914 m: 1 1 (2001)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 3 3 under 914 m: 3 (2001)
Military Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Military branches: British Forces Falkland Islands no regular indigenous
military forces; (includes Army, Royal Air Force, and Royal Navy),
Police Force
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA%
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
Transnational Issues Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Disputes - international: claimed by Argentina
This page was last updated on 1 January 2002
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Micronesia, Federated States of
Introduction
Micronesia, Federated States of
Background: In 1979 the Federated States of Micronesia, a UN Trust
Territory under US administration, adopted a constitution. In 1986
independence was attained under a Compact of Free Association with the
US. Present concerns include large-scale unemployment, overfishing,
and overdependence on US aid.
Geography Micronesia, Federated States of
Location: Oceania, island group in the North Pacific Ocean, about
three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Indonesia
Geographic coordinates: 6 55 N, 158 15 E
Map references: Oceania
Area: total: 702 sq km note: includes Pohnpei (Ponape), Truk (Chuuk)
Islands, Yap Islands, and Kosrae water: 0 sq km land: 702 sq km
Area - comparative: four times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 6,112 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM
Climate: tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern
islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with occasionally
severe damage
Terrain: islands vary geologically from high mountainous islands to low,
coral atolls; volcanic outcroppings on Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Truk
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point:
Dolohmwar (Totolom) 791 m
Natural resources: forests, marine products, deep-seabed minerals
Land use: arable land: 6% permanent crops: 46% other: 48% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: typhoons (June to December)
Environment - current issues: overfishing, climate change, pollution
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate
Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes,
Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none
of the selected agreements
Geography - note: four major island groups totaling 607 islands
People Micronesia, Federated States of
Population: 135,869 (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: Micronesian(s) adjective: Micronesian; Chuukese,
Kosrae(s), Pohnpeian(s), Trukese, Yapese
Ethnic groups: nine ethnic Micronesian and Polynesian groups
Religions: Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 47%
Languages: English (official and common language), Trukese, Pohnpeian,
Yapese, Kosrean, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total
population: 89% male: 91% female: 88% (1980 est.)
Government Micronesia, Federated States of
Country name: conventional long form: Federated States of Micronesia
conventional short form: none abbreviation: FSM former: Ponape, Truk,
and Yap Districts (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands)
Government type: constitutional government in free association with
the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 3 November
1986 and is due for renegotiation
Capital: Palikir
Administrative divisions: 4 states; Chuuk (Truk), Kosrae, Pohnpei, Yap
Independence: 3 November 1986 (from the US-administered UN Trusteeship)
National holiday: Constitution Day, 10 May (1979)
Constitution: 10 May 1979
Legal system: based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the
legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Leo A. FALCAM (since 21
July 1999); Vice President Redley KILLION (since 21 July 1999); note -
the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of
government: KILLION (since 21 July 1999); note - the president is both
the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet elections:
president and vice president elected by Congress from among the four
senators-at-large for four-year terms; election last held NA May 1999
(next to be held NA May 2003); note - a proposed constitutional amendment
would establish popular elections for president and vice president
election results: KILLION elected vice president; percent of Congress
vote - NA%
Legislative branch: unicameral Congress (14 seats; members elected by
popular vote; four - one elected from each state - to serve four-year
terms and 10 - elected from single-member districts delineated by
population - to serve two-year terms) elections: elections for four-year
term seats last held 2 March 1999 (next to be held NA March 2003);
elections for two-year term seats last held 6 March 2001 (next to be
held NA March 2003) election results: Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: no formal parties
International organization participation: ACP, AsDB, ESCAP, G-77, IBRD,
ICAO, IDA, IFC, IFRCS (associate), IMF, IOC, ITU, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC,
SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jesse
Bibiano MAREHALAU telephone: [1]
Honolulu and Tamuning (Guam) FAX:
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador
Larry DINGER embassy: address NA, Kolonia mailing address: P. O. Box
1286, Kolonia, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia 96941 telephone:
[691] 320-2187 FAX: [691] 320-2186
Flag description: light blue with four white five-pointed stars centered;
the stars are arranged in a diamond pattern
Economy Micronesia, Federated States of
Economy - overview: Economic activity consists primarily of subsistence
farming and fishing. The islands have few mineral deposits worth
exploiting, except for high-grade phosphate. The potential for a tourist
industry exists, but the remote location and a lack of adequate facilities
hinder development. In 1996, the country experienced a 20% reduction in
revenues from the Compact of Free Association - the agreement with the
US in which Micronesia received $1.3 billion in financial and technical
assistance over a 15-year period until 2001. Since these revenues
accounted for 57% of consolidated government revenues, reduced Compact
funding resulted in a severe depression. Economic activity recovered in
1999-2001. The country's medium-term economic outlook appears fragile due
to likely further reductions in external grants made under the US Compact
funding. Geographical isolation and a poorly developed infrastructure
remain major impediments to long-term growth.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $269 million (2001 est.) note: GDP is
supplemented by grant aid, averaging perhaps $100 million annually
GDP - real growth rate: 2% (2001 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $2,000 (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 50% industry: 4% services: 46%
(2000 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.5% (2001 est.)
