proposal of the prime minister
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term
(eligible for a second term); election last held on 30 July 2006
(next to be held in July 2011); prime minister chosen by the
National Assembly and approved by the president
election results: Fradique DE MENEZES elected president; percent of
vote - Fradique DE MENEZES 60%, Patrice TROVOADA 38.5%
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (55 seats;
members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 1 August 2010 (next to be held in 2014)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party -
ADI 26, MLSTP 21, PCD 7, MDFM 1
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the National Assembly)
Political parties and leaders:
Force for Change Democratic Movement or MDFM [Tome Soares da VERA
CRUZ]; Independent Democratic Action or ADI [Patrice TROVOADA];
Movement for the Liberation of Sao Tome and Principe-Social
Democratic Party or MLSTP-PSD [Rafael BRANCO]; New Way Movement or
NR; Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD [Delfim NEVES];
Ue-Kedadji coalition; other small parties
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Association of Sao Tome and Principe NGOs or FONG
other: the media
International organization participation:
ACP, AfDB, AOSIS, AU, CPLP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD,
IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ITU,
ITUC, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina,
UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Ovidio PEQUENO
chancery: 1211 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 775-2075, 2076
FAX: [1] (202) 775-2077
Diplomatic representation from the US:
the US does not have an embassy in Sao Tome and Principe; the
Ambassador to Gabon is accredited to Sao Tome and Principe on a
nonresident basis and makes periodic visits to the islands
Flag description:
three horizontal bands of green (top), yellow (double width), and
green with two black five-pointed stars placed side by side in the
center of the yellow band and a red isosceles triangle based on the
hoist side; green stands for the country's rich vegetation, red
recalls the struggle for independence, and yellow represents cocoa,
one of the country's main agricultural products; the two stars
symbolize the two main islands
note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia
National anthem:
name: "Independencia total" (Total Independence)
lyrics/music: Alda Neves DA GRACA do Espirito Santo/Manuel dos
Santos Barreto de Sousa e ALMEIDA
note: adopted 1975
Economy ::Sao Tome and Principe
Economy - overview:
This small, poor island economy has become increasingly dependent on
cocoa since independence in 1975. Cocoa production has substantially
declined in recent years because of drought and mismanagement. Sao
Tome and Principe has to import all fuels, most manufactured goods,
consumer goods, and a substantial amount of food. Over the years, it
has had difficulty servicing its external debt and has relied
heavily on concessional aid and debt rescheduling. Sao Tome and
Principe benefited from $200 million in debt relief in December 2000
under the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) program, which
helped bring down the country's $300 million debt burden. In August
2005, the government signed on to a new 3-year IMF Poverty Reduction
and Growth Facility (PRGF) program worth $4.3 million. Considerable
potential exists for development of a tourist industry, and the
government has taken steps to expand facilities in recent years. The
government also has attempted to reduce price controls and
subsidies. Potential exists for the development of petroleum
resources in Sao Tome and Principe's territorial waters in the
oil-rich Gulf of Guinea, which are being jointly developed in a
60-40 split with Nigeria, but any actual production is at least
several years off. The first production licenses were sold in 2004,
though a dispute over licensing with Nigeria delayed the country's
receipt of more than $20 million in signing bonuses for almost a
year.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$316.9 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 213
$299 million (2009 est.)
$287.5 million (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$187 million (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
6% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
4% (2009 est.)
5.8% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$1,800 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193
$1,700 (2009 est.)
