spiny lobster, conch
Tuvalu
fish
Uganda
copper, cobalt, hydropower, limestone, salt, arable land
Ukraine
iron ore, coal, manganese, natural gas, oil, salt, sulfur,
graphite, titanium, magnesium, kaolin, nickel, mercury, timber,
arable land
United Arab Emirates
petroleum, natural gas
United Kingdom
coal, petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, lead, zinc,
gold, tin, limestone, salt, clay, chalk, gypsum, potash, silica
sand, slate, arable land
United States
coal, copper, lead, molybdenum, phosphates, uranium,
bauxite, gold, iron, mercury, nickel, potash, silver, tungsten,
zinc, petroleum, natural gas, timber
United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges
terrestrial and
aquatic wildlife
Uruguay
arable land, hydropower, minor minerals, fisheries
Uzbekistan
natural gas, petroleum, coal, gold, uranium, silver,
copper, lead and zinc, tungsten, molybdenum
Vanuatu
manganese, hardwood forests, fish
Venezuela
petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, bauxite, other
minerals, hydropower, diamonds
Vietnam
phosphates, coal, manganese, bauxite, chromate, offshore oil
and gas deposits, forests, hydropower
Virgin Islands
sun, sand, sea, surf
Wake Island
none
Wallis and Futuna
NEGL
West Bank
arable land
Western Sahara
phosphates, iron ore
World
the rapid depletion of nonrenewable mineral resources, the
depletion of forest areas and wetlands, the extinction of animal and
plant species, and the deterioration in air and water quality
(especially in Eastern Europe, the former USSR, and China) pose
serious long-term problems that governments and peoples are only
beginning to address
Yemen
petroleum, fish, rock salt, marble; small deposits of coal,
gold, lead, nickel, and copper; fertile soil in west
Zambia
copper, cobalt, zinc, lead, coal, emeralds, gold, silver,
uranium, hydropower
Zimbabwe
coal, chromium ore, asbestos, gold, nickel, copper, iron
ore, vanadium, lithium, tin, platinum group metals
This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007
======================================================================
@2112 Net migration rate (migrant(s)/1,000 population)
Afghanistan
0.42 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Albania
-4.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Algeria
-0.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
American Samoa
-21.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Andorra
6.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Angola
3.55 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Anguilla
6.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Antigua and Barbuda
-6.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Argentina
0.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Armenia
-5.72 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Aruba
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Australia
3.85 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Austria
1.94 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Azerbaijan
-4.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Bahamas, The
-2.17 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Bahrain
0.82 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Bangladesh
-0.68 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Barbados
-0.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Belarus
2.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Belgium
1.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Belize
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Benin
0.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Bermuda
2.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Bhutan
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Bolivia
-1.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Bosnia and Herzegovina
13.01 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Botswana
6.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population
note: there is an increasing flow of Zimbabweans into South Africa
and Botswana in search of better economic opportunities (2006 est.)
Brazil
-0.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
British Virgin Islands
9.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Brunei
3.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Bulgaria
-4.01 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Burkina Faso
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Burma
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Burundi
8.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Cambodia
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Cameroon
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Canada
5.85 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Cape Verde
-11.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Cayman Islands
17.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population
note: major destination for Cubans trying to migrate to the US (2006
est.)
Central African Republic
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Chad
-0.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Chile
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
China
-0.39 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Christmas Island
NA
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
NA
Colombia
-0.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Comoros
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
0.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population
note: fighting between the Congolese Government and Uganda- and
Rwanda-backed Congolese rebels spawned a regional war in DRC in
August 1998, which left 2.33 million Congolese internally displaced
and caused 412,000 Congolese refugees to flee to surrounding
countries (2006 est.)
Congo, Republic of the
-3.62 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Costa Rica
0.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Cote d'Ivoire
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Croatia
1.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Cuba
-1.57 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Cyprus
0.42 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Czech Republic
0.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Denmark
2.52 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Djibouti
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Dominica
-9.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Dominican Republic
-2.79 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
East Timor
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Ecuador
-3.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Egypt
-0.21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
El Salvador
-3.61 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Equatorial Guinea
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Eritrea
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Estonia
-3.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Ethiopia
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population
note: repatriation of Ethiopian refugees residing in Sudan is
expected to continue for several years; some Sudanese, Somali, and
Eritrean refugees, who fled to Ethiopia from the fighting or famine
in their own countries, continue to return to their homes (2006 est.)
European Union
1.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
NA migrant(s)/1,000 population
(2006 est.)
Faroe Islands
0.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Fiji
-2.94 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Finland
0.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
France
0.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
French Polynesia
2.85 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Gabon
-2.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Gambia, The
1.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Gaza Strip
1.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Georgia
-4.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Germany
2.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Ghana
-0.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Gibraltar
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Greece
2.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Greenland
-8.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Grenada
-12.59 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Guam
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Guatemala
-1.94 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Guernsey
3.82 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Guinea
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population
note: as a result of conflict in neighboring countries, Guinea is
host to approximately 141,500 refugees from Cote d'Ivoire, Liberia,
and Sierra Leone (2006 est.)
Guinea-Bissau
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Guyana
-7.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Haiti
-1.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Honduras
-1.39 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Hong Kong
4.89 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Hungary
0.86 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Iceland
1.74 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
India
-0.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Indonesia
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Iran
-0.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Iraq
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Ireland
4.87 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Isle of Man
5.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Israel
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Italy
2.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Jamaica
-6.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Japan
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Jersey
2.74 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Jordan
6.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Kazakhstan
-3.33 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Kenya
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population
note: according to the UNHCR, by the end of 2005 Kenya was host to
233,778 refugees from neighboring countries, including Somalia
153,627, Sudan 67,556, Ethiopia 12,595 (2006 est.)
Kiribati
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Korea, North
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Korea, South
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Kuwait
15.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Kyrgyzstan
-2.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Laos
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Latvia
-2.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Lebanon
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Lesotho
-0.68 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Liberia
27.39 migrant(s)/1,000 population
note: at least 238,500 Liberian refugees are in surrounding
countries; the uncertain security situation has hindered their
ability to return (2006 est.)
Libya
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Liechtenstein
4.77 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Lithuania
-0.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Luxembourg
8.75 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Macau
4.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Macedonia
-0.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Madagascar
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Malawi
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Malaysia
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population
note: does not reflect net flow of an unknown number of illegal
immigrants from other countries in the region (2006 est.)
Maldives
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Mali
-6.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Malta
2.05 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Marshall Islands
-5.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Mauritania
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Mauritius
-0.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Mayotte
4.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Mexico
-4.32 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Micronesia, Federated States of
-21.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population
(2006 est.)
Moldova
-0.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Monaco
7.68 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Mongolia
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Montserrat
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Morocco
-0.87 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Mozambique
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Namibia
0.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Nauru
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Nepal
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Netherlands
2.72 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Netherlands Antilles
-0.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
New Caledonia
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population
note: there has been steady emigration from Wallis and Futuna to New
Caledonia (2006 est.)
New Zealand
3.63 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Nicaragua
-1.17 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Niger
-0.61 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Nigeria
0.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Niue
NA migrant(s)/1,000 population
Norfolk Island
NA
Northern Mariana Islands
8.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Norway
1.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Oman
0.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Pakistan
-0.59 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Palau
1.85 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Panama
-0.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Papua New Guinea
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Paraguay
-0.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Peru
-1.01 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Philippines
-1.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Pitcairn Islands
NA
Poland
-0.46 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Portugal
3.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Puerto Rico
-1.14 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Qatar
14.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Romania
-0.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Russia
1.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Rwanda
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Saint Helena
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Saint Kitts and Nevis
-4.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Saint Lucia
-1.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
-4.98 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006
est.)
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
-7.59 migrant(s)/1,000 population
(2006 est.)
Samoa
-11.76 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
San Marino
10.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sao Tome and Principe
-2.32 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Saudi Arabia
-4.94 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Senegal
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Seychelles
-5.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sierra Leone
0.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population
note: refugees currently in surrounding countries are slowly
returning (2006 est.)
Singapore
9.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Slovakia
0.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Slovenia
0.88 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Solomon Islands
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Somalia
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
South Africa
-0.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population
note: there is an increasing flow of Zimbabweans into South Africa
and Botswana in search of better economic opportunities (2006 est.)
Spain
0.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sri Lanka
-1.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sudan
-0.02 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Suriname
-8.76 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Svalbard
NA migrant(s)/1,000 population
Swaziland
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sweden
1.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Switzerland
3.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Syria
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Taiwan
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Tajikistan
-2.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Tanzania
-3.05 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Thailand
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Togo
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Tokelau
NA
Tonga
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Trinidad and Tobago
-11.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Tunisia
-0.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Turkey
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Turkmenistan
-0.75 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Turks and Caicos Islands
10.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006
est.)
Tuvalu
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Uganda
-1.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Ukraine
-0.43 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
United Arab Emirates
0.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
United Kingdom
2.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
United States
3.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Uruguay
-0.25 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Uzbekistan
-1.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Vanuatu
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Venezuela
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Vietnam
-0.42 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Virgin Islands
-8.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Wallis and Futuna
NA migrant(s)/1,000 population
note: there has been steady emigration from Wallis and Futuna to New
Caledonia (2006 est.)
West Bank
2.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Yemen
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Zambia
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Zimbabwe
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population
note: there is an increasing flow of Zimbabweans into South Africa
and Botswana in search of better economic opportunities (2006 est.)
This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007
======================================================================
@2113 Geography - note
Afghanistan
landlocked; the Hindu Kush mountains that run northeast
to southwest divide the northern provinces from the rest of the
country; the highest peaks are in the northern Vakhan (Wakhan
Corridor)
Akrotiri
British extraterritorial rights also extended to several
small off-post sites scattered across Cyprus
Albania
strategic location along Strait of Otranto (links Adriatic
Sea to Ionian Sea and Mediterranean Sea)
Algeria
second-largest country in Africa (after Sudan)
American Samoa
Pago Pago has one of the best natural deepwater
harbors in the South Pacific Ocean, sheltered by shape from rough
seas and protected by peripheral mountains from high winds;
strategic location in the South Pacific Ocean
Andorra
landlocked; straddles a number of important crossroads in
the Pyrenees
Angola
the province of Cabinda is an exclave, separated from the
rest of the country by the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Anguilla
the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser
Antilles
Antarctica
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
Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua has a deeply indented shoreline with
many natural harbors and beaches; Barbuda has a very large western
harbor
Arctic Ocean
major chokepoint is the southern Chukchi Sea (northern
access to the Pacific Ocean via the Bering Strait); strategic
location between North America and Russia; shortest marine link
between the extremes of eastern and western Russia; floating
research stations operated by the US and Russia; maximum snow cover
in March or April about 20 to 50 centimeters over the frozen ocean;
snow cover lasts about 10 months
Argentina
second-largest country in South America (after Brazil);
strategic location relative to sea lanes between the South Atlantic
and the South Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel,
Drake Passage); diverse geophysical landscapes range from tropical
climates in the north to tundra in the far south; Cerro Aconcagua is
the Western Hemisphere's tallest mountain, while Laguna del Carbon
is the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere
Armenia
landlocked in the Lesser Caucasus Mountains; Sevana Lich
(Lake Sevan) is the largest lake in this mountain range
Aruba
a flat, riverless island renowned for its white sand beaches;
its tropical climate is moderated by constant trade winds from the
Atlantic Ocean; the temperature is almost constant at about 27
degrees Celsius (81 degrees Fahrenheit)
Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve
established in August 1983
Atlantic Ocean
major chokepoints include the Dardanelles, Strait of
Gibraltar, access to the Panama and Suez Canals; strategic straits
include the Strait of Dover, Straits of Florida, Mona Passage, The
Sound (Oresund), and Windward Passage; the Equator divides the
Atlantic Ocean into the North Atlantic Ocean and South Atlantic Ocean
Australia
world's smallest continent but sixth-largest country;
population concentrated along the eastern and southeastern coasts;
the invigorating sea breeze known as the "Fremantle Doctor" affects
the city of Perth on the west coast, and is one of the most
consistent winds in the world
Austria
landlocked; strategic location at the crossroads of central
Europe with many easily traversable Alpine passes and valleys; major
river is the Danube; population is concentrated on eastern lowlands
because of steep slopes, poor soils, and low temperatures elsewhere
Azerbaijan
both the main area of the country and the Naxcivan
exclave are landlocked
Bahamas, The
strategic location adjacent to US and Cuba; extensive
island chain of which 30 are inhabited
Bahrain
close to primary Middle Eastern petroleum sources; strategic
location in Persian Gulf, through which much of the Western world's
petroleum must transit to reach open ocean
Baker Island
treeless, sparse, and scattered vegetation consisting
of grasses, prostrate vines, and low growing shrubs; primarily a
nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds,
and marine wildlife
Bangladesh
most of the country is situated on deltas of large rivers
flowing from the Himalayas: the Ganges unites with the Jamuna (main
channel of the Brahmaputra) and later joins the Meghna to eventually
empty into the Bay of Bengal
Barbados
easternmost Caribbean island
Bassas da India
the islands emerge from a circular reef that sits
atop a long-extinct, submerged volcano
Belarus
landlocked; glacial scouring accounts for the flatness of
Belarusian terrain and for its 11,000 lakes
Belgium
crossroads of Western Europe; majority of West European
capitals within 1,000 km of Brussels, the seat of both the European
Union and NATO
Belize
only country in Central America without a coastline on the
North Pacific Ocean
Benin
sandbanks create difficult access to a coast with no natural
harbors, river mouths, or islands
Bermuda
consists of about 138 coral islands and islets with ample
rainfall, but no rivers or freshwater lakes; some land was leased by
US Government from 1941 to 1995
Bhutan
landlocked; strategic location between China and India;
controls several key Himalayan mountain passes
Bolivia
landlocked; shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest
navigable lake (elevation 3,805 m), with Peru
Bosnia and Herzegovina
within Bosnia and Herzegovina's recognized
borders, the country is divided into a joint Bosniak/Croat
Federation (about 51% of the territory) and the Bosnian Serb-led
Republika Srpska or RS (about 49% of the territory); the region
called Herzegovina is contiguous to Croatia and Serbia and
Montenegro (Montenegro), and traditionally has been settled by an
ethnic Croat majority in the west and an ethnic Serb majority in the
east
Botswana
landlocked; population concentrated in eastern part of the
country
Bouvet Island
covered by glacial ice; declared a nature reserve
Brazil
largest country in South America; shares common boundaries
with every South American country except Chile and Ecuador
British Indian Ocean Territory
archipelago of 55 islands; Diego
Garcia, largest and southernmost island, occupies strategic location
in central Indian Ocean; island is site of joint US-UK military
facility
British Virgin Islands
strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and
Puerto Rico
Brunei
close to vital sea lanes through South China Sea linking
Indian and Pacific Oceans; two parts physically separated by
Malaysia; almost an enclave within Malaysia
Bulgaria
strategic location near Turkish Straits; controls key land
routes from Europe to Middle East and Asia
Burkina Faso
landlocked savanna cut by the three principal rivers of
the Black, Red, and White Voltas
Burma
strategic location near major Indian Ocean shipping lanes
Burundi
landlocked; straddles crest of the Nile-Congo watershed; the
Kagera, which drains into Lake Victoria, is the most remote
headstream of the White Nile
Cambodia
a land of paddies and forests dominated by the Mekong River
and Tonle Sap
Cameroon
sometimes referred to as the hinge of Africa; throughout
the country there are areas of thermal springs and indications of
current or prior volcanic activity; Mount Cameroon, the highest
mountain in Sub-Saharan west Africa, is an active volcano
Canada
second-largest country in world (after Russia); strategic
location between Russia and US via north polar route; approximately
90% of the population is concentrated within 160 km of the US border
Cape Verde
strategic location 500 km from west coast of Africa near
major north-south sea routes; important communications station;
important sea and air refueling site
Cayman Islands
important location between Cuba and Central America
Central African Republic
landlocked; almost the precise center of
Africa
Chad
landlocked; Lake Chad is the most significant water body in the
Sahel
Chile
strategic location relative to sea lanes between Atlantic and
Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Drake Passage);
Atacama Desert is one of world's driest regions
China
world's fourth largest country (after Russia, Canada, and US);
Mount Everest on the border with Nepal is the world's tallest peak
Christmas Island
located along major sea lanes of Indian Ocean
Clipperton Island
reef 12 km in circumference
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
islands are thickly covered with coconut
palms and other vegetation
Colombia
only South American country with coastlines on both the
North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea
Comoros
important location at northern end of Mozambique Channel
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
straddles equator; has very narrow
strip of land that controls the lower Congo River and is only outlet
to South Atlantic Ocean; dense tropical rain forest in central river
basin and eastern highlands
Congo, Republic of the
about 70% of the population lives in
Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, or along the railroad between them
Cook Islands
the northern Cook Islands are seven low-lying, sparsely
populated, coral atolls; the southern Cook Islands, where most of
the population lives, consist of eight elevated, fertile, volcanic
isles, including the largest, Rarotonga, at 67 sq km
Coral Sea Islands
important nesting area for birds and turtles
Costa Rica
four volcanoes, two of them active, rise near the capital
of San Jose in the center of the country; one of the volcanoes,
Irazu, erupted destructively in 1963-65
Cote d'Ivoire
most of the inhabitants live along the sandy coastal
region; apart from the capital area, the forested interior is
sparsely populated
Croatia
controls most land routes from Western Europe to Aegean Sea
and Turkish Straits; the vast majority of Adriatic Sea islands lie
off the coast of Croatia - some 1,200 islands, islets, ridges, and
rocks
Cuba
largest country in Caribbean and westernmost island of the
Greater Antilles
Cyprus
the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea (after
Sicily and Sardinia)
Czech Republic
landlocked; strategically located astride some of
oldest and most significant land routes in Europe; Moravian Gate is
a traditional military corridor between the North European Plain and
the Danube in central Europe
Denmark
controls Danish Straits (Skagerrak and Kattegat) linking
Baltic and North Seas; about one-quarter of the population lives in
greater Copenhagen
Dhekelia
British extraterritorial rights also extended to several
small off-post sites scattered across Cyprus
Djibouti
strategic location near world's busiest shipping lanes and
close to Arabian oilfields; terminus of rail traffic into Ethiopia;
mostly wasteland; Lac Assal (Lake Assal) is the lowest point in
Africa
Dominica
known as "The Nature Island of the Caribbean" due to its
spectacular, lush, and varied flora and fauna, which are protected
by an extensive natural park system; the most mountainous of the
Lesser Antilles, its volcanic peaks are cones of lava craters and
include Boiling Lake, the second-largest, thermally active lake in
the world
Dominican Republic
shares island of Hispaniola with Haiti
East Timor
Timor comes from the Malay word for "East"; the island of
Timor is part of the Malay Archipelago and is the largest and
easternmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands
Ecuador
Cotopaxi in Andes is highest active volcano in world
Egypt
controls Sinai Peninsula, only land bridge between Africa and
remainder of Eastern Hemisphere; controls Suez Canal, a sea link
between Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea; size, and juxtaposition
to Israel, establish its major role in Middle Eastern geopolitics;
dependence on upstream neighbors; dominance of Nile basin issues;
prone to influxes of refugees
El Salvador
smallest Central American country and only one without a
coastline on Caribbean Sea
Equatorial Guinea
insular and continental regions widely separated
Eritrea
strategic geopolitical position along world's busiest
shipping lanes; Eritrea retained the entire coastline of Ethiopia
along the Red Sea upon de jure independence from Ethiopia on 24 May
1993
Estonia
the mainland terrain is flat, boggy, and partly wooded;
offshore lie more than 1,500 islands
Ethiopia
landlocked - entire coastline along the Red Sea was lost
with the de jure independence of Eritrea on 24 May 1993; the Blue
Nile, the chief headstream of the Nile by water volume, rises in
T'ana Hayk (Lake Tana) in northwest Ethiopia; three major crops are
believed to have originated in Ethiopia: coffee, grain sorghum, and
castor bean
Europa Island
wildlife sanctuary
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
deeply indented coast provides
good natural harbors; short growing season
Faroe Islands
archipelago of 17 inhabited islands and one
uninhabited island, and a few uninhabited islets; strategically
located along important sea lanes in northeastern Atlantic;
precipitous terrain limits habitation to small coastal lowlands
Fiji
includes 332 islands; approximately 110 are inhabited
Finland
long boundary with Russia; Helsinki is northernmost national
capital on European continent; population concentrated on small
southwestern coastal plain
France
largest West European nation
French Polynesia
includes five archipelagoes (4 volcanic, 1 coral);
Makatea in French Polynesia is one of the three great phosphate rock
islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (Ocean Island)
in Kiribati and Nauru
French Southern and Antarctic Lands
islands component is widely
scattered across remote locations in the southern Indian Ocean
Gabon
a small population and oil and mineral reserves have helped
Gabon become one of Africa's wealthier countries; in general, these
circumstances have allowed the country to maintain and conserve its
pristine rain forest and rich biodiversity
Gambia, The
almost an enclave of Senegal; smallest country on the
continent of Africa
Gaza Strip
strategic strip of land along Mideast-North African trade
routes has experienced an incredibly turbulent history; the town of
Gaza itself has been besieged countless times in its history
Georgia
strategically located east of the Black Sea; Georgia
controls much of the Caucasus Mountains and the routes through them
Germany
strategic location on North European Plain and along the
entrance to the Baltic Sea
Ghana
Lake Volta is the world's largest artificial lake
Gibraltar
strategic location on Strait of Gibraltar that links the
North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea
Glorioso Islands
the islands and rocks are surrounded by an
extensive reef system
Greece
strategic location dominating the Aegean Sea and southern
approach to Turkish Straits; a peninsular country, possessing an
archipelago of about 2,000 islands
Greenland
dominates North Atlantic Ocean between North America and
Europe; sparse population confined to small settlements along coast,
but close to one-quarter of the population lives in the capital,
Nuuk; world's second largest ice cap
Grenada
the administration of the islands of the Grenadines group is
divided between Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada
Guam
largest and southernmost island in the Mariana Islands
archipelago; strategic location in western North Pacific Ocean
Guatemala
no natural harbors on west coast
Guernsey
large, deepwater harbor at Saint Peter Port
Guinea
the Niger and its important tributary the Milo have their
sources in the Guinean highlands
Guinea-Bissau
this small country is swampy along its western coast
and low-lying further inland
Guyana
the third-smallest country in South America after Suriname
and Uruguay; substantial portions of its western and eastern
territories are claimed by Venezuela and Suriname respectively
Haiti
shares island of Hispaniola with Dominican Republic (western
one-third is Haiti, eastern two-thirds is the Dominican Republic)
Holy See (Vatican City)
landlocked; enclave in Rome, Italy; world's
smallest state; beyond the territorial boundary of Vatican City, the
Lateran Treaty of 1929 grants the Holy See extraterritorial
authority over 23 sites in Rome and five outside of Rome, including
the Pontifical Palace at Castel Gandolfo (the Pope's summer
residence)
Honduras
has only a short Pacific coast but a long Caribbean
shoreline, including the virtually uninhabited eastern Mosquito Coast
Hong Kong
more than 200 islands
Howland Island
almost totally covered with grasses, prostrate vines,
and low-growing shrubs; small area of trees in the center; primarily
a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds,
and marine wildlife
Hungary
landlocked; strategic location astride main land routes
between Western Europe and Balkan Peninsula as well as between
Ukraine and Mediterranean basin; the north-south flowing Duna
(Danube) and Tisza Rivers divide the country into three large regions
Iceland
strategic location between Greenland and Europe; westernmost
European country; Reykjavik is the northernmost national capital in
the world; more land covered by glaciers than in all of continental
Europe
Iles Eparses
Bassas da India: the atoll is a circular reef that sits
atop a long-extinct, submerged volcano
Europa Island and Juan de Nova Island: wildlife sanctuary for
seabirds and sea turtles
Glorioso Islands: the islands and rocks are surrounded by an
extensive reef system
Tromelin Island: climatologically important location for forecasting
cyclones in the western Indian Ocean; wildlife sanctuary (seabirds,
tortoises)
India
dominates South Asian subcontinent; near important Indian
Ocean trade routes; Kanchenjunga, third tallest mountain in the
world, lies on the border with Nepal
Indian Ocean
major chokepoints include Bab el Mandeb, Strait of
Hormuz, Strait of Malacca, southern access to the Suez Canal, and
the Lombok Strait
Indonesia
archipelago of 17,508 islands (6,000 inhabited); straddles
equator; strategic location astride or along major sea lanes from
Indian Ocean to Pacific Ocean
Iran
strategic location on the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz,
which are vital maritime pathways for crude oil transport
Iraq
strategic location on Shatt al Arab waterway and at the head of
the Persian Gulf
Ireland
strategic location on major air and sea routes between North
America and northern Europe; over 40% of the population resides
within 100 km of Dublin
Isle of Man
one small islet, the Calf of Man, lies to the southwest,
and is a bird sanctuary
Israel
there are 242 Israeli settlements and civilian land use sites
in the West Bank, 42 in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, 0 in the
Gaza Strip, and 29 in East Jerusalem (August 2005 est.); Sea of
Galilee is an important freshwater source
Italy
strategic location dominating central Mediterranean as well as
southern sea and air approaches to Western Europe
Jamaica
strategic location between Cayman Trench and Jamaica
Channel, the main sea lanes for the Panama Canal
Jan Mayen
barren volcanic island with some moss and grass
Japan
strategic location in northeast Asia
Jarvis Island
sparse bunch grass, prostrate vines, and low-growing
shrubs; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for
seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife
Jersey
largest and southernmost of Channel Islands; about 30% of
population concentrated in Saint Helier
Johnston Atoll
strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean;
Johnston Island and Sand Island are natural islands, which have been
expanded by coral dredging; North Island (Akau) and East Island
(Hikina) are manmade islands formed from coral dredging; the
egg-shaped reef is 34 km in circumference; closed to the public; a
former US nuclear weapons test site; site of now-closed Johnston
Atoll Chemical Agent Disposal System (JACADS); most facilities
dismantled and cleanup complete in 2004; some low-growing vegetation
Jordan
strategic location at the head of the Gulf of Aqaba and as
the Arab country that shares the longest border with Israel and the
occupied West Bank
Juan de Nova Island
wildlife sanctuary
Kazakhstan
landlocked; Russia leases approximately 6,000 sq km of
territory enclosing the Baykonur Cosmodrome; in January 2004,
Kazakhstan and Russia extended the lease to 2050
Kenya
the Kenyan Highlands comprise one of the most successful
agricultural production regions in Africa; glaciers are found on
Mount Kenya, Africa's second highest peak; unique physiography
supports abundant and varied wildlife of scientific and economic
value
Kingman Reef
barren coral atoll with deep interior lagoon; closed to
the public
Kiribati
21 of the 33 islands are inhabited; Banaba (Ocean Island)
in Kiribati is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the
Pacific Ocean - the others are Makatea in French Polynesia, and Nauru
Korea, North
strategic location bordering China, South Korea, and
Russia; mountainous interior is isolated and sparsely populated
Korea, South
strategic location on Korea Strait
Kuwait
strategic location at head of Persian Gulf
Kyrgyzstan
landlocked; entirely mountainous, dominated by the Tien
Shan range; many tall peaks, glaciers, and high-altitude lakes
Laos
landlocked; most of the country is mountainous and thickly
forested; the Mekong River forms a large part of the western
boundary with Thailand
Latvia
most of the country is composed of fertile, low-lying plains,
with some hills in the east
Lebanon
Nahr el Litani is the only major river in Near East not
crossing an international boundary; rugged terrain historically
helped isolate, protect, and develop numerous factional groups based
on religion, clan, and ethnicity
Lesotho
landlocked, completely surrounded by South Africa;
mountainous, more than 80% of the country is 1,800 meters above sea
level
Liberia
facing the Atlantic Ocean, the coastline is characterized by
lagoons, mangrove swamps, and river-deposited sandbars; the inland
grassy plateau supports limited agriculture
Libya
more than 90% of the country is desert or semidesert
Liechtenstein
along with Uzbekistan, one of only two doubly
landlocked countries in the world; variety of microclimatic
variations based on elevation
Lithuania
fertile central plains are separated by hilly uplands that
are ancient glacial deposits
Luxembourg
landlocked; the only Grand Duchy in the world
Macau
essentially urban; an area of land reclaimed from the sea
measuring 5.2 sq km and known as Cotai now connects the islands of
Coloane and Taipa; the island area is connected to the mainland
peninsula by three bridges
Macedonia
landlocked; major transportation corridor from Western and
Central Europe to Aegean Sea and Southern Europe to Western Europe
Madagascar
world's fourth-largest island; strategic location along
Mozambique Channel
Malawi
landlocked; Lake Nyasa, some 580 km long, is the country's
most prominent physical feature
Malaysia
strategic location along Strait of Malacca and southern
South China Sea
Maldives
1,190 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls (200 inhabited
islands, plus 80 islands with tourist resorts); archipelago with
strategic location astride and along major sea lanes in Indian Ocean
