country comparison to the world: 42
Current account balance:
$2.089 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41
-$1.668 billion (2009 est.)
Exports:
$51.65 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
$40.08 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
crude oil, diamonds, refined petroleum products, coffee, sisal, fish
and fish products, timber, cotton
Exports - partners:
China 35.65%, US 25.98%, France 8.83%, South Africa 4.13% (2009)
Imports:
$18.1 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
$15.74 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and electrical equipment, vehicles and spare parts;
medicines, food, textiles, military goods
Imports - partners:
Portugal 18.71%, China 17.39%, US 8.51%, Brazil 8.22%, South Korea
6.72%, France 4.51%, Italy 4.28%, South Africa 4.02% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$16.89 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
$13.64 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$17.98 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
$13.64 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$91.55 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
$79.88 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$4.883 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
$3.933 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates:
kwanza (AOA) per US dollar - 92.08 (2010), 79.328 (2009), 75.023
(2008), 76.6 (2007), 80.4 (2006)
Communications ::Angola
Telephones - main lines in use:
303,200 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 112
Telephones - mobile cellular:
8.109 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 73
Telephone system:
general assessment: limited system; state-owned telecom had monopoly
for fixed-lines until 2005; demand outstripped capacity, prices were
high, and services poor; Telecom Namibia, through an Angolan
company, became the first private licensed operator in Angola's
fixed-line telephone network; by 2010, the number of fixed-line
providers had expanded to 5; Angola Telecom established
mobile-cellular service in Luanda in 1993 and the network has been
extended to larger towns; a privately-owned, mobile-cellular service
provider began operations in 2001
domestic: only about two fixed-lines per 100 persons; combined
fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 65 telephones per
100 persons in 2009
international: country code - 244; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC
fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and
Asia; satellite earth stations - 29 (2009)
Broadcast media:
state controls all broadcast media with nationwide reach;
state-owned Televisao Popular de Angola (TPA) provides terrestrial
TV service on 2 channels; a third TPA channel is available via cable
and satellite; TV subscription services are available; state-owned
Radio Nacional de Angola (RNA) broadcasts on 5 stations; about a
half dozen private radio stations broadcast locally (2008)
Internet country code:
.ao
Internet hosts:
3,717 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 142
Internet users:
606,700 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 114
Transportation ::Angola
Airports:
193 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 32
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 31
over 3,047 m: 5
2,438 to 3,047 m: 9
1,524 to 2,437 m: 13
914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 162
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 4
1,524 to 2,437 m: 31
914 to 1,523 m: 78
under 914 m: 47 (2010)
Pipelines:
gas 2 km; oil 87 km (2009)
Railways:
total: 2,764 km
country comparison to the world: 62
narrow gauge: 2,641 km 1.067-m gauge; 123 km 0.600-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 51,429 km
country comparison to the world: 80
paved: 5,349 km
unpaved: 46,080 km (2001)
Waterways:
1,300 km (2010)
country comparison to the world: 55
Merchant marine:
total: 7
country comparison to the world: 125
by type: cargo 1, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 3, roll
on/roll off 1
foreign-owned: 1 (Spain 1)
registered in other countries: 15 (Bahamas 5, Liberia 1, Malta 7,
former Netherlands Antilles 2) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Cabinda, Lobito, Luanda, Namibe
Military ::Angola
Military branches:
Angolan Armed Forces (FAA): Army, Navy (Marinha de Guerra Angola,
MGA), Angolan National Air Force (Forca Aerea Nacional Angolana,
FANA) (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
20-45 years of age for compulsory and 18-45 years for voluntary
military service; conscript service obligation - 2 years; Angolan
citizenship required; minimum age for women volunteers is 20; the
MGA is entirely staffed with volunteers (2010)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 2,991,424
females age 16-49: 2,893,898 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,506,489
females age 16-49: 1,451,427 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 151,237
female: 147,919 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
3.6% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 32
Transnational Issues ::Angola
Disputes - international:
Cabindan separatists continue to return to the Angolan exclave from
exile in neighboring states and Europe since the 2006 ceasefire and
peace agreement
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 12,615 (Democratic Republic of Congo)
IDPs: 61,700 (27-year civil war ending in 2002; 4 million IDPs
already have returned) (2007)
Illicit drugs:
used as a transshipment point for cocaine destined for Western
Europe and other African states, particularly South Africa
page last updated on January 13, 2011
======================================================================
@Anguilla (Central America and Caribbean)
Introduction ::Anguilla
Background:
Colonized by English settlers from Saint Kitts in 1650, Anguilla was
administered by Great Britain until the early 19th century, when the
island - against the wishes of the inhabitants - was incorporated
into a single British dependency along with Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Several attempts at separation failed. In 1971, two years after a
revolt, Anguilla was finally allowed to secede; this arrangement was
formally recognized in 1980 with Anguilla becoming a separate
British dependency.
