national register. Ships on the internal register fly the national
flag and have that nationality but are subject to a separate set of
maritime rules from those on the main national register. These
differences usually include lower taxation of profits, use of foreign
nationals as crew members, and, usually, ownership outside the flag
state (when it functions as an FOC register). The Norwegian
International Ship Register and Danish International Ship Register are
the most notable examples of an internal register. Both have been
instrumental in stemming flight from the national flag to flags of
convenience and in attracting foreign-owned ships to the Norwegian and
Danish flags.
Merchant ship is a vessel that carries goods against payment of
freight; commonly used to denote any nonmilitary ship but accurately
restricted to commercial vessels only.
Register is the record of a ship's ownership and nationality as listed
with the maritime authorities of a country; also, the compendium of
such individual ships' registrations. Registration of a ship provides
it with a nationality and makes it subject to the laws of the country
in which registered (the flag state) regardless of the nationality of
the ship's ultimate owner.
Military: This category includes the entries dealing with a country's
military structure, manpower, and expenditures.
Military branches: This entry lists the names of the ground, naval,
air, marine, and other defense or military-type forces.
Military expenditures--dollar figure: This entry gives current
military expenditures in US dollars; the figure is calculated by
multiplying the estimated defense spending in percentage terms by the
gross domestic product (GDP) in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms.
The figure should be treated with caution because of different price
patterns and accounting methods among nations.
Military expenditures--percent of GDP: This entry gives current
military expenditures as an estimated percent of gross domestic
product (GDP).
Military manpower--availability: This entry gives the total numbers of
males and females age 15-49 and assumes that every individual is fit
to serve.
Military manpower--fit for military service: This entry gives the
number of males and females age 15-49 fit for military service. This
is a more refined measure of potential military manpower availability
which tries to correct for the health situation in the country and
reduces the maximum potential number to a more realistic estimate of
the actual number fit to serve.
Military manpower--military age: This entry gives the minimum age at
which an individual may volunteer for military service or be subject
to conscription.
Military manpower--reaching military age annually: This entry gives
the number of draft-age males and females entering the military
manpower pool in any given year and is a measure of the availability
of draft-age young adults.
Military--note: This entry includes miscellaneous military information
of significance not included elsewhere.
Money figures: All money figures are expressed in contemporaneous US
dollars unless otherwise indicated.
National capital: This entry gives the location of the seat of
government.
National holiday: This entry gives the primary national day of
celebration--usually independence day.
Nationality: This entry provides the identifying terms for
citizens--noun and adjective.
Natural hazards: This entry lists potential natural disasters.
Natural resources: This entry lists a country's mineral, petroleum,
hydropower, and other resources of commercial importance.
Net migration rate: This entry includes the figure for the difference
between the number of persons entering and leaving a country during
the year per 1,000 persons (based on midyear population). An excess of
persons entering the country is referred to as net immigration (e.g.,
3.56 migrants/1,000 population); an excess of persons leaving the
country as net emigration (e.g., -9.26 migrants/1,000 population). The
net migration rate indicates the contribution of migration to the
overall level of population change. High levels of migration can cause
problems such as increasing unemployment and potential ethnic strife
(if people are coming in) or reducing the labor force, perhaps in
certain key sectors (if people are leaving).
People: This category includes the entries dealing with the
characteristics of the people and their society.
People--note: This entry includes miscellaneous demographic
information of significance not included elsewhere.
Pipelines: This entry gives the lengths and types of pipelines for
transporting products like natural gas, crude oil, or petroleum
products.
Political parties and leaders: This entry includes a listing of
political organizations and their leaders.
Political pressure groups and leaders: This entry includes a listing
of organizations with leaders involved in politics, but not standing
for legislative election.
Population: This entry gives an estimate from the US Bureau of the
Census based on statistics from population censuses, vital statistics
registration systems, or sample surveys pertaining to the recent past,
and on assumptions about future trends. Starting with the 1993
Factbook, demographic estimates for some countries (mostly African)
have taken into account the effects of the growing incidence of AIDS
infections; in 1997 these countries were Botswana, Brazil, Burkina
Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the
Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Guyana, Haiti, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi,
Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, Zaire which
is now known as Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, and
Zimbabwe. The total population presents one overall measure of the
potential impact of the country on the world and within its region.
Population growth rate: The average annual percent change in the
population, resulting from a surplus (or deficit) of births over
deaths and the balance of migrants entering and leaving a country. The
rate may be positive or negative. Also known as growth rate or average
annual rate of growth. The growth rate is a factor in determining how
rapidly a country responds to the changing needs of its people in
terms of infrastructure (e.g., schools, hospitals, housing, roads),
resources (e.g., food, water, electricity), and jobs. Rapid population
growth can also be seen as threatening by neighboring countries.
