parliamentary caucus leader]; Democratic Caucus of the Democratic
Party (SD) or DKP SD [Bogdan LIS, parliamentary caucus leader];
Democratic Left Alliance or SLD [Grzegorz NAPIERALSKI, chairman,
parlimentary caucus leader]; Democratic Party or PD [Brygida
KUZNIAK, chairwoman]; Democratic Party or SD [Pawel PISKORSKI,
chairman]; German Minority of Lower Silesia or MNSO [Richard GALL,
representative]; Law and Justice or PiS [Jaroslaw KACZYNSKI,
chairman; Mariusz BLASZCZAK, parliamentary caucus leader]; League of
Polish Families or LPR [Witold BALAZAK, chairman]; Poland is the
most important or PJN [Joanna KLUZIK-ROSTKOWSKA, president]; Polish
People's Party or PSL [Waldemar PAWLAK, chairman; Stanislaw
ZELICHOWSKI, parliamentary caucus leader]; Samoobrona or SO [Andrzej
LEPPER, chairman]; Social Democratic Party of Poland or SDPL
[Wojciech FILEMONOWICZ, chairman; Marek BOROWSKI, parliamentary
caucus leader]; Union of Labor or UP [Waldemar WITKOWSKI, chairman]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
All Poland Trade Union Alliance or OPZZ (trade union) [Jan GUZ];
Roman Catholic Church [Cardinal Stanislaw DZIWISZ, Archbishop Jozef
MICHALIK]; Solidarity Trade Union [Piotr DUDA]
International organization participation:
Arctic Council (observer), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer),
CBSS, CD, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA (cooperating state),
EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS,
IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU,
ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUSCO, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD,
OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU,
WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Robert KUPIECKI
chancery: 2640 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 234-3800 through 3802
FAX: [1] (202) 328-6271
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Lee FEINSTEIN
embassy: Aleje Ujazdowskie 29/31 00-540 Warsaw
mailing address: American Embassy Warsaw, US Department of State,
Washington, DC 20521-5010 (pouch)
telephone: [48] (22) 504-2000
FAX: [48] (22) 504-2688
consulate(s) general: Krakow
Flag description:
two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; colors derive
from the Polish emblem - a white eagle on a red field
note: similar to the flags of Indonesia and Monaco which are red
(top) and white
National anthem:
name: "Mazurek Dabrowskiego" (Dabrowski's Mazurka)
lyrics/music: Jozef WYBICKI/traditional
note: adopted 1927; the anthem, commonly known as "Jeszcze Polska
nie zginela" (Poland Has Not Yet Perished), was written in 1797; the
lyrics resonate strongly with Poles because they reflect the
numerous occasions in which the nation's lands have been occupied
Economy ::Poland
Economy - overview:
Poland has pursued a policy of economic liberalization since 1990
and today stands out as a success story among transition economies.
Before 2009, GDP had grown about 5% annually, based on rising
private consumption, a jump in corporate investment, and EU funds
inflows. GDP per capita is still much below the EU average, but is
similar to that of the three Baltic states. Since 2004, EU
membership and access to EU structural funds have provided a major
boost to the economy. Unemployment fell rapidly to 6.4% in October
2008, but climbed back to 11.8% for the year 2010, exceeding the EU
average by more than 2%. In 2008 inflation reached 4.2%, more than
the upper limit of the National Bank of Poland's target range, but
fell to 2.4% in 2010 due to global economic slowdown. Poland's
economic performance could improve over the longer term if the
country addresses some of the remaining deficiencies in its road and
rail infrastructure and its business environment. An inefficient
commercial court system, a rigid labor code, bureaucratic red tape,
burdensome tax system, and persistent low-level corruption keep the
private sector from performing up to its full potential. Rising
demands to fund health care, education, and the state pension system
caused the public sector budget deficit to rise to 7.9% of GDP in
2010. The PO/PSL coalition government, which came to power in
November 2007, plans to reduce the budget deficit in 2011 and has
also announced its intention to enact business-friendly reforms,
increase workforce participation, reduce public sector spending
growth, lower taxes, and accelerate privatization. The government,
however, has moved slowly on major reforms. The legislature passed a
law significantly limiting early retirement benefits. A health-care
bill also passed through the legislature, but the legislature failed
to overturn a presidential veto.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$721.7 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
$698.6 billion (2009 est.)
$687 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$438.9 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
3.3% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
1.7% (2009 est.)
5.1% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$18,800 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
$18,200 (2009 est.)
