the media; labor unions
International organization participation:
ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Australia
Group, BIS, CD, CE, CERN, CPLP, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO,
FATF, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO,
ITU, ITUC, LAIA (observer), MIGA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer),
OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club (associate), PCA, Schengen Convention,
SECI (observer), UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, Union Latina, UNMIT, UNWTO, UPU, WCO,
WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Joao DE VALLERA
chancery: 2012 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 328-8610
FAX: [1] (202) 462-3726
consulate(s) general: Boston, New York, Newark (New Jersey), San
Francisco
consulate(s): New Bedford (Massachusetts), Providence (Rhode Island)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador-designate Allan J. KATZ
embassy: Avenida das Forcas Armadas, 1600-081 Lisbon
mailing address: Apartado 43033, 1601-301 Lisboa; PSC 83, APO AE
09726
telephone: [351] (21) 727-3300
FAX: [351] (21) 726-9109
consulate(s): Ponta Delgada (Azores)
Flag description:
two vertical bands of green (hoist side, two-fifths) and red
(three-fifths) with the national coat of arms (armillary sphere and
Portuguese shield) centered on the dividing line; explanations for
the color meanings are ambiguous, but a popular interpretation has
green symbolizing hope and red the blood of those defending the
nation
National anthem:
name: "A Portugesa" (The Song of the Portuguese)
lyrics/music: Henrique LOPES DE MENDOCA/Alfredo KEIL
note: adopted 1910; "A Portuguesa" was originally written to protest
the Portuguese monarchy's acquiescence to the 1890 British ultimatum
forcing Portugal to give up areas of Africa; the lyrics refer to the
"insult" that resulted from the event
Economy ::Portugal
Economy - overview:
Portugal has become a diversified and increasingly service-based
economy since joining the European Community in 1986. Over the past
two decades, successive governments have privatized many
state-controlled firms and liberalized key areas of the economy,
including the financial and telecommunications sectors. The country
qualified for the European Monetary Union (EMU) in 1998 and began
circulating the euro on 1 January 2002 along with 11 other EU member
economies. Economic growth had been above the EU average for much of
the 1990s, but fell back in 2001-08, shrank 2.6% in 2009, before
growing 1% in 2010. GDP per capita stands at roughly two-thirds of
the EU-27 average. A poor educational system and a rigid labor
market have been obstacles to greater productivity and growth.
Portugal also has been increasingly overshadowed by lower-cost
producers in Central Europe and Asia as a target for foreign direct
investment. Portugal's competitiveness problems, low growth
prospects, and high levels of public debt have made it vulnerable to
bond market turbulence. Lisbon is implementing austerity measures to
reduce the budget deficit from 9.4% of GDP in 2009 to 4.6% of GDP in
2011, but some investors have expressed concern about Portugal's
ability to achieve these targets and cover its sovereign debt.
Without the option for stimulus measures, the government is focusing
instead on boosting exports and implementing labor market reforms to
try to raise GDP growth and tackle Portugal's competitiveness
problems, which may help mitigate investor concerns over time.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$247 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
$244.5 billion (2009 est.)
$251 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$223.7 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
1% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182
-2.6% (2009 est.)
0% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$23,000 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
$22,800 (2009 est.)
$23,500 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 2.6%
industry: 23%
services: 74.5% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
5.57 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 10%
industry: 30%
services: 60% (2007 est.)
Unemployment rate:
10.7% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
9.5% (2009 est.)
Population below poverty line:
18% (2006)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 3.1%
highest 10%: 28.4% (1995 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
38.5 (2007)
country comparison to the world: 72
35.6 (1995)
Investment (gross fixed):
19% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
Public debt:
83.2% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
76.8% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1.1% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
-0.8% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
1.75% (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 125
3% (31 December 2008)
note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal
lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro
area
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
6.12% (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
8.35% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$98.23 billion (31 December 2010 est)
country comparison to the world: 31
$100.9 billion (31 December 2009 est)
note: see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro
area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for
the 16 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual
members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money circulating
within their own borders
Stock of broad money:
$282 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
$302.3 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$556.3 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23
$490.8 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$98.65 billion (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 44
$68.71 billion (31 December 2008)
$132.3 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
grain, potatoes, tomatoes, olives, grapes; sheep, cattle, goats,
pigs, poultry, dairy products; fish
Industries:
textiles, clothing, footwear, wood and cork, paper, chemicals,
auto-parts manufacturing, base metals, diary products, wine and
other foods, porcelain and ceramics, glassware, technology,
telecommunications; ship construction and refurbishment; tourism
Industrial production growth rate:
0.9% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
Electricity - production:
44.47 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
Electricity - consumption:
48.78 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
Electricity - exports:
1.313 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
10.74 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
4,721 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95
Oil - consumption:
272,200 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
Oil - exports:
53,660 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
Oil - imports:
323,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135
Natural gas - production:
NA (2008 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
4.846 billion cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141
Natural gas - imports:
4.895 billion cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110
Current account balance:
-$19.03 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
-$23.95 billion (2009 est.)