Ports and harbors: This entry lists a few ports and harbors selected
on the basis of overall importance to each country. This is determined
by evaluating a number of factors (e.g., dollar value of goods
handled, gross tonnage, facilities, military significance).
Radio broadcast stations: This entry includes the total number of AM,
FM, and shortwave broadcast stations.
Radios: This entry gives the total number of radio receivers.
Railways: This entry includes the total length of the railway network
and component parts by gauge: broad, dual, narrow, standard, and
other.
Reference maps: This section includes world, regional, and special or
current interest maps.
Religions: This entry includes a rank ordering of religions starting
with the largest and sometimes includes the percent of total
population.
Sex ratio: This entry includes the number of males for each female in
five age groups-at birth, under 15 years, 15-64 years, 65 years and
over, and for the total population. Sex ratio at birth has recently
emerged as an indicator of certain kinds of sex discrimination in some
countries. For instance, high sex ratios at birth in some Asian
countries are now attributed to sex-selective abortion and infanticide
due to a strong preference for sons. This will affect future marriage
patterns and fertility patterns and could cause unrest among young
adult males who are unable to find partners. The sex ratio at birth
for the World is 1.06 (1997 est.).
Suffrage: This entry gives the age at enfranchisement and whether the
right to vote is universal or restricted.
Telephone numbers: All telephone numbers in the Factbook consist of
the country code in brackets, the city or area code (where required)
in parentheses, and the local number. The one component that is not
presented is the international access code which varies from country
to country. For example, an international direct dial telephone call
placed from the US to Madrid, Spain, would be as follows:
011 [34] (1) 577-xxxx where
011 is the international access code for station-to-station calls
(01 is for calls other than station-to-station calls),
[34] is the country code for Spain,
(1) is the city code for Madrid,
577 is the local exchange, and
xxxx is the local telephone number.
An international direct dial telephone call placed from another
country to the US would be as follows:
An international direct dial telephone call placed from another
country to the US would be as follows:
[1] is the country code for the US,
(202) is the area code for Washington, DC,
939 is the local exchange, and
xxxx is the local telephone number.
Telephone system: This entry includes a brief characterization of the
system with details on the domestic and international components. The
following terms and abbreviations are used throughout the entry:
Arabsat-Arab Satellite Communications Organization (Riyadh, Saudi
Arabia)
Autodin--Automatic Digital Network (US Department of Defense)
CB--citizen's band mobile radio communications
cellular telephone system--the telephones in this system are radio
transceivers, each instrument having its own private radio frequency
with sufficient radiated power to reach the booster station in its
area (cell), from which the telephone signal is fed to a regular
telephone exchange
Central American Microwave System--a trunk microwave radio relay
system that links the countries of Central America and Mexico with
each other
coaxial cable--a multichannel communication cable consisting of a
central conducting wire, surrounded by and insulated from a
cylindrical conducting shell; a large number of telephone channels can
be made available within the insulated space by the use of a large
number of carrier frequencies
DSN--Defense Switched Network (formerly Automatic Voice Network or
Autovon); basic general--purpose, switched voice network of the
Defense Communications System (US Department of Defense)
Eutelsat--European Telecommunications Satellite Organization (Paris)
fiber-optic cable--a multichannel communications cable using a thread
of optical glass fibers as a transmission medium in which the signal
(voice, video, etc.) is in the form of a coded pulse of light
HF--high-frequency; any radio frequency in the 3,000- to 30,000-kHz
range
Inmarsat-International Mobile Satellite Organization (London);
provider of global mobile satellite communications for commercial and
distress and safety applications, at sea, in the air, and on land
Intelsat--International Telecommunications Satellite Organization
(Washington, DC)
Intersputnik--International Organization of Space Communications
(Moscow); first established in the former Soviet Union and the East
European countries, it is now marketing its services worldwide with
earth stations in North America, Africa, and East Asia
landline--communication wire or cable of any sort that is installed on
poles or buried in the ground
Marecs--Maritime European Communications Satellite used in the
Inmarsat system on lease from the European Space Agency
Marisat--satellites of the Comsat Corporation that participate in the
Inmarsat system
Medarabtel--the Middle East Telecommunications Project of the
International Telecommunications Union (ITU), providing a modern
telecommunications network, primarily by microwave radio relay,
linking Algeria, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, Saudi
Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen (initially started
in Morocco in 1970 by the Arab Telecommunications Union (ATU) and
known at that time as the Middle East Mediterranean Telecommunications
Network)
NMT--Nordic Mobile Telephone; an analog cellular telephone system that
was developed jointly by the national telecommunications authorities
of the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and
Sweden)
Orbita--a Russian television service; also the trade name of a
packet--switched digital telephone network
