(2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999); Portuguese escudos per US dollar -
180.10 (1998), 175.31 (1997)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications Portugal
Telephones - main lines in use: 5.3 million (yearend 1998)
Telephones - mobile cellular: 3,074,194 (1999)
Telephone system: general assessment: undergoing rapid development in
recent years, Portugal's telephone system, by the end of 1998, achieved
a state-of-the-art network with broadband, high-speed capabilities and a
main line telephone density of 53% domestic: integrated network of coaxial
cables, open wire, microwave radio relay, and domestic satellite earth
stations international: 6 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 3
Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), NA Eutelsat; tropospheric
scatter to Azores; note - an earth station for Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean
region) is planned
Radio broadcast stations: AM 47, FM 172 (many are repeaters), shortwave 2
(1998)
Radios: 3.02 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 62 (plus 166 repeaters) note: includes
Azores and Madeira Islands (1995)
Televisions: 3.31 million (1997)
Internet country code: .pt
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 16 (2000)
Internet users: 2 million (2001)
Transportation Portugal
Railways: total: 2,850 km broad gauge: 2,576 km 1.668-m gauge (623 km
electrified; 426 km double-tracked) narrow gauge: 274 km 1.000-m gauge
(2001)
Highways: total: 68,732 km paved: 59,110 km (including 797 km of
expressways) unpaved: 9,622 km (1999)
Waterways: 820 km note: relatively unimportant to national economy, used
by shallow-draft craft limited to 300 metric-ton or less cargo capacity
Pipelines: crude oil 22 km; petroleum products 58 km; natural gas 700
km note: long have not yet been built
Ports and harbors: Aveiro, Funchal (Madeira Islands), Horta (Azores),
Leixoes, Lisbon, Porto, Ponta Delgada (Azores), Praia da Vitoria (Azores),
Setubal, Viana do Castelo
Merchant marine: total: 140 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,001,440
GRT/1,519,701 DWT ships by type: bulk 10, cargo 71, chemical tanker 17,
container 10, liquefied gas 8, multi-functional large-load carrier 1,
petroleum tanker 10, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 6, short-sea
passenger 4, vehicle carrier 2 note: includes some foreign-owned
ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Belgium 1, British
Virgin Islands 1, Cyprus 1, Denmark 6, Germany 20, Greece 1, Iceland 1,
Italy 16, Lebanon 1, Liberia 1, Monaco 2, Norway 5, Panama 5, Spain 22,
Switzerland 8, United Kingdom 1, Virgin Islands (UK) 1 (2002 est.)
Airports: 67 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 40 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047
m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 14 under 914 m: 7 (2001)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 27 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m:
26 (2001)
Military Portugal
Military branches: Army, Navy (PON) (includes Marines), Air Force,
Republican Guard (includes Fiscal Guard)
Military manpower - military age: 20 years of age (2002 est.)
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 2,525,848 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 2,024,526
(2002 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 71,404
(2002 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $1.286 billion (FY99/00)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2.2% (FY99/00)
Transnational Issues Portugal
Disputes - international: none
Illicit drugs: gateway country for Latin American cocaine and Southwest
Asian heroin entering the European market; transshipment point for
hashish from North Africa to Europe; consumer of Southwest Asian heroin
This page was last updated on 1 January 2002
========================================================================
Papua New Guinea
Introduction Papua New Guinea
Background: The eastern half of the island of New Guinea - second
largest in the world - was divided between Germany (north) and the UK
(south) in 1885. The latter area was transferred to Australia in 1902,
which occupied the northern portion during World War I and continued to
administer the combined areas until independence in 1975. A nine-year
secessionist revolt on the island of Bougainville ended in 1997, after
claiming some 20,000 lives.
Geography Papua New Guinea
Location: Southeastern Asia, group of islands including the eastern
half of the island of New Guinea between the Coral Sea and the South
Pacific Ocean, east of Indonesia
Geographic coordinates: 6 00 S, 147 00 E
Map references: Oceania
Area: total: 462,840 sq km land: 452,860 sq km water: 9,980 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly larger than California
Land boundaries: total: 820 km border countries: Indonesia 820 km
Coastline: 5,152 km
Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines territorial
sea: 12 NM continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM
Climate: tropical; northwest monsoon (December to March), southeast
monsoon (May to October); slight seasonal temperature variation
Terrain: mostly mountains with coastal lowlands and rolling foothills
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point:
Mount Wilhelm 4,509 m
Natural resources: gold, copper, silver, natural gas, timber, oil,
fisheries
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 1% other: 99% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: active volcanism; situated along the Pacific "Ring
of Fire"; the country is subject to frequent and sometimes severe
earthquakes; mud slides; tsunamis
Environment - current issues: rain forest subject to deforestation as a
result of growing commercial demand for tropical timber; pollution from
mining projects; severe drought
Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic Treaty,
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species,
Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine
Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,
Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified:
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Geography - note: shares island of New Guinea with Indonesia; one of
world's largest swamps along southwest coast
People Papua New Guinea
Population: 5,172,033 (July 2002 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 38.6% (male 1,013,936; female 980,841) 15-64
years: 57.7% (male 1,544,650; female 1,440,628) 65 years and over: 3.7%
(male 90,661; female 101,317) (2002 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.39% (2002 est.)
Birth rate: 31.61 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Death rate: 7.75 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03
male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 65 years and over:
0.9 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 56.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: 66.03 years (2002 est.) male: Total fertility
rate: 4.21 children born/woman (2002 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.22% (1999 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 5,400 (1999 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: 450 (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Papua New Guinean(s) adjective: Papua New Guinean
Ethnic groups: Melanesian, Papuan, Negrito, Micronesian, Polynesian
Religions: Roman Catholic 22%, Lutheran 16%,
Presbyterian/Methodist/London Missionary Society 8%, Anglican 5%,
Evangelical Alliance 4%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1%, other Protestant 10%,
indigenous beliefs 34%
Languages: English spoken by 1%-2%, pidgin English widespread, Motu
spoken in Papua region note: 715 indigenous languages
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total
population: 64.5% male: 72% female: 57% (2000)
Government Papua New Guinea
Country name: conventional long form: Independent State of Papua New
Guinea conventional short form: Papua New Guinea abbreviation: PNG former:
Territory of Papua and New Guinea
Government type: constitutional monarchy with parliamentary democracy
Capital: Port Moresby
Administrative divisions: 20 provinces; Bougainville, Central, Chimbu,
Eastern Highlands, East New Britain, East Sepik, Enga, Gulf, Madang,
Manus, Milne Bay, Morobe, National Capital, New Ireland, Northern,
Sandaun, Southern Highlands, Western, Western Highlands, West New Britain
Independence: 16 September 1975 (from the Australian-administered
UN trusteeship)
National holiday: Independence Day, 16 September (1975)
Constitution: 16 September 1975
Legal system: based on English common law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February
1952), represented by Governor General Sir Silas ATOPARE (since 13
November 1997) head of government: Prime Minister Sir Mekere MORAUTA
(since 14 July 1999); Deputy Prime Minister Michael OGIO (since 3 November
2000) cabinet: National Executive Council appointed by the governor
general on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: none;
the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the National
Executive Council; prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed
by the governor general for up to five years on the basis of majority
support in National Parliament
Legislative branch: unicameral National Parliament - sometimes referred
to as the House of Assembly (109 seats, 89 elected from open electorates
and 20 from provincial electorates; members elected by popular vote to
serve five-year terms) elections: last held 14-28 June 1997 (next to be
held 15 June 2002) election results: percent of vote by party - PPP 15%,
Pangu Pati 14%, NA 14%, PDM 8%, PNC 6%, PAP 5%, UP 3%, NP 1%, PUP 1%,
independents 33%; seats by party - PPP 16, Pangu Pati 15, NA 15, PDM 9,
PNC 7, PAP 5, UP 3, NP 1, PUP 1, independents 37; note - association
with political parties is very fluid
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (the chief justice is appointed by the
governor general on the proposal of the National Executive Council after
consultation with the minister responsible for justice; other judges
are appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission)
Political parties and leaders: Melanesian Alliance Party or MAP [leader
NA]; National Alliance or NA [George MANDA, party president]; National
Front Party [leader NA]; National Party or NP [Michael MEL]; Papua New
Guinea Revival Party [John PUNDARI]; Papua New Guinea United Party or
Pangu Pati [Chris HAIVETA]; People's Action Party or PAP [Ted DIRO];
People's Democratic Movement or PDM [Sir Mekere MORAUTA]; People's
Labor Party or PLP [Peter YAMA]; People's National Congress or PNC
[Bill SKATE]; People's Progress Party or PPP [Michael NALI]; People's
Unity Party or PUP [Alfred KAIABE]; United Party or UP [Rimbiuk PATO]
note: more than 40 political parties have registered to participate in
the June 2002 elections
Political pressure groups and leaders: NA
International organization participation: ACP, APEC, ARF (dialogue
partner), AsDB, ASEAN (associate member), C, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD,
ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol,
IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC,
SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Nagora
Y. BOGAN chancery: 1779 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 805, Washington,
DC 20036 FAX: [1] (202) 745-3679 telephone: [1] (202) 745-3680
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador
Susan S. JACOBS embassy: Douglas Street,
P. O. Box 1492, Port Moresby telephone:
Flag description: divided diagonally from upper hoist-side corner; the
upper triangle is red with a soaring yellow bird of paradise centered;
the lower triangle is black with five, white, five-pointed stars of the
Southern Cross constellation centered
Economy Papua New Guinea
Economy - overview: Papua New Guinea is richly endowed with natural
resources, but exploitation has been hampered by rugged terrain and the
high cost of developing infrastructure. Agriculture provides a subsistence
livelihood for 85% of the population. Mineral deposits, including oil,
copper, and gold, account for 72% of export earnings. The economy has
declined over the past two years and will probably continue to falter
in 2002. Prime Minister Mekere MORAUTA has tried to restore integrity
to state institutions, stabilize the kina, restore stability to the
national budget, privatize public enterprises where appropriate, and
ensure ongoing peace on Bougainville. The government has had considerable
success in attracting international support, specifically gaining the
support of the IMF and the World Bank in securing development assistance
loans. Significant challenges remain for MORAUTA, however, including
gaining further investor confidence, specifically for the proposed
Papua New Guinea-Australia oil pipeline, continuing efforts to privatize
government assets, and maintaining the support of members of Parliament.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $12.2 billion (2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: -2.5% (2001 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $2,400 (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 30.4% industry: 36.8% services:
32.8% (2000 est.)
