Council president
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
elections: Executive Council president elected by the General
Council and formally appointed by the coprinces for a four-year
term; election last held on 26 April 2009 (next to be held in
April-May 2013)
election results: Jaume BARTUMEU CASSANY elected executive council
president; percent of General Council vote - NA
Legislative branch:
unicameral General Council of the Valleys or Consell General de las
Valls (28 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote, 14 from
a single national constituency and 14 to represent each of the seven
parishes; to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 26 April 2009 (next to be held in
March-April 2013)
election results: percent of vote by party - PS 45%, Reformist
Coaliton 32%, Andorra for Change 19%, Andorran Green 4%; seats by
party - PS 14, Reformist Coalition 11, Andorra for Change 3
Judicial branch:
Tribunal of Judges or Tribunal de Batlles; Tribunal of the Courts or
Tribunal de Corts; Supreme Court of Justice of Andorra or Tribunal
Superior de Justicia d'Andorra; Supreme Council of Justice or
Consell Superior de la Justicia; Constitutional Tribunal or Tribunal
Constitucional
Political parties and leaders:
Andorra for Change [Juan Eusebio NOMEN CALVET]; Greens of Andorra
[Isabel LOZANO MUNOZ]; Liberal Party of Andorra or PLA [Joan GABRIEL
i ESTANY] (formerly Liberal Union or UL); New Center [Vicenc MATEU]
(formerly Andorran Democratic Center Party); Reformist Coalition
[Joan GABRIEL i ESTANY] (includes the Liberal Party and New Center);
Social Democratic Party or PS [Jaume BARTUMEU CASSANY] (formerly
part of National Democratic Group or AND)
Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA
International organization participation:
CE, FAO, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IFRCS, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITU, OIF,
OPCW, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, Union Latina, UNWTO, WCO, WHO, WIPO,
WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Narcis CASAL Fonsdeviela
chancery: 2 United Nations Plaza, 27th Floor, New York, NY 10017
telephone: [1] (212) 750-8064
FAX: [1] (212) 750-6630
Diplomatic representation from the US:
the US does not have an embassy in Andorra; the US Ambassador to
Spain is accredited to Andorra; US interests in Andorra are
represented by the US Consulate General's office in Barcelona
(Spain); mailing address: Paseo Reina Elisenda de Montcada, 23,
08034 Barcelona, Spain; telephone: [34] (93) 280-2227; FAX: [34]
(93) 280-6175
Flag description:
three vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red, with the
national coat of arms centered in the yellow band; the latter band
is slightly wider than the other two so that the ratio of band
widths is 8:9:8; the coat of arms features a quartered shield with
the emblems of (starting in the upper left and proceeding
clockwise): Urgell, Foix, Bearn, and Catalonia; the motto reads
VIRTUS UNITA FORTIOR (Strength United is Stronger); the flag
combines the blue and red French colors with the red and yellow of
Spain to show Franco-Spanish protection
note: similar to the flags of Chad and Romania, which do not have a
national coat of arms in the center, and the flag of Moldova, which
does bear a national emblem
National anthem:
name: "El Gran Carlemany" (The Great Charlemagne)
lyrics/music: Joan BENLLOCH i VIVO/Enric Marfany BONS
note: adopted 1921; the anthem provides a brief history of Andorra
in a first person narrative
Economy ::Andorra
Economy - overview:
Tourism, the mainstay of Andorra's tiny, well-to-do economy,
accounts for more than 80% of GDP. An estimated 11 million tourists
visit annually, attracted by Andorra's duty-free status for some
products and by its summer and winter resorts. Andorra's comparative
advantage eroded when the borders of neighboring France and Spain
opened, providing broader availability of goods and lower tariffs.
The banking sector, with its partial "tax haven" status, also
contributes substantially to the economy. Agricultural production is
limited - only 2% of the land is arable - and most food has to be
imported. The principal livestock activity is sheep raising.
Manufacturing output consists mainly of cigarettes, cigars, and
furniture. Andorra is a member of the EU Customs Union and is
treated as an EU member for trade in manufactured goods (no tariffs)
and as a non-EU member for agricultural products.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$4.22 billion (2008)
country comparison to the world: 166
$3.66 billion (2007)
$3.588 billion (2006)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$NA
GDP - real growth rate:
2.6% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136
2% (2007 est.)
3.5% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$44,900 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 12
$42,500 (2007)
$38,800 (2005)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Labor force:
42,220 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 193
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 0.5%
industry: 18.5%
services: 81% (2008)
Unemployment rate:
7% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 69
0% (2007)
Population below poverty line:
8% (2008)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.3% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 67
3.9% (2007)
Agriculture - products:
small quantities of rye, wheat, barley, oats, vegetables; sheep
Industries:
tourism (particularly skiing), cattle raising, timber, banking,
tobacco, furniture
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
NA kWh
Electricity - consumption:
NA kWh
Electricity - exports:
NA kWh
Electricity - imports:
NA kWh; note - most electricity supplied by Spain and France;
Andorra generates a small amount of hydropower
Exports:
$89.5 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 195
$117.1 million (2007)
Exports - commodities:
tobacco products, furniture
Imports:
$1.801 billion (2008)
country comparison to the world: 154
$1.789 billion (2007)
Imports - commodities:
consumer goods, food, electricity
Debt - external:
$NA
Exchange rates:
euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.7715 (2010), 0.7179 (2009), 0.6827
(2008), 0.7306 (2007), 0.7964 (2006)
Communications ::Andorra
Telephones - main lines in use:
37,900 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 171
Telephones - mobile cellular:
64,500 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 191
Telephone system:
general assessment: NA
domestic: modern system with microwave radio relay connections
between exchanges
international: country code - 376; landline circuits to France and
Spain
Broadcast media:
1 public television station and 2 public radio stations; a few
commercial radio stations operating; good reception of radio and TV
broadcasts from stations in France and Spain (2008)
Internet country code:
.ad
Internet hosts:
26,773 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 100
Internet users:
67,100 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 170
Transportation ::Andorra
Roadways:
total: 320 km (2008)
country comparison to the world: 201
Military ::Andorra
Military branches:
no regular military forces, Police Service of Andorra (2010)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 22,776 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 18,338
females age 16-49: 17,395 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 396
female: 350 (2010 est.)
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of France and Spain
Transnational Issues ::Andorra
Disputes - international:
none
page last updated on January 12, 2011
======================================================================
@Angola (Africa)
Introduction ::Angola
Background:
Angola is rebuilding its country after the end of a 27-year civil
war in 2002. Fighting between the Popular Movement for the
Liberation of Angola (MPLA), led by Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS, and the
National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), led by
Jonas SAVIMBI, followed independence from Portugal in 1975. Peace
seemed imminent in 1992 when Angola held national elections, but
fighting picked up again by 1996. Up to 1.5 million lives may have
been lost - and 4 million people displaced - in the quarter century
of fighting. SAVIMBI's death in 2002 ended UNITA's insurgency and
strengthened the MPLA's hold on power. President DOS SANTOS held
legislative elections in September 2008 and, despite promising to
hold presidential elections in 2009, has since made a presidential
poll contingent on the drafting of a new constitution.
Geography ::Angola
Location:
Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Namibia
and Democratic Republic of the Congo
Geographic coordinates:
12 30 S, 18 30 E
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 1,246,700 sq km
country comparison to the world: 23
land: 1,246,700 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly less than twice the size of Texas
Land boundaries:
total: 5,198 km
border countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,511 km (of
which 225 km is the boundary of discontiguous Cabinda Province),
Republic of the Congo 201 km, Namibia 1,376 km, Zambia 1,110 km
Coastline:
1,600 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
semiarid in south and along coast to Luanda; north has cool, dry
season (May to October) and hot, rainy season (November to April)
Terrain:
narrow coastal plain rises abruptly to vast interior plateau
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Morro de Moco 2,620 m
Natural resources:
petroleum, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, copper, feldspar, gold,
bauxite, uranium
Land use:
arable land: 2.65%
permanent crops: 0.23%
other: 97.12% (2005)
Irrigated land:
800 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
184 cu km (1987)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.35 cu km/yr (23%/17%/60%)
per capita: 22 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
locally heavy rainfall causes periodic flooding on the plateau
Environment - current issues:
overuse of pastures and subsequent soil erosion attributable to
population pressures; desertification; deforestation of tropical
rain forest, in response to both international demand for tropical
timber and to domestic use as fuel, resulting in loss of
biodiversity; soil erosion contributing to water pollution and
siltation of rivers and dams; inadequate supplies of potable water
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone
Layer Protection, Ship Pollution
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
the province of Cabinda is an exclave, separated from the rest of
the country by the Democratic Republic of the Congo
