(immigrants from India and their descendants)
Religions: Muslim 97% (Sunni 77%, Shi'a 20%), Christian, Hindu, and
other 3%
Languages: Punjabi 48%, Sindhi 12%, Siraiki (a Punjabi variant) 10%,
Pashtu 8%, Urdu (official) 8%, Balochi 3%, Hindko 2%, Brahui 1%,
English (official and lingua franca of Pakistani elite and most
government ministries), Burushaski, and other 8%
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population : 37.8%
male: 50%
female: 24.4% (1995 est.)
@Pakistan:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Pakistan
conventional short form: Pakistan
former: West Pakistan
Data code: PK
Government type: federal republic
National capital: Islamabad
Administrative divisions: 4 provinces, 1 territory*, and 1 capital
territory**; Balochistan, Federally Administered Tribal Areas*,
Islamabad Capital Territory**, North-West Frontier, Punjab, Sindh
note: the Pakistani-administered portion of the disputed Jammu and
Kashmir region includes Azad Kashmir and the Northern Areas
Independence: 14 August 1947 (from UK)
National holiday: Pakistan Day, 23 March (1956) (proclamation of the
republic)
Constitution: 10 April 1973, suspended 5 July 1977, restored with
amendments 30 December 1985
Legal system: based on English common law with provisions to
accommodate Pakistan's stature as an Islamic state; accepts compulsory
ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal; separate electorates and
reserved parliamentary seats for non-Muslims
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Sardar Farooq LEGHARI (since 13 November
1993)
head of government : Prime Minister Mohammad Nawaz SHARIF (since 17
February 1997)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister
elections: president elected by Parliament for a five-year term;
election last held 13 November 1993 (next to be held no later than 14
October 1998); following legislative elections, the leader of the
majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually elected
prime minister by the National Assembly; election last held 3 February
1997 (next to be held NA February 2002)
election results: Sardar Farooq LEGHARI elected president; percent of
Parliament vote - NA; Mohammad Nawaz SHARIF elected prime minister;
percent of National Assembly vote - NA
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament or Majlis-e-Shoora consists
of the Senate (87 seats; members indirectly elected by provincial
assemblies to serve six-year terms; one-third of the members up for
election every two years; has advisory powers only) and the National
Assembly (217 seats; 207 represent Muslims and 10 represent
non-Muslims; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held 12 March 1997 (next to be held NA March
1999); National Assembly - last held 3 February 1997 (next to be held
NA February 2002)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by
party - PML/N 30, PPP 17, ANP 7, MQM/A 6, JWP 5, BNP 4, JUI/F 2, PML/J
2, BNM/M 1, PKMAP 1, TJP 1, independents 6, vacant 5; National
Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PML/N 137,
PPP 18, MQM/A 12, ANP 10, BNP 3, JWP 2, JUI/F 2, PPP/SB 1, NPP 1,
independents 21, minorities 10
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judicial chiefs are appointed by the
president; Federal Islamic (Shari'at) Court
Political parties and leaders:
government: Pakistan Muslim League, Nawaz Sharif faction (PML/N),
Nawaz SHARIF; Awami National Party (ANP), Ajmal Khan KHATTAK;
Balochistan National Movement/Mengal Group (BNM/M), Sardar Akhtar
MENGAL; Mohajir Quami Movement, Altaf faction (MQM/A), Altaf HUSSAIN;
Jamiat-al-Hadith (JAH); Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP), Akbar Khan BUGTI;
Pakistan People's Party/Shaheed Bhutto (PPP/SB), Ghinva BHUTTO; Baluch
National Party (BNP), leader NA
opposition: Pakistan People's Party (PPP), Benazir BHUTTO; Pakistan
Muslim League, Junejo faction (PML/J), Hamid Nasir CHATTHA; National
People's Party (NPP), Ghulam Mustapha JATOI; Pakhtun Khwa Milli Awami
Party (PKMAP), Mahmood Khan ACHAKZAI; Balochistan National
Movement/Hayee Group (BNM/H), Dr. HAYEE Baluch; Pakhtun Quami Party
(PKQP), Mohammed AFZAL Khan
frequently shifting: Mutaheda Deeni Mahaz (MDM), Maulana Sami-ul-HAQ,