Population below poverty line: 37%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.7%
highest 10%: 40.5% (1996)
Distribution of family income - Gini index: 50.9 (1996)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10.3% (2001 est.)
Labor force: 2.3 million (1999)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 85%, industry NA%, services NA%
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues: $894 million expenditures: $1.1 billion, including
capital expenditures of $344 million (2000 est.)
Industries: copra crushing, palm oil processing, plywood production,
wood chip production; mining of gold, silver, and copper; crude oil
production; construction, tourism
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity - production: 1.65 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 54.55% hydro: 45.45%
other: 0% (2000) nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption: 1.535 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2000)
Agriculture - products: coffee, cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, tea,
rubber, sweet potatoes, fruit, vegetables; poultry, pork
Exports: $1.8 billion (f.o.b., 2001 est.)
Exports - commodities: oil, gold, copper ore, logs, palm oil, coffee,
cocoa, crayfish, prawns
Exports - partners: Australia 30%, Japan 11%, China 6%, Germany 4%,
South Korea 4%, UK 3%, Philippines 1%, US 1% (2000)
Imports: $1.024 billion (f.o.b., 2001 est.)
Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, manufactured
goods, food, fuels, chemicals
Imports - partners: Australia 50%, Singapore 20%, Japan 4%, NZ 4%,
Indonesia 3%, Malaysia 3%, US 2% (2000)
Debt - external: $2.6 billion (2000 est.)
Economic aid - recipient: $400 million (1999 est.)
Currency: kina (PGK)
Currency code: PGK
Exchange rates: kina per US dollar - 3.706 (January 2002), 3.374 (2001),
2.765 (2000), 2.539 (1999), 2.058 (1998), 1.434 (1997)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications Papua New Guinea
Telephones - main lines in use: 61,152 (1999)
Telephones - mobile cellular: 3,053 (1996)
Telephone system: general assessment: services are adequate and being
improved; facilities provide radiotelephone and telegraph, coastal radio,
aeronautical radio, and international radio communication services
domestic: mostly radiotelephone international: submarine cables to
Australia and Guam; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean);
international radio communication service
Radio broadcast stations: AM 8, FM 19, shortwave 28 (1998)
Radios: 410,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 3 (all in the Port Moresby area) note:
additional stations at Mt. Hagen, Goroka, Lae, and Rabaul are planned
(2002)
Televisions: 59,841 (1999)
Internet country code: .pg
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 3 (2000)
Internet users: 135,000 (2001)
Transportation Papua New Guinea
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 19,600 km paved: 686 km unpaved: 18,914 km (1996)
Waterways: 10,940 km
Ports and harbors: Kieta, Lae, Madang, Port Moresby, Rabaul
Merchant marine: total: 22 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 40,911
GRT/58,723 DWT note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here
as a flag of
Singapore 2, United Kingdom 7 (2002 est.) ships by type: petroleum
tanker 3, roll on/roll off 3
Airports: 490 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 21 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to
2,437 m: 14 under 914 m: 1 (2001) 914 to 1,523 m: 4
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 469 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914
to 1,523 m: 57 under 914 m: 402 (2001)
Heliports: 2 (2001)
Military Papua New Guinea
Military branches: Papua New Guinea Defense Force (includes Ground Force,
Maritime Operations Element, and Air Operations Element)
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,338,003 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 740,085
(2002 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $42 million (FY98)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1% (FY98)
Transnational Issues Papua New Guinea
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 1 January 2002
========================================================================
Palau
Introduction
Palau
Background: After three decades as part of the UN Trust Territory of
the Pacific under US administration, this westernmost cluster of the
Caroline Islands opted for independence in 1978 rather than join the
Federated States of Micronesia. A Compact of Free Association with the
US was approved in 1986, but not ratified until 1993. It entered into
force the following year when the islands gained independence.
Geography Palau
Location: Oceania, group of islands in the North Pacific Ocean, southeast
of the Philippines
Geographic coordinates: 7 30 N, 134 30 E
Map references: Oceania
Area: total: 458 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 458 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington,
DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 1,519 km
Maritime claims: 3 NM extended fishing zone: Climate: wet season May
to November; hot and humid
Terrain: varying geologically from the high, mountainous main island
of Babelthuap to low, coral islands usually fringed by large barrier reefs
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point:
Mount Ngerchelchuus 242 m
Natural resources: forests, minerals (especially gold), marine products,
deep-seabed minerals
Land use: arable land: 22% permanent crops: 0% other: 78% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: typhoons (June to December)
Environment - current issues: inadequate facilities for disposal of
solid waste; threats to the marine ecosystem from sand and coral dredging,
illegal fishing practices, and overfishing
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate
Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea,
Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected
agreements
Geography - note: 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
People Palau
Population: 19,409 (July 2002 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 26.8% (male 2,678; female 2,522) 15-64 years:
68.6% (male 7,241; female 6,074) 65 years and over: 4.6% (male 426;
female 468) (2002 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.61% (2002 est.)
Birth rate: 19.32 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Death rate: 7.11 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Net migration rate: 3.86 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06
male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.19 male(s)/female 65 years and over:
0.91 male(s)/female total population: 1.14 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 16.21 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: 72.5 years (2002 est.) male: Total fertility
rate: 2.47 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: Palauan(s) adjective: Palauan
Ethnic groups: Palauan (Micronesian with Malayan and Melanesian
admixtures) 70%, Asian (mainly Filipinos, followed by Chinese, Taiwanese,
and Vietnamese) 28%, white 2% (2000 est.)
Religions: Christian (Roman Catholics 49%, Seventh-Day Adventists,
Jehovah's Witnesses, the Assembly of God, the Liebenzell Mission, and
Latter-Day Saints), Modekngei religion (one-third of the population
observes this religion which is indigenous to Palau)
Languages: English and Palauan official in all states except Sonsoral
(Sonsorolese and English are official), Tobi (Tobi and English are
official), and Angaur (Angaur, Japanese, and English are official)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total
population: 92% male: 93% female: 90% (1980 est.)
Government Palau
Country name: Republic of Palau conventional short form: of the
Pacific Islands) local long form: Beluu er a Belau
Government type: constitutional government in free association with
the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 1 October 1994
Capital: Koror; note - a new capital is being built about 20 km northeast
of Koror
Administrative divisions: 16 states; Aimeliik, Airai, Angaur, Hatobohei,
Kayangel, Koror, Melekeok, Ngaraard, Ngarchelong, Ngardmau, Ngatpang,
Ngchesar, Ngeremlengui, Ngiwal, Peleliu, Sonsoral
Independence: 1 October 1994 (from the US-administered UN Trusteeship)
National holiday: Constitution Day, 9 July (1979)
Constitution: 1 January 1981
Legal system: based on Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature,
municipal, common, and customary laws
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Tommy Esang REMENGESAU,
Jr. (since 19 January 2001) and Vice President Sandra PIERANTOZZI (since
19 January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head
of government head of government: President Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr.
(since 19 January 2001) and Vice President Sandra PIERANTOZZI (since 19
January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head
of government cabinet: Cabinet elections: president and vice president
elected on separate tickets by popular vote for four-year terms;
election last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004)
election results: Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. 53%, Peter SUGIYAMA 46%; Sandra
PIERANTOZZI elected vice president; percent of vote - Sandra PIERANTOZZI
52%, Alan SEID 45%
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament or Olbiil Era Kelulau (OEK)
consists of the Senate (9 seats; members elected by popular vote on a
population basis to serve four-year terms) and the House of Delegates
(16 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November
2004); House of Delegates - last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held
NA November 2004) election results: Senate - percent of vote - NA%;
seats - independents 9; House of Delegates - percent of vote - NA%;
seats - independents 16
Judicial branch: Supreme Court; National Court; Court of Common Pleas
Political parties and leaders: none
Political pressure groups and leaders: NA