radiotelephone communications--the two--way transmission and reception
of sounds by broadcast radio on authorized frequencies using telephone
handsets
satellite communication system--a communication system consisting of
two or more earth stations and at least one satellite that provides
long distance transmission of voice, data, and television; the system
usually serves as a trunk connection between telephone exchanges; if
the earth stations are in the same country, it is a domestic system
satellite earth station--a communications facility with a microwave
radio transmitting and receiving antenna and required receiving and
transmitting equipment for communicating with satellites
satellite link--a radio connection between a satellite and an earth
station permitting communication between them, either one--way (down
link from satellite to earth station--television receive--only
transmission) or two-way (telephone channels)
SHF--super--high--frequency; any radio frequency in the 3,000- to
30,000-MHz range
SHF--super-high-frequency; any radio frequency in the 3,000- to
30,000-MHz range
Solidaridad-geosynchronous satellites in Mexico's system of
international telecommunications in the Western Hemisphere
Statsionar--Russia's geostationary system for satellite
telecommunications
submarine cable--a cable designed for service under water
TAT--Trans--Atlantic Telephone; any of a number of high--capacity
submarine coaxial telephone cables linking Europe with North America
telefax--facsimile service between subscriber stations via the public
switched telephone network or the international Datel network
telegraph--a telecommunications system designed for unmodulated
electric impulse transmission
telex--a communication service involving teletypewriters connected by
wire through automatic exchanges
tropospheric scatter--a form of microwave radio transmission in which
the troposphere is used to scatter and reflect a fraction of the
incident radio waves back to earth; powerful, highly directional
antennas are used to transmit and receive the microwave signals;
reliable over-the-horizon communications are realized for distances up
to 600 miles in a single hop; additional hops can extend the range of
this system for very long distances
trunk network--a network of switching centers, connected by
multichannel trunk lines
UHF--ultra-high-frequency; any radio frequency in the 300- to
3,000-MHz range
VHF--very-high-frequency; any radio frequency in the 30- to 300-MHz
range
Telephones: This entry gives the total number of subscribers.
Television broadcast stations: This entry gives the total number of
separate broadcast stations plus any repeater stations.
Televisions: This entry gives the total number of television sets.
Terminology: Due to the highly structured nature of the Factbook
database, some collective generic terms have to be used. "Country
name" and "National capital", for example are used collectively to
include nations, dependent areas, uninhabited islands, areas of
special sovereignty, etc. The term "Military" is also used as an
umbrella term for various civil defense, security, and defense
activities.
Terrain: This entry contains a brief description of the topography.
Total fertility rate: This entry gives a figure for the average number
of children that would be born per woman if all women lived to the end
of their childbearing years and bore children according to a given
fertility rate at each age. The total fertility rate is a more direct
measure of the level of fertility than the crude birth rate, since it
refers to births per woman. This indicator shows the potential for
population growth in the country. High rates will also place some
limits on the labor force participation rates for women. Large numbers
of children born to women indicate large family sizes that might limit
the capacity of the families to educate their children.
Transnational Issues: This category includes only two entries at the
present time. Disputes--international and Illicit drugs--deal with
current issues going beyond national boundaries.
Transportation: This category includes the entries dealing with the
movement of people or material.
Transportation--note: This entry includes miscellaneous transportation
information of significance not included elsewhere.
Unemployment rate: This entry contains the percent of the labor force
that is without jobs. Substantial underemployment might be noted.
United Nations System: This information is presented in Appendix B:
United Nations System which is a chart, table, or text (depending on
the version of the Factbook) that shows the organization of the UN in
detail.
Waterways: This entry gives the total length and individual names of
navigable rivers, canals, and other inland bodies of water.
Weights and measures: This information is presented in Appendix E:
Weights and Measures which includes mathematical notations
(mathematical powers and names), metric interrelationships (prefix;
symbol; length, weight, or capacity; area; volume), and standard
conversion factors.
Years: All year references are for the calendar year (CY) unless
indicated as fiscal year (FY). The calendar year is an accounting
period of 12 months from 1 January to 31 December. The fiscal year is
an accounting period of 12 months other than 1 January to 31 December.
FY93/94 refers to the fiscal year that began in calendar year 1993 and
ended in calendar year 1994.
Note: Information for the US and US dependencies was compiled from
material in the public domain and does not represent Intelligence
Community estimates. The [2]Handbook of International Economic
Statistics, published annually in September by the Central
Intelligence Agency, contains detailed economic information for the
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
countries, the successor nations to the Soviet Union, and selected
other countries. The Handbook can be obtained wherever the Factbook is
available.
