THE CIA WORLD FACTBOOK 2010
CONTENTS
What's New?
Did You Know?
Guide to Country Profiles
Countries and Locations
Field Listings
Rank Orders
Appendixes
Notes and Definitions
History of the CIA Factbook
Contributors and Copyright Information
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
======================================================================
THE WORLD FACTBOOK :: WHAT'S NEW
January 31, 2011
What do the initials ESA stand for? Check out Appendix A:
Abbreviations to find out. New space-based photos have been uploaded
for Australia, China, Namibia, Mexico, and the US.
January 25, 2011
What country enjoyed the lowest unemployment rate in 2010? Find out
by checking "Unemployment rate" under the Country Comparison feature
(in the References tab). The entire Economy category has been
updated to reflect data for years 2010 and earlier.
January 14, 2011
Did you know that the highest elevation in the Netherlands is not in
Europe? Where is it? Find out by checking the "Elevation extremes"
field in the Geography section. New space-based photos have been
added for Iran and Russia.
January 07, 2011
What country flag is only one color? To find out visit the Flags of
the World page.
December 30, 2010
What airport handles the most passengers annually? Find out by going
to the World entry, Transportation category, "Airports" field, and
locating the top ten airports by passengers and by cargo.
December 23, 2010
If it's noon in Washington, DC, what time is it in Nairobi, Kenya?
The answer may be found in the Government section, under "Capital,"
where the time difference is specified. New photos from Kenya have
been uploaded.
December 17, 2010
How many rare earth elements (REEs) are there? Find the answer in
the "Definitions and Notes" (below the References tab). These
critical elements, necessary in so many of today's high-tech
industries, are now listed in the "Natural resources" field, under
Geography, for countries that are producing REEs or initializing
mining operations (including Australia, China, Russia, South Africa,
and the US).
December 10, 2010
Quick! What's the national anthem of Australia? Now you can find the
name, lyricist, composer, and additional basic anthem info for every
country in the world by visiting the new "National anthems" field in
the Government section of the Factbook.
November 30, 2010
Since 2004, The World Factbook Web site has been updated on a
bi-weekly schedule. Culminating a three-month trial effort, we are
pleased to announce that the Factbook will now be updated on a
weekly basis.
November 19, 2010
Significant updates entered under the People, Government, and
Communications categories.
November 11, 2010
In the Geography category, a new subfield, "volcanism," has been
added under the "Natural hazards" field for countries with
historically active volcanoes. The Economy section has been updated
to reflect the most recent data for 2009 and earlier years.
November 05, 2010
In the Economy category, the "Oil - exports," "Oil - imports," "Oil
- proved reserves," and "Natural gas - proved reserves" fields have
been updated with the most recent estimates available.
October 29, 2010
In the People category, significant updates have been made to the
"School life expectancy" and "Education expenditures" fields. In the
Economy category, the "Stock of domestic credit" field has been
updated to include data for 2009. In addition, the definition has
been expanded to include credit provided by all financial
institutions, not just banks, as had been The World Factbook
practice until now. For some countries this change significantly
broadens the coverage.
October 22, 2010
The dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles has resulted in two new
World Factbook entries: the autonomous entities of Curacao and Sint
Maarten (the remaining three islands - Bonaire, Saba, and Sint
Eustatius - have joined the Netherlands as special municipalities).
The number of entities in The World Factbook now stands at 267.
October 13, 2010
In the Economy category, the "Stock of money" and "Stock of quasi
money" fields have been updated and renamed as "Stock of narrow
money" and "Stock of broad money" in keeping with the International
Monetary Fund's new presentation of monetary data. This new format
provides greater standardization of reporting and permits more
consistent comparisons across countries. Please see "Definitions and
Notes" (under the References tab) for descriptions of the new fields.
October 08, 2010
In the Communications category, the "Internet hosts" field has been
updated with 2010 data; significant updates entered in the
Geography, Government, and Military categories.
October 01, 2010
In the Transportation category, the "Merchant marine" field has been
updated with the latest available data; substantial updates also
entered in fields of the Government and Economy categories.
September 24, 2010
In the Economy category, new data have been added for 2009 in the
fields for "Central bank discount rate" and "Commercial bank prime
lending rate."
September 17, 2010
In the Transportation category, the "Roadways" field has been
updated with the latest available data; significant updates also
entered in fields of the Government and Military categories.
September 13, 2010
In the Government category, the amplification of flag descriptions -
to include explanations of colors and symbols - has been completed
for all of the country entries.
September 03, 2010
In addition to various population, governmental, and military
updates, new photos have been added for Burma, Canada, Poland, the
United Kingdom, and the United States.