People ::Angola
Population:
13,068,161 (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
Age structure:
0-14 years: 43.5% (male 2,812,359/female 2,759,047)
15-64 years: 53.7% (male 3,496,726/female 3,382,440)
65 years and over: 2.7% (male 153,678/female 195,043) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 18 years
male: 18 years
female: 18 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.063% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
Birth rate:
43.33 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7
Death rate:
23.74 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 1
Net migration rate:
1.05 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
Urbanization:
urban population: 57% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 4.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female
total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 178.13 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 1
male: 190.12 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 165.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 38.48 years
country comparison to the world: 223
male: 37.48 years
female: 39.52 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
6.05 children born/woman (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
2.1% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
190,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
11,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,
hepatitis A, typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria, African trypanosomiasis (sleeping
sickness)
water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Angolan(s)
adjective: Angolan
Ethnic groups:
Ovimbundu 37%, Kimbundu 25%, Bakongo 13%, mestico (mixed European
and native African) 2%, European 1%, other 22%
Religions:
indigenous beliefs 47%, Roman Catholic 38%, Protestant 15% (1998
est.)
Languages:
Portuguese (official), Bantu and other African languages
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 67.4%
male: 82.9%
female: 54.2% (2001 est.)
Education expenditures:
2.6% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 160
Government ::Angola
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Angola
conventional short form: Angola
local long form: Republica de Angola
local short form: Angola
former: People's Republic of Angola
Government type:
republic; multiparty presidential regime
Capital:
name: Luanda
geographic coordinates: 8 50 S, 13 14 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
18 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Bengo, Benguela,
Bie, Cabinda, Cuando Cubango, Cuanza Norte, Cuanza Sul, Cunene,
Huambo, Huila, Luanda, Lunda Norte, Lunda Sul, Malanje, Moxico,
Namibe, Uige, Zaire
Independence:
11 November 1975 (from Portugal)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 11 November (1975)
Constitution:
adopted by People's Assembly 25 August 1992
Legal system:
based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law; modified to
accommodate political pluralism and increased use of free markets;
has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21
September 1979); note - the president is both chief of state and
head of government
head of government: President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21
September 1979); Antonio Paulo KASSOMA was named prime minister by
MPLA on 26 September 2008
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
elections: president elected by universal ballot for a five-year
term (eligible for a second consecutive or discontinuous term) under
the 1992 constitution; President DOS SANTOS was selected by the
party to take over after the death of former President Augustino
NETO(1979) under a one-party system and stood for reelection in
Angola's first multiparty elections on 29-30 September 1992 (next
were to be held in September 2009 but have been postponed)
election results: Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS 49.6%, Jonas SAVIMBI
40.1%, making a run-off election necessary; the run-off was never
held leaving DOS SANTOS in his current position as the president
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (220 seats;
members elected by proportional vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 5-6 September 2008 (next to be held in
September 2012)
election results: percent of vote by party - MPLA 81.6%, UNITA
10.4%, PRS 3.2%, ND 1.2%, FNLA 1.1%, other 2.5%; seats by party -
MPLA 191, UNITA 16, PRS 8, FNLA 3, ND 2
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court and separate provincial courts (judges are appointed
by the president)
Political parties and leaders:
National Front for the Liberation of Angola or FNLA [Ngola KABANGU];
National Union for the Total Independence of Angola or UNITA [Isaias
SAMAKUVA] (largest opposition party); New Democracy Electoral Union
or ND [Quintino de MOREIRA]; Popular Movement for the Liberation of
Angola or MPLA [Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS] (ruling party in power
since 1975); Social Renewal Party or PRS [Eduardo KUANGANA]
note: nine other parties participated in the legislative election in
September 2008 but won no seats
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda or FLEC [N'zita
Henriques TIAGO, Antonio Bento BEMBE]
note: FLEC's small-scale armed struggle for the independence of
Cabinda Province persists despite the signing of a peace accord with
the government in August 2006
International organization participation:
ACP, AfDB, AU, CPLP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD,
IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO
(correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OPEC,
SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO,
WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Josefina Perpetua Pitra DIAKITE
chancery: 2108 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 785-1156
FAX: [1] (202) 785-1258
consulate(s) general: Houston, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Dan MOZENA
