Constitution: approved March 1990; effective 10 September 1990
Legal system: based on Portuguese legal system and customary law; has
not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Miguel TROVOADA (since 4 April 1991)
head of government: Prime Minister Guilherma Posser da COSTA (since 30
December 1998)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the
proposal of the prime minister
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
election last held 30 June and 21 July 1996 (next to be held NA July
2001); prime minister chosen by the National Assembly and approved by
the president
election results: Miguel TROVOADA reelected president in Sao Tome's
second multiparty presidential election; percent of vote - Miguel
TROVOADA 52.74%, Manuel Pinto da COSTA 47.26%
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia
Nacional (55 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to
serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 8 November 1998 (next to be held NA November
2003)
election results: percent of vote by party - MLSTP-PSD 56%, PCD 14.5%,
ADI 29%; seats by party - MLSTP-PSD 31, ADI 16, PCD 8
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed by the National
Assembly
Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Front or FDC
; Democratic Opposition Coalition or CODO [leader
NA]; Independent Democratic Action or ADI ; Movement for
the Liberation of Sao Tome and Principe-Social Democratic Party or
MLSTP-PSD ; Party for Democratic Convergence or
PCD ; other small parties
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CEEAC, ECA,
FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat
(nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in the US: Sao Tome and Principe does not
have an embassy in the US, but does have a Permanent Mission to the
UN, headed by First Secretary Domingos Augusto FERREIRA, located at
122 East 42nd Street, Suite 1604, New York, NY 10168, telephone
(212) 317-0533
Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy
in Sao Tome and Principe; the Ambassador to Gabon is accredited to Sao
Tome and Principe on a nonresident basis and makes periodic visits to
the islands
Flag description: three horizontal bands of green (top), yellow
(double width), and green with two black five-pointed stars placed
side by side in the center of the yellow band and a red isosceles
triangle based on the hoist side; uses the popular pan-African colors
of Ethiopia
@Sao Tome and Principe:Economy
Economy - overview: This small poor island economy has become
increasingly dependent on cocoa since independence 25 years ago.
However, cocoa production has substantially declined because of
drought and mismanagement. The resulting shortage of cocoa for export
has created a persistent balance-of-payments problem. Sao Tome has to
import all fuels, most manufactured goods, consumer goods, and a
significant amount of food. Over the years, it has been unable to
service its external debt and has had to depend on concessional aid
and debt rescheduling. Considerable potential exists for development
of a tourist industry, and the government has taken steps to expand
facilities in recent years. The government also has attempted to
reduce price controls and subsidies, but economic growth has remained
sluggish. Sao Tome is also optimistic that significant petroleum
discoveries are forthcoming in its territorial waters in the oil-rich
waters of the Gulf of Guinea. Corruption scandals continue to weaken
the economy.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $169 million (1999 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 1.5% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,100 (1999 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 23%
industry: 19%
services: 58% (1997 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10.5% (yearend 1999 est.)
Labor force: NA
Labor force - by occupation: population mainly engaged in subsistence
agriculture and fishing
note: shortages of skilled workers
Unemployment rate: 50% in the formal business sector (1998 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $58 million
expenditures: $114 million, including capital expenditures of $54
million (1993 est.)
Industries: light construction, textiles, soap, beer; fish processing;
timber
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity - production: 15 million kWh (1998)
Electricity - production by source:
fossil fuel: 46.67%
hydro: 53.33%
nuclear: 0%
other: 0% (1998)
Electricity - consumption: 14 million kWh (1998)
Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (1998)
Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (1998)
Agriculture - products: cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, copra,
cinnamon, pepper, coffee, bananas, papayas, beans; poultry; fish
Exports: $4.9 million (f.o.b., 1999 est.)
Exports - commodities: cocoa 90%, copra, coffee, palm oil (1997)
Exports - partners: Netherlands 51%, Germany 6%, Portugal 6% (1997)
Imports: $19.5 million (f.o.b., 1999 est.)
Imports - commodities: machinery and electrical equipment, food
products, petroleum products
Imports - partners: Portugal 26%, France 18%, Angola, Belgium, Japan
(1997)
Debt - external: $274 million (1998)
Economic aid - recipient: $57.3 million (1995)
Currency: 1 dobra (Db) = 100 centimos
Exchange rates: dobras (Db) per US$1 - 7,200.0 (October 1999),
7,104.05 (1998), 4,552.5 (1997), 2,203.2 (1996), 1,420.3 (1995)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Sao Tome and Principe:Communications
Telephones - main lines in use: 3,000 (1995)
Telephones - mobile cellular: NA
Telephone system:
domestic: minimal system
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios: 38,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 2 (1997)
Televisions: 23,000 (1997)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): NA
@Sao Tome and Principe:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 320 km
paved: 218 km
unpaved: 102 km (1996 est.)
