Languages Around the World/LanguageWorld.iso/wrldfact/af_austr.txt

Text File | 1996-01-10 | 153.5 KB | 4,837 lines

***THE WORLD FACTBOOK 1994


@Afghanistan, Geography

Location:
  Southern Asia, between Iran and Pakistan
Map references:
  Asia, Middle East, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
  647,500 sq km
land area:
  647,500 sq km
comparative area:
  slightly smaller than Texas
Land boundaries:
  total 5,529 km, China 76 km, Iran 936 km, Pakistan 2,430 km,
  Tajikistan 1,206 km, Turkmenistan 744 km, Uzbekistan 137 km
Coastline:
  0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
  none; landlocked
International disputes:
  periodic disputes with Iran over Helmand water rights; Iran supports
  clients in country, private Pakistani and Saudi sources also are
  active; power struggles among various groups for control of Kabul,
  regional rivalries among emerging warlords, traditional tribal
  disputes continue; support to Islamic fighters in Tajikistan's civil
  war; border dispute with Pakistan (Durand Line); support to Islamic
  militants worldwide by some factions
Climate:
  arid to semiarid; cold winters and hot summers
Terrain:
  mostly rugged mountains; plains in north and southwest
Natural resources:
  natural gas, petroleum, coal, copper, talc, barites, sulphur, lead,
  zinc, iron ore, salt, precious and semiprecious stones
Land use:
arable land:
  12%
permanent crops:
  0%
meadows and pastures:
  46%
forest and woodland:
  3%
other:
  39%
Irrigated land:
  26,600 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
  soil degradation; overgrazing; deforestation (much of the remaining
  forests are being cut down for fuel and building materials);
  desertification
natural hazards:
  damaging earthquakes occur in Hindu Kush mountains (one measured 6.8
  on the Richter scale in 1991); flooding
international agreements:
  party to - Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Marine
  Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity,
  Climate Change, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life
  Conservation
Note:
  landlocked

@Afghanistan, People

Population:
  16,903,400 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
  2.45% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
  43.46 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
  18.94 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
  0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
  155.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
  44.89 years
male:
  45.53 years
female:
  44.21 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
  6.27 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
  Afghan(s)
adjective:
  Afghan
Ethnic divisions:
  Pashtun 38%, Tajik 25%, Uzbek 6%, Hazara 19%, minor ethnic groups
  (Chahar Aimaks, Turkmen, Baloch, and others)
Religions:
  Sunni Muslim 84%, Shi'a Muslim 15%, other 1%
Languages:
  Pashtu 35%, Afghan Persian (Dari) 50%, Turkic languages (primarily
  Uzbek and Turkmen) 11%, 30 minor languages (primarily Balochi and
  Pashai) 4%, much bilingualism
Literacy:
  age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
total population:
  29%
male:
  44%
female:
  14%
Labor force:
  4.98 million
by occupation:
  agriculture and animal husbandry 67.8%, industry 10.2%, construction
  6.3%, commerce 5.0%, services and other 10.7% (1980 est.)

@Afghanistan, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
  Islamic State of Afghanistan
conventional short form:
  Afghanistan
local long form:
  Dowlat-e Eslami-ye Afghanestan
local short form:
  Afghanestan
former:
  Republic of Afghanistan
Digraph:
  AF
Type:
  transitional government
Capital:
  Kabul
Administrative divisions:
  30 provinces (velayat, singular - velayat); Badakhshan, Badghis,
  Baghlan, Balkh, Bamian, Farah, Faryab, Ghazni, Ghowr, Helmand, Herat,
  Jowzjan, Kabol, Kandahar, Kapisa, Konar, Kondoz, Laghman, Lowgar,
  Nangarhar, Nimruz, Oruzgan, Paktia, Paktika, Parvan, Samangan, Sar-e
  Pol, Takhar, Vardak, Zabol
note:
  there may be a new province of Nurestan (Nuristan)
Independence:
  19 August 1919 (from UK)
National holiday:
  Victory of the Muslim Nation, 28 April; Remembrance Day for Martyrs
  and Disabled, 4 May; Independence Day, 19 August
Constitution:
  none
Legal system:
  a new legal system has not been adopted but the transitional
  government has declared it will follow Islamic law (Shari'a)
Suffrage:
  undetermined; previously universal, male ages 15-50
Executive branch:
chief of state:
  President Burhanuddin RABBANI (Interim President July - December 1992;
  President since 2 January 1993); First Vice President Mohammad NABI
  Mohammadi (since NA); First Vice President Mohammad SHAH Fazli (since
  NA); election last held NA December 1992 (next to be held NA December
  1994); results - Burhanuddin RABBANI was elected to a two-year term by
  a national shura, later amended by multi-party agreement to 18 months.
head of government:
  Prime Minister Gulbuddin HIKMATYAR (since 17 March 1993); First Deputy
  Prime Minister Qutbuddin HELAL (since 17 March 1993); Deputy Prime
  Minister Arsala RAHMANI (since 17 March 1993)
cabinet:
  Council of Ministers
Legislative branch:
  a unicameral parliament consisting of 205 members was chosen by the
  shura in January 1993; non-functioning as of June 1993
Judicial branch:
  an interim Chief Justice of the Supreme Court has been appointed, but
  a new court system has not yet been organized
Political parties and leaders:
  current political organizations include Jamiat-i-Islami (Islamic
  Society), Burhanuddin RABBANI, Ahmad Shah MASOOD; Hizbi
  Islami-Gulbuddin (Islamic Party), Gulbuddin HIKMATYAR faction; Hizbi
  Islami-Khalis (Islamic Party), Yunis KHALIS faction; Ittihad-i-Islami
  Barai Azadi Afghanistan (Islamic Union for the Liberation of
  Afghanistan), Abdul Rasul SAYYAF; Harakat-Inqilab-i-Islami (Islamic
  Revolutionary Movement), Mohammad Nabi MOHAMMADI;
  Jabha-i-Najat-i-Milli Afghanistan (Afghanistan National Liberation
  Front), Sibghatullah MOJADDEDI; Mahaz-i-Milli-Islami (National Islamic
  Front), Sayed Ahamad GAILANI; Hizbi Wahdat (Islamic Unity Party),
  Abdul Ali MAZARI; Harakat-i-Islami (Islamic Movement), Mohammed Asif
  MOHSENI; Jumbesh-i-Milli Islami (National Islamic Movement), Rashid
  DOSTUM
note:
  the former ruling Watan Party has been disbanded
Other political or pressure groups:
  the former resistance commanders are the major power brokers in the
  countryside; shuras (councils) of commanders are now administering
  most cities outside Kabul; ulema (religious scholars); tribal elders
Member of:
  AsDB, CP, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD,
  IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OIC, UN, UNCTAD,
  UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
  (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Abdul RAHIM
chancery:
  2341 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
  [phone] or 3771
FAX:
  [phone]
US diplomatic representation:
  none; embassy was closed in January 1989
Flag:
  three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and black, with
  the national coat of arms superimposed in the middle of the white band
  and large Islamic lettering superimposed over the green and white
  bands
Overview:
  Afghanistan is an extremely poor, landlocked country, highly dependent
  on farming (wheat especially) and livestock raising (sheep and goats).
  Economic considerations have played second fiddle to political and
  military upheavals during more than 14 years of war, including the
  nearly 10-year Soviet military occupation (which ended 15 February
  1989). Over the past decade, one-third of the population fled the
  country, with Pakistan sheltering more than 3 million refugees and
  Iran about 3 million. About 1.4 million Afghan refugees remain in
  Pakistan and about 2 million in Iran. Another 1 million probably moved
  into and around urban areas within Afghanistan. Although reliable data
  are unavailable, gross domestic product is lower than 12 years ago
  because of the loss of labor and capital and the disruption of trade
  and transport.
National product:
  GDP $NA
National product real growth rate:
  NA%
National product per capita:
  $NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  NA%
Unemployment rate:
  NA%
Budget:
revenues:
  $NA
expenditures:
  $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Exports:
  $243 million (f.o.b., 1991)
commodities:
  fruits and nuts, handwoven carpets, wool, cotton, hides and pelts,
  precious and semi-precious gems
partners:
  FSU countries, Pakistan, Iran, Germany, India, UK, Belgium,
  Luxembourg, Czechoslovakia
Imports:
  $737 million (c.i.f., 1991)
commodities:
  food and petroleum products; most consumer goods
partners:
  FSU countries, Pakistan, Iran, Japan, Singapore, India, South Korea,
  Germany
External debt:
  $2.3 billion (March 1991 est.)
Industrial production:
  growth rate 2.3% (FY91 est.); accounts for about 25% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
  480,000 kW
production:
  1 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
  60 kWh (1992)
Industries:
  small-scale production of textiles, soap, furniture, shoes,
  fertilizer, and cement; handwoven carpets; natural gas, oil, coal,
  copper
Agriculture:
  largely subsistence farming and nomadic animal husbandry; cash
  products - wheat, fruits, nuts, karakul pelts, wool, mutton
Illicit drugs:
  an illicit cultivator of opium poppy and cannabis for the
  international drug trade; world's second-largest opium producer after
  Burma (680 metric tons in 1993) and a major source of hashish
Economic aid:
recipient:
  $450 million US assistance provided 1985-1993; USAID will stop all
  programs by mid-1994; the UN provides assistance in the form of food
  aid, immunization, land mine removal, and a wide range of aid to
  refugees and displaced persons
Currency:
  1 afghani (AF) = 100 puls
Exchange rates:
  afghanis (Af) per US$1 - 1,900 (January 1994), 1,019 (March 1993), 850
  (1991), 700 (1989-90), 220 (1988-89); note - these rates reflect the
  free market exchange rates rather than the official exchange rates
Fiscal year:
  21 March - 20 March

@Afghanistan, Communications

Railroads:
  9.6 km (single track) 1.524-meter gauge from Gushgy (formerly Kushka)
  (Turkmenistan) to Towraghondi and 15.0 km from Termiz (Uzbekistan) to
  Kheyrabad transshipment point on south bank of Amu Darya
Highways:
total:
  21,000 km
paved:
  2,800 km
unpaved:
  gravel 1,650 km; earth 16,550 km (1984)
Inland waterways:
  total navigability 1,200 km; chiefly Amu Darya, which handles vessels
  up to about 500 metric tons
Pipelines:
  petroleum products - Uzbekistan to Bagram and Turkmenistan to
  Shindand; natural gas 180 km
Ports:
  Shir Khan and Kheyrabad (river ports)
Airports:
total:
  42
usable:
  35
with permanent-surface runways:
  9
with runways over 3,659 m:
  0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
  10
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
  17
Telecommunications:
  limited telephone, telegraph, and radiobroadcast services; television
  introduced in 1980; 31,200 telephones; numerous cellular telephones;
  broadcast stations - 5 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 1 satellite earth station

@Afghanistan, Defense Forces

Branches:
  the military still does not yet exist on a national scale; some
  elements of the former Army, Air and Air Defense Forces, National
  Guard, Border Guard Forces, National Police Force (Sarandoi), and
  tribal militias remain intact but are factionalized among the various
  mujahedin and former regime leaders
Manpower availability:
  males age 15-49 4,188,036; fit for military service 2,245,196; reach
  military age (22) annually 158,335 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
  the new government has not yet adopted a defense budget


@Albania, Geography

Location:
  Balkan State, Southeastern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula between
  Serbia and Montenegro and Greece
Map references:
  Africa, Ethnic Groups in Eastern Europe, Europe, Standard Time Zones
  of the World
Area:
total area:
  28,750 sq km
land area:
  27,400 sq km
comparative area:
  slightly larger than Maryland
Land boundaries:
  total 720 km, Greece 282 km, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
  151 km, Serbia and Montenegro 287 km (114 km with Serbia, 173 km with
  Montenegro)
Coastline:
  362 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf:
  not specified
territorial sea:
  12 nm
International disputes:
  Albanian majority in Kosovo seeks independence from Serbia and
  Montenegro, and the Albanian Government supports the Kosovo position
  politically
Climate:
  mild temperate; cool, cloudy, wet winters; hot, clear, dry summers;
  interior is cooler and wetter
Terrain:
  mostly mountains and hills; small plains along coast
Natural resources:
  petroleum, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper, timber, nickel
Land use:
arable land:
  21%
permanent crops:
  4%
meadows and pastures:
  15%
forest and woodland:
  38%
other:
  22%
Irrigated land:
  4,230 sq km (1989)
Environment:
current issues:
  deforestation
natural hazards:
  subject to destructive earthquakes; tsunami occur along southwestern
  coast
international agreements:
  party to - Biodiversity
Note:
  strategic location along Strait of Otranto (links Adriatic Sea to
  Ionian Sea and Mediterranean Sea)

@Albania, People

Population:
  3,374,085 (July 1994 est.)
note:
  IMF, working with Albanian government figures estimates the population
  at 3,120,000 in 1993 and that the population has fallen since 1990
Population growth rate:
  1.19% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
  22.46 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
  5.32 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
  -5.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
  30 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
  73.4 years
male:
  70.42 years
female:
  76.61 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
  2.78 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
  Albanian(s)
adjective:
  Albanian
Ethnic divisions:
  Albanian 95%, Greeks 3%, other 2% (Vlachs, Gypsies, Serbs, and
  Bulgarians) (1989 est.)
Religions:
  Muslim 70%, Greek Orthodox 20%, Roman Catholic 10%
note:
  all mosques and churches were closed in 1967 and religious observances
  prohibited; in November 1990, Albania began allowing private religious
  practice
Languages:
  Albanian (Tosk is the official dialect), Greek
Literacy:
  age 9 and over can read and write (1955)
total population:
  72%
male:
  80%
female:
  63%
Labor force:
  1.5 million (1987)
by occupation:
  agriculture 60%, industry and commerce 40% (1986)

@Albania, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
  Republic of Albania
conventional short form:
  Albania
local long form:
  Republika e Shqiperise
local short form:
  Shqiperia
former:
  People's Socialist Republic of Albania
Digraph:
  AL
Type:
  nascent democracy
Capital:
  Tirane
Administrative divisions:
  26 districts (rrethe, singular - rreth); Berat, Dibre, Durres,
  Elbasan, Fier, Gjirokaster, Gramsh, Kolonje, Korce, Kruje, Kukes,
  Lezhe, Librazhd, Lushnje, Mat, Mirdite, Permet, Pogradec, Puke,
  Sarande, Shkoder, Skrapar, Tepelene, Tirane, Tropoje, Vlore
Independence:
  28 November 1912 (from Ottoman Empire)
National holiday:
  Liberation Day, 28 November (1944; changed by decree on 12 November
  1993)
Constitution:
  an interim basic law was approved by the People's Assembly on 29 April
  1991; a new constitution was to be drafted for adoption in 1992, but
  is still in process
Legal system:
  has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
  18 years of age, universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state:
  President of the Republic Sali BERISHA (since 9 April 1992)
head of government:
  Prime Minister of the Council of Ministers Aleksander Gabriel MEKSI
  (since 10 April 1992)
Cabinet:
  Council of Ministers; appointed by the president
Legislative branch:
  unicameral
People's Assembly (Kuvendi Popullor):
  elections last held 22 March 1992; results - DP 62.29%, ASP 25.57%,
  SDP 4.33%, RP 3.15%, UHP 2.92%, other 1.74%; seats - (140 total) DP
  92, ASP 38, SDP 7, RP 1, UHP 2
Judicial branch:
  Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
  there are at least 18 political parties; most prominent are the
  Albanian Socialist Party (ASP; formerly the Albania Workers Party),
  Fatos NANO, first secretary; Democratic Party (DP), Eduard SELAMI,
  chairman; Albanian Republican Party (RP), Sabri GODO; Omonia (Greek
  minority party), leader NA (ran in 1992 election as Unity for Human
  Rights Party (UHP)); Social Democratic Party (SDP), Skender GJINUSHI;
  Democratic Alliance Party (DAP), Spartak NGJELA, chairman
Member of:
  BSEC, CCC, CE (guest), CSCE, EBRD, ECE, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA,
  IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL,
  IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LORCS, NACC, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
  UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
  Ambassador Lublin Hasan DILJA
chancery:
  Suite 1010, 1511 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20005
telephone:
  [phone], 8187
FAX:
  [phone]
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
  Ambassador William E. RYERSON
embassy:
  Rruga E. Elbansanit 103, Tirane
mailing address:
  PSC 59, Box 100 (A), APO AE 09624
telephone:
  355-42-32875, 33520
FAX:
  355-42-32222
Flag:
  red with a black two-headed eagle in the center

@Albania, Economy
Overview:
  An extremely poor country by European standards, Albania is making the
  difficult transition to a more open-market economy. The economy
  rebounded in 1993 after a severe depression accompanying the collapse
  of the previous centrally planned system in 1990 and 1991.
  Stabilization policies, including public sector layoffs and reduced
  social services, have improved the government's fiscal situation and
  reduced inflation. The recovery was spurred by the remittances of some
  5% of the population which works abroad, mostly in Greece and Italy.
  Foreign assistance and humanitarian aid also supported the recovery.
  Most agricultural land was privatized in 1992, substantially improving
  peasant incomes. Albania's limited industrial sector, now less than
  one-sixth of GDP, continued to decline in 1993. A sharp fall in
  chromium prices reduced hard currency receipts from the mining sector.
  Large segments of the population, especially those living in urban
  areas, continue to depend on humanitarian aid to meet basic food
  requirements. Unemployment remains a severe problem accounting for
  approximately one-fifth of the work force. Growth is expected to
  continue in 1994, but could falter if Albania becomes involved in the
  conflict in the former Yugoslavia, workers' remittances from Greece
  are reduced, or foreign assistance declines.
National product:
  GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $3.3 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
  11% (1993)
National product per capita:
  $1,100 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  31% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate:
  18% (1993 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
  $1.1 billion
expenditures:
  $1.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $70 million (1991
  est.)
Exports:
  $70 million (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities:
  asphalt, metals and metallic ores, electricity, crude oil, vegetables,
  fruits, tobacco
partners:
  Italy, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Germany, Greece,
  Czechoslovakia, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary
Imports:
  $524 million (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities:
  machinery, consumer goods, grains
partners:
  Italy, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Germany,
  Czechoslovakia, Romania, Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, Greece
External debt:
  $724 million (1993 est.)
Industrial production:
  growth rate -10% (1993 est.); accounts for 16% of GDP (1993 est.)
Electricity:
capacity:
  1,690,000 kW
production:
  5 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
  1,520 kWh (1992)
Industries:
  food processing, textiles and clothing, lumber, oil, cement,
  chemicals, mining, basic metals, hydropower
Agriculture:
  accounts for 55% of GDP; arable land per capita among lowest in
  Europe; 80% of arable land now in private hands; one-half of work
  force engaged in farming; produces wide range of temperate-zone crops
  and livestock
Illicit drugs:
  transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin transiting the Balkan
  route; limited opium production
Economic aid:
recipient:
  $190 million humanitarian aid; $94 million in loans/guarantees/credits
Currency:
  1 lek (L) = 100 qintars
Exchange rates:
  leke (L) per US$1 - 99 (January 1994), 97 (January 1993), 50 (January
  1992), 25 (September 1991)
Fiscal year:
  calendar year

@Albania, Communications

Railroads:
  543 km total; 509 km 1.435-meter standard gauge, single track and 34
  km narrow gauge, single track (1990); line connecting Titograd (Serbia
  and Montenegro) and Shkoder (Albania) completed August 1986
Highways:
total:
  16,700 km
paved:
  6,700 km
unpaved:
  earth 10,000 km (1990)
Inland waterways:
  43 km plus Albanian sections of Lake Scutari, Lake Ohrid, and Lake
  Prespa (1990)
Pipelines:
  crude oil 145 km; petroleum products 55 km; natural gas 64 km (1991)
Ports:
  Durres, Sarande, Vlore
Merchant marine:
  11 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 52,967 GRT/76,887 DWT
Airports:
total:
  12
usable:
  10
with permanent-surface runways:
  3
with runways over 3,659 m:
  0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
  6
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
  4
Telecommunications:
  inadequate service; 15,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 13 AM, 1
  TV; 514,000 radios, 255,000 TVs (1987 est.)

@Albania, Defense Forces

Branches:
  Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Interior Ministry Troops
Manpower availability:
  males age 15-49 906,938; fit for military service 746,945; reach
  military age (19) annually 33,184 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
  215 million leke, NA% of GNP (1993 est.); note - conversion of defense
  expenditures into US dollars using the current exchange rate could
  produce misleading results


@Algeria, Geography

Location:
  Northern Africa, along the Mediterranean Sea, between Morocco and
  Tunisia
Map references:
  Africa, Europe
Area:
total area:
  2,381,740 sq km
land area:
  2,381,740 sq km
comparative area:
  slightly less than 3.5 times the size of Texas
Land boundaries:
  total 6,343 km, Libya 982 km, Mali 1,376 km, Mauritania 463 km,
  Morocco 1,559 km, Niger 956 km, Tunisia 965 km, Western Sahara 42 km
Coastline:
  998 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea:
  12 nm
International disputes:
  Libya claims part of southeastern Algeria; land boundary dispute with
  Tunisia settled in 1993
Climate:
  arid to semiarid; mild, wet winters with hot, dry summers along coast;
  drier with cold winters and hot summers on high plateau; sirocco is a
  hot, dust/sand-laden wind especially common in summer
Terrain:
  mostly high plateau and desert; some mountains; narrow, discontinuous
  coastal plain
Natural resources:
  petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, uranium, lead, zinc
Land use:
arable land:
  3%
permanent crops:
  0%
meadows and pastures:
  13%
forest and woodland:
  2%
other:
  82%
Irrigated land:
  3,360 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
  soil erosion from overgrazing and other poor farming practices;
  desertification; dumping of untreated sewage, petroleum refining
  wastes, and other industrial effluents is leading to the pollution of
  rivers and coastal waters; Mediterranean Sea, in particular, becoming
  polluted from oil wastes, soil erosion, and fertilizer runoff; limited
  supply of potable water
natural hazards:
  mountainous areas subject to severe earthquakes
international agreements:
  party to - Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental
  Modification, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands;
  signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test
  Ban
Note:
  second-largest country in Africa (after Sudan)

@Algeria, People

Population:
  27,895,068 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
  2.29% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
  29.71 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
  6.22 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
  -0.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
  52.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
  67.68 years
male:
  66.63 years
female:
  68.77 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
  3.83 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
  Algerian(s)
adjective:
  Algerian
Ethnic divisions:
  Arab-Berber 99%, European less than 1%
Religions:
  Sunni Muslim (state religion) 99%, Christian and Jewish 1%
Languages:
  Arabic (official), French, Berber dialects
Literacy:
  age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
total population:
  57%
male:
  70%
female:
  46%
Labor force:
  6.2 million (1992 est.)
by occupation:
  government 29.5%, agriculture 22%, construction and public works
  16.2%, industry 13.6%, commerce and services 13.5%, transportation and
  communication 5.2% (1989)

@Algeria, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
  Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria
conventional short form:
  Algeria
local long form:
  Al Jumhuriyah al Jaza'iriyah ad Dimuqratiyah ash Shabiyah
local short form:
  Al Jaza'ir
Digraph:
  AG
Type:
  republic
Capital:
  Algiers
Administrative divisions:
  48 provinces (wilayast, singular - wilaya); Adrar, Ain Defla, Ain
  Temouchent, Alger, Annaba, Batna, Bechar, Bejaia, Biskra, Blida, Bordj
  Bou Arreridj, Bouira, Boumerdes, Chlef, Constantine, Djelfa, El
  Bayadh, El Oued, El Tarf, Ghardaia, Guelma, Illizi, Jijel, Khenchela,
  Laghouat, Mascara, Medea, Mila, Mostaganem, M'Sila, Naama, Oran,
  Ouargla, Oum el Bouaghi, Relizane, Saida, Setif, Sidi Bel Abbes,
  Skikda, Souk Ahras, Tamanghasset, Tebessa, Tiaret, Tindouf, Tipaza,
  Tissemsilt, Tizi Ouzou, Tlemcen
Independence:
  5 July 1962 (from France)
National holiday:
  Anniversary of the Revolution, 1 November (1954)
Constitution:
  19 November 1976, effective 22 November 1976; revised 3 November 1988
  and 23 February 1989
Legal system:
  socialist, based on French and Islamic law; judicial review of
  legislative acts in ad hoc Constitutional Council composed of various
  public officials, including several Supreme Court justices; has not
  accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
  President Lamine ZEROUAL (since 31 January 1994); next election to be
  held after a three-year transition period which began on 31 January
  1994
head of government:
  Prime Minister Mokdad SIFI (since 11 April 1994)
cabinet:
  Council of Ministers; appointed by the prime minister
Legislative branch:
  unicameral
National People's Assembly (Al-Majlis Ech-Chaabi Al-Watani):
  elections first round held on 26 December 1991 (second round canceled
  by the military after President BENDJEDID resigned 11 January 1992,
  effectively suspending the Assembly); results - percent of vote by
  party NA; seats - (281 total); the fundamentalist FIS won 188 of the
  231 seats contested in the first round; note - elections (municipal
  and wilaya) were held in June 1990, the first in Algerian history;
  results - FIS 55%, FLN 27.5%, other 17.5%, with 65% of the voters
  participating
Judicial branch:
  Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders:
  Islamic Salvation Front (FIS, outlawed April 1992), Ali BELHADJ, Dr.
  Abassi MADANI, Abdelkader HACHANI (all under arrest), Rabeh KEBIR
  (self-exile in Germany); National Liberation Front (FLN), Abdelhamid
  MEHRI, Secretary General; Socialist Forces Front (FFS), Hocine Ait
  AHMED, Secretary General
note:
  the government established a multiparty system in September 1989 and,
  as of 31 December 1990, over 50 legal parties existed
Member of:
  ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-24,
  G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT,
  INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer),
  OAU, OIC, OPEC, UN, UNAVEM II, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNTAC,
  UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
  Ambassador Nourredine Yazid ZERHOUNI
chancery:
  2118 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
  [phone]
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
  Ambassador Mary Ann CASEY
embassy:
  4 Chemin Cheikh Bachir El-Ibrahimi, Algiers
mailing address:
  B. P. Box 549, Alger-Gare, 16000 Algiers
telephone:
  [213] (2) 601-425, 255, 186
FAX:
  [213] (2) 603979
consulate(s):
  Oran
Flag:
  two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and white with a red
  five-pointed star within a red crescent; the crescent, star, and color
  green are traditional symbols of Islam (the state religion)

@Algeria, Economy

Overview:
  The hydrocarbons sector is the backbone of the economy, accounting for
  roughly 57% of government revenues, 25% of GDP, and almost all export
  earnings; Algeria has the fifth largest reserves of natural gas in the
  world and ranks fourteenth for oil. Algiers' efforts to reform one of
  the most centrally planned economies in the Arab world began after the
  1986 collapse of world oil prices plunged the country into a severe
  recession. In 1989, the government launched a comprehensive,
  IMF-supported program to achieve macroeconomic stabilization and to
  introduce market mechanisms into the economy. Despite substantial
  progress toward macroeconomic adjustment, in 1992 the reform drive
  stalled as Algiers became embroiled in political turmoil. In September
  1993, a new government was formed, one of whose priorities was the
  resumption and acceleration of the structural adjustment process.
  Buffeted by the slump in world oil prices and burdened with a heavy
  foreign debt, Algiers in 1993 resumed negotiations with the IMF and is
  on track to conclude a standby arrangement with the Fund in 1994.
National product:
  GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $89 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
  1% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
  $3,300 (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  22% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate:
  22% (1993 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
  $14.4 billion
expenditures:
  $14.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $3.5 billion (1992
  est.)
Exports:
  $11.4 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities:
  petroleum and natural gas 97%
partners:
  Italy 21%, France 16%, US 14%, Germany 13%, Spain 9%
Imports:
  $9 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities:
  capital goods 39.7%, food and beverages 21.7%, consumer goods 11.8%
  (1990)
partners:
  France 29%, Italy 14%, Spain 9%, US 9%, Germany 7%
External debt:
  $26 billion (1994)
Industrial production:
  growth rate NA%
Electricity:
capacity:
  6,380,000 kW
production:
  16.384 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
  630 kWh (1992)
Industries:
  petroleum, light industries, natural gas, mining, electrical,
  petrochemical, food processing
Agriculture:
  accounts for 12.8% of GDP (1993 est.) and employs 22% of labor force;
  products- wheat, barley, oats, grapes, olives, citrus, fruits, sheep,
  cattle; net importer of food - grain, vegetable oil, sugar
Economic aid:
recipient:
  US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-85), $1.4 billion; Western
  (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $925
  million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $1.8 billion; Communist
  countries (1970-89), $2.7 billion; net official disbursements
  (1985-89), $375 million
Currency:
  1 Algerian dinar (DA) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates:
  Algerian dinars (DA) per US$1 - 36.008 (April 1994), 23.345 (1993),
  21.836 (1992), 18.473 (1991), 8.958 (1990), 7.6086 (1989)
Fiscal year:
  calendar year

@Algeria, Communications

Railroads:
  4,060 km total; 2,616 km standard gauge (1.435 m), 1,188 km
  1.055-meter gauge, 256 km 1.000-meter gauge; 300 km electrified; 215
  km double track
Highways:
total:
  90,031 km
paved:
  concrete, bituminous 58,868 km
unpaved:
  gravel, crushed stone, earth 31,163 km (1990)
Pipelines:
  crude oil 6,612 km; petroleum products 298 km; natural gas 2,948 km
Ports:
  Algiers, Annaba, Arzew, Bejaia, Djendjene, Ghazaouet, Jijel, Mers el
  Kebir, Mostaganem, Oran, Skikda
Merchant marine:
  75 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 903,179 GRT/1,064,211 DWT, bulk
  9, cargo 27, chemical tanker 7, liquefied gas 9, oil tanker 5,
  roll-on/roll-off cargo 12, short-sea passenger 5, specialized tanker 1
Airports:
total:
  140
usable:
  124
with permanent-surface runways:
  53
with runways over 3,659 m:
  2
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
  32
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
  65
Telecommunications:
  excellent domestic and international service in the north, sparse in
  the south; 822,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 26 AM, no FM, 18
  TV; 1,600,000 TV sets; 5,200,000 radios; 5 submarine cables; microwave
  radio relay to Italy, France, Spain, Morocco, and Tunisia; coaxial
  cable to Morocco and Tunisia; satellite earth stations - 1 Atlantic
  Ocean INTELSAT, 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT, 1 Intersputnik, l ARABSAT,
  and 12 domestic; 20 additional satellite earth stations are planned

@Algeria, Defense Forces

Branches:
  National Popular Army, Navy, Air Force, Territorial Air Defense
Manpower availability:
  males age 15-49 6,863,378; fit for military service 4,215,767; reach
  military age (19) annually 301,945 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
  exchange rate conversion - $1.36 billion, 2.5% of GDP (1993 est.)


@American Samoa

Header

Affiliation:
  (territory of the US)

@American Samoa, Geography

Location:
  Oceania, Polynesia, in the South Pacific Ocean, 3,700 km
  south-southwest of Honolulu, about halfway between Hawaii and New
  Zealand
Map references:
  Oceania
Area:
total area:
  199 sq km
land area:
  199 sq km
comparative area:
  slightly larger than Washington, DC
note:
  includes Rose Island and Swains Island
Land boundaries:
  0 km
Coastline:
  116 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
  24 nm
continental shelf:
  200-m depth or to depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone:
  200 nm
territorial sea:
  12 nm
International disputes:
  none
Climate:
  tropical marine, moderated by southeast trade winds; annual rainfall
  averages 124 inches; rainy season from November to April, dry season
  from May to October; little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain:
  five volcanic islands with rugged peaks and limited coastal plains,
  two coral atolls (Rose Island, Swains Island)
Natural resources:
  pumice, pumicite
Land use:
arable land:
  10%
permanent crops:
  5%
meadows and pastures:
  0%
forest and woodland:
  75%
other:
  10%
Irrigated land:
  NA sq km
Environment:
rent issues:
     NA
ural hazards:
     typhoons common from December to March
ernational agreements:
     NA
Note:
  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

@American Samoa, People

Population:
  55,223 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
  3.86% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
  36.63 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
  4.01 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
  6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
  18.78 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Total population:
  72.91 years
male:
  71.03 years
female:
  74.85 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
  4.36 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
  American Samoan(s)
adjective:
  American Samoan
Ethnic divisions:
  Samoan (Polynesian) 89%, Caucasian 2%, Tongan 4%, other 5%
Religions:
  Christian Congregationalist 50%, Roman Catholic 20%, Protestant
  denominations and other 30%
Languages:
  Samoan (closely related to Hawaiian and other Polynesian languages),
  English; most people are bilingual
Literacy:
  age 15 and over can read and write (1980)
total population:
  97%
male:
  97%
female:
  97%
Labor force:
  14,400 (1990)
by occupation:
  government 33%, tuna canneries 34%, other 33% (1990)

@American Samoa, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
  Territory of American Samoa
conventional short form:
  American Samoa
Abbreviation:
  AS
Digraph:
  AQ
Type:
  unincorporated and unorganized territory of the US; administered by
  the US Department of Interior, Office of Territorial and International
  Affairs
Capital:
  Pago Pago
Administrative divisions:
  none (territory of the US)
Independence:
  none (territory of the US)
National holiday:
  Territorial Flag Day, 17 April (1900)
Constitution:
  ratified 1966, in effect 1967
Legal system:
  NA
Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
  President William Jefferson CLINTON (since 20 January 1993); Vice
  President Albert GORE, Jr. (since 20 January 1993)
head of government:
  Governor A. P. LUTALI (since 3 January 1993); Lieutenant Governor
  Tauese P. SUNIA (since 3 January 1993); election last held 3 November
  1992 (next to be held NA November 1996); results - A. P. LUTALI
  (Democrat) 53%, Peter Tali COLEMAN (Republican) 36%
Legislative branch:
  bicameral Legislative Assembly (Fono)
House of Representatives:
  elections last held 3 November 1992 (next to be held NA November
  1994); results - representatives popularly elected from 17 house
  districts; seats - (21 total, 20 elected, and 1 nonvoting delegate
  from Swains Island)
Senate:
  elections last held 3 November 1992 (next to be held NA November
  1996); results - senators elected by village chiefs from 12 senate
  districts; seats - (18 total) number of seats by party NA
US House of Representatives:
  elections last held 3 November 1992 (next to be held NA November
  1994); results - Eni R. F. H. FALEOMAVAEGA reelected as delegate
Judicial branch:
  High Court
Political parties and leaders:
  NA
Member of:
  ESCAP (associate), INTERPOL (subbureau), IOC, SPC
Diplomatic representation in US:
  none (territory of the US)
US diplomatic representation:
  none (territory of the US)
Flag:
  blue with a white triangle edged in red that is based on the fly side
  and extends to the hoist side; a brown and white American bald eagle
  flying toward the hoist side is carrying two traditional Samoan
  symbols of authority, a staff and a war club

@American Samoa, Economy

Overview:
  Economic activity is strongly linked to the US, with which American
  Samoa conducts 80%-90% of its foreign trade. Tuna fishing and tuna
  processing plants are the backbone of the private sector, with canned
  tuna the primary export. The tuna canneries and the government are by
  far the two largest employers. Other economic activities include a
  slowly developing tourist industry. Transfers from the US Government
  add substantially to American Samoa's economic well-being.
National product:
  GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $128 million (1991)
National product real growth rate:
  NA%
National product per capita:
  $2,600 (1991)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  7% (1990)
Unemployment rate:
  12% (1991)
Budget:
revenues:
  $97 million (includes $43,000,000 in local revenue and $54,000,000 in
  grant revenue);
expenditures:
  $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY91)
Exports:
  $306 million (f.o.b., 1989)
commodities:
  canned tuna 93%
partners:
  US 99.6%
Imports:
  $360.3 million (c.i.f., 1989)
commodities:
  materials for canneries 56%, food 8%, petroleum products 7%, machinery
  and parts 6%
partners:
  US 62%, Japan 9%, NZ 7%, Australia 11%, Fiji 4%, other 7%
External debt:
  $NA
Industrial production:
  growth rate NA%
Electricity:
capacity:
  42,000 kW
production:
  100 million kWh
consumption per capita:
  2,020 kWh (1990)
Industries:
  tuna canneries (largely dependent on foreign fishing vessels), meat
  canning, handicrafts
Agriculture:
  bananas, coconuts, vegetables, taro, breadfruit, yams, copra,
  pineapples, papayas, dairy farming
Economic aid:
recipient:
  $21,042,650 in operational funds and $1,227,000 in construction funds
  for capital improvement projects from the US Department of Interior
  (1991)
Currency:
  1 United States dollar = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
  US currency is used
Fiscal year:
  1 October - 30 September

@American Samoa, Communications

Railroads:
  none
Highways:
total:
  350 km
paved:
  150 km
unpaved:
  200 km
Ports:
  Pago Pago, Ta'u, Ofu, Auasi, Aanu'u (new construction), Faleosao
Airports:
total:
  4
usable:
  4
with permanent-surface runways:
  2
with runways over 3,659 m:
  0
with runways 2,440 to 3,659 m:
  1 (international airport at Tafuna)
with runways 1,200 to 2,439 m:
  0
note:
  small airstrips on Fituita and Ofu
Telecommunications:
  8,399 telephones; broadcast stations - 1 AM, 1 FM, 1 TV; good telex,
  telegraph, and facsimile services; 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth
  station, 1 COMSAT earth station

@American Samoa, Defense Forces

Note:
  defense is the responsibility of the US


@Andorra, Geography

Location:
  Southwestern Europe, between France and Spain
Map references:
  Europe, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
  450 sq km
land area:
  450 sq km
comparative area:
  slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
  total 125 km, France 60 km, Spain 65 km
Coastline:
  0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
  none; landlocked
International disputes:
  none
Climate:
  temperate; snowy, cold winters and cool, dry summers
Terrain:
  rugged mountains dissected by narrow valleys
Natural resources:
  hydropower, mineral water, timber, iron ore, lead
Land use:
arable land:
  2%
permanent crops:
  0%
meadows and pastures:
  56%
forest and woodland:
  22%
other:
  20%
Irrigated land:
  NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
  deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion
natural hazards:
  NA
international agreements:
  NA
Note:
  landlocked

@Andorra, People

Population:
  63,930 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
  2.99% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
  13.34 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
  7.12 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
  23.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
  7.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
  78.37 years
male:
  75.5 years
female:
  81.5 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
  1.73 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
  Andorran(s)
adjective:
  Andorran
Ethnic divisions:
  Spanish 61%, Andorran 30%, French 6%, other 3%
Religions:
  Roman Catholic (predominant)
Languages:
  Catalan (official), French, Castilian
Literacy:
total population:
  NA%
male:
  NA%
female:
  NA%
Labor force:
  NA

@Andorra, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
  Principality of Andorra
conventional short form:
  Andorra
local long form:
  Principat d'Andorra
local short form:
  Andorra
Digraph:
  AN
Type:
  parliamentary democracy (since March 1993) that retains as its heads
  of state a co-principality; the two princes are the president of
  France and Spanish bishop of Seo de Urgel, who are represented locally
  by officials called veguers
Capital:
  Andorra la Vella
Administrative divisions:
  7 parishes (parroquies, singular - parroquia); Andorra, Canillo,
  Encamp, La Massana, Les Escaldes, Ordino, Sant Julia de Loria
Independence:
     1278
National holiday:
  Mare de Deu de Meritxell, 8 September
Constitution:
  Andorra's first written constitution was drafted in 1991; adopted 14
  March 1993
Legal system:
  based on French and Spanish civil codes; no judicial review of
  legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
  18 years of age, universal
Executive branch:
chiefs of state:
  French Co-Prince Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981), represented
  by Veguer de Franca Jean Pierre COURTOIS (since NA); Spanish Episcopal
  Co-Prince Mgr. Juan MARTI Alanis (since 31 January 1971), represented
  by Veguer Episcopal Francesc BADIA Bata - two co-princes (President
  Francois MITTERRAND of France, since 21 May 1981, and Bishop of Seo de
  Urgel Juan MARTI Alanis in Spain, since 31 January 1971), two
  designated representatives (France - Veguer de Franca Jean Pierre
  COURTOIS, since NA, and Spain - Veguer Episcopal Francesc BADIA Bata,
  since NA), two permanent delegates (French Prefect Pierre STEINMETZ
  for the department of Pyrenees-Orientales, since NA, and Spanish Vicar
  General Nemesi MARQUES Oste for the Seo de Urgel diocese, since NA)
head of government:
  Executive Council President Oscar RIBAS Reig (since 10 December 1993)
  elected by Parliament
cabinet:
  Executive Council; designated by the executive council president
Legislative branch:
  unicameral
General Council of the Valleys:
  (Consell General de las Valls); elections last held 12 December 1993
  (next to be held NA); yielded no clear winner; results - percent of
  vote by party NA; seats - (28 total) number of seats by party NA
Judicial branch:
  Supreme Court of Andorra at Perpignan (France) for civil cases, the
  Ecclesiastical Court of the bishop of Seo de Urgel (Spain) for civil
  cases, Tribunal of the Courts (Tribunal des Cortes) for criminal cases
Political parties and leaders:
  National Democratic Group (AND), Oscar RIBAS Reig and Jordi FARRAS;
  Liberal Union (UL), Francesc CERQUEDA; New Democracy (ND), Jaume
  BARTOMEU; Andorran National Coalition (CNA), Antoni CERQUEDA; National
  Democratic Initiative (IDN), Vincenc MATEU; Liberal Union (UL),
  Francesc CERQUEDA
note:
  there are two other small parties
Member of:
  ECE, INTERPOL, IOC, UN
Diplomatic representation in US:
  Andorra has no mission in the US
US diplomatic representation:
  Andorra is included within the Barcelona (Spain) Consular District,
  and the US Consul General visits Andorra periodically
Flag:
  three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red with
  the national coat of arms centered in the yellow band; the coat of
  arms features a quartered shield; similar to the flags of Chad and
  Romania that do not have a national coat of arms in the center

@Andorra, Economy

Overview:
  Tourism, the mainstay of Andorra's economy, accounts for roughly 80%
  of GDP. An estimated 13 million tourists visit annually, attracted by
  Andorra's duty-free status and by its summer and winter resorts. The
  banking sector, with its "tax haven" status, also contributes
  substantially to the economy. Agricultural production is limited by a
  scarcity of arable land, and most food has to be imported. The
  principal livestock activity is sheep raising. Manufacturing consists
  mainly of cigarettes, cigars, and furniture. Andorra is a member of
  the EU Customs Union; it is unclear what effect the European Single
  Market will have on the advantages Andorra obtains from its duty-free
  status.
National product:
  GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $760 million (1992 est.)
National product real growth rate:
  NA%
National product per capita:
  $14,000 (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  NA%
Unemployment rate:
  0%
Budget:
revenues:
  $138 million
expenditures:
  $177 million, Including capital expenditures of $NA (1993)
Exports:
  $30 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities:
  electricity, tobacco products, furniture
partners:
  France, Spain
Imports:
  $NA
commodities:
  consumer goods, food
partners:
  France, Spain
External debt:
  $NA
Industrial production:
  growth rate NA%
Electricity:
capacity:
  35,000 kW
production:
  140 million kWh
consumption per capita:
  2,570 kWh (1992)
Industries:
  tourism (particularly skiing), sheep, timber, tobacco, banking
Agriculture:
  sheep raising; small quantities of tobacco, rye, wheat, barley, oats,
  and some vegetables
Economic aid:
  none
Currency:
  1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes; 1 peseta (Pta) = 100 centimos; the
  French and Spanish currencies are used
Exchange rates:
  French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.9205 (January 1994), 5.6632 (1993),
  5.2938 (1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453 (1990), 6.3801 (1989); Spanish
  pesetas (Ptas) per US$1 - 143.04 (January 1994), 127.26 (1993), 102.38
  (1992), 103.91 (1991), 101.93 (1990), 118.38 (1989)
Fiscal year:
  calendar year

@Andorra, Communications

Highways:
total:
  96 km
paved:
  NA
unpaved:
  NA
Telecommunications:
  international digital microwave network; international landline
  circuits to France and Spain; broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, no TV;
  17,700 telephones

@Andorra, Defense Forces

Note:
  defense is the responsibility of France and Spain


@Angola, Geography

Location:
  Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean between Namibia
  and Zaire
Map references:
  Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
  1,246,700 sq km
land area:
  1,246,700 sq km
comparative area:
  slightly less than twice the size of Texas
Land boundaries:
  total 5,198 km, Congo 201 km, Namibia 1,376 km, Zaire 2,511 km, Zambia
  1,110 km
Coastline:
  1,600 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone:
  200 nm
territorial sea:
  20 nm
International disputes:
  none
Climate:
  semiarid in south and along coast to Luanda; north has cool, dry
  season (May to October) and hot, rainy season (November to April)
Terrain:
  narrow coastal plain rises abruptly to vast interior plateau
Natural resources:
  petroleum, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, copper, feldspar, gold,
  bauxite, uranium
Land use:
arable land:
  2%
permanent crops:
  0%
meadows and pastures:
  23%
forest and woodland:
  43%
other:
  32%
Irrigated land:
  NA km2
Environment:
current issues:
  population pressures contributing to overuse of pastures and
  subsequent soil erosion; desertification; deforestation of tropical
  rain forest attributable to the international demand for tropical
  timber and domestic use as a fuel; deforestation contributing to loss
  of biodiversity; soil erosion contributing to water pollution and
  siltation of rivers and dams; scarcity of potable water
natural hazards:
  locally heavy rainfall causes periodic flooding on the plateau
international agreements:
  party to - Law of the Sea; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity,
  Climate Change
Note:
  Cabinda is separated from rest of country by Zaire

@Angola, People

Population:
  9,803,576 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
  2.67% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
  45.43 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
  18.55 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
  -0.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
  145.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
  45.77 years
male:
  43.72 years
female:
  47.92 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
  6.48 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
  Angolan(s)
adjective:
  Angolan
Ethnic divisions:
  Ovimbundu 37%, Kimbundu 25%, Bakongo 13%, mestico (mixed European and
  Native African) 2%, European 1%, other 22%
Religions:
  indigenous beliefs 47%, Roman Catholic 38%, Protestant 15% (est.)
Languages:
  Portuguese (official), Bantu and other African languages
Literacy:
  age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
total population:
  42%
male:
  56%
female:
  28%
Labor force:
  2.783 million economically active
by occupation:
  agriculture 85%, industry 15% (1985 est.)

@Angola, Government

Note:
  Civil war has been the norm since independence on 11 November 1975; a
  cease-fire lasted from 31 May 1991 until October 1992 when the
  insurgent National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA)
  refused to accept its defeat in internationally monitored elections;
  fighting has since resumed throughout much of the countryside.
  Nevertheless, the two sides are negotiating the details for holding
  the second round of presidential elections.
Names:
conventional long form:
  Republic of Angola
conventional short form:
  Angola
local long form:
  Republica de Angola
local short form:
  Angola
former:
  People's Republic of Angola
Digraph:
  AO
Type:
  transitional government nominally a multiparty democracy with a strong
  presidential system
Capital:
  Luanda
Administrative divisions:
  18 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Bengo, Benguela, Bie,
  Cabinda, Cuando Cubango, Cuanza Norte, Cuanza Sul, Cunene, Huambo,
  Huila, Luanda, Lunda Norte, Lunda Sul, Malanje, Moxico, Namibe, Uige,
  Zaire
Independence:
  11 November 1975 (from Portugal)
National holiday:
  Independence Day, 11 November (1975)
Constitution:
  11 November 1975; revised 7 January 1978, 11 August 1980, 6 March
  1991, and 26 August 1992
Legal system:
  based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law; recently
  modified to accommodate political pluralism and increased use of free
  markets
Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
  President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21 September 1979)
head of government:
  Prime Minister Marcolino Jose Carlos MOCO (since 2 December 1992)
cabinet:
  Council of Ministers; appointed by the president
Legislative branch:
  unicameral
National Assembly (Assembleia Nacional):
  first nationwide, multiparty elections were held 29-30 September 1992
  with disputed results; further elections are being discussed
Judicial branch:
  Supreme Court (Tribunal da Relacao)
Political parties and leaders:
  Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), led by Jose
  Eduardo DOS SANTOS, is the ruling party and has been in power since
  1975; National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), led
  by Jonas SAVIMBI, remains a legal party despite its return to armed
  resistance to the government; five minor parties have small numbers of
  seats in the National Assembly
Other political or pressure groups:
  Cabindan State Liberation Front (FLEC), N'ZITA Tiago, leader of
  largest faction (FLEC-FAC)
note:
  FLEC is waging a small-scale, highly factionalized, armed struggle for
  the independence of Cabinda Province
Member of:
  ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEEAC (observer), ECA, FAO, FLS, G-77, IBRD, ICAO,
  IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ITU,
  LORCS, NAM, OAS (observer), OAU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU,
  WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
  Ambassador Jose PATRICIO
embassy:
  1899 L Street NW, 5th floor, Washington, DC 20038
telephone:
  [phone]
FAX:
  [phone]
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
  Ambassador Edmund DE JARNETTE
embassy:
  Miramar, Luanda
mailing address:
  CP6484, Luanda, Angola (mail international); US Embassy, Luanda,
  Department of State, Washington, D.C. 20521-2550 (pouch)
telephone:
  [244] (2) 39-24-98
FAX:
  [244] (2) 39-05-15
Flag:
  two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and black with a centered
  yellow emblem consisting of a five-pointed star within half a cogwheel
  crossed by a machete (in the style of a hammer and sickle)

@Angola, Economy

Overview:
  Subsistence agriculture provides the main livelihood for 80-90% of the
  population but accounts for less than 15% of GDP. Oil production is
  vital to the economy, contributing about 60% to GDP. Bitter internal
  fighting continues to severely affect the economy, and food must be
  imported. In 1993, production fell by an estimated 22.6%, mainly
  because of the capture by insurgents of the oil town of Soyo and
  diamond-producing areas in northeastern Angola. Angola has rich
  natural resources - notably gold, diamonds, and arable land, in
  addition to large oil depoaits - but will need to end the war and
  reform government policies if it is to achieve its potential.
National product:
  GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $5.7 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
  -22.6% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
  $600 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  1,840% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate:
  15% with considerable underemployment (1993 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
  $928 million
expenditures:
  $2.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $963 million (1992
  est.)
Exports:
  $3 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities:
  oil, diamonds, refined petroleum products, gas, coffee, sisal, fish
  and fish products, timber, cotton
partners:
  US, France, Germany, Netherlands, Brazil
Imports:
  $1.6 billion (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities:
  capital equipment (machinery and electrical equipment), food, vehicles
  and spare parts, textiles and clothing, medicines; substantial
  military deliveries
partners:
  Portugal, Brazil, US, France, Spain
External debt:
  $8 billion (1993 est.)
Industrial production:
  growth rate NA%; accounts for about 60% of GDP, including petroleum
  output
Electricity:
capacity:
  510,000 kW
production:
  800 million kWh
consumption per capita:
  84 kWh (1991)
Industries:
  petroleum; mining - diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, feldspar, bauxite,
  uranium, and gold; fish processing; food processing; brewing; tobacco;
  sugar; textiles; cement; basic metal products
Agriculture:
  cash crops - bananas, sugar cane, coffee, sisal, corn, cotton, cane,
  manioc, tobacco; food crops - cassava, corn, vegetables, plantains ;
  livestock production accounts for 20%, fishing 4%, forestry 2% of
  total agricultural output; disruptions caused by civil war, and
  marketing deficiencies require food imports
Economic aid:
recipient:
  US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $265 million; Western
  (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89),
  $1.105 billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $1.3 billion; net
  official disbursements (1985-89), $750 million
Currency:
  1 new kwanza (NKz) = 100 lwei
Exchange rates:
  kwanza (Kz) per US$1 - 90,000 (official rate 1June 1994), 180,000
  (black market rate 1 June 1994); 7,000 (official rate 16 December
  1993), 50,000 (black market rate 16 December 1993); 3,884 (July 1993);
  550 (April 1992); 90 (November 1991); 60 (October 1990)
Fiscal year:
  calendar year

@Angola, Communications

Railroads:
  3,189 km total; 2,879 km 1.067-meter gauge, 310 km 0.600-meter gauge;
  limited trackage in use because of landmines still in place from the
  civil war; majority of the Benguela Railroad also closed because of
  civil war
Highways:
total:
  73,828 km
paved:
  bituminous-surface 8,577 km
unpaved:
  crushed stone, gravel, improved earth 29,350 km; unimproved earth
  35,901 km
Inland waterways:
  1,295 km navigable
Pipelines:
  crude oil 179 km
Ports:
  Luanda, Lobito, Namibe, Cabinda
Merchant marine:
  12 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 63,776 GRT/99,863 DWT, cargo 11,
  oil tanker 1
Airports:
total:
  302
usable:
  175
with permanent-surface runways:
  32
with runways over 3,659 m:
  2
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
  18
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
  59
Telecommunications:
  limited system of wire, microwave radio relay, and troposcatter
  routes; high frequency radio used extensively for military links;
  telephone service limited mostly to government and business use;
  40,300 telephones (4.1 telephones per 1,000 persons); broadcast
  stations - 17 AM, 13 FM, 6 TV; 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth
  stations

@Angola, Defense Forces

Branches:
  Army, Navy, Air Force/Air Defense, People's Defense Organization and
  Territorial Troops,
Manpower availability:
  males age 15-49 2,262,669; fit for military service 1,139,319; reach
  military age (18) annually 96,900 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
  $NA, NA% of GDP


@Anguilla

Header

Affiliation:
  (dependent territory of the UK)

@Anguilla, Geography

Location:
  Caribbean, in the eastern Caribbean Sea, about 270 km east of Puerto
  Rico
Map references:
  Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total area:
  91 sq km
land area:
  91 sq km
comparative area:
  about half the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
  0 km
Coastline:
  61 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone:
  200 nm
territorial sea:
     3 nm
International disputes:
  none
Climate:
  tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds
Terrain:
  flat and low-lying island of coral and limestone
Natural resources:
  negligible; salt, fish, lobster
Land use:
arable land:
  NA%
permanent crops:
  NA%
meadows and pastures:
  NA%
forest and woodland:
  NA%
other:
  NA% (mostly rock with sparse scrub oak, few trees, some commercial
  salt ponds)
Irrigated land:
  NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
  NA
natural hazards:
  frequent hurricanes and other tropical storms (July to October)
international agreements:
  NA

@Anguilla, People

Population:
  7,052 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
  0.67% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
  24.25 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
  8.08 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
  -9.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
  17.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
  73.99 years
male:
  71.21 years
female:
  76.8 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
  3.07 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
  Anguillan(s)
adjective:
  Anguillan
Ethnic divisions:
  black African
Religions:
  Anglican 40%, Methodist 33%, Seventh-Day Adventist 7%, Baptist 5%,
  Roman Catholic 3%, other 12%
Languages:
  English (official)
Literacy:
  age 12 and over can read and write (1984)
total population:
  95%
male:
  95%
female:
  95%
Labor force:
  2,780 (1984)
by occupation:
  NA

@Anguilla, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
  none
conventional short form:
  Anguilla
Digraph:
  AV
Type:
  dependent territory of the UK
Capital:
  The Valley
Administrative divisions:
  none (dependent territory of the UK)
Independence:
  none (dependent territory of the UK)
National holiday:
  Anguilla Day, 30 May
Constitution:
  Anguilla Constitutional Orders 1 April 1982; amended 1990
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
  Alan W. SHAVE (since 14 August 1992)
head of government:
  Chief Minister Hubert HUGHES (since 16 March 1994)
cabinet:
   Executive Council; appointed by the governor from the elected members
  of the House of Assembly
Legislative branch:
  unicameral
House of Assembly:
  elections last held 16 March 1994 (next to be held March 1999);
  results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (11 total, 7 elected)
  ANA 2, AUP 2, ADP 2, independent 1
Judicial branch:
  High Court
Political parties and leaders:
  Anguilla National Alliance (ANA); Anguilla United Party (AUP), Hubert
  HUGHES; Anguilla Democratic Party (ADP), Victor BANKS
Member of:
  CARICOM (observer), CDB, INTERPOL (subbureau)
Diplomatic representation in US:
  none (dependent territory of the UK)
US diplomatic representation:
  none (dependent territory of the UK)
Flag:
  two horizontal bands of white (top, almost triple width) and light
  blue with three orange dolphins in an interlocking circular design
  centered in the white band; a new flag may have been in use since 30
  May 1990

@Anguilla, Economy

Overview:
  Anguilla has few natural resources, and the economy depends heavily on
  lobster fishing, offshore banking, tourism, and remittances from
  emigrants. In recent years the economy has benefited from a boom in
  tourism and construction. Development plans center around the
  improvement of the infrastructure, particularly transport and tourist
  facilities, and also light industry.
National product:
  GDP - exchange rate conversion - $56.5 million (1992 est.)
National product real growth rate:
  7.5% (1992 est.)
National product per capita:
  $6,800 (1991 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  3% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate:
  5% (1988 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
  $13.8 million
expenditures:
  $15.2 million, including capital expenditures of $2.4 million (1992
  est.)
Exports:
  $556,000 (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities:
  lobster and salt
partners:
  NA
Imports:
  $33.5 million (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities:
  NA
partners:
  NA
External debt:
  $NA
Industrial production:
  growth rate NA%
Electricity:
capacity:
  2,000 kW
production:
  6 million kWh
consumption per capita:
  862 kWh (1992)
Industries:
  tourism, boat building, salt
Agriculture:
  pigeon peas, corn, sweet potatoes, sheep, goats, pigs, cattle,
  poultry, fishing (including lobster)
Economic aid:
recipient:
  Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments
  (1970-89), $38 million
Currency:
  1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
  East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.70 (fixed rate since 1976)
Fiscal year:
  NA

@Anguilla, Communications

Highways:
total:
  NA
paved:
  60 km
unpaved:
  NA
Ports:
  Road Bay, Blowing Point
Airports:
total:
  3
usable:
  2
with permanent-surface runways:
  1 (1,000 m at Wallblake Airport)
with runways over 3,659 m:
  0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
  0
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
  0
Telecommunications:
  modern internal telephone system; 890 telephones; broadcast stations -
  3 AM, 1 FM, no TV; radio relay microwave link to island of Saint
  Martin

@Anguilla, Defense Forces

Note:
  defense is the responsibility of the UK


@Antarctica, Geography

Location:
  continent mostly south of the Antarctic Circle
Map references:
  Antarctic Region
Area:
total area:
  14 million sq km (est.)
land area:
  14 million sq km (est.)
comparative area:
  slightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US
note:
  second-smallest continent (after Australia)
Land boundaries:
  none, but see entry on International disputes
Coastline:
  17,968 km
Maritime claims:
  none, but see entry on International Disputes
International disputes:
  Antarctic Treaty defers claims (see Antarctic Treaty Summary below);
  sections (some overlapping) claimed by Argentina, Australia, Chile,
  France (Adelie Land), New Zealand (Ross Dependency), Norway (Queen
  Maud Land), and UK; the US and most other nations do not recognize the
  territorial claims of other nations and have made no claims themselves
  (the US reserves the right to do so); no formal claims have been made
  in the sector between 90 degrees west and 150 degrees west
Climate:
  severe low temperatures vary with latitude, elevation, and distance
  from the ocean; East Antarctica is colder than West Antarctica because
  of its higher elevation; Antarctic Peninsula has the most moderate
  climate; higher temperatures occur in January along the coast and
  average slightly below freezing
Terrain:
  about 98% thick continental ice sheet and 2% barren rock, with average
  elevations between 2,000 and 4,000 meters; mountain ranges up to 4,897
  meters high; ice-free coastal areas include parts of southern Victoria
  Land, Wilkes Land, the Antarctic Peninsula area, and parts of Ross
  Island on McMurdo Sound; glaciers form ice shelves along about half of
  the coastline, and floating ice shelves constitute 11% of the area of
  the continent
Natural resources:
  none presently exploited; iron ore, chromium, copper, gold, nickel,
  platinum and other minerals, and coal and hydrocarbons have been found
  in small, uncommercial quantities
Land use:
arable land:
  0%
permanent crops:
  0%
meadows and pastures:
  0%
forest and woodland:
  0%
other:
  100% (ice 98%, barren rock 2%)
Irrigated land:
  0 sq km
Environment:
current issues:
  in October 1991 it was reported that the ozone shield, which protects
  the Earth's surface from harmful ultraviolet radiation, had dwindled
  to the lowest level recorded over Antarctica since 1975 when
  measurements were first taken
natural hazards:
  katabatic (gravity-driven) winds blow coastward from the high
  interior; frequent blizzards form near the foot of the plateau;
  cyclonic storms form over the ocean and move clockwise along the
  coast; volcanism on Deception Island and isolated areas of West
  Antarctica; other seismic activity rare and weak
international agreements:
  NA
Note:
  the coldest, windiest, highest, 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

@Antarctica, People

Population:
  no indigenous inhabitants; note - there are seasonally staffed
  research stations
Summer (January) population:
  over 4,115 total; Argentina 207, Australia 268, Belgium 13, Brazil 80,
  Chile 256, China NA, Ecuador NA, Finland 11, France 78, Germany 32,
  Greenpeace 12, India 60, Italy 210, Japan 59, South Korea 14,
  Netherlands 10, NZ 264, Norway 23, Peru 39, Poland NA, South Africa
  79, Spain 43, Sweden 10, UK 116, Uruguay NA, US 1,666, former USSR 565
  (1989-90)
Winter (July) population:
  over 1,046 total; Argentina 150, Australia 71, Brazil 12, Chile 73,
  China NA, France 33, Germany 19, Greenpeace 5, India 1, Japan 38,
  South Korea 14, NZ 11, Poland NA, South Africa 12, UK 69, Uruguay NA,
  US 225, former USSR 313 (1989-90)
Year-round stations:
  42 total; Argentina 6, Australia 3, Brazil 1, Chile 3, China 2,
  Finland 1, France 1, Germany 1, India 1, Japan 2, South Korea 1, NZ 1,
  Poland 1, South Africa 3, UK 5, Uruguay 1, US 3, former USSR 6
  (1990-91)
Summer only stations:
  over 38 total; Argentina 7, Australia 3, Chile 5, Germany 3, India 1,
  Italy 1, Japan 4, NZ 2, Norway 1, Peru 1, South Africa 1, Spain 1,
  Sweden 2, UK 1, US numerous, former USSR 5 (1989-90); note - the
  disintegration of the former USSR has placed the status and future of
  its Antarctic facilities in doubt; stations may be subject to closings
  at any time because of ongoing economic difficulties
Names:
conventional long form:
  none
conventional short form:
  Antarctica
Digraph:
  AY
Type:
Antarctic Treaty Summary:
  The Antarctic Treaty, signed on 1 December 1959 and entered into force
  on 23 June 1961, establishes the legal framework for the management of
  Antarctica. Administration is carried out through consultative member
  meetings - the 18th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting was in Japan
  in April 1993. Currently, there are 42 treaty member nations: 26
  consultative and 16 acceding. Consultative (voting) members include
  the seven nations that claim portions of Antarctica as national
  territory (some claims overlap) and 19 nonclaimant nations. The US and
  some other nations that have made no claims have reserved the right to
  do so. The US does not recognize the claims of others. The year in
  parentheses indicates when an acceding nation was voted to full
  consultative (voting) status, while no date indicates the country was
  an original 1959 treaty signatory. Claimant nations are - Argentina,
  Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway, and the UK. Nonclaimant
  consultative nations are - Belgium, Brazil (1983), China (1985),
  Ecuador (1990), Finland (1989), Germany (1981), India (1983), Italy
  (1987), Japan, South Korea (1989), Netherlands (1990), Peru (1989),
  Poland (1977), South Africa, Spain (1988), Sweden (1988), Uruguay
  (1985), the US, and Russia.
  Acceding (nonvoting) members, with year of accession in parentheses,
  are - Austria (1987), Bulgaria (1978), Canada (1988), Colombia (1988),
  Cuba (1984), Czech Republic (1993), Denmark (1965), Greece (1987),
  Guatemala (1991), Hungary (1984), North Korea (1987), Papua New Guinea
  (1981), Romania (1971), Slovakia (1993), Switzerland (1990), and
  Ukraine (1992).
Article 1:
  area to be used for peaceful purposes only; military activity, such as
  weapons testing, is prohibited, but military personnel and equipment
  may be used for scientific research or any other peaceful purpose
Article 2:
  freedom of scientific investigation and cooperation shall continue
Article 3:
  free exchange of information and personnel in cooperation with the UN
  and other international agencies
Article 4:
  does not recognize, dispute, or establish territorial claims and no
  new claims shall be asserted while the treaty is in force
Article 5:
  prohibits nuclear explosions or disposal of radioactive wastes
Article 6:
  includes under the treaty all land and ice shelves south of 60 degrees
  00 minutes south
Article 7:
  treaty-state observers have free access, including aerial observation,
  to any area and may inspect all stations, installations, and
  equipment; advance notice of all activities and of the introduction of
  military personnel must be given
Article 8:
  allows for jurisdiction over observers and scientists by their own
  states
Article 9:
  frequent consultative meetings take place among member nations
Article 10:
  treaty states will discourage activities by any country in Antarctica
  that are contrary to the treaty
Article 11:
  disputes to be settled peacefully by the parties concerned or,
  ultimately, by the ICJ
Article 12, 13, 14:
  deal with upholding, interpreting, and amending the treaty among
  involved nations
Other agreements:
  more than 170 recommendations adopted at treaty consultative meetings
  and ratified by governments include - Agreed Measures for the
  Conservation of Antarctic Fauna and Flora (1964); Convention for the
  Conservation of Antarctic Seals (1972); Convention on the Conservation
  of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (1980); a mineral resources
  agreement was signed in 1988 but was subsequently rejected; in 1991
  the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty was
  signed and awaits ratification; this agreement provides for the
  protection of the Antarctic environment through five specific annexes
  on marine pollution, fauna, and flora, environmental impact
  assessments, waste management, and protected areas; it also prohibits
  all activities relating to mineral resources except scientific
  research; nine parties have ratified Protocol as of April 1994
Legal system:
  US law, including certain criminal offenses by or against US
  nationals, such as murder, may apply to areas not under jurisdiction
  of other countries. Some US laws directly apply to Antarctica. For
  example, the Antarctic Conservation Act, 16 U.S.C. section 2401 et
  seq., provides civil and criminal penalties for the following
  activities, unless authorized by regulation of statute: The taking of
  native mammals or birds; the introduction of nonindigenous plants and
  animals; entry into specially protected or scientific areas; the
  discharge or disposal of pollutants; and the importation into the US
  of certain items from Antarctica. Violation of the Antarctic
  Conservation Act carries penalties of up to $10,000 in fines and 1
  year in prison. The Departments of Treasury, Commerce, Transportation,
  and Interior share enforcement responsibilities. Public Law 95-541,
  the US Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978, requires expeditions from
  the US to Antarctica to notify, in advance, the Office of Oceans and
  Polar Affairs, Room 5801, Department of State, Washington, DC 20520,
  which reports such plans to other nations as required by the Antarctic
  Treaty. For more information contact Permit Office, Office of Polar
  Programs, National Science Foundation, Arlington, Virginia 22230
  (703-306-1031).
Overview:
  No economic activity at present except for fishing off the coast and
  small-scale tourism, both based abroad.