References
1. http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/hies97/index.htm
2. http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/hies97/index.htm
______________________________________________________________________
GUIDE TO COUNTRY PROFILES (CATEGORIES, FIELDS AND SUBFIELDS)
Introduction
Current issues
Historical perspective
Geography
Location
Geographic coordinates
Map references
Area
total
land
water
Area--comparative
Land boundaries
total
border countries
Coastline
Maritime claims
contiguous zone
continental shelf
exclusive economic zone
exclusive fishing zone
extended fishing zone
other
territorial sea
Climate
Terrain
Elevation extremes
lowest point
highest point
Natural resources
Land use
arable land
permanent crops
permanent pastures
forests and woodland
other
Irrigated land
Natural hazards
Environment--current issues
Environment--international agreements
party to
signed, but not ratified
Geography--note
People
Population
Age structure
0-14 years
15-64 years
65 years and over
Population growth rate
Birth rate
Death rate
Net migration rate
Sex ratio
at birthunder
15 years
15-64 years
65 years and over
total population
Infant mortality rate
Life expectancy at birth
total population
male
female
Total fertility rate
Nationality
noun
adjective
Ethnic groups
Religions
Languages
Literacy
definition
total population
male
female
Government
Country name
conventional long form
conventional short form
local long form
local short form
former
Data code
Dependency status
Government type
National capital
Administrative divisions
Dependent areas
Independence
National holiday
Constitution
Legal system
Suffrage
Executive branch
chief of state
head of government
cabinet
elections
election results
Legislative branch
elections
election results
Judicial branch
Political parties and leaders
Political pressure groups and leaders
International organization participation
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission
chancery
telephone
FAX
consulate(s) general
consulate(s)
honorary consulate(s)
honorary consulate(s) general
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission
embassy
branch office
mailing address
telephone
FAX
consulate(s) general
consulate(s)
Flag description
Government--note
Economy
Economy--overview
GDP
GDP--real growth
GDP--per capita
GDP--composition by sector
agriculture
industry
services
Inflation rate--consumer price index
Labor force
total
by occupation
Unemployment rate
Budget
revenues
expenditures
Industries
Industrial production growth rate
Electricity--capacity
Electricity--production
Electricity--consumption per capita
Agriculture--products
Exports
total value
commodities
partners
Imports
total value
commodities
partners
Debt--external
Economic aid
donor
recipient
Currency
Exchange rates
Fiscal year
Communications
Telephones
Telephone system
domestic
international
Radio broadcast stations
Radios
Television broadcast stations
Televisions
Communications--note
Transportation
Railways
total
broad gauge
dual gauge
narrow gauge
other gauges
standard gauge
Highways
total
paved
unpaved
Waterways
Pipelines
Ports and harbors
Merchant marine
total
ships by type
Airports
Airports--with paved runways
total
over 3,047m
2,438 to 3,047m
1,524 to 2,437m
914 to 1,523m
under 914m
Airports--with unpaved runways
total
over 3,047m
2,438 to 3,047m
1,524 to 2,437m
914 to 1,523m
under 914m
Heliports
Transportation--note
Military
Military branches
Military manpower--military age
Military manpower--availability
males age 15-49
females age 15-49
Military manpower--fit for military service
males
females
Military manpower--reaching military age annually
males
females
Military expenditures--dollar figure
Military expenditures--percent of GDP
Military--note
Transnational Issues
Disputes--international
Illicit drugs
______________________________________________________________________
AFGHANISTAN
@Afghanistan:Geography
Location: Southern Asia, north and west of Pakistan, east of Iran
Geographic coordinates: 33 00 N, 65 00 E
Map references: Asia
Area:
total: 647,500 sq km
land: 647,500 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Texas
Land boundaries:
total: 5,529 km
border countries: China 76 km, Iran 936 km, Pakistan 2,430 km,
Tajikistan 1,206 km, Turkmenistan 744 km, Uzbekistan 137 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: arid to semiarid; cold winters and hot summers
Terrain: mostly rugged mountains; plains in north and southwest
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Amu Darya 258 m
highest point: Nowshak 7,485 m
Natural resources: natural gas, petroleum, coal, copper, talc,
barites, sulfur, lead, zinc, iron ore, salt, precious and semiprecious
stones
Land use:
arable land: 12%
permanent crops : 0%
permanent pastures: 46%
forests and woodland: 3%
other: 39% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 30,000 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: damaging earthquakes occur in Hindu Kush mountains;
flooding