Geography ::Anguilla
Location:
Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic
Ocean, east of Puerto Rico
Geographic coordinates:
18 15 N, 63 10 W
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 91 sq km
country comparison to the world: 226
land: 91 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
about one-half the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
61 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 3 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds
Terrain:
flat and low-lying island of coral and limestone
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Crocus Hill 65 m
Natural resources:
salt, fish, lobster
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (mostly rock with sparse scrub oak, few trees, some
commercial salt ponds) (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Natural hazards:
frequent hurricanes and other tropical storms (July to October)
Environment - current issues:
supplies of potable water sometimes cannot meet increasing demand
largely because of poor distribution system
Geography - note:
the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles
People ::Anguilla
Population:
14,766 (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 222
Age structure:
0-14 years: 24.5% (male 1,815/female 1,725)
15-64 years: 67.8% (male 4,665/female 5,125)
65 years and over: 7.7% (male 534/female 572) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 33 years
male: 31.6 years
female: 34.3 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.215% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
Birth rate:
13 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
Death rate:
4.4 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 202
Net migration rate:
13.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 5
Urbanization:
urban population: 100% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.032 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female
total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 3.49 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 212
male: 3.94 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 3.03 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 80.77 years
country comparison to the world: 18
male: 78.22 years
female: 83.39 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.75 children born/woman (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Anguillan(s)
adjective: Anguillan
Ethnic groups:
black (predominant) 90.1%, mixed, mulatto 4.6%, white 3.7%, other
1.5% (2001 census)
Religions:
Anglican 29%, Methodist 23.9%, other Protestant 30.2%, Roman
Catholic 5.7%, other Christian 1.7%, other 5.2%, none or unspecified
4.3% (2001 census)
Languages:
English (official)
Literacy:
definition: age 12 and over can read and write
total population: 95%
male: 95%
female: 95% (1984 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 11 years
male: 11 years
female: 11 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
3.5% of GDP (2008)
country comparison to the world: 131
Government ::Anguilla
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Anguilla
Dependency status:
overseas territory of the UK
Government type:
NA
Capital:
name: The Valley
geographic coordinates: 18 13 N, 63 03 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Independence:
none (overseas territory of the UK)
National holiday:
Anguilla Day, 30 May (1967)
Constitution:
Anguilla Constitutional Order 1 April 1982; amended 1990
Legal system:
based on English common law
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952);
represented by Governor Alistair HARRISON (since 21 April 2009)
head of government: Chief Minister Hubert HUGHES (since 16 February
2010)
cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor from among the
elected members of the House of Assembly
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the
monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority
party or the leader of the majority coalition usually appointed
chief minister by the governor
Legislative branch:
unicameral House of Assembly (11 seats; 7 members elected by direct
popular vote, 2 ex officio members, and 2 appointed; members serve
five-year terms)
elections: last held on 15 February 2010 (next to be held in 2015)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party -
AUM 4, AUF 2, APP 1
Judicial branch:
High Court (judge provided by Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court)
Political parties and leaders:
Anguilla Progressive Party or APP [Roy ROGERS]; Anguilla Strategic
Alternative or ANSA [Edison BAIRD]; Anguilla United Front or AUF
[Osbourne FLEMING, Victor BANKS] (a coalition of the Anguilla
Democratic Party or ADP and the Anguilla National Alliance or ANA);
Anguilla United Movement or AUM [Hubert HUGHES]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA
International organization participation:
Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), OECS, UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Flag description:
blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and
the Anguillan coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag;
the coat of arms depicts three orange dolphins in an interlocking
circular design on a white background with a turquoise-blue field
below; the white in the background represents peace; the blue base
symbolizes the surrounding sea, as well as faith, youth, and hope;
the three dolphins stand for endurance, unity, and strength
National anthem:
name: "God Bless Anguilla"
lyrics/music: Alex RICHARDSON
note: local anthem adopted 1981; as a territory of the United
Kingdom, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)
Economy ::Anguilla
Economy - overview:
Anguilla has few natural resources, and the economy depends heavily
on luxury tourism, offshore banking, lobster fishing, and
remittances from emigrants. Increased activity in the tourism
industry has spurred the growth of the construction sector
contributing to economic growth. Anguillan officials have put
substantial effort into developing the offshore financial sector,
which is small but growing. In the medium term, prospects for the
economy will depend largely on the tourism sector and, therefore, on
revived income growth in the industrialized nations as well as on
favorable weather conditions.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$175.4 million (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 217
$191.7 million (2008 est.)
$108.9 million (2004 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$175.4 million (2009 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
-8.5% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 214
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$12,200 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 4%
industry: 18%
services: 78% (2002 est.)
Labor force:
6,049 (2001)
country comparison to the world: 218
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture/fishing/forestry/mining: 4%
manufacturing: 3%
construction: 18%
transportation and utilities: 10%
commerce: 36%
services: 29% (2000 est.)
Unemployment rate:
8% (2002)
country comparison to the world: 87
Population below poverty line:
23% (2002)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
5.3% (2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149
Central bank discount rate:
6.5% (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 60
6.5% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
9.27% (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
9.51% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$19.03 million (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 186
$19.57 million (31 December 2008)
Stock of broad money:
$458.9 million (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 171
$470.6 million (31 December 2008)
Stock of domestic credit:
$529.6 million (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162
$447.7 million (31 December 2007 est.)
Agriculture - products:
small quantities of tobacco, vegetables; cattle raising
Industries:
tourism, boat building, offshore financial services
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
NA kWh
Current account balance:
-$42.87 million (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
Exports:
$119.5 million (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 189
Exports - commodities:
lobster, fish, livestock, salt, concrete blocks, rum
Imports:
$143 million (2006)
country comparison to the world: 204
Imports - commodities:
fuels, foodstuffs, manufactures, chemicals, trucks, textiles
Debt - external:
$8.8 million (1998)
country comparison to the world: 192
Exchange rates:
East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar - 2.7 (2007), 2.7 (2006),
2.7 (2005), 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003)
note: fixed rate since 1976
Communications ::Anguilla
Telephones - main lines in use:
6,300 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 209
Telephones - mobile cellular:
27,000 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 204
Telephone system:
general assessment: NA
domestic: modern internal telephone system
international: country code - 1-264; landing point for the East
Caribbean Fiber System (ECFS) submarine cable with links to 13 other
islands in the eastern Caribbean extending from the British Virgin
Islands to Trinidad; microwave radio relay to island of Saint
Martin/Sint Maarten (2007)
Broadcast media:
1 private television station; multi-channel cable TV subscription
services are available; about 10 radio stations, one of which is
government-owned (2007)
Internet country code:
.ai
Internet hosts:
271 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 186
Internet users:
3,700 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 207
Transportation ::Anguilla
Airports:
3 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 195
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 2
under 914 m: 2 (2010)
Roadways:
total: 175 km
country comparison to the world: 209
paved: 82 km
unpaved: 93 km (2004)
Ports and terminals:
Blowing Point, Road Bay
Military ::Anguilla
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 3,611 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 2,987
females age 16-49: 3,354 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 111
female: 111 (2010 est.)
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of the UK
Transnational Issues ::Anguilla
Disputes - international:
none
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US
and Europe
page last updated on December 29, 2010
======================================================================
@Antarctica (Antarctica)
Introduction ::Antarctica
Background:
Speculation over the existence of a "southern land" was not
confirmed until the early 1820s when British and American commercial
operators and British and Russian national expeditions began
exploring the Antarctic Peninsula region and other areas south of
the Antarctic Circle. Not until 1840 was it established that
Antarctica was indeed a continent and not just a group of islands or
an area of ocean. Several exploration "firsts" were achieved in the
early 20th century, but generally the area saw little human
activity. Following World War II, however, there was an upsurge in
scientific research on the continent. A number of countries have set
up a range of year-round and seasonal stations, camps, and refuges
to support scientific research in Antarctica. Seven have made
territorial claims, but not all countries recognize these claims. In
order to form a legal framework for the activities of nations on the
continent, an Antarctic Treaty was negotiated that neither denies
nor gives recognition to existing territorial claims; signed in
1959, it entered into force in 1961.
Geography ::Antarctica
Location:
continent mostly south of the Antarctic Circle
Geographic coordinates:
90 00 S, 0 00 E
Map references:
Antarctic Region
Area:
total: 14 million sq km
land: 14 million sq km (280,000 sq km ice-free, 13.72 million sq km
ice-covered) (est.)
note: fifth-largest continent, following Asia, Africa, North
America, and South America, but larger than Australia and the
subcontinent of Europe
Area - comparative:
slightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US
Land boundaries:
0 km
note: see entry on Disputes - international
Coastline:
17,968 km
Maritime claims:
Australia, Chile, and Argentina claim Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
rights or similar over 200 nm extensions seaward from their
continental claims, but like the claims themselves, these zones are
not accepted by other countries; 21 of 28 Antarctic consultative
nations have made no claims to Antarctic territory (although Russia
and the US have reserved the right to do so) and do not recognize
the claims of the other nations; also see the Disputes -
international entry
Climate:
severe low temperatures vary with latitude, elevation, and distance
from the ocean; East Antarctica is colder than West Antarctica
because of its higher elevation; Antarctic Peninsula has the most
moderate climate; higher temperatures occur in January along the
coast and average slightly below freezing
Terrain:
about 98% thick continental ice sheet and 2% barren rock, with
average elevations between 2,000 and 4,000 meters; mountain ranges
up to nearly 5,000 meters; ice-free coastal areas include parts of
southern Victoria Land, Wilkes Land, the Antarctic Peninsula area,
and parts of Ross Island on McMurdo Sound; glaciers form ice shelves
along about half of the coastline, and floating ice shelves
constitute 11% of the area of the continent
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Bentley Subglacial Trench -2,540 m
highest point: Vinson Massif 4,897 m
note: the lowest known land point in Antarctica is hidden in the
Bentley Subglacial Trench; at its surface is the deepest ice yet
discovered and the world's lowest elevation not under seawater
Natural resources:
iron ore, chromium, copper, gold, nickel, platinum and other
minerals, and coal and hydrocarbons have been found in small
uncommercial quantities; none presently exploited; krill, finfish,
and crab have been taken by commercial fisheries
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (ice 98%, barren rock 2%) (2005)
Natural hazards:
katabatic (gravity-driven) winds blow coastward from the high
interior; frequent blizzards form near the foot of the plateau;
cyclonic storms form over the ocean and move clockwise along the
coast; volcanism on Deception Island and isolated areas of West
Antarctica; other seismic activity rare and weak; large icebergs may
calve from ice shelf
Environment - current issues:
in 1998, NASA satellite data showed that the Antarctic ozone hole
was the largest on record, covering 27 million square kilometers;
researchers in 1997 found that increased ultraviolet light passing
through the hole damages the DNA of icefish, an Antarctic fish
lacking hemoglobin; ozone depletion earlier was shown to harm
one-celled Antarctic marine plants; in 2002, significant areas of
ice shelves disintegrated in response to regional warming
Geography - note:
the coldest, windiest, highest (on average), and driest continent;
during summer, more solar radiation reaches the surface at the South
Pole than is received at the Equator in an equivalent period; mostly
uninhabitable
People ::Antarctica
Population:
no indigenous inhabitants, but there are both permanent and
summer-only staffed research stations