embassy: number 32 Rua Houari Boumedienne (in the Miramar area of
Luanda), Luanda
mailing address: international mail: Caixa Postal 6468, Luanda;
pouch: US Embassy Luanda, US Department of State, 2550 Luanda Place,
Washington, DC 20521-2550
telephone: [244] (222) 64-1000
FAX: [244] (222) 64-1232
Flag description:
two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and black with a centered
yellow emblem consisting of a five-pointed star within half a
cogwheel crossed by a machete (in the style of a hammer and sickle);
red represents liberty, black the African continent, the symbols
characterize workers and peasants
National anthem:
name: "Angola Avante" (Forward Angola)
lyrics/music: Manuel Rui Alves MONTEIRO/Rui Alberto Vieira Dias
MINGAO
note: adopted 1975
Economy ::Angola
Economy - overview:
Angola's high growth rate in recent years was driven by high
international prices for its oil. Angola became a member of OPEC in
late 2006 and in late 2007 was assigned a production quota of 1.9
million barrels a day (bbl/day), somewhat less than the 2-2.5
million bbl/day Angola's government had wanted. Oil production and
its supporting activities contribute about 85% of GDP. Diamond
exports contribute an additional 5%. Subsistence agriculture
provides the main livelihood for most of the people, but half of the
country's food is still imported. Increased oil production supported
growth averaging more than 15% per year from 2004 to 2008. A postwar
reconstruction boom and resettlement of displaced persons has led to
high rates of growth in construction and agriculture as well. Much
of the country's infrastructure is still damaged or undeveloped from
the 27-year-long civil war. Land mines left from the war still mar
the countryside, even though peace was established after the death
of rebel leader Jonas SAVIMBI in February 2002. Since 2005, the
government has used billions of dollars in credit lines from China,
Brazil, Portugal, Germany, Spain, and the EU to rebuild Angola's
public infrastructure. The global recession temporarily stalled
economic growth. Lower prices for oil and diamonds during the global
recession led to a contraction in GDP in 2009, and many construction
projects stopped because Luanda accrued $9 billion in arrears to
foreign construction companies when government revenue fell in 2008
and 2009. Angola abandoned its currency peg in 2009, and in November
2009 signed onto an IMF Stand-By Arrangement loan of $1.4 billion to
rebuild international reserves. Although consumer inflation declined
from 325% in 2000 to under 14% in 2010, Luanda has been unable to
reduce inflation below 10%. The Angolan kwanza depreciated again in
mid 2010, which, along with higher oil prices, should boost economic
growth in all sectors. Corruption, especially in the extractive
sectors, also is a major challenge.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$114.1 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66
$107.8 billion (2009 est.)
$108.7 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$85.81 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
5.9% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41
-0.9% (2009 est.)
13.4% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$8,700 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
$8,400 (2009 est.)
$8,700 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 9.6%
industry: 65.8%
services: 24.6% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
7.977 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 85%
industry and services: 15% (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate:
NA
Population below poverty line:
40.5% (2006 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 0.6%
highest 10%: 44.7% (2000)
Investment (gross fixed):
15.9% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124
Public debt:
20.3% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
21.7% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
13.3% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 215
13.7% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
30% (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 12
19.57% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
15.68% (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66
12.53% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$8.74 billion (31 December 2010 est)
country comparison to the world: 74
$9.792 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$24.92 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
$29.04 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$17.52 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
$22.06 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Agriculture - products:
bananas, sugarcane, coffee, sisal, corn, cotton, manioc (tapioca),
tobacco, vegetables, plantains; livestock; forest products; fish
Industries:
petroleum; diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, feldspar, bauxite,
uranium, and gold; cement; basic metal products; fish processing;
food processing, brewing, tobacco products, sugar; textiles; ship
repair
Industrial production growth rate:
5% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
Electricity - production:
3.722 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119
Electricity - consumption:
3.173 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
1.948 million bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 17
Oil - consumption:
70,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90
Oil - exports:
1.407 million bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16
Oil - imports:
28,090 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
Oil - proved reserves:
13.5 billion bbl (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
Natural gas - production:
680 million cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
Natural gas - consumption:
680 million cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204
Natural gas - proved reserves: