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

Text File | 1996-01-10 | 146KB | 4,667 lines

@Chile, Geography

Location:
  Southern South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean between
  Argentina and Peru
Map references:
  South America, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
  756,950 sq km
land area:
  748,800 sq km
comparative area:
  slightly smaller than twice the size of Montana
note:
  includes Isla de Pascua (Easter Island) and Isla Sala y Gomez
Land boundaries:
  total 6,171 km, Argentina 5,150 km, Bolivia 861 km, Peru 160 km
Coastline:
  6,435 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
  24 nm
continental shelf:
  200 nm
exclusive economic zone:
  200 nm
territorial sea:
  12 nm
International disputes:
  short section of the southern boundary with Argentina is indefinite;
  Bolivia has wanted a sovereign corridor to the South Pacific Ocean
  since the Atacama area was lost to Chile in 1884; dispute with Bolivia
  over Rio Lauca water rights; territorial claim in Antarctica (Chilean
  Antarctic Territory) partially overlaps Argentine and British claims
Climate:
  temperate; desert in north; cool and damp in south
Terrain:
  low coastal mountains; fertile central valley; rugged Andes in east
Natural resources:
  copper, timber, iron ore, nitrates, precious metals, molybdenum
Land use:
arable land:
  7%
permanent crops:
  0%
meadows and pastures:
  16%
forest and woodland:
  21%
other:
  56%
Irrigated land:
  12,650 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
  air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution
  from untreated sewage; deforestation contributing to loss of
  biodiversity; soil erosion; desertification
natural hazards:
  subject to severe earthquakes; active volcanism; tsunamis
international agreements:
  party to - Antarctic Treaty, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes,
  Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands,
  Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Antarctic-Environmental Protocol,
  Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea
Note:
  strategic location relative to sea lanes between Atlantic and Pacific
  Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Drake Passage); Atacama
  Desert one of world's driest regions

@Chile, People

Population:
  13,950,557 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
  1.51% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
  20.59 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
  5.49 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
  0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
  15.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
  74.51 years
male:
  71.52 years
female:
  77.65 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
  2.5 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
  Chilean(s)
adjective:
  Chilean
Ethnic divisions:
  European and European-Indian 95%, Indian 3%, other 2%
Religions:
  Roman Catholic 89%, Protestant 11%, Jewish
Languages:
  Spanish
Literacy:
  age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
total population:
  93%
male:
  94%
female:
  93%
Labor force:
  4.728 million
by occupation:
  services 38.3% (includes government 12%), industry and commerce 33.8%,
  agriculture, forestry, and fishing 19.2%, mining 2.3%, construction
  6.4% (1990)

@Chile, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
  Republic of Chile
conventional short form:
  Chile
local long form:
  Republica de Chile
local short form:
  Chile
Digraph:
  CI
Type:
  republic
Capital:
  Santiago
Administrative divisions:
  13 regions (regiones, singular - region); Aisen del General Carlos
  Ibanez del Campo, Antofagasta, Araucania, Atacama, Bio-Bio, Coquimbo,
  Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins, Los Lagos, Magallanes y de la
  Antartica Chilena, Maule, Region Metropolitana, Tarapaca, Valparaiso
note:
  the US does not recognize claims to Antarctica
Independence:
  18 September 1810 (from Spain)
National holiday:
  Independence Day, 18 September (1810)
Constitution:
  11 September 1980, effective 11 March 1981; amended 30 July 1989
Legal system:
  based on Code of 1857 derived from Spanish law and subsequent codes
  influenced by French and Austrian law; judicial review of legislative
  acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ
  jurisdiction
Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government:
  President Eduardo FREI Ruiz-Tagle (since 11 March 1994) election last
  held 11 December 1993 (next to be held December 1999); results -
  Eduardo FREI Ruiz-Tagle (PDC) 58%, Arturo ALESSANDRI 24.4%, other
  17.6%
cabinet:
  Cabinet; appointed by the president
Legislative branch:
  bicameral National Congress (Congreso Nacional)
Senate (Senado):
  election last held 11 December 1993 (next to be held December 1997);
  results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (46 total, 38 elected)
  Concertation of Parties for Democracy 21 (PDC 13, PS 4, PPD 3, PR 1),
  Union for the Progress of Chile 15 (RN 11, UDI 3, UCC 1), right-wing
  independents 10
Chamber of Deputies (Camara de Diputados):
  election last held 11 December 1993 (next to be held December 1997);
  results - Concertation of Parties for Democracy 53.95% (PDC 27.16%, PS
  12.01%, PPD 11.82%, PR 2.96%,); Union for the Progress of Chile 30.57%
  (RN 15.25%, UDI 12.13%, UCC 3.19%); seats - (120 total) Concertation
  of Parties for Democracy 70 (PDC 37, PPD 15, PR 2, PS 15, left-wing
  independent 1), Union for the Progress of Chile 47 (RN 30, UDI 15, UCC
  2), right-wing independents 3
Judicial branch:
  Supreme Court (Corte Suprema)
Political parties and leaders:
  Concertation of Parties for Democracy consists mainly of four parties:
  Christian Democratic Party (PDC), Gutenberg MARTINEZ; Socialist Party
  (PS), Camilo ESCALONA; Party for Democracy (PPD), Victor Manuel
  REBOLLEDO; Radical Party (PR), Carlos GONZALEZ Marquez; Union for the
  Progress of Chile consists mainly of three parties: National Renewal
  (RN), Andres ALLAMAND; Independent Democratic Union (UDI), Jovino
  NOVOA; Center Center Union (UCC), Francisco Javier ERRAZURIZ
Other political or pressure groups:
  revitalized university student federations at all major universities;
  labor - United Labor Central (CUT) includes trade unionists from the
  country's five largest labor confederations; Roman Catholic Church
Member of:
  CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA,
  IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO,
  ITU, LAES, LAIA, LORCS, NAM, OAS, ONUSAL, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD,
  UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMOGIP, UNTAC, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,
  WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
  Ambassador John BIEHL del Rio
chancery:
  1732 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone:
  [phone]
FAX:
  [phone]
consulate(s) general:
  Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco,
  and San Juan (Puerto Rico)
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
  Ambassador Curtis W. KAMMAN
embassy:
  Codina Building, 1343 Agustinas, Santiago
mailing address:
  Unit 4127, Santiago; APO AA 34033
telephone:
  [56] (2) 671-0133
FAX:
  [56] (2) 699-1141
Flag:
  two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; there is a blue
  square the same height as the white band at the hoist-side end of the
  white band; the square bears a white five-pointed star in the center;
  design was based on the US flag

@Chile, Economy

Overview:
  Chile has a prosperous, essentially free market economy, with the
  degree of government intervention varying according to the philosophy
  of the different regimes. Under the center-left government of
  President AYLWIN, which took power in March 1990, spending on social
  welfare has risen steadily. At the same time business investment,
  exports and consumer spending have also grown substantially. The new
  president, FREI, who takes office in March 1994, is expected to
  emphasize social spending even more. Growth in 1991-93 has averaged 8%
  annually, with an estimated one million Chileans having moved out of
  poverty in the last four years. Copper remains vital to the health of
  the economy; Chile is the world's largest producer and exporter of
  copper.
National product:
  GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $96 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
  5.8% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
  $7,000 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  12.3% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate:
  5.1% (1993 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
  $10.9 billion
expenditures:
  $10.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.2 billion (1993)
Exports:
  $10 billion (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities:
  copper 41%, other metals and minerals 8.7%, wood products 7.1%, fish
  and fishmeal 9.8%, fruits 8.4% (1991)
partners:
  EC 29%, Japan 17%, US 16%, Argentina 5%, Brazil 5% (1992)
Imports:
  $9.2 billion (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities:
  capital goods 25.2%, spare parts 24.8%, raw materials 15.4%, petroleum
  10%, foodstuffs 5.7%
partners:
  EC 24%, US 21%, Brazil 10%, Japan 10% (1992)
External debt:
  $19.7 billion (1993 est.)
Industrial production:
  growth rate 9.3% (1992 est.); accounts for 34% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
  5,769,000 kW
production:
  22.01 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
  1,630 kWh (1992)
Industries:
  copper, other minerals, foodstuffs, fish processing, iron and steel,
  wood and wood products, transport equipment, cement, textiles
Agriculture:
  accounts for about 7% of GDP (including fishing and forestry); major
  exporter of fruit, fish, and timber products; major crops - wheat,
  corn, grapes, beans, sugar beets, potatoes, deciduous fruit; livestock
  products - beef, poultry, wool; self-sufficient in most foods; 1991
  fish catch of 6.6 million metric tons; net agricultural importer
Illicit drugs:
  a minor transshipment country for cocaine destined for the US and
  Europe
Economic aid:
recipient:
  US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $521 million; Western
  (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.6
  billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $386 million
Currency:
  1 Chilean peso (Ch$) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates:
  Chilean pesos (Ch$) per US$1 - 430.57 (January 1994), 404.35 (1993),
  362.59 (1992), 349.37 (1991), 305.06 (1990), 267.16 (1989)
Fiscal year:
  calendar year

@Chile, Communications

Railroads:
  7,766 km total; 3,974 km 1.676-meter gauge, 150 km 1.435-meter
  standard gauge, 3,642 km 1.000-meter gauge; 1,865 km 1.676-meter gauge
  and 80 km 1.000-meter gauge electrified
Highways:
total:
  79,993 km
paved:
  10,984 km
unpaved:
  gravel or earth 68,615 km (1990)
Inland waterways:
  725 km
Pipelines:
  crude oil 755 km; petroleum products 785 km; natural gas 320 km
Ports:
  Antofagasta, Iquique, Puerto Montt, Punta Arenas, Valparaiso, San
  Antonio, Talcahuano, Arica
Merchant marine:
  31 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 449,253 GRT/755,821 DWT, bulk
  10, cargo 7, chemical tanker 3, combination ore/oil 3, liquefied gas
  tanker 3, oil tanker 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 3
note:
  in addition, 1 naval tanker and 1 military transport are sometimes
  used commercially
Airports:
total:
  392
usable:
  349
with permanent-surface runways:
  47
with runways over 3,659 m:
  0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
  13
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
  58
Telecommunications:
  modern telephone system based on extensive microwave radio relay
  facilities; 768,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 159 AM, no FM,
  131 TV, 11 shortwave; satellite ground stations - 2 Atlantic Ocean
  INTELSAT and 3 domestic

@Chile, Defense Forces

Branches:
  Army of the Nation, National Navy (including Naval Air, Coast Guard,
  and Marines), Air Force of the Nation, Carabineros of Chile (National
  Police), Investigative Police
Manpower availability:
  males age 15-49 3,705,321; fit for military service 2,759,130; reach
  military age (19) annually 120,512 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
  exchange rate conversion - $1 billion, 3.4% of GDP (1991 est.)


@China

Header
Affiliation:
  (also see separate Taiwan entry)

@China, Geography

Location:
  Eastern Asia, between India and Mongolia
Map references:
  Asia, Southeast Asia, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
  9,596,960 sq km
land area:
  9,326,410 sq km
comparative area:
  slightly larger than the US
Land boundaries:
  total 22,143.34 km, Afghanistan 76 km, Bhutan 470 km, Burma 2,185 km,
  Hong Kong 30 km, India 3,380 km, Kazakhstan 1,533 km, North Korea
  1,416 km, Kyrgyzstan 858 km, Laos 423 km, Macau 0.34 km, Mongolia
  4,673 km, Nepal 1,236 km, Pakistan 523 km, Russia (northeast) 3,605
  km, Russia (northwest) 40 km, Tajikistan 414 km, Vietnam 1,281 km
Coastline:
  14,500 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf:
  claim to shallow areas of East China Sea and Yellow Sea
territorial sea:
  12 nm
International disputes:
  boundary with India; bilateral negotiations are under way to resolve
  disputed sections of the boundary with Russia; boundary with
  Tajikistan in dispute; a short section of the boundary with North
  Korea is indefinite; involved in a complex dispute over the Spratly
  Islands with Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possibly
  Brunei; maritime boundary dispute with Vietnam in the Gulf of Tonkin;
  Paracel Islands occupied by China, but claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan;
  claims Japanese-administered Senkaku-shoto (Senkaku Islands/Diaoyu
  Tai), as does Taiwan
Climate:
  extremely diverse; tropical in south to subarctic in north
Terrain:
  mostly mountains, high plateaus, deserts in west; plains, deltas, and
  hills in east
Natural resources:
  coal, iron ore, petroleum, mercury, tin, tungsten, antimony,
  manganese, molybdenum, vanadium, magnetite, aluminum, lead, zinc,
  uranium, hydropower potential (world's largest)
Land use:
arable land:
  10%
permanent crops:
  0%
meadows and pastures:
  31%
forest and woodland:
  14%
other:
  45%
Irrigated land:
  478,220 sq km (1991 - Chinese statistic)
Environment:
current issues:
  air pollution from the overwhelming use of coal as a fuel, produces
  acid rain which is damaging forests; water pollution from industrial
  effluents; many people do not have access to safe drinking water; less
  than 10% of sewage receives treatment; deforestation; estimated loss
  of one-third of agricultural land since 1957 to soil erosion and
  economic development; desertification
natural hazards:
  frequent typhoons (about five per year along southern and eastern
  coasts); damaging floods; tsunamis; earthquakes
international agreements:
  party to - Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered
  Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone
  Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber, Whaling; signed,
  but not ratified - Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Law of the Sea
Note:
  world's third-largest country (after Russia and Canada)

@China, People

Population:
  1,190,431,106 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
  1.08% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
  18.1 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
  7.35 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
  0 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:
  67.91 years
male:
  66.93 years
female:
  68.99 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
  1.84 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
  Chinese (singular and plural)
adjective:
  Chinese
Ethnic divisions:
  Han Chinese 91.9%, Zhuang, Uygur, Hui, Yi, Tibetan, Miao, Manchu,
  Mongol, Buyi, Korean, and other nationalities 8.1%
Religions:
  Daoism (Taoism), Buddhism, Muslim 2%-3%, Christian 1% (est.)
note:
  officially atheist, but traditionally pragmatic and eclectic
Languages:
  Standard Chinese or Mandarin (Putonghua, based on the Beijing
  dialect), Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghainese), Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan
  (Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka dialects, minority languages
  (see Ethnic divisions entry)
Literacy:
  age 15 and over can read and write (1990)
total population:
  78%
male:
  87%
female:
  68%
Labor force:
  567.4 million
by occupation:
  agriculture and forestry 60%, industry and commerce 25%, construction
  and mining 5%, social services 5%, other 5% (1990 est.)