August 23, 2010
In the Communications category, the former "Radio broadcast
stations" and "Television broadcast stations" entries have been
replaced by a new "Broadcast media" field that provides information
on the approximate number of public and private TV and radio
stations in a country, as well as basic information on the
availability of satellite and cable TV services. Malawi's recently
unveiled new flag may be viewed either in the Flags of the World
link or under the Malawi country entry. In the Economy category, GDP
statistics have been updated and revised.
August 06, 2010
In the Transportation category, the "Airports," "Airports - with
paved runways," "Airports with unpaved runways," and "Heliports"
fields have all been updated with the latest available data.
July 29, 2010
The "International Court of Justice (ICJ)" entry listed under
International Organizations and Groups in Appendix B has been
expanded considerably and now includes countries adherent to
jurisdiction. Several fields in the Economy category covering trade
as well as oil and natural gas have been updated with the latest
available annual data.
July 23, 2010
Under the References tab, in the Definitions and Notes, the entry
for "Legal system" has been significantly expanded; it now includes
descriptions, origins, and features of the most common legal systems.
July 01, 2010
Many fields in the Economy category have been updated with the
latest available annual data, including "Labor force," "Unemployment
rate," "Budget - revenues and expenditures," "Public debt,"
"Inflation rate," "Current account balance," "Exports," "Imports,"
"Reserves of foreign exchange," and "Direct foreign investment."
June 18, 2010
The fields in the Economy category for "Stock of money," "Stock of
quasi-money," "and "Market value of publicly traded shares" have
been updated with the latest available data.
June 04, 2010
Significant updates entered under the Government, Economy, and
Military categories. The Country Comparisons function now also
appears in the 'World' entry to allow users to quickly view how
countries rank in 58 different Factbook fields.
May 21, 2010
Dozens of new photos uploaded for Central and Eastern European
countries, most notably Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Latvia,
Poland, and Russia.
May 07, 2010
Major updates made to fields in the People, Government, and Military
categories. New photos appear under China, Romania, and Ukraine.
April 23, 2010
The 'World' entry continues to accrue "top ten" rankings; recent
additions in the Geography category include the world's ten highest
mountains and largest islands. The Transportation category lists the
top ten airports (both by passengers and cargo) and container ports,
as well as the ten longest rivers.
April 09, 2010
The ongoing expansion of flag descriptions - to also include
explanations of colors and symbols - is now complete for over
two-thirds of the Factbook entries.
March 26, 2010
The fields in the Economy category have been updated with the latest
available data. New photos introduced for the World, the Holy See
(Vatican City), and the Philippines.
March 05, 2010
In the Government category, a link to the World Leaders website
under the "Executive branch: cabinet" entry allows users to find a
listing of a country's major officials.
February 19, 2010
Significant updates introduced in the Government, Communications,
and Transportation categories. New photos appear under France and
Germany.
January 26, 2010
In the Economy category, information has been updated and now covers
the year 2009. New photos added for Egypt and Italy.
January 08, 2010
The introductory Background statements have been updated or revised
for dozens of countries. New images introduced for Argentina, China,
the Czech Republic, South Africa, Svalbard, and Turkey.
December 04, 2009
In addition to various governmental and military updates, new photos
have been introduced for Germany, Greenland, Italy, Malaysia,
Maldives, and the United Kingdom.
November 13, 2009
Recent elections and governmental changes recorded for Afghanistan,
Aruba, Fiji, Germany, Haiti, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Tunisia,
and Uruguay. In the Economy category, some 20 macro-economic fields
have been updated with the latest data. New NASA space photos added
for the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans, as well as for
Montserrat and the World; new ground photos added for Cambodia,
France, and Luxembourg.
October 30, 2009
In the Economy category, all the energy-related fields have been
updated with the latest data; new photos added for Norway and Poland.
October 14, 2009
In addition to regular informational updates, new photos have been
added for Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Russia, and Sweden.
October 02, 2009
In the Transportation category, updates have been made to the
"Airports" and "Heliports" fields; new photos added for Libya,
Turkey, and the United Kingdom.
September 17, 2009
NASA images taken from space have been introduced to enhance various
country photo presentations. Significant numbers of high altitude
photos appear under China, Egypt, Spain, Australia, and New Zealand,
but can also be found scattered among other country entries. In the
Economy category, statistics for "Distribution of family income -
Gini index," "Public debt," and "Debt - external" now include two
year's worth of data.
September 03, 2009
In the Economy category, statistics for "Current Account Balance,"
"Exports," "Imports," "Reserves of foreign exchange and gold,"
"Stock of direct foreign investment - at home," and "Stock of direct
foreign investment - abroad" now include two year's worth of data;
statistics for "Market value of publicly traded shares" now include
three year's worth of data. New photos added for Austria, France,
Monaco, Netherlands, and Netherlands Antilles.
August 17, 2009
Various rail gauge line lengths have been updated for all countries
in the Railways entry; selected economic and political entries also
updated.
July 31, 2009
In the Economy category, statistics for "Central bank discount
rate," "Commercial bank prime lending rate," "Stock of money,"
"Stock of quasi money," and "Stock of domestic credit" now include
two year's worth of data.
July 20, 2009
Latest updates include changes to the chief of state or head of
government in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Lithuania, and
Panama. New photographs have been added for Spain, Portugal,
Gibraltar, and South Africa.
July 01, 2009
With the launch of the new Web site, the former "Rank Order"
function was renamed "Country Comparisons." The link to Country
Comparisons may be found under the References tab. In addition, many
of the regional reference maps now incorporate both elevation and
vegetation on landmasses, and bathymetry for ocean areas. Statistics
for "Unemployment rate" and "Inflation rate (consumer prices)" now
include two year's worth of data.
June 08, 2009
Completely redesigned website - presenting a cleaner look, improved
navigation, and a host of added features - launched on the World
Wide Web. Among the major enhancements are downloadable and
printable photos for nearly 100 countries, a "Did You Know?" section
explaining the impact of the Factbook around the world, and built-in
world rankings for many of the Factbook information fields.
Government sections reflect the results of recent parliamentary
elections in Kuwait - where women were elected for the first time -
and India, as well as presidential elections in Lithuania, Mongolia,
Panama, and South Africa.
April 27, 2009
Significant updates made to the People and Economy categories;
statistics for "GDP - real growth rate" and "GDP - per capita" (at
purchasing power parity) now include three year's worth of data, in
2008 dollars. The Urbanization entry under People expanded to
include all countries.
April 03, 2009
In addition to regular country updates, statistics for "GDP
(purchasing power parity)" now include three year's worth of data,
in 2008 dollars.
March 20, 2009
Recent major leadership changes in Guinea-Bissau, Latvia, and
Madagascar included in the Government sections of those countries.
March 02, 2009
Latest US Census Bureau figures - updating basic demographic data
for all countries - entered into the database. Entries on religions,
languages, ethnic groups, and literacy also updated.
February 06, 2009
Country information updated across all categories. Economic data now
includes 2008 estimates where available.
November 05, 2008
In order to provide more information on the nature and global
dimensions of the current financial crisis, five additional fields
appended to the Economy category: "Central bank discount rate,"
"Commercial bank prime lending rate," "Stock of money," "Stock of
quasi money," and "Stock of domestic credit."
August 06, 2008
In the People category, two new fields provide information on
education in terms of opportunity and resources: "School Life
Expectancy" and "Education expenditures."
November 06, 2007
In the Geography category, two new fields focus on the vital
resource of water: "Total renewable water resources" and "Freshwater
withdrawal."
October 31, 2007
Three new fields added to the Economy category: "Stock of direct
foreign investment - abroad," "Stock of direct foreign investment -
at home," "Market value of publicly traded shares."
Ongoing
Revision of some individual country maps, first introduced in the
2001 edition, continues. Several regional maps have been updated to
reflect boundary changes and place name spelling changes.
======================================================================
About :: DID YOU KNOW?
The World Factbook is one of the US Government's most accessed
publications.
The World Factbook, produced for US policymakers and coordinated
throughout the US Intelligence Community, presents the basic
realities about the world in which we live. We share these facts
with the people of all nations in the belief that knowledge of the
truth underpins the functioning of free societies.
Who uses The World Factbook?
A wide variety of folks including US Government officials,
researchers, news organizations, corporations, geographers,
teachers, professors, librarians, and students. In short, anyone
looking for an expansive body of international data on a recently
updated Web site.
The World Factbook is a one-stop reference site.
Although many of the facts presented in The Factbook may be found in
various other publications, they are conveniently gathered together
in one place only at The World Factbook Web site.
The World Factbook is a unique reference in that it is updated
continuously - on average, every week.
Information in The Factbook is collected from - and coordinated with
- a wide variety of US Government agencies, as well as from hundreds
of published sources.
======================================================================
References :: Guide to Country Profiles
These are the Categories, Fields, and subfields of information
generally recorded for each country. Links are to the Definitions
and Notes about each entry.
Introduction ::
Background:
Geography ::
Location:
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Area:
total
land
water
Area - comparative:
Land boundaries:
total
border countries
Coastline:
Maritime claims:
territorial sea
contiguous zone
exclusive economic zone
continental shelf
exclusive fishing zone
Climate:
Terrain:
Elevation extremes:
lowest point
highest point
Natural resources:
Land use:
arable land
permanent crops
other
Irrigated land:
Total Renewable Water Resources:
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total
per capita
Natural hazards:
volcanism
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
Median Age:
total
male
female
Population growth rate:
Birth rate:
Death rate:
Net migration rate:
Sex ratio:
at birth
under 15 years
15-64 years
65 years and over
total population
Infant mortality rate:
total
male
female
Life expectancy at birth:
total population
male
female
Total fertility rate:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk
food or waterborne diseases
vectorborne diseases
water contact diseases
aerosolized dust or soil contact disease
respiratory disease
animal contact disease
Nationality:
noun
adjective
Ethnic groups:
Religions:
Languages:
Literacy:
definition
total population
male
female
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary):
Education expenditures:
People - note:
Government ::
Country name:
conventional long form
conventional short form
local long form
local short form
former
abbreviation
Dependency status:
Government type:
Capital:
name
geographic coordinates
time difference
daylight saving time
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)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission
embassy
mailing address
telephone
FAX
consulate(s) general
consulate(s)
branch office(s)
Flag description:
Government - note:
Economy ::
Economy - overview:
GDP (purchasing power parity):
GDP (official exchange rate):
GDP - real growth rate:
GDP - per capita (PPP):
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture
industry
services
Labor force:
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture
industry
services
Unemployment rate:
Population below poverty line:
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%
highest 10%
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
Investment (gross fixed):
Budget:
revenues
expenditures
Public debt:
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Central bank discount rate:
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
Stock of money:
Stock of quasi money:
Stock of domestic credit:
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Agriculture - products:
Industries:
Industrial production growth rate:
Electricity - production:
Electricity - consumption:
Electricity - exports:
Electricity - imports:
Oil - production:
Oil - consumption:
Oil - exports:
Oil - imports:
Oil - proved reserves:
Natural gas - production:
Natural gas - consumption:
Natural gas - exports:
Natural gas - imports:
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Current account balance:
Exports:
Exports - commodities:
Exports - partners:
Imports:
Imports - commodities:
Imports - partners:
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Debt - external:
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Exchange rates:
Communications ::
Telephones - main lines in use:
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Telephone system:
general assessment
domestic
international
Broadcast media:
Internet country code:
Internet hosts:
Internet users:
Communications - note:
Transportation ::
Airports:
Airports - with paved runways:
total
over 3,047 m
2,438 to 3,047 m
1,524 to 2,437 m
914 to 1,530 m
under 914 m
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total
over 3,047 m
2,438 to 3,047 m
1,524 to 2,437 m
914 to 1,530 m
under 914 m
Heliports:
Pipelines:
Railways:
total
broad gauge
standard gauge
narrow gauge
dual gauge
Roadways:
total
paved
unpaved
Waterways:
Merchant marine:
total
ships by type
foreign-owned
registered in other countries
Ports and terminals:
Transportation - note:
Military ::
Military branches:
Military service age and obligation:
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49
females age 16-49
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49
females age 16-49
Manpower reaching military age annually:
males
females
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
Military - note:
Transnational Issues ::
Disputes - international:
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees
IDPs
Trafficking in persons:
current situation
tier rating
Illicit drugs:
======================================================================
The World Factbook (2010) - Country Listing
[Transcriber's note: To search on a country in this file, prefix the
country's name with "@", e.g. "@Afghanistan". "Afghanistan" will find
all occurrences; prefixing it with "@" will find the correct location.]
World
A
Afghanistan
Akrotiri
Albania
Algeria
American Samoa
Andorra
Angola
Anguilla
Antarctica
Antigua and Barbuda
Arctic Ocean
Argentina
Armenia
Aruba
Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Atlantic Ocean
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
B
Bahamas, The
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Benin
Bermuda
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Bouvet Island
Brazil
British Indian Ocean Territory
British Virgin Islands
Brunei
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Burma
Burundi
C
Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Cape Verde
Cayman Islands
Central African Republic
Chad
Chile
China
Christmas Island
Clipperton Island
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Colombia
Comoros
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
Congo, Republic of the
Cook Islands
Coral Sea Islands
Costa Rica
Cote d'Ivoire
Croatia
Cuba
Cyprus
Czech Republic
D
Denmark
Dhekelia
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
E
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Estonia
Ethiopia
F
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Faroe Islands
Fiji
Finland
France
French Polynesia
French Southern and Antarctic Lands
G
Gabon
Gambia, The
Gaza Strip
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
Gibraltar
Greece
Greenland
Grenada
Guam
Guatemala
Guernsey
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
H
Haiti
Heard Island and McDonald Islands
Holy See (Vatican City)
Honduras
Hong Kong
Hungary
I
Iceland
India
Indian Ocean
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Isle of Man
Israel
Italy
J
Jamaica
Jan Mayen
Japan
Jersey
Jordan
K
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kiribati
Korea, North
Korea, South
Kosovo
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
L
Laos
Latvia
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
M
Macau
Macedonia
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Mali
Malta
Marshall Islands
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mayotte
Mexico
Micronesia, Federated States of
Moldova
Monaco
Mongolia
Montenegro
Montserrat
Morocco
Mozambique
N
Namibia
Nauru
Navassa Island
Nepal
Netherlands
Netherlands Antilles
New Caledonia
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
Niue
Norfolk Island
Northern Mariana Islands
Norway
O
Oman
P
Pacific Ocean
Pakistan
Palau
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paracel Islands
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Pitcairn Islands
Poland
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Q
Qatar
R
Romania
Russia
Rwanda
S
Saint Barthelemy
Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Martin
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Samoa
San Marino
Sao Tome and Principe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
Somalia
South Africa
South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands
Southern Ocean
Spain
Spratly Islands
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Suriname
Svalbard
Swaziland
Sweden
Switzerland
Syria
T
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
Timor-Leste
Togo
Tokelau
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Turks and Caicos Islands
Tuvalu
U
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States
United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
V
Vanuatu
Venezuela
Vietnam
Virgin Islands
W
Wake Island
Wallis and Futuna
West Bank
Western Sahara
Y
Yemen
Z
Zambia
Zimbabwe
T
Taiwan
E
European Union
======================================================================
Field Listings
[Transcriber's note: To search on a field code in this file, prefix
the code number with "@", e.g. "@2001". "2001" will find all
occurrences; prefixing it with "@" will find the correct location.]
Code Field Description
2001 GDP (purchasing power parity)
2002 Population growth rate
2003 GDP - real growth rate
2004 GDP - per capita (PPP)
2005 Affiliation
2006 Dependency status
2007 Diplomatic representation from the US
2008 Transportation - note
2010 Age structure
2011 Geographic coordinates
2012 GDP - composition by sector
2013 Radio broadcast stations
2014
2015 Television broadcast stations
2016
2018 Sex ratio
2019 Heliports
2020 Elevation extremes
2021 Natural hazards
2022 People - note
2023 Area - comparative
2024 Military service age and obligation
2025 Manpower fit for military service
2026 Manpower reaching militarily significant age
2028 Background
2030 Airports - with paved runways
2031 Airports - with unpaved runways
2032 Environment - current issues
2033 Environment - international agreements
2034 Military expenditures
2038 Electricity - production
2042 Electricity - consumption
2043 Electricity - imports
2044 Electricity - exports
2045 Electricity - production by source
2046 Population below poverty line
2047 Household income or consumption by percentage share
2048 Labor force - by occupation
2049 Exports - commodities
2050 Exports - partners
2051 Administrative divisions
2052 Agriculture - products
2053 Airports
2054 Birth rate
2055 Military branches
2056 Budget
2057 Capital
2058 Imports - commodities
2059 Climate
2060 Coastline
2061 Imports - partners
2062
2063 Constitution
2064
2065
2066 Death rate
2068 Dependent areas
2070 Disputes - international
2075 Ethnic groups
2076 Exchange rates
2077 Executive branch
2078 Exports
2079 Debt - external
2080
2081 Flag description
2085 Roadways
2086 Illicit drugs
2087 Imports
2088 Independence
2089 Industrial production growth rate
2090 Industries
2091 Infant mortality rate
2092 Inflation rate (consumer prices)
2093 Waterways
2094 Judicial branch
2095 Labor force
2096 Land boundaries
2097 Land use
2098 Languages
2100 Legal system
2101 Legislative branch
2102 Life expectancy at birth
2103 Literacy
2105 Manpower available for military service
2106 Maritime claims
2107 International organization participation
2108 Merchant marine
2109 National holiday
2110 Nationality
2111 Natural resources
2112 Net migration rate
2113 Geography - note
2115 Political pressure groups and leaders
2116 Economy - overview
2117 Pipelines
2118 Political parties and leaders
2119 Population
2120 Ports and terminals
2121 Railways
2122 Religions
2123 Suffrage
2124 Telephone system
2125 Terrain
2127 Total fertility rate
2128 Government type
2129 Unemployment rate
2137 Military - note
2138 Communications - note
2140 Government - note
2141 Group
2142 Country name
2144 Location
2145 Map references
2146 Irrigated land
2147 Area
2149 Diplomatic representation in the US
2150 Telephones - main lines in use
2151 Telephones - mobile cellular
2152
2153 Internet users
2154 Internet country code
2155 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate
2156 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS
2157 HIV/AIDS - deaths
2158
2172 Distribution of family income - Gini index
2173 Oil - production
2174 Oil - consumption
2175 Oil - imports
2176 Oil - exports
2177 Median age
2178 Oil - proved reserves
2179 Natural gas - proved reserves
2180 Natural gas - production
2181 Natural gas - consumption
2182 Natural gas - imports
2183 Natural gas - exports
2184 Internet hosts
2185 Investment (gross fixed)
2186 Public debt
2187 Current account balance
2188 Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
2189 Union name
2190 Political structure
2191 Member states
2192 Preliminary statement
2193 Major infectious diseases
2194 Refugees and internally displaced persons
2195 GDP (official exchange rate)
2196 Trafficking in persons
2198 Stock of direct foreign investment - at home
2199 Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad
2200 Market value of publicly traded shares
2201 Total renewable water resources
2202 Freshwater withdrawal
2203 Geographic overview
2204 Economy of the area administered by Turkish Cypriots
2205 School life expectancy (primary to tertiary
2206 Education expenditures
2207 Central bank discount rate
2208 Commercial bank prime lending rate
2209 Stock of money
2210 Stock of quasi money
2211 Stock of domestic credit
2212 Urbanization
2213 Broadcast media
2214 Stock of narrow money
2215 Stock of broad money
======================================================================
References :: Guide to Country Comparisons
Country Comparison pages are presorted lists of data from selected
Factbook data fields. Country Comparison pages are generally given
in descending order - highest to lowest - such as Population and
Area. The two exceptions are Unemployment Rate and Inflation Rate,
which are in ascending - lowest to highest - order. Country
Comparison pages are available for the following 58 fields in six of
the nine Factbook categories.