@Antarctica, Communications

Ports:
  none; offshore anchorage only at most coastal stations
Airports:
  42 landing facilities at different locations operated by 15 national
  governments party to the Treaty; one additional air facility operated
  by commercial (nongovernmental) tourist organization; helicopter pads
  at 28 of these locations; runways at 10 locations are gravel, sea ice,
  glacier ice, or compacted snow surface suitable for wheeled fixed-wing
  aircraft; no paved runways; 16 locations have snow-surface skiways
  limited to use by ski-equipped planes--11 runways/skiways 1,000 to
  3,000 m, 3 runways/skiways less than 1,000 m, 5 runways/skiways
  greater than 3,000 m, and 7 of unspecified or variable length;
  airports generally subject to severe restrictions and limitations
  resulting from extreme seasonal and geographic conditions; airports do
  not meet ICAO standards; advance approval from the respective
  governmental or non-governmental operating organization required for
  landing

@Antarctica, Defense Forces

Note:
  the Antarctic Treaty prohibits any measures of a military nature, such
  as the establishment of military bases and fortifications, the
  carrying out of military maneuvers, or the testing of any type of
  weapon; it permits the use of military personnel or equipment for
  scientific research or for any other peaceful purposes


@Antigua and Barbuda, Geography

Location:
  Caribbean, in the eastern Caribbean Sea, about 420 km east-southeast
  of Puerto Rico
Map references:
  Central America and the Caribbean, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
  440 sq km
land area:
  440 sq km
comparative area:
  slightly less than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
note:
  includes Redonda
Land boundaries:
  0 km
Coastline:
  153 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
  24 nm
exclusive economic zone:
  200 nm
territorial sea:
  12 nm
International disputes:
  none
Climate:
  tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain:
  mostly low-lying limestone and coral islands with some higher volcanic
  areas
Natural resources:
  negligible; pleasant climate fosters tourism
Land use:
arable land:
  18%
permanent crops:
  0%
meadows and pastures:
  7%
forest and woodland:
  16%
other:
  59%
Irrigated land:
  NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
  insufficient freshwater resources
natural hazards:
  subject to hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October)
international agreements:
  party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Environmental Modification,
  Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
  Pollution, Whaling

@Antigua and Barbuda, People

Population:
  64,762 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
  0.59% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
  17.31 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
  5.44 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
  -5.93 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
  18.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
  73.11 years
male:
  71.07 years
female:
  75.26 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
  1.67 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
  Antiguan(s), Barbudan(s)
adjective:
  Antiguan, Barbudan
Ethnic divisions:
  black African, British, Portuguese, Lebanese, Syrian
Religions:
  Anglican (predominant), other Protestant sects, some Roman Catholic
Languages:
  English (official), local dialects
Literacy:
  age 15 and over having completed 5 or more years of schooling (1960)
total population:
  89%
male:
  90%
female:
  88%
Labor force:
  30,000
by occupation:
  commerce and services 82%, agriculture 11%, industry 7% (1983)

@Antigua and Barbuda, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
  none
conventional short form:
  Antigua and Barbuda
Digraph:
  AC
Type:
  parliamentary democracy
Capital:
  Saint John's
Administrative divisions:
  6 parishes and 2 dependencies*; Barbuda*, Redonda*, Saint George,
  Saint John, Saint Mary, Saint Paul, Saint Peter, Saint Philip
Independence:
  1 November 1981 (from UK)
National holiday:
  Independence Day, 1 November (1981)
Constitution:
  1 November 1981
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 James B. CARLISLE (since NA 1993)
head of government:
  Prime Minister Lester Bryant BIRD (since 8 March 1994)
cabinet:
  Council of Ministers; appointed by the governor general on the advice
  of the prime minister
Legislative branch:
  bicameral Parliament
Senate:
  17 member body appointed by the governor general
House of Representatives:
  elections last held 8 March 1994 (next to be held NA 1999); results -
  percent of vote by party NA; seats - (17 total) ALP 11, UPP 5,
  independent 1
Judicial branch:
  Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
  Antigua Labor Party (ALP), Lester Bryant BIRD; United Progressive
  Party (UPP), Baldwin SPENCER
Other political or pressure groups:
  United Progressive Party (UPP), headed by Baldwin SPENCER, a coalition
  of three opposition political parties - the United National Democratic
  Party (UNDP); the Antigua Caribbean Liberation Movement (ACLM); and
  the Progressive Labor Movement (PLM); Antigua Trades and Labor Union
  (ATLU), headed by Noel THOMAS
Member of:
  ACP, C, CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD,
  IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC, ITU,
  LORCS, NAM (observer), OAS, OECS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WCL,
  WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
  Ambassador Patrick Albert LEWIS
chancery:
  Suite 4M, 3400 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
  [phone] or 5166, 5122
FAX:
  [phone]
consulate(s) general:
  Miami
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
  the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Antigua and Barbuda,
  and, in his absence, the Embassy is headed by Charge d'Affaires Bryant
  J. SALTER
embassy:
  Queen Elizabeth Highway, Saint John's
mailing address:
  FPO AA 34054-0001
telephone:
  [phone] or 3506
FAX:
  [phone]
Flag:
  red with an inverted isosceles triangle based on the top edge of the
  flag; the triangle contains three horizontal bands of black (top),
  light blue, and white with a yellow rising sun in the black band

@Antigua and Barbuda, Economy

Overview:
  The economy is primarily service oriented, with tourism the most
  important determinant of economic performance. During the period
  1986-91, real GDP expanded at an annual average rate of about 6%.
  Tourism makes a direct contribution to GDP of about 13% and also
  affects growth in other sectors - particularly in construction,
  communications, and public utilities. In 1992, reduced government
  capital spending and private sector investment, dampened by recession
  in the major world economies, slowed economic growth.
National product:
  GDP - exchange rate conversion - $368.5 million (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
  NA
National product per capita:
  $5,800 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  7% (1993)
Unemployment rate:
  5% (1988 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
  $105 million
expenditures:
  $161 million, including capital expenditures of $56 million (1992)
Exports:
  $54.7 million (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities:
  petroleum products 48%, manufactures 23%, food and live animals 4%,
  machinery and transport equipment 17%
partners:
  OECS 26%, Barbados 15%, Guyana 4%, Trinidad and Tobago 2%, US 0.3%
Imports:
  $260.9 million (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities:
  food and live animals, machinery and transport equipment,
  manufactures, chemicals, oil
partners:
  US 27%, UK 16%, Canada 4%, OECS 3%, other 50%
External debt:
  $250 million (1990 est.)
Industrial production:
  growth rate 3% (1989 est.); accounts for 8% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
  52,100 kW
production:
  95 million kWh
consumption per capita:
  1,482 kWh (1992)
Industries:
  tourism, construction, light manufacturing (clothing, alcohol,
  household appliances)
Agriculture:
  accounts for 4% of GDP; expanding output of cotton, fruits,
  vegetables, and livestock; other crops - bananas, coconuts, cucumbers,
  mangoes, sugarcane; not self-sufficient in food
Economic aid:
recipient:
  US commitments (1985-88), $10 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA
  and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $50 million
Currency:
  1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
  East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.70 (fixed rate since 1976)
Fiscal year:
  1 April - 31 March

@Antigua and Barbuda, Communications

Railroads:
  64 km 0.760-meter narrow gauge and 13 km 0.610-meter gauge used almost
  exclusively for handling sugarcane
Highways:
total:
  240 km
paved:
  NA
unpaved:
  NA
Ports:
  Saint John's
Merchant marine:
  227 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 849,699 GRT/1,218,492 DWT, bulk
  4, cargo 156, chemical tanker 11, container 37, liquified gas 2, oil
  tanker 2, refrigerated cargo 4, roll-on/roll-off cargo 11
note:
  a flag of convenience registry
Airports:
total:
  3
usable:
  3
with permanent-surface runways:
  2
with runways 3,659 m:
  0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
  1
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
  0
Telecommunications:
  good automatic telephone system; 6,700 telephones; tropospheric
  scatter links with Saba and Guadeloupe; broadcast stations - 4 AM, 2
  FM, 2 TV, 2 shortwave; 1 coaxial submarine cable; 1 Atlantic Ocean
  INTELSAT earth station

@Antigua and Barbuda, Defense Forces

Branches:
  Royal Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force, Royal Antigua and Barbuda
  Police Force (including the Coast Guard)
Defense expenditures:
  exchange rate conversion - $1.4 million, 1% of GDP (FY90/91)


@Arctic Ocean, Geography

Location:
  body of water mostly north of the Arctic Circle
Map references:
  Arctic Region, Asia, North America, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
  14.056 million sq km
comparative area:
  slightly more than 1.5 times the size of the US; smallest of the
  world's four oceans (after Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, and Indian
  Ocean)
note:
  includes Baffin Bay, Barents Sea, Beaufort Sea, Chukchi Sea, East
  Siberian Sea, Greenland Sea, Hudson Bay, Hudson Strait, Kara Sea,
  Laptev Sea, Northwest Passage, and other tributary water bodies
Coastline:
  45,389 km
International disputes:
  some maritime disputes (see littoral states); Svalbard is the focus of
  a maritime boundary dispute between Norway and Russia
Climate:
  polar climate characterized by persistent cold and relatively narrow
  annual temperature ranges; winters characterized by continuous
  darkness, cold and stable weather conditions, and clear skies; summers
  characterized by continuous daylight, damp and foggy weather, and weak
  cyclones with rain or snow
Terrain:
  central surface covered by a perennial drifting polar icepack that
  averages about 3 meters in thickness, although pressure ridges may be
  three times that size; clockwise drift pattern in the Beaufort Gyral
  Stream, but nearly straight line movement from the New Siberian
  Islands (Russia) to Denmark Strait (between Greenland and Iceland);
  the ice pack is surrounded by open seas during the summer, but more
  than doubles in size during the winter and extends to the encircling
  land masses; the ocean floor is about 50% continental shelf (highest
  percentage of any ocean) with the remainder a central basin
  interrupted by three submarine ridges (Alpha Cordillera, Nansen
  Cordillera, and Lomonsov Ridge); maximum depth is 4,665 meters in the
  Fram Basin
Natural resources:
  sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, polymetallic nodules, oil
  and gas fields, fish, marine mammals (seals and whales)
Environment:
current issues:
  endangered marine species include walruses and whales; fragile
  ecosystem slow to change and slow to recover from disruptions or
  damage
natural hazards:
  ice islands occasionally break away from northern Ellesmere Island;
  icebergs calved from glaciers in western Greenland and extreme
  northeastern Canada; permafrost in islands; virtually icelocked from
  October to June
international agreements:
  NA
Note:
  major chokepoint is the southern Chukchi Sea (northern access to the
  Pacific Ocean via the Bering Strait); ships subject to superstructure
  icing from October to May; 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 and lasts about 10 months

@Arctic Ocean, Government

Digraph:
  XQ

@Arctic Ocean, Economy

Overview:
  Economic activity is limited to the exploitation of natural resources,
  including petroleum, natural gas, fish, and seals.

@Arctic Ocean, Communications

Ports:
  Churchill (Canada), Murmansk (Russia), Prudhoe Bay (US)
Telecommunications:
  no submarine cables
Note:
  sparse network of air, ocean, river, and land routes; the Northwest
  Passage (North America) and Northern Sea Route (Eurasia) are important
  seasonal waterways


@Argentina, Geography

Location:
  Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean between
  Chile and Uruguay
Map references:
  South America, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
  2,766,890 sq km
land area:
  2,736,690 sq km
comparative area:
  slightly less than three-tenths the size of the US
Land boundaries:
  total 9,665 km, Bolivia 832 km, Brazil 1,224 km, Chile 5,150 km,
  Paraguay 1,880 km, Uruguay 579 km
Coastline:
  4,989 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
  24 nm
continental shelf:
  200-m depth or to depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone:
  not specified
territorial sea:
  200 nm; overflight and navigation permitted beyond 12 nm
International disputes:
  short section of the boundary with Uruguay is in dispute; short
  section of the boundary with Chile is indefinite; claims
  British-administered Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas); claims
  British-administered South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands;
  territorial claim in Antarctica
Climate:
  mostly temperate; arid in southeast; subantarctic in southwest
Terrain:
  rich plains of the Pampas in northern half, flat to rolling plateau of
  Patagonia in south, rugged Andes along western border
Natural resources:
  fertile plains of the pampas, lead, zinc, tin, copper, iron ore,
  manganese, petroleum, uranium
Land use:
arable land:
  9%
permanent crops:
  4%
meadows and pastures:
  52%
forest and woodland:
  22%
other:
  13%
Irrigated land:
  17,600 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
  erosion results from inadequate flood controls and improper land use
  practices; irrigated soil degradation; desertification; air pollution
  in Buenos Aires and other major cites; water pollution in urban areas;
  rivers becoming polluted due to increased pesticide and fertilizer use
natural hazards:
  Tucuman and Mendoza areas in the Andes subject to earthquakes;
  pamperos are violent windstorms that can strike the Pampas and
  northeast; heavy flooding
international agreements:
  party to - Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Climate
  Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous
  Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
  Pollution, Whaling; signed, but not ratfied - Biodiversity, Law of the
  Sea, Marine Life Conservation
Note:
  second-largest country in South America (after Brazil); strategic
  location relative to sea lanes between South Atlantic and South
  Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Drake Passage)

@Argentina, People

Population:
  33,912,994 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
  1.12% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
  19.62 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
  8.63 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
  0.21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
  29.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
  71.35 years
male:
  68.06 years
female:
  74.81 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
  2.68 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
  Argentine(s)
adjective:
  Argentine
Ethnic divisions:
  white 85%, mestizo, Indian, or other nonwhite groups 15%
Religions:
  nominally Roman Catholic 90% (less than 20% practicing), Protestant
  2%, Jewish 2%, other 6%
Languages:
  Spanish (official), English, Italian, German, French
Literacy:
  age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
total population:
  95%
male:
  96%
female:
  95%
Labor force:
  10.9 million
by occupation:
  agriculture 12%, industry 31%, services 57% (1985 est.)

@Argentina, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
  Argentine Republic
conventional short form:
  Argentina
local long form:
  Republica Argentina
local short form:
  Argentina
Digraph:
     AR
Type:
  republic
Capital:
  Buenos Aires
Administrative divisions:
  23 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia), and 1 federal
  district* (distrito federal); Buenos Aires; Catamarca; Chaco; Chubut;
  Cordoba; Corrientes; Distrito Federal*; Entre Rios; Formosa; Jujuy; La
  Pampa; La Rioja; Mendoza; Misiones; Neuquen; Rio Negro; Salta; San
  Juan; San Luis; Santa Cruz; Santa Fe; Santiago del Estero; Tierra del
  Fuego, Antartida e Islas del Atlantico Sur; Tucuman
note:
  the US does not recognize any claims to Antarctica or Argentina's
  claims to the Falkland Islands
Independence:
  9 July 1816 (from Spain)
National holiday:
  Revolution Day, 25 May (1810)
Constitution:
  1 May 1853
Legal system:
  mixture of US and West European legal systems; has not accepted
  compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government:
  President Carlos Saul MENEM (since 8 July 1989); Vice President
  (position vacant); election last held 14 May 1989 (next to be held
  summer 1995); results - Carlos Saul MENEM was elected
cabinet:
  Cabinet; appointed by the president
Legislative branch:
  bicameral National Congress (Congreso Nacional)
Senate:
  elections last held May 1989, but provincial elections in late 1991
  set the stage for indirect elections by provincial senators for
  one-third of 48 seats in the national senate in May 1992; seats (48
  total) - PJ 30, UCR 11, others 7
Chamber of Deputies:
  elections last held NA October 1993 ( next to be held October 1995);
  elections are held every two years and half of the total membership is
  elected each time for four year terms; seats--(257 total) PJ 128, UCR
  81, MODIN 7, UCD 5, other 36
Judicial branch:
  Supreme Court (Corte Suprema)
Political parties and leaders:
  Justicialist Party (PJ), Carlos Saul MENEM, Peronist umbrella
  political organization; Radical Civic Union (UCR),Raul ALFONSIN,
  moderately left-of-center party; Union of the Democratic Center (UCD),
  Jorge AGUADO, conservative party; Intransigent Party (PI), Dr. Oscar
  ALENDE, leftist party; Dignity and Independence Political Party
  (MODIN), Aldo RICO, right-wing party; Grand Front (Frente Grande),
  Carlos ALVAREZ, center-left coalition; several provincial parties
Other political or pressure groups:
  Peronist-dominated labor movement; General Confederation of Labor
  (CGT; Peronist-leaning umbrella labor organization); Argentine
  Industrial Union (manufacturers' association); Argentine Rural Society
  (large landowners' association); business organizations; students; the
  Roman Catholic Church; the Armed Forces
Member of:
  AG (observer), Australia Group, BCIE, CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-6, G-11,
  G-15, G-19, G-24, AfDB, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,
  ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL,
  IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, LORCS, MERCOSUR, MINURSO, MTCR, OAS,
  PCA, RG, UN, UNAVEM II, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNOMOZ,
  UNOSOM, UNPROFOR, UNTAC, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
  Ambassador Raul Enrique GRANILLO OCAMPO
chancery:
  1600 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone:
  [phone] through 6403
consulate(s) general:
  Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York,
  San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico)
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
  Ambassador James CHEEK (since 28 May 1993)
embassy:
  4300 Colombia, 1425 Buenos Aires
mailing address:
  APO AA 34034
telephone:
  [54] (1) 774-7611, 8811, 9911
FAX:
  [54] (1) 775-4205
Flag:
  three equal horizontal bands of light blue (top), white, and light
  blue; centered in the white band is a radiant yellow sun with a human
  face known as the Sun of May

@Argentina, Economy

Overview:
  Argentina is rich in natural resources and has a highly literate
  population, an export-oriented agricultural sector, and a diversified
  industrial base. Nevertheless, following decades of mismanagement and
  statist policies, the economy in the late 1980s was plagued with huge
  external debts and recurring bouts of hyperinflation. Elected in 1989,
  in the depths of recession, President MENEM has implemented a
  comprehensive economic restructuring program that shows signs of
  putting Argentina on a path of stable, sustainable growth. Argentina's
  currency has traded at par with the US dollar since April 1991, and
  inflation has fallen to its lowest level in 20 years. Argentines have
  responded to the relative price stability by repatriating flight
  capital and investing in domestic industry. Growth slowed somewhat in
  1993 but Argentina still registered an impressive 6% advance, fueled
  largely by inflows of foreign capital and strong domestic consumption
  spending. The government's major short term objective is encouraging
  exports, e.g., by reducing domestic costs of production. Much remains
  to be done in the 1990s in dismantling the old statist barriers to
  growth and in solidifying the recent economic gains.
National product:
  GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $185 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
  6% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
  $5,500 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  7.4% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate:
  10% (1993)
Budget:
revenues:
  $33.1 billion
expenditures:
  $35.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $3.5 billion (1992)
Exports:
  $12.7 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities:
  meat, wheat, corn, oilseed, hides, wool
partners:
  US 12%, Brazil, Italy, Japan, Netherlands
Imports:
  $16 billion (c.i.f., 1993 est.)
commodities:
  machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals, fuels and lubricants,
  agricultural products
partners:
  US 22%, Brazil, Germany, Bolivia, Japan, Italy, Netherlands
External debt:
  $73 billion (April 1994)
Industrial production:
  growth rate 10% (1992 est.); accounts for 31% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
  17,911,000 kW
production:
  51.305 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
  1,559 kWh (1992)
Industries:
  food processing, motor vehicles, consumer durables, textiles,
  chemicals and petrochemicals, printing, metallurgy, steel
Agriculture:
  accounts for 8% of GDP (including fishing); produces abundant food for
  both domestic consumption and exports; among world's top five
  exporters of grain and beef; principal crops - wheat, corn, sorghum,
  soybeans, sugar beets
Illicit drugs:
  increasing use as a transshipment country for cocaine headed for the
  US and Europe
Economic aid:
recipient:
  US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $1 billion; Western
  (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $4.4
  billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $718 million
Currency:
  1 nuevo peso argentino = 100 centavos
Exchange rates:
  pesos per US$1 - 0.99850 (January 1994), 0.99895 (1993), 0.99064
  (1992), 0.95355 (1991), 0.48759 (1990), 0.04233 (1989)
Fiscal year:
  calendar year

@Argentina, Communications

Railroads:
  34,172 km total (includes 209 km electrified); includes a mixture of
  1.435-meter standard gauge, 1.676-meter broad gauge, 1.000-meter
  narrow gauge, and 0.750-meter narrow gauge
Highways:
total:
  208,350 km
paved:
  57,000 km
unpaved:
  gravel 39,500 km; improved/unimproved earth 111,850 km
Inland waterways:
  11,000 km navigable
Pipelines:
  crude oil 4,090 km; petroleum products 2,900 km; natural gas 9,918 km
Ports:
  Bahia Blanca, Buenos Aires, Comodoro Rivadavia, La Plata, Rosario,
  Santa Fe
Merchant marine:
  57 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 656,289 GRT/1,008,792 DWT, bulk
  3, cargo 29, container 4, oil tanker 14, railcar carrier 1,
  refrigerated cargo 5, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1
Airports:
total:
  1,649
usable:
  1,394
with permanent-surface runways:
  139
with runways over 3,659 m:
  0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
  31
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
  332
Telecommunications:
  extensive modern system but many families do not have telephones;
  2,650,000 telephones (12,000 public telephones); telephone density 78
  per 1000 persons; microwave widely used; broadcast stations - 171 AM,
  no FM, 231 TV, 13 shortwave; 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth stations;
  domestic satellite network has 40 earth stations

@Argentina, Defense Forces

Branches:
  Argentine Army, Navy of the Argentine Republic, Argentine Air Force,
  National Gendarmerie, Argentine Naval Prefecture (Coast Guard only),
  National Aeronautical Police Force
Manpower availability:
  males age 15-49 8,417,880; fit for military service 6,825,795; reach
  military age (20) annually 292,725 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
  $NA, NA% of GDP


@Armenia, Geography

Location:
  Southwestern Asia, between Turkey and Azerbaijan
Map references:
  Africa, Asia, Commonwealth of Independent States - European States,
  Middle East, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
  29,800 sq km
land area:
  28,400 sq km
comparative area:
  slightly larger than Maryland
Land boundaries:
  total 1,254 km, Azerbaijan (east) 566 km, Azerbaijan (south) 221 km,
  Georgia 164 km, Iran 35 km, Turkey 268 km
Coastline:
  0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
  none; landlocked
International disputes:
  violent and longstanding dispute with Azerbaijan over ethnically
  Armenian exclave of Nagorno-Karabakh; traditional demands on former
  Armenian lands in Turkey have greatly subsided
Climate:
  highland continental, hot summers, cold winters
Terrain:
  high Armenian Plateau with mountains; little forest land; fast flowing
  rivers; good soil in Aras River valley
Natural resources:
  small deposits of gold, copper, molybdenum, zinc, alumina
Land use:
arable land:
  17%
permanent crops:
  3%
meadows and pastures:
  20%
forest and woodland:
  0%
other:
  60%
Irrigated land:
  3,050 sq km (1990)
Environment:
current issues:
  soil pollution from toxic chemicals such as DDT; energy blockade, the
  result of conflict with Azerbaijan, has led to deforestation as
  citizens scavenge for firewood; pollution of Hrazdan (Razdan) and Aras
  Rivers; the draining of Lake Sevan, a result of its use as a source
  for hydropower, threatens drinking water supplies; air pollution in
  Yerevan
natural hazards:
  occasionally severe earthquakes (25,000 people killed in major quake
  in 1988); subject to drought
international agreements:
  party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change
Note:
  landlocked

@Armenia, People

Population:
  3,521,517 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
  1.08% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
  24.21 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
  6.72 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
  -6.72 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
  27.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
  72.07 years
male:
  68.65 years
female:
  75.65 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
  3.19 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
  Armenian(s)
adjective:
  Armenian
Ethnic divisions:
  Armenian 93%, Azeri 3%, Russian 2%, other 2%
Religions:
  Armenian Orthodox 94%
Languages:
  Armenian 96%, Russian 2%, other 2%
Literacy:
  age 9-49 can read and write (1970)
total population:
  100%
male:
  100%
female:
  100%
Labor force:
  1.578 million
by occupation:
  industry and construction 34%, agriculture and forestry 31%, other 35%
  (1992)

@Armenia, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
  Republic of Armenia
conventional short form:
  Armenia
local long form:
  Hayastani Hanrapetut'yun
local short form:
  Hayastan
former:
  Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic; Armenian Republic
Digraph:
  AM
Type:
  republic
Capital:
  Yerevan
Administrative divisions:
  none (all rayons are under direct republic jurisdiction)
Independence:
  28 May 1918 (First Armenian Republic);  23 September 1991 (from Soviet
  Union)
National holiday:
  Referendum Day, 21 September
Constitution:
  adopted NA April 1978; post-Soviet constitution not yet adopted
Legal system:
  based on civil law system
Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
  President Levon Akopovich TER-PETROSYAN (since 16 October 1991), Vice
  President Gagik ARUTYUNYAN (since 16 October 1991); election last held
  16 October 1991 (next to be held NA); results - Levon Akopovich
  TER-PETROSYAN 86%; radical nationalists about 7%; note - Levon
  Akopovich TER-PETROSYAN was elected Chairman of the Armenian Supreme
  Soviet 4 August 1990 before becoming president
head of government:
  Prime Minister Hrant BAGRATYAN (since 16 February 1993); First Deputy
  Prime Minister Vigen CHITECHYAN (since 16 February 1993)
cabinet:
  Council of Ministers; appointed by the president
Legislative branch:
  unicameral
Supreme Soviet:
  elections last held 20 May 1990 (next to be held NA); results -
  percent of vote by party NA; seats - (260 total) non-aligned 125, ANM
  52, DPA 23, Democratic Liberal Party 17, ARF 17, NDU 9, Christian
  Democratic Party 1, Constitutional Rights Union 1, UNSD 1, Republican
  Party 1, Nagorno-Karabakh representatives 13
Judicial branch:
  Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
  Armenian National Movement (ANM), Ter-Husik LAZARYAN, chairman;
  National Democratic Union (NDU), David VARTANYAN, chairman; Armenian
  Revolutionary Federation (ARF, Dashnaktsutyun), Arutyun ALISTAKESYAN,
  chairman; Democratic Party of Armenia (DPA; Communist Party), Aram
  SARKISYAN, chairman; Christian Democratic Party, Azat ARSHAKYAN,
  chairman; Greens Party, Hakob SANASARIAN, chairman; Democratic Liberal
  Party, Rouben MIRZAKHANYAN, chairman; Republican Party, Ashot
  NAVARSARDYAN, chairman; Union for Self-Determination (UNSD), Paruir
  AIRIKYAN, chairman
Member of:
  BSEC, CCC, CIS, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, ILO,
  IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, NACC, NAM (observer), UN, UNCTAD,
  UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
  Ambassador Rouben Robert SHUGARIAN
chancery:
  Suite 210, 1660 L Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone:
  [phone]
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
  Ambassador Harry J. GILMORE
embassy:
  18 Gen Bagramian, Yerevan
mailing address:
  use embassy street address
telephone:
  7-8852-151-144 or 8852-524-661
FAX:
  7-8852-151-138
Flag:
  three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, and gold

@Armenia, Economy

Overview:
  Under the old central planning system, Armenia had built up a
  developed industrial sector, supplying machine building equipment,
  textiles, and other manufactured goods to sister republics in exchange
  for raw materials and energy resources. Armenia is a large food
  importer and its mineral deposits (gold, bauxite) are small. The
  economic decline in the past three years (1991-93) has been
  particularly severe due to the ongoing conflict over the Armenian
  enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan and Turkey have
  blockaded pipeline and railroad traffic to Armenia for its support of
  the Karabakh Armenians. This has left Armenia with only sporadic
  deliveries of natural gas through unstable Georgia, while other fuel
  and raw materials are in critical short supply. Inflation, roughly 14%
  per month in the first nine months of 1993, surged even higher in the
  fourth quarter. In late 1993, most industrial enterprises were either
  shut down or operating at drastically reduced levels. Only small
  quantities of food were available (mostly humanitarian aid), heat was
  nonexistent, and electricity strictly rationed. An economic recovery
  cannot be expected until the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is settled and
  until transportation through Georgia improves.
National product:
  GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $7.1 billion (1993 estimate from
  the UN International Comparison Program, as extended to 1991 and
  published in the World Bank's World Development Report 1993; and as
  extrapolated to 1993 using official Armenian statistics, which are
  very uncertain because of major economic changes since 1990)
National product real growth rate:
  -9.9% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
  $2,040 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  14% per month average (first 9 months, 1993)
Unemployment rate:
  6.5% of officially registered unemployed but large numbers of
  underemployed (1993 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
  $NA
expenditures:
  $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Exports:
  $31 million to countries outside the FSU (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities:
  machinery and transport equipment, light industrial products,
  processed food items, alcoholic products (1991)
partners:
  NA
Imports:
  $87 million from countries outside the FSU (c.i.f., 1993)
commodities:
  grain, other foods, fuel, other energy (1991)
partners:
  Russia, US, EC
External debt:
  $NA
Industrial production:
  growth rate -11% (1993 est.)
Electricity:
capacity:
  2,875,000 kW
production:
  9 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
  2,585 kWh (1992)
Industries:
  traditionally diverse, including (as a percent of output of former
  USSR) metalcutting machine tools (5.5%), forging-pressing machines
  (1.9%), electric motors (9%), tires (1.5%), knitted wear (4.4%),
  hosiery (3.0%), shoes (2.2%), silk fabric (0.8%), washing machines
  (2.0%), chemicals, trucks, watches, instruments, and microelectronics
  (1990); currently, much of industry is shut down
Agriculture:
  accounts for about 45% of GDP; only 17% of land area is arable;
  employs 20%-30% of labor force as residents increasingly turn to
  subsistence agriculture; fruits (especially grapes) and vegetable
  farming, minor livestock sector; vineyards near Yerevan are famous for
  brandy and other liqueurs
Illicit drugs:
  illicit cultivator of cannabis mostly for domestic consumption; used
  as a transshipment point for illicit drugs to Western Europe
Economic aid:
recipient:
  considerable humanitarian aid, mostly food and energy products, from
  US and EC; Russia has granted 60 billion rubles in technical credits
Currency:
  1 dram = 100 luma; introduced separate currency in November 1993
Exchange rates:
  NA
Fiscal year:
  calendar year

@Armenia, Communications

Railroads:
  840 km; does not include industrial lines (1990)
Highways:
total:
  11,300 km
paved:
  10,500 km
unpaved:
  earth 800 km (1990)
Inland waterways:
  NA km
Pipelines:
  natural gas 900 km (1991)
Ports:
  none; landlocked
Airports:
total:
  12
usable:
  10
with permanent-surface runways:
  6
with runways over 3,659 m:
  1
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
  3
with runways 1,060-2,439 m:
  2
note:
  a C-130 can land on a 1,060-m airstrip
Telecommunications:
  progress on installation of fiber optic cable and construction of
  facilities for mobile cellular phone service remains in the
  negotiation phase for joint venture agreement; Armenia has about
  650,000 telephones; average telephone density is 17.7 per 100 persons;
  international connections to other former republics of the USSR are by
  landline or microwave and to other countries by satellite and by
  leased connection through the Moscow international gateway switch;
  broadcast stations - 100% of population receives Armenian and Russian
  TV programs; satellite earth station - INTELSAT

@Armenia, Defense Forces

Branches:
  Army, Air Force, National Guard, Security Forces (internal and border
  troops)
Manpower availability:
  males age 15-49 862,921; fit for military service 690,113; reach
  military age (18) annually 28,458 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
  250 million rubles, NA% of GDP (1992 est.); note - conversion of the
  military budget into US dollars using the current exchange rate could
  produce misleading results


@Aruba

Header
Affiliation:
  (part of the Dutch realm)

@Aruba, Geography

Location:
  Caribbean, in the southern Caribbean Sea, 28 km north of Venezuela and
  125 km east of Colombia
Map references:
  Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total area:
  193 sq km
land area:
  193 sq km
comparative area:
  slightly larger than Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
  0 km
Coastline:
  68.5 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone:
  12 nm
territorial sea:
  12 nm
International disputes:
  none
Climate:
  tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain:
  flat with a few hills; scant vegetation
Natural resources:
  negligible; white sandy beaches
Land use:
arable land:
  0%
permanent crops:
  0%
meadows and pastures:
  0%
forest and woodland:
  0%
other:
  100%
Irrigated land:
  NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
  NA
natural hazards:
  lies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt
international agreements:
  NA

@Aruba, People

Population:
  65,545 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
  0.65% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
  14.95 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
  6.12 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
  -2.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
  8.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
  76.43 years
male:
  72.77 years
female:
  80.27 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
  1.82 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
  Aruban(s)
adjective:
  Aruban
Ethnic divisions:
  mixed European/Caribbean Indian 80%
Religions:
  Roman Catholic 82%, Protestant 8%, Hindu, Muslim, Confucian, Jewish
Languages:
  Dutch (official), Papiamento (a Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, English
  dialect), English (widely spoken), Spanish
Literacy:
total population:
  NA%
male:
  NA%
female:
  NA%
Labor force:
  NA
by occupation:
  most employment is in the tourist industry (1986)

@Aruba, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
  none
conventional short form:
  Aruba
Digraph:
  AA
Type:
  part of the Dutch realm; full autonomy in internal affairs obtained in
  1986 upon separation from the Netherlands Antilles
Capital:
  Oranjestad
Administrative divisions:
  none (self-governing part of the Netherlands)
Independence:
  none (part of the Dutch realm; in 1990, Aruba requested and received
  from the Netherlands cancellation of the agreement to automatically
  give independence to the island in 1996)
National holiday:
  Flag Day, 18 March
Constitution:
  1 January 1986
Legal system:
  based on Dutch civil law system, with some English common law
  influence
Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
  Queen BEATRIX Wilhelmina Armgard (since 30 April 1980), represented by
  Governor General Olindo KOOLMAN (since 1 January 1992)
head of government:
  Prime Minister Nelson ODUBER (since 6 February 1989)
cabinet:
  Council of Ministers; appointed with the advice and approval of the
  legislature
Legislative branch:
  unicameral
Legislature (Staten):
  elections last held 8 January 1993 (next to be held by NA January
  1997); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (21 total) MEP
  9, AVP 8, ADN 1, PPA 1, OLA 1, other 1
Judicial branch:
  Joint High Court of Justice
     Political parties and leaders:
          Electoral Movement Party (MEP), Nelson ODUBER; Aruban People's Party
          (AVP), Henny EMAN; National Democratic Action (ADN), Pedro Charro
          KELLY; New Patriotic Party (PPN), Eddy WERLEMEN; Aruban Patriotic
          Party (PPA), Benny NISBET; Aruban Democratic Party (PDA), Leo
          BERLINSKI; Democratic Action '86 (AD '86), Arturo ODUBER; Organization
          for Aruban Liberty (OLA), Glenbert CROES
     note:
          governing coalition includes the MEP, PPA, and ADN
     Member of:
          ECLAC (associate), INTERPOL, IOC, UNESCO (associate), WCL, WTO
          (associate)
     Diplomatic representation in US:
          none (self-governing part of the Netherlands)
     US diplomatic representation:
          none (self-governing part of the Netherlands)
     Flag:
          blue with two narrow horizontal yellow stripes across the lower
          portion and a red, four-pointed star outlined in white in the upper
          hoist-side corner

@Aruba, Economy

Overview:
  Tourism is the mainstay of the economy, although offshore banking and
  oil refining and storage are also important. Hotel capacity expanded
  rapidly between 1985 and 1989 and nearly doubled in 1990 alone.
  Unemployment has steadily declined from about 20% in 1986 to about 3%
  in 1991 and to less than 1% in 1992. The reopening of the local oil
  refinery, once a major source of employment and foreign exchange
  earnings, promises to give the economy an additional boost.
National product:
  GDP - exchange rate conversion - $1.2 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
  5% (1993)
National product per capita:
  $17,400 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  6.5% (1993)
Unemployment rate:
  0.6% (1992)
Budget:
revenues:
  $145 million
expenditures:
  $185 million, including capital expenditures of $42 million (1988)
Exports:
  $1.3 billion (including oil re-exports) (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities:
     mostly petroleum products
partners:
  US 64%, EC
Imports:
  $1.6 billion including oil for processing and re-export (f.o.b., 1993
  est.)
commodities:
  food, consumer goods, manufactures, petroleum products
partners:
  US 8%, EC
External debt:
  $81 million (1987)
Industrial production:
  growth rate NA%
Electricity:
capacity:
  90,000 kW
production:
  375 million kWh
consumption per capita:
  6,000 kWh (1990 est.)
Industries:
  tourism, transshipment facilities, oil refining
Agriculture:
  poor quality soils and low rainfall limit agricultural activity to the
  cultivation of aloes, some livestock, and fishing
Illicit drugs:
  drug money laundering center and transit point for narcotics bound for
  the US and Europe
Economic aid:
recipient:
  Western (non-US) countries ODA and OOF bilateral commitments
  (1980-89), $220 million
Currency:
  1 Aruban florin (Af.) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
  Aruban florins (Af.) per US$1 - 1.7900 (fixed rate since 1986)
Fiscal year:
  calendar year

@Aruba, Communications

Highways:
total:
  NA
paved:
  NA
unpaved:
  NA
Ports:
  Oranjestad, Sint Nicolaas
Airports:
total:
  2
usable:
  2
with permanent-surface runways:
  2
with runways over 3,659 m:
  0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
  1
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
  0
note:
  government-owned airport east of Oranjestad accepts transatlantic
  flights
Telecommunications:
  more than adequate; telephone density - 1,100 telephones per 1,000
  persons; extensive interisland microwave radio relay links; 72,168
  telephones; broadcast stations - 4 AM, 4 FM, 1 TV; 1 submarine cable
  to Saint Maarten

@Aruba, Defense Forces

Note:
  defense is the responsibility of the Netherlands


@Ashmore and Cartier Islands

Header
Affiliation:
  (territory of Australia)

@Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Geography

Location:
  Southeastern Asia, in the Indian Ocean, 320 km off the northwest coast
  of Australia, between Australia and Indonesia
Map references:
  Oceania, Southeast Asia
Area:
total area:
  5 sq km
land area:
  5 sq km
comparative area:
  about 8.5 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
note:
  includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and Cartier
  Island
Land boundaries:
  0 km
Coastline:
  74.1 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
  12 nm
continental shelf:
  200-m depth or to depth of exploration
exclusive fishing zone:
  200 nm
territorial sea:
  3 nm
International disputes:
  none
Climate:
  tropical
Terrain:
  low with sand and coral
Natural resources:
  fish
Land use:
arable land:
  0%
permanent crops:
  0%
meadows and pastures:
  0%
forest and woodland:
  0%
other:
  100% (all grass and sand)
Irrigated land:
  0 sq km
Environment:
current issues:
  NA
natural hazards:
  surrounded by shoals and reefs
international agreements:
  NA
Note:
  Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983

@Ashmore and Cartier Islands, People

Population:
  no indigenous inhabitants; note - there are only seasonal caretakers

@Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
  Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands
conventional short form:
  Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Digraph:
  AT
Type:
  territory of Australia administered by the Australian Ministry for the
  Environment, Sport, and Territories
Capital:
  none; administered from Canberra, Australia
Administrative divisions:
  none (territory of Australia)
Independence:
  none (territory of Australia)
Legal system:
  relevant laws of the Northern Territory of Australia
Diplomatic representation in US:
  none (territory of Australia)
US diplomatic representation:
  none (territory of Australia)

@Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Economy

Overview:
  no economic activity

@Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Communications

Ports:
  none; offshore anchorage only

@Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Defense Forces

Note:
  defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by the
  Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force


@Atlantic Ocean, Geography

Location:
  body of water between the Western Hemisphere and Europe/Africa
Map references:
  Africa, Antarctic Region, Arctic Region, Central America and the
  Caribbean, Europe, North America, South America, Standard Time Zones
  of the World
Area:
total area:
  82.217 million sq km
comparative area:
  slightly less than nine times the size of the US; second-largest of
  the world's four oceans (after the Pacific Ocean, but larger than
  Indian Ocean or Arctic Ocean)
note:
  includes Baltic Sea, Black Sea, Caribbean Sea, Davis Strait, Denmark
  Strait, Drake Passage, Gulf of Mexico, Mediterranean Sea, North Sea,
  Norwegian Sea, Scotia Sea, Weddell Sea, and other tributary water
  bodies
Coastline:
  111,866 km
International disputes:
  some maritime disputes (see littoral states)
Climate:
  tropical cyclones (hurricanes) develop off the coast of Africa near
  Cape Verde and move westward into the Caribbean Sea; hurricanes can
  occur from May to December, but are most frequent from August to
  November
Terrain:
  surface usually covered with sea ice in Labrador Sea, Denmark Strait,
  and Baltic Sea from October to June; clockwise warm water gyre (broad,
  circular system of currents) in the north Atlantic, counterclockwise
  warm water gyre in the south Atlantic; the ocean floor is dominated by
  the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a rugged north-south centerline for the entire
  Atlantic basin; maximum depth is 8,605 meters in the Puerto Rico
  Trench
Natural resources:
  oil and gas fields, fish, marine mammals (seals and whales), sand and
  gravel aggregates, placer deposits, polymetallic nodules, precious
  stones
Environment:
current issues:
  endangered marine species include the manatee, seals, sea lions,
  turtles, and whales; municipal sludge pollution off eastern US,
  southern Brazil, and eastern Argentina; oil pollution in Caribbean
  Sea, Gulf of Mexico, Lake Maracaibo, Mediterranean Sea, and North Sea;
  industrial waste and municipal sewage pollution in Baltic Sea, North
  Sea, and Mediterranean Sea
natural hazards:
  icebergs common in Davis Strait, Denmark Strait, and the northwestern
  Atlantic Ocean from February to August and have been spotted as far
  south as Bermuda and the Madeira Islands; icebergs from Antarctica
  occur in the extreme southern Atlantic Ocean
international agreements:
  NA
Note:
  ships subject to superstructure icing in extreme north Atlantic from
  October to May and extreme south Atlantic from May to October;
  persistent fog can be a hazard to shipping from May to September;
  major choke points 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; north Atlantic shipping lanes subject
  to icebergs from February to August; the Equator divides the Atlantic
  Ocean into the North Atlantic Ocean and South Atlantic Ocean

@Atlantic Ocean, Government

Digraph:
  ZH

@Atlantic Ocean, Economy

Overview:
  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, the dredging of aragonite sands (The
  Bahamas), and production of crude oil and natural gas (Caribbean Sea,
  Gulf of Mexico, and North Sea).

@Atlantic Ocean, Communications

Ports:
  Alexandria (Egypt), Algiers (Algeria), Antwerp (Belgium), Barcelona
  (Spain), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Casablanca (Morocco), Colon
  (Panama), Copenhagen (Denmark), Dakar (Senegal), Gdansk (Poland),
  Hamburg (Germany), Helsinki (Finland), Las Palmas (Canary Islands,
  Spain), Le Havre (France), Lisbon (Portugal), London (UK), Marseille
  (France), Montevideo (Uruguay), Montreal (Canada), Naples (Italy), New
  Orleans (US), New York (US), Oran (Algeria), Oslo (Norway), Piraeus
  (Greece), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Rotterdam (Netherlands), Saint
  Petersburg (formerly Leningrad; Russia), Stockholm (Sweden)
Telecommunications:
  numerous submarine cables with most between continental Europe and the
  UK, North America and the UK, and in the Mediterranean; numerous
  direct links across Atlantic via INTELSAT satellite network
Note:
  Kiel Canal and Saint Lawrence Seaway are two important waterways


@Australia, Geography

Location:
  Southwestern Oceania, between Indonesia and New Zealand
Map references:
  Southeast Asia, Oceania, Antarctic Region, Standard Time Zones of the
  World
Area:
total area:
  7,686,850 sq km
land area:
  7,617,930 sq km
comparative area:
  slightly smaller than the US
note:
  includes Macquarie Island
Land boundaries:
  0 km
Coastline:
  25,760 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
  12 nm
continental shelf:
  200-m depth or to depth of exploitation
exclusive fishing zone:
  200 nm
territorial sea:
  12 nm
International disputes:
  territorial claim in Antarctica (Australian Antarctic Territory)
Climate:
  generally arid to semiarid; temperate in south and east; tropical in
  north
Terrain:
  mostly low plateau with deserts; fertile plain in southeast
Natural resources:
  bauxite, coal, iron ore, copper, tin, silver, uranium, nickel,
  tungsten, mineral sands, lead, zinc, diamonds, natural gas, petroleum
Land use:
arable land:
  6%
permanent crops:
  0%
meadows and pastures:
  58%
forest and woodland:
  14%
other:
  22%
Irrigated land:
  18,800 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
  soil erosion from overgrazing, industrial development, urbanization,
  and poor farming practices; soil salinity rising due to the use of
  poor quality water; desertification; clearing for agricultural
  purposes threatens the natural habitat of many unique animal and plant
  species; the Great Barrier Reef off the northeast coast, the largest
  coral reef in the world, is threatened by increased shipping and its
  popularity as a tourist site; limited freshwater availability
natural hazards:
  cyclones along the coast; subject to severe droughts
international agreements:
  party to - Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty,
  Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental
  Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine Life
  Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
  Pollution, Tropical Timber, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not
  ratified - Law of the Sea
Note:
  world's smallest continent but sixth-largest country; population
  concentrated along the eastern and southeastern coasts; regular,
  tropical, invigorating, sea breeze known as "the Doctor" occurs along
  the west coast in the summer

@Australia, People

Population:
  18,077,419 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
  1.38% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
  14.29 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
  7.38 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
  6.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
  7.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
  77.57 years
male:
  74.45 years
female:
  80.84 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
  1.83 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
  Australian(s)
adjective:
  Australian
Ethnic divisions:
  Caucasian 95%, Asian 4%, aboriginal and other 1%
Religions:
  Anglican 26.1%, Roman Catholic 26%, other Christian 24.3%
Languages:
  English, native languages
Literacy:
  age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.)
total population:
  100%
male:
  100%
female:
  100%
Labor force:
  8.63 million (September 1991)
by occupation:
  finance and services 33.8%, public and community services 22.3%,
  wholesale and retail trade 20.1%, manufacturing and industry 16.2%,
  agriculture 6.1% (1987)

@Australia, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
  Commonwealth of Australia
conventional short form:
  Australia
Digraph:
  AS
Type:
  federal parliamentary state
Capital:
  Canberra
Administrative divisions:
  6 states and 2 territories*; Australian Capital Territory*, New South
  Wales, Northern Territory*, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania,
  Victoria, Western Australia
Dependent areas:
  Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling)
  Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Norfolk
  Island
Independence:
  1 January 1901 (federation of UK colonies)
National holiday:
  Australia Day, 26 January (1788)
Constitution:
  9 July 1900, effective 1 January 1901
Legal system:
  based on English common law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with
  reservations
Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state:
  Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor
  General William George HAYDEN (since 16 February 1989)
head of government:
  Prime Minister Paul John KEATING (since 20 December 1991); Deputy
  Prime Minister Brian HOWE (since 4 June 1991)
cabinet:
  Cabinet; prime minister selects his cabinet from members of the House
  and Senate
Legislative branch:
  bicameral Federal Parliament
Senate:
  elections last held 13 March 1993 (next to be held by NA 1996);
  results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (76 total)
  Liberal-National 36, Labor 30, Australian Democrats 7, Greens 2,
  independents 1
House of Representatives:
  elections last held 13 March 1993 (next to be held by NA 1996);
  results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (147 total) Labor 80,
  Liberal-National 65, independent 2
Judicial branch:
  High Court
Political parties and leaders:
government:
  Australian Labor Party, Paul John KEATING
opposition:
  Liberal Party, John HEWSON; National Party, Timothy FISCHER;
  Australian Democratic Party, Cheryl KERNOT; Green Party, leader NA
Other political or pressure groups:
  Australian Democratic Labor Party (anti-Communist Labor Party splinter
  group); Peace and Nuclear Disarmament Action (Nuclear Disarmament
  Party splinter group)
Member of:
  AfDB, AG (observer), ANZUS, APEC, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, C, CCC,
  COCOM, CP, EBRD, ESCAP, FAO, GATT, G-8, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU,
  IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC,
  IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, MINURSO, MTCR, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OECD, PCA,
  SPARTECA, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNOSOM,
  UNPROFOR, UNTAC, UNTSO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
  Ambassador Donald RUSSELL
chancery:
  1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone:
  [phone]
FAX:
  [phone]
consulate(s) general:
  Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Pago Pago (American
  Samoa), and San Francisco
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
  Ambassador Edward PERKINS
embassy:
  Moonah Place, Yarralumla, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2600
mailing address:
  APO AP 96549
telephone:
  [61] (6) 270-5000
FAX:
  [61] (6) 270-5970
consulate(s) general:
  Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney
consulate(s):
  Brisbane
Flag:
  blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a
  large seven-pointed star in the lower hoist-side quadrant; the
  remaining half is a representation of the Southern Cross constellation
  in white with one small five-pointed star and four, larger,
  seven-pointed stars