@China, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
  People's Republic of China
conventional short form:
  China
local long form:
  Zhonghua Renmin Gongheguo
local short form:
  Zhong Guo
Abbreviation:
  PRC
Digraph:
  CH
Type:
  Communist state
Capital:
  Beijing
Administrative divisions:
  23 provinces (sheng, singular and plural), 5 autonomous regions*
  (zizhiqu, singular and plural), and 3 municipalities** (shi, singular
  and plural); Anhui, Beijing Shi**, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi*,
  Guizhou, Hainan, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu,
  Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, Nei Mongol*, Ningxia*, Qinghai, Shaanxi,
  Shandong, Shanghai Shi**, Shanxi, Sichuan, Tianjin Shi**, Xinjiang*,
  Xizang* (Tibet), Yunnan, Zhejiang
note:
  China considers Taiwan its 23rd province
Independence:
  221 BC (unification under the Qin or Ch'in Dynasty 221 BC; Qing or
  Ch'ing Dynasty replaced by the Republic on 12 February 1912; People's
  Republic established 1 October 1949)
National holiday:
  National Day, 1 October (1949)
Constitution:
  most recent promulgated 4 December 1982
Legal system:
  a complex amalgam of custom and statute, largely criminal law;
  rudimentary civil code in effect since 1 January 1987; new legal codes
  in effect since 1 January 1980; continuing efforts are being made to
  improve civil, administrative, criminal, and commercial law
Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
  President JIANG Zemin (since 27 March 1993); Vice President RONG Yiren
  (since 27 March 1993); election last held 27 March 1993 (next to be
  held NA 1998); results - JIANG Zemin was nominally elected by the
  Eighth National People's Congress
chief of state and head of government (de facto):
  DENG Xiaoping (since NA 1977)
head of government:
  Premier LI Peng (Acting Premier since 24 November 1987, Premier since
  9 April 1988)  Vice Premier ZHU Rongji (since 8 April 1991); Vice
  Premier ZOU Jiahua (since 8 April 1991); Vice Premier QIAN Qichen
  (since 29 March 1993); Vice Premier LI Lanqing (29 March 1993)
cabinet:
  State Council; containing 28 ministers and 8 state commissions and
  appointed by the National People's Congress (March 1993)
Legislative branch:
  unicameral
National People's Congress:
  (Quanguo Renmin Daibiao Dahui) elections last held March 1993 (next
  to be held March 1998); results - CCP is the only party but there are
  also independents; seats - (2,977 total) (elected at county or xian
  level)
Judicial branch:
  Supreme People's Court
Political parties and leaders:
  Chinese Communist Party (CCP), JIANG Zemin, general secretary of the
  Central Committee (since 24 June 1989); eight registered small parties
  controlled by CCP
Other political or pressure groups:
  such meaningful opposition as exists consists of loose coalitions,
  usually within the party and government organization, that vary by
  issue
Member of:
  AfDB, APEC, AsDB, CCC, ESCAP, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD,
  IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU,
  LORCS, MINURSO, NAM (observer), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO,
  UNIKOM, UN Security Council, UNTAC, UNTSO, UN Trusteeship Council,
  UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
  Ambassador LI Daoyu
chancery:
  2300 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
  [phone] through 2502
consulate(s) general:
  Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
  Ambassador J. Stapleton ROY
embassy:
  Xiu Shui Bei Jie 3, Beijing
mailing address:
  100600, PSC 461, Box 50, Beijing or FPO AP 96521-0002
telephone:
  [86] (1) 532-3831
FAX:
  [86] (1) 532-3178
consulate(s) general:
  Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenyang
Flag:
  red with a large yellow five-pointed star and four smaller yellow
  five-pointed stars (arranged in a vertical arc toward the middle of
  the flag) in the upper hoist-side corner

@China, Economy

Overview:
  Beginning in late 1978 the Chinese leadership has been trying to move
  the economy from the sluggish Soviet-style centrally planned economy
  to a more productive and flexible economy with market elements, but
  still within the framework of monolithic Communist control. To this
  end the authorities switched to a system of household responsibility
  in agriculture in place of the old collectivization, increased the
  authority of local officials and plant managers in industry, permitted
  a wide variety of small-scale enterprise in services and light
  manufacturing, and opened the economy to increased foreign trade and
  investment. The result has been a strong surge in production,
  particularly in agriculture in the early 1980s. Industry also has
  posted major gains, especially in coastal areas near Hong Kong and
  opposite Taiwan, where foreign investment and modern production
  methods have helped spur production of both domestic and export goods.
  Aggregate output has more than doubled since 1978. On the darker side,
  the leadership has often experienced in its hybrid system the worst
  results of socialism (bureaucracy, lassitude, corruption) and of
  capitalism (windfall gains and stepped-up inflation). Beijing thus has
  periodically backtracked, retightening central controls at intervals.
  In 1992-93 annual growth of GDP has accelerated, particularly in the
  coastal areas - to more than 10% annually according to official
  claims. In late 1993 China's leadership approved additional reforms
  aimed at giving more play to market-oriented institutions and at
  strengthening the center's control over the financial system. Popular
  resistance, changes in central policy, and loss of authority by rural
  cadres have weakened China's population control program, which is
  essential to the nation's long-term economic viability.
National product:
  GDP - purchasing power equivalent -  $2.61 trillion (1993 estimate
  based on a 1990 figure from the UN International Comparison Program,
  as extended to 1991 and published in the World Bank's World
  Development Report 1993; and as extrapolated by use of official
  Chinese growth statistics for 1992 and 1993)
National product real growth rate:
  13.4% (1993)
National product per capita:
  $2,200 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  17.6% (December 1993 over December 1992)
Unemployment rate:
  2.3% in urban areas (1992); substantial underemployment
Budget:
  deficit $15.6 billion (1993)
Exports:
  $92 billion (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities:
  textiles, garments, footwear, toys, crude oil
partners:
  Hong Kong, US, Japan, Germany, South Korea, Russia (1993)
Imports:
  $104 billion (c.i.f., 1993)
commodities:
  rolled steel, motor vehicles, textile machinery, oil products
partners:
  Japan, Taiwan, US, Hong Kong, Germany, South Korea (1993)
External debt:
  $80 billion (1993 est.)
Industrial production:
  growth rate 20.8% (1992)
Electricity:
capacity:
  158,690,000 kW
production:
  740 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
  630 kWh (1992)
Industries:
  iron and steel, coal, machine building, armaments, textiles,
  petroleum, cement, chemical fertilizers, consumer durables, food
  processing
Agriculture:
  accounts for 26% of GNP; among the world's largest producers of rice,
  potatoes, sorghum, peanuts, tea, millet, barley, and pork; commercial
  crops include cotton, other fibers, and oilseeds; produces variety of
  livestock products; basically self-sufficient in food; fish catch of
  13.35 million metric tons (including fresh water and pond raised)
  (1991)
Illicit drugs:
  illicit producer of opium; bulk of production is in Yunnan Province;
  transshipment point for heroin produced in the Golden Triangle
Economic aid:
donor:
  to less developed countries (1970-89) $7 billion
recipient:
  US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-87), $220.7 million;  Western
  (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $13.5
  billion
Currency:
  1 yuan (Y) = 10 jiao
Exchange rates:
  yuan (Y) per US$1 - 8.7000 (January 1994), 5.7620 (1993), 5.5146
  (1992), 5.3234 (1991), 4.7832 (1990), 3.7651 (1989)
note:
  beginning 1 January 1994, the People's Bank of China quotes the
  midpoint rate against the US dollar based on the previous day's
  prevailing rate in the interbank foreign exchange market
Fiscal year:
  calendar year

@China, Communications

Railroads:
  total about 64,000 km; 54,000 km of common carrier lines, of which
  53,400 km are 1.435-meter gauge (standard) and 600 km are 1.000-meter
  gauge (narrow); 11,200 km of standard gauge common carrier route are
  double tracked and 6,900 km are electrified (1990); an additional
  10,000 km of varying gauges (0.762 to 1.067-meter) are dedicated
  industrial lines
Highways:
total:
  1.029 million km
paved:
  170,000 km
unpaved:
  gravel/improved earth 648,000 km; unimproved earth 211,000 km (1990)
Inland waterways:
  138,600 km; about 109,800 km navigable
Pipelines:
  crude oil 9,700 km; petroleum products 1,100 km; natural gas 6,200 km
  (1990)
Ports:
  Dalian, Guangzhou, Huangpu, Qingdao, Qinhuangdao, Shanghai, Xingang,
  Zhanjiang, Ningbo, Xiamen, Tanggu, Shantou
Merchant marine:
  1,541 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 14,884,756 GRT/22,475,985
  DWT, barge carrier 1, bulk 285, cargo 819, chemical tanker 13,
  combination bulk 9, container 85, liquefied gas 4, multifunction/barge
  carrier 1, oil tanker 192, passenger 24, passenger-cargo 25,
  refrigerated cargo 17, roll-on/roll-off cargo 21, short-sea passenger
  43, vehicle carrier 2
note:
  China beneficially owns an additional 227 ships (1,000 GRT or over)
  totaling approximately 6,187,117 DWT that operate under Panamanian,
  British, Hong Kong, Maltese, Liberian, Vanuatu, Cypriot, Saint
  Vincent, Bahamian, and Romanian registry
Airports:
total:
  330
usable:
  330
with permanent-surface runways:
  260
with runways over 3,659 m:
  fewer than 10
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
  90
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
  200
Telecommunications:
  domestic and international services are increasingly available for
  private use; unevenly distributed internal system serves principal
  cities, industrial centers, and most townships; 11,000,000 telephones
  (December 1989); broadcast stations - 274 AM, unknown FM, 202 (2,050
  repeaters) TV; more than 215 million radio receivers; 75 million TVs;
  satellite earth stations - 4 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT, 1 Indian Ocean
  INTELSAT, 1 INMARSAT, and 55 domestic

@China, Defense Forces

Branches:
  People's Liberation Army (PLA), PLA Navy (including Marines), PLA Air
  Force, Second Artillery Corps (the strategic missle force), People's
  Armed Police (internal security troops, nominally subordinate to
  Ministry of Public Security, but included by the Chinese as part of
  the "armed forces" and considered to be an adjunct to the PLA in war
  time)
Manpower availability:
  males age 15-49 347,458,052; fit for military service 192,546,413;
  reach military age (18) annually 10,256,181 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
  defense budget - 52.04 billion yuan, NA% of GDP (1994 est.); note -
  conversion of the defense budget into US dollars using the current
  exchange rate could produce misleading results


@Christmas Island

Header
Affiliation:
  (territory of Australia)

@Christmas Island, Geography

Location:
  Southeastern Asia, in the Indian Ocean, between Australia and
  Indonesia
Map references:
  Southeast Asia
Area:
total area:
  135 sq km
land area:
  135 sq km
comparative area:
  about 0.8 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
  0 km
Coastline:
  138.9 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
  12 nm
exclusive fishing zone:
  200 nm
territorial sea:
  3 nm
International disputes:
  none
Climate:
  tropical; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds
Terrain:
  steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau
Natural resources:
  phosphate
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:
  almost completely surrounded by a reef
international agreements:
  NA
Note:
  located along major sea lanes of Indian Ocean

@Christmas Island, People

Population:
  973 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
  -9% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
  NA
Death rate:
  NA
Net migration rate:
  NA
Infant mortality rate:
  NA
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
  NA
male:
  NA
female:
  NA
Total fertility rate:
  NA
Nationality:
noun:
  Christmas Islander(s)
adjective:
  Christmas Island
Ethnic divisions:
  Chinese 61%, Malay 25%, European 11%, other 3%, no indigenous
  population
Religions:
  Buddhist 36.1%, Muslim 25.4%, Christian 17.7% (Roman Catholic 8.2%,
  Church of England 3.2%, Presbyterian 0.9%, Uniting Church 0.4%,
  Methodist 0.2%, Baptist 0.1%, and other 4.7%), none 12.7%, unknown
  4.6%, other 3.5% (1981)
Languages:
  English
Literacy:
total population:
  NA%
male:
  NA%
female:
  NA%
Labor force:
  NA
by occupation:
  all workers are employees of the Phosphate Mining Company of Christmas
  Island, Ltd.

@Christmas Island, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
  Territory of Christmas Island
conventional short form:
  Christmas Island
Digraph:
  KT
Type:
  territory of Australia
Capital:
  The Settlement
Administrative divisions:
  none (territory of Australia)
Independence:
  none (territory of Australia)
National holiday:
  NA
Constitution:
  Christmas Island Act of 1958
Legal system:
  under the authority of the governor general of Australia
Executive branch:
chief of state:
  Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)
head of government:
  Administrator M. J. GRIMES (since NA)
cabinet:
  Advisory Council
Legislative branch:
  none
Judicial branch:
  none
Political parties and leaders:
  none
Member of:
  none
Diplomatic representation in US:
  none (territory of Australia)
US diplomatic representation:
  none (territory of Australia)
Flag:
  the flag of Australia is used

@Christmas Island, Economy

Overview:
  Phosphate mining had been the only significant economic activity, but
  in December 1987 the Australian Government closed the mine as no
  longer economically viable. Plans have been under way to reopen the
  mine and also to build a casino and hotel to develop tourism.
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:
  $NA
commodities:
  phosphate
partners:
  Australia, NZ
Imports:
  $NA
commodities:
  consumer goods
partners:
  principally Australia
External debt:
  $NA
Industrial production:
  growth rate NA%
Electricity:
capacity:
  11,000 kW
production:
  30 million kWh
consumption per capita:
  17,800 kWh (1990)
Industries:
  phosphate extraction (near depletion)
Agriculture:
  NA
Economic aid:
  none
Currency:
  1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
  Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.4364 (January 1994), 1.4704,
  (1993), 1.3600 (1992), 1.2836 (1991), 1.2799 (1990), 1.2618 (1989)
Fiscal year:
  1 July - 30 June

@Christmas Island, Communications

Highways:
total:
  NA
paved:
  NA
unpaved:
  NA
Ports:
  Flying Fish Cove
Airports:
total:
  1
usable:
  1
with permanent-surface runways:
  1
with runways over 3,659 m:
  0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
  0
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
  1
Telecommunications:
  broadcast stations - 1 AM, 1 TV

@Christmas Island, Defense Forces

Note:
  defense is the responsibility of Australia


@Clipperton Island

Header
Affiliation:
  (possession of France)

@Clipperton Island, Geography

Location:
  Middle America, in the North Pacific Ocean, 1,120 km southwest of
  Mexico
Map references:
  World
Area:
total area:
  7 sq km
land area:
  7 sq km
comparative area:
  about 12 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
  0 km
Coastline:
  11.1 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone:
  200 nm
territorial sea:
  12 nm
International disputes:
  claimed by Mexico
Climate:
  tropical
Terrain:
  coral atoll
Natural resources:
  none
Land use:
arable land:
  0%
permanent crops:
  0%
meadows and pastures:
  0%
forest and woodland:
  0%
other:
  100% (all coral)
Irrigated land:
  0 sq km
Environment:
current issues:
  NA
natural hazards:
  NA
international agreements:
  NA
Note:
  reef about 8 km in circumference

@Clipperton Island, People

Population:
  uninhabited

@Clipperton Island, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
  none
conventional short form:
  Clipperton Island
local long form:
  none
local short form:
  Ile Clipperton
former:
  sometimes called Ile de la Passion
Digraph:
  IP
Type:
  French possession administered by France from French Polynesia by High
  Commissioner of the Republic
Capital:
  none; administered by France from French Polynesia
Independence:
  none (possession of France)

@Clipperton Island, Economy

Overview:
  The only economic activity is a tuna fishing station.

@Clipperton Island, Communications

Ports:
  none; offshore anchorage only

@Clipperton Island, Defense Forces

Note:
  defense is the responsibility of France


@Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Header
Affiliation:
  (territory of Australia)

@Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Geography

Location:
  Southeastern Asia, in the Indian Ocean, 1,070 km southwest of
  Indonesia, about halfway between Australia and Sri Lanka
Map references:
  Southeast Asia
Area:
total area:
  14 sq km
land area:
  14 sq km
comparative area:
  about 24 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
note:
  includes the two main islands of West Island and Home Island
Land boundaries:
  0 km
Coastline:
  2.6 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone:
  200 nm
territorial sea:
  3 nm
International disputes:
  none
Climate:
  pleasant, modified by the southeast trade wind for about nine months
  of the year; moderate rain fall
Terrain:
  flat, low-lying coral atolls
Natural resources:
  fish
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:
  NA
international agreements:
  NA
Note:
  two coral atolls thickly covered with coconut palms and other
  vegetation

@Cocos (Keeling) Islands, People

Population:
  598 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
  0.98% (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
  Cocos Islander(s)
adjective:
  Cocos Islander
Ethnic divisions:
West Island:
  Europeans
Home Island:
  Cocos Malays
Religions:
  Sunni Muslims
Languages:
  English
Literacy:
total population:
  NA%
male:
  NA%
female:
  NA%
Labor force:
  NA

@Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
  Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands
conventional short form:
  Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Digraph:
  CK
Type:
  territory of Australia
Capital:
  West Island
Administrative divisions:
  none (territory of Australia)
Independence:
  none (territory of Australia)
National holiday:
  NA
Constitution:
  Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act of 1955
Legal system:
  based upon the laws of Australia and local laws
Suffrage:
  NA
Executive branch:
chief of state:
  Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)
head of government:
  Administrator B. CUNNINGHAM (since NA)
cabinet:
  Islands Council; Chairman of the Islands Council Haji WAHIN bin Bynie
  (since NA)
Legislative branch:
  unicameral Islands Council
Judicial branch:
  Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
  NA
Member of:
  none
Diplomatic representation in US:
  none (territory of Australia)
US diplomatic representation:
  none (territory of Australia)
Flag:
  the flag of Australia is used

@Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Economy

Overview:
  Grown throughout the islands, coconuts are the sole cash crop. Copra
  and fresh coconuts are the major export earners. Small local gardens
  and fishing contribute to the food supply, but additional food and
  most other necessities must be imported from Australia.
National product:
  GDP $NA
National product real growth rate:
  NA%
National product per capita:
  $NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  NA%
Budget:
revenues:
  $NA
expenditures:
  $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Exports:
  $NA
commodities:
  copra
partners:
  Australia
Imports:
  $NA
commodities:
  foodstuffs
partners:
  Australia
External debt:
  $NA
Industrial production:
  growth rate NA%
Electricity:
capacity:
  1,000 kW
production:
  2 million kWh
consumption per capita:
  2,980 kWh (1990)
Industries:
  copra products
Agriculture:
  gardens provide vegetables, bananas, pawpaws, coconuts
Economic aid:
  none
Currency:
  1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
  Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.4364 (January 1994), 1.4704
  (1993), 1.3600 (1992), 1.2836 (1991), 1.2799 (1990), 1.2618 (1989)
Fiscal year:
  1 July - 30 June

@Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Communications

Highways:
total:
  NA
paved:
  NA
unpaved:
  NA
Ports:
  none; lagoon anchorage only
Airports:
total:
  1
usable:
  1
with permanent-surface runways:
  1
with runways over 3,659 m:
  0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
  0
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
  1
Telecommunications:
  250 radios (1985); linked by telephone, telex, and facsimile
  communications via satellite with Australia; broadcast stations - 1
  AM, no FM, no TV

@Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Defense Forces

Note:
  defense is the responsibility of Australia



@Colombia, Geography

Location:
  Northern South America, between Panama and Venezuela
Map references:
  Central America and the Caribbean, South America, Standard Time Zones
  of the World
Area:
total area:
  1,138,910 sq km
land area:
  1,038,700 sq km
comparative area:
  slightly less than three times the size of Montana
note:
  includes Isla de Malpelo, Roncador Cay, Serrana Bank, and Serranilla
  Bank
Land boundaries:
  total 7,408 km, Brazil 1,643 km, Ecuador 590 km, Panama 225 km, Peru
  2,900 km, Venezuela 2,050 km
Coastline:
  3,208 km (Caribbean Sea 1,760 km, North Pacific Ocean 1,448 km)
Maritime claims:
continental shelf:
  not specified
exclusive economic zone:
  200 nm
territorial sea:
  12 nm
International disputes:
  maritime boundary dispute with Venezuela in the Gulf of Venezuela;
  territorial dispute with Nicaragua over Archipelago de San Andres y
  Providencia and Quita Sueno Bank
Climate:
  tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlands
Terrain:
  flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes Mountains,
  eastern lowland plains
Natural resources:
  petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel, gold, copper, emeralds
Land use:
arable land:
  4%
permanent crops:
  2%
meadows and pastures:
  29%
forest and woodland:
  49%
other:
  16%
Irrigated land:
  5,150 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
  deforestation; soil damage from overuse of pesticides
natural hazards:
  highlands subject to volcanic eruptions; periodic droughts
international agreements:
  party to - Antarctic Treaty, Endangered Species, Marine Life
  Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
  Pollution, Tropical Timber; signed, but not ratified -
  Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Biodiversity, Climate Change,
  Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping
Note:
  only South American country with coastlines on both North Pacific
  Ocean and Caribbean Sea

@Colombia, People

Population:
  35,577,556 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
  1.77% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
  22.64 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
  4.75 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
  -0.21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
  28.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
  72.1 years
male:
  69.33 years
female:
  74.95 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
  2.47 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
  Colombian(s)
adjective:
  Colombian
Ethnic divisions:
  mestizo 58%, white 20%, mulatto 14%, black 4%, mixed black-Indian 3%,
  Indian 1%
Religions:
  Roman Catholic 95%
Languages:
  Spanish
Literacy:
  age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
total population:
  87%
male:
  88%
female:
  86%
Labor force:
  12 million (1990)
by occupation:
  services 46%, agriculture 30%, industry 24% (1990)

@Colombia, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
  Republic of Colombia
conventional short form:
  Colombia
local long form:
  Republica de Colombia
local short form:
  Colombia
Digraph:
  CO
Type:
  republic; executive branch dominates government structure
Capital:
  Bogota
Administrative divisions:
  32 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1 capital
  district* (distrito capital); Amazonas, Antioquia, Arauca, Atlantico,
  Bogota*, Bolivar, Boyaca, Caldas, Caqueta, Casanare, Cauca, Cesar,
  Choco, Cordoba, Cundinamarca, Guainia, Guaviare, Huila, La Guajira,
  Magdalena, Meta, Narino, Norte de Santander, Putumayo, Quindio,
  Risaralda, San Andres y Providencia, Santander, Sucre, Tolima, Valle
  del Cauca, Vaupes, Vichada
Independence:
  20 July 1810 (from Spain)
National holiday:
  Independence Day, 20 July (1810)
Constitution:
  5 July 1991
Legal system:
  based on Spanish law; a new criminal code modeled after US procedures
  was enacted in 1992-93; judicial review of executive and legislative
  acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government:
  President Cesar GAVIRIA Trujillo (since 7 August 1990);
  President-designate Juan Manuel SANTOS (since NA 1993); election last
  held 27 May 1990 (next to be held May 1994); results - Cesar GAVIRIA
  Trujillo (Liberal Party) 47%, Alvaro GOMEZ Hurtado (National Salvation
  Movement) 24%, Antonio NAVARRO Wolff (AD/M-19) 13%, Rodrigo LLOREDA
  (Conservative Party) 12%
note:
  a new government will be inaugurated on 7 August 1994; the
  presidential election of 29 May 1994 resulted in no candidate
  receiving more than 50% of the total vote and a run-off election to
  select a president from the two leading candidates was held on 19 June
  1994; results - Ernesto SAMPER Pizano (Liberal Party) 50.4%, Andres
  PASTRANA Arango (Conservative Party) 48.6%, blank votes 1%; Humberto
  de la CALLE was elected vice president; electing a vice president is a
  new proceedure that replaces the traditional appointment of
  president-designates by newly elected presidents
cabinet:
  Cabinet
Legislative branch:
  bicameral Congress (Congreso)
Senate (Senado):
  elections last held 13 March 1994 (next to be held NA March 1998);
  preliminary results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (102 total)
  Liberal Party 59, conservatives (includes PC, MSN, and NDF) 31, other
  12
House of Representatives (Camara de Representantes):
  elections last held 13 March 1994 (next to be held NA March 1998);
  preliminary results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (161 total)
  Liberal Party 89, conservatives (includes PC, MSN, and NDF) 53,
  AD/M-19 2, other 17
Judicial branch:
  Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justical), Constitutional
  Court, Council of State
Political parties and leaders:
  Liberal Party (PL), Ernesto SAMPER Pizano, president; Conservative
  Party (PC), Misael PASTRANA Borrero; National Salvation Movement
  (MSN), Alvaro GOMEZ Hurtado; New Democratic Force (NDF), Andres
  PASTRANA Arango; Democratic Alliance M-19 (AD/M-19) is a coalition of
  small leftist parties and dissident liberals and conservatives;
  Patriotic Union (UP) is a legal political party formed by
  Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and Colombian Communist
  Party (PCC), Carlos ROMERO
Other political or pressure groups:
  three insurgent groups are active in Colombia - Revolutionary Armed
  Forces of Colombia (FARC), Manuel MARULANDA and Alfonso CANO; National
  Liberation Army (ELN), Manuel PEREZ; and dissidents of the recently
  demobilized People's Liberation Army (EPL), Francisco CARABALLO;
  Francisco CARABALLO was captured by the government in June 1994
Member of:
  AG, CDB, CG, ECLAC, FAO, G-3, G-11, G-24, 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, NAM, OAS,
  ONUSAL, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNPROFOR,
  UNTAC, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
  Ambassador Gabriel SILVA
chancery:
  2118 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
  [phone]
FAX:
  [phone]
consulate(s) general:
  Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York,
  San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), and Washington
consulate(s):
  Atlanta, Detroit, Los Angeles, and Tampa
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
  Ambassador Morris D. BUSBY
embassy:
  Calle 38, No. 8-61, Bogota
mailing address:
  Apartado Aereo 3831, Bogota or APO AA 34038
telephone:
  [57] (1) 320-1300
FAX:
  [57] (1) 288-5687
consulate(s):
  Barranquilla
Flag:
  three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double-width), blue, and red;
  similar to the flag of Ecuador, which is longer and bears the
  Ecuadorian coat of arms superimposed in the center

@Colombia, Economy

Overview:
  Colombia's economic growth has recovered steadily since 1991 as
  President GAVIRIA'S sweeping economic reform measures have taken hold.
  Market reforms have included trade and investment liberalization,
  labor and tax overhauls and bureaucratic streamlining, among other
  things. Furthermore, conservative fiscal and monetary policies have
  helped to steadily reduce inflation to 23% and unemployment to about
  7% in 1993. The rapid development of oil, coal, and other
  nontraditional industries has helped offset the decline in coffee
  prices. A major oil find in 1993 in eastern Colombia may provide an
  extra $3 billion annually to the economy by 1997. Increased foreign
  investment and even greater domestic activity have been hampered,
  however, by a troublesome rural insurgency, a decrepit energy and
  transportation infrastructure, and drug-related violence. Agriculture
  also has encountered problems in adjusting to fewer subsidies, greater
  competition, and the collapse of the international coffee agreement,
  which has kept world coffee prices at near-record lows in 1991-93.
  Business construction was a leading sector in 1993. The substantial
  trade deficit in 1993 was the result of a strong peso that inhibited
  exports and a liberalized government policy that spurred imports.
National product:
  GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $192 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
  5.1% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
  $5,500 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  22.6% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate:
  7.9% (1993 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
  $11 billion
expenditures:
  $12 billion, including capital expenditures of $2.2 billion (1993
  est.)
Exports:
  $6.9 billion (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities:
  petroleum, coffee, coal, bananas, fresh cut flowers
partners:
  US 39%, EC 25.7%, Japan 2.9%, Venezuela 8.5% (1992)
Imports:
  $6.7 billion (c.i.f., 1992 est.)
commodities:
  industrial equipment, transportation equipment, consumer goods,
  chemicals, paper products
partners:
  US 36%, EC 18%, Brazil 4%, Venezuela 6.5%, Japan 8.7% (1992)
External debt:
  $17 billion (1992)
Industrial production:
  growth rate 2% (1993 est.); accounts for 21% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
  10,193,000 kW
production:
  36 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
  1,050 kWh (1992)
Industries:
  textiles, food processing, oil, clothing and footwear, beverages,
  chemicals, metal products, cement; mining - gold, coal, emeralds,
  iron, nickel, silver, salt
Agriculture:
  growth rate 2.7% (1993 est.) accounts for 21% of GDP; crops make up
  two-thirds and livestock one-third of agricultural output; climate and
  soils permit a wide variety of crops, such as coffee, rice, tobacco,
  corn, sugarcane, cocoa beans, oilseeds, vegetables; forest products
  and shrimp farming are becoming more important
Illicit drugs:
  illicit producer of coca, opium, and cannabis; about 37,100 hectares
  of coca under cultivation; the world's largest processor of coca
  derivatives into cocaine in 1992; supplier of cocaine to the US and
  other international drug markets
Economic aid:
recipient:
  US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $1.6 billion; Western
  (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $3.3
  billion; Communist countries (1970-89),  $399 million
Currency:
  1 Colombian peso (Col$) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates:
  Colombian pesos (Col$) per US$1 - 921.20 (January 1994), 863.06
  (1993), 759.28 (1992), 633.05 (1991), 502.26 (1990), 382.57 (1989)
Fiscal year:
  calendar year

@Colombia, Communications

Railroads:
  3,386 km; 3,236 km 0.914-meter gauge, single track (2,611 km in use),
  150 km 1.435-meter gauge
Highways:
total:
  128,717 km (1989)
paved:
  10,330 km
unpaved:
  gravel/earth 118,387 km
Inland waterways:
  14,300 km, navigable by river boats
Pipelines:
  crude oil 3,585 km; petroleum products 1,350 km; natural gas 830 km;
  natural gas liquids 125 km
Ports:
  Barranquilla, Buenaventura, Cartagena, Covenas, San Andres, Santa
  Marta, Tumaco
Merchant marine:
  27 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 211,777 GRT/335,763 DWT, bulk 7,
  cargo 11, container 6, oil tanker 3
Airports:
total:
  1,369
usable:
  1,156
with permanent-surface runways:
  73
with runways over 3,659 m:
  1
with runways 2,440-2,659 m:
  9
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
  205
Telecommunications:
  nationwide radio relay system; 1,890,000 telephones; broadcast
  stations - 413 AM, no FM, 33 TV, 28 shortwave; 2 Atlantic Ocean
  INTELSAT earth stations and 11 domestic satellite earth stations

@Colombia, Defense Forces

Branches:
  Army (Ejercito Nacional), Navy (Armada Nacional, including Marines),
  Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Colombiana), National Police (Policia
  Nacional)
Manpower availability:
  males age 15-49 9,639,080; fit for military service 6,507,935; reach
  military age (18) annually 354,944 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
  exchange rate conversion - $1.2 billion (1992 est.)


@Comoros, Geography

Location:
  Southeastern Africa, in the extreme northern Mozambique Channel, about
  two-thirds of the way between northern Madagascar and northern
  Mozambique
Map references:
  Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
  2,170 sq km
land area:
  2,170 sq km
comparative area:
  slightly more than 12 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
  0 km
Coastline:
  340 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone:
  200 nm
territorial sea:
  12 nm
International disputes:
  claims French-administered Mayotte
Climate:
  tropical marine; rainy season (November to May)
Terrain:
  volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to low hills
Natural resources:
  negligible
Land use:
arable land:
  35%
permanent crops:
  8%
meadows and pastures:
  7%
forest and woodland:
  16%
other:
  34%
Irrigated land:
  NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
  soil degradation and erosion; deforestation
natural hazards:
  cyclones possible during rainy season
international agreements:
  signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the
  Sea
Note:
  important location at northern end of Mozambique Channel

@Comoros, People

Population:
  530,136 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
  3.55% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
  46.48 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
  10.95 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
  0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
  79.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
  57.81 years
male:
  55.63 years
female:
  60.06 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
  6.79 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
  Comoran(s)
adjective:
  Comoran
Ethnic divisions:
  Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava
Religions:
  Sunni Muslim 86%, Roman Catholic 14%
Languages:
  Arabic (official), French (official), Comoran (a blend of Swahili and
  Arabic)
Literacy:
  age 15 and over can read and write (1980)
total population:
  48%
male:
  56%
female:
  40%
Labor force:
  140,000 (1982)
by occupation:
  agriculture 80%, government 3%
note:
  51% of population of working age (1985)

@Comoros, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
  Federal Islamic Republic of the Comoros
conventional short form:
  Comoros
local long form:
  Republique Federale Islamique des Comores
local short form:
  Comores
Digraph:
  CN
Type:
  independent republic
Capital:
  Moroni
Administrative divisions:
  three islands; Grand Comore (Njazidja), Anjouan (Nzwani), and Moheli
  (Mwali)
note:
  there are also four municipalities named Domoni, Fomboni, Moroni, and
  Mutsamudu
Independence:
  6 July 1975 (from France)
National holiday:
  Independence Day, 6 July (1975)
Constitution:
  7 June 1992
Legal system:
  French and Muslim law in a new consolidated code
Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state::
  President Said Mohamed DJOHAR (since 11 March 1990); election last
  held 11 March 1990 (next to be held March 1996); results - Said
  Mohamed DJOHAR (UDZIMA) 55%, Mohamed TAKI Abdulkarim (UNDC) 45%
head of government::
  Prime Minister Mohamed Abdou MADI (since 6 January 1994) appointed by
  President DJOHAR 6 January 1994 (DJOHAR has appointed 14 prime
  ministers in the last three years)
cabinet:
  Council of Ministers; appointed by the president
Legislative branch:
  unicameral
Federal Assembly (Assemblee Federale):
  elections last held 12-20 December 1993 (next to be held by NA January
  1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (42 total)
  Ruling Coalition: RDR 15, UNDC 5, MWANGAZA 2; Opposition: UDZIMA 8,
  other smaller parties 10; 2 seats remained unfilled
note:
  opposition is boycotting the National Assembly until the government
  promises to investigate fraud in the last election
Judicial branch:
  Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders:
  over 20 political parties are currently active, the most important of
  which are; Comoran Union for Progress (UDZIMA), Omar TAMOU; Islands'
  Fraternity and Unity Party (CHUMA), Said Ali KEMAL; Comoran Party for
  Democracy and Progress (PCDP), Ali MROUDJAE; Realizing Freedom's
  Capability (UWEZO), Mouazair ABDALLAH; Democratic Front of the Comoros
  (FDR), Moustapha CHELKH; Dialogue Proposition Action (DPA/MWANGAZA),
  Said MCHAWGAMA; Rally for Change and Democracy (RACHADE), Hassan
  HACHIM; Union for Democracy and Decentralization (UNDC), Mohamed Taki
  Halidi IBRAHAM; Rally for Democracy and Renewal (RDR); Comoran Popular
  Front (FPC), Mohamed HASSANALI, Mohamed El Arif OUKACHA, Abdou
  MOUSTAKIM (Secretary General)
Member of:
  ACCT, ACP, AfDB, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC,
  ILO, IMF, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN,
  UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
  Ambassador Amini Ali MOUMIN
chancery:
  (temporary) at the Comoran Permanent Mission to the UN, 336 East 45th
  Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10017
telephone:
  [phone]
FAX:
  [phone]
US diplomatic representation:
  none; post closed in September 1993
Flag:
  green with a white crescent placed diagonally (closed side of the
  crescent points to the upper hoist-side corner of the flag); there are
  four white five-pointed stars placed in a line between the points of
  the crescent; the crescent, stars, and color green are traditional
  symbols of Islam; the four stars represent the four main islands of
  the archipelago - Mwali, Njazidja, Nzwani, and Mayotte (which is a
  territorial collectivity of France, but claimed by the Comoros)

@Comoros, Economy

Overview:
  One of the world's poorest countries, Comoros is made up of several
  islands that have poor transportation links, a young and rapidly
  increasing population, and few natural resources. The low educational
  level of the labor force contributes to a low level of economic
  activity, high unemployment, and a heavy dependence on foreign grants
  and technical assistance. Agriculture, including fishing, hunting, and
  forestry, is the leading sector of the economy. It contributes 40% to
  GDP, employs 80% of the labor force, and provides most of the exports.
  The country is not self-sufficient in food production, and rice, the
  main staple, accounts for 90% of imports. During 1982-86 the
  industrial sector grew at an annual average rate of 5.3%, but its
  contribution to GDP is small. Despite major investment in the tourist
  industry, which accounts for about 25% of GDP, growth has stagnated
  since 1983. A sluggish growth rate of 1.5% during 1985-90 has led to
  large budget deficits, declining incomes, and balance-of-payments
  difficulties. Estimates for 1992 show a moderate increase in the
  growth rate based on increased exports, tourism, and government
  investment outlays.
National product:
  GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $360 million (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
  5% (1992 est.)
National product per capita:
  $700 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  4% (1991 est.)
Unemployment rate:
  over 15.9% (1989)
Budget:
revenues:
  $96 million
expenditures:
  $88 million, including capital expenditures of $33 million (1991 est.)
Exports:
  $21 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities:
  vanilla, cloves, perfume oil, copra, ylang-ylang
partners:
  US 53%, France 41%, Africa 4%, FRG 2% (1988)
Imports:
  $60 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities:
  rice and other foodstuffs, cement, petroleum products, consumer goods
partners:
  Europe 62% (France 22%), Africa 5%, Pakistan, China (1988)
External debt:
  $160 million (1992 est.)
Industrial production:
  growth rate -6.5% (1989 est.); accounts for 10% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
  16,000 kW
production:
  25 million kWh
consumption per capita:
  50 kWh (1991)
Industries:
  perfume distillation, textiles, furniture, jewelry, construction
  materials, soft drinks
Agriculture:
  accounts for 40% of GDP; most of population works in subsistence
  agriculture and fishing; plantations produce cash crops for export -
  vanilla, cloves, perfume essences, copra; principal food crops -
  coconuts, bananas, cassava; world's leading producer of essence of
  ylang-ylang (for perfumes) and second-largest producer of vanilla;
  large net food importer
Economic aid:
recipient:
  US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY80-89), $10 million; Western
  (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $435
  million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $22 million; Communist
  countries (1970-89), $18 million
Currency:
  1 Comoran franc (CF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates:
  Comoran francs (CF) per US$1 - 444.03 (January 1994), 254.57 (1993),
  264.69 (1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26 (1990), 319.01 (1989)
note:
  beginning 12 January 1994, the Comoran franc was devalued to 75 per
  French franc from 50 per French franc at which it had been fixed since
  1948
Fiscal year:
  calendar year

@Comoros, Communications

Highways:
total:
  750 km
paved:
  bituminous 210 km
unpaved:
  crushed stone, gravel 540 km
Ports:
  Mutsamudu, Moroni
Airports:
total:
  4
usable:
  4
with permanent-surface runways:
  4
with runways over 3,659 m:
  0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
  1
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
  3
Telecommunications:
  sparse system of radio relay and high-frequency radio communication
  stations for interisland and external communications to Madagascar and
  Reunion; over 1,800 telephones; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 1 FM, no TV

@Comoros, Defense Forces

Branches:
  Comoran Defense Force (FDC)
Manpower availability:
  males age 15-49 112,918; fit for military service 67,522
Defense expenditures:
  $NA, NA% of GDP


@Congo, Geography

Location:
  Western Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean between Gabon and
  Zaire
Map references:
  Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
  342,000 sq km
land area:
  341,500 sq km
comparative area:
  slightly smaller than Montana
Land boundaries:
  total 5,504 km, Angola 201 km, Cameroon 523 km, Central African
  Republic 467 km, Gabon 1,903 km, Zaire 2,410 km
Coastline:
  169 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea:
  200 nm
International disputes:
  long segment of boundary with Zaire along the Congo River is
  indefinite (no division of the river or its islands has been made)
Climate:
  tropical; rainy season (March to June); dry season (June to October);
  constantly high temperatures and humidity; particularly enervating
  climate astride the Equator
Terrain:
  coastal plain, southern basin, central plateau, northern basin
Natural resources:
  petroleum, timber, potash, lead, zinc, uranium, copper, phosphates,
  natural gas
Land use:
arable land:
  2%
permanent crops:
  0%
meadows and pastures:
  29%
forest and woodland:
  62%
other:
  7%
Irrigated land:
  40 sq km (1989)
Environment:
current issues:
  air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from the dumping
  of raw sewage; deforestation
natural hazards:
  NA
international agreements:
  party to - Endangered Species, Tropical Timber; signed, but not
  ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer
  Protection
Note:
  about 70% of the population lives in Brazzaville, Pointe Noire, or
  along the railroad between them

@Congo, People

Population:
  2,446,902 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
  2.38% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
  40.27 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
  16.49 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
  0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
  111 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
  47.56 years
male:
  45.76 years
female:
  49.41 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
  5.3 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
  Congolese (singular and plural)
adjective:
  Congolese or Congo
Ethnic divisions:
south:
  Kongo 48%
north:
  Sangha 20%, M'Bochi 12%
center:
  Teke 17%, Europeans 8,500 (mostly French)
Religions:
  Christian 50%, animist 48%, Muslim 2%
Languages:
  French (official), African languages (Lingala and Kikongo are the most
  widely used)
Literacy:
  age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
total population:
  57%
male:
  70%
female:
  44%
Labor force:
  79,100 wage earners
by occupation:
  agriculture 75%, commerce, industry, and government 25%
note:
  51% of population of working age; 40% of population economically
  active (1985)

@Congo, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
  Republic of the Congo
conventional short form:
  Congo
local long form:
  Republique Populaire du Congo
local short form:
  Congo
former:
  Congo/Brazzaville
Digraph:
  CF
Type:
  republic
Capital:
  Brazzaville
Administrative divisions:
  9 regions (regions, singular - region) and 1 commune*; Bouenza,
  Brazzaville*, Cuvette, Kouilou, Lekoumou, Likouala, Niari, Plateaux,
  Pool, Sangha
Independence:
  15 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday:
  Congolese National Day, 15 August (1960)
Constitution:
  new constitution approved by referendum March 1992
Legal system:
  based on French civil law system and customary law
Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
  President Pascal LISSOUBA (since August 1992); election last held 2-16
  August 1992 (next to be held August 1997); results - President Pascal
  LISSOUBA won with 61% of the vote
head of government:
  Prime Minister Jacques Joachim YHOMBI-OPANGO (since 23 June 1993)
cabinet:
  Council of Ministers; named by the president
Legislative branch:
  bicameral
National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale):
  election last held 3 October 1993; results - percentage vote by party
  NA; seats - (125 total) UPADS 64, URD/PCT 58, others 3
Senate:
  election last held 26 July 1992 (next to be held July 1998); results -
  percentage vote by party NA; seats - (60 total) UPADS 23, MCDDI 14,
  RDD 8, RDPS 5, PCT 2, others 8
Judicial branch:
  Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders:
  Congolese Labor Party (PCT), Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO, president;
  Pan-African Union for Social Development (UPADS), Pascal LISSOUBA,
  leader; Association for Democracy and Development (RDD) - Joachim
  Yhombi OPANGO, president; Congolese Movement for Democracy and
  Integral Development (MCDDI), Bernard KOLELAS, leader; Association for
  Democracy and Social Progress (RDPS), Jean-Pierre Thystere TCHICAYA,
  president; Union of Democratic Forces (UFD), David Charles GANAO,
  leader; Union for Development and Social Progress (UDPS), Jean-Michael
  BOKAMBA-YANGOUMA, leader
note:
  Congo has many political parties of which these are among the most
  important
Other political or pressure groups:
  Union of Congolese Socialist Youth (UJSC); Congolese Trade Union
  Congress (CSC); Revolutionary Union of Congolese Women (URFC); General
  Union of Congolese Pupils and Students (UGEEC)
Member of:
  ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CCC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, GATT, IBRD,
  ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU,
  LORCS, NAM, OAU, UDEAC, UN, UNAVEM II, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU,
  WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
  Ambassador Pierre Damien BOUSSOUKOU-BOUMBA
chancery:
  4891 Colorado Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20011
telephone:
  [phone] or 5501
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
  Ambassador William RAMSEY
embassy:
  Avenue Amilcar Cabral, Brazzaville
mailing address:
  B. P. 1015, Brazzaville
telephone:
  [phone]
FAX:
  [242] 83-63-38
Flag:
  red, divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a yellow band;
  the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the lower triangle is
  red; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia

@Congo, Economy

Overview:
  Congo's economy is a mixture of village agriculture and handicrafts,
  an industrial sector based largely on oil, support services, and a
  government characterized by budget problems and overstaffing. A reform
  program, supported by the IMF and World Bank, ran into difficulties in
  1990-91 because of problems in changing to a democratic political
  regime and a heavy debt-servicing burden. Oil has supplanted forestry
  as the mainstay of the economy, providing about two-thirds of
  government revenues and exports. In the early 1980s rapidly rising oil
  revenues enabled Congo to finance large-scale development projects
  with growth averaging 5% annually, one of the highest rates in Africa.
  Subsequently, growth has slowed to an average of roughly 1.5%
  annually, only half the population growth rate. Political turmoil and
  misguided government investment have derailed economic reform programs
  sponsored by the IMF and World Bank.
National product:
  GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $7 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
  NA
National product per capita:
  $2,900 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  -0.6% (1991 est.)
Unemployment rate:
  NA%
Budget:
revenues:
  $765 million
expenditures:
  $952 million, including capital expenditures of $65 million (1990)
Exports:
  $1.1 billion (f.o.b., 1990)
commodities:
  crude oil 72%, lumber, plywood, coffee, cocoa, sugar, diamonds
partners:
  US, France, other EC countries
Imports:
  $704 million (c.i.f., 1990)
commodities:
  foodstuffs, consumer goods, intermediate manufactures, capital
  equipment
partners:
  France, Germany, Italy, Spain, other EC countries, US, Japan, Brazil
External debt:
  $4.1 billion (1991)
Industrial production:
  growth rate 1.2% (1989); accounts for 33% of GDP; includes petroleum
Electricity:
capacity:
  140,000 kW
production:
  315 million kWh
consumption per capita:
  135 kWh (1991)
Industries:
  petroleum, cement, lumbering, brewing, sugar milling, palm oil, soap,
  cigarette
Agriculture:
  accounts for 13% of GDP (including fishing and forestry); cassava
  accounts for 90% of food output; other crops - rice, corn, peanuts,
  vegetables; cash crops include coffee and cocoa; forest products
  important export earner; imports over 90% of food needs
Economic aid:
recipient:
  US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-90), $63 million; Western
  (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-90), $2.5
  billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $15 million; Communist
  countries (1970-89),  $338 million
Currency:
  1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates:
  Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 592.05
  (January 1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26
  (1990), 319.01 (1989)
note:
  beginning 12 January 1994, the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF 100 per
  French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since 1948
Fiscal year:
  calendar year

@Congo, Communications

Railroads:
  797 km, 1.067-meter gauge, single track (includes 285 km that are
  privately owned)
Highways:
total:
  11,960 km
paved:
  560 km
unpaved:
  gravel or crushed stone 850 km; improved earth 5,350 km; unimproved
  earth 5,200 km
Inland waterways:
  the Congo and Ubangi (Oubangui) Rivers provide 1,120 km of
  commercially navigable water transport; the rest are used for local
  traffic only
Pipelines:
  crude oil 25 km
Ports:
  Pointe-Noire (ocean port), Brazzaville (river port)
Airports:
total:
  41
usable:
  37
with permanent-surface runways:
  5
with runways over 3,659 m:
  0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
  1
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
  16
Telecommunications:
  services adequate for government use; primary network is composed of
  radio relay routes and coaxial cables; key centers are Brazzaville,
  Pointe-Noire, and Loubomo; 18,100 telephones; broadcast stations - 4
  AM, 1 FM, 4 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean satellite earth station

@Congo, Defense Forces

Branches:
  Army, Navy (including Marines), Air Force, National Police
Manpower availability:
  males age 15-49 551,151; fit for military service 280,372; reach
  military age (20) annually 24,441 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
  $NA, NA% of GDP


@Cook Islands

Header
Affiliation:
  (free association with New Zealand)

@Cook Islands, Geography

Location:
  Oceania, Polynesia, 4,500 km south of Hawaii in the South Pacific
  Ocean, about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand
Map references:
  Oceania
Area:
total area:
  240 sq km
land area:
  240 sq km
comparative area:
  slightly less than 1.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
  0 km
Coastline:
  120 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf:
  200 nm or the edge of continental margin
exclusive economic zone:
  200 nm
territorial sea:
  12 nm
International disputes:
  none
Climate:
  tropical; moderated by trade winds
Terrain:
  low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south
Natural resources:
  negligible
Land use:
arable land:
  4%
permanent crops:
  22%
meadows and pastures:
  0%
forest and woodland:
  0%
other:
  74%
Irrigated land:
  NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
  NA
natural hazards:
  subject to typhoons (November to March)
international agreements:
  party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change; signed, but not ratified -
  Law of the Sea

@Cook Islands, People

Population:
  19,124 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
  1.15% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
  23.22 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
  5.2 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
  -6.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
  24.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
  71.14 years
male:
  69.2 years
female:
  73.1 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
  3.3 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
  Cook Islander(s)
adjective:
  Cook Islander
Ethnic divisions:
  Polynesian (full blood) 81.3%, Polynesian and European 7.7%,
  Polynesian and other 7.7%, European 2.4%, other 0.9%
Religions:
  Christian (majority of populace members of Cook Islands Christian
  Church)
Languages:
  English (official), Maori
Literacy:
total population:
  NA%
male:
  NA%
female:
  NA%
Labor force:
  5,810
by occupation:
  agriculture 29%, government 27%, services 25%, industry 15%, other 4%
  (1981)

@Cook Islands, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
  none
conventional short form:
  Cook Islands
Digraph:
  CW
Type:
  self-governing parliamentary government in free association with New
  Zealand; Cook Islands is fully responsible for internal affairs; New
  Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs, in consultation
  with the Cook Islands
Capital:
  Avarua
Administrative divisions:
  none
Independence:
  none (became self-governing in free association with New Zealand on 4
  August 1965 and has the right at any time to move to full independence
  by unilateral action)
National holiday:
  Constitution Day, 4 August
Constitution:
  4 August 1965
Legal system:
  NA
Suffrage:
  universal adult at age NA
Executive branch:
chief of state:
  Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); Representative of the
  Queen Apenera SHORT (since NA); Representative of New Zealand Adrian
  SINCOCK (since NA)
head of government:
  Prime Minister Geoffrey HENRY (since 1 February 1989); Deputy Prime
  Minister Inatio AKARURU (since 1 February 1989)
cabinet:
  Cabinet; collectively responsible to the Parliament
Legislative branch:
  unicameral
Parliament:
  elections last held 24 March 1994 (next to be held NA); results -
  percent of vote by party NA; seats - (25 total) Cook Islands Party 20,
  Democratic Party 3, Alliance Party 2
note:
  the House of Arikis (chiefs) advises on traditional matters, but has
  no legislative powers
Judicial branch:
  High Court
Political parties and leaders:
  Cook Islands Party, Geoffrey HENRY; Democratic Party, Sir Thomas
  DAVIS; Cook Islands Labor Party, Rena JONASSEN; Cook Islands People's
  Party, Sadaraka SADARAKA; Alliance, Norman GEORGE
Member of:
  AsDB, ESCAP (associate), ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD, INTELSAT (nonsignatory
  user), IOC, SPARTECA, SPC, SPF, UNESCO, WHO
Diplomatic representation in US:
  none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)
US diplomatic representation:
  none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)
Flag:
  blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a
  large circle of 15 white five-pointed stars (one for every island)
  centered in the outer half of the flag

@Cook Islands, Economy

Overview:
  Agriculture provides the economic base. The major export earners are
  fruit, copra, and clothing. Manufacturing activities are limited to a
  fruit-processing plant and several clothing factories. Economic
  development is hindered by the isolation of the islands from foreign
  markets and a lack of natural resources and good transportation links.
  A large trade deficit is annually made up for by remittances from
  emigrants and from foreign aid, largely from New Zealand. Current
  economic development plans call for exploiting the tourism potential
  and expanding the fishing industry.
National product:
  GDP - purchasing power equivalent  - $57 million (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
  NA%
National product per capita:
  $3,000 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  6.2% (1990)
Unemployment rate:
  NA%
Budget:
revenues:
  $38 million
expenditures:
  $34.4 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1993 est.)
Exports:
  $3.4 million (f.o.b., 1990)
commodities:
  copra, fresh and canned fruit, clothing
partners:
  NZ 80%, Japan
Imports:
  $50 million (c.i.f., 1990)
commodities:
  foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timber
partners:
  NZ 49%, Japan, Australia, US
External debt:
  $NA
Industrial production:
  growth rate NA%; accounts for 5% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
  14,000 kW
production:
  21 million kWh
consumption per capita:
  1,170 kWh (1990)
Industries:
  fruit processing, tourism
Agriculture:
  accounts for 12% of GDP, export crops - copra, citrus fruits,
  pineapples, tomatoes, bananas; subsistence crops - yams, taro
Economic aid:
recipient:
  Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments
  (1970-89),  $128 million
Currency:
  1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
  New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1 - 1.7771 (January 1994), 1.8495
  (1993), 1.8584 (1992), 1.7265 (1991), 1.6750 (1990), 1.6708 (1989)
Fiscal year:
  1 April - 31 March

@Cook Islands, Communications

Highways:
total:
  187 km
paved:
  35 km
unpaved:
  gravel 35 km; improved earth 84 km; unimproved earth 33 km (1980)
Ports:
  Avatiu
Merchant marine:
  1 cargo ship (1,000 or over) totaling 1,464 GRT/2,181 DWT
Airports:
total:
  7
usable:
  7
with permanent-surface runways:
  1
with runways over 3,659 m:
  0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
  0
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
  5
Telecommunications:
  broadcast stations - 1 AM, 1 FM, 1 TV; 11,000 radio receivers; 17,000
  TV receivers (1989); 2,052 telephones; 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth
  station

@Cook Islands, Defense Forces

Note:
  defense is the responsibility of New Zealand


@Coral Sea Islands

Header
Affiliation:
  (territory of Australia)

@Coral Sea Islands, Geography

Location:
  Southwestern Oceania, just off the northeast coast of Australia in the
  Coral Sea
Map references:
  Oceania
Area:
total area:
  less than 3 sq km
land area:
  less than 3 sq km
comparative area:
  NA
note:
  includes numerous small islands and reefs scattered over a sea area of
  about 1 million sq km, with Willis Islets the most important
Land boundaries:
  0 km
Coastline:
  3,095 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone:
  200 nm
territorial sea:
  3 nm
International disputes:
  none
Climate:
  tropical
Terrain:
  sand and coral reefs and islands (or cays)
Natural resources:
  negligible
Land use:
arable land:
  0%
permanent crops:
  0%
meadows and pastures:
  0%
forest and woodland:
  0%
other:
  100% (mostly grass or scrub cover)
Irrigated land:
  0 sq km
Environment:
current issues:
  no permanent fresh water resources
natural hazards:
  subject to occasional tropical cyclones
international agreements:
  NA
Note:
  important nesting area for birds and turtles

@Coral Sea Islands, People

Population:
  no indigenous inhabitants; note - there are 3 meteorologists

@Coral Sea Islands, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
  Coral Sea Islands Territory
conventional short form:
  Coral Sea Islands
Digraph:
  CR
Type:
  territory of Australia administered by the Ministry for Environment,
  Sport, and Territories
Capital:
  none; administered from Canberra, Australia
Independence:
  none (territory of Australia)
Flag:
  the flag of Australia is used

@Coral Sea Islands, Economy

Overview:
  no economic activity

@Coral Sea Islands, Communications

Ports:
  none; offshore anchorages only

@Coral Sea Islands, Defense Forces

Note:
  defense is the responsibility of Australia; visited regularly by the
  Royal Australian Navy; Australia has control over the activities of
  visitors


@Costa Rica, Geography

Location:
  Middle America, between Nicaragua and Panama
Map references:
  Central America and the Caribbean, South America
Area:
total area:
  51,100 sq km
land area:
  50,660 sq km
comparative area:
  slightly smaller than West Virginia
note:
  includes Isla del Coco
Land boundaries:
  total 639 km, Nicaragua 309 km, Panama 330 km
Coastline:
  1,290 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf:
  200 nm
exclusive economic zone:
  200 nm
territorial sea:
  12 nm
International disputes:
  none
Climate:
  tropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to
  November)
Terrain:
  coastal plains separated by rugged mountains
Natural resources:
  hydropower potential
Land use:
arable land:
  6%
permanent crops:
  7%
meadows and pastures:
  45%
forest and woodland:
  34%
other:
  8%
Irrigated land:
  1,180 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
  deforestation, largely a result of land clearing for cattle ranching;
  soil erosion
natural hazards:
  subject to occasional earthquakes, hurricanes along Atlantic coast;
  frequent flooding of lowlands at onset of rainy season; active
  volcanoes
international agreements:
  party to - Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear
  Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not
  ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Marine Life Conservation

@Costa Rica, People

Population:
  3,342,154 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
  2.31% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
  25.48 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
  3.52 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
  1.14 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
  11 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
  77.8 years
male:
  75.88 years
female:
  79.81 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
  3.06 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
  Costa Rican(s)
adjective:
  Costa Rican
Ethnic divisions:
  white (including mestizo) 96%, black 2%, Indian 1%, Chinese 1%
Religions:
  Roman Catholic 95%
Languages:
  Spanish (official), English; spoken around Puerto Limon
Literacy:
  age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
total population:
  93%
male:
  93%
female:
  93%
Labor force:
  868,300
by occupation:
  industry and commerce 35.1%, government and services 33%, agriculture
  27%, other 4.9% (1985 est.)

@Costa Rica, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
  Republic of Costa Rica
conventional short form:
  Costa Rica
local long form:
  Republica de Costa Rica
local short form:
  Costa Rica
Digraph:
  CS
Type:
  democratic republic
Capital:
  San Jose
Administrative divisions:
  7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Alajuela, Cartago,
  Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San Jose
Independence:
  15 September 1821 (from Spain)
National holiday:
  Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
Constitution:
  9 November 1949
Legal system:
  based on Spanish civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts
  in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government:
  President Jose Maria FIGUERES Olsen (since 8 May 1994); First Vice
  President Rodrigo OREAMUNO Blanco (since 8 May 1994); Second Vice
  President Rebeca GRYNSPAN Mayufis (since 8 May 1994); election last
  held 6 February 1994 (next to be held February 1998); results -
  President FIGUERES (PLN party) 49.7%, Miquel Angel RODRIGUEZ (PUSC
  party) 47.5%
cabinet:
  Cabinet; selected by the president
Legislative branch:
  unicameral
Legislative Assembly (Asamblea Legislativa):
  elections last held 6 February 1994 (next to be held February 1998);
  results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (61 total) PLN 28, PUSC
  29, minority parties 4
Judicial branch:
  Supreme Court (Corte Suprema)
Political parties and leaders:
  National Liberation Party (PLN), Manuel AGUILAR Bonilla; Social
  Christian Unity Party (PUSC), Rafael Angel CALDERON Fournier; Marxist
  Popular Vanguard Party (PVP), Humberto VARGAS Carbonell; New Republic
  Movement (MNR), Sergio Erick ARDON Ramirez; Progressive Party (PP),
  Isaac Felipe AZOFEIFA Bolanos; People's Party of Costa Rica (PPC),
  Lenin CHACON Vargas; Radical Democratic Party (PRD), Juan Jose
  ECHEVERRIA Brealey
Other political or pressure groups:
  Costa Rican Confederation of Democratic Workers (CCTD; Liberation
  Party affiliate); Confederated Union of Workers (CUT, Communist Party
  affiliate); Authentic Confederation of Democratic Workers (CATD,
  Communist Party affiliate); Chamber of Coffee Growers; National
  Association for Economic Development (ANFE); Free Costa Rica Movement
  (MCRL, rightwing militants); National Association of Educators (ANDE)
Member of:
  AG (observer), BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD,
  ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC,
  IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), LORCS, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL,
  UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
  Ambassador Gonzalo FACIO Segreda
chancery:
  2114 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
  [phone]
FAX:
  [phone]
consulate(s) general:
  Albuquerque, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami,
  New Orleans, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia, San Antonio, San Diego,
  San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico)
consulate(s):
  Austin and Raleigh
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
  (vacant); Charge d' Affaires Joseph BECELIA
embassy:
  Pavas Road, San Jose
mailing address:
  APO AA 34020
telephone:
  [506] 20-39-39
FAX:
  (506) 20-2305
Flag:
  five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white,
  and blue, with the coat of arms in a white disk on the hoist side of
  the red band

@Costa Rica, Economy

Overview:
  In 1993 the economy grew at an estimated 6.5%, compared with 7.7% in
  1992 and 2.1% in 1991. Increases in agricultural production (coffee
  and bananas), nontraditional exports, and tourism are responsible for
  much of the growth. Inflation in 1993 dropped to 9% from 17% in 1992
  and 25% in 1991, an indication of basic financial stability.
  Unemployment is officially reported at 4.0%, but much underemployment
  remains.
National product:
  GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $19.3 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
  6.5% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
  $5,900 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  9% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate:
  4% (1993); much underemployment
Budget:
revenues:
  $1.1 billion
expenditures:
  $1.34 billion, including capital expenditures of $110 million (1991
  est.)
Exports:
  $1.9 billion (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities:
  coffee, bananas, textiles, sugar
partners:
  US, Germany, Italy, Guatemala, El Salvador, Netherlands, UK, France
Imports:
  $2.9 billion (c.i.f., 1993)
commodities:
  raw materials, consumer goods, capital equipment, petroleum
partners:
  US, Japan, Mexico, Guatemala, Venezuela, Germany
External debt:
  $3.2 billion (1991)
Industrial production:
  growth rate 10.5% (1992); accounts for 22% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
  927,000 kW
production:
  3.612 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
  1,130 kWh (1992)
Industries:
  food processing, textiles and clothing, construction materials,
  fertilizer, plastic products
Agriculture:
  accounts for 19% of GDP and 70% of exports; cash commodities - coffee,
  beef, bananas, sugar; other food crops include corn, rice, beans,
  potatoes; normally self-sufficient in food except for grain; depletion
  of forest resources resulting in lower timber output
Illicit drugs:
  transshipment country for cocaine and heroin from South America;
  illicit production of cannabis on small scattered plots
Economic aid:
recipient:
  US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $1.4 billion; Western
  (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $935
  million; Communist countries (1971-89), $27 million
Currency:
  1 Costa Rican colon (C) = 100 centimos
Exchange rates:
  Costa Rican colones (C) per US$1 - 150.67 (December 1993), 142.17
  (1993), 134.51 (1992), 122.43 (1991), 91.58 (1990), 81.504 (1989)
Fiscal year:
  calendar year