Ports and harbors: Santo Antonio, Sao Tome
Merchant marine:
total: 9 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 43,587 GRT/34,802 DWT
ships by type: cargo 4, container 1, refrigerated cargo 1,
roll-on/roll-off 3 (1999 est.)
Airports: 2 (1999 est.)
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1999 est.)
@Sao Tome and Principe:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Security Police
Military manpower - availability:
males age 15-49: 32,933 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:
males age 15-49: 17,391 (2000 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $1 million (FY94)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.5% (FY94)
@Sao Tome and Principe:Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none
______________________________________________________________________
SAUDI ARABIA
@Saudi Arabia:Introduction
Background: In 1902 Abdul al-Aziz Ibn SAUD captured Riyadh and set out
on a 30-year campaign to unify the Arabian peninsula. In the 1930s,
the discovery of oil transformed the country. Following Iraq's
invasion of Kuwait in 1990, Saudi Arabia accepted the Kuwaiti royal
family and 400,000 refugees while allowing Western and Arab troops to
deploy on its soil for the liberation of Kuwait the following year. A
burgeoning population, aquifer depletion, and an economy largely
dependent on petroleum output and prices are all major governmental
concerns.
@Saudi Arabia:Geography
Location: Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea,
north of Yemen
Geographic coordinates: 25 00 N, 45 00 E
Map references: Middle East
Area:
total: 1,960,582 sq km
land: 1,960,582 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly more than one-fifth the size of the US
Land boundaries:
total: 4,415 km
border countries: Iraq 814 km, Jordan 728 km, Kuwait 222 km, Oman 676
km, Qatar 60 km, UAE 457 km, Yemen 1,458 km
Coastline: 2,640 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 18 nm
continental shelf: not specified
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: harsh, dry desert with great extremes of temperature
Terrain: mostly uninhabited, sandy desert
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
highest point: Jabal Sawda' 3,133 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, copper
Land use:
arable land: 2%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 56%
forests and woodland: 1%
other: 41% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 4,350 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: frequent sand and dust storms
Environment - current issues: desertification; depletion of
underground water resources; the lack of perennial rivers or permanent
water bodies has prompted the development of extensive seawater
desalination facilities; coastal pollution from oil spills
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species,
Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note: extensive coastlines on Persian Gulf and Red Sea
provide great leverage on shipping (especially crude oil) through
Persian Gulf and Suez Canal
@Saudi Arabia:People
Population: 22,023,506
note: includes 5,360,526 non-nationals (July 2000 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 43% (male 4,781,695; female 4,607,038)
15-64 years: 55% (male 7,093,567; female 4,969,848)
65 years and over: 2% (male 309,638; female 261,720) (2000 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.28% (2000 est.)
Birth rate: 37.47 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Death rate: 6.02 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Net migration rate: 1.36 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.43 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.18 male(s)/female
total population: 1.24 male(s)/female (2000 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 52.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 67.77 years
male: 66.11 years
female: 69.51 years (2000 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.3 children born/woman (2000 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Saudi(s)
adjective: Saudi or Saudi Arabian
Ethnic groups: Arab 90%, Afro-Asian 10%
Religions: Muslim 100%
Languages: Arabic
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 62.8%
male: 71.5%
female: 50.2% (1995 est.)
@Saudi Arabia:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
conventional short form: Saudi Arabia
local long form: Al Mamlakah al Arabiyah as Suudiyah
local short form: Al Arabiyah as Suudiyah
Data code: SA
Government type: monarchy
Capital: Riyadh
Administrative divisions: 13 provinces (mintaqat, singular -
mintaqah); Al Bahah, Al Hudud ash Shamaliyah, Al Jawf, Al Madinah, Al
Qasim, Ar Riyad, Ash Sharqiyah (Eastern Province), 'Asir, Ha'il,
Jizan, Makkah, Najran, Tabuk
Independence: 23 September 1932 (unification)
National holiday: Unification of the Kingdom, 23 September (1932)
Constitution: governed according to Shari'a (Islamic law); the Basic
Law that articulates the government's rights and responsibilities was
introduced in 1993
Legal system: based on Islamic law, several secular codes have been
introduced; commercial disputes handled by special committees; has not
accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: none
Executive branch:
chief of state: King and Prime Minister FAHD bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud
(since 13 June 1982); Crown Prince and First Deputy Prime Minister
ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (half-brother to the monarch, heir to
the throne since 13 June 1982, regent from 1 January to 22 February
1996); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of
government
head of government: King and Prime Minister FAHD bin Abd al-Aziz Al
Saud (since 13 June 1982); Crown Prince and First Deputy Prime
Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (half-brother to the
monarch, heir to the throne since 13 June 1982, regent from 1 January
to 22 February 1996); note - the monarch is both the chief of state
and head of government
cabinet: Council of Ministers is appointed by the monarch and includes
many royal family members
elections: none; the monarch is hereditary
Legislative branch: a consultative council (90 members and a chairman
appointed by the monarch for four-year terms)
Judicial branch: Supreme Council of Justice
Political parties and leaders: none allowed
International organization participation: ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF,
BIS, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-19, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM,
IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat,
Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC,
UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador BANDAR bin Sultan bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud
chancery: 601 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037
telephone: (202) 342-3800
consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, and New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Wyche FOWLER, Jr.
embassy: Collector Road M, Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh
mailing address: American Embassy Riyadh, Unit 61307, APO AE
09803-1307; International Mail: P. O. Box 94309, Riyadh 11693
telephone: (1) 488-3800
FAX: (1) 488-7360
consulate(s) general: Dhahran, Jiddah (Jeddah)
Flag description: green with large white Arabic script (that may be
translated as There is no God but God; Muhammad is the Messenger of
God) above a white horizontal saber (the tip points to the hoist
side); green is the traditional color of Islam
@Saudi Arabia:Economy
Economy - overview: This is an oil-based economy with strong
government controls over major economic activities. Saudi Arabia has
the largest reserves of petroleum in the world (26% of the proved
total), ranks as the largest exporter of petroleum, and plays a
leading role in OPEC. The petroleum sector accounts for roughly 75% of
budget revenues, 40% of GDP, and 90% of export earnings. About 35% of
GDP comes from the private sector. Roughly 4 million foreign workers
play an important role in the Saudi economy, for example, in the oil
and service sectors. Saudi Arabia was a key player in the successful
efforts of OPEC and other oil producing countries to raise the price
of oil in 1999 to its highest level since the Gulf War by reducing
production. Although oil prices are expected to remain relatively high
in 2000, Riyadh expects to have a $7.5 billion budget deficit in part
because of increased spending for education and other social problems.
The government in 1999 announced plans to begin privatizing the
electricity companies, which follows the ongoing privatization of the
telecommunications company. The government is expected to continue
calling for private sector growth to lessen the kingdom's dependence
on oil and increase employment opportunities for the swelling Saudi
population. Shortages of water and rapid population growth will
constrain government efforts to increase self-sufficiency in
agricultural products.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $191 billion (1999 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 1.6% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $9,000 (1999 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 6%
industry: 47%
services: 47% (1998 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): -1.2% (1999)
Labor force: 7 million
note: 35% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national
(July 1998 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 12%, industry 25%, services
63% (1999 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $41.9 billion
expenditures: $49.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(2000 est.)
Industries: crude oil production, petroleum refining, basic
petrochemicals, cement, construction, fertilizer, plastics
Industrial production growth rate: 1% (1997 est.)
Electricity - production: 110.132 billion kWh (1998)
Electricity - production by source:
fossil fuel: 100%
hydro: 0%
nuclear: 0%
other: 0% (1998)
Electricity - consumption: 102.423 billion kWh (1998)
Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (1998)
Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (1998)
Agriculture - products: wheat, barley, tomatoes, melons, dates,
citrus; mutton, chickens, eggs, milk
Exports: $48 billion (f.o.b., 1999)
Exports - commodities: petroleum and petroleum products 90%
Exports - partners: Japan 17%, US 15%, South Korea 11%, Singapore 8%,
India 4%, France 4% (1998)
Imports: $28 billion (f.o.b., 1999)
Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals,
motor vehicles, textiles
Imports - partners: US 21%, UK 9%, Japan 9%, Germany 6%, France 5%,
Italy 4% (1998)
Debt - external: $28 billion (1998 est.)
Economic aid - donor: pledged $100 million in 1993 to fund
reconstruction of Lebanon; since 1993, Saudi Arabia has committed $208
million for assistance to the Palestinians
Currency: 1 Saudi riyal (SR) = 100 halalah
Exchange rates: Saudi riyals (SR) per US$1 - 3.7450 (fixed rate since
June 1986)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Saudi Arabia:Communications
Telephones - main lines in use: 3.1 million (1998)
Telephones - mobile cellular: 1 million
note: in 1998, the government contracted for the installation of
575,000 additional Group Speciale Mobile (GSM) cellular telephone
lines over 15 months to raise the total number of subscribers to more
than one million; Riyadh planned to further expand the GSM system in
1999 by adding an additional one million lines (1998)
Telephone system: modern system
domestic: extensive microwave radio relay and coaxial and fiber-optic
cable systems
international: microwave radio relay to Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait,
Qatar, UAE, Yemen, and Sudan; coaxial cable to Kuwait and Jordan;
submarine cable to Djibouti, Egypt and Bahrain; satellite earth
stations - 5 Intelsat (3 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean), 1
Arabsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Indian Ocean region)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 43, FM 31, shortwave 2 (1998)
Radios: 6.25 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 117 (1997)
Televisions: 5.1 million (1997)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 6 (1999)
@Saudi Arabia:Transportation
Railways:
total: 1,390 km
standard gauge: 1,390 km 1.435-m gauge (448 km double track) (1992)
Highways:
total: 146,524 km
paved: 44,104 km
unpaved: 102,420 km (1997 est.)
Pipelines: crude oil 6,400 km; petroleum products 150 km; natural gas
2,200 km (includes natural gas liquids 1,600 km)
Ports and harbors: Ad Dammam, Al Jubayl, Duba, Jiddah, Jizan, Rabigh,
Ra's al Khafji, Mishab, Ras Tanura, Yanbu' al Bahr, Madinat Yanbu' al
Sinaiyah
Merchant marine:
total: 70 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,071,003 GRT/1,388,802
DWT
ships by type: cargo 12, chemical tanker 7, container 5, liquified gas
1, livestock carrier 3, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 17, refrigerated
cargo 4, roll-on/roll-off 12, short-sea passenger 8 (1999 est.)
Airports: 205 (1999 est.)
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 72
over 3,047 m: 31
2,438 to 3,047 m: 13
1,524 to 2,437 m: 23
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 2 (1999 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 133
2,438 to 3,047 m: 4
1,524 to 2,437 m: 77
914 to 1,523 m: 39
under 914 m: 13 (1999 est.)
Heliports: 4 (1999 est.)
@Saudi Arabia:Military
Military branches: Land Force (Army), Navy, Air Force, Air Defense
Force, National Guard, Ministry of Interior Forces (paramilitary)
Military manpower - military age: 17 years of age
Military manpower - availability:
males age 15-49: 5,786,089 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:
males age 15-49: 3,225,809 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:
males: 221,026 (2000 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $18.1 billion (FY97)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 12% (FY97)
@Saudi Arabia:Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: large section of boundary with Yemen not
defined; location and status of boundary with UAE is not final, de
facto boundary reflects 1974 agreement; Kuwaiti ownership of Qaruh and
Umm al Maradim islands is disputed by Saudi Arabia; June 1999
agreement has furthered the goal of definitively establishing the
border with Qatar
Illicit drugs: death penalty for traffickers; increasing consumption
of heroin and cocaine
______________________________________________________________________
SENEGAL
@Senegal:Introduction
Background: Independent from France in 1960, Senegal joined with The
Gambia to form the nominal confederation of Senegambia in 1982.
However, the envisaged integration of the two countries was never
carried out, and the union was dissolved in 1989. Despite peace talks,
a southern separatist group sporadically has clashed with government
forces since 1982. Senegal has a long history of participating in
international peacekeeping.
@Senegal:Geography
Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between
Guinea-Bissau and Mauritania
Geographic coordinates: 14 00 N, 14 00 W
Map references: Africa
Area:
total: 196,190 sq km
land: 192,000 sq km
water: 4,190 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than South Dakota
Land boundaries:
total: 2,640 km
border countries: The Gambia 740 km, Guinea 330 km, Guinea-Bissau 338
km, Mali 419 km, Mauritania 813 km
Coastline: 531 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; hot, humid; rainy season (May to November) has
strong southeast winds; dry season (December to April) dominated by
hot, dry, harmattan wind
Terrain: generally low, rolling, plains rising to foothills in
southeast
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed feature near Nepen Diakha 581 m
Natural resources: fish, phosphates, iron ore
Land use:
arable land: 12%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 16%
forests and woodland: 54%
other: 18% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 710 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: lowlands seasonally flooded; periodic droughts
Environment - current issues: wildlife populations threatened by
poaching; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification;
overfishing
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation,
Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands,
Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Marine Dumping
Geography - note: The Gambia is almost an enclave of Senegal
@Senegal:People
Population: 9,987,494 (July 2000 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 45% (male 2,237,678; female 2,213,632)
15-64 years: 52% (male 2,501,649; female 2,729,412)
65 years and over: 3% (male 152,236; female 152,887) (2000 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.94% (2000 est.)
Birth rate: 37.94 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Death rate: 8.57 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 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: 0.92 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1 male(s)/female
total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2000 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 58.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 62.19 years
male: 60.6 years
female: 63.82 years (2000 est.)