Mali
landlocked; divided into three natural zones: the southern,
cultivated Sudanese; the central, semiarid Sahelian; and the
northern, arid Saharan
Malta
the country comprises an archipelago, with only the three
largest islands (Malta, Ghawdex or Gozo, and Kemmuna or Comino)
being inhabited; numerous bays provide good harbors; Malta and
Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the
continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil
exploration
Marshall Islands
Bikini and Enewetak are former US nuclear test
sites; Kwajalein, the famous World War II battleground, is used as a
US missile test range; island city of Ebeye is the second largest
settlement in the Marshall Islands, after the capital of Majuro, and
one of the most densely populated locations in the Pacific
Mauritania
most of the population concentrated in the cities of
Nouakchott and Nouadhibou and along the Senegal River in the
southern part of the country
Mauritius
the main island, from which the country derives its name,
is of volcanic origin and is almost entirely surrounded by coral
reefs
Mayotte
part of Comoro Archipelago; 18 islands
Mexico
strategic location on southern border of US; corn (maize),
one of the world's major grain crops, is thought to have originated
in Mexico
Micronesia, Federated States of
four major island groups totaling
607 islands
Midway Islands
a coral atoll managed as a national wildlife refuge
and open to the public for wildlife-related recreation in the form
of wildlife observation and photography, sport fishing, snorkeling,
and scuba diving; the refuge is temporarily closed for
reorganization at present (2004)
Moldova
landlocked; well endowed with various sedimentary rocks and
minerals including sand, gravel, gypsum, and limestone
Monaco
second-smallest independent state in the world (after Holy
See); almost entirely urban
Mongolia
landlocked; strategic location between China and Russia
Montenegro
strategic location along the Adriatic coast
Montserrat
the island is entirely volcanic in origin and comprised
of three major volcanic centers of differing ages
Morocco
strategic location along Strait of Gibraltar
Mozambique
the Zambezi flows through the north-central and most
fertile part of the country
Namibia
first country in the world to incorporate the protection of
the environment into its constitution; some 14% of the land is
protected, including virtually the entire Namib Desert coastal strip
Nauru
Nauru is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the
Pacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati and
Makatea in French Polynesia; only 53 km south of Equator
Navassa Island
strategic location 160 km south of the US Naval Base
at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; mostly exposed rock but with enough
grassland to support goat herds; dense stands of fig-like trees,
scattered cactus
Nepal
landlocked; strategic location between China and India;
contains eight of world's 10 highest peaks, including Mount Everest
and Kanchenjunga - the world's tallest and third tallest - on the
borders with China and India respectively
Netherlands
located at mouths of three major European rivers (Rhine,
Maas or Meuse, and Schelde)
Netherlands Antilles
the five islands of the Netherlands Antilles
are divided geographically into the Leeward Islands (northern) group
(Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten) and the Windward Islands
(southern) group (Bonaire and Curacao)
New Caledonia
consists of the main island of New Caledonia (one of
the largest in the Pacific Ocean), the archipelago of Iles Loyaute,
and numerous small, sparsely populated islands and atolls
New Zealand
about 80% of the population lives in cities; Wellington
is the southernmost national capital in the world
Nicaragua
largest country in Central America; contains the largest
freshwater body in Central America, Lago de Nicaragua
Niger
landlocked; one of the hottest countries in the world;
northern four-fifths is desert, southern one-fifth is savanna,
suitable for livestock and limited agriculture
Nigeria
the Niger enters the country in the northwest and flows
southward through tropical rain forests and swamps to its delta in
the Gulf of Guinea
Niue
one of world's largest coral islands
Norfolk Island
most of the 32 km coastline consists of almost
inaccessible cliffs, but the land slopes down to the sea in one
small southern area on Sydney Bay, where the capital of Kingston is
situated
Northern Mariana Islands
strategic location in the North Pacific
Ocean
Norway
about two-thirds mountains; some 50,000 islands off its much
indented coastline; strategic location adjacent to sea lanes and air
routes in North Atlantic; one of most rugged and longest coastlines
in the world
Oman
strategic location on Musandam Peninsula adjacent to Strait of
Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil
Pacific Ocean
the major chokepoints are the Bering Strait, Panama
Canal, Luzon Strait, and the Singapore Strait; the Equator divides
the Pacific Ocean into the North Pacific Ocean and the South Pacific
Ocean; dotted with low coral islands and rugged volcanic islands in
the southwestern Pacific Ocean
Pakistan
controls Khyber Pass and Bolan Pass, traditional invasion
routes between Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent
Palau
westernmost archipelago in the Caroline chain, consists of six
island groups totaling more than 300 islands; includes World War II
battleground of Beliliou (Peleliu) and world-famous rock islands
Palmyra Atoll
about 50 islets covered with dense vegetation, coconut
trees, and balsa-like trees up to 30 meters tall
Panama
strategic location on eastern end of isthmus forming land
bridge connecting North and South America; controls Panama Canal
that links North Atlantic Ocean via Caribbean Sea with North Pacific
Ocean
Papua New Guinea
shares island of New Guinea with Indonesia; one of
world's largest swamps along southwest coast
Paracel Islands
composed of 130 small coral islands and reefs
divided into the northeast Amphitrite Group and the western Crescent
Group
Paraguay
landlocked; lies between Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil;
population concentrated in southern part of country
Peru
shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigable
lake, with Bolivia; a remote slope of Nevado Mismi, a 5,316 m peak,
is the ultimate source of the Amazon River
Philippines
the Philippine archipelago is made up of 7,107 islands;
favorably located in relation to many of Southeast Asia's main water
bodies: the South China Sea, Philippine Sea, Sulu Sea, Celebes Sea,
and Luzon Strait
Pitcairn Islands
Britain's most isolated dependency; only the larger
island of Pitcairn is inhabited but it has no port or natural
harbor; supplies must be transported by rowed longboat from larger
ships stationed offshore
Poland
historically, an area of conflict because of flat terrain and
the lack of natural barriers on the North European Plain
Portugal
Azores and Madeira Islands occupy strategic locations along
western sea approaches to Strait of Gibraltar
Puerto Rico
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
Qatar
strategic location in central Persian Gulf near major
petroleum deposits
Romania
controls most easily traversable land route between the
Balkans, Moldova, and Ukraine
Russia
largest country in the world in terms of area but unfavorably
located in relation to major sea lanes of the world; despite its
size, much of the country lacks proper soils and climates (either
too cold or too dry) for agriculture; Mount El'brus is Europe's
tallest peak
Rwanda
landlocked; most of the country is savanna grassland with the
population predominantly rural
Saint Helena
Saint Helena harbors at least 40 species of plants
unknown anywhere else in the world; Ascension is a breeding ground
for sea turtles and sooty terns; Queen Mary's Peak on Tristan da
Cunha is the highest island mountain in the South Atlantic and a
prominent landmark on the sea lanes around southern Africa
Saint Kitts and Nevis
with coastlines in the shape of a baseball bat
and ball, the two volcanic islands are separated by a three-km-wide
channel called The Narrows; on the southern tip of long, baseball
bat-shaped Saint Kitts lies the Great Salt Pond; Nevis Peak sits in
the center of its almost circular namesake island and its ball shape
complements that of its sister island
Saint Lucia
the twin Pitons (Gros Piton and Petit Piton), striking
cone-shaped peaks south of Soufriere, are one of the scenic natural
highlights of the Caribbean
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
vegetation scanty
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
the administration of the islands
of the Grenadines group is divided between Saint Vincent and the
Grenadines and Grenada; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is
comprised of 32 islands and cays
Samoa
occupies an almost central position within Polynesia
San Marino
landlocked; smallest independent state in Europe after
the Holy See and Monaco; dominated by the Apennines
Sao Tome and Principe
the smallest country in Africa; the two main
islands form part of a chain of extinct volcanoes and both are
fairly mountainous
Saudi Arabia
extensive coastlines on Persian Gulf and Red Sea
provide great leverage on shipping (especially crude oil) through
Persian Gulf and Suez Canal
Senegal
westernmost country on the African continent; The Gambia is
almost an enclave within Senegal
Serbia
controls one of the major land routes from Western Europe to
Turkey and the Near East
Seychelles
41 granitic and about 75 coralline islands
Sierra Leone
rainfall along the coast can reach 495 cm (195 inches)
a year, making it one of the wettest places along coastal, western
Africa
Singapore
focal point for Southeast Asian sea routes
Slovakia
landlocked; most of the country is rugged and mountainous;
the Tatra Mountains in the north are interspersed with many scenic
lakes and valleys
Slovenia
despite its small size, this eastern Alpine country
controls some of Europe's major transit routes
Solomon Islands
strategic location on sea routes between the South
Pacific Ocean, the Solomon Sea, and the Coral Sea
Somalia
strategic location on Horn of Africa along southern
approaches to Bab el Mandeb and route through Red Sea and Suez Canal
South Africa
South Africa completely surrounds Lesotho and almost
completely surrounds Swaziland
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
the north coast of
South Georgia has several large bays, which provide good anchorage;
reindeer, introduced early in the 20th century, live on South Georgia
Southern Ocean
the major chokepoint is the Drake Passage between
South America and Antarctica; the Polar Front (Antarctic
Convergence) is the best natural definition of the northern extent
of the Southern Ocean; it is a distinct region at the middle of the
Antarctic Circumpolar Current that separates the very cold polar
surface waters to the south from the warmer waters to the north; the
Front and the Current extend entirely around Antarctica, reaching
south of 60 degrees south near New Zealand and near 48 degrees south
in the far South Atlantic coinciding with the path of the maximum
westerly winds
Spain
strategic location along approaches to Strait of Gibraltar
Spratly Islands
strategically located near several primary shipping
lanes in the central South China Sea; includes numerous small
islands, atolls, shoals, and coral reefs
Sri Lanka
strategic location near major Indian Ocean sea lanes
Sudan
largest country in Africa; dominated by the Nile and its
tributaries
Suriname
smallest independent country on South American continent;
mostly tropical rain forest; great diversity of flora and fauna
that, for the most part, is increasingly threatened by new
development; relatively small population, mostly along the coast
Svalbard
northernmost part of the Kingdom of Norway; consists of
nine main islands; glaciers and snowfields cover 60% of the total
area; site of future seed repository under construction by the
Global Crop Diversity Trust and the Norwegian Government
Swaziland
landlocked; almost completely surrounded by South Africa
Sweden
strategic location along Danish Straits linking Baltic and
North Seas
Switzerland
landlocked; crossroads of northern and southern Europe;
along with southeastern France, northern Italy, and southwestern
Austria, has the highest elevations in the Alps
Syria
there are 42 Israeli settlements and civilian land use sites
in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights (August 2005 est.)
Taiwan
strategic location adjacent to both the Taiwan Strait and the
Luzon Strait
Tajikistan
landlocked; mountainous region dominated by the
Trans-Alay Range in the north and the Pamirs in the southeast;
highest point, Qullai Ismoili Somoni (formerly Communism Peak), was
the tallest mountain in the former USSR
Tanzania
Kilimanjaro is highest point in Africa; bordered by three
of the largest lakes on the continent: Lake Victoria (the world's
second-largest freshwater lake) in the north, Lake Tanganyika (the
world's second deepest) in the west, and Lake Nyasa in the southwest
Thailand
controls only land route from Asia to Malaysia and Singapore
Togo
the country's length allows it to stretch through six distinct
geographic regions; climate varies from tropical to savanna
Tokelau
consists of three atolls, each with a lagoon surrounded by a
number of reef-bound islets of varying length and rising to over
three meters above sea level
Tonga
archipelago of 169 islands (36 inhabited)
Trinidad and Tobago
Pitch Lake, on Trinidad's southwestern coast, is
the world's largest natural reservoir of asphalt
Tromelin Island
climatologically important location for forecasting
cyclones; wildlife sanctuary (seabirds, tortoises)
Tunisia
strategic location in central Mediterranean; Malta and
Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the
continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil
exploration
Turkey
strategic location controlling the Turkish Straits (Bosporus,
Sea of Marmara, Dardanelles) that link Black and Aegean Seas; Mount
Ararat, the legendary landing place of Noah's Ark, is in the far
eastern portion of the country
Turkmenistan
landlocked; the western and central low-lying, desolate
portions of the country make up the great Garagum (Kara-Kum) desert,
which occupies over 80% of the country; eastern part is plateau
Turks and Caicos Islands
about 40 islands (eight inhabited)
Tuvalu
one of the smallest and most remote countries on Earth; six
of the coral atolls - Nanumea, Nui, Vaitupu, Nukufetau, Funafuti,
and Nukulaelae - have lagoons open to the ocean; Nanumaya and Niutao
have landlocked lagoons; Niulakita does not have a lagoon
Uganda
landlocked; fertile, well-watered country with many lakes and
rivers
Ukraine
strategic position at the crossroads between Europe and
Asia; second-largest country in Europe
United Arab Emirates
strategic location along southern approaches to
Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil
United Kingdom
lies near vital North Atlantic sea lanes; only 35 km
from France and linked by tunnel under the English Channel; because
of heavily indented coastline, no location is more than 125 km from
tidal waters
United States
world's third-largest country by size (after Russia
and Canada) and by population (after China and India); Mt. McKinley
is highest point in North America and Death Valley the lowest point
on the continent
United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges
Baker, Howland, and
Jarvis Islands: scattered vegetation consisting of grasses,
prostrate vines, and low growing shrubs; primarily a nesting,
roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine
wildlife
Johnston Atoll: Johnston Island and Sand Island are natural islands,
which have been expanded by coral dredging; North Island (Akau) and
East Island (Hikina) are manmade islands formed from coral dredging;
the egg-shaped reef is 34 km in circumference
Kingman Reef: barren coral atoll with deep interior lagoon; closed
to the public
Midway Islands: a coral atoll managed as a national wildlife refuge
and open to the public for wildlife-related recreation in the form
of wildlife observation and photography
Palmyra Atoll: the high rainfall and resulting lush vegetation make
the environment of this atoll unique among the US Pacific Island
territories; it supports one of the largest remaining undisturbed
stands of Pisonia beach forest in the Pacific
Uruguay
second-smallest South American country (after Suriname);
most of the low-lying landscape (three-quarters of the country) is
grassland, ideal for cattle and sheep raising
Uzbekistan
along with Liechtenstein, one of the only two doubly
landlocked countries in the world
Vanuatu
a Y-shaped chain of four main islands and 80 smaller
islands; several of the islands have active volcanoes
Venezuela
on major sea and air routes linking North and South
America; Angel Falls in the Guiana Highlands is the world's highest
waterfall
Vietnam
extending 1,650 km north to south, the country is only 50 km
across at its narrowest point
Virgin Islands
important location along the Anegada Passage - a key
shipping lane for the Panama Canal; Saint Thomas has one of the best
natural deepwater harbors in the Caribbean
Wake Island
strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean; emergency
landing location for transpacific flights
Wallis and Futuna
both island groups have fringing reefs
West Bank
landlocked; highlands are main recharge area for Israel's
coastal aquifers; there are 242 West Bank settlements and 29 East
Jerusalem settlements in addition to at least 20 occupied outposts
(August 2005 est.)
Western Sahara
the waters off the coast are particularly rich
fishing areas
World
the world is now thought to be about 4.55 billion years old,
just about one-third of the 13-billion-year age estimated for the
universe
Yemen
strategic location on Bab el Mandeb, the strait linking the
Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, one of world's most active shipping
lanes
Zambia
landlocked; the Zambezi forms a natural riverine boundary
with Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
landlocked; the Zambezi forms a natural riverine boundary
with Zambia; in full flood (February-April) the massive Victoria
Falls on the river forms the world's largest curtain of falling water
This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007
======================================================================
@2115 Political pressure groups and leaders
Afghanistan
Albania
Citizens Advocacy Office [Kreshnik SPAHIU]; Confederation of
Trade Unions of Albania or KSSH [Kastriot MUCO]; Front for Albanian
National Unification or FBKSH [Gafur ADILI]; Mjaft Movement [Erion
VELIAJ]; Omonia [Jani JANI]; Union of Independent Trade Unions of
Albania or BSPSH [Gezim KALAJA]
Algeria
The Algerian Human Rights League or LADH or LADDH [Yahia Ali
ABDENOUR]; SOS Disparus [Nacera DUTOUR]; Somoud [Ali MERABET]
American Samoa
NA
Andorra
NA
Angola
Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda or FLEC
[N'zita Henriques TIAGO, Antonio Bento BEMBE]
note: FLEC's small-scale, highly factionalized armed struggle for
the independence of Cabinda Province has largely ended
Anguilla
NA
Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua Trades and Labor Union or ATLU [William
ROBINSON]; People's Democratic Movement or PDM [Hugh MARSHALL]
Argentina
Argentine Association of Pharmaceutical Labs (CILFA);
Argentine Industrial Union (manufacturers' association); Argentine
Rural Confederation or CRA (small to medium landowners'
association); Argentine Rural Society (large landowners'
association); business organizations; Central of Argentine Workers
or CTA (a radical union for employed and unemployed workers);
General Confederation of Labor or CGT (Peronist-leaning umbrella
labor organization); Peronist-dominated labor movement; Piquetero
groups (popular protest organizations that can be either pro or
anti-government); Roman Catholic Church; students
Armenia
Yerkrapah Union [Manvel GRIGORIAN]
Aruba
NA
Austria
Austrian Trade Union Federation (nominally independent but
primarily Social Democratic) or OeGB; Federal Economic Chamber;
OeVP-oriented Association of Austrian Industrialists or IV; Roman
Catholic Church, including its chief lay organization, Catholic
Action; three composite leagues of the Austrian People's Party or
OeVP representing business, labor, and farmers and other
non-government organizations in the areas of environment and human
rights
Azerbaijan
Sadval, Lezgin movement; self-proclaimed Armenian
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic; Talysh independence movement; Union of
Pro-Azerbaijani Forces (UPAF); Karabakh Liberation Organization
Bahamas, The
NA
Bahrain
Shi'a activists fomented unrest sporadically in 1994-97 and
have recently engaged in protests and sporadic violence, demanding
more power for the elected Council of Deputies to decrease