@Costa Rica, Communications

Railroads:
  950 km total, all 1.067-meter gauge; 260 km electrified
Highways:
total:
  35,536 km
paved:
  5,600 km
unpaved:
  gravel and earth 29,936 km (1991)
Inland waterways:
  about 730 km, seasonally navigable
Pipelines:
  petroleum products 176 km
Ports:
  Puerto Limon, Caldera, Golfito, Moin, Puntarenas
Merchant marine:
  1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,878 GRT/4,506 DWT
Airports:
total:
  184
usable:
  165
with permanent-surface runways:
  27
with runways over 3,659 m:
  0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
  2
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
  9
Telecommunications:
  very good domestic telephone service; 292,000 telephones; connection
  into Central American Microwave System; broadcast stations - 71 AM, no
  FM, 18 TV, 13 shortwave; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station

@Costa Rica, Defense Forces

Branches:
  Civil Guard, Rural Assistance Guard
note:
  constitution prohibits armed forces
Manpower availability:
  males age 15-49 873,987; fit for military service 588,223; reach
  military age (18) annually 32,308 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
  exchange rate conversion - $22 million, 0.5% of GDP (1989)


@Cote d'Ivoire

Header
Affiliation:
  (also known as Ivory Coast)

@Cote d'Ivoire, Geography

Location:
  Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean between Ghana and
  Liberia
Map references:
  Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
  322,460 sq km
land area:
  318,000 sq km
comparative area:
  slightly larger than New Mexico
Land boundaries:
  total 3,110 km, Burkina 584 km, Ghana 668 km, Guinea 610 km, Liberia
  716 km, Mali 532 km
Coastline:
  515 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf:
  200-m depth
exclusive economic zone:
  200 nm
territorial sea:
  12 nm
International disputes:
  none
Climate:
  tropical along coast, semiarid in far north; three seasons - warm and
  dry (November to March), hot and dry (March to May), hot and wet (June
  to October)
Terrain:
  mostly flat to undulating plains; mountains in northwest
Natural resources:
  petroleum, diamonds, manganese, iron ore, cobalt, bauxite, copper
Land use:
arable land:
  9%
permanent crops:
  4%
meadows and pastures:
  9%
forest and woodland:
  26%
other:
  52%
Irrigated land:
  620 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
  deforestation; water pollution from sewage and industrial and
  agricultural effluents
natural hazards:
  coast has heavy surf and no natural harbors
international agreements:
  party to - Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone
  Layer Protection, Ship Pollution; signed, but not ratified -
  Biodiversity, Climate Change, Tropical Timber

@Cote d'Ivoire, People

Population:
  14,295,501 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
  3.44% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
  46.52 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
  15.01 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
  2.86 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
  95 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
  48.92 years
male:
  46.75 years
female:
  51.16 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
  6.67 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
  Ivorian(s)
adjective:
  Ivorian
Ethnic divisions:
  Baoule 23%, Bete 18%, Senoufou 15%, Malinke 11%, Agni, foreign
  Africans (mostly Burkinabe and Malians, about 3 million), non-Africans
  130,000 to 330,000 (French 30,000 and Lebanese 100,000 to 300,000)
Religions:
  indigenous 25%, Muslim 60%, Christian 12%
Languages:
  French (official), 60 native dialects Dioula is the most widely spoken
Literacy:
  age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
total population:
  54%
male:
  67%
female:
  40%
Labor force:
  5.718 million
by occupation:
  over 85% of population engaged in agriculture, forestry, livestock
  raising; about 11% of labor force are wage earners, nearly half in
  agriculture and the remainder in government, industry, commerce, and
  professions
note:
  54% of population of working age (1985)

@Cote d'Ivoire, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
  Republic of Cote d'Ivoire
conventional short form:
  Cote d'Ivoire
local long form:
  Republique de Cote d'Ivoire
local short form:
  Cote d'Ivoire
former:
  Ivory Coast
Digraph:
  IV
Type:
  republic multiparty presidential regime established 1960
Capital:
  Yamoussoukro
note:
  although Yamoussoukro has been the capital since 1983, Abidjan remains
  the administrative center; foreign governments, including the United
  States, maintain presence in Abidjan
Administrative divisions:
  50 departments (departements, singular - departement); Abengourou,
  Abidjan, Aboisso, Adzope, Agboville, Agnibilckrou, Bangolo, Beoumi,
  Biankouma, Bondoukou, Bongouanou, Bouafle, Bouake, Bouna, Boundiali,
  Dabakala, Daloa, Danane, Daoukro, Dimbokro, Divo, Duekoue,
  Ferkessedougou, Gagnoa, Grand-Lahou, Guiglo, Issia, Katiola, Korhogo,
  Lakota, Man, Mankono, Mbahiakro, Odienne, Oume, Sakassou, San-Pedro,
  Sassandra, Seguela, Sinfra, Soubre, Tabou, Tanda, Tingrela, Tiassale,
  Touba, Toumodi, Vavoua, Yamoussoukro, Zuenoula
Independence:
  7 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday:
  National Day, 7 December
Constitution:
  3 November 1960; has been amended numerous times, last time November
  1990
Legal system:
  based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review in
  the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court; has not accepted
  compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
  21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
  President Henri Konan BEDIE (since 7 December 1993) constitutional
  successor who will serve during the remainder of the term of former
  President Felix HOUPHOUET-BOIGNY who died in office after continuous
  service from November 1960 (next election October 1995)
head of government:
  Prime Minister Kablan Daniel DUNCAN (since 10 December 1993)
cabinet:
  Council of Ministers; appointed by the prime minister
Legislative branch:
  unicameral
National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale):
  elections last held 25 November 1990 (next to be held November 1995);
  results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (175 total) PDCI 163,
  FPI 9, PIT 1, independents 2
Judicial branch:
  Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders:
  Democratic Party of the Cote d'Ivoire (PDCI), Henri Konan BEDIE;
  Ivorian Popular Front (FPI), Laurent GBAGBO; Ivorian Worker's Party
  (PIT), Francis WODIE; Ivorian Socialist Party (PSI), Morifere BAMBA;
  over 20 smaller parties
Member of:
  ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEAO, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-24, G-77,
  GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT,
  INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU,
  WADB, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
  Ambassador Jean-Marie KACOU-GERVAIS
chancery:
  2424 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
  [phone]
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
  Ambassador Hume A. HORAN
embassy:
  5 Rue Jesse Owens, Abidjan
mailing address:
  01 B. P. 1712, Abidjan
telephone:
  [225] 21-09-79 or 21-46-72
FAX:
  [225] 22-32-59
Flag:
  three equal vertical bands of orange (hoist side), white, and green;
  similar to the flag of Ireland, which is longer and has the colors
  reversed - green (hoist side), white, and orange; also similar to the
  flag of Italy, which is green (hoist side), white, and red; design was
  based on the flag of France

@Cote d'Ivoire, Economy

Overview:
  Cote d'Ivoire is among the world's largest producers and exporters of
  coffee, cocoa beans, and palm-kernel oil. Consequently, the economy is
  highly sensitive to fluctuations in international prices for coffee
  and cocoa and to weather conditions. Despite attempts by the
  government to diversify, the economy is still largely dependent on
  agriculture and related industries. The agricultural sector accounts
  for over one-third of GDP and about 80% of export earnings and employs
  about 85% of the labor force. A collapse of world cocoa and coffee
  prices in 1986 threw the economy into a recession, from which the
  country has yet to fully recover. Continuing weak prices for commodity
  exports, a bloated public-sector wage bill, and a large foreign debt
  will continue to constrain economic development, this despite the 50%
  currency devaluation in January 1994 designed to restore international
  price competitiveness. A large, non-competitive import-substitution
  sector continues to thrive under steep tariff and import quota
  barriers.
National product:
  GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $21 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
  NA
National product per capita:
  $1,500 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  1% (1991 est.)
Unemployment rate:
  14% (1985)
Budget:
revenues:
  $2.3 billion
expenditures:
  $3.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $274 million (1990
  est.)
Exports:
  $2.8 billion (f.o.b., 1990)
commodities:
  cocoa 30%, coffee 20%, tropical woods 11%, petroleum, cotton, bananas,
  pineapples, palm oil, cotton
partners:
  France, FRG, Netherlands, US, Belgium, Spain (1985)
Imports:
  $1.6 billion (f.o.b., 1990)
commodities:
  food, capital goods, consumer goods, fuel
partners:
  France 29%, other EC 29%, Nigeria 16%, US 4%, Japan 3% (1989)
External debt:
  $17.3 billion (1993 est.)
Industrial production:
  growth rate 6% (1990); accounts for 11% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
  1,210,000 kW
production:
  1.97 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
  150 kWh (1991)
Industries:
  foodstuffs, wood processing, oil refinery, automobile assembly,
  textiles, fertilizer, beverage
Agriculture:
  most important sector, contributing one-third to GDP and 80% to
  exports; cash crops include coffee, cocoa beans, timber, bananas, palm
  kernels, rubber; food crops - corn, rice, manioc, sweet potatoes; not
  self-sufficient in bread grain and dairy products
Illicit drugs:
  illicit producer of cannabis; mostly for local consumption; some
  international drug trade; transshipment point for Southwest and
  Southeast Asian heroin to Europe and occasionally to the US
Economic aid:
recipient:
  US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $356 million; Western
  (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-88), $5.2
  billion
Currency:
  1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates:
  Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 592.05
  (January 1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26
  (1990), 319.01 (1989)
note:
  beginning 12 January 1994, the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF 100 per
  French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since 1948
Fiscal year:
  calendar year

@Cote d'Ivoire, Communications

Railroads:
  660 km (Burkina border to Abidjan, 1.00-meter gauge, single track,
  except 25 km Abidjan-Anyama section is double track)
Highways:
total:
  46,600 km
paved:
  3,600 km
unpaved:
  gravel, crushed stone, improved earth 32,000 km; unimproved earth
  11,000 km
Inland waterways:
  980 km navigable rivers, canals, and numerous coastal lagoons
Ports:
  Abidjan, San-Pedro
Merchant marine:
  8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 92,828 GRT/ 134,606 DWT, bulk 1,
  chemical tanker 1, container 2, oil tanker 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 3
Airports:
total:
  41
usable:
  37
with permanent-surface runways:
  7
with runways over 3,659 m:
  0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
  3
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
  15
Telecommunications:
  well-developed by African standards but operating well below capacity;
  consists of open-wire lines and radio relay microwave links; 87,700
  telephones; broadcast stations - 3 AM, 17 FM, 13 TV, 1 Atlantic Ocean
  and 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station; 2 coaxial submarine cables

@Cote d'Ivoire, Defense Forces

Branches:
  Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary Gendarmerie, Republican Guard,
  Military Fire Group
Manpower availability:
  males age 15-49 3,224,673; fit for military service 1,674,127; reach
  military age (18) annually 149,991 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
  exchange rate conversion - $200 million, 2.3% of GDP (1988)


@Croatia, Geography

Location:
  Balkan State, Southeastern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula, bordering
  the Adriatic Sea, between Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina
Map references:
  Africa, Ethnic Groups in Eastern Europe, Europe, Standard Time Zones
  of the World
Area:
total area:
  56,538 sq km
land area:
  56,410 sq km
comparative area:
  slightly smaller than West Virginia
Land boundaries:
  total 2,028 km, Bosnia and Herzegovina 932 km, Hungary 329 km, Serbia
  and Montenegro 266 km (241 km with Serbia; 25 km with Montenego),
  Slovenia 501 km
Coastline:
  5,790 km (mainland 1,778 km, islands 4,012 km)
Maritime claims:
continental shelf:
  200-m depth or to depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone:
  12 nm
exclusive fishing zone:
  12 nm
territorial sea:
  12 nm
International disputes:
  Serbs have occupied UN protected areas in eastern Croatia and along
  the western Bosnia and Herzegovinian border; dispute with Slovenia
  over fishing rights in Adriatic
Climate:
  Mediterranean and continental; continental climate predominant with
  hot summers and cold winters; mild winters, dry summers along coast
Terrain:
  geographically diverse; flat plains along Hungarian border, low
  mountains and highlands near Adriatic coast, coastline, and islands
Natural resources:
  oil, some coal, bauxite, low-grade iron ore, calcium, natural asphalt,
  silica, mica, clays, salt
Land use:
arable land:
  32%
permanent crops:
  20%
meadows and pastures:
  18%
forest and woodland:
  15%
other:
  15%
Irrigated land:
  NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
  air pollution from metallurgical plants is damaging the forests;
  coastal pollution from industrial and domestic waste; widespread
  casualties and destruction of infrastructure in border areas affected
  by civil strife
natural hazards:
  subject to frequent and destructive earthquakes
international agreements:
  party to - Air Pollution, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone
  Layer Protection, Ship Pollution; signed, but not ratified -
  Biodiversity, Climate Change
Note:
  controls most land routes from Western Europe to Aegean Sea and
  Turkish Straits

@Croatia, People

Population:
  4,697,614 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
  0.07% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
  11.27 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
  10.54 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
  0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
  8.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
  73.6 years
male:
  70.14 years
female:
  77.26 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
  1.65 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
  Croat(s)
adjective:
  Croatian
Ethnic divisions:
  Croat 78%, Serb 12%, Muslim 0.9%, Hungarian 0.5%, Slovenian 0.5%,
  others 8.1%
Religions:
  Catholic 76.5%, Orthodox 11.1%, Slavic Muslim 1.2%, Protestant 0.4%,
  others and unknown 10.8%
Languages:
  Serbo-Croatian 96%, other 4%
Literacy:
total population:
  NA%
male:
  NA%
female:
  NA%
Labor force:
  1,509,489
by occupation:
  industry and mining 37%, agriculture 16% (1981 est.), government NA%,
  other

@Croatia, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
  Republic of Croatia
conventional short form:
  Croatia
local long form:
  Republika Hrvatska
local short form:
  Hrvatska
Digraph:
  HR
Type:
  parliamentary democracy
Capital:
  Zagreb
Administrative divisions:
  21 counties (zupanijas, zupanija - singular): Bjelovar-Bilogora, City
  of Zagreb, Dubrovnik-Neretva, Istra, Karlovac, Koprivnica-Krizevci,
  Krapina-Zagorje, Lika-Senj, Medimurje, Osijek-Baranja,
  Pozega-Slavonija, Primorje-Gorski Kotar, Sibenik, Sisak-Moslavina,
  Slavonski Brod-Posavina, Split-Dalmatia, Varazdin,
  Virovitica-Podravina, Vukovar-Srijem, Zadar-Knin, Zagreb
Independence:
  NA June 1991 (from Yugoslavia)
National holiday:
  Statehood Day, 30 May (1990)
Constitution:
  adopted on 2 December 1990
Legal system:
  based on civil law system
Suffrage:
  16 years of age, if employed;  18 years of age, universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
  President Franjo TUDJMAN (since 30 May 1990); election last held 4
  August 1992 (next to be held NA 1995); Franjo TUDJMAN reelected with
  about 56% of the vote; his opponent Dobroslav PARAGA got 5% of the
  vote
head of government:
  Prime Minister Nikica VALENTIC (since 3 April 1993); Deputy Prime
  Ministers Mato GRANIC (since 8 September 1992), Ivica KOSTOVIC (since
  NA), Vladimir SEKS (since September 1992), Borislav SKEGRO (since NA)
cabinet:
  Council of Ministers; appointed by the president
Legislative branch:
  bicameral parliament Assembly (Sabor)
House of Districts (Zupanije Dom):
  elections last held 7 and 21 February 1993 (next to be held NA
  February 1997); seats - (68 total; 63 elected, 5 presidentially
  appointed) HDZ 37, HSLS 16, HSS 5, Istrian Democratic Assembly 3,
  SPH-SDP 1, HNS 1
House of Representatives (Predstavnicke Dom):
  elections last held 2 August 1992 (next to be held NA August 1996);
  seats - (138 total) HDZ 85, HSLS 14, SPH-SDP 11, HNS 6, Dalmatian
  Action/Istrian Democratic Assembly/ Rijeka Democratic Alliance
  coalition 6, HSP 5, HSS 3, SNS 3, independents 5
Judicial branch:
  Supreme Court, Constitutional Court
Political parties and leaders:
  Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), Stjepan MESIC, chairman of the
  executive council; Croatian People's Party (HNS), Savka
  DABCEVIC-KUCAR, president; Serbian People's Party (SNS), Milan DUKIC;
  Croatian Party of Rights (HSP), leader NA; Croatian Social Liberal
  Party (HSLS), Drazen BUDISA, president; Croatian Peasant Party (HSS),
  leader NA; Dalmatian Action/Istrian Democratic Assembly/Rijecka
  Democratic Alliance coalition; Social Democratic Party of
  Croatia-Party of Democratic Changes (SPH-SDP), Ivica RACAN
Other political or pressure groups:
  NA
Member of:
  CE (guest), CEI, CSCE, ECE, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO,
  INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM
  (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
  Ambassador Petr A. SARCEVIC
chancery:
  (temporary) 236 Massachusetts Avenue NE, Washington, DC 20002
telephone:
  [phone]
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
  Ambassador Peter W. GALBRAITH
embassy:
  Andrije Hebranga 2, Zagreb
mailing address:
  US Embassy, Zagreb, Unit 1345, APO AE 09213-1345
telephone:
  [385] (41) 444-800
FAX:
  [385] (41) 45 85 85
Flag:
  red, white, and blue horizontal bands with Croatian coat of arms (red
  and white checkered)

@Croatia, Economy

Overview:
  Before the dissolution of Yugoslavia, the republic of Croatia, after
  Slovenia, was the most prosperous and industrialized area, with a per
  capita output roughly comparable to that of Portugal and perhaps
  one-third above the Yugoslav average. At present, Croatian Serb
  Nationalists control approximately one-third of the Croatian
  territory, and one of the overriding determinants of Croatia's
  long-term political and economic prospects will be the resolution of
  this territorial dispute. Croatia faces monumental economic problems
  stemming from: the legacy of longtime Communist mismanagement of the
  economy; large foreign debt; damage during the fighting to bridges,
  factories, power lines, buildings, and houses; the large refugee
  population, both Croatian and Bosnian; and the disruption of economic
  ties to Serbia and the other former Yugoslav republics, as well as
  within its own territory. At the minimum, extensive Western aid and
  investment, especially in the tourist and oil industries, would seem
  necessary to salvage a desperate economic situation. However, peace
  and political stability must come first; only then will recent
  government moves toward a "market-friendly" economy reverse the sharp
  drop in output. As of May 1994, fighting continues among Croats,
  Serbs, and Muslims, and national boundaries and final political
  arrangements are still in doubt.
National product:
  GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $21.8 billion (1992 est.)
National product real growth rate:
  -19% (1992 est.)
National product per capita:
  $4,500 (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  26% monthly average (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate:
  21% (December 1993)
Budget:
revenues:
  $NA
expenditures:
  $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Exports:
  $3.9 billion (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities:
  machinery and transport equipment 30%, other manufacturers 37%,
  chemicals 11%, food and live animals 9%, raw materials 6.5%, fuels and
  lubricants 5% (1990)
partners:
  EC countries, Slovenia
Imports:
  $4.7 billion (c.i.f., 1993)
commodities:
  machinery and transport equipment 21%, fuels and lubricants 19%, food
  and live animals 16%, chemicals 14%, manufactured goods 13%,
  miscellaneous manufactured articles 9%, raw materials 6.5%, beverages
  and tobacco 1% (1990)
partners:
  EC countries, Slovenia, FSU countries
External debt:
  $2.6 billion (December 1993)
Industrial production:
  growth rate -5.9% (1993 est.)
Electricity:
capacity:
  3,570,000 kW
production:
  11.5 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
  2,400 kWh (1992)
Industries:
  chemicals and plastics, machine tools, fabricated metal, electronics,
  pig iron and rolled steel products, aluminum reduction, paper, wood
  products (including furniture), building materials (including cement),
  textiles, shipbuilding, petroleum and petroleum refining, food
  processing and beverages
Agriculture:
  Croatia normally produces a food surplus; most agricultural land in
  private hands and concentrated in Croat-majority districts in Slavonia
  and Istria; much of Slavonia's land has been put out of production by
  fighting; wheat, corn, sugar beets, sunflowers, alfalfa, and clover
  are main crops in Slavonia; central Croatian highlands are less
  fertile but support cereal production, orchards, vineyards, livestock
  breeding, and dairy farming; coastal areas and offshore islands grow
  olives, citrus fruits, and vegetables
Economic aid:
  $NA
Currency:
  1 Croatian dinar (CD) = 100 paras; a new currency, the kuna, replaced
  the dinar on 30 May 1994
Exchange rates:
  Croatian dinar per US $1 - 6,544 (January 1994), 3,637 (15 July 1993),
  60.00 (April 1992)
Fiscal year:
  calendar year

@Croatia, Communications

Railroads:
  2,592 km of standard guage (1.435 m) of which 864 km are electrified
  (1992); note - disrupted by territorial dispute
Highways:
total:
  32,071 km
paved:
  23,305 km
unpaved:
  gravel 8,439 km; earth 327 km (1990)
Inland waterways:
  785 km perennially navigable
Pipelines:
  crude oil 670 km; petroleum products 20 km; natural gas 310 km (1992);
  note - now disrupted because of territorial dispute
Ports:
  coastal - Omisalj (oil), Ploce, Rijeka, Split; inland - Osijek,
  Slavonski Samac, Vukovar, Zupanja
Merchant marine:
  28 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 108,194 GRT/131,880 DWT, cargo
  18, container 1, oil tanker 1, passenger 2, refrigerated cargo 1,
  roll-on/roll-off cargo 2, short-sea passenger 3
note:
  also controlled by Croatian shipowners are 151 ships (1,000 GRT or
  over) under flags of convenience - primarily Malta and St. Vincent -
  totaling 2,221,931 GRT/3,488,263 DWT; includes cargo 60, roll-on/
  roll-off 8, refrigerated cargo 4, container 12, multifunction large
  load carriers 3, bulk 45, oil tanker 9, liquified gas 1, chemical
  tanker 4, service vessel 5
Airports:
total:
  75
usable:
  70
with permanent-surface runways:
  16
with runways over 3,659 m:
  0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
  7
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
  5
Telecommunications:
  350,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 14 AM, 8 FM, 12 (2 repeaters)
  TV; 1,100,000 radios; 1,027,000 TVs; satellite ground stations - none

@Croatia, Defense Forces

Branches:
  Ground Forces, Naval Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces
Manpower availability:
  males age 15-49 1,182,767; fit for military service 946,010; reach
  military age (19) annually 33,166 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
  337 billion-393 billion Croatian dinars, NA% of GDP (1993 est.); note
  - conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars using the current
  exchange rate could produce misleading results


@Cuba, Geography

Location:
  Caribbean, in the northern Caribbean Sea, 145 km south of Key West
  (Florida)
Map references:
  Central America and the Caribbean, North America, Standard Time Zones
  of the World
Area:
total area:
  110,860 sq km
land area:
  110,860 sq km
comparative area:
  slightly smaller than Pennsylvania
Land boundaries:
  total 29 km, US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay 29 km
note:
  Guantanamo is leased and as such remains part of Cuba
Coastline:
  3,735 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone:
  200 nm
territorial sea:
  12 nm
International disputes:
  US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay is leased to US and only mutual
  agreement or US abandonment of the area can terminate the lease
Climate:
  tropical; moderated by trade winds; dry season (November to April);
  rainy season (May to October)
Terrain:
  mostly flat to rolling plains with rugged hills and mountains in the
  southeast
Natural resources:
  cobalt, nickel, iron ore, copper, manganese, salt, timber, silica,
  petroleum
Land use:
arable land:
  23%
permanent crops:
  6%
meadows and pastures:
  23%
forest and woodland:
  17%
other:
  31%
Irrigated land:
  8,960 sq km (1989)
Environment:
current issues:
  overhunting threatens wildlife populations; deforestation
natural hazards:
  averages one hurricane every other year
international agreements:
  party to - Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered
  Species, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping,
  Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution; signed, but not ratified -
  Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Marine Life Conservation
Note:
  largest country in Caribbean

@Cuba, People

Population:
  11,064,344 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
  0.95% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
  16.59 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
  6.52 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
  -0.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
  10.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
  76.89 years
male:
  74.72 years
female:
  79.18 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
  1.83 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
  Cuban(s)
adjective:
  Cuban
Ethnic divisions:
  mulatto 51%, white 37%, black 11%, Chinese 1%
Religions:
  nominally Roman Catholic 85% prior to Castro assuming power
Languages:
  Spanish
Literacy:
  age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
total population:
  94%
male:
  95%
female:
  93%
Labor force:
  4,620,800 economically active population (1988); 3,578,800 in state
  sector
by occupation:
  services and government 30%, industry 22%, agriculture 20%, commerce
  11%, construction 10%, transportation and communications 7% (June
  1990)

@Cuba, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
  Republic of Cuba
conventional short form:
  Cuba
local long form:
  Republica de Cuba
local short form:
  Cuba
Digraph:
  CU
Type:
  Communist state
Capital:
  Havana
Administrative divisions:
  14 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 special
  municipality* (municipio especial); Camaguey, Ciego de Avila,
  Cienfuegos, Ciudad de La Habana, Granma, Guantanamo, Holguin, Isla de
  la Juventud*, La Habana, Las Tunas, Matanzas, Pinar del Rio, Sancti
  Spiritus, Santiago de Cuba, Villa Clara
Independence:
  20 May 1902 (from Spain 10 December 1898; administered by the US from
  1898 to 1902)
National holiday:
  Rebellion Day, 26 July (1953)
Constitution:
  24 February 1976
Legal system:
  based on Spanish and American law, with large elements of Communist
  legal theory; does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
  16 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government:
  President of the Council of State and President of the Council of
  Ministers Fidel CASTRO Ruz (Prime Minister from February 1959 until 24
  February 1976 when office was abolished; President since 2 December
  1976);  First Vice President of the Council of State and First Vice
  President of the Council of Ministers Gen. Raul CASTRO Ruz (since 2
  December 1976)
cabinet:
  Council of Ministers; proposed by the president of the Council of
  State, appointed by the National Assembly
Legislative branch:
  unicameral
National Assembly of People's Power:
  (Asamblea Nacional del Poder Popular) elections last held February
  1993; seats - 589 total, indirectly elected from slates approved by
  special candidacy commissions
Judicial branch:
  People's Supreme Court (Tribunal Supremo Popular)
Political parties and leaders:
  only party - Cuban Communist Party (PCC), Fidel CASTRO Ruz, first
  secretary
Member of:
  CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, ICAO, IFAD, ILO, IMO, INMARSAT,
  INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA
  (observer), LORCS, NAM, OAS (excluded from formal participation since
  1962), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,
  WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
  Principal Officer Alfonso FRAGA Perez (since August 1992) represented
  by the Cuban Interests Section of the Swiss Embassy in Washington, DC
chancery:
  2630 and 2639 16th Street NW, US Interests Section, Swiss Embassy,
  Washington, DC 20009
telephone:
  [phone] or 8519, 8520, 8609, 8610
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
  Principal Officer Joseph SULLIVAN
US Interests Section:
  USINT, Swiss Embassy, Calzada Entre L y M, Vedado Seccion, Havana
mailing address:
  use street address
telephone:
  33-3351 or 33-3543
FAX:
  no service available at this time
note:
  protecting power in Cuba is Switzerland - US Interests Section, Swiss
  Embassy
Flag:
  five equal horizontal bands of blue (top and bottom) alternating with
  white; a red equilateral triangle based on the hoist side bears a
  white five-pointed star in the center

@Cuba, Economy

Overview:
  Cuba's heavily statist economy remains in a severe depression as a
  result of the loss of massive amounts of economic aid from the former
  Soviet Bloc. In 1989-93, GDP declined by about 40% and import
  capability fell by about 80%. Reduced imports of fuel, spare parts,
  and chemicals combined with rainy weather to cut the production of
  sugar - the country's top export - from 7 million tons in 1992 to 4.3
  million tons in 1993, causing a loss of more than $400 million in
  export revenue. The government implemented several measures designed
  to stem the economic decline, e.g., legalizing the use of foreign
  currency by Cuban citizens in August 1993 in an attempt to increase
  remittances of foreign exchange from abroad. Authorities in September
  1993 began permitting self-employment in over 100 mostly service
  occupations. Also in September the government broke up many state
  farms into smaller, more autonomous cooperative units in an attempt to
  increase worker incentives and boost depressed food production levels.
  Fuel shortages persisted throughout 1993; draft animals and bicycles
  continued to replace motor-driven vehicles, and the use of electricity
  by households and factories was cut from already low levels. With the
  help of foreign investment, tourism has been one bright spot in the
  economy, with arrivals and earnings reaching record highs in 1993.
  Government officials have expressed guarded optimism for 1994, as the
  country struggles to achieve sustainable economic growth at a
  much-reduced standard of living.
National product:
  GNP - purchasing power equivalent - $13.7 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
  -10% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
  $1,250 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  NA%
Unemployment rate:
  NA%
Budget:
revenues:
  $12.46 billion
expenditures:
  $14.45 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1990 est.)
Exports:
  $1.5 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities:
  sugar, nickel, shellfish, tobacco, medical products, citrus, coffee
partners:
  Russia 28%, Canada 9%, China 5%, Ukraine 5%, Japan 4%, Spain 4% (1993
  est.)
Imports:
  $1.7 billion (c.i.f., 1993 est.)
commodities:
  petroleum, food, machinery, chemicals
partners:
  Venezuela 20%, China 9%, Spain 9%, Mexico 7%, Italy 4%, Canada 7%,
  France 8% (1993 est.)
External debt:
  $6.8 billion (convertible currency, July 1989)
Industrial production:
  growth rate NA%
Electricity:
capacity:
  3,889,000 kW
production:
  16.248 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
  1,500 kWh (1992)
Industries:
  sugar milling and refining, petroleum refining, food and tobacco
  processing, textiles, chemicals, paper and wood products, metals
  (particularly nickel), cement, fertilizers, consumer goods,
  agricultural machinery
Agriculture:
  accounts for 11% of GNP (including fishing and forestry); key
  commercial crops - sugarcane, tobacco, and citrus fruits; other
  products - coffee, rice, potatoes, meat, beans; world's largest sugar
  exporter; not self-sufficient in food (excluding sugar); sector hurt
  by growing shortages of fuels and parts
Illicit drugs:
  transshipment point for cocaine bound for the US
Economic aid:
recipient:
  Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments
  (1970-89), $710 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $18.5 billion
Currency:
  1 Cuban peso (Cu$) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates:
  Cuban pesos (Cu$) per US$1 - 1.0000 (non-convertible, official rate,
  linked to the US dollar)
Fiscal year:
  calendar year

