'Appel)

Leaders:

Chief of State and Head of Government:

Gen. Lansana CONTE (since 5 April 1984)

*Guinea, Government

Member of:

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEAO (observer), ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO,

IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO

(correspondent), ITU, LORCS, MINURSO, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,

UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in US:

chief of mission:

(vacant); Charge d'Affaires ad interim Ansoumane CAMARA

chancery:

2112 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone:

(202) 483-9420

US diplomatic representation:

chief of mission:

Ambassador Dane F. SMITH, Jr.

embassy:

2nd Boulevard and 9th Avenue, Conakry

mailing address:

B. P. 603, Conakry

telephone: (224) 44-15-20 through 24

FAX:

(224) 44-15-22

Flag:

three equal vertical bands of red (hoist side), yellow, and green; uses the

popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia; similar to the flag of Rwanda, which

has a large black letter R centered in the yellow band

*Guinea, Economy

Overview:

Although possessing many natural resources and considerable potential for

agricultural development, Guinea is one of the poorest countries in the

world. The agricultural sector contributes about 40% to GDP and employs more

than 80% of the work force, while industry accounts for 27% of GDP. Guinea

possesses over 25% of the world's bauxite reserves; exports of bauxite and

alumina accounted for about 70% of total exports in 1989.

National product:

GDP - exchange rate conversion - $3 billion (1990 est.)

National product real growth rate:

4.3% (1990 est.)

National product per capita:

$410 (1990 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

19.6% (1990 est.)

Unemployment rate:

NA%

Budget:

revenues $449 million; expenditures $708 million, including capital

expenditures of $361 million (1990 est.)

Exports:

$788 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.)

commodities:

alumina, bauxite, diamonds, coffee, pineapples, bananas, palm kernels

partners:

US 33%, EC 33%, USSR and Eastern Europe 20%, Canada

Imports:

$692 million (c.i.f., 1990 est.)

commodities:

petroleum products, metals, machinery, transport equipment, foodstuffs,

textiles, and other grain

partners:

US 16%, France, Brazil

External debt:

$2.6 billion (1990 est.)

Industrial production:

growth rate NA%; accounts for 27% of GDP

Electricity:

113,000 kW capacity; 300 million kWh produced, 40 kWh per capita (1989)

Industries:

bauxite mining, alumina, gold, diamond mining, light manufacturing and

agricultural processing industries

Agriculture:

accounts for 40% of GDP (includes fishing and forestry); mostly subsistence

farming; principal products - rice, coffee, pineapples, palm kernels,

cassava, bananas, sweet potatoes, timber; livestock - cattle, sheep and

goats; not self-sufficient in food grains

Economic aid:

US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $227 million; Western (non-US)

countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1,465 million; OPEC

bilateral aid (1979-89), $120 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $446

million

Currency:

1 Guinean franc (FG) = 100 centimes

Exchange rates:

Guinean francs (FG) per US$1 - 675 (1990), 618 (1989), 515 (1988), 440

(1987), 383 (1986)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

*Guinea, Communications

Railroads:

1,045 km; 806 km 1.000-meter gauge, 239 km 1.435-meter standard gauge

Highways:

30,100 km total; 1,145 km paved, 12,955 km gravel or laterite (of which

barely 4,500 km are currently all-weather roads), 16,000 km unimproved earth

(1987)

Inland waterways:

1,295 km navigable by shallow-draft native craft

Ports:

Conakry, Kamsar

Airports:

total:

15

usable:

15

with permanent-surface runways:

4

with runways over 3,659 m:

0

with runways 2,440-3,659 m:

3

with runways 1,220-2,439 m:

10

Telecommunications:

poor to fair system of open-wire lines, small radiocommunication stations,

and new radio relay system; 15,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 3 AM 1

FM, 1 TV; 65,000 TV sets; 200,000 radio receivers; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT

earth station

*Guinea, Defense Forces

Branches:

Army, Navy (acts primarily as a coast guard), Air Force, Presidential Guard,

Republican Guard, paramilitary National Gendarmerie, National Police Force

Manpower availability:

males age 15-49 1,403,776; fit for military service 708,078 (1993 est.)

Defense expenditures:

exchange rate conversion - $29 million, 1.2% of GDP (1988)

*Guinea-Bissau, Geography

Location:

Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean between Guinea and

Senegal

Map references:

Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World

Area:

total area:

36,120 km2

land area:

28,000 km2

comparative area:

slightly less than three times the size of Connecticut

Land boundaries:

total 724 km, Guinea 386 km, Senegal 338 km

Coastline:

350 km

Maritime claims:

exclusive economic zone:

200 nm

territorial sea:

12 nm

International disputes:

the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on 12 November 1991 rendered its

decision on the Guinea-Bissau/Senegal maritime boundary in favor of Senegal

Climate:

tropical; generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to

November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with

northeasterly harmattan winds

Terrain:

mostly low coastal plain rising to savanna in east

Natural resources:

unexploited deposits of petroleum, bauxite, phosphates, fish, timber

Land use:

arable land:

11%

permanent crops:

1%

meadows and pastures:

43%

forest and woodland:

38%

other:

7%

Irrigated land:

NA km2

Environment:

hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry season

*Guinea-Bissau, People

Population:

1,072,439 (July 1993 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.38% (1993 est.)

Birth rate:

41.26 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)

Death rate:

17.45 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

122.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population:

47.03 years

male:

45.38 years

female:

48.73 years (1993 est.)

Total fertility rate:

5.6 children born/woman (1993 est.)

Nationality:

noun:

Guinea-Bissauan(s)

adjective:

Guinea-Bissauan

Ethnic divisions:

African 99% (Balanta 30%, Fula 20%, Manjaca 14%, Mandinga 13%, Papel 7%),

European and mulatto less than 1%

Religions:

indigenous beliefs 65%, Muslim 30%, Christian 5%

Languages:

Portuguese (official), Criolo, African languages

Literacy:

age 15 and over can read and write (1990)

total population:

36%

male:

50%

female:

24%

Labor force:

403,000 (est.)

by occupation:

agriculture 90%, industry, services, and commerce 5%, government 5%

note:

population of working age 53% (1983)

*Guinea-Bissau, Government

Names:

conventional long form:

Republic of Guinea-Bissau

conventional short form:

Guinea-Bissau

local long form:

Republica de Guine-Bissau

local short form:

Guine-Bissau

former:

Portuguese Guinea

Digraph:

PU

Type:

republic highly centralized multiparty since mid-1991; the African Party for

the Independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde (PAIGC) held an

extraordinary party congress in December 1990 and established a two-year

transition program during which the constitution will be revised, allowing

for multiple political parties and a presidential election in 1993

Capital:

Bissau

Administrative divisions:

9 regions (regioes, singular - regiao); Bafata, Biombo, Bissau, Bolama,

Cacheu, Gabu, Oio, Quinara, Tombali

Independence:

10 September 1974 (from Portugal)

Constitution:

16 May 1984

Legal system:

NA

National holiday:

Independence Day, 10 September (1974)

Political parties and leaders:

African Party for the Independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde (PAIGC),

President Joao Bernardo VIEIRA, leader; Democratic Social Front (FDS),

Rafael BARBOSA, leader; Bafata Movement, Domingos Fernandes GARNER, leader;

Democratic Front, Aristides MENEZES, leader

note:

PAIGC is still the major party (of 10 parties) and controls all aspects of

the government

Suffrage:

15 years of age; universal

Elections:

National People's Assembly:

last held 15 June 1989 (next to be held 15 June 1994); results - PAIGC is

the only party; seats - (150 total) PAIGC 150, appointed by Regional

Councils

President of Council of State:

last held 19 June 1989 (next to be held NA 1993); results - Gen. Joao

Bernardo VIEIRA was reelected without opposition by the National People's

Assembly

Executive branch:

president of the Council of State, vice presidents of the Council of State,

Council of State, Council of Ministers (cabinet)

Legislative branch: unicameral National People's Assembly (Assembleia Nacional Popular)

Judicial branch:

none; there is a Ministry of Justice in the Council of Ministers

*Guinea-Bissau, Government

Leaders:

Chief of State and Head of Government:

President of the Council of State Gen. Joao Bernardo VIEIRA (assumed power

14 November 1980 and elected President of Council of State on 16 May 1984)

Member of:

ACCT (associate), ACP, AfDB, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB,

IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, IOM (observer), ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN,

UNAVEM II, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOMOZ, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in US:

chief of mission:

Ambassador Alfredo Lopes CABRAL

chancery:

918 16th Street NW, Mezzanine Suite, Washington, DC 20006

telephone:

(202) 872-4222

US diplomatic representation:

chief of mission:

Ambassador Roger A. MAGUIRE

embassy:

17 Avenida Domingos Ramos, Bissau

mailing address:

1067 Bissau Codex, Bissau

telephone:

[245] 20-1139, 20-1145, 20-1113

FAX:

[245] 20-1159

Flag:

two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and green with a vertical red

band on the hoist side; there is a black five-pointed star centered in the

red band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia; similar to the

flag of Cape Verde, which has the black star raised above the center of the

red band and is framed by two corn stalks and a yellow clam shell

*Guinea-Bissau, Economy

Overview:

Guinea-Bissau ranks among the poorest countries in the world, with a per

capita GDP of roughly $200. Agriculture and fishing are the main economic

activities. Cashew nuts, peanuts, and palm kernels are the primary exports.

Exploitation of known mineral deposits is unlikely at present because of a

weak infrastructure and the high cost of development. The government's

four-year plan (1988-91) targeted agricultural development as the top

priority.

National product:

GDP - exchange rate conversion - $210 million (1991 est.)

National product real growth rate: 2.3% (1991 est.)

National product per capita:

$210 (1991 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

55% (1991 est.)

Unemployment rate:

NA%

Budget:

revenues $33.6 million; expenditures $44.8 million, including capital

expenditures of $.57 million (1991 est.)

Exports:

$20.4 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.)

commodities:

cashews, fish, peanuts, palm kernels

partners:

Portugal, Senegal, France, The Gambia, Netherlands, Spain

Imports:

$63.5 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.)

commodities:

capital equipment, consumer goods, semiprocessed goods, foods, petroleum

partners:

Portugal, Netherlands, Senegal, USSR, Germany

External debt:

$462 million (December 1990 est.)

Industrial production:

growth rate 1.0% (1989 est.); accounts for 10% of GDP (1989 est.)

Electricity:

22,000 kW capacity; 30 million kWh produced, 30 kWh per capita (1991)

Industries:

agricultural processing, beer, soft drinks

Agriculture:

accounts for over 50% of GDP, nearly 100% of exports, and 90% of employment;

rice is the staple food; other crops include corn, beans, cassava, cashew

nuts, peanuts, palm kernels, and cotton; not self-sufficient in food;

fishing and forestry potential not fully exploited

Economic aid:

US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $49 million; Western (non-US)

countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $615 million; OPEC

bilateral aid (1979-89), $41 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $68

million

Currency:

1 Guinea-Bissauan peso (PG) = 100 centavos

Exchange rates:

Guinea-Bissauan pesos (PG) per US$1 - 1987.2 (1989), 1363.6 (1988), 851.65

(1987), 238.98 (1986)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

*Guinea-Bissau, Communications

Highways:

3,218 km; 2,698 km bituminous, remainder earth

Inland waterways:

scattered stretches are important to coastal commerce

Ports:

Bissau

Airports:

total:

33

usable:

15

with permanent-surface runways:

4

with runways over 3,659 m:

0

with runways 2,440-3,659 m:

1

with runways 1,220-2,439 m:

5

Telecommunications:

poor system of radio relay, open-wire lines, and radiocommunications; 3,000

telephones; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 3 FM, 1 TV

*Guinea-Bissau, Defense Forces

Branches:

People's Revolutionary Armed Force (FARP; including Army, Navy, Air Force),

paramilitary force

Manpower availability:

males age 15-49 235,931; fit for military service 134,675 (1993 est.)

Defense expenditures:

exchange rate conversion - $9.3 million, 5%-6% of GDP (1987)

*Guyana, Geography

Location:

Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean between Suriname

and Venezuela

Map references:

South America, Standard Time Zones of the World

Area:

total area:

214,970 km2

land area:

196,850 km2

comparative area:

slightly smaller than Idaho

Land boundaries:

total 2,462 km, Brazil 1,119 km, Suriname 600 km, Venezuela 743 km

Coastline:

459 km

Maritime claims:

continental shelf:

200 nm or the outer edge of continental margin

exclusive fishing zone:

200 nm

territorial sea:

12 nm

International disputes:

all of the area west of the Essequibo River claimed by Venezuela; Suriname

claims area between New (Upper Courantyne) and Courantyne/Koetari Rivers

(all headwaters of the Courantyne)

Climate:

tropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; two rainy seasons

(May to mid-August, mid-November to mid-January)

Terrain:

mostly rolling highlands; low coastal plain; savanna in south

Natural resources:

bauxite, gold, diamonds, hardwood timber, shrimp, fish

Land use:

arable land:

3%

permanent crops:

0%

meadows and pastures:

6%

forest and woodland:

83%

other:

8%

Irrigated land:

1,300 km2 (1989 est.)

Environment:

flash floods a constant threat during rainy seasons; water pollution

*Guyana, People

Population:

734,640 (July 1993 est.)

Population growth rate:

-0.68% (1993 est.)

Birth rate:

20.47 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)

Death rate:

7.39 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)

Net migration rate:

-19.89 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

49.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population:

64.7 years

male:

61.46 years

female:

68.1 years (1993 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.35 children born/woman (1993 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Guyanese (singular and plural)

adjective:

Guyanese

Ethnic divisions:

East Indian 51%, black and mixed 43%, Amerindian 4%, European and Chinese 2%

Religions:

Christian 57%, Hindu 33%, Muslim 9%, other 1%

Languages:

English, Amerindian dialects

Literacy:

age 15 and over having ever attended scool (1990)

total population:

95%

male:

98%

female:

96%

Labor force:

268,000

by occupation:

industry and commerce 44.5%, agriculture 33.8%, services 21.7%

note:

public-sector employment amounts to 60-80% of the total labor force (1985)

*Guyana, Government

Names:

conventional long form:

Co-operative Republic of Guyana

conventional short form:

Guyana

former:

British Guiana

Digraph:

GY

Type:

republic

Capital:

Georgetown

Administrative divisions:

10 regions; Barima-Waini, Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Demerara-Mahaica, East

Berbice-Corentyne, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara, Mahaica-Berbice,

Pomeroon-Supenaam, Potaro-Siparuni, Upper Demerara-Berbice, Upper

Takutu-Upper Essequibo

Independence:

26 May 1966 (from UK)

Constitution:

6 October 1980

Legal system:

based on English common law with certain admixtures of Roman-Dutch law; has

not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

National holiday:

Republic Day, 23 February (1970)

Political parties and leaders: People's National Congress (PNC), Hugh Desmond HOYTE; People's

Progressive

Party (PPP), Cheddi JAGAN; Working People's Alliance (WPA), Eusi KWAYANA,

Rupert ROOPNARINE; Democratic Labor Movement (DLM), Paul TENNASSEE; People's

Democratic Movement (PDM), Llewellyn JOHN; National Democratic Front (NDF),

Joseph BACCHUS; The United Force (TUF), Manzoor NADIR; United Republican

Party (URP), Leslie RAMSAMMY; National Republican Party (NRP), Robert

GANGADEEN; Guyana Labor Party (GLP), Nanda GOPAUL

Other political or pressure groups:

Trades Union Congress (TUC); Guyana Council of Indian Organizations (GCIO);

Civil Liberties Action Committee (CLAC)

note:

the latter two organizations are small and active but not well organized

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Elections:

Executive President:

last held on 5 October 1992; results - Cheddi JAGAN was elected president

since he was leader of the party with the most votes in the National

Assembly elections

National Assembly:

last held on 5 October 1992 (next to be held in 1997); results - PPP 53.4%,

PNC 42.3%, WPA 2%, TUF 1.2%; seats - (65 total, 53 elected) PPP 36, PNC 26,

WPA 2, TUF 1

Executive branch:

executive president, first vice president, prime minister, first deputy

prime minister, Cabinet

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Assembly

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court of Judicature

*Guyana, Government

Leaders:

Chief of State:

Executive President Cheddi JAGAN (since 5 October 1992); First Vice

President Sam HINDS (since 5 October 1992)

Head of Government:

Prime Minister Sam HINDS (since 5 October 1992)

Member of:

ACP, C, CARICOM, CCC, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU,

IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LAES, LORCS, NAM, OAS,

UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WMO

Diplomatic representation in US:

chief of mission:

Ambassador Dr. Odeen ISHMAEL

chancery:

2490 Tracy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone:

(202) 265-6900

consulate general:

New York

US diplomatic representation:

chief of mission: Ambassador George Jones

embassy:

99-100 Young and Duke Streets, Georgetown

mailing address:

P. O. Box 10507, Georgetown

telephone:

[592] (2) 54900 through 54909 and 57960 through 57969

FAX:

[592] (2) 58497

Flag:

green with a red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) superimposed

on a long yellow arrowhead; there is a narrow black border between the red

and yellow, and a narrow white border between the yellow and the green

*Guyana, Economy

Overview:

Guyana is one of the world's poorest countries with a per capita income less

than one-fifth the South American average. After growing on average at less

than 1% a year in 1986-87, GDP dropped by 5% a year in 1988-90. The decline

resulted from bad weather, labor trouble in the cane fields, and flooding

and equipment problems in the bauxite industry. Consumer prices rose about

100% in 1989 and 75% in 1990, and the current account deficit widened

substantially as sugar and bauxite exports fell. Moreover, electric power

has been in short supply and constitutes a major barrier to future gains in

national output. The government, in association with international financial

agencies, seeks to reduce its payment arrears and to raise new funds. The

government's stabilization program - aimed at establishing realistic

exchange rates, reasonable price stability, and a resumption of growth -

requires considerable public administrative abilities and continued patience

by consumers during a long incubation period. Buoyed by a recovery in mining

and agriculture, the economy posted 6% growth in 1991 and 7% growth in 1992,

according to official figures. A large volume of illegal and quasi-legal

economic activity is not captured in estimates of the country's total

output.

National product:

GDP - exchange rate conversion - $267.5 million (1992 est.)

National product real growth rate:

7% (1992 est.)

National product per capita:

$370 (1992 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

15% (1992)

Unemployment rate:

12%-15% (1991 est.)

Budget:

revenues $121 million; expenditures $225 million, including capital

expenditures of $50 million (1990 est.)

Exports:

$268 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.)

commodities:

sugar, bauxite/alumina, rice, gold, shrimp, molasses, timber, rum

partners:

UK 28%, US 25%, FRG 8%, Canada 7%, Japan 6% (1989)

Imports:

$242.4 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.)

commodities:

manufactures, machinery, food, petroleum

partners:

US 40%, Trinidad & Tobago 13%, UK 11%, Japan 5%, Netherland Antilles 3%

(1989)

External debt:

$2 billion including arrears (1990)

Industrial production:

growth rate 12% (1990 est.); accounts for about 24% of GDP

Electricity:

253,500 kW capacity; 276 million kWh produced, 370 kWh per capita (1992)

Industries:

bauxite mining, sugar, rice milling, timber, fishing (shrimp), textiles,

gold mining

Agriculture:

most important sector, accounting for 25% of GDP and about half of exports;

sugar and rice are key crops; development potential exists for fishing and

forestry; not self-sufficient in food, especially wheat, vegetable oils, and

animal products

*Guyana, Economy

Economic aid:

US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $116 million; Western (non-US)

countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $325 million;

Communist countries 1970-89, $242 million

Currency:

1 Guyanese dollar (G$) = 100 cents

Exchange rates:

Guyanese dollars (G$) per US$1 - 125.8 (January 1993) 125.0 (1992), 111.8

(1991), 39.533 (1990), 27.159 (1989), 10.000 (1988)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

*Guyana, Communications

Railroads:

187 km total, all single track 0.914-meter gauge

Highways:

7,665 km total; 550 km paved, 5,000 km gravel, 1,525 km earth, 590 km

unimproved

Inland waterways:

6,000 km total of navigable waterways; Berbice, Demerara, and Essequibo

Rivers are navigable by oceangoing vessels for 150 km, 100 km, and 80 km,

respectively

Ports:

Georgetown, New Amsterdam

Merchant marine:

1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,317 GRT/2,558 DWT

Airports: total:

53

usable:

48

with permanent-surface runways:

5

with runways over 3,659 m:

0

with runways 2,440-3,659 m:

0

with runways 1,220-2,439 m:

13

Telecommunications:

fair system with radio relay network; over 27,000 telephones; tropospheric

scatter link to Trinidad; broadcast stations - 4 AM, 3 FM, no TV, 1

shortwave; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station

*Guyana, Defense Forces

Branches:

Guyana Defense Force (GDF; including the Ground Forces, Coast Guard and Air

Corps), Guyana People's Militia (GPM), Guyana National Service (GNS)

Manpower availability:

males age 15-49 196,960; fit for military service 149,583 (1993 est.)

Defense expenditures:

$NA, NA% of GDP

*Haiti, Geography

Location:

in the northern Caribbean Sea, about 90 km southeast of Cuba

Map references:

Central America and the Caribbean, Standard Time Zones of the World

Area:

total area:

27,750 km2

land area:

27,560 km2

comparative area:

slightly larger than Maryland

Land boundaries:

total 275 km, Dominican Republic 275 km

Coastline:

1,771 km

Maritime claims:

contiguous zone:

24 nm

continental shelf:

to depth of exploitation

exclusive economic zone:

200 nm

territorial sea: 12 nm

International disputes:

claims US-administered Navassa Island

Climate:

tropical; semiarid where mountains in east cut off trade winds

Terrain:

mostly rough and mountainous

Natural resources:

bauxite

Land use:

arable land:

20%

permanent crops:

13%

meadows and pastures:

18%

forest and woodland:

4%

other:

45%

Irrigated land:

750 km2 (1989 est.)

Environment:

lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severe storms from

June to October; occasional flooding and earthquakes; deforestation; soil

erosion

Note:

shares island of Hispaniola with Dominican Republic (western one-third is

Haiti, eastern two-thirds is the Dominican Republic)

*Haiti, People

Population:

6,384,877 (July 1993 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.68% (1993 est.)

Birth rate:

40.77 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)

Death rate:

18.88 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)

Net migration rate:

-5.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

109.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population:

45.45 years

male:

43.88 years

female:

47.11 years (1993 est.)

Total fertility rate:

6.05 children born/woman (1993 est.)

Nationality: noun:

Haitian(s)

adjective:

Haitian

Ethnic divisions:

black 95%, mulatto and European 5%

Religions:

Roman Catholic 80% (of which an overwhelming majority also practice Voodoo),

Protestant 16% (Baptist 10%, Pentecostal 4%, Adventist 1%, other 1%), none

1%, other 3% (1982)

Languages:

French (official) 10%, Creole

Literacy:

age 15 and over can read and write (1990)

total population:

53%

male:

59%

female:

47%

Labor force:

2.3 million

by occupation:

agriculture 66%, services 25%, industry 9%

note:

shortage of skilled labor, unskilled labor abundant (1982)

*Haiti, Government

Names:

conventional long form:

Republic of Haiti

conventional short form:

Haiti

local long form:

Republique d'Haiti

local short form:

Haiti

Digraph:

HA

Type:

republic

Capital:

Port-au-Prince

Administrative divisions:

9 departments, (departements, singular - departement); Artibonite, Centre,

Grand'Anse, Nord, Nord-Est, Nord-Ouest, Ouest, Sud, Sud-Est

Independence:

1 January 1804 (from France)

Constitution:

27 August 1983, suspended February 1986; draft constitution approved March

1987, suspended June 1988, most articles reinstated March 1989; October

1991, government claims to be observing the Constitution

Legal system: based on Roman civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

National holiday:

Independence Day, 1 January (1804)

Political parties and leaders:

National Front for Change and Democracy (FNCD), including National Congress

of Democratic Movements (CONACOM), Victor BENOIT, and National Cooperative

Action Movement (MKN), Volvick Remy JOSEPH; Movement for the Installation of

Democracy in Haiti (MIDH), Marc BAZIN; National Progressive Revolutionary

Party (PANPRA), Serge GILLES; National Patriotic Movement of November 28

(MNP-28), Dejean BELIZAIRE; National Agricultural and Industrial Party

(PAIN), Louis DEJOIE; Movement for National Reconstruction (MRN), Rene

THEODORE; Haitian Christian Democratic Party (PDCH), Joseph DOUZE; Assembly

of Progressive National Democrats (RDNP), Leslie MANIGAT; National Party of

Labor (PNT), Thomas DESULME; Mobilization for National Development (MDN),

Hubert DE RONCERAY; Democratic Movement for the Liberation of Haiti

(MODELH), Francois LATORTUE; Haitian Social Christian Party (PSCH), Gregoire

EUGENE; Movement for the Organization of the Country (MOP), Gesner COMEAU

and Jean MOLIERE

Other political or pressure groups:

Democratic Unity Confederation (KID); Roman Catholic Church; Confederation

of Haitian Workers (CTH); Federation of Workers Trade Unions (FOS);

Autonomous Haitian Workers (CATH); National Popular Assembly (APN)

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Elections:

Chamber of Deputies:

last held 16 December 1990, with runoff held 20 January 1991 (next to be

held by December 1994); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (83 total)

FNCD 27, ANDP 17, PDCH 7, PAIN 6, RDNP 6, MDN 5, PNT 3, MKN 2, MODELH 2, MRN

1, independents 5, other 2

President:

last held 16 December 1990 (next election to be held by December 1995);

results - Rev. Jean-Bertrand ARISTIDE 67.5%, Marc BAZIN 14.2%, Louis DEJOIE

4.9%

*Haiti, Government

Senate:

last held 18 January 1993, widely condemned as illegitimate (next to be held

December 1994); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (27 total) FNCD 12,

ANDP 8, PAIN 2, MRN 1, RDNP 1, PNT 1, independent 2

Executive branch:

president, Council of Ministers (cabinet)

Legislative branch:

bicameral National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale) consisting of an upper

house or Senate and a lower house or Chamber of Deputies

Judicial branch:

Court of Appeal (Cour de Cassation)

Leaders:

Chief of State:

President Jean-Bertrand ARISTIDE (since 7 February 1991), ousted in a coup

in September 1991, but still recognized by international community as Chief

of State

Head of Government: de facto Prime Minister Marc BAZIN (since NA June 1992)

Member of:

ACCT, ACP, CARICOM (observer), CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA,

IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU,

LAES, LORCS, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU,

WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in US:

chief of mission:

Ambassador Jean CASIMIR

chancery:

2311 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone:

(202) 332-4090 through 4092

consulates general:

Boston, Chicago, Miami, New York, and San Juan (Puerto Rico)

US diplomatic representation:

chief of mission:

Special Charge d'Affaires Charles REDMAN

embassy:

Harry Truman Boulevard, Port-au-Prince

mailing address:

P. O. Box 1761, Port-au-Prince

telephone:

[509] 22-0354, 22-0368, 22-0200, or 22-0612

FAX:

[509] 23-9007

Flag:

two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a centered white

rectangle bearing the coat of arms, which contains a palm tree flanked by

flags and two cannons above a scroll bearing the motto L'UNION FAIT LA FORCE

(Union Makes Strength)

*Haiti, Economy

Overview:

About 75% of the population live in abject poverty. Agriculture is mainly

small-scale subsistence farming and employs nearly three-fourths of the work

force. The majority of the population does not have ready access to safe

drinking water, adequate medical care, or sufficient food. Few social

assistance programs exist, and the lack of employment opportunities remains

one of the most critical problems facing the economy, along with soil

erosion and political instability. Trade sanctions applied by the

Organization of American States in response to the September 1991 coup

against President ARISTIDE have further damaged the economy.

National product:

GDP - exchange rate conversion - $2.2 billion (1991 est.)

National product real growth rate:

-4% (FY91 est.)

National product per capita:

$340 (1991 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

20% (FY91 est.)

Unemployment rate:

25-50% (1991)

Budget:

revenues $300 million; expenditures $416 million, including capital

expenditures of $145 million (1990 est.)

Exports:

$146 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.)

commodities:

light manufactures 65%, coffee 19%, other agriculture 8%, other 8%

partners:

US 84%, Italy 4%, France 3%, other industrial countries 6%, less developed

countries 3% (1987)

Imports:

$252 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.)

commodities:

machines and manufactures 34%, food and beverages 22%, petroleum products

14%, chemicals 10%, fats and oils 9%

partners:

US 64%, Netherlands Antilles 5%, Japan 5%, France 4%, Canada 3%, Germany 3%

(1987)

External debt:

$838 million (December 1990)

Industrial production:

growth rate -2.0% (1991 est.); accounts for 15% of GDP

Electricity:

217,000 kW capacity; 480 million kWh produced, 75 kWh per capita (1992)

Industries:

sugar refining, textiles, flour milling, cement manufacturing, tourism,

light assembly industries based on imported parts

Agriculture:

accounts for 28% of GDP and employs around 70% of work force; mostly

small-scale subsistence farms; commercial crops - coffee, mangoes,

sugarcane, wood; staple crops - rice, corn, sorghum; shortage of wheat flour

Illicit drugs:

transshipment point for cocaine

Economic aid:

US commitments, including Ex-Im (1970-89), $700 million; Western (non-US)

countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $770 million

Currency:

1 gourde (G) = 100 centimes

*Haiti, Economy

Exchange rates:

gourdes (G) per US$1 - 8.4 (December 1991), fixed rate of 5.000 through

second quarter of 1991)

Fiscal year:

1 October - 30 September

*Haiti, Communications

Railroads:

40 km 0.760-meter narrow gauge, single-track, privately owned industrial

line

Highways:

4,000 km total; 950 km paved, 900 km otherwise improved, 2,150 km unimproved

Inland waterways:

negligible; less than 100 km navigable

Ports:

Port-au-Prince, Cap-Haitien

Airports:

total:

13

usable:

10

with permanent-surface runways:

3

with runways over 3,659 m:

0

with runways 2,440-3,659 m:

1

with runways 1,220-2,439 m:

3

Telecommunications:

domestic facilities barely adequate, international facilities slightly

better; 36,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 33 AM, no FM, 4 TV, 2

shortwave; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station

*Haiti, Defense Forces

Branches:

Army (including Police), Navy, Air Force

Manpower availability:

males age 15-49 1,289,310; fit for military service 695,997; reach military

age (18) annually 60,588 (1993 est.)

Defense expenditures:

exchange rate conversion - $34 million, 1.5% of GDP (1988 est.)

*Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Header

Affiliation:

(territory of Australia)

*Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Geography

Location:

in the Indian Ocean, 4,100 km southwest of Australia

Map references:

Antarctic Region

Area:

total area:

412 km2

land area:

412 km2 comparative area:

slightly less than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

101.9 km

Maritime claims:

exclusive fishing zone:

200 nm

territorial sea:

3 nm

International disputes:

none

Climate:

antarctic

Terrain:

Heard Island - bleak and mountainous, with an extinct volcano; McDonald

Islands - small and rocky

Natural resources:

none

Land use:

arable land:

0%

permanent crops:

0%

meadows and pastures:

0%

forest and woodland:

0%

other:

100%

Irrigated land:

0 km2

Environment:

primarily used for research stations

*Heard Island and McDonald Islands, People

Population:

uninhabited

*Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Government

Names:

conventional long form:

Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands

conventional short form:

Heard Island and McDonald Islands

Digraph:

HM

Type:

territory of Australia administered by the Ministry for Arts, Sport, the

Environment, Tourism and Territories

Capital:

none; administered from Canberra, Australia

Independence:

none (territory of Australia)

*Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Economy

Overview:

no economic activity

*Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Communications

Ports:

none; offshore anchorage only

*Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Defense Forces

Note:

defense is the responsibility of Australia

*Holy See (Vatican City), Geography

Location:

Southern Europe, an enclave of Rome - central Italy

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total area:

0.44 km2

land area:

0.44 km2

comparative area:

about 0.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

total 3.2 km, Italy 3.2 km

Coastline:

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:

none; landlocked

International disputes:

none

Climate:

temperate; mild, rainy winters (September to mid-May) with hot, dry summers

(May to September)

Terrain:

low hill

Natural resources: none

Land use:

arable land:

0%

permanent crops:

0%

meadows and pastures:

0%

forest and woodland:

0%

other:

100%

Irrigated land:

0 km2

Environment:

urban

Note:

landlocked; enclave of Rome, Italy; world's smallest state; outside the

Vatican City, 13 buildings in Rome and Castel Gandolfo (the pope's summer

residence) enjoy extraterritorial rights

*Holy See (Vatican City), People

Population:

811 (July 1993 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.15% (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:

none

adjective:

none

Ethnic divisions:

Italians, Swiss

Religions:

Roman Catholic

Languages: Italian, Latin, various other languages

Literacy:

total population:

NA%

male:

NA%

female:

NA%

Labor force:

NA

by occupation:

dignitaries, priests, nuns, guards, and 3,000 lay workers who live outside

the Vatican

*Holy See (Vatican City), Government

Names:

conventional long form:

The Holy See (State of the Vatican City)

conventional short form:

Holy See (Vatican City)

local long form:

Santa Sede (Stato della Citta del Vaticano)

local short form:

Santa Sede (Citta del Vaticano)

Digraph:

VT

Type:

monarchical-sacerdotal state

Capital:

Vatican City

Independence:

11 February 1929 (from Italy)

Constitution:

Apostolic Constitution of 1967 (effective 1 March 1968)

Legal system:

NA

National holiday:

Installation Day of the Pope, 22 October (1978) (John Paul II)

note:

Pope John Paul II was elected on 16 October 1978

Political parties and leaders:

none

Other political or pressure groups:

none (exclusive of influence exercised by church officers)

Suffrage:

limited to cardinals less than 80 years old

Elections:

Pope:

last held 16 October 1978 (next to be held after the death of the current

pope); results - Karol WOJTYLA was elected for life by the College of

Cardinals

Executive branch:

pope

Legislative branch:

unicameral Pontifical Commission

Judicial branch:

none; normally handled by Italy

Leaders:

Chief of State:

Pope JOHN PAUL II (Karol WOJTYLA; since 16 October 1978)

Head of Government:

Secretary of State Archbishop Angelo Cardinal SODANO (since NA)

Member of:

CSCE, IAEA, ICFTU, IMF (observer), INTELSAT, IOM (observer), ITU, OAS

(observer), UN (observer), UNCTAD, UNHCR, UPU, WIPO, WTO (observer)

Diplomatic representation in US:

chief of mission:

Apostolic Pro-Nuncio Archbishop Agostino CACCIAVILLAN

chancery:

3339 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone:

(202) 333-7121

*Holy See (Vatican City), Government

US diplomatic representation:

chief of mission:

Ambassador Raymond L. FLYNN

embassy:

Villino Pacelli, Via Aurelia 294, 00165 Rome

mailing address:

PSC 59, APO AE 09624

telephone:

[396] 46741

FAX:

[396] 638-0159

Flag:

two vertical bands of yellow (hoist side) and white with the crossed keys of

Saint Peter and the papal tiara centered in the white band

*Holy See (Vatican City), Economy

Overview:

This unique, noncommercial economy is supported financially by contributions

(known as Peter's Pence) from Roman Catholics throughout the world, the sale

of postage stamps and tourist mementos, fees for admission to museums, and

the sale of publications. The incomes and living standards of lay workers

are comparable to, or somewhat better than, those of counterparts who work

in the city of Rome.

Budget:

revenues $86 million; expenditures $178 million, including capital

expenditures of $NA (1993 est.)

Electricity:

5,000 kW standby capacity (1992); power supplied by Italy

Industries: printing and production of a small amount of mosaics and staff uniforms;

worldwide banking and financial activities

Currency:

1 Vatican lira (VLit) = 100 centesimi

Exchange rates:

Vatican lire (VLit) per US$1 - 1,482.5 (January 1993), 1,232.4 (1992),

1,240.6 (1991), 1,198.1 (1990), 1,372.1 (1989), 1,301.6 (1988); note - the

Vatican lira is at par with the Italian lira which circulates freely

Fiscal year:

calendar year

*Holy See (Vatican City), Communications

Railroads:

850 m, 750 mm gauge (links with Italian network near the Rome station of

Saint Peter's)

Highways:

none; all city streets

Telecommunications:

broadcast stations - 3 AM, 4 FM, no TV; 2,000-line automatic telephone

exchange; no communications satellite systems

*Holy See (Vatican City), Defense Forces

Note:

defense is the responsibility of Italy; Swiss Papal Guards are posted at

entrances to the Vatican City

*Honduras, Geography

Location:

Central America, between Guatemala and Nicaragua

Map references:

Central America and the Caribbean, North America, Standard Time Zones of the

World

Area:

total area:

112,090 km2

land area:

111,890 km2

comparative area:

slightly larger than Tennessee

Land boundaries:

total 1,520 km, Guatemala 256 km, El Salvador 342 km, Nicaragua 922 km

Coastline:

820 km

Maritime claims:

contiguous zone:

24 nm

continental shelf: 200 m depth or to depth of exploitation

exclusive economic zone:

200 nm

territorial sea:

12 nm

International disputes:

land boundary dispute with El Salvador 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:

subtropical in lowlands, temperate in mountains

Terrain:

mostly mountains in interior, narrow coastal plains

Natural resources:

timber, gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, iron ore, antimony, coal, fish

Land use:

arable land:

14%

permanent crops:

2%

meadows and pastures:

30%

forest and woodland:

34%

other:

20%

Irrigated land:

900 km2 (1989 est.)

Environment:

subject to frequent, but generally mild, earthquakes; damaging hurricanes

and floods along Caribbean coast; deforestation; soil erosion

*Honduras, People

Population:

5,170,108 (July 1993 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.8% (1993 est.)

Birth rate:

35.82 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)

Death rate:

6.44 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)

Net migration rate:

-1.43 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

47.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population:

67.17 years

male:

64.82 years

female: 69.62 years (1993 est.)

Total fertility rate:

4.87 children born/woman (1993 est.)

Nationality:

noun:

Honduran(s)

adjective:

Honduran

Ethnic divisions:

mestizo (mixed Indian and European) 90%, Indian 7%, black 2%, white 1%

Religions:

Roman Catholic 97%, Protestant minority

Languages:

Spanish, Indian dialects

Literacy:

age 15 and over can read and write (1990)

total population:

73%

male:

76%

female:

71%

Labor force:

1.3 million

by occupation:

agriculture 62%, services 20%, manufacturing 9%, construction 3%, other 6%

(1985)

*Honduras, Government

Names:

conventional long form:

Republic of Honduras

conventional short form:

Honduras

local long form:

Republica de Honduras

local short form:

Honduras

Digraph:

HO

Type:

republic

Capital:

Tegucigalpa

Administrative divisions:

18 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Atlantida,

Choluteca, Colon, Comayagua, Copan, Cortes, El Paraiso, Francisco Morazan,

Gracias a Dios, Intibuca, Islas de la Bahia, La Paz, Lempira, Ocotepeque,

Olancho, Santa Barbara, Valle, Yoro

Independence:

15 September 1821 (from Spain)

Constitution:

11 January 1982, effective 20 January 1982

Legal system:

rooted in Roman and Spanish civil law; some influence of English common law;

accepts ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

National holiday:

Independence Day, 15 September (1821)

Political parties and leaders:

Liberal Party (PLH), Carlos Roberto REINA, presidential candidate, Rafael

PINEDA Ponce, president; National Party (PN) has two factions: Movimiento

Nacional de Reivindication Callejista (Monarca), Rafael Leonardo CALLEJAS,

and Oswaldista, Oswaldo RAMOS SOTO, presidential candidate; National

Innovation and Unity Party (PINU), German LEITZELAR, president; Christian

Democratic Party (PDCH), Efrain DIAZ Arrivillaga, president

Other political or pressure groups:

National Association of Honduran Campesinos (ANACH); Honduran Council of

Private Enterprise (COHEP); Confederation of Honduran Workers (CTH);

National Union of Campesinos (UNC); General Workers Confederation (CGT);

United Federation of Honduran Workers (FUTH); Committee for the Defense of

Human Rights in Honduras (CODEH); Coordinating Committee of Popular

Organizations (CCOP)

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Elections:

President:

last held on 26 November 1989 (next to be held November 1993); results -

Rafael Leonardo CALLEJAS (PNH) 51%, Carlos FLORES Facusse (PLH) 43.3%, other

5.7%

National Congress:

last held on 26 November 1989 (next to be held November 1993); results - PNH

51%, PLH 43%, PDCH 1.9%, PINU-SD 1.5%, other 2.6%; seats - (128 total) PNH

71, PLH 55, PINU-SD 2

Executive branch:

president, Council of Ministers (cabinet)

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Congress (Congreso Nacional)

*Honduras, Government

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justica)

Leaders:

Chief of State and Head of Government:

President Rafael Leonardo CALLEJAS Romero (since 26 January 1990)

Member of:

BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO,

IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), LORCS,

OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO

Diplomatic representation in US:

chief of mission:

Ambassador Rene Arturo BENDANA-VALENZUELA

chancery:

3007 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone:

(202) 966-7702

consulates general: Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, and San Francisco

consulates:

Baton Rouge, Boston, Detroit, Houston, and Jacksonville

US diplomatic representation:

chief of mission:

Ambassador William Bryce (since 28 May 1993)

embassy:

Avenida La Paz, Tegucigalpa

mailing address:

APO AA 34022, Tegucigalpa

telephone:

[504] 32-3120

FAX:

[504] 32-0027

Flag:

three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with five blue

five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band; the

stars represent the members of the former Federal Republic of Central

America - Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua;

similar to the flag of El Salvador, which features a round emblem encircled

by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in the

white band; also similar to the flag of Nicaragua, which features a triangle

encircled by the word REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on top and AMERICA CENTRAL on

the bottom, centered in the white band

*Honduras, Economy

Overview:

Honduras is one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere.

Agriculture, the most important sector of the economy, accounts for more

than 25% of GDP, employs 62% of the labor force, and produces two-thirds of

exports. Productivity remains low. Industry, still in its early stages,

employs nearly 9% of the labor force, accounts for 15% of GDP, and generates

20% of exports. The service sectors, including public administration,

account for 50% of GDP and employ nearly 20% of the labor force. Basic

problems facing the economy include rapid population growth, high

unemployment, a lack of basic services, a large and inefficient public

sector, and the dependence of the export sector mostly on coffee and

bananas, which are subject to sharp price fluctuations. A far-reaching

reform program initiated by President CALLEJAS in 1990 is beginning to take

hold.

National product:

GDP - exchange rate conversion - $5.5 billion (1992 est.)

National product real growth rate:

3.6% (1992 est.)

National product per capita:

$1,090 (1992 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

8% (1992 est.)

Unemployment rate:

15% (30-40% underemployed) (1989)

Budget:

revenues $1.4 billion; expenditures $1.9 billion, including capital

expenditures of $511 million (1990 est.)

Exports:

$1.0 billion (f.o.b., 1991)

commodities:

bananas, coffee, shrimp, lobster, minerals, meat, lumber

partners:

US 65%, Germany 9%, Japan 8%, Belgium 7%

Imports:

$1.3 billion (c.i.f. 1991)

commodities:

machinery and transport equipment, chemical products, manufactured goods,

fuel and oil, foodstuffs

partners:

US 45%, Japan 9%, Netherlands 7%, Mexico 7%, Venezuela 6%

External debt:

$2.8 billion (1990)

Industrial production:

growth rate 0.8% (1990 est.); accounts for 15% of GDP

Electricity:

575,000 kW capacity; 2,000 million kWh produced, 390 kWh per capita (1992)

Industries:

agricultural processing (sugar and coffee), textiles, clothing, wood

products

Agriculture:

most important sector, accounting for more than 25% of GDP, more than 60% of

the labor force, and two-thirds of exports; principal products include

bananas, coffee, timber, beef, citrus fruit, shrimp; importer of wheat

Illicit drugs:

illicit producer of cannabis, cultivated on small plots and used principally

for local consumption; transshipment point for cocaine

Economic aid:

US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $1.4 billion; Western (non-US)

countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.1 billion

*Honduras, Economy

Currency:

1 lempira (L) = 100 centavos

Exchange rates:

lempiras (L) per US$1 - 5.4 (fixed rate); 5.70 parallel black-market rate

(November 1990); the lempira was allowed to float in 1992; current rate

about US$1 - 5.65

Fiscal year:

calendar year

*Honduras, Communications

Railroads:

785 km total; 508 km 1.067-meter gauge, 277 km 0.914-meter gauge

Highways:

8,950 km total; 1,700 km paved, 5,000 km otherwise improved, 2,250 km

unimproved earth

Inland waterways: 465 km navigable by small craft

Ports:

Puerto Castilla, Puerto Cortes, San Lorenzo

Merchant marine:

252 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 819,100 GRT/1,195,276 DWT; includes 2

passenger-cargo, 162 cargo, 20 refrigerated cargo, 10 container, 6

roll-on/roll-off cargo, 22 oil tanker, 1 chemical tanker, 2 specialized

tanker, 22 bulk, 3 passenger, 2 short-sea passenger; note - a flag of

convenience registry; Russia owns 10 ships under the Honduran flag

Airports:

total:

165

usable:

137

with permanent-surface runways:

11

with runways over 3,659 m:

0

with runways 2,440-3,659 m:

4

with runways 1,220-2,439 m:

14

Telecommunications:

inadequate system with only 7 telephones per 1,000 persons; international

services provided by 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earch stations and the

Central American microwave radio relay system; broadcast stations - 176 AM,

no FM, 7 SW, 28 TV

*Honduras, Defense Forces

Branches:

Army, Navy (including Marines), Air Force, Public Security Forces (FUSEP)

Manpower availability:

males age 15-49 1,185,072; fit for military service 706,291; reach military

age (18) annually 58,583 (1993 est.)

Defense expenditures:

exchange rate conversion - $45 million, about 1% of GDP (1993 est.)

*Hong Kong, Header

Affiliation:

(dependent territory of the UK)

*Hong Kong, Geography

Location:

East Asia, on the southeast coast of China bordering the South China Sea

Map references:

Asia, Southeast Asia, Standard Time Zones of the World

Area: total area:

1,040 km2

land area:

990 km2

comparative area:

slightly less than six times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

total 30 km, China 30 km

Coastline:

733 km

Maritime claims:

exclusive fishing zone:

3 nm

territorial sea:

3 nm

International disputes:

none

Climate:

tropical monsoon; cool and humid in winter, hot and rainy from spring

through summer, warm and sunny in fall

Terrain:

hilly to mountainous with steep slopes; lowlands in north

Natural resources:

outstanding deepwater harbor, feldspar

Land use:

arable land:

7%

permanent crops:

1%

meadows and pastures:

1%

forest and woodland:

12%

other:

79%

Irrigated land:

20 km2 (1989)

Environment:

more than 200 islands; occasional typhoons

*Hong Kong, People

Population:

5,552,965 (July 1993 est.)

Population growth rate:

-0.06% (1993 est.)

Birth rate:

12.27 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)

Death rate:

5.68 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)

Net migration rate:

-7.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

5.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population:

79.99 years

male:

76.55 years

female:

83.64 years (1993 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.34 children born/woman (1993 est.)

Nationality:

noun:

Chinese

adjective:

Chinese

Ethnic divisions:

Chinese 98%, other 2%

Religions:

eclectic mixture of local religions 90%, Christian 10%

Languages:

Chinese (Cantonese), English

Literacy:

age 15 and over can read and write (1971)

total population:

77%

male:

90%

female:

64%

Labor force:

2.8 million (1990)

by occupation:

manufacturing 28.5%, wholesale and retail trade, restaurants, and hotels

27.9%, services 17.7%, financing, insurance, and real estate 9.2%, transport

and communications 4.5%, construction 2.5%, other 9.7% (1989)

*Hong Kong, Government

Names:

conventional long form:

none

conventional short form:

Hong Kong

Abbreviation:

HK

Digraph:

HK

Type:

dependent territory of the UK scheduled to revert to China in 1997

Capital:

Victoria

Administrative divisions:

none (dependent territory of the UK)

Independence:

none (dependent territory of the UK; the UK signed an agreement with China

on 19 December 1984 to return Hong Kong to China on 1 July 1997; in the

joint declaration, China promises to respect Hong Kong's existing social and

economic systems and lifestyle)

Constitution:

unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice; new Basic Law

approved in March 1990 in preparation for 1997

Legal system:

based on English common law

National holiday:

Liberation Day, 29 August (1945)

Political parties and leaders:

United Democrats of Hong Kong, Martin LEE, chairman; Democratic Alliance for

the Betterment of Hong Kong; Hong Kong Democratic Foundation

Other political or pressure groups:

Cooperative Resources Center, Allen LEE, chairman; Meeting Point, Anthony

CHEUNG, chairman; Association of Democracy and People's Livelihood,

Frederick FUNG Kin Kee, chairman; Liberal Democratic Federation, HEUNG Yee

Kuk; Federation of Trade Unions (pro-China); Hong Kong and Kowloon Trade

Union Council (pro-Taiwan); Confederation of Trade Unions (prodemocracy);

Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce; Chinese General Chamber of Commerce

(pro-China); Federation of Hong Kong Industries; Chinese Manufacturers'

Association of Hong Kong; Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union; Hong Kong

Alliance in Support of the Patriotic Democratic Movement in China

Suffrage:

direct election 21 years of age; universal as a permanent resident living in

the territory of Hong Kong for the past seven years indirect election

limited to about 100,000 professionals of electoral college and functional

constituencies

Elections:

Legislative Council:

indirect elections last held 12 September 1991 and direct elections were

held for the first time 15 September 1991 (next to be held in September 1995

when the number of directly-elected seats increases to 20); results -

percent of vote by party NA; seats - (60 total; 21 indirectly elected by

functional constituencies, 18 directly elected, 18 appointed by governor, 3

ex officio members); indirect elections - number of seats by functional

constituency NA; direct elections - UDHK 12, Meeting Point 3, ADPL 1, other

2

Executive branch:

British monarch, governor, chief secretary of the Executive Council

Legislative branch:

unicameral Legislative Council

*Hong Kong, Government

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court

Leaders:

Chief of State:

Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)

Head of Government:

Governor Chris PATTEN (since NA July 1992); Chief Secretary Sir David Robert

FORD (since NA February 1987)

Member of: APEC, AsDB, CCC, ESCAP (associate), GATT, ICFTU, IMO (associate), INTERPOL

(subbureau), IOC, ISO (correspondent), WCL, WMO

Diplomatic representation in US:

as a dependent territory of the UK, the interests of Hong Kong in the US are

represented by the UK

US diplomatic representation:

chief of mission:

Consul General Richard L. WILLIAMS

embassy:

Consulate General at 26 Garden Road, Hong Kong

mailing address:

Box 30, Hong Kong, or FPO AP 96522-0002

telephone:

[852] 239-011

Flag:

blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant with the Hong

Kong coat of arms on a white disk centered on the outer half of the flag;

the coat of arms contains a shield (bearing two junks below a crown) held by

a lion (representing the UK) and a dragon (representing China) with another

lion above the shield and a banner bearing the words HONG KONG below the

shield

*Hong Kong, Economy