unemployment; Sunni Islamist legislators support a greater role for
shari'a in daily life; several small leftist and Islamic
fundamentalist groups are active
Bangladesh
NA
Barbados
Barbados Secondary Teachers' Union or BSTU [Patrick FROST];
Barbados Union of Teachers or BUT [Herbert GITTENS]; Congress of
Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados or CTUSAB, which
includes the BWU, NUPW, BUT, and BSTU [Leroy TROTMAN]; Barbados
Workers Union or BWU [Leroy TROTMAN]; Clement Payne Labor Union
[David COMISSIONG]; National Union of Public Workers [Joseph GODDARD]
Belarus
Assembly of Pro-Democratic NGOs [Sergey MATSKEVICH];
Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions [Alyaksandr
YAROSHUK]; Belarusian Helsinki Committee [Tatiana PROTKO];
Belarusian Organization of Working Women [Irina ZHIKHAR]; Charter 97
[Andrey SANNIKOV]; Lenin Communist Union of Youth (youth wing of the
Belarusian Party of Communists or PKB); National Strike Committee of
Entrepreneurs [Aleksandr VASILYEV, Valery LEVONEVSKY]; Partnership
NGO [Nikolay ASTREYKA]; Perspektiva kiosk watchdog NGO [Anatol
SHUMCHENKO]; Vyasna [Ales BYALATSKY]; Women's Independent Democratic
Movement [Ludmila PETINA]; Youth Front (Malady Front) [Dzmitryy
DASHKEVICH, Syarhey BAKHUN]; Zubr youth group [Vladimir KOBETS]
Belgium
Christian, Socialist, and Liberal Trade Unions; Federation
of Belgian Industries; numerous other associations representing
bankers, manufacturers, middle-class artisans, and the legal and
medical professions; various organizations represent the cultural
interests of Flanders and Wallonia; various peace groups such as Pax
Christi and groups representing immigrants
Belize
Society for the Promotion of Education and Research or SPEAR
[Adele CATZIM]
Benin
NA
Bermuda
Bermuda Employer's Union [Eddie SAINTS]; Bermuda Industrial
Union or BIU [Derrick BURGESS]; Bermuda Public Services Union or
BPSU [Ed BALL]; Bermuda Union of Teachers [Michael CHARLES]
Bhutan
Buddhist clergy; ethnic Nepalese organizations leading
militant antigovernment campaign; Indian merchant community; United
Front for Democracy (exiled)
Bolivia
Cocalero groups; indigenous organizations; labor unions;
Sole Confederation of Campesino Workers of Bolivia or CSUTCB [Roman
LOAYZA]
Bosnia and Herzegovina
NA
Botswana
NA
Brazil
Landless Worker's Movement; labor unions and federations;
large farmers' associations; religious groups including evangelical
Christian churches and the Catholic Church
British Virgin Islands
NA
Brunei
NA
Bulgaria
Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Bulgaria or
CITUB; Podkrepa Labor Confederation; numerous regional, ethnic, and
national interest groups with various agendas
Burkina Faso
Burkinabe General Confederation of Labor or CGTB;
Burkinabe Movement for Human Rights or MBDHP; Group of 14 February;
National Confederation of Burkinabe Workers or CNTB; National
Organization of Free Unions or ONSL; watchdog/political action
groups throughout the country in both organizations and communities
Burma
Ethnic Nationalities Council or ENC (based in Thailand);
Federation of Trade Unions-Burma or FTUB (exile trade union and
labor advocates); National Coalition Government of the Union of
Burma or NCGUB (self-proclaimed government in exile) ["Prime
Minister" Dr. SEIN WIN] consists of individuals, some legitimately
elected to the People's Assembly in 1990 (the group fled to a border
area and joined insurgents in December 1990 to form parallel
government in exile); Kachin Independence Organization or KIO; Karen
National Union or KNU; Karenni National People's Party or KNPP;
National Council-Union of Burma or NCUB (exile coalition of
opposition groups); several Shan factions; United Wa State Army or
UWSA; Union Solidarity and Development Association or USDA
(pro-regime, a social and political mass-member organization) [HTAY
OO, general secretary]; 88 Generation Students (pro-democracy
movement) [MIN KO]
Burundi
none
Cambodia
NA
Cameroon
Southern Cameroon National Council [Ayamba Ette OTUN];
Human Rights Defense Group [Albert MUKONG, president]
Canada
NA
Cape Verde
NA
Cayman Islands
NA
Central African Republic
NA
Chad
NA
Chile
revitalized university student federations at all major
universities; Roman Catholic Church; United Labor Central or CUT
includes trade unionists from the country's five largest labor
confederations
China
no substantial political opposition groups exist, although the
government has identified the Falungong spiritual movement and the
China Democracy Party as subversive groups
Christmas Island
none
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
none
Colombia
two largest insurgent groups active in Colombia -
Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia or FARC and National
Liberation Army or ELN
Comoros
NA
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
NA
Congo, Republic of the
Congolese Trade Union Congress or CSC;
General Union of Congolese Pupils and Students or UGEEC;
Revolutionary Union of Congolese Women or URFC; Union of Congolese
Socialist Youth or UJSC
Cook Islands
NA
Costa Rica
Authentic Confederation of Democratic Workers or CATD
(Communist Party affiliate); Chamber of Coffee Growers; Confederated
Union of Workers or CUT (Communist Party affiliate); Costa Rican
Confederation of Democratic Workers or CCTD (Liberation Party
affiliate); Federation of Public Service Workers or FTSP; National
Association for Economic Development or ANFE; National Association
of Educators or ANDE; Rerum Novarum or CTRN (PLN affiliate) [Gilbert
BROWN]
Cote d'Ivoire
Federation of University and High School Students of
Cote d'Ivoire or FESCI [Serges KOFFI]; Rally of Houphouetists for
Democracy and Peace or RHDP [Alphonse DJEDJE MADY]; Young Patriots
[Charles BLE GOUDE]
Croatia
NA
Cuba
NA
Cyprus
Confederation of Cypriot Workers or SEK (pro-West);
Confederation of Revolutionary Labor Unions or Dev-Is; Federation of
Turkish Cypriot Labor Unions or Turk-Sen; Pan-Cyprian Labor
Federation or PEO (Communist controlled)
Czech Republic
Czech-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions or CMKOS
[Milan STECH]
Denmark
NA
Djibouti
Union for Presidential Majority UMP (coalition includes
RPP, FRUD, PPSD and PND); Union for Democratic Changeover or UAD
(opposition coalition includes ARD, MRDD, UDJ, and PDD) [Ahmed Dini
AHMED]
Dominica
Dominica Liberation Movement or DLM (a small leftist party)
Dominican Republic
Citizen Participation Group (Participacion
Ciudadania); Collective of Popular Organizations or COP; Foundation
for Institution-Building and Justice (FINJUS)
Ecuador
Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador or
CONAIE [Luis MACAS, president]; Coordinator of Social Movements or
CMS [F. Napoleon SANTOS]; Federation of Indigenous Evangelists of
Ecuador or FEINE [Marco MURILLO, president]; National Federation of
Indigenous Afro-Ecuatorianos and Peasants or FENOCIN [Pedro DE LA
CRUZ, president]
Egypt
despite a constitutional ban against religious-based parties,
the technically illegal Muslim Brotherhood constitutes Hosni
MUBARAK's potentially most significant political opposition; MUBARAK
tolerated limited political activity by the Brotherhood for his
first two terms, but moved more aggressively since then to block its
influence; civic society groups are sanctioned, but constrained in
practical terms; trade unions and professional associations are
officially sanctioned
El Salvador
labor organizations - Electrical Industry Union of El
Salvador or SIES; Federation of the Construction Industry, Similar
Transport and other activities, or FESINCONTRANS; National
Confederation of Salvadoran Workers or CNTS; National Union of
Salvadoran Workers or UNTS; Port Industry Union of El Salvador or
SIPES; Salvadoran Union of Ex-Petrolleros and Peasant Workers or
USEPOC; Salvadoran Workers Central or CTS; Workers Union of
Electrical Corporation or STCEL; business organizations - National
Association of Small Enterprise or ANEP; Salvadoran Assembly
Industry Association or ASIC; Salvadoran Industrial Association or
ASI
Equatorial Guinea
NA
Eritrea
Eritrean Islamic Jihad or EIJ (also including Eritrean
Islamic Jihad Movement or EIJM (also known as the Abu Sihel
Movement)); Eritrean Islamic Salvation or EIS (also known as the
Arafa Movement); Eritrean Liberation Front or ELF [ABDULLAH
Muhammed]; Eritrean National Alliance or ENA (a coalition including
EIJ, EIS, ELF, and a number of ELF factions) [HERUY Tedla Biru];
Eritrean Public Forum or EPF [ARADOM Iyob]
Estonia
NA
Ethiopia
Ethiopian People's Patriotic Front or EPPF; Ogaden National
Liberation Front or ONLF; Oromo Liberation Front or OLF [DAOUD Ibsa]
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
none
Faroe Islands
NA
Fiji
NA
France
historically-Communist labor union (Confederation Generale du
Travail) or CGT, approximately 700,000 members (claimed);
left-leaning labor union (Confederation Francaise Democratique du
Travail) or CFDT, approximately 889,000 members (claimed);
independent labor union (Confederation Generale du Travail - Force
Ouvriere) or FO, 300,000 members (est.); independent white-collar
union (Confederation Generale des Cadres) or CGC, 196,000 members
(claimed); employers' union (Mouvement des Entreprises de France) or
MEDEF, 750,000 companies as members (claimed)
French Guiana: NA
Guadeloupe: Christian Movement for the Liberation of Guadeloupe or
KLPG; General Federation of Guadeloupe Workers or CGT-G; General
Union of Guadeloupe Workers or UGTG; Movement of Independent
Guadeloupe or MPGI; The Socialist Renewal Movement
Martinique: Caribbean Revolutionary Alliance or ARC; Central Union
for Martinique Workers or CSTM [Marc PULVAR]; Frantz Fanon Circle;
League of Workers and Peasants; Proletarian Action Group or GAP
Reunion: NA
French Polynesia
NA
Gabon
NA
Gambia, The
NA
Georgia
Georgian independent deputies from Abkhaz government in
exile; separatists in the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South
Ossetia
Germany
business associations and employers' organizations;
religious, trade unions, immigrant, expellee, and veterans groups
Ghana
NA
Gibraltar
Chamber of Commerce; Gibraltar Representatives
Organization; Women's Association
Greece
General Confederation of Greek Workers or GSEE [Khristos
POLYZOGOPOULOS]; Federation of Greek Industries or SEV [Odysseas
KYRIAKOPOULOS]; Civil Servants Confederation or ADEDY [Spyros
PAPASPYROS]
Greenland
NA
Grenada
NA
Guam
NA
Guatemala
Agrarian Owners Group or UNAGRO; Alliance Against Impunity
or AAI; Committee for Campesino Unity or CUC; Coordinating Committee
of Agricultural, Commercial, Industrial, and Financial Associations
or CACIF; Mutual Support Group or GAM
Guernsey
none
Guinea
Labor Union of Guinean Workers - National Confederation of
Guinean Workers or USTG-NCTG Alliance [Ibrahima FOFANA]; Student and
teacher unions
Guinea-Bissau
NA
Guyana
Amerindian People's Association; Guyana Citizens Initiative;
Guyana Bar Association; Guyana Human Rights Association; Guyana
Public Service Union or GPSU; Private Sector Commission; Trades
Union Congress
Haiti
Autonomous Organizations of Haitian Workers or CATH [Fignole
ST-CYR]; Confederation of Haitian Workers or CTH; Federation of
Workers Trade Unions or FOS; General Organization of Independent
Haitian Workers [Patrick NUMAS]; Grand-Anse Resistance Committee, or
KOREGA; National Popular Assembly or APN; Papaye Peasants Movement
or MPP [Chavannes JEAN-BAPTISTE]; Popular Organizations Gathering
Power or PROP; Roman Catholic Church; Protestant Federation of Haiti
Holy See (Vatican City)
none (exclusive of influence exercised by
church officers)
Honduras
Committee for the Defense of Human Rights in Honduras or
CODEH; Confederation of Honduran Workers or CTH; Coordinating
Committee of Popular Organizations or CCOP; General Workers
Confederation or CGT; Honduran Council of Private Enterprise or
COHEP; National Association of Honduran Campesinos or ANACH;
National Union of Campesinos or UNC; Popular Bloc or BP; United
Confederation of Honduran Workers or CUTH
Hong Kong
Chinese General Chamber of Commerce (pro-China); Chinese
Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong; Confederation of Trade
Unions or CTU (pro-democracy) [LAU Chin-shek, president; LEE
Cheuk-yan, general secretary]; Federation of Hong Kong Industries;
Federation of Trade Unions or FTU (pro-China) [CHENG Yiu-tong,
executive councilor]; Hong Kong Alliance in Support of the Patriotic
Democratic Movement in China [Szeto WAH, chairman]; Hong Kong and
Kowloon Trade Union Council (pro-Taiwan); Hong Kong General Chamber
of Commerce; Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union [CHEUNG
Man-kwong, president]; Neighborhood and Workers' Service Center or
NWSC (pro-democracy); The Alliance [Bernard CHAN, exco member]
Hungary
NA
Iceland
NA
India
numerous religious or militant/chauvinistic organizations,
including Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal, and Rashtriya
Swayamsevak Sangh; various separatist groups seeking greater
communal and/or regional autonomy, including the All Parties
Hurriyat Conference in the Kashmir Valley and the National Socialist
Council of Nagaland in the Northeast
Indonesia
NA
Iran
political pressure groups conduct most of Iran's political
activities; groups that generally support the Islamic Republic
include Ansar-e Hizballah, Muslim Students Following the Line of the
Imam, Tehran Militant Clergy Association (Ruhaniyat), Islamic
Coalition Party (Motalefeh), and Islamic Engineers Society; active
pro-reform student groups include the Office of Strengthening Unity
(OSU); opposition groups include Freedom Movement of Iran, the
National Front, Marz-e Por Gohar, and various ethnic and Monarchist
organizations; armed political groups that have been almost
completely repressed by the government include Mujahidin-e Khalq
Organization (MEK), People's Fedayeen, Democratic Party of Iranian
Kurdistan, and Komala
Iraq
an insurgency against the Government of Iraq and Coalition
forces is primarily concentrated in Baghdad and in areas north,
northeast, and west of the capital; the diverse, multigroup
insurgency consists principally of Sunni Arabs whose only common
denominator is a shared desire to oust the Coalition and end US
influence in Iraq; a number of predominantly Shia militias, some of
which are associated with political parties, challenge governmental
authority in Baghdad and southern Iraq
Ireland
NA
Isle of Man
none
Israel
Israeli nationalists advocating Jewish settlement on the West
Bank and Gaza Strip; Peace Now [Yariv OPPENHEIMER, Secretary
General]supports territorial concessions in the West Bank and Gaza
Strip; Yesha Council of Settlements [Bentzi LIEBERMAN, Chairman]
promotes settler interests and opposes territorial compromise;
B'Tselem monitors human rights abuses
Italy
Italian manufacturers and merchants associations
(Confindustria, Confcommercio); organized farm groups
(Confcoltivatori, Confagricoltura); Roman Catholic Church; three
major trade union confederations (Confederazione Generale Italiana
del Lavoro or CGIL [Guglielmo EPIFANI] which is left wing,
Confederazione Italiana dei Sindacati Lavoratori or CISL [Savino
PEZZOTTA], which is Roman Catholic centrist, and Unione Italiana del
Lavoro or UIL [Luigi ANGELETTI] which is lay centrist)
Jamaica
New Beginnings Movement or NBM; Rastafarians (black
religious/racial cultists, pan-Africanists)
Japan
NA
Jersey
none
Jordan
Anti-Normalization Committee [Ali Abu SUKKAR, president vice
chairman]; Jordan Bar Association [Hussein Mujalli, chairman];
Jordanian Press Association [Sayf al-SHARIF, president]; Muslim
Brotherhood [Salem AL-FALAHAT, controller general]
Kazakhstan
Adil-Soz [Tamara KALEYEVA]; Almaty Helsinki Group [Ninel
FOKINA]; Confederation of Free Trade Unions [Sergei BELKIN]; For a
Just Kazakhstan [Bolat ABILOV]; For Fair Elections [Yevgeniy
ZHOVTIS, Sabit ZHUSUPOV, Sergey DUVANOV, Ibrash NUSUPBAYEV];
Kazakhstan International Bureau on Human Rights [Yevgeniy ZHOVTIS,
executive director]; Pan-National Social Democratic Party of
Kazakhstan [Zharmakhan TUYAKBAI]; Pensioners Movement or Pokoleniye
[Irina SAVOSTINA, chairwoman]; Republican Network of International
Monitors [Dos KUSHIM]; Transparency International [Sergei ZLOTNIKOV]
Kenya
human rights groups; labor unions; Muslim organizations;
National Convention Executive Council or NCEC, a proreform coalition
of political parties and nongovernment organizations [Ndung'u
WAINANA]; Protestant National Council of Churches of Kenya or NCCK
[Mutava MUSYIMI]; Roman Catholic and other Christian churches;
Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims or SUPKEM [Shaykh Abdul Gafur
al-BUSAIDY]
Kiribati
NA
Korea, North
none
Korea, South
Federation of Korean Industries; Federation of Korean
Trade Unions; Korean Confederation of Trade Unions; Korean National
Council of Churches; Korean Traders Association; Korean Veterans'
Association; National Council of Labor Unions; National Democratic
Alliance of Korea; National Federation of Farmers' Associations;
National Federation of Student Associations
Kuwait
a number of political groups act as de facto parties; several
legislative blocs operate in the National Assembly: tribal groups,
merchants, Shi'a activists, Islamists, and secular liberals; in
mid-2006, a coalition of Islamists, liberals, and Shia campaigned
successfully for electoral reform to reduce corruption
Kyrgyzstan
Adilet Legal Clinic [Cholpon JAKUPOVA]; Coalition for
Democracy and Civil Society [Edil BAISALOV]; For Reforms [Omurbek
TEKEBAYEV and Almazbek ATAMBAYEV]; Interbilim [Asiya SASYKBAYEVA]
Laos
noncommunist political groups proscribed; most opposition
leaders fled the country in 1975
Latvia
Headquarters for the Protection of Russian Schools (SHTAB)
[Aleksandr KAZAKOV]
Lebanon
none
Lesotho
NA
Liberia
Demobilized former military officers
Libya
various Arab nationalist movements with almost negligible
memberships may be functioning clandestinely, as well as some
Islamic elements; an anti-QADHAFI Libyan exile movement exists,
primarily based in London, but has little influence
Liechtenstein
NA
Lithuania
NA
Luxembourg
ABBL (bankers' association); ALEBA (financial sector
trade union); Centrale Paysanne (federation of agricultural
producers); CEP (professional sector chamber); CGFP (trade union
representing civil service); Chambre de Commerce (Chamber of
Commerce); Chambre des Metiers (Chamber of Artisans); FEDIL
(federation of industrialists); Greenpeace (environment protection);
LCGP (center-right trade union); Mouvement Ecologique (protection of
ecology); OGBL (center-left trade union)
Macau
NA
Macedonia
Federation of Free Trade Unions [Svetlana PETROVIC];
Federation of Trade Unions [Vanco MURATOVSKI]; World Macedonian
Congress [Todor PETROV]
Madagascar
Committee for the Defense of Truth and Justice or KMMR;
Committee for National Reconciliation or CRN [Albert Zafy]; National
Council of Christian Churches or FFKM
Malawi
NA
Malaysia
NA
Maldives
various unregistered political parties
Mali
Alliance for Democratic Change or ACD; Patriotic Movement of
the Ghanda Koye or MPGK; United Movement and Fronts of Azawad or MFUA
Malta
NA
Marshall Islands
NA
Mauritania
Arab nationalists; Ba'thists; General Confederation of
Mauritanian Workers or CGTM [Abdallahi Ould MOHAMED, secretary
general]; Independent Confederation of Mauritanian Workers or CLTM
[Samory Ould BEYE]; Islamists; Mauritanian Workers Union or UTM
[Mohamed Ely Ould BRAHIM, secretary general]
Mauritius
various labor unions
Mayotte
NA
Mexico
Broad Progressive Front or FAP; Businessman's Coordinating
Council or CCE; Confederation of Employers of the Mexican Republic
or COPARMEX; Confederation of Industrial Chambers or CONCAMIN;
Confederation of Mexican Workers or CTM; Confederation of National
Chambers of Commerce or CONCANACO; Coordinator for Foreign Trade
Business Organizations or COECE; Federation of Unions Providing
Goods and Services or FESEBES; National Chamber of Transformation
Industries or CANACINTRA; National Peasant Confederation or CNC;
National Small Business Chamber or CANACOPE; National Syndicate of
Education Workers or SNTE; National Union of Workers or UNT; Popular
Assembly of the People of Oaxaca or APPO; Roman Catholic Church
Moldova
NA
Monaco
NA
Mongolia
NA
Montserrat
NA
Morocco
Democratic Confederation of Labor or CDT [Noubir AMAOUI];
General Union of Moroccan Workers or UGTM [Abderrazzak AFILAL];
Moroccan Employers Association or CGEM [Hassan CHAMI]; National
Labor Union of Morocco or UNMT [Abdelslam MAATI]; Union of Moroccan
Workers or UMT [Mahjoub BENSEDDIK]
Mozambique
Institute for Peace and Democracy (Instituto para Paz e
Democracia) or IPADE [Raul DOMINGOS, president]; Etica [Abdul CARIMO
Issa, chairman]; Movement for Peace and Citizenship (Movimento para
Paz e Cidadania); Mozambican League of Human Rights (Liga
Mocambicana dos Direitos Humanos) or LDH [Alice MABOTE, president];
Human Rights and Development (Direitos Humanos e Desenvolvimento) or
DHD [Artemisia FRANCO, secretary general]
Namibia
NA
Nauru
NA
Nepal
Maoist guerrilla-based insurgency [Pushpa Kamal DAHAL, a.k.a.