@Cuba, Communications

Railroads:
  12,795 km total; Cuban National Railways operates 5,053 km of
  1.435-meter gauge track, including 151.7 km electrified; in addition,
  sugar plantation lines consist of 7,742 km of 0.914-meter and
  1.435-meter gauge track
Highways:
total:
  26,477 km
paved:
  14,477 km
unpaved:
  gravel or earth 12,000 km (1989)
Inland waterways:
  240 km
Ports:
  Cienfuegos, La Habana, Mariel, Matanzas, Santiago de Cuba; 7
  secondary, 35 minor
Merchant marine:
  64 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 444,038 GRT/627,741 DWT, bulk 2,
  cargo 36, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas 4, oil tanker 10, passenger
  cargo 1, refrigerated cargo 10
note:
  Cuba beneficially owns an additional 34 ships (1,000 GRT and over)
  totaling 529,090 DWT under the registry of Panama, Cyprus, and Malta
Airports:
total:
  187
usable:
  167
with permanent-surface runways:
  73
with runways over 3,659 m:
  3
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
  12
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
  19
Telecommunications:
  among the world's least developed telephone systems; 229,000
  telephones; telephone density - 20.7 per 1,000 persons; broadcast
  stations - 150 AM, 5 FM, 58 TV; 1,530,000 TVs; 2,140,000 radios; 1
  Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station

@Cuba, Defense Forces

Branches:
  Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) - including ground forces,
  Revolutionary Navy (MGR), Air and Air Defense Force (DAAFAR),
  Territorial Militia Troops (MTT), Youth Labor Army (EJT), and Interior
  Ministry Border Guard Troops
Manpower availability:
  males age 15-49 3,064,898; females age 15-49 3,088,810; males fit for
  military service 1,907,396; females fit for military service
  1,927,306; males reach military age (17) annually 81,536 (1994 est.);
  females reach military age (17) annually 78,612 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
  exchange rate conversion - approx. $600 million, 4% of GSP (gross
  social product) in 1993 was for defense
Note:
  Moscow, for decades the key military supporter and supplier of Cuba,
  cut off military aid by 1993


@Cyprus, Geography

Location:
  Middle East, in the eastern Mediterreanean Sea, 97 km west of Syria
  and 64 km west of Turkey
Map references:
  Africa, Middle East, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
  9,250 sq km
land area:
  9,240 sq km
comparative area:
  about 0.7 times the size of Connecticut
Land boundaries:
  0 km
Coastline:
  648 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf:
  200-m depth or to depth of exploitation
territorial sea:
  12 nm
International disputes:
  1974 hostilities divided the island into two de facto autonomous
  areas, a Greek area controlled by the Cypriot Government (60% of the
  island's land area) and a Turkish-Cypriot area (35% of the island),
  that are separated by a narrow UN buffer zone; in addition, there are
  two UK sovereign base areas (about 5% of the island's land area)
Climate:
  temperate, Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters
Terrain:
  central plain with mountains to north and south
Natural resources:
  copper, pyrites, asbestos, gypsum, timber, salt, marble, clay earth
  pigment
Land use:
arable land:
  40%
permanent crops:
  7%
meadows and pastures:
  10%
forest and woodland:
  18%
other:
  25%
Irrigated land:
  350 sq km (1989)
Environment:
current issues:
  water resource problems (no natural reservoir catchments, seasonal
  disparity in rainfall, and most potable resources concentrated in the
  Turkish Cypriot area); water pollution from sewage and industrial
  wastes; coastal degradation; loss of wildlife habitats from
  urbanization
natural hazards:
  moderate earthquake activity
international agreements:
  party to - Air Pollution, Endangered Species, Environmental
  Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping,
  Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution; signed, but
  not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change

@Cyprus, People

Population:
  730,084 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
  0.91% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
  16.69 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
  7.61 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
  0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
  9 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
  76.22 years
male:
  73.97 years
female:
  78.58 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
  2.32 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
  Cypriot(s)
adjective:
  Cypriot
Ethnic divisions:
  Greek 78%, Turkish 18%, other 4%
Religions:
  Greek Orthodox 78%, Muslim 18%, Maronite, Armenian, Apostolic, and
  other 4%
Languages:
  Greek, Turkish, English
Literacy:
  age 15 and over can read and write (1987 est.)
total population:
  94%
male:
  98%
female:
  91%
Labor force:
Greek area:
  285,500
by occupation:
  services 57%, industry 29%, agriculture 14% (1992)
Turkish area:
  75,000
by occupation:
  services 52%, industry 22%, agriculture 26% (1992)

@Cyprus, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
  Republic of Cyprus
conventional short form:
  Cyprus
Digraph:
  CY
Type:
  republic
note:
  a disaggregation of the two ethnic communities inhabiting the island
  began after the outbreak of communal strife in 1963; this separation
  was further solidified following the Turkish invasion of the island in
  July 1974, which gave the Turkish Cypriots de facto control in the
  north; Greek Cypriots control the only internationally recognized
  government; on 15 November 1983 Turkish Cypriot President Rauf
  DENKTASH declared independence and the formation of a "Turkish
  Republic of Northern Cyprus" (TRNC), which has been recognized only by
  Turkey; both sides publicly call for the resolution of intercommunal
  differences and creation of a new federal system of government
Capital:
  Nicosia
Administrative divisions:
  6 districts; Famagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol, Nicosia, Paphos
Independence:
  16 August 1960 (from UK)
National holiday:
  Independence Day, 1 October (15 November (1983) is celebrated as
  Independence Day in the Turkish area)
Constitution:
  16 August 1960; negotiations to create the basis for a new or revised
  constitution to govern the island and to better relations between
  Greek and Turkish Cypriots have been held intermittently; in 1975
  Turkish Cypriots created their own Constitution and governing bodies
  within the "Turkish Federated State of Cyprus," which was renamed the
  "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" in 1983; a new Constitution for
  the Turkish area passed by referendum in 5 May 1985
Legal system:
  based on common law, with civil law modifications
Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government:
  President Glafkos CLERIDES (since 28 February 1993); election last
  held 14 February 1993 (next to be held February 1998); results -
  Glafkos CLERIDES 50.3%, George VASSILIOU 49.7%
cabinet:
  Council of Ministers; appointed jointly by the president and
  vice-president
note:
  Rauf R. DENKTASH has been president of the Turkish area since 13
  February 1975; Hakki ATUN has been prime minister of the Turkish area
  since 1 January 1994; there is a Council of Ministers (cabinet) in the
  Turkish area
Legislative branch:
  unicameral
House of Representatives (Vouli Antiprosopon):
  elections last held 19 May 1991 (next to be held NA); results - DISY
  35.8%, AKEL (Communist) 30.6%, DIKO 19.5%, EDEK 10.9%; others 3.2%;
  seats - (56 total) DISY 20, AKEL (Communist) 18, DIKO 11, EDEK 7
Turkish Area: Assembly of the Republic (Cumhuriyet Meclisi):
  elections last held 12 December 1993 (next to be held NA); results -
  percent of vote by party NA; seats - (50 total) UBP (conservative) 17,
  DP 15, CTP 13, TKP 5
Judicial branch:
  Supreme Court; note - there is also a Supreme Court in the Turkish
  area
Political parties and leaders:
Greek Cypriot:
  Progressive Party of the Working People (AKEL, Communist Party),
  Dimitrios CHRISTOFIAS; Democratic Rally (DISY), John MATSIS;
  Democratic Party (DIKO), Spyros KYPRIANOU; United Democratic Union of
  the Center (EDEK), Vassos LYSSARIDIS; Socialist Democratic Renewal
  Movement (ADISOK), Mikhalis PAPAPETROU; Liberal Party, Nikos ROLANDIS;
  Free Democrats, George VASSILIOU
Turkish area:
  National Unity Party (UBP), Dervis EROGLU; Communal Liberation Party
  (TKP), Mustafa AKINCI; Republican Turkish Party (CTP), Ozker OZGUR;
  New Cyprus Party (YKP), Alpay DURDURAN; Social Democratic Party (SDP),
  Ergun VEHBI; New Birth Party (YDP), Ali Ozkan ALTINISHIK; Free
  Democratic Party (HDP), Ismet KOTAK; National Struggle Party (MSP),
  Zorlu TORE; Unity and Sovereignty Party (USP), Arif Salih KIRDAG;
  Democratic Party (DP), Hakki ATUN; Fatherland Party (VP), Orhan UCOK
note:
  CTP, TKP, and YDP joined in the coalition Democratic Struggle Party
  (DMP) for the 22 April 1990 legislative election; the CTP and TKP
  boycotted the by-election of 13 October 1991, in which 12 seats were
  at stake; the DMP was dissolved after the 1990 election
Other political or pressure groups:
  United Democratic Youth Organization (EDON, Communist controlled);
  Union of Cyprus Farmers (EKA, Communist controlled); Cyprus Farmers
  Union (PEK, pro-West); Pan-Cyprian Labor Federation (PEO, Communist
  controlled); Confederation of Cypriot Workers (SEK, pro-West);
  Federation of Turkish Cypriot Labor Unions (Turk-Sen); Confederation
  of Revolutionary Labor Unions (Dev-Is)
Member of:
  C, CCC, CE, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,
  ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL,
  IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAS (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,
  UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
  Ambassador Andreas JACOVIDES
chancery:
  2211 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
  [phone]
consulate(s) general:
  New York
note:
  Representative of the Turkish area in the US is Namik KORMAN, office
  at 1667 K Street NW, Washington DC, telephone [phone]
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
  Ambassador Richard BOUCHER
embassy:
  corner of Metochiou and Ploutarchou Streets, Nicosia
mailing address:
  APO AE 09836
telephone:
  [357] (2) 476100
FAX:
  [357] (2) 465944
Flag:
  white with a copper-colored silhouette of the island (the name Cyprus
  is derived from the Greek word for copper) above two green crossed
  olive branches in the center of the flag; the branches symbolize the
  hope for peace and reconciliation between the Greek and Turkish
  communities
note:
  the Turkish Cypriot flag has a horizontal red stripe at the top and
  bottom with a red crescent and red star on a white field

@Cyprus, Economy

Overview:
  The Greek Cypriot economy is small, diversified, and prosperous.
  Industry contributes 16% to GDP and employs 29% of the labor force,
  while the service sector contributes 60% to GDP and employs 57% of the
  labor force. An average 6.8% rise in real GDP between 1986 and 1990
  was temporarily checked in 1991, because of the adverse effects of the
  Gulf War on tourism. Economic growth surged again in 1992, bolstered
  by strong foreign and domestic demand. As the economy gained momentum,
  however, it began to overheat; inflation reached 6.5%. The economy has
  likely recorded a sharp drop in growth in 1993, due to the recession
  in Western Europe, Cyprus' main trading partner, but probably will
  pick up again in 1994. The Turkish Cypriot economy has less than
  one-third the per capita GDP in the south. Because it is recognized
  only by Turkey, it has had much difficulty arranging foreign
  financing, and foreign firms have hesitated to invest there. The
  economy remains heavily dependent on agriculture, which employs more
  than one-quarter of the workforce. Moreover, because the Turkish lira
  is legal tender, the Turkish Cypriot economy has suffered the same
  high inflation as mainland Turkey. To compensate for the economy's
  weakness, Turkey provides direct and indirect aid to nearly every
  sector; financial support has reached about one-third of Turkish
  Cypriot GDP.
National product:
Greek area:
  GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $6.7 billion (1992)
Turkish area:
  GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $550 million (1992)
National product real growth rate:
Greek area:
  8.2% (1992)
Turkish area:
  7.3% (1992)
National product per capita:
Greek area:
  $11,390 (1992)
Turkish area:
  $3,130 (1992)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Greek area:
  6.5% (1992)
Turkish area:
  63.4% (1992)
Unemployment rate:
Greek area:
  1.8% (1992)
Turkish area:
  1.2% (1992)
Budget:
revenues:
  Greek area - $1.7 billion
  Turkish area -  $273 million
expenditures:
  Greek area - $2.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $350
  million
  Turkish area - $360 million, including capital expenditures of $78
  million (1994)
Exports:
  $1.1 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities:
  citrus, potatoes, grapes, wine, cement, clothing and shoes
partners:
  UK 19%, Greece 8%, Lebanon 2%, Egypt 7%
Imports:
  $3.3 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities:
  consumer goods, petroleum and lubricants, food and feed grains,
  machinery
partners:
  UK 11%, Japan 11%, Italy 10%, Germany 9%, US 8%
External debt:
  $1.6 billion (1992)
Industrial production:
  growth rate 4% (1993 est.); accounts for 16.0% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
  620,000 kW
production:
  1.77 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
  2,530 kWh (1991)
Industries:
  food, beverages, textiles, chemicals, metal products, tourism, wood
  products
Agriculture:
  contributes 7% to GDP and employs 26% of labor force in the south;
  major crops - potatoes, vegetables, barley, grapes, olives, citrus
  fruits; vegetables and fruit provide 25% of export revenues
Illicit drugs:
  transit point for heroin via air routes and container traffic to
  Europe, especially from Lebanon and Turkey
Economic aid:
recipient:
  US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $292 million; Western
  (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $250
  million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $62 million; Communist
  countries (1970-89), $24 million
Currency:
  1 Cypriot pound (#C) = 100 cents; 1 Turkish lira (TL) = 100 kurus
Exchange rates:
  Cypriot pounds per $US1 - 0.5148 (December 1993), 0.4970 (1993),
  0.4502 (1992), 0.4615 (1991), 0.4572 (1990), 0.4933 (1989); Turkish
  liras (TL) per US$1 - 15,196.1 (January 1994), 10,983.3 (1993),
  6,872.4 (1992), 4,171.8 (1991), 2,608.6 (1990), 2,121.7 (1989)
Fiscal year:
  calendar year

@Cyprus, Communications

Highways:
total:
  10,780 km
paved:
  5,170 km
unpaved:
  gravel, crushed stone, earth 5,610 km
Ports:
  Famagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol, Paphos
Merchant marine:
  1,399 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 22,743,484 GRT/39,874,985
  DWT, bulk 469, cargo 496, chemical tanker 27, combination bulk 48,
  combination ore/oil 32, container 82, liquefied gas 3, multifunction
  large load carrier 4, oil tanker 122, passenger 4, passenger-cargo 2,
  railcar carrier 1, refrigerated cargo 67, roll-on/roll-off cargo 24,
  short-sea passenger 12, specialized tanker 3, vehicle carrier 3
note:
  a flag of convenience registry; Cuba owns 26 of these ships, Russia
  owns 61, Latvia owns 7, Croatia owns 2, and Romania owns 4
Airports:
total:
  14
usable:
  14
with permanent-surface runways:
  11
with runways over 3,659 m:
  0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
  7
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
  2
Telecommunications:
  excellent in both the area controlled by the Cypriot Government (Greek
  area), and in the Turkish-Cypriot administered area; 210,000
  telephones; largely open-wire and microwave radio relay; broadcast
  stations - 11 AM, 8 FM, 1 (34 repeaters) TV in Greek sector and 2 AM,
  6 FM and 1 TV in Turkish sector; international service by tropospheric
  scatter, 3 submarine cables, and satellite earth stations - 1 Atlantic
  Ocean INTELSAT, 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and EUTELSAT earth stations

@Cyprus, Defense Forces

Branches:
Greek area:
  Greek Cypriot National Guard (GCNG; including air and naval elements),
  Greek Cypriot Police
Turkish area:
  Turkish Cypriot Security Force
Manpower availability:
  males age 15-49 186,807; fit for military service 128,444; reach
  military age (18) annually 5,233 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
  exchange rate conversion - $407 million, 6.5% of GDP (1993)