Geography ::
Area:
total
People ::
Population:
Population growth rate:
Birth rate:
Death rate:
Net migration rate:
Infant mortality rate:
Life expectancy at birth:
Total fertility rate:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Education expenditures:
Economy ::
GDP (purchasing power parity):
GDP real growth rate:
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Labor force:
Unemployment rate:
Distribution of family income - Gini Index:
Investment (gross fixed):
Public debt:
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Central bank discount rate:
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
Stock of money:
Stock of quasi money:
Stock of domestic credit:
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Industrial production growth rate:
Electricity - production:
Electricity - consumption:
Oil - production:
Oil - consumption:
Oil - exports:
Oil - imports:
Oil - proved reserves:
Natural gas - production:
Natural gas - consumption:
Natural gas - exports:
Natural gas - imports:
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Current account balance:
Exports:
Imports:
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Debt - external:
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Communications ::
Telephones - main lines in use:
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Internet hosts:
Internet users:
Transportation ::
Airports:
Railways:
total
Roadways:
total
Waterways:
Merchant marine:
total
Military ::
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
Not all Country Comparisons include the same number of entries
because information for a particular field is not available for all
countries. In addition, not all data fields are suitable for
displaying as Country Comparisons, such as those containing textual
information. Textual information is more readily viewed by clicking
on the Field Listing icon next to the Data field title.
All of the Country Comparisons' pages can be downloaded as
tab-delimited data files and can be opened in other applications
such as spreadsheets and databases. To save a Country Comparisons
page in a spreadsheet, first click on the 'Download Datafile' choice
above the Country Comparisons page you selected; then, at the top of
your browser window, click on 'File' and 'Save As'. After saving the
file, open the spreadsheet, find the saved file, and 'Open' it.
======================================================================
Appendixes
Appendix A - Abbreviations
Appendix B - International Organizations and Groups
Appendix C - Selected International Environmental Agreements
Appendix D - Cross-Reference list of Country Data Codes
Appendix E - Cross-Reference List of Hydrographic Data Codes
Appendix F - Cross-Reference List of Geographic Names
Appendix G - Weights and Measures
======================================================================
References :: Definitions and Notes
A
Abbreviations
This information is included in Appendix A: Abbreviations, which
includes all abbreviations and acronyms used in the Factbook, with
their expansions.
Acronyms
An acronym is an abbreviation coined from the initial letter of each
successive word in a term or phrase. In general, an acronym made up
solely from the first letter of the major words in the expanded form
is rendered in all capital letters (NATO from North Atlantic Treaty
Organization; an exception would be ASEAN for Association of
Southeast Asian Nations). In general, an acronym made up of more
than the first letter of the major words in the expanded form is
rendered with only an initial capital letter (Comsat from
Communications Satellite Corporation; an exception would be NAM from
Nonaligned Movement). Hybrid forms are sometimes used to distinguish
between initially identical terms (ICC for International Chamber of
Commerce and ICCt for International Criminal Court).
Administrative divisions
This entry generally gives the numbers, designatory terms, and
first-order administrative divisions as approved by the US Board on
Geographic Names (BGN). Changes that have been reported but not yet
acted on by the BGN are noted.
Age structure
This entry provides the distribution of the population according to
age. Information is included by sex and age group (0-14 years, 15-64
years, 65 years and over). The age structure of a population affects
a nation's key socioeconomic issues. Countries with young
populations (high percentage under age 15) need to invest more in
schools, while countries with older populations (high percentage
ages 65 and over) need to invest more in the health sector. The age
structure can also be used to help predict potential political
issues. For example, the rapid growth of a young adult population
unable to find employment can lead to unrest.
Agriculture - products
This entry is an ordered listing of major crops and products
starting with the most important.
Airports
This entry gives the total number of airports or airfields
recognizable from the air. The runway(s) may be paved (concrete or
asphalt surfaces) or unpaved (grass, earth, sand, or gravel
surfaces) and may include closed or abandoned installations.
Airports or airfields that are no longer recognizable (overgrown, no
facilities, etc.) are not included. Note that not all airports have
accommodations for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control.
Airports - with paved runways
This entry gives the total number of airports with paved runways
(concrete or asphalt surfaces) by length. For airports with more
than one runway, only the longest runway is included according to
the following five groups - (1) over 3,047 m (over 10,000 ft), (2)
2,438 to 3,047 m (8,000 to 10,000 ft), (3) 1,524 to 2,437 m (5,000
to 8,000 ft), (4) 914 to 1,523 m (3,000 to 5,000 ft), and (5) under
914 m (under 3,000 ft). Only airports with usable runways are
included in this listing. Not all airports have facilities for
refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control. The type aircraft
capable of operating from a runway of a given length is dependent
upon a number of factors including elevation of the runway, runway
gradient, average maximum daily temperature at the airport, engine
types, flap settings, and take-off weight of the aircraft.
Airports - with unpaved runways
This entry gives the total number of airports with unpaved runways
(grass, dirt, sand, or gravel surfaces) by length. For airports with
more than one runway, only the longest runway is included according
to the following five groups - (1) over 3,047 m (over 10,000 ft),
(2) 2,438 to 3,047 m (8,000 to 10,000 ft), (3) 1,524 to 2,437 m
(5,000 to 8,000 ft), (4) 914 to 1,523 m (3,000 to 5,000 ft), and (5)
under 914 m (under 3,000 ft). Only airports with usable runways are
included in this listing. Not all airports have facilities for
refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control. The type aircraft
capable of operating from a runway of a given length is dependent
upon a number of factors including elevation of the runway, runway
gradient, average maximum daily temperature at the airport, engine
types, flap settings, and take-off weight of the aircraft.
Appendixes
This section includes Factbook-related material by topic.
Area
This entry includes three subfields. Total area is the sum of all
land and water areas delimited by international boundaries and/or
coastlines. Land area is the aggregate of all surfaces delimited by
international boundaries and/or coastlines, excluding inland water
bodies (lakes, reservoirs, rivers). Water area is the sum of the
surfaces of all inland water bodies, such as lakes, reservoirs, or
rivers, as delimited by international boundaries and/or coastlines.
Area - comparative
This entry provides an area comparison based on total area
equivalents. Most entities are compared with the entire US or one of
the 50 states based on area measurements (1990 revised) provided by
the US Bureau of the Census. The smaller entities are compared with
Washington, DC (178 sq km, 69 sq mi) or The Mall in Washington, DC
(0.59 sq km, 0.23 sq mi, 146 acres).
B
Background
This entry usually highlights major historic events and current
issues and may include a statement about one or two key future
trends.
Birth rate
This entry gives the average annual number of births during a year
per 1,000 persons in the population at midyear; also known as crude
birth rate. The birth rate is usually the dominant factor in
determining the rate of population growth. It depends on both the
level of fertility and the age structure of the population.
Broadcast media
This entry provides information on the approximate number of public
and private TV and radio stations in a country, as well as basic
information on the availability of satellite and cable TV services.
Budget
This entry includes revenues, expenditures, and capital
expenditures. These figures are calculated on an exchange rate
basis, i.e., not in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms.
C
Capital
This entry gives the name of the seat of government, its geographic
coordinates, the time difference relative to Coordinated Universal
Time (UTC) and the time observed in Washington, DC, and, if
applicable, information on daylight saving time (DST). Where
appropriate, a special note has been added to highlight those
countries that have multiple time zones.
Central bank discount rate
This entry provides the annualized interest rate a country's central
bank charges commercial, depository banks for loans to meet
temporary shortages of funds.
Climate
This entry includes a brief description of typical weather regimes
throughout the year.
Coastline
This entry gives the total length of the boundary between the land
area (including islands) and the sea.
Commercial bank prime lending rate
This entry provides a simple average of annualized interest rates
commercial banks charge on new loans, denominated in the national
currency, to their most credit-worthy customers.
Communications
This category deals with the means of exchanging information and
includes the telephone, radio, television, and Internet host entries.
Communications - note
This entry includes miscellaneous communications information of
significance not included elsewhere.
Constitution
This entry includes the dates of adoption, revisions, and major
amendments.
Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)
UTC is the international atomic time scale that serves as the basis
of timekeeping for most of the world. The hours, minutes, and
seconds expressed by UTC represent the time of day at the Prime
Meridian (0 deg. longitude) located near Greenwich, England as reckoned
from midnight. UTC is calculated by the Bureau International des
Poids et Measures (BIPM) in Sevres, France. The BIPM averages data
collected from more than 200 atomic time and frequency standards
located at about 50 laboratories worldwide. UTC is the basis for all
civil time with the Earth divided into time zones expressed as
positive or negative differences from UTC. UTC is also referred to
as "Zulu time." See the Standard Time Zones of the World map
included with the Reference Maps.
Country data codes
See Data codes.
Country map
Most versions of the Factbook provide a country map in color. The
maps were produced from the best information available at the time
of preparation. Names and/or boundaries may have changed
subsequently.
Country name
This entry includes all forms of the country's name approved by the
US Board on Geographic Names (Italy is used as an example):
conventional long form (Italian Republic), conventional short form
(Italy), local long form (Repubblica Italiana), local short form
(Italia), former (Kingdom of Italy), as well as the abbreviation.
Also see the Terminology note.
Crude oil
See entry for oil.
Current account balance
This entry records a country's net trade in goods and services, plus
net earnings from rents, interest, profits, and dividends, and net
transfer payments (such as pension funds and worker remittances) to
and from the rest of the world during the period specified. These
figures are calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in
purchasing power parity (PPP) terms.
D
Data codes
This information is presented in This information is presented in <a
href = "../appendix/appendix-d.html"Appendix D: Cross-Reference List
of Country Data Codes and and <a href =
"../appendix/appendix-e.html" Appendix E: Cross-Reference List of
Hydrographic Data Codes.
Date of information
In general, information available as of January in a given year is
used in the preparation of the printed edition.
Daylight Saving Time (DST)
This entry is included for those entities that have adopted a policy
of adjusting the official local time forward, usually one hour, from
Standard Time during summer months. Such policies are most common in
mid-latitude regions.
Death rate
This entry gives the average annual number of deaths during a year
per 1,000 population at midyear; also known as crude death rate. The
death rate, while only a rough indicator of the mortality situation
in a country, accurately indicates the current mortality impact on
population growth. This indicator is significantly affected by age
distribution, and most countries will eventually show a rise in the
overall death rate, in spite of continued decline in mortality at
all ages, as declining fertility results in an aging population.
Debt - external
This entry gives the total public and private debt owed to
nonresidents repayable in internationally accepted currencies,
goods, or services. These figures are calculated on an exchange rate
basis, i.e., not in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms.
Dependency status
This entry describes the formal relationship between a particular
nonindependent entity and an independent state.
Dependent areas
This entry contains an alphabetical listing of all nonindependent
entities associated in some way with a particular independent state.
Diplomatic representation
The US Government has diplomatic relations with 189 independent
states, including 187 of the 192 UN members (excluded UN members are
Bhutan, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, and the US itself). In addition,
the US has diplomatic relations with 2 independent states that are
not in the UN, the Holy See and Kosovo, as well as with the EU.
Diplomatic representation from the US
This entry includes the chief of mission, embassy address, mailing
address, telephone number, FAX number, branch office locations,
consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
Diplomatic representation in the US
This entry includes the chief of mission, chancery, telephone, FAX,
consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
Disputes - international
This entry includes a wide variety of situations that range from
traditional bilateral boundary disputes to unilateral claims of one
sort or another. Information regarding disputes over international
terrestrial and maritime boundaries has been reviewed by the US
Department of State. References to other situations involving
borders or frontiers may also be included, such as resource
disputes, geopolitical questions, or irredentist issues; however,
inclusion does not necessarily constitute official acceptance or
recognition by the US Government.
Distribution of family income - Gini index
This index measures the degree of inequality in the distribution of
family income in a country. The index is calculated from the Lorenz
curve, in which cumulative family income is plotted against the
number of families arranged from the poorest to the richest. The
index is the ratio of (a) the area between a country's Lorenz curve
and the 45 degree helping line to (b) the entire triangular area
under the 45 degree line. The more nearly equal a country's income
distribution, the closer its Lorenz curve to the 45 degree line and
the lower its Gini index, e.g., a Scandinavian country with an index
of 25. The more unequal a country's income distribution, the farther
its Lorenz curve from the 45 degree line and the higher its Gini
index, e.g., a Sub-Saharan country with an index of 50. If income
were distributed with perfect equality, the Lorenz curve would
coincide with the 45 degree line and the index would be zero; if
income were distributed with perfect inequality, the Lorenz curve
would coincide with the horizontal axis and the right vertical axis
and the index would be 100.
E
Economy
This category includes the entries dealing with the size,
development, and management of productive resources, i.e., land,
labor, and capital.
Economy - overview
This entry briefly describes the type of economy, including the
degree of market orientation, the level of economic development, the
most important natural resources, and the unique areas of
specialization. It also characterizes major economic events and
policy changes in the most recent 12 months and may include a
statement about one or two key future macroeconomic trends.
Education expenditures