$1,700 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 14.7%
industry: 22.9%
services: 62.4% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
52,490 (2007)
country comparison to the world: 188
Labor force - by occupation:
note: population mainly engaged in subsistence agriculture and
fishing; shortages of skilled workers
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Population below poverty line:
54% (2004 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Investment (gross fixed):
41% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 3
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
13% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 213
16.7% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
16% (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 4
28% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
32.4% (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 5
32.4% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$17.18 million (31 December 2010 est)
country comparison to the world: 187
$19.1 million (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$82.2 million (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 185
$64.79 million (31 December 2008)
Stock of domestic credit:
$17.14 million (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182
$16.57 million (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, copra, cinnamon, pepper, coffee,
bananas, papayas, beans; poultry; fish
Industries:
light construction, textiles, soap, beer, fish processing, timber
Industrial production growth rate:
7% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
Electricity - production:
19 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 206
Electricity - consumption:
17.67 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 207
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
Oil - consumption:
1,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
Oil - imports:
726 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137
Current account balance:
-$73 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
-$49 million (2009 est.)
Exports:
$13 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 211
$10 million (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
cocoa 80%, copra, coffee, palm oil
Exports - partners:
UK 32.99%, Netherlands 26.93%, Belgium 21.04%, Portugal 4.31% (2009)
Imports:
$99 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 209
$80 million (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and electrical equipment, food products, petroleum products
Imports - partners:
Portugal 58.9%, Brazil 6.68%, US 4.71%, Japan 4.49% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$46 million (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131
$39 million (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$318 million (2002)
country comparison to the world: 170
Exchange rates:
dobras (STD) per US dollar - 19,641 (2010), 16,000 (2009), 14,900
(2008), 13,700 (2007), 12,050 (2006)
Communications ::Sao Tome and Principe
Telephones - main lines in use:
7,800 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 205
Telephones - mobile cellular:
64,000 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 193
Telephone system:
general assessment: local telephone network of adequate quality with
most lines connected to digital switches
domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity
roughly 35 telephones per 100 persons
international: country code - 239; satellite earth station - 1
Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008)
Broadcast media:
1 government-owned TV station; 1 government-owned radio station; 3
independent local radio stations authorized in 2005 with 2 operating
at the end of 2006; transmissions of multiple international
broadcasters are available (2007)
Internet country code:
.st
Internet hosts:
1,514 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 158
Internet users:
26,700 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 183
Transportation ::Sao Tome and Principe
Airports:
2 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 202
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2010)
Roadways:
total: 320 km
country comparison to the world: 202
paved: 218 km
unpaved: 102 km (2000)
Merchant marine:
total: 3
country comparison to the world: 137
by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 2
foreign-owned: 1 (Greece 1) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Sao Tome
Military ::Sao Tome and Principe
Military branches:
Armed Forces of Sao Tome and Principe (Forcas Armadas de Sao Tome e
Principe, FASTP): Army, Coast Guard of Sao Tome e Principe (Guarda
Costeira de Sao Tome e Principe, GCSTP), Presidential Guard (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age (est.) (2004)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 38,211
females age 16-49: 38,929 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 26,530
females age 16-49: 28,450 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 1,997
female: 1,922 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
0.8% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 147
Military - note:
Sao Tome and Principe's army is a tiny force with almost no
resources at its disposal and would be wholly ineffective operating
unilaterally; infantry equipment is considered simple to operate and
maintain but may require refurbishment or replacement after 25 years
in tropical climates; poor pay, working conditions, and alleged
nepotism in the promotion of officers have been problems in the
past, as reflected in the 1995 and 2003 coups; these issues are
being addressed with foreign assistance aimed at improving the army
and its focus on realistic security concerns; command is exercised
from the president, through the Minister of Defense, to the Chief of
the Armed Forces staff (2005)
Transnational Issues ::Sao Tome and Principe
Disputes - international:
none
page last updated on January 20, 2011
======================================================================
@Saudi Arabia (Middle East)
Introduction ::Saudi Arabia
Background:
Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of Islam and home to Islam's two
holiest shrines in Mecca and Medina. The king's official title is
the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. The modern Saudi state was
founded in 1932 by ABD AL-AZIZ bin Abd al-Rahman Al SAUD (Ibn Saud)
after a 30-year campaign to unify most of the Arabian Peninsula. A
male descendent of Ibn Saud, his son ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz, rules
the country today as required by the country's 1992 Basic Law.
Following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990, Saudi Arabia accepted
the Kuwaiti royal family and 400,000 refugees while allowing Western
and Arab troops to deploy on its soil for the liberation of Kuwait
the following year. The continuing presence of foreign troops on
Saudi soil after the liberation of Kuwait became a source of tension
between the royal family and the public until all operational US
troops left the country in 2003. Major terrorist attacks in May and
November 2003 spurred a strong on-going campaign against domestic
terrorism and extremism. King ABDALLAH has continued the cautious
reform program begun when he was crown prince. To promote increased
political participation, the government held elections nationwide
from February through April 2005 for half the members of 179
municipal councils. In December 2005, King ABDALLAH completed the
process by appointing the remaining members of the advisory
municipal councils. The king instituted an Inter-Faith Dialogue
initiative in 2008 to encourage religious tolerance on a global
level; in February 2009, he reshuffled the cabinet, which led to
more moderates holding ministerial and judicial positions, and
appointed the first female to the cabinet. The country remains a
leading producer of oil and natural gas and holds more than 20% of
the world's proven oil reserves. The government continues to pursue
economic reform and diversification, particularly since Saudi
Arabia's accession to the WTO in December 2005, and promotes foreign
investment in the kingdom. A burgeoning population, aquifer
depletion, and an economy largely dependent on petroleum output and
prices are all ongoing governmental concerns.
Geography ::Saudi Arabia
Location:
Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, north of
Yemen
Geographic coordinates:
25 00 N, 45 00 E
Map references:
Middle East
Area:
total: 2,149,690 sq km
country comparison to the world: 14
land: 2,149,690 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly more than one-fifth the size of the US
Land boundaries:
total: 4,431 km
border countries: Iraq 814 km, Jordan 744 km, Kuwait 222 km, Oman
676 km, Qatar 60 km, UAE 457 km, Yemen 1,458 km
Coastline:
2,640 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 18 nm
continental shelf: not specified
Climate:
harsh, dry desert with great temperature extremes
Terrain:
mostly uninhabited, sandy desert
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
highest point: Jabal Sawda' 3,133 m
Natural resources:
petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, copper
Land use:
arable land: 1.67%
permanent crops: 0.09%
other: 98.24% (2005)
Irrigated land:
16,200 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
2.4 cu km (1997)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 17.32 cu km/yr (10%/1%/89%)
per capita: 705 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
frequent sand and dust storms
volcanism: Despite Saudi Arabia's many volcanic formations, there
has been little activity in the past few centuries; volcanoes
include Harrat Rahat, Harrat Khaybar, Harrat Lunayyir, and Jabal Yar
Environment - current issues:
desertification; depletion of underground water resources; the lack
of perennial rivers or permanent water bodies has prompted the
development of extensive seawater desalination facilities; coastal
pollution from oil spills
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law
of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
extensive coastlines on Persian Gulf and Red Sea provide great
leverage on shipping (especially crude oil) through Persian Gulf and
Suez Canal
People ::Saudi Arabia
Population:
25,731,776
country comparison to the world: 46
note: includes 5,576,076 non-nationals (July 2010 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 38% (male 5,557,453/female 5,340,614)
15-64 years: 59.5% (male 9,608,032/female 7,473,543)
65 years and over: 2.5% (male 363,241/female 343,750) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 24.9 years
male: 26 years
female: 23.4 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.548% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
Birth rate:
19.43 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
Death rate:
3.34 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 218
Net migration rate:
-0.61 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145
Urbanization:
urban population: 82% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2.5% 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: 1.27 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.03 male(s)/female
total population: 1.17 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 16.73 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 112
male: 19.19 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 14.14 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 73.87 years
country comparison to the world: 108
male: 71.93 years
female: 75.9 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.35 children born/woman (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.01% (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 169
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Saudi(s)
adjective: Saudi or Saudi Arabian
Ethnic groups:
Arab 90%, Afro-Asian 10%
Religions:
Muslim 100%
Languages:
Arabic (official)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 78.8%
male: 84.7%
female: 70.8% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 14 years
male: 14 years
female: 13 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
5.7% of GDP (2008)
country comparison to the world: 41
Government ::Saudi Arabia
Country name:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
conventional short form: Saudi Arabia
local long form: Al Mamlakah al Arabiyah as Suudiyah
local short form: Al Arabiyah as Suudiyah
Government type:
monarchy
Capital:
name: Riyadh
geographic coordinates: 24 38 N, 46 43 E
time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
13 provinces (mintaqat, singular - mintaqah); Al Bahah, Al Hudud ash
Shamaliyah (Northern Border), Al Jawf, Al Madinah (Medina), Al
Qasim, Ar Riyad (Riyadh), Ash Sharqiyah (Eastern), 'Asir, Ha'il,
Jizan, Makkah (Mecca), Najran, Tabuk
Independence:
23 September 1932 (unification of the kingdom)
National holiday:
Unification of the Kingdom, 23 September (1932)
Constitution:
governed according to Islamic law; the Basic Law that articulates
the government's rights and responsibilities was promulgated by
royal decree in 1992
Legal system:
based on sharia law, several secular codes have been introduced;
commercial disputes handled by special committees; has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
21 years of age; male
Executive branch:
chief of state: King and Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al
Saud (since 1 August 2005); Heir Apparent Crown Prince SULTAN bin
Abd al- Aziz Al Saud (half brother of the monarch); note - the
monarch is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: King and Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz
Al Saud (since 1 August 2005); Deputy Prime Minister SULTAN bin Abd
al-Aziz Al Saud; Second Deputy Prime Minister NAYIF bin Abd Al-Aziz
Al Saud
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch every four
years and includes many royal family members
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; note - an Allegiance
Commission created by royal decree in October 2006 established a
committee of Saudi princes that will play a role in selecting future
Saudi kings, but the system will not take effect until after Crown
Prince Sultan becomes king
Legislative branch:
Consultative Council or Majlis al-Shura (150 members and a chairman
appointed by the monarch to serve four-year terms); note - though
the Council of Ministers announced in October 2003 its intent to
introduce elections for a third of the Majlis al-Shura incrementally
over a period of four to five years, to date no such elections have
been held or announced
Judicial branch:
Supreme Council of Justice
Political parties and leaders:
none
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Ansar Al Marah (supports women's rights)
other: gas companies; religious groups
International organization participation:
ABEDA, AfDB (nonregional member), AFESD, AMF, BIS, FAO, G-20, G-77,
GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO,
ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO,
ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA,
UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,
WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Adil al-Ahmad al-JUBAYR
chancery: 601 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037
telephone: [1] (202) 342-3800
FAX: [1] (202) 944-3113
consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador James B. SMITH
embassy: Collector Road M, Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh
mailing address: American Embassy, Unit 61307, APO AE 09803-1307;
International Mail: P. O. Box 94309, Riyadh 11693
telephone: [966] (1) 488-3800
FAX: [966] (1) 488-7360
consulate(s) general: Dhahran, Jiddah (Jeddah)
Flag description:
green, a traditional color in Islamic flags, with the Shahada or
Muslim creed in large white Arabic script (translated as "There is
no god but God; Muhammad is the Messenger of God") above a white
horizontal saber (the tip points to the hoist side); design dates to
the early twentieth century and is closely associated with the Al
Saud family which established the kingdom in 1932; the flag is
manufactured with differing obverse and reverse sides so that the
Shahada reads - and the sword points - correctly from right to left
on both sides
note: one of only three national flags that differ on their obverse
and reverse sides - the others are Moldova and Paraguay
National anthem:
name: "Aash Al Maleek" (Long Live Our Beloved King)
lyrics/music: Ibrahim KHAFAJI/Abdul Rahman al-KHATEEB
note: music adopted 1947, lyrics adopted 1984
Economy ::Saudi Arabia
Economy - overview: