width), white (with a horizontal red stripe in the middle third), and
light blue; a circle of 10 yellow five-pointed stars is centered on
the hoist end of the red stripe and extends into the upper and lower
blue bands
@Cape Verde:Economy
Economy - overview: Cape Verde's low per capita GDP reflects a poor
natural resource base, including serious water shortages exacerbated
by cycles of long-term drought. The economy is service-oriented, with
commerce, transport, and public services accounting for almost 70% of
GDP. Although nearly 70% of the population lives in rural areas, the
share of agriculture in GDP in 1998 was only 13%, of which fishing
accounts for 1.5%. About 90% of food must be imported. The fishing
potential, mostly lobster and tuna, is not fully exploited. Cape Verde
annually runs a high trade deficit, financed by foreign aid and
remittances from emigrants; remittances constitute a supplement to GDP
of more than 20%. Economic reforms, launched by the new democratic
government in 1991, are aimed at developing the private sector and
attracting foreign investment to diversify the economy. Prospects for
2000 depend heavily on the maintenance of aid flows, remittances, and
the momentum of the government's development program.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $618 million (1999 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 5% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,500 (1999 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 13%
industry: 19%
services: 68% (1998)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5% (1999)
Labor force: NA
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $188 million
expenditures: $228 million, including capital expenditures of $116
million (1996)
Industries: food and beverages, fish processing, shoes and garments,
salt mining, ship repair
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity - production: 40 million kWh (1998)
Electricity - production by source:
fossil fuel: 100%
hydro: 0%
nuclear: 0%
other: 0% (1998)
Electricity - consumption: 37 million kWh (1998)
Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (1998)
Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (1998)
Agriculture - products: bananas, corn, beans, sweet potatoes,
sugarcane, coffee, peanuts; fish
Exports: $38 million (f.o.b., 1999 est.)
Exports - commodities: fuel, shoes, garments, fish, bananas, hides
Exports - partners: Portugal, Germany, Spain, France, UK, Malaysia
Imports: $225 million (f.o.b., 1999 est.)
Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, industrial products, transport
equipment, fuels
Imports - partners: Portugal, Netherlands, France, UK, Spain, US
Debt - external: $220 million (1998)
Economic aid - recipient: $111.3 million (1995)
Currency: 1 Cape Verdean escudo (CVEsc) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: Cape Verdean escudos (CVEsc) per US$1 - 107.280
(December 1999), 102.700 (1999), 98.158 (1998), 93.177 (1997), 82.591
(1996), 76.853 (1995)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Cape Verde:Communications
Telephones - main lines in use: 22,000 (1995)
Telephones - mobile cellular: 0 (1995)
Telephone system:
domestic: interisland microwave radio relay system with both analog
and digital exchanges; work is in progress on a submarine fiber-optic
cable system which was scheduled for completion in 1998
international: 2 coaxial submarine cables; HF radiotelephone to
Senegal and Guinea-Bissau; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat
(Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 6, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios: 73,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 1 (1997)
Televisions: 2,000 (1997)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): NA
@Cape Verde:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 1,100 km
paved: 858 km
unpaved: 242 km (1996 est.)
Ports and harbors: Mindelo, Praia, Tarrafal
Merchant marine:
total: 5 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 9,523 GRT/11,795 DWT
ships by type: cargo 4, chemical tanker 1 (1999 est.)
Airports: 6 (1999 est.)
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 6
over 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 5 (1999 est.)
@Cape Verde:Military
Military branches: single branch that includes both ground and naval
elements
Military manpower - availability:
males age 15-49: 86,675 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:
males age 15-49: 49,069 (2000 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $4 million (FY96)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.8% (FY96)
@Cape Verde:Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none
Illicit drugs: used as a transshipment point for illicit drugs moving
from Latin America and Africa destined for Western Europe
______________________________________________________________________
CAYMAN ISLANDS
@Cayman Islands:Introduction
Background: The Cayman Islands were colonized from Jamaica by the
British during the 18th and 19th centuries. Administered by Jamaica
from 1863, they remained a British dependency after 1962 when the
former became independent.