the MDM includes Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan, Niazi faction (JUP/NI) and
Sepah-i-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP); Islami-Jamhoori-Mahaz (IJM-Islamic
Democratic Front) includes Jamiat Ulema-i-Islami, Fazlur Rehman group
(JUI/F); Pakistan Muslim League, Functional Group (PML/F), Pir PAGARO;
Pakistan National Party (PNP); Milli Yakjheti Council (MYC) is an
umbrella organization which includes Jamaat-i-Islami (JI), Qazi
Hussain AHMED, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, Sami-ul-Haq faction (JUI/S),
Tehrik-I-Jafria Pakistan (TJP), Allama Sajid NAQVI, and Jamiat
Ulema-i-Pakistan, Noorani faction (JUP/NO)
note: political alliances in Pakistan can shift frequently
Political pressure groups and leaders: military remains important
political force; ulema (clergy), landowners, industrialists, and small
merchants also influential
International organization participation: AsDB, C, CCC, CP, ECO,
ESCAP, FAO, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,
IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat,
Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, PCA,
SAARC, UN, UNAVEM III, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR,
UNMIBH, UNMIH, UNOMIG, UNOMIL, UNPREDEP, UNTAES, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO,
WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Riaz KHOKAR
chancery: 2315 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 939-6200
FAX: [1] (202) 387-0484
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas W. SIMONS, Jr.
embassy : Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5, Islamabad
mailing address: P. O. Box 1048, Unit 62200, APO AE 09812-2200
telephone: [92] (51) 826161 through 826179
FAX: [92] (51) 214222
consulate(s) general : Karachi, Lahore
consulate(s): Peshawar
Flag description: green with a vertical white band (symbolizing the
role of religious minorities) on the hoist side; a large white
crescent and star are centered in the green field; the crescent, star,
and color green are traditional symbols of Islam
Economy
Economy - overview: Pakistan is a poor, highly populated Third World
country struggling to make the difficult transition to the modern
world of high technology and international markets. Even though GDP
growth has remained strong, at roughly 5% annually, international
confidence in Prime Minister Benazir BHUTTO's government declined in
1996. The IMF suspended a Standby Agreement in the spring; foreign
investment declined; and the budget and trade deficits rose
substantially. In October 1996, BHUTTO responded to IMF pressure to
implement reforms, devaluing the rupee by about 8% and raising
petroleum prices in an attempt to slow the drain on foreign exchange
reserves. But Islamabad still failed to meet IMF revenue and borrowing
targets. Pakistan's interim government - in power since President
LEGHARI sacked BHUTTO on 5 November 1996 - agreed to slash the budget
deficit, push down bank borrowing, implement an agricultural tax; and
speed up reforms in the financial sector; accordingly, the Standby
Agreement was reinstated in December 1996 and a tranche of $80 million
released; but Pakistan fell out of compliance in February 1997. For
the long run, Pakistan must deal with serious problems of
deteriorating infrastructure, low literacy levels, and persistent
sectarian and political violence.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $296.5 billion (1996 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 5.5% (1996 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $2,300 (1996 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 24.8%
industry: 26.5%
services: 48.7% (1996)
Inflation rate - consumer price index: 10.8% (FY95/96)
Labor force:
total: 36.7 million (1997)
by occupation: agriculture 47%, mining and manufacturing 17%, services
17%, other 19%
note : extensive export of labor, mostly to the Middle East, and use
of child labor
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues : $12.5 billion
expenditures: $14 billion, including capital expenditures of $2.8
billion (FY95/96 est.)
Industries: textiles, food processing, beverages, construction
materials, clothing, paper products, shrimp
Industrial production growth rate: 6.1% (FY95/96 est.)
Electricity - capacity: 13.17 million kW (1994)
Electricity - production: 46.1 billion kWh (FY95/96)
Electricity - consumption per capita: 403 kWh (1995 est.)
Agriculture - products: cotton, wheat, rice, sugarcane, fruits,
vegetables; milk, beef, mutton, eggs
Exports:
total value: $8.3 billion (FY95/96)
commodities: cotton, textiles, clothing, rice, leather, carpets
partners: US, Japan, Hong Kong, Germany, UK, UAE, France
Imports:
total value: $12 billion (FY95/96)
commodities : petroleum, petroleum products, machinery, transportation
equipment, vegetable oils, animal fats, chemicals
partners: Japan, US, Germany, UK, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, South Korea
Debt - external: $28.6 billion (1996 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: $2.6 billion from all bilateral and multilateral sources
(FY95/96)
Currency: 1 Pakistani rupee (PRe) = 100 paisa
Exchange rates: Pakistani rupees (PRs) per US$1 - 40.120 (January
1997), 36.078 (1996), 31.643 (1995), 30.567 (1994), 28.1 (1993), 25.1
(1992); note - annual average of official rate; parallel market rate
is higher
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
@Pakistan:Communications
Telephones: 1.572 million (1993 est.)
Telephone system: the domestic system is mediocre, but adequate for
government and business use, in part because major businesses have
established their own private systems; since 1988, the government has
promoted investment in the national telecommunications system on a
priority basis; despite major improvements in trunk and urban systems,
telecommunication services are still not readily available to the
major portion of the population
domestic: microwave radio relay
international: satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean
and 2 Indian Ocean); microwave radio relay to neighboring countries
Radio broadcast stations: AM 26, FM 8, shortwave 11
Radios: 11.3 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 29
Televisions: 2.08 million (1993 est.)
@Pakistan:Transportation
Railways:
total: 8,163 km
broad gauge: 7,718 km 1.676-m gauge (293 km electrified; 1,037 km
double track)
narrow gauge: 445 km 1.000-m gauge (1996 est.)
Highways:
total : 216,564 km
paved: 116,945 km
unpaved: 99,619 km (1995 est.)
Pipelines: crude oil 250 km; petroleum products 885 km; natural gas
4,044 km (1987)
Ports and harbors: Karachi, Port Muhammad bin Qasim
Merchant marine:
total: 26 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 425,140 GRT/699,040 DWT
ships by type : bulk 5, cargo 17, container 3, oil tanker 1 (1996
est.)
Airports: 102 (1996 est.)
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 86
over 3,047 m : 11
2,438 to 3,047 m: 19
1,524 to 2,437 m: 27
914 to 1,523 m: 11
under 914 m: 18 (1996 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total : 16
over 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 7
914 to 1,523 m: 8 (1996 est.)
Heliports: 6 (1996 est.)
Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Civil Armed Forces, National
Guard
Military manpower - military age: 17 years of age
Military manpower - availability:
males age 15-49: 31,456,430 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:
males: 19,288,081 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:
males: 1,431,074 (1997 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $3.3 billion (FY96/97)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 5.3% (FY96/97)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: status of Kashmir with India; water-sharing
problems with upstream riparian India over the Indus (Wular Barrage)
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of opium and hashish for the
international drug trade (produced 75 metric tons in 1996, down from
155 metric tons in 1995); major center for processing Afghan heroin
and key transit area for Southwest Asian heroin moving to Western
markets
______________________________________________________________________
PALAU
@Palau:Geography
Location: Oceania, group of islands in the North Pacific Ocean,
southeast of the Philippines
Geographic coordinates: 7 30 N, 134 30 E
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total: 458 sq km
land : 458 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly more than 2.5 times the size of
Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 1,519 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf : 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm
extended fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 3 nm
Climate: wet season May to November; hot and humid
Terrain: varying geologically from the high, mountainous main island
of Babelthuap to low, coral islands usually fringed by large barrier
reefs
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Ngerchelchauus 242 m
Natural resources: forests, minerals (especially gold), marine
products, deep-seabed minerals
Land use:
arable land: NA%
permanent crops: NA%
permanent pastures : NA%
forests and woodland: NA%
other: NA%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: typhoons (June to December)
Environment - current issues: inadequate facilities for disposal of
solid waste; threats to the marine ecosystem from sand and coral
dredging, illegal fishing practices, and overfishing
Environment - international agreements:
party to : Law of the Sea
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note: includes World War II battleground of Beliliou
(Peleliu) and world-famous rock islands; archipelago of six island
groups totaling over 200 islands in the Caroline chain
@Palau:People
Population: 17,240 (July 1997 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years : NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 1.66% (1997 est.)
Birth rate: 21.04 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Death rate: 6.61 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Net migration rate: 2.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth : NA male(s)/female
under 15 years: NA male(s)/female
15-64 years: NA male(s)/female
65 years and over: NA male(s)/female
total population: NA male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: 25.07 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 71.01 years
male : 69.14 years
female: 73.02 years (1997 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.71 children born/woman (1997 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Palauan(s)
adjective: Palauan
Ethnic groups: Palauans are a composite of Polynesian, Malayan, and
Melanesian races
Religions: Christian (Catholics, Seventh-Day Adventists, Jehovah's
Witnesses, the Assembly of God, the Liebenzell Mission, and Latter-Day
Saints), Modekngei religion (one-third of the population observes this
religion which is indigenous to Palau)
Languages: English (official in all of Palau's 16 states), Sonsorolese
(official in the state of Sonsoral), Angaur and Japanese (in the state
of Anguar), Tobi (in the state of Tobi), Palauan (in the other 13
states)
Literacy:
definition : age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 92%
male: 93%
female: 90% (1980 est.)
@Palau:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Palau
conventional short form: Palau
local long form: Beluu er a Belau
local short form : Belau
former: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands
Data code: PS
Government type: constitutional government in free association with
the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 1 October
1994
National capital: Koror
note: a new capital is being built about 20 km northeast in eastern
Babelthuap
Administrative divisions: there are no first-order administrative
divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 16 states
named Aimeliik, Airai, Angaur, Kayangel, Koror, Melekeok, Ngaraard,
Ngardmau, Ngaremlengui, Ngatpang, Ngchesar, Ngerchelong, Ngiwal,
Peleliu, Sonsorol, Tobi
Independence: 1 October 1994 (from the US-administered UN Trusteeship)
National holiday: Constitution Day, 9 July (1979)
Constitution: 1 January 1981
Legal system: based on Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature,
municipal, common, and customary laws
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Kuniwo NAKAMURA (since 1 January 1993) and
Vice President Tommy E. REMENGESAU Jr. (since 1 January 1993); note -
the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Kuniwo NAKAMURA (since 1 January 1993)
and Vice President Tommy E. REMENGESAU Jr. (since 1 January 1993);
note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
cabinet : Cabinet
elections: president and vice president elected on separate tickets by
popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 11 November 1996
(next to be held NA November 2000)
election results : Kuniwo NAKAMURA reelected president; percent of
vote - Kuniwo NAKAMURA 64%, Chief Ibedul Yutuka GIBBONS 36%; Tommy E.
REMENGESAU Jr. reelected vice president; percent of vote - Tommy E.
REMENGESAU Jr. 69%, Kione ISECHAL 31%
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament or Olbiil Era Kelulau (OEK)
consists of the Senate (14 seats; members elected by popular vote on a
population basis to serve four-year terms) and the House of Delegates
(16 seats - one from each state; members elected by popular vote to
serve four-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held 11 November 1996 (next to be held NA
November 2000); House of Delegates - last held 11 November 1996 (next
to be held NA November 2000)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by
party - NA; House of Delegates - percent of vote by party - NA; seats
by party - NA
Judicial branch: Supreme Court; National Court; Court of Common Pleas
Political parties and leaders: Palau Nationalist Party, Polycarp
BASILIUS
International organization participation: ESCAP, SPC, SPF, UN, WHO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires ad interim
David A. ORRUKEM
chancery: 2000 L Street NW, Suite 407, Washington, DC 20036
telephone : [1] (202) 452-6814
FAX: [1] (202) 452-6281
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission : Thomas C. HUBBARD (resident in Manila)
embassy: address NA, Koror
mailing address: P.O. Box 6028, Republic of Palau 96940
telephone: [680] 488-2920, 2990
FAX: [680] 488-2911
Flag description: light blue with a large yellow disk (representing
the moon) shifted slightly to the hoist side
Economy
Economy - overview: The economy consists primarily of subsistence
agriculture and fishing. The government is the major employer of the
work force, relying heavily on financial assistance from the US. The
population, in effect, enjoys a per capita income of $5,000, twice
that of the Philippines and much of Micronesia. Long-run prospects for
the tourist sector have been greatly bolstered by the expansion of air
travel in the Pacific and the rapidly rising prosperity of leading
East Asian countries. Reducing budgeted operating expenditures - which
have increased 56% from 1989 to 1993 - will be the biggest challenge
for the government over the next several years.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $81.8 million (1994 est.)
note: GDP numbers reflect US spending
GDP - real growth rate: NA%
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $5,000 (1994 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate - consumer price index: NA%
Labor force: NA
by occupation: NA
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues : $21 million
expenditures: $57 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1996
est.)
Industries: tourism, craft items (from shell, wood, pearls), some
commercial fishing and agriculture
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity - capacity: NA kW
Electricity - production: NA kWh
Electricity - consumption per capita: NA kWh
Agriculture - products: coconuts, copra, cassava (tapioca), sweet
potatoes
Exports:
total value: $600,000 (f.o.b., 1989)
commodities: trochus (type of shellfish), tuna, copra, handicrafts
partners: US, Japan
Imports:
total value : $24.6 million (c.i.f., 1989)
commodities: NA
partners: US
Debt - external: about $100 million (1989)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
note : the compact of "free association" with the US, entered into
after the end of the UN trusteeship on 1 October 1994, will provide
Palau with up to $700 million in US aid over 15 years in return for
furnishing military facilities
Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: US currency is used
Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September
@Palau:Communications
Telephones: 1,500 (1988 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: 9,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 2
Televisions: 1,600 (1993 est.)
@Palau:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 61 km
paved: 36 km
unpaved: 25 km
Ports and harbors: Koror
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 3 (1996 est.)
Airports - with paved runways:
total : 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1996 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (1996 est.)
Military
Military branches: NA
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA%
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none
______________________________________________________________________
PALMYRA ATOLL
(territory of the US)
@Palmyra Atoll:Geography
Location: Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-half of
the way from Hawaii to American Samoa
Geographic coordinates: 5 52 N, 162 06 W
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total : 11.9 sq km
land: 11.9 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: about 20 times the size of The Mall in Washington,
DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 14.5 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: equatorial, hot, and very rainy
Terrain: very low
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 2 m
Natural resources: none
Land use:
arable land : 0%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 0%
forests and woodland: 100%
other: 0%
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1993)
Natural hazards: NA
Environment - current issues: NA
Environment - international agreements:
party to : NA
signed, but not ratified: NA
Geography - note: about 50 islets covered with dense vegetation,
coconut trees, and balsa-like trees up to 30 meters tall
@Palmyra Atoll:People
Population: uninhabited
@Palmyra Atoll:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Palmyra Atoll
Data code: LQ
Dependency status: incorporated territory of the US; privately owned,
but administered by the Office of Territorial and International
Affairs, US Department of the Interior
National capital: none; administered from Washington, DC
Flag description: the flag of the US is used
Economy
Economy - overview: no economic activity
@Palmyra Atoll:Transportation
Highways: much of the road and many causeways built during World War
II are unserviceable and overgrown
Ports and harbors: West Lagoon
Airports: airstrip has been overgrown by vegetation and is no longer
serviceable
Military
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none
______________________________________________________________________
PANAMA