$17,800 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 3.9%
industry: 31.8%
services: 63% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
17 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 17.4%
industry: 29.2%
services: 53.4% (2005)
Unemployment rate:
11.8% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
11% (2009 est.)
Population below poverty line:
17% (2003 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 3%
highest 10%: 27.2% (2005)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
34.9 (2005)
country comparison to the world: 87
31.6 (1998)
Investment (gross fixed):
19.5% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
Public debt:
50.5% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
46.4% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.4% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
3.5% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
1.75% (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 89
5% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
5.99% (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
5.72% (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$138.7 billion (31 December 2010 est)
country comparison to the world: 24
$124.6 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$251.9 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
$229.2 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$288.7 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
$264.1 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$135.3 billion (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 38
$90.23 billion (31 December 2008)
$207.3 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
potatoes, fruits, vegetables, wheat; poultry, eggs, pork, dairy
Industries:
machine building, iron and steel, coal mining, chemicals,
shipbuilding, food processing, glass, beverages, textiles
Industrial production growth rate:
6.5% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
Electricity - production:
149.1 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23
Electricity - consumption:
129.3 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
Electricity - exports:
9.703 billion kWh (2008)
Electricity - imports:
8.48 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
34,140 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
Oil - consumption:
545,400 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
Oil - exports:
65,280 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
Oil - imports:
553,900 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23
Oil - proved reserves:
96.38 million bbl (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
Natural gas - production:
5.842 billion cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
Natural gas - consumption:
16.33 billion cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
Natural gas - exports:
40 million cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
Natural gas - imports:
9.954 billion cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
Natural gas - proved reserves:
164.8 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
Current account balance:
-$12.33 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
-$9.598 billion (2009 est.)
Exports:
$160.8 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
$142.1 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
machinery and transport equipment 37.8%, intermediate manufactured
goods 23.7%, miscellaneous manufactured goods 17.1%, food and live
animals 7.6%
Exports - partners:
Germany 26.06%, Italy 6.84%, France 6.78%, UK 6.38%, Czech Republic
5.85%, Netherlands 4.14% (2009)
Imports:
$167.4 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23
$146.4 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and transport equipment 38%, intermediate manufactured
goods 21%, chemicals 15%, minerals, fuels, lubricants, and related
materials 9%
Imports - partners:
Germany 28.08%, Russia 8.65%, Italy 6.5%, Netherlands 5.59%, China
5.27%, France 4.6%, Czech Republic 4.05% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$99.76 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
$79.58 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$252.9 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
$239.6 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$198.8 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
$182.8 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$30.71 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
$26.21 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates:
zlotych (PLN) per US dollar - 3.0718 (2010), 3.1214 (2009), 2.3
(2008), 2.81 (2007), 3.1032 (2006)
Communications ::Poland
Telephones - main lines in use:
9.556 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 23
Telephones - mobile cellular:
44.553 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 28
Telephone system:
general assessment: modernization of the telecommunications network
has accelerated with market-based competition; fixed-line service,
dominated by the former state-owned company, is dwarfed by the
growth in mobile-cellular services
domestic: mobile-cellular service available since 1993 and provided
by three nation-wide networks with a fourth provider beginning
operations in late 2006; coverage is generally good with some gaps
in the east; fixed-line service lags in rural areas
international: country code - 48; international direct dialing with
automated exchanges; satellite earth station - 1 with access to
Intelsat, Eutelsat, Inmarsat, and Intersputnik (2009)
Broadcast media:
state-run public television operates 2 national channels
supplemented by 16 regional channels and several niche channels;
privately-owned entities operate several national TV broadcast
networks and a number of special interest channels; large number of
privately-owned channels broadcasting locally; roughly half of all
households are linked to either satellite or cable TV systems
providing access to foreign television networks; state-run public
radio operates 5 national networks and 17 regional radio stations; 2
privately-owned national radio networks, several commercial stations
broadcasting to multiple cities, and a large number of
privately-owned local radio stations (2007)
Internet country code:
.pl
Internet hosts:
10.51 million (2010)
country comparison to the world: 11
Internet users:
22.452 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 19
Transportation ::Poland
Airports:
129 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 47
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 86
over 3,047 m: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 30
1,524 to 2,437 m: 39
914 to 1,523 m: 7
under 914 m: 6 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 43
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 5
914 to 1,523 m: 16
under 914 m: 21 (2010)
Heliports:
7 (2010)
Pipelines:
gas 13,631 km; oil 1,384 km; refined products 777 km (2009)
Railways:
total: 22,314 km
country comparison to the world: 12
broad gauge: 633 km 1.524-m gauge
standard gauge: 21,681 km 1.435-m gauge (11,769 km electrified)
(2007)
Roadways:
total: 423,997 km
country comparison to the world: 15
paved: 295,356 km (includes 765 km of expressways)
unpaved: 128,641 km (2008)
Waterways:
3,997 km (navigable rivers and canals) (2009)
country comparison to the world: 28
Merchant marine:
total: 10
country comparison to the world: 116
by type: cargo 6, chemical tanker 3, passenger/cargo 1
registered in other countries: 104 (Antigua and Barbuda 2, Bahamas
32, Cyprus 20, Liberia 13, Malta 22, Norway 2, Panama 3, Saint
Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Slovakia 2, Vanuatu 7) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Gdansk, Gdynia, Swinoujscie, Szczecin
Military ::Poland
Military branches:
Polish Armed Forces: Land Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Aviation
Forces, Special Forces (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
18-28 years of age for male voluntary or compulsory military
service; service obligation shortened from 12 to 9 months in 2005;
conscription is to end in 2012; only soldiers who have completed
their conscript service are allowed to volunteer for professional
service; as of April 2004, women are only allowed to serve as
officers and noncommissioned officers; reserve obligation to age 50
(2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 9,597,047
females age 16-49: 9,364,939 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 7,860,841
females age 16-49: 7,828,221 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 235,248
female: 224,801 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.71% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
Transnational Issues ::Poland
Disputes - international:
as a member state that forms part of the EU's external border,
Poland has implemented the strict Schengen border rules to restrict
illegal immigration and trade along its eastern borders with Belarus
and Ukraine
Illicit drugs:
despite diligent counternarcotics measures and international
information sharing on cross-border crimes, a major illicit producer
of synthetic drugs for the international market; minor transshipment
point for Southwest Asian heroin and Latin American cocaine to
Western Europe
page last updated on January 20, 2011
======================================================================
@Portugal (Europe)
Introduction ::Portugal
Background:
Following its heyday as a global maritime power during the 15th and
16th centuries, Portugal lost much of its wealth and status with the
destruction of Lisbon in a 1755 earthquake, occupation during the
Napoleonic Wars, and the independence of its wealthiest colony of
Brazil in 1822. A 1910 revolution deposed the monarchy; for most of
the next six decades, repressive governments ran the country. In
1974, a left-wing military coup installed broad democratic reforms.
The following year, Portugal granted independence to all of its
African colonies. Portugal is a founding member of NATO and entered
the EC (now the EU) in 1986. In January 2011, Portugal assumed a
nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2011-12 term.
Geography ::Portugal
Location:
Southwestern Europe, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, west of
Spain
Geographic coordinates:
39 30 N, 8 00 W
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 92,090 sq km
country comparison to the world: 110
land: 91,470 sq km
water: 620 sq km
note: includes Azores and Madeira Islands
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Indiana
Land boundaries:
total: 1,214 km
border countries: Spain 1,214 km
Coastline:
1,793 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:
maritime temperate; cool and rainy in north, warmer and drier in
south
Terrain:
mountainous north of the Tagus River, rolling plains in south
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Ponta do Pico (Pico or Pico Alto) on Ilha do Pico in
the Azores 2,351 m
Natural resources:
fish, forests (cork), iron ore, copper, zinc, tin, tungsten, silver,
gold, uranium, marble, clay, gypsum, salt, arable land, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 17.29%
permanent crops: 7.84%
other: 74.87% (2005)
Irrigated land:
6,500 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
73.6 cu km (2005)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 11.09 cu km/yr (10%/12%/78%)
per capita: 1,056 cu m/yr (1998)
Natural hazards:
Azores subject to severe earthquakes
volcanism: Portugal experiences limited volcanic activity in the
Azores Islands; Fayal or Faial (elev. 1,043 m, 3,422 ft) last
erupted in 1958; most volcanoes have not erupted in centuries;
historically active volcanoes include Agua de Pau, Furnas, Pico,
Picos Volcanic System, San Jorge, Sete Cidades, and Terceira
Environment - current issues:
soil erosion; air pollution caused by industrial and vehicle
emissions; water pollution, especially in coastal areas
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate
Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,
Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life
Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical
Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic
Pollutants, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Environmental
Modification
Geography - note:
Azores and Madeira Islands occupy strategic locations along western
sea approaches to Strait of Gibraltar
People ::Portugal
Population:
10,735,765 (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
Age structure:
0-14 years: 16.3% (male 912,147/female 834,941)
15-64 years: 66.1% (male 3,525,717/female 3,554,513)
65 years and over: 17.6% (male 772,413/female 1,108,193) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 39.7 years
male: 37.6 years
female: 41.9 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.244% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 179
Birth rate:
10.12 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193
Death rate:
10.74 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
Net migration rate:
3.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
Urbanization:
urban population: 59% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.067 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.09 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female
total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 4.72 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 190
male: 5.17 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 4.23 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 78.38 years
country comparison to the world: 48
male: 75.12 years
female: 81.86 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.5 children born/woman (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.5% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
34,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 500 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
Nationality:
noun: Portuguese (singular and plural)
adjective: Portuguese
Ethnic groups:
homogeneous Mediterranean stock; citizens of black African descent
who immigrated to mainland during decolonization number less than
100,000; since 1990 East Europeans have entered Portugal
Religions:
Roman Catholic 84.5%, other Christian 2.2%, other 0.3%, unknown 9%,
none 3.9% (2001 census)
Languages:
Portuguese (official), Mirandese (official - but locally used)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 93.3%
male: 95.5%
female: 91.3% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 16 years
male: 15 years
female: 16 years (2007)
Education expenditures:
4.4% of GDP (2008)
country comparison to the world: 96
Government ::Portugal
Country name:
conventional long form: Portuguese Republic
conventional short form: Portugal
local long form: Republica Portuguesa
local short form: Portugal
Government type:
republic; parliamentary democracy
Capital:
name: Lisbon
geographic coordinates: 38 43 N, 9 08 W
time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last
Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
18 districts (distritos, singular - distrito) and 2 autonomous
regions* (regioes autonomas, singular - regiao autonoma); Aveiro,
Acores (Azores)*, Beja, Braga, Braganca, Castelo Branco, Coimbra,
Evora, Faro, Guarda, Leiria, Lisboa (Lisbon), Madeira*, Portalegre,
Porto, Santarem, Setubal, Viana do Castelo, Vila Real, Viseu
Independence:
1143 (Kingdom of Portugal recognized); 5 October 1910 (republic
proclaimed)
National holiday:
Portugal Day (Dia de Portugal), 10 June (1580); note - also called
Camoes Day, the day that revered national poet Luis de Camoes
(1524-80) died
Constitution:
adopted 2 April 1976; subsequently revised
note: the revisions placed the military under strict civilian
control, trimmed the powers of the president, and laid the
groundwork for a stable, pluralistic liberal democracy; they allowed
for the privatization of nationalized firms and government-owned
communications media
Legal system:
based on civil law system; the Constitutional Tribunal reviews the
constitutionality of legislation; accepts compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Anibal CAVACO SILVA (since 9 March 2006)
head of government: Prime Minister Jose SOCRATES Carvalho Pinto de
Sousa (since 12 March 2005)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the
recommendation of the prime minister
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
note: there is also a Council of State that acts as a consultative
body to the president
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term
(eligible for a second term); election last held on 22 January 2006
(next to be held in January 2011); following legislative elections,
the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition
usually appointed prime minister by the president
election results: Anibal CAVACO SILVA elected president; percent of
vote - Anibal CAVACO SILVA 50.6%, Manuel ALEGRE 20.7%, Mario Alberto
Nobre Lopes SOARES 14.3%, Jeronimo DE SOUSA 8.5%, Franciso LOUCA 5.3%
Legislative branch:
unicameral Assembly of the Republic or Assembleia da Republica (230
seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 27 September 2009 (next to be held in fall
2013)
election results: percent of vote by party - PS 42%, PSD 35%, CDS/PP
9%, BE 7%, CDU 7%; seats by party - PS 97, PSD 81, CDS/PP 21, BE 16,
CDU 15
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (Supremo Tribunal de Justica); judges appointed for
life by the Conselho Superior da Magistratura
Political parties and leaders:
Democratic and Social Center/Popular Party or CDS/PP [Paulo PORTAS];
Socialist Party or PS [Jose SOCRATES Carvalho Pinto de Sousa];
Social Democratic Party or PSD [Pedro Manuel PASSOS COELHO]; The
Left Bloc or BE [Franciso Anacleto LOUCA]; Unitarian Democratic
Coalition or CDU [Jeronimo DE SOUSA] (includes Portuguese Communist
Party or PCP and Ecologist Party ("The Greens") or PEV)