@Cayman Islands:Geography
Location: Caribbean, island group in Caribbean Sea, nearly one-half of
the way from Cuba to Honduras
Geographic coordinates: 19 30 N, 80 30 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 259 sq km
land: 259 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 160 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and
cool, relatively dry winters (November to April)
Terrain: low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: The Bluff 43 m
Natural resources: fish, climate and beaches that foster tourism
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 8%
forests and woodland: 23%
other: 69% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: hurricanes (July to November)
Environment - current issues: no natural fresh water resources;
drinking water supplies must be met by rainwater catchment
Geography - note: important location between Cuba and Central America
@Cayman Islands:People
Population: 34,763 (July 2000 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 22.36% (male 3,769; female 4,005)
15-64 years: 69.84% (male 11,864; female 12,416)
65 years and over: 7.79% (male 1,241; female 1,468) (2000 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.22% (2000 est.)
Birth rate: 14.21 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Death rate: 5.09 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Net migration rate: 13.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)
note: major destination for Cubans trying to migrate to the US
Sex ratio:
at birth: 0.86 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 0.94 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female
total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2000 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 10.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 78.88 years
male: 76.1 years
female: 81.27 years (2000 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.05 children born/woman (2000 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Caymanian(s)
adjective: Caymanian
Ethnic groups: mixed 40%, white 20%, black 20%, expatriates of various
ethnic groups 20%
Religions: United Church (Presbyterian and Congregational), Anglican,
Baptist, Roman Catholic, Church of God, other Protestant
Languages: English
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school
total population: 98%
male: 98%
female: 98% (1970 est.)
@Cayman Islands:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Cayman Islands
Data code: CJ
Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK
Government type: British crown colony
Capital: George Town
Administrative divisions: 8 districts; Creek, Eastern, Midland, South
Town, Spot Bay, Stake Bay, West End, Western
Independence: none (overseas territory of the UK)
National holiday: Constitution Day (first Monday in July)
Constitution: 1959, revised 1972 and 1992
Legal system: British common law and local statutes
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)
head of government: Governor and President of the Executive Council
Peter SMITH (since 5 May 1999)
cabinet: Executive Council (three members appointed by the governor,
four members elected by the Legislative Assembly)
elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the governor is appointed
by the monarch
Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly (18 seats, three
official members and 15 elected by popular vote; members serve
four-year terms)
elections: last held 20 November 1996 (next to be held NA November
2000)
election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - National Team
coalition 9, independents 6
Judicial branch: Summary Court; Grand Court; Cayman Islands Court of
Appeal
Political parties and leaders: no formal political parties
note: the National Team, an organization formed in 1992 to oppose some
proposals in the constitutional draft, continues to exert legislative
power
International organization participation: Caricom (observer), CDB,
Interpol (subbureau), IOC
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the
UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territory of the
UK)
Flag description: blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper
hoist-side quadrant and the Caymanian coat of arms on a white disk
centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms includes a
pineapple and turtle above a shield with three stars (representing the
three islands) and a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto HE HATH
FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS
@Cayman Islands:Economy
Economy - overview: With no direct taxation, the islands are a
thriving offshore financial center. More than 40,000 companies were
registered in the Cayman Islands as of 1997, including almost 600
banks and trust companies; banking assets exceed $500 billion. A stock
exchange was opened in 1997. Tourism is also a mainstay, accounting
for about 70% of GDP and 75% of foreign currency earnings. The tourist
industry is aimed at the luxury market and caters mainly to visitors
from North America. Total tourist arrivals exceeded 1.2 million
visitors in 1997. About 90% of the islands' food and consumer goods
must be imported. The Caymanians enjoy one of the highest outputs per
capita and one of the highest standards of living in the world.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $930 million (1997 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 5% (1997 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $24,500 (1997 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 1.4%
industry: 3.2%
services: 95.4% (1994 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3% (1998)
Labor force: 19,820 (1995)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 1.4%, industry 12.6%,
services 86% (1995)
Unemployment rate: 5.1% (1996)
Budget:
revenues: $265.2 million
expenditures: $248.9 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1997)
Industries: tourism, banking, insurance and finance, construction,
construction materials, furniture
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity - production: 290 million kWh (1998)
Electricity - production by source:
fossil fuel: 100%
hydro: 0%
nuclear: 0%
other: 0% (1998)
Electricity - consumption: 270 million kWh (1998)
Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (1998)
Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (1998)
Agriculture - products: vegetables, fruit; livestock, turtle farming
Exports: $2.17 million (1997)
Exports - commodities: turtle products, manufactured consumer goods
Exports - partners: mostly US
Imports: $432 million (1997)
Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, manufactured goods
Imports - partners: US, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, Netherlands Antilles,
Japan
Debt - external: $70 million (1996)
Economic aid - recipient: $NA
Currency: 1 Caymanian dollar (CI$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Caymanian dollars (CI$) per US$1 - 0.83 (3 November
1995), 0.85 (22 November 1993)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
@Cayman Islands:Communications
Telephones - main lines in use: 19,000 (1995)
Telephones - mobile cellular: 2,534 (1995)
Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: 1 submarine coaxial cable; satellite earth station - 1
Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios: 36,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations: NA
Televisions: 7,000 (1997)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (1999)
@Cayman Islands:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 406 km
paved: 304 km
unpaved: 102 km
Ports and harbors: Cayman Brac, George Town
Merchant marine:
total: 85 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,139,740 GRT/1,693,212
DWT
ships by type: bulk 18, cargo 10, chemical tanker 14, container 4,
liquified gas 1, petroleum tanker 2, refrigerated cargo 26,
roll-on/roll-off 6, specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 2 (1999
est.)