Labor force: NA
Labor force - by occupation: two-thirds are government employees
Unemployment rate: 16% (1999 est.)
Budget: revenues: $161 million ($69 million less grants) expenditures:
$160 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.)
Industries: tourism, construction, fish processing, craft items from
shell, wood, and pearls
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity - production: NA kWh
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: NA% nuclear: NA% other:
NA% hydro: NA%
Electricity - consumption: NA kWh
Agriculture - products: black pepper, tropical fruits and vegetables,
coconuts, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes; pigs, chickens
Exports: $22 million (f.o.b., FY99/00 est.)
Exports - commodities: fish, garments, bananas, black pepper
Exports - partners: Japan, US, Guam
Imports: $149 million (f.o.b., FY99/00 est.)
Imports - commodities: food, manufactured goods, machinery and equipment,
beverages
Imports - partners: US, Australia, Japan
Debt - external: $66.5 million (FY99/00 est.)
Economic aid - recipient: under terms of the Compact of Free Association,
the US pledged $1.3 billion in grant aid during the period 1986-2001
Currency: US dollar (USD)
Currency code: USD
Exchange rates: the US dollar is used
Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September
Communications Micronesia, Federated States of
Telephones - main lines in use: 11,000 (2001)
Telephones - mobile cellular: NA
Telephone system: general assessment: adequate system domestic: islands
interconnected by shortwave radiotelephone (used mostly for government
purposes) international: satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (Pacific
Ocean) (2002)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 5, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios: 9,400 (1996)
Television broadcast stations: 2 (1997)
Televisions: 2,800 (1999)
Internet country code: .fm
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2000)
Internet users: 2,000 (2000)
Transportation Micronesia, Federated States of
Highways: total: 240 km paved: 42 km unpaved: 198 km (1996)
Waterways: none
Ports and harbors: Colonia (Yap), Kolonia (Pohnpei), Lele, Moen
Merchant marine: none note: includes a foreign-owned ship registered
here as a flag of convenience: United States 1 (2002 est.)
Airports: 7 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to
1,523 m: 2 (2001)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2001)
Military Micronesia, Federated States of
Military - note: Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) is a sovereign,
self-governing state in free association with the US; FSM is totally
dependent on the US for its defense
Transnational Issues Micronesia, Federated States of
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 1 January 2002
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Faroe Islands
Introduction Faroe Islands
Background: The population of the Faroe Islands is largely descended
from Viking settlers who arrived in the 9th century. The islands have
been connected politically to Denmark since the 14th century. A high
degree of self-government was attained in 1948.
Geography Faroe Islands
Location: Northern Europe, island group between the Norwegian Sea and
the North Atlantic Ocean, about one-half of the way from Iceland to Norway
Geographic coordinates: 62 00 N, 7 00 W
Map references: Europe
Area: total: 1,399 sq km water: 0 sq km (some lakes and streams) land:
1,399 sq km
Area - comparative: eight times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 1,117 km
Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200 NM or agreed boundaries or
median line exclusive
200 NM or agreed boundaries or median line territorial sea:
Climate: mild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy
Terrain: rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point:
Slaettaratindur 882 m
Natural resources: fish, whales, hydropower
Land use: arable land: 2% permanent crops: 0% other: 98% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards: NA
Environment - current issues: NA
Geography - note: 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
People Faroe Islands
Population: 46,011 (July 2002 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 22.3% (male 5,149; female 5,110) 15-64 years:
64% (male 15,650; female 13,801) 65 years and over: 13.7% (male 2,818;
female 3,483) (2002 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.74% (2002 est.)
Birth rate: 13.74 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Death rate: 8.69 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Net migration rate: 2.39 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.13 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female
total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 6.66 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: 82.21 years (2002 est.) male: Total fertility
rate: 2.27 children born/woman (2002 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA%
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Nationality: noun: Faroese (singular and plural) adjective: Faroese
Ethnic groups: Scandinavian
Religions: Evangelical Lutheran
Languages: Faroese (derived from Old Norse), Danish
Literacy: definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA%
note: similar to Denmark proper
Government Faroe Islands
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form:
Faroe Islands local short form: Foroyar local long form: none
Dependency status: part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing
overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1948
Government type: NA
Capital: Torshavn
Administrative divisions: none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark;
self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark); there are
no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government,
but there are 49 municipalities
Independence: none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing
overseas administrative division of Denmark)
National holiday: Olaifest, 29 July
Constitution: 5 June 1953 (Danish constitution)
Legal system: Danish
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since
14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Birgit KLEIS, chief
administrative officer (since 1 November 2001) election results: Anfinn
KALLSBERG elected prime minister; percent of parliamentary vote - 52.8%
note: coalition of People's Party, Republican Party, and Home Rule Party
elections: following legislative elections, the leader of the party that
wins the most seats is usually elected prime minister by the Faroese
Parliament; election last held 30 April 1998 (next to be held no later
than April 2002) head of government: Prime Minister Anfinn KALLSBERG
(since 15 May 1998) cabinet: Landsstyri appointed by the prime minister
Legislative branch: unicameral Faroese Parliament or Logting (32 seats;
members are elected by popular vote on a proportional basis from the seven
constituencies to serve four-year terms) election results: percent of
vote by party - NA; seats by party - Union Party 8, Republican Party 8,
Social Democrats 7, People's Party 7, Independence Party 1, Center Party
1 note: election of 2 seats to the Danish Parliament was last held on 20
November 2001 (next to be held no later than November 2005); results -
percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Republican Party 1,
Union Party 1 elections: Judicial branch: none
Political parties and leaders: Center Party [Tordur NICALSEN]; Home
Rule Party [Helena Dam a NEYSTABO]; Independence Party [leader NA];
People's Party [Oli BRECKMANN]; Republican Party [Finnabogi ISAKSON];
Social Democratic Party [Joannes EIDESGAARD]; Union Party [Edmund JOENSEN]
Political pressure groups and leaders: NA
International organization participation: NC, NIB
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (self-governing overseas
administrative division of Denmark)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (self-governing overseas
administrative division of Denmark)
Flag description: white with a red cross outlined in blue extending to
the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted toward
the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
Economy Faroe Islands
Economy - overview: The Faroese economy has had a strong performance
since 1994, mostly as a result of increasing fish landings and high and
stable export prices. Unemployment is falling and there are signs of
labor shortages in several sectors. The positive economic development
has helped the Faroese Home Rule Government produce increasing budget
surpluses which in turn help to reduce the large public debt, most of
it owed to Denmark. However, the total dependence on fishing makes the
Faroese economy extremely vulnerable, and the present fishing efforts
appear in excess of what is a sustainable level of fishing in the long
term. Oil finds close to the Faroese area give hope for deposits in the
immediate Faroese area, which may eventually lay the basis for a more
diversified economy and thus lessen dependence on Denmark and Danish
economic assistance. Aided by a substantial annual subsidy (15% of GDP)
from Denmark, the Faroese have a standard of living not far below the
Danes and other Scandinavians.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $910 million (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 5% (2000 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $20,000 (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 27% industry: 11% services:
62% (1999)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.1% (1999)
Labor force: 24,250 (October 2000)
Labor force - by occupation: fishing, fish processing, and manufacturing
33%, construction and private services 33%, public services 34%
Unemployment rate: 1% (October 2000)
Budget: revenues: $488 million expenditures: $484 million, including
capital expenditures of $21 million (1999)
Industries: fishing, fish processing, shipbuilding, construction,
handicrafts
Industrial production growth rate: 8% (1999 est.)
