Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the
continental margin territorial sea: 12 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM
Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds
Terrain: low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point:
Te Manga 652 m
Natural resources: NEGL
Land use: arable land: 17% permanent crops: 13% other: 70% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: typhoons (November to March)
Environment - current issues: NA
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate
Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note: the northern Cook Islands are seven low-lying,
sparsely populated, coral atolls; the southern Cook Islands consist of
eight elevated, fertile, volcanic isles where most of the populace lives
People Cook Islands
Population: 20,811 (July 2002 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA% 15-64 years: NA% 65 years and over: NA%
Population growth rate: NA% (2002 est.)
Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population
Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population
Sex ratio: NA
Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA years male: NA years
female: NA years
Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA%
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Nationality: noun: Cook Islander(s) adjective: Cook Islander
Ethnic groups: Polynesian (full blood) 81.3%, Polynesian and European
7.7%, Polynesian and non-European 7.7%, European 2.4%, other 0.9%
Religions: Christian (majority of populace are members of the Cook
Islands Christian Church)
Languages: English (official), Maori
Literacy: definition: NA total population: 95% male: NA% female: NA%
Government Cook Islands
Country name: Cook Islands former: Dependency status: self-governing
in free association with New Zealand; Cook Islands is fully responsible
for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external
affairs and defense, in consultation with the Cook Islands
Government type: self-governing parliamentary democracy
Capital: Avarua
Administrative divisions: none
Independence: none (became self-governing in free association with New
Zealand on 4 August 1965 and has the right at any time to move to full
independence by unilateral action)
National holiday: Constitution Day, first Monday in August (1965)
Constitution: 4 August 1965
Legal system: based on New Zealand law and English common law
Suffrage: NA years of age; universal adult
Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February
1952), represented by Frederick GOODWIN (since NA); New Zealand High
Commissioner Kurt MEYER (since NA), representative of New Zealand note:
on 12 February 2002, Prime Minister Terepai MAOATE was ousted following
a vote of no-confidence; a four-party coalition is the third government
since 1999 elections: monarch; the New Zealand high commissioner
is appointed by the New Zealand Government; following legislative
elections, the leader of the party that wins the most seats usually
becomes prime minister head of government: Minister Sir Geoffrey HENRY
(since 12 February 2002) cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister;
collectively responsible to Parliament
Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (25 seats; members elected by
popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held NA June 1999
(next to be held by NA 2004) note: the House of Ariki (chiefs) advises
on traditional matters and maintains considerable influence, but has
no legislative powers election results: percent of vote by party - NA%;
seats by party - CIP 12, DAP 12, NAP 1
Judicial branch: High Court
Political parties and leaders: Cook Islands People's Party or CIP
[Geoffrey HENRY]; Democratic Alliance Party or DAP [Terepai MAOATE];
New Alliance Party or NAP [Norman GEORGE]
Political pressure groups and leaders: NA
International organization participation: ACP, AsDB, ESCAP (associate),
FAO, ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD, IFRCS (associate), IOC, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC,
SPF, UNESCO, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (self-governing in free
association with New Zealand)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (self-governing in free
association with New Zealand)
Flag description: blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and a large circle of 15 white five-pointed stars (one for
every island) centered in the outer half of the flag
Economy Cook Islands
Economy - overview: Like many other South Pacific island nations,
the Cook Islands' economic development is hindered by the isolation of
the country from foreign markets, the limited size of domestic markets,
lack of natural resources, periodic devastation from natural disasters,
and inadequate infrastructure. Agriculture provides the economic base with
major exports made up of copra and citrus fruit. Manufacturing activities
are limited to fruit processing, clothing, and handicrafts. Trade
deficits are offset by remittances from emigrants and by foreign aid,
overwhelmingly from New Zealand. In the 1980s and 1990s, the country lived
beyond its means, maintaining a bloated public service and accumulating
a large foreign debt. Subsequent reforms, including the sale of state
assets, the strengthening of economic management, the encouragement of
tourism, and a debt restructuring agreement, have rekindled investment
and growth.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $105 million (2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: NA%
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $5,000 (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 17% industry: 7.8% services:
75.2% (2000 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.2% (2000 est.)
Labor force: 8,000 (1996)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 29%, industry 15%, services 56%
note: shortage of skilled labor (1995)
Unemployment rate: 13% (1996)
Budget: revenues: $28 million expenditures: $27 million, including
capital expenditures of $3.3 million (FY00/01 est.)
Industries: fruit processing, tourism, fishing
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity - production: 24 million kWh (2000)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0%
(2000) nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption: 22.32 million kWh (2000)
Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2000)
Agriculture - products: copra, citrus, pineapples, tomatoes, beans,
pawpaws, bananas, yams, taro, coffee; pigs, poultry
Exports: $9.1 million (f.o.b., 2000)
Exports - commodities: copra, papayas, fresh and canned citrus fruit,
coffee; fish; pearls and pearl shells; clothing
Exports - partners: Australia 34%, Japan 27%, New Zealand 25%, US 8%
(2000)
Imports: $50.7 million (c.i.f., 2000)
Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timber, capital goods
Imports - partners: NZ 61%, Fiji 19%, US 9%, Australia 6%, Japan 2%
(2000)
Debt - external: $141 million (1996 est.)
Economic aid - recipient: $13.1 million (1995); note - New Zealand
continues to furnish the greater part
Currency: New Zealand dollar (NZD)
Currency code: NZD
Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars per US dollar - 2.3535 (January
2002), 2.3776 (2001), 2.1863 (2000), 1.8886 (1999), 1.8632 (1998), 1.5083
(1997)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Communications Cook Islands
Telephones - main lines in use: 5,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular: 0 (1994)
Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: the individual
islands are connected by a combination of satellite earth stations,
microwave systems, and VHF and HF radiotelephone; within the islands,
service is provided by small exchanges connected to subscribers by open
wire, cable, and fiber-optic cable international: satellite earth station
- 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios: 14,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 2 (plus eight low-power repeaters) (1997)
Televisions: 4,000 (1997)
Internet country code: .ck
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 3 (2000)
Internet users: NA
Transportation Cook Islands
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 320 km (1992) paved: NA unpaved: NA
Waterways: none
Ports and harbors: Avarua, Avatiu
Airports: 7 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2001)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to
1,523 m: 3 (2001)
Military Cook Islands
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of New Zealand, in
consultation with the Cook Islands and at its request
Transnational Issues Cook Islands
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 1 January 2002
========================================================================
Cyprus
Introduction
Cyprus
Background: Independence from the UK was approved in 1960 with
constitutional guarantees by the Greek Cypriot majority to the Turkish
Cypriot minority. In 1974, a Greek-sponsored attempt to seize the
government was met by military intervention from Turkey, which soon
controlled almost 40% of the island. In 1983, the Turkish-held area
declared itself the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus", but it is
recognized only by Turkey. UN-led talks on the status of Cyprus resumed
in December 1999 to prepare the ground for meaningful negotiations
leading to a comprehensive settlement.
Geography Cyprus
Location: Middle East, island in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Turkey
Geographic coordinates: 35 00 N, 33 00 E
Map references: Middle East
Area: total: 9,250 sq km (of which 3,355 sq km are in the Turkish
Cypriot area) water: 10 sq km land: 9,240 sq km
Area - comparative: about 0.6 times the size of Connecticut
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 648 km
Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of
exploitation territorial sea: 12 NM
Climate: temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters
Terrain: central plain with mountains to north and south; scattered
but significant plains along southern coast
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point:
Olympus 1,951 m
Natural resources: copper, pyrites, asbestos, gypsum, timber, salt,
marble, clay earth pigment
Land use: arable land: 10% permanent crops: 5% other: 85% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land: 400 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards: moderate earthquake activity; droughts
Environment - current issues: water resource problems (no natural
reservoir catchments, seasonal disparity in rainfall, sea water intrusion
to island's largest aquifer, increased salination in the north); water
pollution from sewage and industrial wastes; coastal degradation; loss
of wildlife habitats from urbanization
Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution,
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,
Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous
Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: Geography - note:
the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea (after Sicily and
Sardinia)
People Cyprus
Population: 767,314 (July 2002 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 22.4% (male 87,981; female 84,168) 15-64
years: 66.6% (male 258,414; female 252,778) 65 years and over: 11%
(male 36,607; female 47,366) (2002 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.57% (2002 est.)
Birth rate: 12.91 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Death rate: 7.63 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Net migration rate: 0.43 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05
male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over:
0.77 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 7.71 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: 79.5 years (2002 est.) male: Total fertility
rate: 1.9 children born/woman (2002 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (1999 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 400 (1999 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Nationality: noun: Cypriot(s) adjective: Cypriot
Ethnic groups: Greek 85.2%, Turkish 11.6%, other 3.2% (2000)
Religions: Greek Orthodox 78%, Muslim 18%, Maronite, Armenian Apostolic,
and other 4%
Languages: Greek, Turkish, English
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total
population: 97% male: 98.7% female: 95% (1999)
Government Cyprus
Country name: Republic of Cyprus conventional short form: Republic
of Northern Cyprus" (TRNC)
Government type: republic note: a disaggregation of the two ethnic
communities inhabiting the island began following the outbreak of communal
strife in 1963; this separation was further solidified after the Turkish
intervention in July 1974 after a Greek junta-based coup attempt gave the
Turkish Cypriots de facto control in the north; Greek Cypriots control the
only internationally recognized government; on 15 November 1983 Turkish
Cypriot "President" Rauf DENKTASH declared independence and the formation
of a "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" (TRNC), recognized only by
Turkey; both sides publicly support a settlement based on a federation
(Greek Cypriot position) or confederation (Turkish Cypriot position)
Capital: Nicosia
Administrative divisions: 6 districts; Famagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca,
Limassol, Nicosia, Paphos; note - Turkish Cypriot area's administrative
divisions include Kyrenia, all but a small part of Famagusta, and small
parts of Lefkosa (Nicosia) and Larnaca
Independence: 16 August 1960 (from UK); note - Turkish Cypriot area
proclaimed self-rule on 13 February 1975
National holiday: Independence Day, 1 October (1960); note - Turkish
Cypriot area celebrates 15 November (1983) as Independence Day
Constitution: 16 August 1960; negotiations to create the basis for a
new or revised constitution to govern the island and to better relations
between Greek and Turkish Cypriots have been held intermittently; in 1975
Turkish Cypriots created their own constitution and governing bodies
within the "Turkish Federated State of Cyprus," which was renamed the
"Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" in 1983; a new constitution for
the Turkish Cypriot area passed by referendum on 5 May 1985
Legal system: based on common law, with civil law modifications
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Glafcos CLERIDES (since
28 February 1993); note - the president is both the chief of state
and head of government; post of vice president is currently vacant;
under the 1960 constitution, the post is reserved for a Turkish Cypriot
head of government: President Glafcos CLERIDES (since 28 February 1993);
note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government;
post of vice president is currently vacant; under the 1960 constitution,
the post is reserved for a Turkish Cypriot cabinet: Council of Ministers
appointed jointly by the president and vice president elections: president
elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 15
February 1998 (next to be held NA February 2003) note: Rauf R. DENKTASH
has been "president" of the Turkish Cypriot area since 13 February 1975
("president" elected by popular vote for a five-year term); elections
last held 15 April 2000 (next to be held NA April 2005); results -
Rauf R. DENKTASH reelected president after the other contender withdrew;
Dervis EROGLU has been "prime minister" of the Turkish Cypriot area since
16 August 1996; there is a Council of Ministers (cabinet) in the Turkish
Cypriot area election results: Glafcos CLERIDES reelected president;
percent of vote - Glafcos CLERIDES 50.8%, George IAKOVOU 49.2%
Legislative branch: unicameral - Greek Cypriot area: House of
Representatives or Vouli Antiprosopon (80 seats; 56 assigned to the
Greek Cypriots, 24 to Turkish Cypriots; note - only those assigned
to Greek Cypriots are filled; members are elected by popular vote to
serve five-year terms); Turkish Cypriot area: Assembly of the Republic
or Cumhuriyet Meclisi (50 seats; members are elected by popular vote
to serve five-year terms) election results: Greek Cypriot area: House
of Representatives - percent of vote by party - AKEL 34.71%, DISY 34%,
DIKO 14.84%, KISOS 6.51%, others 9.94%; seats by party - AKEL (Communist)
20, DISY 19, DIKO 9, KISOS 4, others 4; Turkish Cypriot area: Assembly of
the Republic - percent of vote by party - UBP 40.3%, DP 22.6%, TKP 15.4%,
CTP 13.4%, UDP 4.6%, YBH 2.5%, BP 1.2%; seats by party - UBP 24, DP 13,
TKP 7, CTP 6 elections: Greek Cypriot area: last held 27 May 2001 (next
to be held NA May 2006); Turkish Cypriot area: last held 6 December 1998
(next to be held NA December 2003)
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges are appointed jointly by the
president and vice president) note: there is also a Supreme Court in
the Turkish Cypriot area
Political parties and leaders: Greek Cypriot area: Democratic Party
or DIKO [Tassos PAPADOPOULOS]; Democratic Rally or DISY [Nikos
ANASTASIADHIS]; Eurodemocratic Renewal Movement or KEA [Antonis
PASCHALIDES]; Fighting Democratic Movement or ADIK [Dinos MIKHAILIDIS];
Green Party of Cyprus [George PERDIKIS]; New Horizons [Nikolaus KOUTSOU];
Restorative Party of the Working People or AKEL (Communist Party)
[Dimitrios CHRISTOFIAS]; Social Democrats Movement or KISOS (formerly
United Democratic Union of Cyprus or EDEK) [Yiannakis OMIROU]; United
Democrats Movement or EDE [George VASSILIOU]; Turkish Cypriot area:
Communal Liberation Party or TKP [Huseyin ANGOLEMLI]; Democratic Party
or DP [Salih COSAR]; National Birth Party or UDP [Enver EMIN]; National
Unity Party or UBP [Dervis EROGLU]; Our Party or BP [Okyay SADIKOGLU];
Patriotic Unity Movement or YBH [Izzet IZCAN]; Republican Turkish Party
or CTP [Mehmet ALI TALAT]
Political pressure groups and leaders: 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)
International organization participation: Australia Group, C, CCC,
CE, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU,
IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS (associate), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC,
IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM, NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: Ambassador Erato KOZAKOU-MARCOULLIS
chancery: representative of the Turkish Cypriot area in the US is Osman
ERTUG; office at 1667 K Street NW, Washington, DC; telephone [1] (202)
887-6198 consulate(s) general: New York telephone: [1] (202) 462-5772
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador
Donald K. BANDLER embassy: corner of Metochiou and Ploutarchou Streets,
Engomi, 2407 Nicosia mailing address: (22) 780944
Flag description: white with a copper-colored silhouette of the island
(the name Cyprus is derived from the Greek word for copper) above two
green crossed olive branches in the center of the flag; the branches
symbolize the hope for peace and reconciliation between the Greek and
Turkish communities note: bottom between which is a red crescent and
red star on a white field
Economy Cyprus
Economy - overview: Economic affairs are affected by the division
of the country. The Greek Cypriot economy is prosperous but highly
susceptible to external shocks. Erratic growth rates in the 1990s
reflect the economy's vulnerability to swings in tourist arrivals,
caused by political instability in the region and fluctuations in
economic conditions in Western Europe. Economic policy is focused on
meeting the criteria for admission to the EU. As in the Turkish sector,
water shortages are a perennial problem; a few desalination plants
are now online. The Turkish Cypriot economy has less than one-half the
per capita GDP of the south. Because it is recognized only by Turkey,
it has had much difficulty arranging foreign financing, and foreign
firms have hesitated to invest there. It remains heavily dependent on
agriculture and government service, which together employ about half of
the work force. To compensate for the economy's weakness, Turkey provides
substantial direct and indirect aid to tourism, education, industry, etc.
GDP: Greek Cypriot area: purchasing power parity - $9.1 billion (2001
est.); Turkish Cypriot area: purchasing power parity - $1.1 billion
(2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: Greek Cypriot area: 2.6% (2001 est.); Turkish
Cypriot area: 0.8% (2000 est.)
GDP - per capita: Greek Cypriot area: purchasing power parity - $15,000
(2001 est.); Turkish Cypriot area: purchasing power parity - $7,000
(2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: Greek Cypriot area: agriculture 4.6%,
industry 19.9%, services 75.5% (2001); Turkish Cypriot area: agriculture
8.3%, industry 20.7%, services 71.0% (2000)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): Greek Cypriot area: 1.9% (2001 est.);
Turkish Cypriot area: 53.2% (2000 est.)
Labor force: Greek Cypriot area: 291,000; Turkish Cypriot area: 86,300
(2000)
Labor force - by occupation: Greek Cypriot area: services 73%, industry
22%, agriculture 5% (2000); Turkish Cypriot area: services 56.4%,
industry 22.8%, agriculture 20.8% (1998)
Unemployment rate: Greek Cypriot area: 3% (2001 est.); Turkish Cypriot
area: 5.6% (1999 est.)
Budget: revenues: Greek Cypriot area - $2.4 billion (2001 est.); Turkish
Cypriot area - $294 million (2000 est.) expenditures: Greek Cypriot
area - $3.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $539 million
(2001 est.); Turkish Cypriot area - $495 million, including capital
expenditures of $60 million (2000 est.)
Industries: food, beverages, textiles, chemicals, metal products,
tourism, wood products
Industrial production growth rate: Greek Cypriot area: 2.2% (1999);
Turkish Cypriot area: -0.3% (1999)
Electricity - production: 3.13 billion kWh (1999); Turkish Cypriot area:
NA kWh (2000)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% other: 0% (2000)
nuclear: 0% hydro: 0%
Electricity - consumption: 2.911 billion kWh (1999); Turkish Cypriot
area: NA kWh (2000)
Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2000)
Agriculture - products: potatoes, citrus, vegetables, barley, grapes,
olives, vegetables
Exports: Greek Cypriot area: $851 million (f.o.b., 2001 est.); Turkish
Cypriot area: $50.7 million (f.o.b., 2000)
Exports - commodities: Greek Cypriot area: citrus, potatoes, grapes,
wine, cement, clothing and shoes; Turkish Cypriot area: citrus, potatoes,
textiles
Exports - partners: Greek Cypriot area: EU 36% (UK 17%, Greece 8%),
Russia 8%, Syria 7%, Lebanon 5%, US 2% (2000); Turkish Cypriot area:
Turkey 51%, UK 31%, other EU 16.5% (1999)
Imports: Greek Cypriot area: $3.5 billion (f.o.b., 2001 est.); Turkish
Cypriot area: $424.9 million (f.o.b., 2000)
Imports - commodities: Greek Cypriot area: consumer goods, petroleum
and lubricants, food and feed grains, machinery; Turkish Cypriot area:
food, minerals, chemicals, machinery
Imports - partners: Greek Cypriot area: EU 52% (UK 11%, Italy 9%, Greece
9%, Germany 7%), US 10% (2000); Turkish Cypriot area: Turkey 59%, UK 13%,
other EU 13% (1999)