@Australia, Economy

Overview:
  Australia has a prosperous Western-style capitalist economy, with a
  per capita GDP comparable to levels in industrialized West European
  countries. Rich in natural resources, Australia is a major exporter of
  agricultural products, minerals, metals, and fossil fuels. Primary
  products account for more than 60% of the value of total exports, so
  that, as in 1983-84, a downturn in world commodity prices can have a
  big impact on the economy. The government is pushing for increased
  exports of manufactured goods, but competition in international
  markets continues to be severe. Australia has suffered from the low
  growth and high unemployment characterizing the OECD countries in the
  early 1990s. In 1992-93 the economy recovered slowly from the
  prolonged recession of 1990-91, a major restraining factor being weak
  world demand for Australia's exports. Unemployment has hovered around
  10% and probably will remain at that level in 1994 as productivity
  gains rather than more jobs account for growth.
National product:
  GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $339.7 billion (1993)
National product real growth rate:
  4% (1993)
National product per capita:
  $19,100 (1993)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  1.1% (1993)
Unemployment rate:
  10% (December 1993)
Budget:
revenues:
  $71.9 billion
expenditures:
  $83.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY93)
Exports:
  $44.1 billion (1992)
commodities:
  coal, gold, meat, wool, alumina, wheat, machinery and transport
  equipment
partners:
  Japan 25%, US 11%, South Korea 6%, NZ 5.7%, UK, Taiwan, Singapore,
  Hong Kong (1992)
Imports:
  $43.6 billion (1992)
commodities:
  machinery and transport equipment, computers and office machines,
  crude oil and petroleum products
partners:
  US 23%, Japan 18%, UK 6%, Germany 5.7%, NZ 4% (1992)
External debt:
  $141.1 billion (1993)
Industrial production:
  growth rate 1.9% (FY93); accounts for 32% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
  40,000,000 kW
production:
  150 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
  8,475 kWh (1992)
Industries:
  mining, industrial and transportation equipment, food processing,
  chemicals, steel
Agriculture:
  accounts for 5% of GDP and over 30% of export revenues; world's
  largest exporter of beef and wool, second-largest for mutton, and
  among top wheat exporters; major crops - wheat, barley, sugarcane,
  fruit; livestock - cattle, sheep, poultry
Illicit drugs:
  Tasmania is one of the world's major suppliers of licit opiate
  products; government maintains strict controls over areas of opium
  poppy cultivation and output of poppy straw concentrate
Economic aid:
donor:
  ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $10.4 billion
Currency:
  1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
  Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.4364 (January 1994), 1.4704
  (1993), 1.3600 (1992), 1.2835 (1991), 1.2799 (1990), 1.2618 (1989)
Fiscal year:
  1 July - 30 June

@Australia, Communications

Railroads:
  40,478 km total; 7,970 km 1.600-meter gauge, 16,201 km 1.435-meter
  standard gauge, 16,307 km 1.067-meter gauge; 183 km dual gauge; 1,130
  km electrified; government owned (except for a few hundred kilometers
  of privately owned track) (1985)
Highways:
total:
  837,872 km
paved:
  243,750 km
unpaved:
  gravel, crushed stone, stabilized earth 228,396 km; unimproved earth
  365,726 km
Inland waterways:
  8,368 km; mainly by small, shallow-draft craft
Pipelines:
  crude oil 2,500 km; petroleum products 500 km; natural gas 5,600 km
Ports:
  Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Devonport, Fremantle, Geelong,
  Hobart, Launceston, Mackay, Melbourne, Sydney, Townsville
Merchant marine:
  83 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,517,538 GRT/3,711,549 DWT,
  bulk 30, cargo 8, chemical tanker 3, combination bulk 2, container 7,
  liquefied gas 5, oil tanker 18, roll-on/roll-off cargo 7, short-sea
  passenger 2, vehicle carrier 1
Airports:
total:
  481
usable:
  440
with permanent-surface runways:
  241
with runways over 3,659 m:
  1
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
  20
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
  268
Telecommunications:
  good international and domestic service; 8.7 million telephones;
  broadcast stations - 258 AM, 67 FM, 134 TV; submarine cables to New
  Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia; domestic satellite service;
  satellite stations - 4 Indian Ocean INTELSAT, 6 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT
  earth stations

@Australia, Defense Forces

Branches:
  Australian Army, Royal Australian Navy, Royal Australian Air Force
Manpower availability:
  males age 15-49 4,885,574; fit for military service 4,239,459; reach
  military age (17) annually 133,337 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
  exchange rate conversion - $7.1 billion, 2.4% of GDP (FY92/93)


@Austria, Geography

Location:
  Central Europe, between Germany and Hungary
Map references:
  Africa, Arctic Region, Europe, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
  83,850 sq km
land area:
  82,730 sq km
comparative area:
  slightly smaller than Maine
Land boundaries:
  total 2,496 km, Czech Republic 362 km, Germany 784 km, Hungary 366 km,
  Italy 430 km, Liechtenstein 37 km, Slovakia 91 km, Slovenia 262 km,
  Switzerland 164 km
Coastline:
  0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
  none; landlocked
International disputes:
  none
Climate:
  temperate; continental, cloudy; cold winters with frequent rain in
  lowlands and snow in mountains; cool summers with occasional showers
Terrain:
  in the west and south mostly mountains (Alps); along the eastern and
  northern margins mostly flat or gently sloping
Natural resources:
  iron ore, petroleum, timber, magnesite, aluminum, lead, coal, lignite,
  copper, hydropower
Land use:
arable land:
  17%
permanent crops:
  1%
meadows and pastures:
  24%
forest and woodland:
  39%
other:
  19%
Irrigated land:
  40 sq km (1989)
Environment:
current issues:
  some forest degradation caused by air and soil pollution; soil
  pollution results from the use of agricultural chemicals; air
  pollution results from emissions by coal- and oil-fired power stations
  and industrial plants
natural hazards:
  NA
international agreements:
  party to - Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
  Pollution-Sulphur, Antarctic Treaty, Climate Change, Endangered
  Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test
  Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber,
  Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Air Pollution-Volatile Organic
  Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Biodiversity, Law of the
  Sea
Note:
  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

@Austria, People

Population:
  7,954,974 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
  0.45% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
  11.38 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
  10.34 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
  3.46 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
  7.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
  76.65 years
male:
  73.44 years
female:
  80.03 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
  1.48 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
  Austrian(s)
adjective:
  Austrian
Ethnic divisions:
  German 99.4%, Croatian 0.3%, Slovene 0.2%, other 0.1%
Religions:
  Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant 6%, other 9%
Languages:
  German
Literacy:
  age 15 and over can read and write (1974 est.)
total population:
  99%
male:
  NA%
female:
  NA%
Labor force:
  3.47 million (1989)
by occupation:
  services 56.4%, industry and crafts 35.4%, agriculture and forestry
  8.1%
note:
  an estimated 200,000 Austrians are employed in other European
  countries; foreign laborers in Austria number 177,840, about 6% of
  labor force (1988)

@Austria, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
  Republic of Austria
conventional short form:
  Austria
local long form:
  Republik Oesterreich
local short form:
  Oesterreich
Digraph:
  AU
Type:
  federal republic
Capital:
  Vienna
Administrative divisions:
  9 states (bundeslander, singular - bundesland); Burgenland, Karnten,
  Niederoesterreich, Oberoesterreich, Salzburg, Steiermark, Tirol,
  Vorarlberg, Wien
Independence:
  12 November 1918 (from Austro-Hungarian Empire)
National holiday:
  National Day, 26 October (1955)
Constitution:
  1920; revised 1929 (reinstated 1 May 1945)
Legal system:
  civil law system with Roman law origin; judicial review of legislative
  acts by a Constitutional Court; separate administrative and
  civil/penal supreme courts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ
  jurisdiction
Suffrage:
  19 years of age, universal; compulsory for presidential elections
Executive branch:
chief of state:
  President Thomas KLESTIL (since 8 July 1992); election last held 24
  May 1992 (next to be held 1996); results of second ballot - Thomas
  KLESTIL 57%, Rudolf STREICHER 43%
head of government:
  Chancellor Franz VRANITZKY (since 16 June 1986); Vice Chancellor
  Erhard BUSEK (since 2 July 1991)
cabinet:
  Council of Ministers; chosen by the president on the advice of the
  chancellor
Legislative branch:
  bicameral Federal Assembly (Bundesversammlung)
Federal Council (Bundesrat):
  consists of 63 members representing each of the provinces on the basis
  of population, but with each province having at least 3
  representatives
National Council (Nationalrat):
  elections last held 7 October 1990 (next to be held October 1994);
  results - SPOE 43%, OEVP 32.1%, FPOE 16.6%, GAL 4.5%, KPOE 0.7%, other
  3.1%; seats - (183 total) SPOE 80, OEVP 60, FPOE 33, GAL 10
Judicial branch:
  Supreme Judicial Court (Oberster Gerichtshof) for civil and criminal
  cases, Administrative Court (Verwaltungsgerichtshof) for bureaucratic
  cases, Constitutional Court (Verfassungsgerichtshof) for
  constitutional cases
Political parties and leaders:
  Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPOE), Franz VRANITZKY, chairman;
  Austrian People's Party (OEVP), Erhard BUSEK, chairman; Freedom Party
  of Austria (FPOE), Joerg HAIDER, chairman; Communist Party (KPOE),
  Walter SILBERMAYER, chairman; Green Alternative List (GAL), Peter
  PILZ, chairman; Liberal Forum (LF), Heidi SCHMIDT
Other political or pressure groups:
  Federal Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Austrian Trade Union
  Federation (primarily Socialist); three composite leagues of the
  Austrian People's Party (OEVP) representing business, labor, and
  farmers; OEVP-oriented League of Austrian Industrialists; Roman
  Catholic Church, including its chief lay organization, Catholic Action
Member of:
  AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CCC, CE, CEI, CERN,
  COCOM (cooperating), CSCE, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, ESA, FAO, G-9, GATT, IADB,
  IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO,
  INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, MINURSO, MTCR, NAM
  (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, ONUSAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD,
  UNESCO, UNDOF, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNOMIG, UNTAC, UNTSO,
  UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
  Ambassador Helmut TUERK
chancery:
  3524 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008-3035
telephone:
  [phone]
FAX:
  [phone]
consulate(s) general:
  Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
  Ambassador Swanee G. HUNT
chancery:
  Boltzmanngasse 16, A-1091, Vienna
mailing address:
  Unit 27937, Vienna
telephone:
  [43] (1) 313-39
FAX:
  [43] (1) 513-43-51
consulate(s) general:
  Salzburg
Flag:
  three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and red

@Austria, Economy

Overview:
  Austria boasts a prosperous and stable socialist market economy with a
  sizable but falling proportion of nationalized industry and extensive
  welfare benefits. Thanks to its raw material endowment, a technically
  skilled labor force, and strong links to German industrial firms,
  Austria occupies specialized niches in European industry and services
  (tourism, banking) and produces almost enough food to feed itself with
  only 8% of the labor force in agriculture. Increased export sales
  resulting from German unification, boosted Austria's economy through
  1991, but Austria's GDP growth slowed to 2% in 1992 and -0.5% in 1993
  due to the weak international economy, particularly in Germany - its
  largest trading partner. GDP growth will resume slowly in 1994, with
  estimates ranging from a 0.5% to a 1% increase. Unemployment has risen
  to 7% as a result of the slowdown and will continue to rise in 1994.
  Problems for the l990s include an aging population, the high level of
  subsidies, and the struggle to keep welfare benefits within budgetary
  capabilities. Austria's government has taken measures to make the
  economy more liberal and open by introducing a major tax reform,
  privatizing state-owned firms, and liberalizing cross-border capital
  movements. Although it will face increased competition, Austria should
  benefit from the continued opening of eastern European markets, as
  well as the 1 January 1994 start of the European Economic Area which
  extends the European Union rules on the free movement of people,
  capital, and goods and services to four members (including Austria) of
  the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). Austria has concluded
  membership negotiations with the European Union and is expected to
  join in early 1995, thus broadening European economic unity. The
  government, however, plans to hold a national referendum on the matter
  on 12 June 1994; support for and opposition to membership appears
  about equal.
National product:
  GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $134.4 billion (1993)
National product real growth rate:
  -0.5% (1993)
National product per capita:
  $17,000 (1993)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  3.7% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate:
  7% (1993 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
  $52.2 billion
expenditures:
  $60.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1993 est.)
Exports:
  $39.9 billion (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities:
  machinery and equipment, iron and steel, lumber, textiles, paper
  products, chemicals
partners:
  EC 63.5% (Germany 38.9%), EFTA 9.0%, Eastern Europe/FSU 12.3%, Japan
  1.5%, US 3.35% (1993)
Imports:
  $48.5 billion (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities:
  petroleum, foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, vehicles, chemicals,
  textiles and clothing, pharmaceuticals
partners:
  EC 66.8% (Germany 41.3%), EFTA 6.7%, Eastern Europe/FSU 7.5%, Japan
  4.4%, US 4.4% (1993)
External debt:
  $16.2 billion (1993 est.)
Industrial production:
  growth rate -4.5% (1993 est.)
Electricity:
capacity:
  17,600,000 kW
production:
  49.5 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
  6,300 kWh (1992)
Industries:
  foods, iron and steel, machines, textiles, chemicals, electrical,
  paper and pulp, tourism, mining, motor vehicles
Agriculture:
  accounts for 3.2% of GDP (including forestry); principal crops and
  animals - grains, fruit, potatoes, sugar beets, sawn wood, cattle,
  pigs, poultry; 80%-90% self-sufficient in food
Illicit drugs:
  transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin transiting the Balkan
  route and Eastern Europe
Economic aid:
donor:
  ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $2.4 billion
Currency:
  1 Austrian schilling (S) = 100 groschen
Exchange rates:
  Austrian schillings (S) per US$1 - 12.255 (January 1994), 11.632
  (1993), 10.989 (1992), 11.676 (1991), 11.370 (1990), 13.231 (1989)
Fiscal year:
  calendar year

@Austria, Communications

Railroads:
  5,749 km total; 5,652 km government owned and 97 km privately owned
  (0.760-, 1.435- and 1.000-meter gauge); 5,394 km 1.435-meter standard
  gauge of which 3,154 km is electrified and 1,520 km is double tracked;
  339 km 0.760-meter narrow gauge of which 84 km is electrified
Highways:
total:
  95,412 km
paved:
  21,812 km (including 1,012 km of autobahn)
unpaved:
  mostly gravel and earth 73,600 km
Inland waterways:
  446 km
Pipelines:
  crude oil 554 km; petroleum products 171 km; natural gas 2,611 km
Ports:
  Vienna, Linz (Danube river ports)
Merchant marine:
  29 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 158,724 GRT/259,594 DWT, bulk 3,
  cargo 23, oil tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 2
Airports:
total:
  55
usable:
  55
with permanent-surface runways:
  20
with runways over 3,659 m:
  0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
  6
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
  4
Telecommunications:
  highly developed and efficient; 4,014,000 telephones; broadcast
  stations - 6 AM, 21 (545 repeaters) FM, 47 (870 repeaters) TV;
  satellite ground stations for Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT, Indian Ocean
  INTELSAT, and EUTELSAT systems

@Austria, Defense Forces

Branches:
  Army (including Flying Division)
Manpower availability:
  males age 15-49 2,018,954; fit for military service 1,693,341; reach
  military age (19) annually 48,710 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
  exchange rate conversion - $1.7 billion, 0.9% of GDP (1993)