Electricity - production: 165 million kWh (2000)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 60.61% hydro: 39.39%
other: 0% (2000) nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption: 153.45 million kWh (2000)
Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2000)
Agriculture - products: milk, potatoes, vegetables; sheep; salmon,
other fish
Exports: $471 million (f.o.b., 1999)
Exports - commodities: fish and fish products 94%, stamps, ships (1999)
Exports - partners: Denmark 32%, UK 21%, France 9%, Germany 7%, Iceland
5%, US 5% (1996)
Imports: $469 million (c.i.f., 1999)
Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment 29%, consumer
goods 36%, raw materials and semi-manufactures 32%, fuels, fish and salt
(1999)
Imports - partners: Denmark 28%, Norway 26%, Germany 7%, UK 6% Sweden
5%, Iceland 4%, US (1999)
Debt - external: $64 million (1999)
Economic aid - recipient: $135 million (annual subsidy from Denmark)
(1999)
Currency: Danish krone (DKK)
Currency code: DKK
Exchange rates: Danish kroner per US dollar - 8.418 (January 2002),
8.323 (2001), 8.083 (2000), 6.976 (1999), 6.701 (1998), 6.604 (1997)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications Faroe Islands
Telephones - main lines in use: 24,851 (1999)
Telephones - mobile cellular: 10,761 (1999)
Telephone system: general assessment: good international communications;
good domestic facilities domestic: digitalization was completed in 1998;
both NMT (analog) and GSM (digital) mobile telephone systems are installed
international: satellite earth stations - 1 Orion; 1 fiber-optic submarine
cable to the Shetland Islands, linking the Faroe Islands with Denmark
and Iceland; fiber-optic submarine cable connection to Canada-Europe cable
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 13, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios: 26,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 3 (plus 43 low-power repeaters)
(September 1995)
Televisions: 15,000 (1997)
Internet country code: .fo
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 2 (2000)
Internet users: 3,000 (2000)
Transportation Faroe Islands
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 463 km paved: 454 km unpaved: 9 km (1999)
Waterways: none
Ports and harbors: Torshavn, Klaksvik, Tvoroyri, Runavik, Fuglafjordhur
Merchant marine: total: 7 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 100,951
GRT/139,396 DWT note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as
a flag of convenience: Denmark 3, Norway 1, United Kingdom 1 (2002 est.)
ships by type: cargo 2, petroleum tanker 2, refrigerated cargo 1, roll
on/roll off 1, short-sea passenger 1
Airports: 1 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2001)
Military Faroe Islands
Military branches: no regular indigenous military forces; small Police
Force and Coast Guard are maintained
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA%
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Denmark
Transnational Issues Faroe Islands
Disputes - international: Faroese are considering proposals for
full independence; Denmark dispute with Iceland over the Faroe Islands
fisheries median line boundary of 200 NM; Denmark disputes with Iceland,
the UK, and Ireland over the Faroe Islands continental shelf boundary
outside 200 NM
This page was last updated on 1 January 2002
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French Polynesia
Introduction
French Polynesia
Background: The French annexed various Polynesian island groups during
the 19th century. In September 1995, France stirred up widespread
protests by resuming nuclear testing on the Mururoa atoll after a
three-year moratorium. The tests were suspended in January 1996.
Geography French Polynesia
Location: Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half
of the way from South America to Australia
Geographic coordinates: 15 00 S, 140 00 W
Map references: Oceania
Area: 507 sq km land: Area - comparative: slightly less than one-third
the size of Connecticut
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 2,525 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM
Climate: tropical, but moderate
Terrain: mixture of rugged high islands and low islands with reefs
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point:
Mont Orohena 2,241 m
Natural resources: timber, fish, cobalt, hydropower
Land use: arable land: 2% permanent crops: 6% other: 92% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: occasional cyclonic storms in January
Environment - current issues: NA
Geography - note: includes five archipelagoes; 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
People French Polynesia
Population: 257,847 (July 2002 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 29% (male 38,184; female 36,631) 15-64 years:
65.7% (male 88,250; female 81,165) 65 years and over: 5.3% (male 6,850;
female 6,767) (2002 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.67% (2002 est.)
Birth rate: 18.17 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Death rate: 4.49 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Net migration rate: 3.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)