note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 11 countries
among which are: Greece 15, US 5, UK 5, Cyprus 2, Denmark 2, Norway 3
(1998 est.)
Airports: 3 (1999 est.)
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (1999 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1999 est.)
@Cayman Islands:Military
Military branches: Royal Cayman Islands Police Force (RCIPF)
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
@Cayman Islands:Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none
Illicit drugs: vulnerable to drug money laundering and drug
transshipment
______________________________________________________________________
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
@Central African Republic:Introduction
Background: The former French colony of Ubangi-Shari became the
Central African Republic upon independence in 1960. After three
tumultuous decades of misrule - mostly by military governments - a
civilian government was installed in 1993.
@Central African Republic:Geography
Location: Central Africa, north of Democratic Republic of the Congo
Geographic coordinates: 7 00 N, 21 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total: 622,984 sq km
land: 622,984 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Texas
Land boundaries:
total: 5,203 km
border countries: Cameroon 797 km, Chad 1,197 km, Democratic Republic
of the Congo 1,577 km, Republic of the Congo 467 km, Sudan 1,165 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers
Terrain: vast, flat to rolling, monotonous plateau; scattered hills in
northeast and southwest
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Oubangui River 335 m
highest point: Mont Ngaoui 1,420 m
Natural resources: diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 3%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 5%
forests and woodland: 75%
other: 17% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds affect northern
areas; floods are common
Environment - current issues: tap water is not potable; poaching has
diminished its reputation as one of the last great wildlife refuges;
desertification; deforestation
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 94
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - note: landlocked; almost the precise center of Africa
@Central African Republic:People
Population: 3,512,751
note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the
effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life
expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population
and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age
and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2000 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 43% (male 768,550; female 757,710)
15-64 years: 53% (male 909,463; female 946,083)
65 years and over: 4% (male 58,224; female 72,721) (2000 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.77% (2000 est.)
Birth rate: 37.52 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Death rate: 18.44 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.42 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2000 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 106.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 44.02 years
male: 42.26 years
female: 45.84 years (2000 est.)
Total fertility rate: 4.95 children born/woman (2000 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Central African(s)
adjective: Central African
Ethnic groups: Baya 34%, Banda 27%, Sara 10%, Mandjia 21%, Mboum 4%,
M'Baka 4%, Europeans 6,500 (including 1,500 French)
Religions: indigenous beliefs 24%, Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%,
Muslim 15%, other 11%
note: animistic beliefs and practices strongly influence the Christian
majority
Languages: French (official), Sangho (lingua franca and national
language), Arabic, Hunsa, Swahili
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 60%
male: 68.5%
female: 52.4% (1995 est.)
@Central African Republic:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Central African Republic
conventional short form: none
local long form: Republique Centrafricaine
local short form: none
former: Central African Empire
abbreviation: CAR
Data code: CT
Government type: republic
Capital: Bangui
Administrative divisions: 14 prefectures (prefectures, singular -
prefecture), 2 economic prefectures* (prefectures economiques,
singular - prefecture economique), and 1 commune**; Bamingui-Bangoran,
Bangui**, Basse-Kotto, Gribingui*, Haute-Kotto, Haute-Sangha,
Haut-Mbomou, Kemo-Gribingui, Lobaye, Mbomou, Nana-Mambere,
Ombella-Mpoko, Ouaka, Ouham, Ouham-Pende, Sangha*, Vakaga
Independence: 13 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday: National Day, 1 December (1958) (proclamation of the
republic)
Constitution: passed by referendum 29 December 1994; adopted 7 January
1995
Legal system: based on French law
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Ange-Felix PATASSE (since 22 October 1993)
head of government: Prime Minister Anicet Georges DOLOGUELE (since 4
January 1999)
cabinet: Council of Ministers
elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term;
election last held 19 September 1999 (next to be held NA 2005); prime
minister appointed by the president
election results: Ange-Felix PATASSE reelected president; percent of
vote - Ange-Felix PATASSE 51.63%, Andre KOLINGBA 19.38%, David DACKO
11.15%
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee
Nationale (109 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve
five-year terms; note - there were 85 seats in the National Assembly
before the 1998 election)
elections: last held 22-23 November and 13 December 1998 (next to be
held NA 2003)
election results: percent of vote by party - MLPC 43%, RDC 18%, MDD
9%, FPP 6%, PSD 5%, ADP 4%, PUN 3%, FODEM 2%, PLD 2%, UPR 1%, FC 1%,
independents 6%; seats by party - MLPC 47, RDC 20, MDD 8, FPP 7, PSD
6, ADP 5, PUN 3, FODEM 2, PLD 2, UPR 1, FC 1, independents 7; note -
results of election are being contested
note: the National Assembly is advised by the Economic and Regional
Council or Conseil Economique et Regional; when they sit together they
are called the Congress or Congres
Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Cour Supreme, judges appointed by
the president; Constitutional Court, judges appointed by the president
Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Democracy and Progress or
ADP ; Central African Democratic Assembly or RDC [Andre
KOLINGBA]; Civic Forum or FC ; Democratic
Forum or FODEM ; Liberal Democratic Party or PLD
; Movement for Democracy and Development or MDD
; Movement for the Liberation of the Central African
People or MLPC ;
Patriotic Front for Progress or FPP ; People's Union for
the Republic or UPR ; National Unity Party or PUN
; Social Democratic Party or PSD
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CCC,
CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC
(observer), OPCW, UDEAC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO,
WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Henri KOBA
chancery: 1618 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: (202) 483-7800
FAX: (202) 332-9893
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Robert C. PERRY
embassy: Avenue David Dacko, Bangui
mailing address: B. P. 924, Bangui
telephone: 61 26 21
FAX: 61 44 94
Flag description: four equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white,
green, and yellow with a vertical red band in center; there is a
yellow five-pointed star on the hoist side of the blue band
@Central African Republic:Economy
Economy - overview: Subsistence agriculture, together with forestry,
remains the backbone of the economy of the Central African Republic
(CAR), with more than 70% of the population living in outlying areas.
The agricultural sector generates half of GDP. Timber has accounted
for about 16% of export earnings and the diamond industry for nearly
54%. Important constraints to economic development include the CAR's
landlocked position, a poor transportation system, a largely unskilled
work force, and a legacy of misdirected macroeconomic policies. The
50% devaluation of the currencies of 14 Francophone African nations on
12 January 1994 had mixed effects on the CAR's economy. Diamond,
timber, coffee, and cotton exports increased, leading an estimated
rise of GDP of 7% in 1994 and nearly 5% in 1995. Military rebellions
and social unrest in 1996 were accompanied by widespread destruction
of property and a drop in GDP of 2%. Ongoing violence between the
government and rebel military groups over pay issues, living
conditions, and political representation has destroyed many businesses
in the capital and reduced tax revenues for the government. The IMF
approved an Extended Structure Adjustment Facility in 1998. The
government has set targets of annual 5% growth and 2.5% inflation for
2000-2001.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $5.8 billion (1999 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 5% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,700 (1999 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 53%
industry: 21%
services: 26% (1997 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.6% (1999 est.)
Labor force: NA
Unemployment rate: 6% (1993)
Budget:
revenues: $638 million
expenditures: $1.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $888
million (1994 est.)
Industries: diamond mining, sawmills, breweries, textiles, footwear,
assembly of bicycles and motorcycles
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity - production: 105 million kWh (1998)
Electricity - production by source:
fossil fuel: 19.05%
hydro: 80.95%
nuclear: 0%
other: 0% (1998)
Electricity - consumption: 98 million kWh (1998)
Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (1998)
Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (1998)
Agriculture - products: cotton, coffee, tobacco, manioc (tapioca),
yams, millet, corn, bananas; timber
Exports: $195 million (f.o.b., 1999)
Exports - commodities: diamonds, timber, cotton, coffee, tobacco
Exports - partners: Benelux 36%, Cote d'Ivoire 5%, Spain 4%, Egypt 3%,
France (1997)
Imports: $170 million (f.o.b., 1999)