PRACHANDA, chairman; Dr. Baburam BHATTARAI, deputy]; numerous small,
left-leaning student groups in the capital; several small, radical
Nepalese antimonarchist groups
Netherlands
Netherlands Trade Union Federation or FNV (consisting of
a merger of Socialist and Catholic trade unions); Christian Trade
Union Federation or CNV; Trade Union Federation of Middle and High
Personnel or MHP; Federation of Catholic and Protestant Employers
Associations; Interchurch Peace Council or IKV; large multinational
firms; the nondenominational Federation of Netherlands Enterprises
Netherlands Antilles
Unions (AVBO) and Employers Association (VBC)
New Caledonia
NA
New Zealand
NA
Nicaragua
National Workers Front or FNT is a Sandinista umbrella
group of eight labor unions including - Farm Workers Association or
ATC, Health Workers Federation or FETASALUD, Heroes and Martyrs
Confederation of Professional Associations or CONAPRO, National
Association of Educators of Nicaragua or ANDEN, National Union of
Employees or UNE, National Union of Farmers and Ranchers or UNAG,
Sandinista Workers Central or CST, and Union of Journalists of
Nicaragua or UPN; Permanent Congress of Workers or CPT is an
umbrella group of four non-Sandinista labor unions including -
Autonomous Nicaraguan Workers Central or CTN-A, Confederation of
Labor Unification or CUS, Independent General Confederation of Labor
or CGT-I, and Labor Action and Unity Central or CAUS; Nicaraguan
Workers' Central or CTN is an independent labor union; Superior
Council of Private Enterprise or COSEP is a confederation of
business groups
Niger
Coalition Against a High Cost of Living [Nouhou ARZIKA]
Nigeria
NA
Niue
NA
Norfolk Island
none
Northern Mariana Islands
NA
Norway
NA
Oman
none
Pakistan
military remains most important political force; ulema
(clergy), landowners, industrialists, and small merchants also
influential
Palau
NA
Panama
Chamber of Commerce; National Civic Crusade; National Council
of Organized Workers or CONATO; National Council of Private
Enterprise or CONEP; National Union of Construction and Similar
Workers (SUNTRACS); Panamanian Association of Business Executives or
APEDE; Panamanian Industrialists Society or SIP; Workers
Confederation of the Republic of Panama or CTRP
Papua New Guinea
NA
Paraguay
Ahorristas Estafados or AE; National Coordinating Board of
Campesino Organizations or MCNOC [Luis AGUAYO]; National Federation
of Campesinos or FNC [Odilon ESPINOLA]; National Workers Central or
CNT [Secretary General Juan TORRALES]; Paraguayan Workers
Confederation or CPT; Roman Catholic Church; Unitary Workers Central
or CUT [Jorge Guzman ALVARENGA Malgarejo]
Peru
leftist guerrilla groups include Shining Path [Abimael GUZMAN
Reynoso (imprisoned), Gabriel MACARIO (top leader at-large)]; Tupac
Amaru Revolutionary Movement or MRTA [Victor POLAY (imprisoned),
Hugo AVALLENEDA Valdez (top leader at-large)]
Philippines
AKBAYAN [Reps. Etta ROSALES, Mario AGUJA, and Risa
HONTIVEROS-BARAQUIEL]; ALAGAD [Rep. Rodante MARROLITA]; ALIF [Rep.
Acmad TOMAWIS]; An Waray [Rep. Horencio NOEL]; Anak Mindanao [Mujiv
HATAMIN]; ANAKPAWIS [Reps. Crispin BELTRAN and Rafael MARIANO]; APEC
[Reps. Ernesto PABLO, Edgar VALDEZ]; Association of Philippine
Electric Cooperatives (APEC) [Reps. Edgar VALDEZ, Ernesto PABLO, and
Sunny Rose MADAMBA]; AVE [Rep. Eulogio MAGSAYSAY]; Bayan Muna [Reps.
Satur OCAMPO, Joel VIRADOR, and Teodoro CASINO, Jr.]; BUHAY [Reps.
Rene VELARDE and Hans Christian SENERES]; BUTIL [Rep. Benjamin
CRUZ]; CIBAC [Rep. Emmanuel Joel VILLANUEVA]; COOP-NATCO [Rep.
Guillermo CUA]; GABRIELA [Rep. Liza MAZA]; Partido Ng Manggagawa
[Rep. Renato MAGTUBO]; Veterans Federation of the Philippines [Rep.
Ernesto GIDAYA] (2006)
Pitcairn Islands
none
Poland
All Poland Trade Union Alliance or OPZZ (trade union) [Jan
GUZ]; Roman Catholic Church [Cardinal Jozef GLEMP]; Solidarity Trade
Union [Janusz SNIADEK]
Portugal
NA
Puerto Rico
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
Qatar
none
Romania
various human rights and professional associations
Russia
NA
Rwanda
IBUKA - association of genocide survivors
Saint Helena
none
Saint Kitts and Nevis
NA
Saint Lucia
NA
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
NA
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
NA
Samoa
NA
San Marino
NA
Sao Tome and Principe
NA
Saudi Arabia
none
Senegal
labor; Muslim brotherhoods; students; teachers
Seychelles
Roman Catholic Church; trade unions
Sierra Leone
trade unions and student unions
Singapore
NA
Slovakia
Federation of Employers' Associations of the Slovak
Republic; Association of Towns and Villages or ZMOS; Confederation
of Trade Unions or KOZ; National Union of Employers or RUZ; Slovak
Chamber of Commerce and Industry or SOPK; Entrepreneurs Association
of Slovakia or ZPS; The Business Alliance of Slovakia or PAS
Slovenia
NA
Solomon Islands
Isatabu Freedom Movement (IFM); Malaita Eagle Force
(MEF); note - these rival armed ethnic factions crippled the Solomon
Islands in a wave of violence from 1999 to 2003
Somalia
numerous clan and sub-clan factions are currently vying for
power; Supreme Council of Islamic Courts (SCIC)
South Africa
Congress of South African Trade Unions or COSATU
[Zwelinzima VAVI, general secretary]; South African Communist Party
or SACP [Blade NZIMANDE, general secretary]; South African National
Civics Organization or SANCO [Mlungisi HLONGWANE, national
president]; note - COSATU and SACP are in a formal alliance with the
ANC
Spain
business and landowning interests; Catholic Church; free labor
unions (authorized in April 1977); Socialist General Union of
Workers or UGT and the smaller independent Workers Syndical Union or
USO; university students; Trade Union Confederation of Workers'
Commissions or CC.OO.
Sri Lanka
Buddhist clergy; labor unions; Liberation Tigers of Tamil
Eelam or LTTE [Velupillai PRABHAKARAN](insurgent group fighting for
a separate state); radical chauvinist Sinhalese groups such as the
National Movement Against Terrorism; Sinhalese Buddhist lay groups
Sudan
Umma Party [Sadiq al-MAHDI]; Popular Congress Party or PCP
[Hassan al-TURABI]
Suriname
Association of Indigenous Village Chiefs [Ricardo PANE];
Association of Saramaccan Authorities or Maroon [Head Captain WASE];
Women's Parliament Forum or PVF [Iris GILLIAD]
Swaziland
NA
Sweden
NA
Switzerland
NA
Syria
Damascus Declaration [Riyad SEIF, secretary general] (a broad
alliance of opposition groups including: Committee for Revival of
Civil Society [Michel KILO, Riyad SEIF]; Kurdish Democratic
Alliance; Kurdish Democratic Front; National Democratic Front;
Syrian Human Rights Society or HRAS [Fawed FAWUZ]); National
Salvation Front (alliance between former Vice President Abd al-Halim
KHADDAM, the SMB, and other small opposition groups); Syrian Muslim
Brotherhood or SMB [Sadr al-Din al-BAYANUNI]; (operates in exile in
London; endorsed the Damascus Declaration but is not an official
member)
Taiwan
Taiwan independence movement, various business and
environmental groups
note: debate on Taiwan independence has become acceptable within the
mainstream of domestic politics on Taiwan; political liberalization
and the increased representation of opposition parties in Taiwan's
legislature have opened public debate on the island's national
identity; a broad popular consensus has developed that the island
currently enjoys sovereign independence and - whatever the ultimate
outcome regarding reunification or independence - that Taiwan's
people must have the deciding voice; public opinion polls
consistently show a substantial majority of Taiwan people supports
maintaining Taiwan's status quo for the foreseeable future;
advocates of Taiwan independence oppose the stand that the island
will eventually unify with mainland China; goals of the Taiwan
independence movement include establishing a sovereign nation on
Taiwan and entering the UN; other organizations supporting Taiwan
independence include the World United Formosans for Independence and
the Organization for Taiwan Nation Building
Tajikistan
unregistered political parties: Agrarian Party
[Hikmatullo NASREDDINOV]; Party of Justice [Abdurahim KARIMOV];
People's Unity Party [Abdumalik ABDULLOJONOV]; Progressive Party
[Sulton QUVVATOV]; Socialist Party [Mirhuseyn NAZRIYEV]; note - this
is the SPT that was disbanded, another pro-government SPT (listed
above under political parties) replaced it; Unity Party [Hikmatullo
SAIDOV]
Tanzania
NA
Thailand
NA
Togo
NA
Tokelau
none
Tonga
Human Rights and Democracy Movement Tonga or HRDMT [Rev.
Simote VEA, chairman]; Public Servant's Association [Finau TUTONE]
Trinidad and Tobago
Jamaat-al Muslimeen [Yasin BAKR]
Tunisia
18 October Group [collective leadership]; Democratic Forum
for Labor and Liberties or FDTL [Mustapha Ben JAFAAR]; Tunisian
League for Human Rights or LTDH [Mokhtar TRIFI]; note - the Islamic
fundamentalist party, Al Nahda (Renaissance), is outlawed
Turkey
Confederation of Public Sector Unions or KESK [Ismail Hakki
TOMBUL]; Confederation of Revolutionary Workers Unions or DISK
[Suleyman CELEBI]; Independent Industrialists' and Businessmen's
Association or MUSIAD [Omer BOLAT]; Moral Rights Workers Union or
Hak-Is [Salim USLU]; Turkish Confederation of Employers' Unions or
TISK [Tugurl KUDATGOBILIK]; Turkish Confederation of Labor or
Turk-Is [Salih KILIC]; Turkish Confederation of Tradesmen and
Craftsmen or TESK [Dervis GUNDAY]; Turkish Industrialists' and
Businessmen's Association or TUSIAD [Omer SABANCI]; Turkish Union of
Chambers of Commerce and Commodity Exchanges or TOBB [M. Rifat
HISARCIKLIOGLU]
Turkmenistan
NA
Turks and Caicos Islands
NA
Tuvalu
none
Uganda
Popular Resistance Against a Life President or PRALP
Ukraine
Committee of Voters of Ukraine [Ihor POPOV]; Peoples'
Self-Defense [Yuriy LUTSENKO]; Ne Tak [Leonid KRAVCHUK]
United Arab Emirates
NA
United Kingdom
Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament; Confederation of
British Industry; National Farmers' Union; Trades Union Congress
United States
NA
Uruguay
Architect's Society of Uruguay (professional organization);
Catholic Church; Chamber of Uruguayan Industries (manufacturer's
association); Chemist and Pharmaceutical Association (professional
organization); PIT-CNT (powerful federation of Uruguayan unions);
Rural Association of Uruguay (rancher's association); students;
Uruguayan Construction League
Uzbekistan
Agrarian and Entrepreneurs' Party [Marat ZAHIDOV]; Birlik
(Unity) Movement [Abdurakhim POLAT, chairman]; Committee for the
Protection of Human Rights [Marat ZAHIDOV]; Erk (Freedom) Democratic
Party [Muhammad SOLIH, chairman] was banned 9 December 1992; Ezgulik
Human Rights Society [Vasila INOYATOVA]; Free Farmers' Party or Ozod
Dehqonlar [Nigora KHIDOYATOVA]; Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan
[Talib YAKUBOV, chairman]; Independent Human Rights Organization of
Uzbekistan [Mikhail ARDZINOV, chairman]; Mazlum; Sunshine Coalition
[Sanjar UMAROV, chairman]
Vanuatu
NA
Venezuela
FEDECAMARAS, a conservative business group; VECINOS
groups; Venezuelan Confederation of Workers or CTV (labor
organization dominated by the Democratic Action)
Vietnam
8406 Bloc; Democratic Party of Vietnam or DPV; People's
Democratic Party Vietnam or PDP-VN; Alliance for Democracy; groups
advocate for democracy, are not recognized by government (2006)
Virgin Islands
NA
Wallis and Futuna
NA
Western Sahara
none
Yemen
NA
Zambia
NA
Zimbabwe
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition [Wellington CHIBEBE]; National
Constitutional Assembly or NCA [Lovemore MADHUKU]; Zimbabwe Congress
of Trade Unions or ZCTU [Lovemore MATOMBO]
This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007
======================================================================
@2116 Economy - overview
Afghanistan
Afghanistan's economy is recovering from decades of
conflict. The economy has improved significantly since the fall of
the Taliban regime in 2001 largely because of the infusion of
international assistance, the recovery of the agricultural sector,
and service sector growth. Real GDP growth probably exceeded 8% in
2006. Despite the progress of the past few years, Afghanistan is
extremely poor, landlocked, and highly dependent on foreign aid,
agriculture, and trade with neighboring countries. Much of the
population continues to suffer from shortages of housing, clean
water, electricity, medical care, and jobs. Criminality, insecurity,
and the Afghan Government's inability to extend rule of law to all
parts of the country pose challenges to future economic growth. It
will probably take the remainder of the decade and continuing donor
aid and attention to significantly raise Afghanistan's living
standards from its current status, among the lowest in the world.
While the international community remains committed to Afghanistan's
development, pledging over $24 billion at three donors' conferences
since 2002, Kabul will need to overcome a number of challenges.
Expanding poppy cultivation and a growing opium trade generate
roughly $3 billion in illicit economic activity and looms as one of
Kabul's most serious policy concerns. Other long-term challenges
include: budget sustainability, job creation, corruption, government
capacity, and rebuilding war torn infrastructure.
Akrotiri
Economic activity is limited to providing services to the
military and their families located in Akrotiri. All food and
manufactured goods must be imported.
Albania
Lagging behind its Balkan neighbors, Albania is making the
difficult transition to a more modern open-market economy. The
government has taken measures to curb violent crime and reduce the
large grey economy. The economy is bolstered by annual remittances
from abroad of $600-$800 million, mostly from Albanians residing in
Greece and Italy; this helps offset the towering trade deficit.
Agriculture, which accounts for about one-quarter of GDP, is held
back because of lack of modern equipment, unclear property rights,
and the prevalence of small, inefficient plots of land. Energy
shortages and antiquated and inadequate infrastructure contribute to
Albania's poor business environment, which make it difficult to
attract and sustain foreign investment. The planned construction of
a new thermal power plant near Vlore and improved transmission and
distribution facilities eventually will help relieve the energy
shortages. Also, the government is moving slowly to improve the poor
national road and rail network, a long-standing barrier to sustained
economic growth. On the positive side: growth was strong in 2003-06
and inflation is low and stable.
Algeria
The hydrocarbons sector is the backbone of the economy,
accounting for roughly 60% of budget revenues, 30% of GDP, and over
95% of export earnings. Algeria has the seventh-largest reserves of
natural gas in the world and is the second-largest gas exporter; it
ranks 14th in oil reserves. Sustained high oil prices in recent
years, along with macroeconomic policy reforms supported by the IMF,
have helped improve Algeria's financial and macroeconomic
indicators. Algeria is running substantial trade surpluses and
building up record foreign exchange reserves. Algeria has decreased
its external debt to less than 10% of GDP after repaying its Paris
Club and London Club debt in 2006. Real GDP has risen due to higher
oil output and increased government spending. The government's
continued efforts to diversify the economy by attracting foreign and
domestic investment outside the energy sector, however, has had
little success in reducing high unemployment and improving living
standards. Structural reform within the economy, such as development
of the banking sector and the construction of infrastructure, moves
ahead slowly hampered by corruption and bureaucratic resistance.
American Samoa
American Samoa has a traditional Polynesian economy
in which more than 90% of the land is communally owned. Economic
activity is strongly linked to the US with which American Samoa
conducts most of its foreign trade. Tuna fishing and tuna processing
plants are the backbone of the private sector, with canned tuna the
primary export. Transfers from the US Government add substantially
to American Samoa's economic well being. Attempts by the government
to develop a larger and broader economy are restrained by Samoa's
remote location, its limited transportation, and its devastating
hurricanes. Tourism is a promising developing sector.
Andorra
Tourism, the mainstay of Andorra's tiny, well-to-do economy,
accounts for more than 80% of GDP. An estimated 11.6 million
tourists visit annually, attracted by Andorra's duty-free status and
by its summer and winter resorts. Andorra's comparative advantage
has recently eroded as the economies of neighboring France and Spain
have been opened up, 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.
Angola
Angola's high growth rate is driven by its oil sector, with
record oil prices and rising petroleum production. Oil production
and its supporting activities contribute about half of GDP and 90%
of exports. Increased oil production supported 12% growth in 2004,
19% growth in 2005, and nearly 17% growth in 2006. 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. Remnants of the conflict such as
widespread land mines still mar the countryside even though an
apparently durable peace was established after the death of rebel
leader Jonas SAVIMBI in February 2002. Subsistence agriculture
provides the main livelihood for half of the population, but half of
the country's food must still be imported. In 2005, the government
started using a $2 billion line of credit from China to rebuild
Angola's public infrastructure, and several large-scale projects
were completed in 2006. The central bank in 2003 implemented an
exchange rate stabilization program using foreign exchange reserves
to buy kwanzas out of circulation, a policy that was more
sustainable in 2005 because of strong oil export earnings, and has
significantly reduced inflation. Consumer inflation declined from
325% in 2000 to about 13% in 2006, but the stabilization policy
places pressure on international net liquidity. To fully take
advantage of its rich national resources - gold, diamonds, extensive
forests, Atlantic fisheries, and large oil deposits - Angola will
need to continue reforming government policies and to reduce
corruption. The government has made little progress on reforms
recommended by the IMF such as promoting greater transparency in
government spending and continues to be without a formal monitoring
agreement with the institution. Corruption, especially in the
extractive sectors, is a major challenge facing Angola.
Anguilla
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, which has spurred the growth of the construction sector,
has contributed 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.
Antarctica
Fishing off the coast and tourism, both based abroad,
account for Antarctica's limited economic activity. Antarctic
fisheries in 2003-04 (1 July-30 June) reported landing 136,262
metric tons (estimated fishing from the area covered by the
Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources
(CCAMLR), which extends slightly beyond the Antarctic Treaty area).
Unregulated fishing, particularly of Patagonian toothfish, is a
serious problem. The CCAMLR determines the recommended catch limits
for marine species. A total of 23,175 tourists visited in the
2004-05 Antarctic summer, up from the 19,486 visitors the previous
year. Nearly all of them were passengers on commercial
(nongovernmental) ships and several yachts that make trips during
the summer. Most tourist trips last approximately two weeks.
Antigua and Barbuda
Tourism continues to dominate the economy,
accounting for more than half of GDP. Weak tourist arrival numbers
since early 2000 have slowed the economy and pressed the government
into a tight fiscal corner. The dual-island nation's agricultural
production is focused on the domestic market and constrained by a
limited water supply and a labor shortage stemming from the lure of
higher wages in tourism and construction. Manufacturing comprises
enclave-type assembly for export with major products being bedding,
handicrafts, and electronic components. Prospects for economic
growth in the medium term will continue to depend on income growth
in the industrialized world, especially in the US, which accounts
for slightly more than one-third of tourist arrivals.
Arctic Ocean
Economic activity is limited to the exploitation of
natural resources, including petroleum, natural gas, fish, and seals.
Argentina
Argentina benefits from rich natural resources, a highly
literate population, an export-oriented agricultural sector, and a
diversified industrial base. Although one of the world's wealthiest
countries 100 years ago, Argentina suffered during most of the
twentieth century from recurring economic crises, persistent fiscal
and current account deficits, high inflation, mounting external
debt, and capital flight. Beginning in 1998, with external debt
equivalent to more than 400 percent of annual exports, economic
growth slowed and ultimately fell into a full-blown depression, as
investors' fears grew in the wake of Russia's debt default,
political discord caused by then-President Carlos MENEM's unpopular
efforts to run for a constitutionally prohibited third term, and
Brazil's devaluation. The government of Fernando DE LA RUA, elected
President in late 1999, tried several measures to cut the fiscal
deficit and instill confidence and received large IMF credit
facilities, but nothing worked to revive the economy. Depositors
began withdrawing money from the banks in late 2001, and the
government responded with strict limits on withdrawals. When street
protests turned deadly, DE LA RUA was forced to resign in December
2001. Interim President Adolfo Rodriguez SAA declared a default, the
largest in history, on Argentina's foreign debt, but he stepped down
only a few days later when he failed to garner political support
from the country's governors. Eduardo DUHALDE became President in
January 2002 and announced an end to the peso's decade-long 1-to-1
peg to the US dollar. When the peso depreciated and inflation rose,
DUHALDE's government froze utility tariffs indefinitely, curtailed
creditors' rights, and imposed high taxes on exports. The economy
rebounded strongly from the crisis, inflation started falling, and
DUHALDE called for special elections. Nestor KIRCHNER was elected
President, taking office in May 2003, and continued the restrictions
imposed by DUHALDE. With the reemergence of double-digit inflation
in 2005, the KIRCHNER administration pressured businesses into a
series of agreements to hold down prices. The government also
restructured its defaulted debt in 2005, convincing most bondholders
to accept a large cut on the value of their holdings, and paid off
its IMF obligations from reserves in full in early 2006, both of
which have reduced Argentina's external debt burden. Real GDP has
continued growing strongly, averaging 9 percent during the period
2003-2006, bolstering government revenues and keeping the fiscal
accounts-a key vulnerability in the past-in surplus.
Armenia
Under the old Soviet central planning system, Armenia had
developed a modern industrial sector, supplying machine tools,
textiles, and other manufactured goods to sister republics in
exchange for raw materials and energy. Since the implosion of the
USSR in December 1991, Armenia has switched to small-scale
agriculture away from the large agroindustrial complexes of the
Soviet era. The agricultural sector has long-term needs for more
investment and updated technology. The privatization of industry has
been at a slower pace, but has been given renewed emphasis by the
current administration. Armenia is a food importer, and its mineral
deposits (copper, gold, bauxite) are small. The ongoing conflict
with Azerbaijan over the ethnic Armenian-dominated region of
Nagorno-Karabakh and the breakup of the centrally directed economic
system of the former Soviet Union contributed to a severe economic
decline in the early 1990s. By 1994, however, the Armenian
Government had launched an ambitious IMF-sponsored economic
liberalization program that resulted in positive growth rates in
1995-2006. Armenia joined the WTO in January 2003. Armenia also has
managed to slash inflation, stabilize its currency, and privatize
most small- and medium-sized enterprises. Armenia's unemployment
rate, however, remains high, despite strong economic growth. The
chronic energy shortages Armenia suffered in the early and mid-1990s
have been offset by the energy supplied by one of its nuclear power
plants at Metsamor. Armenia is now a net energy exporter, although
it does not have sufficient generating capacity to replace Metsamor,
which is under international pressure to close. The electricity
distribution system was privatized in 2002 and bought by Russia's
RAO-UES in 2005. Armenia's severe trade imbalance has been offset
somewhat by international aid, remittances from Armenians working
abroad, and foreign direct investment. Economic ties with Russia
remain close, especially in the energy sector. The government made
some improvements in tax and customs administration in 2005, but
anti-corruption measures will be more difficult to implement.
Construction of a natural gas pipeline between Iran and Armenia has
been completed and it is scheduled to be commissioned by April 2007.
Investment in the construction and industrial sectors is expected to
continue in 2007 and will help to ensure annual average real GDP
growth of more than 10%.
Aruba
Tourism is the mainstay of the small, open Aruban economy,
with offshore banking and oil refining and storage also important.
The rapid growth of the tourism sector over the last decade has
resulted in a substantial expansion of other activities. Over 1.5
million tourists per year visit Aruba, with 75% of those from the
US. Construction continues to boom, with hotel capacity five times
the 1985 level. In addition, the reopening of the country's oil
refinery in 1993, a major source of employment and foreign exchange
earnings, has further spurred growth. Tourist arrivals have
rebounded strongly following a dip after the 11 September 2001
attacks. The island experiences only a brief low season, and hotel
occupancy in 2004 averaged 80%, compared to 68% throughout the rest
of the Caribbean. The government has made cutting the budget and
trade deficits a high priority.
Ashmore and Cartier Islands
no economic activity
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean provides some of the world's most
heavily trafficked sea routes, between and within the Eastern and
Western Hemispheres. Other economic activity includes the
exploitation of natural resources, e.g., fishing, dredging of
aragonite sands (The Bahamas), and production of crude oil and
natural gas (Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and North Sea).
Australia
Australia has an enviable Western-style capitalist economy
with a per capita GDP on par with the four dominant West European
economies. Rising output in the domestic economy, robust business
and consumer confidence, and high export prices for raw materials
and agricultural products are fueling the economy. Australia's
emphasis on reforms, low inflation, and growing ties with China are
other key factors behind the economy's strength. The impact of
drought and strong import demand pushed the trade deficit up in
recent years, although the trade balance improved in 2006. Housing
prices probably peaked in 2005, diminishing the prospect that
interest rates would be raised to prevent a speculative bubble.
Conservative fiscal policies have kept Australia's budget in surplus
since 2002.
Austria
Austria, with its well-developed market economy and high
standard of living, is closely tied to other EU economies,
especially Germany's. The Austrian economy also benefits greatly
from strong commercial relations, especially in the banking and
insurance sectors, with central, eastern, and southeastern Europe.
The economy features a large service sector, a sound industrial
sector, and a small, but highly developed agricultural sector.
Membership in the EU has drawn an influx of foreign investors
attracted by Austria's access to the single European market and
proximity to the new EU economies. The outgoing government has
successfully pursued a comprehensive economic reform program, aimed
at streamlining government, creating a more competitive business
environment, further strengthening Austria's attractiveness as an
investment location, and implementing effective pension reforms;
however, lower taxes in 2005-2006 have lead to a small budget
deficit in 2006. Weak domestic consumption and slow growth in Europe
have held the economy to growth rates below 3% in 2002-05. Due to
higher growth across Europe, Austrian grew 3.3 percent in 2006. To
meet increased competition from both EU and Central European
countries, particularly the new EU members, Austria will need to
continue restructuring, emphasizing knowledge-based sectors of the
economy, and encouraging greater labor flexibility and greater labor
participation by its aging population.
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan's number one export is oil. Azerbaijan's oil
production declined through 1997, but has registered an increase
every year since. Negotiation of production-sharing arrangements
(PSAs) with foreign firms, which have thus far committed $60 billion
to long-term oilfield development, should generate the funds needed
to spur future industrial development. Oil production under the
first of these PSAs, with the Azerbaijan International Operating
Company, began in November 1997. A consortium of Western oil
companies began pumping 1 million barrels a day from a large
offshore field in early 2006, through a $4 billion pipeline it built
from Baku to Turkey's Mediterranean port of Ceyhan. Economists
estimate that by 2010 revenues from this project will double the
country's current GDP. Azerbaijan shares all the formidable problems
of the former Soviet republics in making the transition from a
command to a market economy, but its considerable energy resources
brighten its long-term prospects. Baku has only recently begun
making progress on economic reform, and old economic ties and
structures are slowly being replaced. Several other obstacles impede
Azerbaijan's economic progress: the need for stepped up foreign
investment in the non-energy sector, the continuing conflict with
Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, and the pervasive
corruption. Trade with Russia and the other former Soviet republics
is declining in importance while trade is building with Turkey and
the nations of Europe. Long-term prospects will depend on world oil
prices, the location of new pipelines in the region, and
Azerbaijan's ability to manage its oil wealth.
Bahamas, The
The Bahamas is a stable, developing nation with an
economy heavily dependent on tourism and offshore banking. Tourism
together with tourism-driven construction and manufacturing accounts
for approximately 60% of GDP and directly or indirectly employs half
of the archipelago's labor force. Steady growth in tourism receipts
and a boom in construction of new hotels, resorts, and residences
had led to solid GDP growth in recent years, but the slowdown in the
US economy and the attacks of 11 September 2001 held back growth in
these sectors in 2001-03. The current government has presided over a
period of economic recovery and an upturn in large-scale private
sector investments in tourism. Financial services constitute the
second-most important sector of the Bahamian economy, accounting for
about 15% of GDP. However, since December 2000, when the government
enacted new regulations on the financial sector, many international
businesses have left The Bahamas. Manufacturing and agriculture
together contribute approximately a tenth of GDP and show little
growth, despite government incentives aimed at those sectors.
Overall growth prospects in the short run rest heavily on the
fortunes of the tourism sector, which depends on growth in the US,
the source of more than 80% of the visitors.
Bahrain
With its highly developed communication and transport
facilities, Bahrain is home to numerous multinational firms with
business in the Gulf. Petroleum production and refining account for
about 60% of Bahrain's export receipts, 70% of government revenues,
and 20% of GDP, underpinning Bahrain's strong economic growth in
recent years. The financial and construction sectors have also
bolstered GDP growth. Bahrain is actively pursuing the
diversification and privatization of its economy to reduce the
country's dependence on oil. As part of this effort, Bahrain and the
US in August 2006 implemented a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), the
first FTA between the US and a Gulf state. Unemployment, especially
among the young, and the depletion of oil and underground water
resources are major long-term economic problems.
Baker Island
no economic activity
Bangladesh
Despite sustained domestic and international efforts to
improve economic and demographic prospects, Bangladesh remains a
poor, overpopulated, and inefficiently-governed nation. Although
more than half of GDP is generated through the service sector,
nearly two-thirds of Bangladeshis are employed in the agriculture
sector, with rice as the single-most-important product. Major
impediments to growth include frequent cyclones and floods,
inefficient state-owned enterprises, inadequate port facilities, a
rapidly growing labor force that cannot be absorbed by agriculture,
delays in exploiting energy resources (natural gas), insufficient
power supplies, and slow implementation of economic reforms. Reform
is stalled in many instances by political infighting and corruption
at all levels of government. Progress also has been blocked by
opposition from the bureaucracy, public sector unions, and other
vested interest groups. The BNP government, led by Prime Minister
Khaleda ZIA, has the parliamentary strength to push through needed
reforms, but the party's political will to do so has been lacking in
key areas. On an encouraging note, growth has been a steady 5-6% for
the past several years.
Barbados
Historically, the Barbadian economy had been dependent on
sugarcane cultivation and related activities, but production in
recent years has diversified into light industry and tourism.
Offshore finance and information services are important foreign
exchange earners. The government continues its efforts to reduce
unemployment, to encourage direct foreign investment, and to
privatize remaining state-owned enterprises. The economy contracted
in 2002-03 mainly due to a decline in tourism. Growth was positive
in 2005-06, as economic conditions in the US and Europe moderately
improved.
Bassas da India
no economic activity
Belarus
Belarus's economy in 2006 posted more than 8% growth. The
government has succeeded in lowering inflation over the past several
years. Trade with Russia - by far its largest single trade partner -
decreased in 2006, largely as a result of a change in the way the
Value Added Tax (VAT) on trade was collected. Trade with European
countries increased. Belarus has seen little structural reform since
1995, when President LUKASHENKO launched the country on the path of
"market socialism." In keeping with this policy, LUKASHENKO
reimposed administrative controls over prices and currency exchange
rates and expanded the state's right to intervene in the management
of private enterprises. Since 2005, the government has
re-nationalized a number of private companies. In addition,
businesses have been subject to pressure by central and local
governments, e.g., arbitrary changes in regulations, numerous
rigorous inspections, retroactive application of new business
regulations, and arrests of "disruptive" businessmen and factory
owners. A wide range of redistributive policies has helped those at
the bottom of the ladder; the Gini coefficient is among the lowest
in the world. Because of these restrictive economic policies,
Belarus has had trouble attracting foreign investment, which remains
low. Growth has been strong in recent years, despite the roadblocks
in a tough, centrally directed economy with a high, but decreasing,
rate of inflation. Belarus receives heavily discounted oil and
natural gas from Russia and much of Belarus' growth can be
attributed to the re-export of Russian oil at market prices. This
growth will be threatened in 2007, however, when Russia raises
energy prices closer to world market prices for Belarus. Russia is
planning to increase Belarusian gas prices from $47 per thousand
cubic meters (tcm) to $200 per tcm and introduce a first-time export
duty of $180 per ton on oil shipped to Belarus.
Belgium
This modern, private-enterprise economy has capitalized on
its central geographic location, highly developed transport network,
and diversified industrial and commercial base. Industry is
concentrated mainly in the populous Flemish area in the north. With
few natural resources, Belgium must import substantial quantities of
raw materials and export a large volume of manufactures, making its
economy unusually dependent on the state of world markets. Roughly
three-quarters of its trade is with other EU countries. Public debt
is more than 90% of GDP. On the positive side, the government has
succeeded in balancing its budget, and income distribution is
relatively equal. Belgium began circulating the euro currency in
January 2002. Economic growth in 2001-03 dropped sharply because of
the global economic slowdown, with moderate recovery in 2004-06.
Belize
In this small, essentially private-enterprise economy the
tourism industry is the number one foreign exchange earner followed
by marine products, citrus, cane sugar, bananas, and garments. The
government's expansionary monetary and fiscal policies, initiated in
September 1998, led to sturdy GDP growth averaging nearly 4% in
1999-2006. Major concerns continue to be the sizable trade deficit
and unsustainable foreign debt. The government in 2006 announced it
would seek a restructuring of its sovereign debt and has been
negotiating with international creditors to find an acceptable
formula for doing so. A key short-term objective remains the
reduction of poverty with the help of international donors.
Benin
The economy of Benin remains underdeveloped and dependent on
subsistence agriculture, cotton production, and regional trade.
Growth in real output has averaged around 5% in the past six years,
but rapid population growth has offset much of this increase.
Inflation has subsided over the past several years. In order to
raise growth still further, Benin plans to attract more foreign
investment, place more emphasis on tourism, facilitate the
development of new food processing systems and agricultural
products, and encourage new information and communication
technology. Many of these proposals were included in Benin's $307
million Millennium Challenge Account grant signed in February 2006.
The 2001 privatization policy continues in telecommunications,
water, electricity, and agriculture in spite of government
reluctance. The Paris Club and bilateral creditors have eased the
external debt situation, with Benin benefiting from a G8 debt
reduction announced in July 2005, while pressing for more rapid
structural reforms. Benin continues to be hurt by Nigerian trade
protection that bans imports of a growing list of products from
Benin and elsewhere, which has resulted in increased smuggling and
criminality in the border region.
Bermuda
Bermuda enjoys the highest per capita income in the world,
more than 50% higher than that of the US. Its economy is primarily
based on providing financial services for international business and
luxury facilities for tourists. A number of reinsurance companies
relocated to the island following 11 September 2001 and again after
Hurricane Katrina, contributing to the expansion of an already
robust international business sector. Bermuda's tourism industry -
which derives over 80% of its visitors from the US - continues to
struggle but remains the island's number two industry. Most capital
equipment and food must be imported. Bermuda's industrial sector is
small, although construction continues to be important; the average
cost of a house in June 2003 had risen to $976,000. Agriculture is
limited with only 20% of the land being arable.
Bhutan
The economy, one of the world's smallest and least developed,
is based on agriculture and forestry, which provide the main
livelihood for more than 80% of the population. Agriculture consists
largely of subsistence farming and animal husbandry. Rugged
mountains dominate the terrain and make the building of roads and
other infrastructure difficult and expensive. The economy is closely
aligned with India's through strong trade and monetary links and
dependence on India's financial assistance. The industrial sector is
technologically backward, with most production of the cottage
industry type. Most development projects, such as road construction,
rely on Indian migrant labor. Bhutan's hydropower potential and its
attraction for tourists are key resources. Model education, social,
and environment programs are underway with support from multilateral
development organizations. Each economic program takes into account
the government's desire to protect the country's environment and
cultural traditions. For example, the government, in its cautious
expansion of the tourist sector, encourages visits by upscale,
environmentally conscientious tourists. Detailed controls and
uncertain policies in areas like industrial licensing, trade, labor,
and finance continue to hamper foreign investment.
Bolivia
Bolivia, long one of the poorest and least developed Latin
American countries, reformed its economy after suffering a
disastrous economic crisis in the early 1980s. The reforms spurred
real GDP growth, which averaged 4% in the 1990s, and poverty rates
fell. Economic growth, however, lagged again beginning in 1999
because of a global slowdown and homegrown factors such as political
turmoil, civil unrest, and soaring fiscal deficits, all of which
hurt investor confidence. In 2003, violent protests against the
pro-foreign investment economic policies of President SANCHEZ DE
LOZADA led to his resignation and the cancellation of plans to
export Bolivia's newly discovered natural gas reserves to large
northern hemisphere markets. In 2005, the government passed a
controversial natural gas law that imposes on the oil and gas firms
significantly higher taxes as well as new contracts that give the
state control of their operations. Bolivian officials are in the
process of implementing the law; meanwhile, foreign investors have
stopped investing and have taken the first legal steps to secure
their investments. Real GDP growth in 2003-06 - helped by increased
demand for natural gas in neighboring Brazil - was positive, but
still below the levels seen during the 1990s. Bolivia's fiscal
position has improved in recent years, but the country remains
dependent on foreign aid from multilateral lenders and foreign
governments to meet budget shortfalls. In 2005, the G8 announced a
$2 billion debt-forgiveness plan over the next few decades that
should help reduce some fiscal pressures on the government in the
near term.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina ranked next to
Macedonia as the poorest republic in the old Yugoslav federation.
Although agriculture is almost all in private hands, farms are small
and inefficient, and the republic traditionally is a net importer of
food. Industry remains greatly overstaffed, a holdover from the
socialist economic structure of Yugoslavia. TITO had pushed the
development of military industries in the republic with the result
that Bosnia was saddled with a host of industrial firms with little
commercial potential. The interethnic warfare in Bosnia caused
production to plummet by 80% from 1992 to 1995 and unemployment to
soar. With an uneasy peace in place, output recovered in 1996-99 at
high percentage rates from a low base; but output growth slowed in
2000-02. Part of the lag in output was made up in 2003-06.
National-level statistics are limited and do not capture the large
share of black market activity. The konvertibilna marka (convertible
mark or BAM)- the national currency introduced in 1998 - is pegged
to the euro, and confidence in the currency and the banking sector
has increased. Implementation of privatization, however, has been
slow, and local entities only reluctantly support national-level
institutions. Banking reform accelerated in 2001 as all the
Communist-era payments bureaus were shut down; foreign banks,
primarily from Western Europe, now control most of the banking
sector. A sizeable current account deficit and high unemployment
rate remain the two most serious economic problems. The country
receives substantial amounts of reconstruction assistance and
humanitarian aid from the international community but will have to
prepare for an era of declining assistance.
Botswana
Botswana has maintained one of the world's highest economic
growth rates since independence in 1966. Through fiscal discipline
and sound management, Botswana has transformed itself from one of
the poorest countries in the world to a middle-income country with a
per capita GDP of $11,200 in 2006. Two major investment services
rank Botswana as the best credit risk in Africa. Diamond mining has
fueled much of the expansion and currently accounts for more than
one-third of GDP and for 70-80% of export earnings. Tourism,
financial services, subsistence farming, and cattle raising are
other key sectors. On the downside, the government must deal with
high rates of unemployment and poverty. Unemployment officially was
23.8% in 2004, but unofficial estimates place it closer to 40%.
HIV/AIDS infection rates are the second highest in the world and
threaten Botswana's impressive economic gains. An expected leveling
off in diamond mining production overshadows long-term prospects.
Bouvet Island
no economic activity; declared a nature reserve
Brazil
Characterized by large and well-developed agricultural,
mining, manufacturing, and service sectors, Brazil's economy
outweighs that of all other South American countries and is
expanding its presence in world markets. From 2001-03 real wages
fell and Brazil's economy grew, on average only 2.2% per year, as
the country absorbed a series of domestic and international economic
shocks. That Brazil absorbed these shocks without financial collapse
is a tribute to the resiliency of the Brazilian economy and the
economic program put in place by former President CARDOSO and
strengthened by President LULA DA SILVA. Since 2004, Brazil has
enjoyed more robust growth that yielded increases in employment and
real wages. The three pillars of the economic program are a floating
exchange rate, an inflation-targeting regime, and tight fiscal
policy, all reinforced by a series of IMF programs. The currency
depreciated sharply in 2001 and 2002, which contributed to a
dramatic current account adjustment; from 2003 to 2006, Brazil ran
record trade surpluses and recorded its first current account
surpluses since 1992. Productivity gains - particularly in
agriculture - also contributed to the surge in exports. While
economic management has been good, there remain important economic
vulnerabilities. The most significant are debt-related: the
government's largely domestic debt increased steadily from 1994 to
2003 - straining government finances - before falling as a
percentage of GDP in 2005. Brazil has improved its debt profile over
the past year by shifting its debt burden toward real denominated
and domestically held instruments. LULA DA SILVA restated his
commitment to fiscal austerity by maintaining the country's primary
surplus during the 2006 election and plans to pass a package of
further economic reforms upon entering office for his second term.
Another challenge is maintaining economic growth over a period of
time to generate employment and make the government debt burden more
manageable.
British Indian Ocean Territory
All economic activity is concentrated
on the largest island of Diego Garcia, where joint UK-US defense
facilities are located. Construction projects and various services
needed to support the military installations are done by military
and contract employees from the UK, Mauritius, the Philippines, and
the US. There are no industrial or agricultural activities on the
islands. When the Ilois return, they plan to reestablish sugarcane
production and fishing. The country makes money by selling fishing
licenses and postage stamps.
British Virgin Islands
The economy, one of the most stable and
prosperous in the Caribbean, is highly dependent on tourism,
generating an estimated 45% of the national income. An estimated
350,000 tourists, mainly from the US, visited the islands in 1998.
Tourism suffered in 2002 because of the lackluster US economy. In
the mid-1980s, the government began offering offshore registration
to companies wishing to incorporate in the islands, and
incorporation fees now generate substantial revenues. Roughly
400,000 companies were on the offshore registry by yearend 2000. The
adoption of a comprehensive insurance law in late 1994, which
provides a blanket of confidentiality with regulated statutory
gateways for investigation of criminal offenses, made the British
Virgin Islands even more attractive to international business.
Livestock raising is the most important agricultural activity; poor
soils limit the islands' ability to meet domestic food requirements.
Because of traditionally close links with the US Virgin Islands, the
British Virgin Islands has used the US dollar as its currency since
1959.
Brunei
This small, well-to-do economy encompasses a mixture of
foreign and domestic entrepreneurship, government regulation,
welfare measures, and village tradition. Crude oil and natural gas
production account for nearly half of GDP and more than 90% of
government revenues. Per capita GDP is far above most other Third
World countries, and substantial income from overseas investment
supplements income from domestic production. The government provides
for all medical services and free education through the university
level and subsidizes rice and housing. Brunei's leaders are
concerned that steadily increased integration in the world economy
will undermine internal social cohesion. Plans for the future
include upgrading the labor force, reducing unemployment,
strengthening the banking and tourist sectors, and, in general,
further widening the economic base beyond oil and gas.
Bulgaria
Bulgaria, a former communist country that entered the
European Union on 1 January 2007, has experienced macroeconomic
stability and strong growth since a major economic downturn in 1996
led to the fall of the then socialist government. As a result, the
government became committed to economic reform and responsible
fiscal planning. Minerals, including coal, copper, and zinc, play an
important role in industry. In 1997, macroeconomic stability was
reinforced by the imposition of a fixed exchange rate of the lev
against the German D-mark - the currency is now fixed against the
euro - and the negotiation of an IMF standby agreement. Low
inflation and steady progress on structural reforms improved the
business environment; Bulgaria has averaged 5.1% growth since 2000
and has begun to attract significant amounts of foreign direct
investment. Corruption in the public administration, a weak
judiciary, and the presence of organized crime remain the largest
challenges for Bulgaria.
Burkina Faso
One of the poorest countries in the world, landlocked
Burkina Faso has few natural resources and a weak industrial base.
About 90% of the population is engaged in subsistence agriculture,
which is vulnerable to periodic drought. Cotton is the main cash
crop and the government has joined with three other cotton producing
countries in the region - Mali, Niger, and Chad - to lobby for
improved access to Western markets. GDP growth has largely been
driven by increases in world cotton prices. Industry remains
dominated by unprofitable government-controlled corporations.
Following the CFA franc currency devaluation in January 1994, the
government updated its development program in conjunction with
international agencies; exports and economic growth have increased.
The government devolved macroeconomic policy and inflation targeting
to the West African regional central bank (BCEAO), but maintains
control over fiscal and microeconomic policies, including
implementing reforms to encourage private investment. The bitter
internal crisis in neighboring Cote d'Ivoire continues to hurt trade
and industrial prospects and deepens the need for international
assistance. Burkina Faso is eligible for a Millenium Challenge
Account grant, which would increase investment in the country's
human capital.
Burma
Burma, a resource-rich country, suffers from pervasive
government controls, inefficient economic policies, and rural
poverty. The junta took steps in the early 1990s to liberalize the
economy after decades of failure under the "Burmese Way to
Socialism," but those efforts stalled, and some of the
liberalization measures were rescinded. Lacking monetary or fiscal
stability, the economy suffers from serious macroeconomic imbalances
- including inflation, multiple official exchange rates that
overvalue the Burmese kyat, and a distorted interest rate regime.
Most overseas development assistance ceased after the junta began to
suppress the democracy movement in 1988 and subsequently refused to
honor the results of the 1990 legislative elections. In response to
the government of Burma's attack in May 2003 on AUNG SAN SUU KYI and
her convoy, the US imposed new economic sanctions against Burma -
including a ban on imports of Burmese products and a ban on
provision of financial services by US persons. A poor investment
climate further slowed the inflow of foreign exchange. The most
productive sectors will continue to be in extractive industries,
especially oil and gas, mining, and timber. Other areas, such as
manufacturing and services, are struggling with inadequate
infrastructure, unpredictable import/export policies, deteriorating
health and education systems, and corruption. A major banking crisis
in 2003 shuttered the country's 20 private banks and disrupted the
economy. As of 2006, the largest private banks operate under tight
restrictions limiting the private sector's access to formal credit.
Official statistics are inaccurate. Published statistics on foreign
trade are greatly understated because of the size of the black
market and unofficial border trade - often estimated to be as large
as the official economy. Burma's trade with Thailand, China, and
India is rising. Though the Burmese government has good economic
relations with its neighbors, better investment and business
climates and an improved political situation are needed to promote
foreign investment, exports, and tourism.
Burundi
Burundi is a landlocked, resource-poor country with an
underdeveloped manufacturing sector. The economy is predominantly
agricultural with more than 90% of the population dependent on
subsistence agriculture. Economic growth depends on coffee and tea
exports, which account for 90% of foreign exchange earnings. The
ability to pay for imports, therefore, rests primarily on weather
conditions and international coffee and tea prices. The Tutsi
minority, 14% of the population, dominates the government and the
coffee trade at the expense of the Hutu majority, 85% of the
population. An ethnic-based war that lasted for over a decade
resulted in more than 200,000 deaths, forced more than 48,000
refugees into Tanzania, and displaced 140,000 others internally.
Only one in two children go to school, and approximately one in 10
adults has HIV/AIDS. Food, medicine, and electricity remain in short
supply. Political stability and the end of the civil war have
improved aid flows and economic activity has increased, but
underlying weaknesses - a high poverty rate, poor education rates, a
weak legal system, and low administrative capacity - risk
undermining planned economic reforms. Burundi grew about 5 percent
in 2006. Delayed disbursements of funds from the World Bank may add
to budget pressures in 2007. Burundi will continue to remain heavily
dependent on aid from bilateral and multilateral donors.
Cambodia
In 1999, the first full year of peace in 30 years, the
government made progress on economic reforms. The US and Cambodia
signed a Bilateral Textile Agreement, which gave Cambodia a
guaranteed quota of US textile imports and established a bonus for
improving working conditions and enforcing Cambodian labor laws and
international labor standards in the industry. From 2001 to 2004,
the economy grew at an average rate of 6.4%, driven largely by an
expansion in the garment sector and tourism. With the January 2005
expiration of a WTO Agreement on Textiles and Clothing,
Cambodia-based textile producers were forced to compete directly
with lower-priced producing countries such as China and India.
Better-than-expected garment sector performance led to about 6%
growth per year in 2005-06. Faced with the possibility that its
vibrant garment industry, with more than 200,000 jobs, could be in
serious danger, the Cambodian government has committed itself to a
policy of continued support for high labor standards in an attempt
to maintain favor with buyers. The tourism industry continues to
grow rapidly, with foreign visitors surpassing 1 million for per
year beginning in 2005. In 2005, exploitable oil and natural gas
deposits were found beneath Cambodia's territorial waters,
representing a new revenue stream for the government once commercial
extraction begins in the coming years. Mining also is attracting
significant investor interest, particularly in the northeastern
parts of the country. The long-term development of the economy
remains a daunting challenge. The Cambodian government is working
with bilateral and multilateral donors, including the World Bank and
IMF, to address the country's many pressing needs. The major
economic challenge for Cambodia over the next decade will be
fashioning an economic environment in which the private sector can
create enough jobs to handle Cambodia's demographic imbalance. More
than 50% of the population is less than 21 years old. The population
lacks education and productive skills, particularly in the
poverty-ridden countryside, which suffers from an almost total lack
of basic infrastructure.
Cameroon
Because of its modest oil resources and favorable
agricultural conditions, Cameroon has one of the best-endowed
primary commodity economies in sub-Saharan Africa. Still, it faces
many of the serious problems facing other underdeveloped countries,
such as a top-heavy civil service and a generally unfavorable
climate for business enterprise. Since 1990, the government has
embarked on various IMF and World Bank programs designed to spur
business investment, increase efficiency in agriculture, improve
trade, and recapitalize the nation's banks. In June 2000, the
government completed an IMF-sponsored, three-year structural
adjustment program; however, the IMF is pressing for more reforms,
including increased budget transparency, privatization, and poverty
reduction programs. International oil and cocoa prices have a
significant impact on the economy.
Canada
As an affluent, high-tech industrial society in the trillion
dollar class, Canada resembles the US in its market-oriented
economic system, pattern of production, and affluent living
standards. Since World War II, the impressive growth of the
manufacturing, mining, and service sectors has transformed the
nation from a largely rural economy into one primarily industrial
and urban. The 1989 US-Canada Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the
1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) (which includes
Mexico) touched off a dramatic increase in trade and economic
integration with the US. Given its great natural resources, skilled
labor force, and modern capital plant, Canada enjoys solid economic
prospects. Top-notch fiscal management has produced consecutive
balanced budgets since 1997, although public debate continues over
how to manage the rising cost of the publicly funded healthcare
system. Exports account for roughly a third of GDP. Canada enjoys a
substantial trade surplus with its principal trading partner, the
US, which absorbs about 85% of Canadian exports. Canada is the US'
largest foreign supplier of energy, including oil, gas, uranium, and
electric power.
Cape Verde
This island economy suffers from a poor natural resource
base, including serious water shortages exacerbated by cycles of
long-term drought. The economy is service-oriented, with commerce,
transport, tourism, and public services accounting for 66% of GDP.
Although nearly 70% of the population lives in rural areas, the
share of food production in GDP in 2004 was only 12%, of which
fishing accounted for 1.5%. About 82% of food must be imported. The
fishing potential, mostly lobster and tuna, is not fully exploited.
Cape Verde annually runs a high trade deficit, financed by foreign
aid and remittances from emigrants; remittances supplement GDP by
more than 20%. Economic reforms are aimed at developing the private
sector and attracting foreign investment to diversify the economy.
Future prospects depend heavily on the maintenance of aid flows, the
encouragement of tourism, remittances, and the momentum of the
government's development program. Cape Verde has been exploring
European Union membership in recent years.
Cayman Islands
With no direct taxation, the islands are a thriving
offshore financial center. More than 68,000 companies were
registered in the Cayman Islands as of 2003, including almost 500
banks, 800 insurers, and 5000 mutual funds. A stock exchange was
opened in 1997. Tourism is also a mainstay, accounting for about 70%
of GDP and 75% of foreign currency earnings. The tourist industry is
aimed at the luxury market and caters mainly to visitors from North
America. Total tourist arrivals exceeded 2.1 million in 2003, with
about half from the US. About 90% of the islands' food and consumer
goods must be imported. The Caymanians enjoy one of the highest
outputs per capita and one of the highest standards of living in the
world.
Central African Republic
Subsistence agriculture, together with
forestry, remains the backbone of the economy of the Central African
Republic (CAR), with more than 70% of the population living in
outlying areas. The agricultural sector generates more than half of
GDP. Timber has accounted for about 16% of export earnings and the
diamond industry, for 40%. Important constraints to economic
development include the CAR's landlocked position, a poor
transportation system, a largely unskilled work force, and a legacy
of misdirected macroeconomic policies. Factional fighting between
the government and its opponents remains a drag on economic
revitalization. Distribution of income is extraordinarily unequal.
Grants from France and the international community can only
partially meet humanitarian needs.
Chad
Chad's primarily agricultural economy will continue to be
boosted by major foreign direct investment projects in the oil
sector that began in 2000. Over 80% of Chad's population relies on
subsistence farming and livestock raising for its livelihood. Chad's
economy has long been handicapped by its landlocked position, high
energy costs, and a history of instability. Chad relies on foreign
assistance and foreign capital for most public and private sector
investment projects. A consortium led by two US companies has been
investing $3.7 billion to develop oil reserves - estimated at 1
billion barrels - in southern Chad. The nation's total oil reserves
has been estimated to be 2 billion barrels. Oil production came on
stream in late 2003. Chad began to export oil in 2004. Cotton,
cattle, and gum arabic provide the bulk of Chad's non-oil export
earnings.
Chile
Chile has a market-oriented economy characterized by a high
level of foreign trade. During the early 1990s, Chile's reputation
as a role model for economic reform was strengthened when the
democratic government of Patricio AYLWIN - which took over from the
military in 1990 - deepened the economic reform initiated by the
military government. Growth in real GDP averaged 8% during 1991-97,
but fell to half that level in 1998 because of tight monetary
policies implemented to keep the current account deficit in check
and because of lower export earnings - the latter a product of the
global financial crisis. A severe drought exacerbated the recession
in 1999, reducing crop yields and causing hydroelectric shortfalls
and electricity rationing, and Chile experienced negative economic
growth for the first time in more than 15 years. Despite the effects
of the recession, Chile maintained its reputation for strong
financial institutions and sound policy that have given it the
strongest sovereign bond rating in South America. By the end of
1999, exports and economic activity had begun to recover, and growth
rebounded to 4.2% in 2000. Growth fell back to 3.1% in 2001 and 2.1%
in 2002, largely due to lackluster global growth and the devaluation
of the Argentine peso. Chile's economy began a slow recovery in
2003, growing 3.2%, and accelerated to about 5% per year in 2004-06,
while Chile maintained a low rate of inflation. GDP growth benefited
from high copper prices, solid export earnings (particularly
forestry, fishing, and mining), and stepped-up foreign direct
investment. Unemployment has exhibited a downward trend over the
past year, but remains fairly high. Chile deepened its longstanding
commitment to trade liberalization with the signing of a free trade
agreement with the US, which took effect on 1 January 2004. Chile
signed a free trade agreement with China in November 2005, and it
already has several trade deals signed with other nations and blocs,
including the European Union, Mercosur, South Korea, and Mexico.
Record-high copper prices helped to strengthen the peso to a 6 1/2-year
high, as of December 2006, and added investment in the mining sector
will boost GDP in 2007.
China
China's economy during the last quarter century has changed
from a centrally planned system that was largely closed to
international trade to a more market-oriented economy that has a
rapidly growing private sector and is a major player in the global
economy. Reforms started in the late 1970s with the phasing out of
collectivized agriculture, and expanded to include the gradual
liberalization of prices, fiscal decentralization, increased
autonomy for state enterprises, the foundation of a diversified
banking system, the development of stock markets, the rapid growth
of the non-state sector, and the opening to foreign trade and
investment. China has generally implemented reforms in a gradualist
or piecemeal fashion, including the sale of equity in China's
largest state banks to foreign investors and refinements in foreign
exchange and bond markets in 2005. The restructuring of the economy
and resulting efficiency gains have contributed to a more than
tenfold increase in GDP since 1978. Measured on a purchasing power
parity (PPP) basis, China in 2006 stood as the second-largest
economy in the world after the US, although in per capita terms the
country is still lower middle-income and 130 million Chinese fall
below international poverty lines. Economic development has
generally been more rapid in coastal provinces than in the interior,
and there are large disparities in per capita income between
regions. The government has struggled to: (a) sustain adequate job
growth for tens of millions of workers laid off from state-owned
enterprises, migrants, and new entrants to the work force; (b)
reduce corruption and other economic crimes; and (c) contain
environmental damage and social strife related to the economy's
rapid transformation. From 100 to 150 million surplus rural workers
are adrift between the villages and the cities, many subsisting
through part-time, low-paying jobs. One demographic consequence of
the "one child" policy is that China is now one of the most rapidly
aging countries in the world. Another long-term threat to growth is
the deterioration in the environment - notably air pollution, soil
erosion, and the steady fall of the water table, especially in the
north. China continues to lose arable land because of erosion and
economic development. China has benefited from a huge expansion in
computer Internet use, with more than 100 million users at the end
of 2005. Foreign investment remains a strong element in China's
remarkable expansion in world trade and has been an important factor
in the growth of urban jobs. In July 2005, China revalued its
currency by 2.1% against the US dollar and moved to an exchange rate
system that references a basket of currencies. In 2006 China had the
largest current account surplus - nearly $180 billion - in the
world. More power generating capacity came on line in 2006 as large
scale investments were completed. Thirteen years in construction at
a cost of $24 billion, the immense Three Gorges Dam across the
Yangtze River was essentially completed in 2006 and will
revolutionize electrification and flood control in the area. The
11th Five-Year Program (2006-10), approved by the National People's
Congress in March 2006, calls for a 20% reduction in energy
consumption per unit of GDP by 2010 and an estimated 45% increase in
GDP by 2010. The plan states that conserving resources and
protecting the environment are basic goals, but it lacks details on
the policies and reforms necessary to achieve these goals.
Christmas Island
Phosphate mining had been the only significant
economic activity, but in December 1987 the Australian Government
closed the mine. In 1991, the mine was reopened. With the support of
the government, a $34 million casino opened in 1993. The casino
closed in 1998. The Australian Government in 2001 agreed to support
the creation of a commercial space-launching site on the island,
projected to begin operations in the near future.
Clipperton Island
Although 115 species of fish have been identified
in the territorial waters of Clipperton Island, the only economic
activity is tuna fishing.
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Grown throughout the islands, coconuts are
the sole cash crop. Small local gardens and fishing contribute to
the food supply, but additional food and most other necessities must
be imported from Australia. There is a small tourist industry.
Colombia
Colombia's economy has experienced positive growth over the
past three years despite a serious armed conflict. The economy
continues to improve in part because of austere government budgets,
focused efforts to reduce public debt levels, an export-oriented
growth strategy, an improved security situation in the country, and
high commodity prices. Ongoing economic problems facing President
URIBE range from reforming the pension system to reducing high
unemployment, and to achieving congressional passage of a fiscal
transfers reform. New exploration is needed to offset declining oil
production. International and domestic financial analysts note with
concern the growing central government deficit, which hovers at 5%
of GDP. However, the government's economic policy and democratic
security strategy have engendered a growing sense of confidence in
the economy, particularly within the business sector.
Comoros
One of the world's poorest countries, Comoros is made up of
three islands that have inadequate transportation links, a young and
rapidly increasing population, and few natural resources. The low
educational level of the labor force contributes to a subsistence
level of economic activity, high unemployment, and a heavy
dependence on foreign grants and technical assistance. Agriculture,
including fishing, hunting, and forestry, contributes 40% to GDP,
employs 80% of the labor force, and provides most of the exports.
The country is not self-sufficient in food production; rice, the
main staple, accounts for the bulk of imports. The government -
which is hampered by internal political disputes - is struggling to
upgrade education and technical training, privatize commercial and
industrial enterprises, improve health services, diversify exports,
promote tourism, and reduce the high population growth rate.
Increased foreign support is essential if the goal of 4% annual GDP
growth is to be met. Remittances from 150,000 Comorans abroad help
supplement GDP.
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
The economy of the Democratic
Republic of the Congo - a nation endowed with vast potential wealth
- has declined drastically since the mid-1980s. The war, which began
in August 1998, dramatically reduced national output and government
revenue, increased external debt, and resulted in the deaths of
perhaps 3.5 million people from violence, famine, and disease.
Foreign businesses curtailed operations due to uncertainty about the
outcome of the conflict, lack of infrastructure, and the difficult
operating environment. Conditions improved in late 2002 with the
withdrawal of a large portion of the invading foreign troops. The
transitional government has reopened relations with international
financial institutions and international donors, and President
KABILA has begun implementing reforms. Much economic activity lies
outside the GDP data. Economic stability improved in 2003-06,
although an uncertain legal framework, corruption, and a lack of
openness in government policy continues to hamper growth. In
2005-06, renewed activity in the mining sector, the source of most
exports, boosted Kinshasa's fiscal position and GDP growth. Business
and economic prospects are expected to improve once a new government
is installed after elections.
Congo, Republic of the
The economy is a mixture of village
agriculture and handicrafts, an industrial sector based largely on
oil, support services, and a government characterized by budget
problems and overstaffing. Oil has supplanted forestry as the
mainstay of the economy, providing a major share of government
revenues and exports. In the early 1980s, rapidly rising oil
revenues enabled the government to finance large-scale development
projects with GDP growth averaging 5% annually, one of the highest
rates in Africa. The government has mortgaged a substantial portion
of its oil earnings through oil-backed loans that have contributed
to a growing debt burden and chronic revenue shortfalls. Economic
reform efforts have been undertaken with the support of
international organizations, notably the World Bank and the IMF.
However, the reform program came to a halt in June 1997 when civil
war erupted. Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO, who returned to power when the
war ended in October 1997, publicly expressed interest in moving
forward on economic reforms and privatization and in renewing
cooperation with international financial institutions. Economic
progress was badly hurt by slumping oil prices and the resumption of
armed conflict in December 1998, which worsened the republic's
budget deficit. The current administration presides over an uneasy
internal peace and faces difficult economic challenges of
stimulating recovery and reducing poverty. Recovery of oil prices
has boosted the economy's GDP and near-term prospects. In March
2006, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF)
approved Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) treatment for Congo.