Exports:
$46.27 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
$44.49 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
agricultural products, food products, oil products, chemical
products, plastics and rubber, skins and leather, wood and cork,
wood pulp and paper, textile materials, clothing, footwear, minerals
and mineral products, base metals, machinery and tools, vehicles and
other transport material, and optical and precision instruments
Exports - partners:
Spain 26.25%, Germany 12.99%, France 12.04%, Angola 7.21%, UK 5.54%
(2009)
Imports:
$68.22 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
$68.9 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
agricultural products, food products, oil products, chemical
products, plastics and rubber, skins and leather, wood and cork,
wood pulp and paper, textile materials, clothing, footwear, minerals
and mineral products, base metals, machinery and tools, vehicles and
other transport material, and optical and precision instruments,
computer accessories and parts, semi-conductors and related devices,
household goods, passenger cars new and used, and wine products
Imports - partners:
Spain 31.58%, Germany 12.41%, France 8.58%, Italy 5.55%, Netherlands
5.31% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$NA (31 December 2010 est.)
$16.03 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$497.8 billion (30 June 2010)
country comparison to the world: 20
$507 billion (30 June 2009)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$105.7 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
$102.6 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$63.64 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
$63.64 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates:
euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.774 (2010), 0.7179 (2009), 0.6827
(2008), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006)
Communications ::Portugal
Telephones - main lines in use:
4.049 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 39
Telephones - mobile cellular:
15.178 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 48
Telephone system:
general assessment: Portugal's telephone system has a
state-of-the-art network with broadband, high-speed capabilities
domestic: integrated network of coaxial cables, open-wire, microwave
radio relay, and domestic satellite earth stations
international: country code - 351; a combination of submarine cables
provide connectivity to Europe, North and East Africa, South Africa,
the Middle East, Asia, and the US; satellite earth stations - 3
Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), NA Eutelsat;
tropospheric scatter to Azores (2008)
Broadcast media:
the publicly-owned TV broadcaster operates 2 domestic channels and
external service channels to Africa; overall, roughly 40 domestic TV
stations; viewers have widespread access to international
broadcasters with more than half of all households connected to
multi-channel cable or satellite TV systems; publicly-owned radio
operates 3 national networks and provides regional and external
services; several privately-owned national radio stations and some
300 regional and local commercial radio stations (2008)
Internet country code:
.pt
Internet hosts:
3.267 million (2010)
country comparison to the world: 28
Internet users:
5.168 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 45
Transportation ::Portugal
Airports:
65 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 77
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 43
over 3,047 m: 5
2,438 to 3,047 m: 8
1,524 to 2,437 m: 7
914 to 1,523 m: 13
under 914 m: 10 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 22
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 21 (2010)
Pipelines:
gas 1,098 km; oil 11 km; refined products 188 km (2009)
Railways:
total: 2,786 km
country comparison to the world: 59
broad gauge: 2,603 km 1.668-m gauge (1,351 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 183 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 82,900 km
country comparison to the world: 57
paved: 71,294 km (includes 2,613 km of expressways)
unpaved: 11,606 km (2008)
Waterways:
210 km (on Douro River from Porto) (2008)
country comparison to the world: 96
Merchant marine:
total: 111
country comparison to the world: 47
by type: bulk carrier 8, cargo 33, carrier 1, chemical tanker 17,
container 8, liquefied gas 9, passenger 13, passenger/cargo 5,
petroleum tanker 7, roll on/roll off 1, vehicle carrier 9
foreign-owned: 80 (Belgium 8, Denmark 4, Germany 13, Greece 5, Italy
10, Japan 9, Mexico 1, Netherlands 1, Norway 1, Spain 15, Sweden 6,
Switzerland 3, US 4)
registered in other countries: 14 (Cyprus 2, Malta 3, Panama 9)
(2010)
Ports and terminals:
Leixoes, Lisbon, Setubal, Sines
Military ::Portugal
Military branches:
Portuguese Army (Exercito Portuguesa), Portuguese Navy (Marinha
Portuguesa; includes Marine Corps), Portuguese Air Force (Forca
Aerea Portuguesa, FAP) (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for voluntary military service; no compulsory
military service; women serve in the armed forces, on naval ships
since 1993, but are prohibited from serving in some combatant
specialties; reserve obligation to age 35 (2010)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 2,572,007
females age 16-49: 2,474,719 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 2,104,945
females age 16-49: 2,034,912 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 62,628
female: 55,737 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
2.3% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
Transnational Issues ::Portugal
Disputes - international:
Portugal does not recognize Spanish sovereignty over the territory
of Olivenza based on a difference of interpretation of the 1815
Congress of Vienna and the 1801 Treaty of Badajoz
Illicit drugs:
seizing record amounts of Latin American cocaine destined for
Europe; a European gateway for Southwest Asian heroin; transshipment
point for hashish from North Africa to Europe; consumer of Southwest
Asian heroin
page last updated on January 20, 2011
======================================================================
@Puerto Rico (Central America and Caribbean)
Introduction ::Puerto Rico
Background:
Populated for centuries by aboriginal peoples, the island was
claimed by the Spanish Crown in 1493 following COLUMBUS' second
voyage to the Americas. In 1898, after 400 years of colonial rule
that saw the indigenous population nearly exterminated and African
slave labor introduced, Puerto Rico was ceded to the US as a result
of the Spanish-American War. Puerto Ricans were granted US
citizenship in 1917. Popularly-elected governors have served since
1948. In 1952, a constitution was enacted providing for internal
self government. In plebiscites held in 1967, 1993, and 1998, voters
chose not to alter the existing political status.
Geography ::Puerto Rico
Location:
Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic
Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic
Geographic coordinates:
18 15 N, 66 30 W
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 13,790 sq km
country comparison to the world: 162
land: 8,870 sq km
water: 4,921 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly less than three times the size of Rhode Island
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
501 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical marine, mild; little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain:
mostly mountains with coastal plain belt in north; mountains
precipitous to sea on west coast; sandy beaches along most coastal
areas
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Cerro de Punta 1,338 m
Natural resources:
some copper and nickel; potential for onshore and offshore oil
Land use:
arable land: 3.69%
permanent crops: 5.59%
other: 90.72% (2005)
Irrigated land:
400 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:
periodic droughts; hurricanes
Environment - current issues:
erosion; occasional drought causing water shortages
Geography - note:
important location along the Mona Passage - a key shipping lane to
the Panama Canal; San Juan is one of the biggest and best natural
harbors in the Caribbean; many small rivers and high central
mountains ensure land is well watered; south coast relatively dry;
fertile coastal plain belt in north
People ::Puerto Rico
Population:
3,978,702 (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
Age structure:
0-14 years: 19.8% (male 402,473/female 384,655)
15-64 years: 66.1% (male 1,260,191/female 1,361,359)
65 years and over: 14.1% (male 239,957/female 317,578) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 36.8 years
male: 35 years
female: 38.5 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.27% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174
Birth rate:
11.42 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172
Death rate:
7.82 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111
Net migration rate:
-0.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153
Urbanization:
urban population: 98% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female
total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 8.23 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 162
male: 9 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 7.43 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 78.77 years
country comparison to the world: 43
male: 75.15 years
female: 82.57 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.62 children born/woman (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
7,397 (1997)
country comparison to the world: 115
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Puerto Rican(s) (US citizens)
adjective: Puerto Rican
Ethnic groups:
white (mostly Spanish origin) 76.2%, black 6.9%, Asian 0.3%,
Amerindian 0.2%, mixed 4.4%, other 12% (2007)
Religions:
Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant and other 15%
Languages:
Spanish, English
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 94.1%
male: 93.9%
female: 94.4% (2002 est.)
Education expenditures:
NA
Government ::Puerto Rico
Country name:
conventional long form: Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
conventional short form: Puerto Rico
Dependency status:
unincorporated, organized territory of the US with commonwealth
status; policy relations between Puerto Rico and the US conducted
under the jurisdiction of the Office of the President
Government type:
commonwealth
Capital:
name: San Juan
geographic coordinates: 18 28 N, 66 07 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
none (territory of the US with commonwealth status); there are no
first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US
Government, but there are 78 municipalities (municipios, singular -
municipio) at the second order; Adjuntas, Aguada, Aguadilla, Aguas
Buenas, Aibonito, Anasco, Arecibo, Arroyo, Barceloneta,
Barranquitas, Bayamon, Cabo Rojo, Caguas, Camuy, Canovanas,
Carolina, Catano, Cayey, Ceiba, Ciales, Cidra, Coamo, Comerio,
Corozal, Culebra, Dorado, Fajardo, Florida, Guanica, Guayama,
Guayanilla, Guaynabo, Gurabo, Hatillo, Hormigueros, Humacao,
Isabela, Jayuya, Juana Diaz, Juncos, Lajas, Lares, Las Marias, Las
Piedras, Loiza, Luquillo, Manati, Maricao, Maunabo, Mayaguez, Moca,
Morovis, Naguabo, Naranjito, Orocovis, Patillas, Penuelas, Ponce,
Quebradillas, Rincon, Rio Grande, Sabana Grande, Salinas, San
German, San Juan, San Lorenzo, San Sebastian, Santa Isabel, Toa
Alta, Toa Baja, Trujillo Alto, Utuado, Vega Alta, Vega Baja,
Vieques, Villalba, Yabucoa, Yauco
Independence:
none (territory of the US with commonwealth status)
National holiday:
US Independence Day, 4 July (1776); Puerto Rico Constitution Day, 25
July (1952)
Constitution:
ratified 3 March 1952; approved by US Congress 3 July 1952;
effective 25 July 1952
Legal system:
based on Spanish civil code and within the US Federal system of
justice
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal; island residents are US citizens but do
not vote in US presidential elections
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009);
Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009)
head of government: Governor Luis FORTUNO (since 2 January 2009)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor with the consent of the
legislature
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
elections: under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporated
territories, such as Puerto Rico, do not vote in elections for US
president and vice president; however, they may vote in Democratic
and Republican party presidential primary elections; governor
elected by popular vote for a four-year term (no term limits);
election last held on 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November
2012)
election results: Luis FORTUNO elected governor with 52.8% of the
vote
Legislative branch:
bicameral Legislative Assembly consists of the Senate (at least 27
seats; members directly elected by popular vote to serve four-year
terms) and the House of Representatives (51 seats; members elected
by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held on 4 November 2008 (next to be held in
November 2012); House of Representatives - last held on 4 November
2008 (next to be held in November 2012)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - PNP 81.5%, PPD
18.5%; seats by party - PNP 22, PPD 5; House of Representatives -
percent of vote by party - PNP 72.5%, PPD 27.5%; seats by party -
PNP 37, PPD 14
note: Puerto Rico elects, by popular vote, a resident commissioner
to serve a four-year term as a nonvoting representative in the US
House of Representatives; aside from not voting on the House floor,
he enjoys all the rights of a member of Congress; elections last
held 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012); results -
percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PNP 1
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court; Appellate Court; Court of First Instance composed of
two sections: a Superior Court and a Municipal Court (justices for
all these courts appointed by the governor with the consent of the
Senate)
Political parties and leaders:
National Democratic Party [Roberto PRATS]; National Republican Party
of Puerto Rico [Dr. Tiody FERRE]; New Progressive Party or PNP
[Pedro ROSSELLO] (pro-US statehood); Popular Democratic Party or PPD
[Anibal ACEVEDO-VILA] (pro-commonwealth); Puerto Rican Independence
Party or PIP [Ruben BERRIOS Martinez] (pro-independence)
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Boricua Popular Army or EPB (a revolutionary group also known as Los
Macheteros); note - the following radical groups are considered
dormant by Federal law enforcement: Armed Forces for National
Liberation or FALN, Armed Forces of Popular Resistance, Volunteers
of the Puerto Rican Revolution
International organization participation:
Caricom (observer), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, ITUC, UNWTO
(associate), UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (territory of the US with commonwealth status)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (territory of the US with commonwealth status)
Flag description: