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

Text File | 1996-01-10 | 135.6 KB | 4,651 lines

@Greenland

Header
Affiliation:
  (part of the Danish realm)

@Greenland, Geography

Location:
  Northern North America, in the North Atlantic Ocean, between Canada
  and Norway
Map references:
  Arctic Region, North America, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
  2,175,600 sq km
land area:
  383,600 sq km (ice free)
comparative area:
  slightly more than three times the size of Texas
Land boundaries:
  0 km
Coastline:
  44,087 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone:
  200 nm
territorial sea:
  3 nm
International disputes:
  dispute betwen Denmark and Norway over maritime boundary in Arctic
  Ocean between Greenland and Jan Mayen has been settled by the
  International Court of Justice (ICJ)
Climate:
  arctic to subarctic; cool summers, cold winters
Terrain:
  flat to gradually sloping icecap covers all but a narrow, mountainous,
  barren, rocky coast
Natural resources:
  zinc, lead, iron ore, coal, molybdenum, cryolite, uranium, fish
Land use:
arable land:
  0%
permanent crops:
  0%
meadows and pastures:
  1%
forest and woodland:
  0%
other:
  99%
Irrigated land:
  NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
  NA
natural hazards:
  NA
international agreements:
  NA
Note:
  dominates North Atlantic Ocean between North America and Europe;
  sparse population confined to small settlements along coast;
  continuous permafrost over northern two-thirds of the island

@Greenland, People

Population:
  57,040 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
  0.94% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
  18.6 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
  7.43 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
  -1.75 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
  26.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
  66.91 years
male:
  62.55 years
female:
  71.28 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
  2.29 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
  Greenlander(s)
adjective:
  Greenlandic
Ethnic divisions:
  Greenlander 86% (Eskimos and Greenland-born Caucasians), Danish 14%
Religions:
  Evangelical Lutheran
Languages:
  Eskimo dialects, Danish
Literacy:
total population:
  NA%
male:
  NA%
female:
  NA%
Labor force:
  22,800
by occupation:
  largely engaged in fishing, hunting, sheep breeding

@Greenland, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
  none
conventional short form:
  Greenland
local long form:
  none
local short form:
  Kalaallit Nunaat
Digraph:
  GL
Type:
  part of the Danish realm; self-governing overseas administrative
  division
Capital:
  Nuuk (Godthab)
Administrative divisions:
  3 municipalities (kommuner, singular - kommun); Nordgronland,
  Ostgronland, Vestgronland
Independence:
  none (part of the Danish realm; self-governing overseas administrative
  division)
National holiday:
  Birthday of the Queen, 16 April (1940)
Constitution:
  5 June 1953 (Danish constitution)
Legal system:
  Danish
Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
  Queen MARGRETHE II (since 14 January 1972), represented by High
  Commissioner Torben Hede PEDERSEN (since NA)
head of government:
  Home Rule Chairman Lars Emil JOHANSEN (since 15 March 1991)
cabinet:
  Landsstyre; formed from the Landsting on basis of strength of parties
Legislative branch:
  unicameral
Parliament (Landsting):
  elections last held on 5 March 1991 (next to be held 5 March 1995);
  results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (27 total) Siumut 11,
  Atassut Party 8, Inuit Ataqatigiit 5, Center Party 2, Polar Party 1
Danish Folketing:
  last held on 12 December 1990 (next to be held by December 1994);
  Greenland elects two representatives to the Folketing; results -
  percent of vote by party NA; seats - (2 total) Siumut 1, Atassut 1
Judicial branch:
  High Court (Landsret)
Political parties and leaders:
  two-party ruling coalition; Siumut (a moderate socialist party that
  advocates more distinct Greenlandic identity and greater autonomy from
  Denmark), Lars Emil JOHANSEN, chairman; Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA; a
  Marxist-Leninist party that favors complete independence from Denmark
  rather than home rule), Arqaluk LYNGE; Atassut Party (a more
  conservative party that favors continuing close relations with
  Denmark), leader NA; Polar Party (conservative-Greenland nationalist),
  Lars CHEMNITZ; Center Party (a new nonsocialist protest party), leader
  NA
Diplomatic representation in US:
  none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
US diplomatic representation:
  none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Flag:
  two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a large disk
  slightly to the hoist side of center - the top half of the disk is
  red, the bottom half is white

@Greenland, Economy

Overview:
  Greenland's economic situation at present is difficult. Unemployment
  is increasing, and prospects for economic growth in the immediate
  future are dim. Following the closing of the Black Angel lead and zinc
  mine in 1989, Greenland became almost completely dependent on fishing
  and fish processing, the sector accounting for 95% of exports.
  Prospects for fisheries are not bright, as the important shrimp
  catches will at best stabilize and cod catches have dropped.
  Resumption of mining and hydrocarbon activities is not around the
  corner, thus leaving only tourism with some potential for the near
  future. The public sector in Greenland, i.e., the central government
  and its commercial entities and the municipalities, plays a dominant
  role in Greenland accounting for about two-thirds of total employment.
  About half the government's revenues come from grants from the Danish
  Government.
National product:
  GNP - purchasing power equivalent - $500 million (1988)
National product real growth rate:
  -10% (1990)
National product per capita:
  $9,000 (1988)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  1.6% (1991)
Unemployment rate:
  9% (1990 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
  $381 million
expenditures:
  $381 million, including capital expenditures of $36 million (1989)
Exports:
  $340.6 million (f.o.b., 1991)
commodities:
  fish and fish products 95%
partners:
  Denmark 79%, Benelux 9%, Germany 5%
Imports:
  $403 million (c.i.f., 1991)
commodities:
  manufactured goods 28%, machinery and transport equipment 24%, food
  and live animals 12.4%, petroleum products 12%
partners:
  Denmark 65%, Norway 8.8%, US 4.6%, Germany 3.8%, Japan 3.8%, Sweden
  2.4%
External debt:
  $480 million (1990 est.)
Industrial production:
  growth rate NA%
Electricity:
capacity:
  84,000 kW
production:
  176 million kWh
consumption per capita:
  3,060 kWh (1992)
Industries:
  fish processing (mainly shrimp), lead and zinc mining, handicrafts,
  some small shipyards, potential for platinum and gold mining
Agriculture:
  sector dominated by fishing and sheep raising; crops limited to forage
  and small garden vegetables; 1988 fish catch of 133,500 metric tons
Economic aid:
  none
Currency:
  1 Danish krone (DKr) = 100 oere
Exchange rates:
  Danish kroner (DKr) per US$1 - 6.771 (January 1994), 6.484 (1993),
  6.036 (1992), 6.396 (1991), 6.189 (1990), 7.310 (1989)
Fiscal year:
  calendar year

@Greenland, Communications

Highways:
total:
  150 km
paved:
  60 km
unpaved:
  90 km
Ports:
  Kangerluarsoruseq (Faeringehavn), Paamiut (Frederikshaab), Nuuk
  (Godthaab), Sisimiut (Holsteinsborg), Julianehaab, Maarmorilik, North
  Star Bay
Airports:
total:
  11
usable:
  8
with permanent-surface runways:
  5
with runways over 3,659 m:
  0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
  2
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
  2
Telecommunications:
  adequate domestic and international service provided by cables and
  microwave radio relay; 17,900 telephones; broadcast stations - 5 AM, 7
  (35 repeaters) FM, 4 (9 repeaters) TV; 2 coaxial submarine cables; 1
  Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station

@Greenland, Defense Forces

Note:
  defense is responsibility of Denmark


@Grenada, Geography

Location:
  Caribbean, in the eastern Caribbean Sea, about 150 im north of
  Trinidad and Tobago
Map references:
  Central America and the Caribbean, South America, Standard Time Zones
  of the World
Area:
total area:
  340 sq km
land area:
  340 sq km
comparative area:
  slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
  0 km
Coastline:
  121 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone:
  200 nm
territorial sea:
  12 nm
International disputes:
  none
Climate:
  tropical; tempered by northeast trade winds
Terrain:
  volcanic in origin with central mountains
Natural resources:
  timber, tropical fruit, deepwater harbors
Land use:
arable land:
  15%
permanent crops:
  26%
meadows and pastures:
  3%
forest and woodland:
  9%
other:
  47%
Irrigated land:
  NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
  NA
natural hazards:
  lies on edge of hurricane belt; hurricane season lasts from June to
  November
international agreements:
  party to - Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not
  ratified - Climate Change
Note:
  islands of the Grenadines group are divided politically with Saint
  Vincent and the Grenadines

@Grenada, People

Population:
  94,109 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
  0.35% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
  30.28 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
  6.19 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
  -20.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
  12.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
  70.4 years
male:
  68 years
female:
  72.85 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
  3.93 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
  Grenadian(s)
adjective:
  Grenadian
Ethnic divisions:
  black African
Religions:
  Roman Catholic, Anglican, other Protestant sects
Languages:
  English (official), French patois
Literacy:
  age 15 and over having ever attended school (1970)
total population:
  98%
male:
  98%
female:
  98%
Labor force:
  36,000
by occupation:
  services 31%, agriculture 24%, construction 8%, manufacturing 5%,
  other 32% (1985)

@Grenada, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
  none
conventional short form:
  Grenada
Digraph:
  GJ
Type:
  parliamentary democracy
Capital:
  Saint George's
Administrative divisions:
  6 parishes and 1 dependency*; Carriacou and Petit Martinique*, Saint
  Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mark, Saint
  Patrick
Independence:
  7 February 1974 (from UK)
National holiday:
  Independence Day, 7 February (1974)
Constitution:
  19 December 1973
Legal system:
  based on English common law
Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
  Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor
  General Reginald Oswald PALMER (since 6 August 1992)
head of government:
  Prime Minister Nicholas BRATHWAITE (since 13 March 1990)
cabinet:
  Cabinet; appointed by the governor general on advice of the prime
  minister
Legislative branch:
  bicameral Parliament
Senate:
  consists of a 13-member body, 10 appointed by the government and 3 by
  the Leader of the Opposition
House of Representatives:
  elections last held on 13 March 1990 (next to be held by NA March
  1995); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (15 total) NDC
  7, GULP 4, TNP 2, NNP 2
Judicial branch:
  Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
  National Democratic Congress (NDC), Nicholas BRATHWAITE; Grenada
  United Labor Party (GULP), Sir Eric GAIRY; The National Party (TNP),
  Ben JONES; New National Party (NNP), Keith MITCHELL; Maurice Bishop
  Patriotic Movement (MBPM), Terrence MARRYSHOW
Member of:
  ACP, C, CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA,
  IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LAES, LORCS, NAM, OAS, OECS,
  OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
  Ambassador Denneth MODESTE
chancery:
  1701 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone:
  [phone]
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
  Charge d'Affaires Ollie P. ANDERSON
embassy:
  Point Salines, Saint George's
mailing address:
  P. O. Box 54, Saint George's, Grenada, W.I.
telephone:
  [phone] through 1178
FAX:
  [phone]
Flag:
  a rectangle divided diagonally into yellow triangles (top and bottom)
  and green triangles (hoist side and outer side) with a red border
  around the flag; there are seven yellow five-pointed stars with three
  centered in the top red border, three centered in the bottom red
  border, and one on a red disk superimposed at the center of the flag;
  there is also a symbolic nutmeg pod on the hoist-side triangle
  (Grenada is the world's second-largest producer of nutmeg, after
  Indonesia); the seven stars represent the seven administrative
  divisions

@Grenada, Economy

Overview:
  The economy is essentially agricultural and centers on the traditional
  production of spices and tropical plants. Agriculture accounts for
  about 15% of GDP and 80% of exports and employs 24% of the labor
  force. Tourism is the leading foreign exchange earner, followed by
  agricultural exports. Manufacturing remains relatively undeveloped,
  but is expected to grow, given a more favorable private investment
  climate since 1983. The economy achieved an impressive average annual
  growth rate of 5.5% in 1986-91 but stalled in 1992. Unemployment
  remains high at about 25%.
National product:
  GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $250 million (1992 est.)
National product real growth rate:
  -0.4% (1992 est.)
National product per capita:
  $3,000 (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  3.6% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate:
  25% (1992 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
  $78 million
expenditures:
  $51 million, including capital expenditures of $22 million (1991 est.)
Exports:
  $19.9 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities:
  bananas, cocoa, nutmeg, fruit and vegetables, clothing, mace
partners:
  Netherlands, UK, Trinidad and Tobago, United States
Imports:
  $103.2 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities:
  food 25%, manufactured goods 22%, machinery 20%, chemicals 10%, fuel
  6% (1989)
partners:
  US 29%, UK, Trinidad and Tobago, Japan, Canada (1989)
External debt:
  $109 million (1992)
Industrial production:
  growth rate 1.8% (1992 est.); accounts for 9% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
  12,500 kW
production:
  26 million kWh
consumption per capita:
  310 kWh (1992)
Industries:
  food and beverage, textile, light assembly operations, tourism,
  construction
Agriculture:
  accounts for 15% of GDP and 80% of exports; bananas, cocoa, nutmeg,
  and mace account for two-thirds of total crop production; world's
  second-largest producer and fourth-largest exporter of nutmeg and
  mace; small-size farms predominate, growing a variety of citrus
  fruits, avocados, root crops, sugarcane, corn, and vegetables
Economic aid:
recipient:
  US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY84-89), $60 million; Western
  (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $70
  million; Communist countries (1970-89), $32 million
Currency:
  1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
  East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.70 (fixed rate since 1976)
Fiscal year:
  calendar year

@Grenada, Communications

Highways:
total:
  1,000 km
paved:
  600 km
unpaved:
  otherwise improved 300 km; unimproved earth 100 km
Ports:
  Saint George's
Airports:
total:
  3
usable:
  3
with permanent-surface runways:
  2
with runways over 3,659 m:
  0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
  1
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
  1
Telecommunications:
  automatic, islandwide telephone system with 5,650 telephones; new SHF
  radio links to the islands of Trinidad, Tobago and Saint Vincent; VHF
  and UHF radio links to the islands of Trinidad and Carriacou;
  broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, 1 TV

@Grenada, Defense Forces

Branches:
  Royal Grenada Police Force, Coast Guard
Defense expenditures:
  $NA, NA% of GDP


@Guadeloupe

Header
Affiliation:
  (overseas department of France)

@Guadeloupe, Geography

Location:
  Caribbean, in the Caribbean Sea, 500 km southeast of Puerto Rico
Map references:
  Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total area:
  1,780 sq km
land area:
  1,760 sq km
comparative area:
  10 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
  0 km
Coastline:
  306 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone:
  200 nm
territorial sea:
  12 nm
International disputes:
  none
Climate:
  subtropical tempered by trade winds; relatively high humidity
Terrain:
  Basse-Terre is volcanic in origin with interior mountains; Grand-Terre
  is low limestone formation
Natural resources:
  cultivable land, beaches and climate that foster tourism
Land use:
arable land:
  18%
permanent crops:
  5%
meadows and pastures:
  13%
forest and woodland:
  40%
other:
  24%
Irrigated land:
  30 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
  NA
natural hazards:
  subject to hurricanes (June to October); La Soufriere is an active
  volcano
international agreements:
  NA

@Guadeloupe, People

Population:
  428,947 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
  1.55% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
  17.68 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
  5.94 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
  3.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
  8.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
  76.97 years
male:
  73.91 years
female:
  80.14 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
  2.04 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
  Guadeloupian(s)
adjective:
  Guadeloupe
Ethnic divisions:
  black or mulatto 90%, white 5%, East Indian, Lebanese, Chinese less
  than 5%
Religions:
  Roman Catholic 95%, Hindu and pagan African 5%
Languages:
  French, creole patois
Literacy:
  age 15 and over can read and write (1982)
total population:
  90%
male:
  90%
female:
  91%
Labor force:
  120,000
by occupation:
  services, government, and commerce 53.0%, industry 25.8%, agriculture
  21.2%

@Guadeloupe, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
  Department of Guadeloupe
conventional short form:
  Guadeloupe
local long form:
  Departement de la Guadeloupe
local short form:
  Guadeloupe
Digraph:
  GP
Type:
  overseas department of France
Capital:
  Basse-Terre
Administrative divisions:
  none (overseas department of France)
Independence:
  none (overseas department of France)
National holiday:
  National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789)
Constitution:
  28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Legal system:
  French legal system
Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
  President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981)
head of government:
  Prefect Franck PERRIEZ (since NA 1992); President of the General
  Council Dominique LARIFA (since NA); President of the Regional Council
  Lucette MICHAUX-CHEVRY (since 22 March 1992)
cabinet:
  Council of Ministers
Legislative branch:
  unicameral General Council and unicameral Regional Council
General Council:
  elections last held NA March 1992 (next to be held by NA 1996);
  results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (43 total) FRUI.G 13,
  RPR/DUD 13, PPDG 8, FGPS 3, PCG 3 UPLG 1, PSG 1, independent 1
Regional Council:
  elections last held on 31 January 1993 (next to be held by 16 March
  1998); results - RPR/DUD 48.30%, FGPS 17.09%, FRUI.G 7.44%, PPDG
  8.90%, UPLG 7.75% PCG 6.05%; seats - (41 total) seats by party NA
French Senate:
  elections last held in September 1986 (next to be held September
  1995); Guadeloupe elects two representatives; results - percent of
  vote by party NA; seats - (2 total) PCG 1, PS 1
French National Assembly:
  elections last held on 21 and 28 March1993 (next to be held March
  1998); Guadeloupe elects four representatives; results - percent of
  vote by party NA; seats - (4 total) PS 1, RPR 1, PCG 1, independent 1
Judicial branch:
  Court of Appeal (Cour d'Appel) with jurisdiction over Guadeloupe,
  French Guiana, and Martinique
Political parties and leaders:
  Rally for the Republic (RPR), Aldo BLAISE; Communist Party of
  Guadeloupe (PCG), Christian Medard CELESTE; Socialist Party (FGPS),
  Georges LOUISOR; Popular Union for the Liberation of Guadeloupe
  (UPLG), Lucien PERATIN; FGPS Dissidents (FRUI.G); Union for French
  Democracy (UDF), Simon BARLAGNE; Union for the Center Rally (URC;
  coalition of the FGPS, RPR, and UDF); Guadeloupe Objective (OG),
  Lucette MICHAUX-CHEVRY; Progressive Democratic Party (PPDG), Henri
  BANGOU
Other political or pressure groups:
  Popular Union for the Liberation of Guadeloupe (UPLG); Popular
  Movement for Independent Guadeloupe (MPGI); General Union of
  Guadeloupe Workers (UGTG); General Federation of Guadeloupe Workers
  (CGT-G); Christian Movement for the Liberation of Guadeloupe (KLPG)
Member of:
  FZ, WCL, WFTU
Diplomatic representation in US:
  none (overseas department of France)
US diplomatic representation:
  none (overseas department of France)
Flag:
  the flag of France is used

@Guadeloupe, Economy

Overview:
  The economy depends on agriculture, tourism, light industry, and
  services. It is also dependent upon France for large subsidies and
  imports. Tourism is a key industry, with most tourists from the US. In
  addition, an increasingly large number of cruise ships visit the
  islands. The traditionally important sugarcane crop is slowly being
  replaced by other crops, such as bananas (which now supply about 50%
  of export earnings), eggplant, and flowers. Other vegetables and root
  crops are cultivated for local consumption, although Guadeloupe is
  still dependent on imported food, which comes mainly from France.
  Light industry consists mostly of sugar and rum production. Most
  manufactured goods and fuel are imported. Unemployment is especially
  high among the young.
National product:
  GDP - exchange rate conversion - $2.9 billion (1991)
National product real growth rate:
  NA%
National product per capita:
  $8,400 (1991)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  3.7% (1990)
Unemployment rate:
  31.3% (1990)
Budget:
revenues:
  $333 million
expenditures:
  $671 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1989)
Exports:
  $168 million (f.o.b., 1988)
commodities:
  bananas, sugar, rum
partners:
  France 68%, Martinique 22% (1987)
Imports:
  $1.2 billion (c.i.f., 1988)
commodities:
  vehicles, foodstuffs, clothing and other consumer goods, construction
  materials, petroleum products
partners:
  France 64%, Italy, FRG, US (1987)
External debt:
  $NA
Industrial production:
  growth rate NA%
Electricity:
capacity:
  171,500 kW
production:
  441 million kWh
consumption per capita:
  1,080 kWh (1992)
Industries:
  construction, cement, rum, sugar, tourism
Agriculture:
  cash crops - bananas, sugarcane; other products include tropical
  fruits and vegetables; livestock - cattle, pigs, goats; not
  self-sufficient in food
Economic aid:
recipient:
  US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $4 million;  Western
  (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89),
  $8.235 billion
Currency:
  1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates:
  French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.9205 (January 1994), 5.6632 (1993),
  5.2938 (1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453 (1990), 6.3801 (1989)
Fiscal year:
  calendar year

@Guadeloupe, Communications

Railroads:
  privately owned, narrow-gauge plantation lines
Highways:
total:
  1,940 km
paved:
  1,600 km
unpaved:
  gravel, earth 340 km
Ports:
  Pointe-a-Pitre, Basse-Terre
Airports:
total:
  9
usable:
  9
with permanent-surface runways:
  8
with runways over 3,659 m:
  0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
  1
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
  1
Telecommunications:
  domestic facilities inadequate; 57,300 telephones; interisland
  microwave radio relay to Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, and
  Martinique; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 8 FM (30 private stations
  licensed to broadcast FM), 9 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT ground
  station

@Guadeloupe, Defense Forces

Branches:
  French Forces, Gendarmerie
Note:
  defense is responsibility of France


@Guam

Header
Affiliation:
  (territory of the US)

@Guam, Geography

Location:
  Oceania, Micronesia, in the North Pacific Ocean, 5,955 km
  west-southwest of Honolulu, about three-quarters of the way between
  Hawaii and the Philippines
Map references:
  Oceania
Area:
total area:
  541.3 sq km
land area:
  541.3 sq km
comparative area:
  slightly more than three times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
  0 km
Coastline:
  125.5 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
  24 nm
continental shelf:
  200-m depth or to depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone:
  200 nm
territorial sea:
  12 nm
International disputes:
  none
Climate:
  tropical marine; generally warm and humid, moderated by northeast
  trade winds; dry season from January to June, rainy season from July
  to December; little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain:
  volcanic origin, surrounded by coral reefs; relatively flat coraline
  limestone plateau (source of most fresh water) with steep coastal
  cliffs and narrow coastal plains in north, low-rising hills in center,
  mountains in south
Natural resources:
  fishing (largely undeveloped), tourism (especially from Japan)
Land use:
arable land:
  11%
permanent crops:
  11%
meadows and pastures:
  15%
forest and woodland:
  18%
other:
  45%
Irrigated land:
  NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
  NA
natural hazards:
  frequent squalls during rainy season; subject to relatively rare, but
  potentially very destructive typhoons (especially in August)
international agreements:
  NA
Note:
  largest and southernmost island in the Mariana Islands archipelago;
  strategic location in western North Pacific Ocean

@Guam, People

Population:
  149,620 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
  2.48% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
  25.66 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
  3.86 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
  3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
  15.17 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
  74.29 years
male:
  72.42 years
female:
  76.13 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
  2.39 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
  Guamanian(s)
adjective:
  Guamanian
Ethnic divisions:
  Chamorro 47%, Filipino 25%, Caucasian 10%, Chinese, Japanese, Korean,
  and other 18%
Religions:
  Roman Catholic 98%, other 2%
Languages:
  English, Chamorro, Japanese
Literacy:
  age 15 and over can read and write (1980)
total population:
  96%
male:
  96%
female:
  96%
Labor force:
  46,930 (1990)
by occupation:
  federal and territorial government 40%, private 60% (trade 18%,
  services 15.6%, construction 13.8%, other 12.6%) (1990)

@Guam, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
  Territory of Guam
conventional short form:
  Guam
Digraph:
  GQ
Type:
  organized, unincorporated territory of the US with policy relations
  between Guam and the US under the jurisdiction of the Office of
  Territorial and International Affairs, US Department of the Interior
Capital:
  Agana
Administrative divisions:
  none (territory of the US)
Independence:
  none (territory of the US)
National holiday:
  Guam Discovery Day (first Monday in March) (1521); Liberation Day, 21
  July
Constitution:
  Organic Act of 1 August 1950
Legal system:
  modeled on US; federal laws apply
Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal; US citizens, but do not vote in US
  presidential elections
Executive branch:
chief of state:
  President William Jefferson CLINTON (since 20 January 1993); Vice
  President Albert GORE, Jr. (since 20 January 1993)
head of government:
  Governor Joseph A. ADA (since November 1986); Lieutenant Governor
  Frank F. BLAS (since NA); election last held on 6 November 1990 (next
  to be held NA November 1994); results - Joseph F. ADA reelected
cabinet:
  executive departments; heads appointed by the governor with the
  consent of the Guam legislature
Legislative branch:
  unicameral
Legislature:
  elections last held on 9 November 1992 (next to be held NA November
  1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (21 total)
  Democratic 14, Republican 7
US House of Representatives:
  elections last held 9 November 1992 (next to be held NA November
  1994); Guam elects one delegate; results - Robert UNDERWOOD was
  elected as delegate; seats - (1 total) Democrat 1
Judicial branch:
  Federal District Court, Territorial Superior Court
Political parties and leaders:
  Democratic Party (controls the legislature); Republican Party (party
  of the Governor)
Member of:
  ESCAP (associate), IOC, SPC
Diplomatic representation in US:
  none (territory of the US)
US diplomatic representation:
  none (territory of the US)
Flag:
  territorial flag is dark blue with a narrow red border on all four
  sides; centered is a red-bordered, pointed, vertical ellipse
  containing a beach scene, outrigger canoe with sail, and a palm tree
  with the word GUAM superimposed in bold red letters; US flag is the
  national flag

@Guam, Economy

Overview:
  The economy depends mainly on US military spending and on revenues
  from tourism. Over the past 20 years the tourist industry has grown
  rapidly, creating a construction boom for new hotels and the expansion
  of older ones. Visitors numbered about 900,000 in 1992. The slowdown
  in Japanese economic growth has been reflected in less vigorous growth
  in the tourism sector. About 60% of the labor force works for the
  private sector and the rest for government. Most food and industrial
  goods are imported, with about 75% from the US. In early 1994, Guam
  faces the problem of building up the civilian economic sector to
  offset the impact of military downsizing.
National product:
  GNP - purchasing power equivalent - $2 billion (1991 est.)
National product real growth rate:
  NA%
National product per capita:
  $14,000 (1991 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  4% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate:
  2% (1992 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
  $525 million
expenditures:
  $395 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1991)
Exports:
  $34 million (f.o.b., 1984)
commodities:
  mostly transshipments of refined petroleum products, construction
  materials, fish, food and beverage products
partners:
  US 25%, Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands 63%, other 12%
Imports:
  $493 million (c.i.f., 1984)
commodities:
  petroleum and petroleum products, food, manufactured goods
partners:
  US 23%, Japan 19%, other 58%
External debt:
  $NA
Industrial production:
  growth rate NA%
Electricity:
capacity:
  500,000 kW
production:
  2.3 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
  16,300 kWh (1990)
Industries:
  US military, tourism, construction, transshipment services, concrete
  products, printing and publishing, food processing, textiles
Agriculture:
  relatively undeveloped with most food imported; fruits, vegetables,
  eggs, pork, poultry, beef, copra
Economic aid:
  although Guam receives no foreign aid, it does receive large transfer
  payments from the general revenues of the US Federal Treasury into
  which Guamanians pay no income or excise taxes; under the provisions
  of a special law of Congress, the Guamanian Treasury, rather than the
  US Treasury, receives federal income taxes paid by military and
  civilian Federal employees stationed in Guam
Currency:
  1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
  US currency is used
Fiscal year:
  1 October - 30 September

@Guam, Communications

Highways:
total:
  674 km (all-weather roads)
paved:
  NA
unpaved:
  NA
Ports:
  Apra Harbor
Airports:
total:
  5
usable:
  4
with permanent-surface runways:
  3
with runways over 3,659 m:
  0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
  3
with runways 1,200-2,439 m:
  0
Telecommunications:
  26,317 telephones (1989); broadcast stations - 3 AM, 3 FM, 3 TV; 2
  Pacific Ocean INTELSAT ground stations

@Guam, Defense Forces

Note:
  defense is the responsibility of the US


@Guatemala, Geography

Location:
  Middle America, between Honduras and Mexico
Map references:
  Central America and the Caribbean, North America, Standard Time Zones
  of the World
Area:
total area:
  108,890 sq km
land area:
  108,430 sq km
comparative area:
  slightly smaller than Tennessee
Land boundaries:
  total 1,687 km, Belize 266 km, El Salvador 203 km, Honduras 256 km,
  Mexico 962 km
Coastline:
  400 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf:
  the outer edge of the continental shelf
exclusive economic zone:
  200 nm
territorial sea:
  12 nm
International disputes:
  maritime border with Belize in dispute; desultory negotiations to
  resolve the dispute have begun
Climate:
  tropical; hot, humid in lowlands; cooler in highlands
Terrain:
  mostly mountains with narrow coastal plains and rolling limestone
  plateau (Peten)
Natural resources:
  petroleum, nickel, rare woods, fish, chicle
Land use:
arable land:
  12%
permanent crops:
  4%
meadows and pastures:
  12%
forest and woodland:
  40%
other:
  32%
Irrigated land:
  780 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
  deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution
natural hazards:
  numerous volcanoes in mountains, with frequent violent earthquakes;
  Caribbean coast subject to hurricanes and other tropical storms
international agreements:
  party to - Antarctic Treaty, Endangered Species, Environmental
  Modification, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer
  Protection, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified -
  Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Biodiversity, Climate Change,
  Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea
Note:
  no natural harbors on west coast

@Guatemala, People

Population:
  10,721,387 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
  2.58% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
  35.42 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
  7.53 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
  -2.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
  53.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
  64.42 years
male:
  61.86 years
female:
  67.1 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
  4.76 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
  Guatemalan(s)
adjective:
  Guatemalan
Ethnic divisions:
  Ladino 56% (mestizo - mixed Indian and European ancestry), Indian 44%
Religions:
  Roman Catholic, Protestant, traditional Mayan
Languages:
  Spanish 60%, Indian language 40% (18 Indian dialects, including
  Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi)
Literacy:
  age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
total population:
  55%
male:
  63%
female:
  47%
Labor force:
  2.5 million
by occupation:
  agriculture 60%, services 13%, manufacturing 12%, commerce 7%,
  construction 4%, transport 3%, utilities 0.7%, mining 0.3% (1985)

@Guatemala, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
  Republic of Guatemala
conventional short form:
  Guatemala
local long form:
  Republica de Guatemala
local short form:
  Guatemala
Digraph:
  GT
Type:
  republic
Capital:
  Guatemala
Administrative divisions:
  22 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Alta Verapaz,
  Baja Verapaz, Chimaltenango, Chiquimula, El Progreso, Escuintla,
  Guatemala, Huehuetenango, Izabal, Jalapa, Jutiapa, Peten,
  Quetzaltenango, Quiche, Retalhuleu, Sacatepequez, San Marcos, Santa
  Rosa, Solola, Suchitepequez, Totonicapan, Zacapa
Independence:
  15 September 1821 (from Spain)
National holiday:
  Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
Constitution:
  31 May 1985, effective 14 January 1986
note:
  suspended on 25 May 1993 by President SERRANO; reinstated on 5 June
  1993 following ouster of president
Legal system:
  civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; has not
  accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government:
  President Ramiro DE LEON Carpio (since 6 June 1993); Vice President
  Arturo HERBRUGER (since 18 June 1993); election runoff held on 11
  January 1991 (next to be held 11 November 1995); results - Jorge
  SERRANO Elias (MAS) 68.1%, Jorge CARPIO Nicolle (UCN) 31.9%
note:
  President SERRANO resigned on 1 June 1993 shortly after dissolving
  Congress and the judiciary; on 6 June 1993, Ramiro DE LEON Carpio was
  chosen as the new president by a vote of Congress; he will finish off
  the remainder of SERRANO's five-year term which expires in 1995
cabinet:
  Council of Ministers; named by the president
Legislative branch:
  unicameral
Congress of the Republic (Congreso de la Republica):
  last held on 11 November 1990 (next to be held 11 November 1995);
  results - UCN 25.6%, MAS 24.3%, DCG 17.5%, PAN 17.3%, MLN 4.8%,
  PSD/AP-5 3.6%, PR 2.1%; seats - (116 total) UCN 38, DCG 27, MAS 18,
  PAN 12, Pro-Rios Montt 10, MLN 4, PR 1, PSD/AP-5 1, independent 5
note:
  by agreement of 11 November 1993, a special election is to be held in
  mid-1994 to elect a new congress
Judicial branch:
  Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia)
Political parties and leaders:
  National Centrist Union (UCN), (vacant); Solidarity Action Movement
  (MAS), Oliverio GARCIA Rodas; Christian Democratic Party (DCG),
  Alfonso CABRERA Hidalgo; National Advancement Party (PAN), Alvaro ARZU
  Irigoyen; National Liberation Movement (MLN), Mario SANDOVAL Alarcon;
  Social Democratic Party (PSD), Mario SOLARZANO Martinez; Popular
  Alliance 5 (AP-5), Max ORLANDO Molina; Revolutionary Party (PR),
  Carlos CHAVARRIA Perez; National Authentic Center (CAN), Hector MAYORA
  Dawe; Democratic Institutional Party (PID), Oscar RIVAS; Nationalist
  United Front (FUN), Gabriel GIRON; Guatemalan Republican Front (FRG),
  Efrain RIOS Montt
Other political or pressure groups:
  Coordinating Comittee of Agricultural, Comercial, Industrial, and
  Financial Associations (CACIF); Mutual Support Group (GAM); Agrarian
  Owners Group (UNAGRO); Committee for Campesino Unity (CUC); leftist
  guerrilla movement known as Guatemalan National Revolutionary Union
  (URNG) has four main factions - Guerrilla army of the Poor (EGP);
  Revolutionary Organization of the People in Arms (ORPA); Rebel Armed
  Forces (FAR); Guatemalan Labor Party (PGT/O)
Member of:
  BCIE, CACM, CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-24, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,
  ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM,
  ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), LORCS, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD,
  UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
  Ambassador Edmond MULET Lesseur
chancery:
  2220 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
  [phone] through 4954
FAX:
  [phone]
consulate(s) general:
  Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and San Francisco
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
  Ambassador Marilyn McAFEE (since 28 May 1993)
embassy:
  7-01 Avenida de la Reforma, Zone 10, Guatemala City
mailing address:
  APO AA 34024
telephone:
  [502] (2) 31-15-41
FAX:
  [502] (2) 31-88-55
Flag:
  three equal vertical bands of light blue (hoist side), white, and
  light blue with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat
  of arms includes a green and red quetzal (the national bird) and a
  scroll bearing the inscription LIBERTAD 15 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 1821 (the
  original date of independence from Spain) all superimposed on a pair
  of crossed rifles and a pair of crossed swords and framed by a wreath

@Guatemala, Economy

Overview:
  The economy is based on family and corporate agriculture, which
  accounts for 26% of GDP, employs about 60% of the labor force, and
  supplies two-thirds of exports. Manufacturing, predominantly in
  private hands, accounts for about 18% of GDP and 12% of the labor
  force. In both 1990 and 1991, the economy grew by 3%, the fourth and
  fifth consecutive years of mild growth. In 1992 growth picked up to
  almost 5% as government policies favoring competition and foreign
  trade and investment took stronger hold. In 1993, despite political
  unrest, this momentum continued, foreign investment held up, and
  growth was estimated at 4%.
National product:
  GDP - purchasing power equivalent- $31.3 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
  4% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
  $3,000 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  11.6% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate:
  6.1%; underemployment 30%-40% (1992 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
  $604 million (1990)
expenditures:
  $808 million, including capital expenditures of $134 million (1990)
Exports:
  $1.3 billion (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities:
  coffee, sugar, bananas, cardamon, beef
partners:
  US 37%, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Germany, Honduras
Imports:
  $2.6 billion (c.i.f., 1993)
commodities:
  fuel and petroleum products, machinery, grain, fertilizers, motor
  vehicles
partners:
  US 45%, Mexico, Venezuela, Japan, Germany
External debt:
  $2.2 billion ( 1992 est.)
Industrial production:
  growth rate 1.9% (1991 est.); accounts for 18% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
  847,600 kW
production:
  2.5 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
  260 kWh (1992)
Industries:
  sugar, textiles and clothing, furniture, chemicals, petroleum, metals,
  rubber, tourism
Agriculture:
  accounts for 26% of GDP; most important sector of economy; contributes
  two-thirds of export earnings; principal crops - sugarcane, corn,
  bananas, coffee, beans, cardamom; livestock - cattle, sheep, pigs,
  chickens; food importer
Illicit drugs:
  transit country for cocaine shipments; illicit producer of opium poppy
  and cannabis for the international drug trade; the government has an
  active eradication program for cannabis and opium poppy
Economic aid:
recipient:
  US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-90), $1.1 billion; Western
  (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $7.92
  billion
Currency:
  1 quetzal (Q) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates:
  free market quetzales (Q) per US$1 - 5.8542 (January 1994), 5,6354
  (1993), 5.1706 (1992), 5.0289 (1991), 4.4858 (1990), 2.8161 (1989);
  note - black-market rate 2.800 (May 1989)
Fiscal year:
  calendar year

@Guatemala, Communications

Railroads:
  1,019 km 0.914-meter gauge, single track; 917 km government owned, 102
  km privately owned
Highways:
total:
  26,429 km
paved:
  2,868 km
unpaved:
  gravel 11,421 km; unimproved earth 12,140 km
Inland waterways:
  260 km navigable year round; additional 730 km navigable during
  high-water season
Pipelines:
  crude oil 275 km
Ports:
  Puerto Barrios, Puerto Quetzal, Santo Tomas de Castilla
Merchant marine:
  1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,129 GRT/6,450 DWT
Airports:
total:
  523
usable:
  465
with permanent-surface runways:
  11
with runways over 3,659 m:
  0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
  3
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
  20
Telecommunications:
  fairly modern network centered in the city of Guatemala; 97,670
  telephones; broadcast stations - 91 AM, no FM, 25 TV, 15 shortwave;
  connection into Central American Microwave System; 1 Atlantic Ocean
  INTELSAT earth station

@Guatemala, Defense Forces

Branches:
  Army, Navy, Air Force
Manpower availability:
  males age 15-49 2,491,582; fit for military service 1,629,222; reach
  military age (18) annually 119,545 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
  exchange rate conversion - $121 million, 1% of GDP (1993)


@Guernsey

Header
Affiliation:
  (British crown dependency)

@Guernsey, Geography

Location:
  Western Europe, in the English Channel, 52 km west of France between
  UK and France
Map references:
  Europe
Area:
total area:
  194 sq km
land area:
  194 sq km
comparative area:
  slightly larger than Washington, DC
note:
  includes Alderney, Guernsey, Herm, Sark, and some other smaller
  islands
Land boundaries:
  0 km
Coastline:
  50 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone:
  200 nm
territorial sea:
  3 nm
International disputes:
  none
Climate:
  temperate with mild winters and cool summers; about 50% of days are
  overcast
Terrain:
  mostly level with low hills in southwest
Natural resources:
  cropland
Land use:
arable land:
  NA%
permanent crops:
  NA%
meadows and pastures:
  NA%
forest and woodland:
  NA%
other:
  NA%
Irrigated land:
  NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
  NA
natural hazards:
  NA
international agreements:
  NA
Note:
  large, deepwater harbor at Saint Peter Port

@Guernsey, People

Population:
  63,719 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
  1.01% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
  13.21 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
  9.97 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
  6.81 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
  6.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
  78.15 years
male:
  75.45 years
female:
  80.88 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
  1.68 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
  Channel Islander(s)
adjective:
  Channel Islander
Ethnic divisions:
  UK and Norman-French descent
Religions:
  Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Baptist, Congregational,
  Methodist
Languages:
  English, French; Norman-French dialect spoken in country districts
Literacy:
total population:
  NA%
male:
  NA%
female:
  NA%
Labor force:
  NA

@Guernsey, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
  Bailiwick of Guernsey
conventional short form:
  Guernsey
Digraph:
  GK
Type:
  British crown dependency
Capital:
  Saint Peter Port
Administrative divisions:
  none (British crown dependency)
Independence:
  none (British crown dependency)
National holiday:
  Liberation Day, 9 May (1945)
Constitution:
  unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice
Legal system:
  English law and local statute; justice is administered by the Royal
  Court
Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
  Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)
head of government:
  Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief Lt. Gen. Sir Michael
  WILKINS (since NA 1990); Bailiff Mr. Graham Martyn DOREY (since
  February 1992)
cabinet:
  Advisory and Finance Committee (other committees); appointed by the
  States
Legislative branch:
  unicameral
Assembly of the States:
  elections last held NA (next to be held NA); results - no percent of
  vote by party since all are independents; seats - (60 total, 33
  elected), all independents
Judicial branch:
  Royal Court
Political parties and leaders:
  none; all independents
Member of:
  none
Diplomatic representation in US:
  none (British crown dependency)
US diplomatic representation:
  none (British crown dependency)
Flag:
  white with the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of England)
  extending to the edges of the flag

@Guernsey, Economy

Overview:
  Financial services account from more than 50% of total income.
  Tourism, manufacturing, and horticulture, mainly tomatoes and cut
  flowers, have been declining. Bank profits (1992) registered a record
  26% growth. Fund management and insurance are the two other major
  income generators.
National product:
  GDP  $NA
National product real growth rate:
  9% (1987)
National product per capita:
  $NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  7% (1988)
Unemployment rate:
  NA%
Budget:
revenues:
  $208.9 million
expenditures:
  $173.9 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1988)
Exports:
  $NA
commodities:
  tomatoes, flowers and ferns, sweet peppers, eggplant, other vegetables
partners:
  UK (regarded as internal trade)
Imports:
  $NA
commodities:
  coal, gasoline, and oil
partners:
  UK (regarded as internal trade)
External debt:
  $NA
Industrial production:
  growth rate NA%
Electricity:
capacity:
  173,000 kW
production:
  525 million kWh
consumption per capita:
  9,060 kWh (1992)
Industries:
  tourism, banking
Agriculture:
  tomatoes, flowers (mostly grown in greenhouses), sweet peppers,
  eggplant, other vegetables, fruit; Guernsey cattle
Economic aid:
  none
Currency:
  1 Guernsey (#G) pound = 100 pence
Exchange rates:
  Guernsey pounds (#G) per US$1 - 0.6699 (January 1994), 0.6658 (1993),
  0.5664 (1992), 0.5652 (1991), 0.5603 (1990), 0.6099 (1989); note - the
  Guernsey pound is at par with the British pound
Fiscal year:
  calendar year

@Guernsey, Communications

Highways:
total:
  NA
paved:
  NA
unpaved:
  NA
Ports:
  Saint Peter Port, Saint Sampson
Airports:
total:
  2
usable:
  2
with permanent-surface runways:
  2
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, no FM, 1 TV; 41,900 telephones; 1 submarine
  cable

@Guernsey, Defense Forces

Note:
  defense is the responsibility of the UK


@Guinea, Geography

Location:
  Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean between
  Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone
Map references:
  Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
  245,860 sq km
land area:
  245,860 sq km
comparative area:
  slightly smaller than Oregon
Land boundaries:
  total 3,399 km, Guinea-Bissau 386 km, Cote d'Ivoire 610 km, Liberia
  563 km, Mali 858 km, Senegal 330 km, Sierra Leone 652 km
Coastline:
  320 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone:
  200 nm
territorial sea:
  12 nm
International disputes:
  none
Climate:
  generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to
  November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with
  northeasterly harmattan winds
Terrain:
  generally flat coastal plain, hilly to mountainous interior
Natural resources:
  bauxite, iron ore, diamonds, gold, uranium, hydropower, fish
Land use:
arable land:
  6%
permanent crops:
  0%
meadows and pastures:
  12%
forest and woodland:
  42%
other:
  40%
Irrigated land:
  240 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
  deforestation; inadequate supplies of safe drinking water;
  desertification; soil contamination and erosion
natural hazards:
  hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry season
international agreements:
  party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Law of
  the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection

@Guinea, People

Population:
  6,391,536 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
  2.45% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
  44.08 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
  19.6 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
  0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
  139.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
  44.13 years
male:
  41.9 years
female:
  46.43 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
  5.85 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
  Guinean(s)
adjective:
  Guinean
Ethnic divisions:
  Peuhl 40%, Malinke 30%, Soussou 20%, indigenous tribes 10%
Religions:
  Muslim 85%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs 7%
Languages:
  French (official); each tribe has its own language
Literacy:
  age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
total population:
  24%
male:
  35%
female:
  13%
Labor force:
  2.4 million (1983)
by occupation:
  agriculture 82.0%, industry and commerce 11.0%, services 5.4%
note:
  88,112 civil servants (1987); 52% of population of working age (1985)

@Guinea, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
  Republic of Guinea
conventional short form:
  Guinea
local long form:
  Republique de Guinee
local short form:
  Guinee
former:
  French Guinea
Digraph:
  GV
Type:
  republic
Capital:
  Conakry
Administrative divisions:
  33 administrative regions (regions administratives, singular - region
  administrative); Beyla, Boffa, Boke, Conakry, Coyah, Dabola, Dalaba,
  Dinguiraye, Faranah, Forecariah, Fria, Gaoual, Gueckedou, Kankan,
  Kerouane, Kindia, Kissidougou, Koubia, Koundara, Kouroussa, Labe,
  Lelouma, Lola, Macenta, Mali, Mamou, Mandiana, Nzerekore, Pita,
  Siguiri, Telimele, Tougue, Yomou
Independence:
  2 October 1958 (from France)
National holiday:
  Anniversary of the Second Republic, 3 April (1984)
Constitution:
  23 December 1990 (Loi Fundamentale)
Legal system:
  based on French civil law system, customary law, and decree; legal
  codes currently being revised; has not accepted compulsory ICJ
  jurisdiction
Suffrage:
  none
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government:
  President Lansana CONTE, elected in the first multi-party election 19
  December 1993 prior to the election he had ruled as head of military
  government since 5 April 1984
cabinet:
  Council of Ministers; appointed by the president
Legislative branch:
  unicameral
People's National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale Populaire):
  the People's National Assembly was dissolved after the 3 April 1984
  coup; framework established in December 1991 for a new National
  Assembly with 114 seats; legislative elections are scheduled for 1994
Judicial branch:
  Court of Appeal (Cour d'Appel)
Political parties and leaders:
  political parties were legalized on 1 April 1992
pro-government:
  Party for Unity and Progress (PUP)
other:
  Rally for the Guinean People (RPG), Alpha CONDE; Union for a New
  Republic (UNR), Mamadou BAH; Party for Renewal and Progress (PRP),
  Siradiou DIALLO
Member of:
  ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEAO (observer), ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD,
  ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC,
  ITU, LORCS, MINURSO, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU,
  WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
  Ambassador Elhadj Boubacar BARRY
chancery:
  2112 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
  [phone]
FAX:
  [phone]
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
  Ambassador Joseph A. SALOOM
embassy:
  2nd Boulevard and 9th Avenue, Conakry
mailing address:
  B. P. 603, Conakry
telephone:
  [phone] through 24
FAX:
  [phone]
Flag:
  three equal vertical bands of red (hoist side), yellow, and green;
  uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia; similar to the flag
  of Rwanda, which has a large black letter R centered in the yellow
  band

@Guinea, Economy

Overview:
  Although possessing major mineral and hydropower resources and
  considerable potential for agricultural development, Guinea remains
  one of the poorest countries in the world. The agricultural sector
  contributes about 40% to GDP and employs more than 80% of the work
  force, while industry accounts for 27% of GDP. Guinea possesses over
  25% of the world's bauxite reserves. The mining sector accounted for
  85% of exports in 1991. Long-run improvements in literacy, financial
  institutions, and the legal framework are needed if the country is to
  move out of poverty. Except in the bauxite industry, foreign
  investment remains minimal.
National product:
  GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $3.1 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
  3.2% (1992 est.)
National product per capita:
  $500 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  16.6% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate:
  NA%
Budget:
revenues:
  $449 million
expenditures:
  $708 million, including capital expenditures of $361 million (1990
  est.)
Exports:
  $622 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities:
  bauxite, alumina, diamonds, gold, coffee, pineapples, bananas, palm
  kernels
partners:
  US 23%, Belgium 12%, Ireland 12%, Spain 12%
Imports:
  $768 million (c.i.f., 1992 est.)
commodities:
  petroleum products, metals, machinery, transport equipment,
  foodstuffs, textiles, and other grain
partners:
  France 26%, Cote d'Ivoire 12%, Hong Kong 6%, Germany 6%
External debt:
  2.5 billion (1992)
Industrial production:
  growth rate NA%; accounts for 27% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
  113,000 kW
production:
  300 million kWh
consumption per capita:
  40 kWh (1989)
Industries:
  bauxite mining, alumina, gold, diamond mining, light manufacturing and
  agricultural processing industries
Agriculture:
  accounts for 40% of GDP (includes fishing and forestry); mostly
  subsistence farming; principal products - rice, coffee, pineapples,
  palm kernels, cassava, bananas, sweet potatoes, timber; livestock -
  cattle, sheep and goats; not self-sufficient in food grains
Economic aid:
recipient:
  US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $227 million; Western
  (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89),
  $1.465 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $120 million; Communist
  countries (1970-89), $446 million
Currency:
  1 Guinean franc (FG) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates:
  Guinean francs (FG) per US$1 - 810.94 (1 July 1993), 922.9 (30
  September 1992), 675 (1990), 618 (1989), 515 (1988), 440 (1987), 383
  (1986)
Fiscal year:
  calendar year

@Guinea, Communications

Railroads:
  1,045 km; 806 km 1.000-meter gauge, 239 km 1.435-meter standard gauge
Highways:
total:
  30,100 km
paved:
  1,145 km
unpaved:
  gravel, crushed stone 12,955 km (of which barely 4,500 are currently
  all-weather roads); unimproved earth 16,000 km (1987)
Inland waterways:
  1,295 km navigable by shallow-draft native craft
Ports:
  Conakry, Kamsar
Airports:
total:
  15
usable:
  15
with permanent-surface runways:
  4
with runways over 3,659 m:
  0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
  3
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
  10
Telecommunications:
  poor to fair system of open-wire lines, small radiocommunication
  stations, and new radio relay system; 15,000 telephones; broadcast
  stations - 3 AM 1 FM, 1 TV; 65,000 TV sets; 200,000 radio receivers; 1
  Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station

@Guinea, Defense Forces

Branches:
  Army, Navy (acts primarily as a coast guard), Air Force, Presidential
  Guard, Republican Guard, paramilitary National Gendarmerie, National
  Police Force
Manpower availability:
  males age 15-49 1,440,297; fit for military service 726,543
Defense expenditures:
  exchange rate conversion - $29 million, 1.2% of GDP (1988)


@Guinea-Bissau, Geography

Location:
  Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean between Guinea and
  Senegal
Map references:
  Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
  36,120 sq km
land area:
  28,000 sq km
comparative area:
  slightly less than three times the size of Connecticut
Land boundaries:
  total 724 km, Guinea 386 km, Senegal 338 km
Coastline:
  350 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone:
  200 nm
territorial sea:
  12 nm
International disputes:
  Guinea-Bissau and Senegal signed an agreement resolving their maritime
  boundary in 1993
Climate:
  tropical; generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June
  to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May)
  with northeasterly harmattan winds
Terrain:
  mostly low coastal plain rising to savanna in east
Natural resources:
  unexploited deposits of petroleum, bauxite, phosphates, fish, timber
Land use:
arable land:
  11%
permanent crops:
  1%
meadows and pastures:
  43%
forest and woodland:
  38%
other:
  7%
Irrigated land:
  NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
  deforestation; soil erosion; overgrazing
natural hazards:
  hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry
  season; brush fires
international agreements:
  party to - Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban,
  Wetlands; signed, but not ratifed - Biodiversity, Climate Change

@Guinea-Bissau, People

Population:
  1,098,231 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
  2.37% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
  40.75 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
  17.03 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
  0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
  120 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
  47.44 years
male:
  45.79 years
female:
  49.15 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
  5.51 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
  Guinea-Bissauan(s)
adjective:
  Guinea-Bissauan
Ethnic divisions:
  African 99% (Balanta 30%, Fula 20%, Manjaca 14%, Mandinga 13%, Papel
  7%), European and mulatto less than 1%
Religions:
  indigenous beliefs 65%, Muslim 30%, Christian 5%
Languages:
  Portuguese (official), Criolo, African languages
Literacy:
  age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
total population:
  36%
male:
  50%
female:
  24%
Labor force:
  403,000 (est.)
by occupation:
  agriculture 90%, industry, services, and commerce 5%, government 5%
note:
  population of working age 53% (1983)

@Guinea-Bissau, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
  Republic of Guinea-Bissau
conventional short form:
  Guinea-Bissau
local long form:
  Republica de Guine-Bissau
local short form:
  Guine-Bissau
former:
  Portuguese Guinea
Digraph:
  PU
Type:
  republic formerly highly centralized, multiparty since mid-1991
Capital:
  Bissau
Administrative divisions:
  9 regions (regioes, singular - regiao); Bafata, Biombo, Bissau,
  Bolama, Cacheu, Gabu, Oio, Quinara, Tombali
Independence:
  10 September 1974 (from Portugal)
National holiday:
  Independence Day, 10 September (1974)
Constitution:
  16 May 1984, amended 4 May 1991 (currently undergoing revision to
  liberalize popular participation in the government)
Legal system:
  NA
Suffrage:
  15 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government:
  President of the Council of State Gen. Joao Bernardo VIEIRA (assumed
  power 14 November 1980 and was elected President of Council of State
  on 16 May 1984); election last held 19 June 1989 (next to be held 3
  July 1994); results - Gen. Joao Bernardo VIEIRA was reelected without
  opposition by the National People's Assembly
Council of State:
  this body is elected by the National People's Assembly from among its
  own members to legislate between sessions of the National People's
  Assembly
cabinet:
  Council of Ministers; appointed by the president
Legislative branch:
  unicameral
National People's Assembly:
  (Assembleia Nacional Popular) elections last held 15 June 1989 (next
  to be held 3 July 1994); results - PAIGC was the only party; seats -
  (150 total) PAIGC 150
Judicial branch:
  none; there is a Ministry of Justice in the Council of Ministers
Political parties and leaders:
  African Party for the Independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde
  (PAIGC), President Joao Bernardo VIEIRA, leader; Democratic Social
  Front (FDS), Rafael BARBOSA, leader; Bafata Movement, Domingos
  Fernandes GARNER, leader; Democratic Front (FD), Aristides MENEZES,
  leader
note:
  PAIGC is still the major party (of 10 parties) and controls all
  aspects of the government
Member of:
  ACCT (associate), ACP, AfDB, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA,
  IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL,
  IOM (observer), ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNAVEM II, UNCTAD,
  UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOMOZ, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
  Ambassador Alfredo Lopes CABRAL
chancery:
  918 16th Street NW, Mezzanine Suite, Washington, DC 20006
telephone:
  [phone]
FAX:
  [phone]
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
  Ambassador Roger A. McGUIRE
embassy:
  Barrio de Penha, Bissau
mailing address:
  C.P. 297, 1067 Bissau Codex, Bissau, Guinea-Bissau
telephone:
  [245] 25-2273, 25-2274, 25-2275, 25-2276
FAX:
  [245] 25-2282
Flag:
  two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and green with a vertical
  red band on the hoist side; there is a black five-pointed star
  centered in the red band; uses the popular pan-African colors of
  Ethiopia; similar to the flag of Cape Verde, which has the black star
  raised above the center of the red band and is framed by two corn
  stalks and a yellow clam shell

@Guinea-Bissau, Economy

Overview:
  Guinea-Bissau ranks among the poorest countries in the world, with a
  per capita GDP of roughly $800. Agriculture and fishing are the main
  economic activities. Cashew nuts, peanuts, and palm kernels are the
  primary exports. Exploitation of known mineral deposits is unlikely at
  present because of a weak infrastructure and the high cost of
  development.
National product:
  GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $860 million (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
  NA
National product per capita:
  $800 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  55% (1991 est.)
Unemployment rate:
  NA%
Budget:
revenues:
  $33.6 million
expenditures:
  $44.8 million, including capital expenditures of $570,000 (1991 est.)
Exports:
  $20.4 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.)
commodities:
  cashews, fish, peanuts, palm kernels
partners:
  Portugal, Spain, Senegal, India, Nigeria
Imports:
  $63.5 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.)
commodities:
  foodstuffs, transport equipment, petroleum products, machinery and
  equipment
partners:
  Portugal, Netherlands, China, Germany, Senegal
External debt:
  $462 million (December 1990 est.)
Industrial production:
  growth rate 0.1% (1991 est.); accounts for 5% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
  22,000 kW
production:
  30 million kWh
consumption per capita:
  30 kWh (1991)
Industries:
  agricultural processing, beer, soft drinks
Agriculture:
  accounts for over 45% of GDP, nearly 100% of exports, and 90% of
  employment; rice is the staple food; other crops include corn, beans,
  cassava, cashew nuts, peanuts, palm kernels, and cotton; not
  self-sufficient in food; fishing and forestry potential not fully
  exploited
Economic aid:
recipient:
  US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $49 million; Western
  (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $615
  million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $41 million; Communist
  countries (1970-89), $68 million
Currency:
  1 Guinea-Bissauan peso (PG) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates:
  Guinea-Bissauan pesos (PG) per US$1 - 11,850 (December 1993), 10,082
  (1993), 6,934 (1992), 3,659 (1991), 2,185 (1990), 1,810 (1989)
Fiscal year:
  calendar year

@Guinea-Bissau, Communications

Highways:
total:
  3,218 km
paved:
  bituminous 2,698 km
unpaved:
  earth 520 km
Inland waterways:
  scattered stretches are important to coastal commerce
Ports:
  Bissau
Airports:
total:
  32
usable:
  16
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:
  5
Telecommunications:
  poor system of radio relay, open-wire lines, and radiocommunications;
  3,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 3 FM, 1 TV

@Guinea-Bissau, Defense Forces

Branches:
  People's Revolutionary Armed Force (FARP; including Army, Navy, Air
  Force), paramilitary force
Manpower availability:
  males age 15-49 243,715; fit for military service 139,161
Defense expenditures:
  exchange rate conversion - $9.3 million, 5%-6% of GDP (1987)


@Guyana, Geography

Location:
  Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean between
  Suriname and Venezuela
Map references:
  South America, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
  214,970 sq km
land area:
  196,850 sq km
comparative area:
  slightly smaller than Idaho
Land boundaries:
  total 2,462 km, Brazil 1,119 km, Suriname 600 km, Venezuela 743 km
Coastline:
  459 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf:
  200 nm or the outer edge of continental margin
exclusive fishing zone:
  200 nm
territorial sea:
  12 nm
International disputes:
  all of the area west of the Essequibo River claimed by Venezuela;
  Suriname claims area between New (Upper Courantyne) and
  Courantyne/Kutari Rivers (all headwaters of the Courantyne)
Climate:
  tropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; two rainy
  seasons (May to mid-August, mid-November to mid-January)
Terrain:
  mostly rolling highlands; low coastal plain; savanna in south
Natural resources:
  bauxite, gold, diamonds, hardwood timber, shrimp, fish
Land use:
arable land:
  3%
permanent crops:
  0%
meadows and pastures:
  6%
forest and woodland:
  83%
other:
  8%
Irrigated land:
  1,300 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
  water pollution from sewage and agricultural and industrial chemicals;
  deforestation
natural hazards:
  flash floods a constant threat during rainy seasons
international agreements:
  party to - Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection,
  Tropical Timber; signed, but not ratifed - Biodiversity, Climate
  Change

@Guyana, People

Population:
  729,425 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
  -0.75% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
  19.95 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
  7.36 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
  -20.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
  48.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
  64.9 years
male:
  61.66 years
female:
  68.3 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
  2.29 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
  Guyanese (singular and plural)
adjective:
  Guyanese
Ethnic divisions:
  East Indian 51%, black and mixed 43%, Amerindian 4%, European and
  Chinese 2%
Religions:
  Christian 57%, Hindu 33%, Muslim 9%, other 1%
Languages:
  English, Amerindian dialects
Literacy:
  age 15 and over having ever attended school (1990 est.)
total population:
  95%
male:
  98%
female:
  96%
Labor force:
  268,000
by occupation:
  industry and commerce 44.5%, agriculture 33.8%, services 21.7%
note:
  public-sector employment amounts to 60-80% of the total labor force
  (1985)

@Guyana, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
  Co-operative Republic of Guyana
conventional short form:
  Guyana
former:
  British Guiana
Digraph:
  GY
Type:
  republic
Capital:
  Georgetown
Administrative divisions:
  10 regions; Barima-Waini, Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Demerara-Mahaica, East
  Berbice-Corentyne, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara, Mahaica-Berbice,
  Pomeroon-Supenaam, Potaro-Siparuni, Upper Demerara-Berbice, Upper
  Takutu-Upper Essequibo
Independence:
  26 May 1966 (from UK)
National holiday:
  Republic Day, 23 February (1970)
Constitution:
  6 October 1980
Legal system:
  based on English common law with certain admixtures of Roman-Dutch
  law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
  Executive President Cheddi JAGAN (since 5 October 1992); First Vice
  President Sam HINDS (since 5 October 1992); election last held on 5
  October 1992; results - Cheddi JAGAN was elected president since he
  was leader of the party with the most votes in the National Assembly
  elections
head of government:
  Prime Minister Sam HINDS (since 5 October 1992)
cabinet:
  Cabinet of Ministers; appointed by the president, responsible to the
  legislature
Legislative branch:
  unicameral
National Assembly:
  elections last held on 5 October 1992 (next to be held in 1997);
  results - PPP 53.4%, PNC 42.3%, WPA 2%, TUF 1.2%; seats - (65 total,
  53 elected) PPP 36, PNC 26, WPA 2, TUF 1
Judicial branch:
  Supreme Court of Judicature
Political parties and leaders:
  People's Progressive Party (PPP), Cheddi JAGAN; People's National
  Congress (PNC), Hugh Desmond HOYTE;; People's National Congress (PNC),
  Hugh Desmond HOYTE; Working People's Alliance (WPA), Eusi KWAYANA,
  Rupert ROOPNARINE; Democratic Labor Movement (DLM), Paul TENNASSEE;
  People's Democratic Movement (PDM), Llewellyn JOHN; National
  Democratic Front (NDF), Joseph BACCHUS; The United Force (TUF),
  Manzoor NADIR; United Republican Party (URP), Leslie RAMSAMMY;
  National Republican Party (NRP), Robert GANGADEEN; Guyana Labor Party
  (GLP), Nanda GOPAUL
Other political or pressure groups:
  Trades Union Congress (TUC); Guyana Council of Indian Organizations
  (GCIO); Civil Liberties Action Committee (CLAC)
note:
  the latter two organizations are small and active but not well
  organized
Member of:
  ACP, C, CARICOM, CCC, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IADB, IBRD, ICAO,
  ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user),
  INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LAES, LORCS, NAM, OAS, ONUSAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
  UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
  Ambassador Dr. Ali Odeen ISHMAEL
chancery:
  2490 Tracy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
  [phone] through 6903
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
  Ambassador George F. Jones
embassy:
  99-100 Young and Duke Streets, Kingstown, Georgetown
mailing address:
  P. O. Box 10507, Georgetown
telephone:
  [592] (2) 54900 through 54909 and 57960 through 57969
FAX:
  [592] (2) 58497
Flag:
  green with a red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side)
  superimposed on a long yellow arrowhead; there is a narrow black
  border between the red and yellow, and a narrow white border between
  the yellow and the green

@Guyana, Economy

Overview:
  Guyana, one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere, has
  pushed ahead strongly in 1991-93, at 7% average annual growth rate.
  Favorable factors include recovery in the key agricultural and mining
  sectors, a more favorable atmosphere for business initiative, a more
  realistic exchange rate, a sharp drop in the inflation rate, and the
  continued support of international organizations. Serious underlying
  economic problems will continue. Electric power has been in short
  supply and constitutes a major barrier to future gains in national
  output. The government will have to persist in efforts to control
  external debt and inflation and to extend the privatization program.
National product:
  GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $1.4 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
  8.3% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
  $1,900 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  7% (1993
Unemployment rate:
  12% (1992 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
  $121 million
expenditures:
  $225 million, including capital expenditures of $50 million (1990
  est.)
Exports:
  $400 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities:
  sugar, bauxite/alumina, rice, shrimp, molasses
partners:
  UK 33%, US 31%, Canada 9%, France 5%, Japan 3%, (1992)
Imports:
  $520 million (c.i.f., 1993 est.)
commodities:
  manufactures, machinery, petroleum, food
partners:
  US 37%, Trinidad and Tobago 13%, UK 11%, Italy 8%, Japan 5% (1992)
External debt:
  $1.9 billion including arrears (1992 est)
Industrial production:
  growth rate 11% (1991 est.); accounts for about 11% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
  253,500 kW
production:
  276 million kWh
consumption per capita:
  370 kWh (1992)
Industries:
  bauxite mining, sugar, rice milling, timber, fishing (shrimp),
  textiles, gold mining
Agriculture:
  most important sector, accounting for 25% of GDP and about half of
  exports; sugar and rice are key crops; development potential exists
  for fishing and forestry; not self-sufficient in food, especially
  wheat, vegetable oils, and animal products
Economic aid:
recipient:
  US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $116 million; Western
  (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $325
  million; Communist countries 1970-89, $242 million
Currency:
  1 Guyanese dollar (G$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
  Guyanese dollars (G$) per US$1 - 130.7 (January 1994), 126.7 (1993),
  125.0 (1992), 111.8 (1991), 39.533 (1990), 27.159 (1989)
Fiscal year:
  calendar year

@Guyana, Communications

Railroads:
  no public railroads; about 100 km of narrow gauge industrial railroads
  to transport minerals, including bauxite
Highways:
total:
  7,665 km
paved:
  550 km
unpaved:
  gravel 5,000 km; earth 2,115 km
Inland waterways:
  6,000 km total of navigable waterways; Berbice, Demerara, and
  Essequibo Rivers are navigable by oceangoing vessels for 150 km, 100
  km, and 80 km, respectively
Ports:
  Georgetown, New Amsterdam
Merchant marine:
  1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,317 GRT/2,558 DWT
Airports:
total:
  53
usable:
  48
with permanent-surface runways:
  5
with runways over 3,659 m:
  0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
  0
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
  12
Telecommunications:
  fair system with radio relay network; over 27,000 telephones;
  tropospheric scatter link to Trinidad; broadcast stations - 4 AM, 3
  FM, no TV, 1 shortwave; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station

@Guyana, Defense Forces

Branches:
  Guyana Defense Force (GDF; including the Ground Forces, Coast Guard
  and Air Corps), Guyana People's Militia (GPM), Guyana National Service
  (GNS)
Manpower availability:
  males age 15-49 197,802; fit for military service 150,072
Defense expenditures:
  $NA, NA% of GDP


@Haiti, Geography

Location:
  Caribbean, in the northern Caribbean Sea, about 90 km southeast of
  Cuba
Map references:
  Central America and the Caribbean, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
  27,750 sq km
land area:
  27,560 sq km
comparative area:
  slightly larger than Maryland
Land boundaries:
  total 275 km, Dominican Republic 275 km
Coastline:
  1,771 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
  24 nm
continental shelf:
  to depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone:
  200 nm
territorial sea:
  12 nm
International disputes:
  claims US-administered Navassa Island
Climate:
  tropical; semiarid where mountains in east cut off trade winds
Terrain:
  mostly rough and mountainous
Natural resources:
  bauxite
Land use:
arable land:
  20%
permanent crops:
  13%
meadows and pastures:
  18%
forest and woodland:
  4%
other:
  45%
Irrigated land:
  750 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
  deforestation; soil erosion
natural hazards:
  lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severe storms
  from June to October; occasional flooding and earthquakes
international agreements:
  party to - Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation; signed, but not
  ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the
  Sea, Nuclear Test Ban
Note:
  shares island of Hispaniola with Dominican Republic (western one-third
  is Haiti, eastern two-thirds is the Dominican Republic)

@Haiti, People

Population:
  6,491,450 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
  1.63% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
  39.72 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
  18.78 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
  -4.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
  108.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
  45.11 years
male:
  43.45 years
female:
  46.85 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
  5.94 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
  Haitian(s)
adjective:
  Haitian
Ethnic divisions:
  black 95%, mulatto and European 5%
Religions:
  Roman Catholic 80% (of which an overwhelming majority also practice
  Voodoo), Protestant 16% (Baptist 10%, Pentecostal 4%, Adventist 1%,
  other 1%), none 1%, other 3% (1982)
Languages:
  French (official) 10%, Creole
Literacy:
  age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
total population:
  53%
male:
  59%
female:
  47%
Labor force:
  2.3 million
by occupation:
  agriculture 66%, services 25%, industry 9%
note:
  shortage of skilled labor, unskilled labor abundant (1982)

@Haiti, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
  Republic of Haiti
conventional short form:
  Haiti
local long form:
  Republique d'Haiti
local short form:
  Haiti
Digraph:
  HA
Type:
  republic
Capital:
  Port-au-Prince
Administrative divisions:
  9 departments, (departements, singular - departement); Artibonite,
  Centre, Grand'Anse, Nord, Nord-Est, Nord-Ouest, Ouest, Sud, Sud-Est
Independence:
  1 January 1804 (from France)
National holiday:
  Independence Day, 1 January (1804)
Constitution:
  constitution approved March 1987, suspended June 1988, most articles
  reinstated March 1989; October 1991, government claims to be observing
  the Constitution
Legal system:
  based on Roman civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
  President Jean-Bertrand ARISTIDE (since 7 February 1991), ousted in a
  coup in September 1991, but still recognized by international
  community as Chief of State; election last held 16 December 1990 (next
  to be held by December 1995); results - Rev. Jean-Bertrand ARISTIDE
  67.5%, Marc BAZIN 14.2%, Louis DEJOIE 4.9%
head of government:
  acting Prime Minister Robert MALVAL (since August 1993)
cabinet:
  Cabinet; chosen by prime minister in consultation with the president
Legislative branch:
  bicameral National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale)
Senate:
  elections last held 18 January 1993, widely condemned as illegitimate
  (next to be held December 1994); results - percent of vote NA; seats -
  (27 total) FNCD 12, ANDP 8, PAIN 2, MRN 1, RDNP 1, PNT 1, independent
  2
Chamber of Deputies:
  elections last held 16 December 1990, with runoff held 20 January 1991
  (next to be held by December 1994); results - percent of vote NA;
  seats - (83 total) FNCD 27, ANDP 17, PDCH 7, PAIN 6, RDNP 6, MDN 5,
  PNT 3, MKN 2, MODELH 2, MRN 1, independents 5, other 2
Judicial branch:
  Court of Appeal (Cour de Cassation)
Political parties and leaders:
  National Front for Change and Democracy (FNCD), including National
  Congress of Democratic Movements (CONACOM), Victor BENOIT, and
  National Cooperative Action Movement (MKN), Volvick Remy JOSEPH;
  Movement for the Installation of Democracy in Haiti (MIDH), Marc
  BAZIN; National Progressive Revolutionary Party (PANPRA), Serge
  GILLES; National Patriotic Movement of November 28 (MNP-28), Dejean
  BELIZAIRE; National Agricultural and Industrial Party (PAIN), Louis
  DEJOIE; Movement for National Reconstruction (MRN), Rene THEODORE;
  Haitian Christian Democratic Party (PDCH), Joseph DOUZE; Assembly of
  Progressive National Democrats (RDNP), Leslie MANIGAT; National Party
  of Labor (PNT), Thomas DESULME; Mobilization for National Development
  (MDN), Hubert DE RONCERAY; Democratic Movement for the Liberation of
  Haiti (MODELH), Francois LATORTUE; Haitian Social Christian Party
  (PSCH), Gregoire EUGENE; Movement for the Organization of the Country
  (MOP), Gesner COMEAU and Jean MOLIERE
Other political or pressure groups:
  Democratic Unity Confederation (KID); Roman Catholic Church;
  Confederation of Haitian Workers (CTH); Federation of Workers Trade
  Unions (FOS); Autonomous Haitian Workers (CATH); National Popular
  Assembly (APN); Revolutionary Front for Haitian Advancement and
  Progress (FRAPH)
Member of:
  ACCT, ACP, CARICOM (observer), CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IADB,
  IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL,
  IOC, ITU, LAES, LORCS, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,
  UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
  Ambassador Jean CASIMIR
chancery:
  2311 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
  [phone] through 4092
FAX:
  [phone]
consulate(s) general:
  Boston, Chicago, Miami, New York, and San Juan (Puerto Rico)
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
  Ambassador William Lacy SWING
embassy:
  Harry Truman Boulevard, Port-au-Prince
mailing address:
  P. O. Box 1761, Port-au-Prince
telephone:
  [509] 22-0354, 22-0368, 22-0200, or 22-0612
FAX:
  [509] 23-1641
Flag:
  two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a centered white
  rectangle bearing the coat of arms, which contains a palm tree flanked
  by flags and two cannons above a scroll bearing the motto L'UNION FAIT
  LA FORCE (Union Makes Strength)

@Haiti, Economy

Overview:
  About 75% of the population live in abject poverty. Agriculture is
  mainly small-scale subsistence farming and employs nearly
  three-fourths of the work force. The majority of the population does
  not have ready access to safe drinking water, adequate medical care,
  or sufficient food. Few social assistance programs exist, and the lack
  of employment opportunities remains one of the most critical problems
  facing the economy, along with soil erosion and political instability.
  Trade sanctions applied by the Organization of American States in
  response to the September 1991 coup against President ARISTIDE have
  further damaged the economy. Output continued to drop in 1993 although
  not as sharply as in 1992.
National product:
  GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $5.2 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
  -13% (FY92 est.)
National product per capita:
  $800 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  20% (FY92 est.)
Unemployment rate:
  25%-50% (1991)
Budget:
revenues:
  $300 million
expenditures:
  $416 million, including capital expenditures of $145 million (1990
  est.)
Exports:
  $135 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities:
  light manufactures 65%, coffee 19%, other agriculture 8%, other 8%
partners:
  US 84%, Italy 4%, France 3%, other industrial countries 6%, less
  developed countries 3% (1987)
Imports:
  $423 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities:
  machines and manufactures 34%, food and beverages 22%, petroleum
  products 14%, chemicals 10%, fats and oils 9%
partners:
  US 64%, Netherlands Antilles 5%, Japan 5%, France 4%, Canada 3%,
  Germany 3% (1987)
External debt:
  $838 million (December 1990)
Industrial production:
  growth rate -2% (1991 est.); accounts for 15% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
  217,000 kW
production:
  480 million kWh
consumption per capita:
  75 kWh (1992)
Industries:
  sugar refining, textiles, flour milling, cement manufacturing,
  tourism, light assembly industries based on imported parts
Agriculture:
  accounts for 28% of GDP and employs around 70% of work force; mostly
  small-scale subsistence farms; commercial crops - coffee, mangoes,
  sugarcane, wood; staple crops - rice, corn, sorghum; shortage of wheat
  flour
Illicit drugs:
  transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana en route to the US and
  Europe
Economic aid:
recipient:
  US commitments, including Ex-Im (1970-89), $700 million; Western
  (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $770
  million
Currency:
  1 gourde (G) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates:
  gourdes (G) per US$1 - 12.00 (1 July 1993), 8.4 (December 1991), fixed
  rate of 5.000 through second quarter of 1991
Fiscal year:
  1 October - 30 September

@Haiti, Communications

Railroads:
  40 km 0.760-meter narrow gauge, single-track, privately owned
  industrial line
Highways:
total:
  4,000 km
paved:
  950 km
unpaved:
  otherwise improved 900 km; unimproved earth 2,150 km
Inland waterways:
  negligible; less than 100 km navigable
Ports:
  Port-au-Prince, Cap-Haitien; six minor ports
Airports:
total:
  14
usable:
  11
with permanent-surface runways:
  3
with runways over 3,659 m:
  0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
  1
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
  3
Telecommunications:
  domestic facilities barely adequate, international facilities slightly
  better; 36,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 33 AM, no FM, 4 TV, 2
  shortwave; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station

@Haiti, Defense Forces

Branches:
  Army (including Police), Navy, Air Force
Manpower availability:
  males age 15-49 1,313,265; fit for military service 709,712; reach
  military age (18) annually 62,488 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
  exchange rate conversion - $34 million, 1.5% of GDP (1988 est.)


@Heard Island and McDonald Islands

Header
Affiliation:
  (territory of Australia)

@Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Geography

Location:
  Southern Africa, in the Indian Ocean, 4,100 km southwest of Australia
Map references:
  Antarctic Region
Area:
total area:
  412 sq km
land area:
  412 sq km
comparative area:
  slightly less than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
  0 km
Coastline:
  101.9 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone:
  200 nm
territorial sea:
  3 nm
International disputes:
  none
Climate:
  antarctic
Terrain:
  Heard Island - bleak and mountainous, with an quiescent volcano;
  McDonald Islands - small and rocky
Natural resources:
  none
Land use:
arable land:
  0%
permanent crops:
  0%
meadows and pastures:
  0%
forest and woodland:
  0%
other:
  100%
Irrigated land:
  0 sq km
Environment:
current issues:
  NA
natural hazards:
  NA
international agreements:
  NA
Note:
  primarily used for research stations

@Heard Island and McDonald Islands, People

Population:
  uninhabited

@Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
  Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands
conventional short form:
  Heard Island and McDonald Islands
Digraph:
  HM
Type:
  territory of Australia administered by the Ministry for Environment,
  Sport, and Territories
Capital:
  none; administered from Canberra, Australia
Independence:
  none (territory of Australia)

@Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Economy

Overview:
  no economic activity

@Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Communications

Ports:
  none; offshore anchorage only

@Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Defense Forces

Note:
  defense is the responsibility of Australia


@Holy See (Vatican City), Geography

Location:
  Southern Europe, an enclave of Rome - central Italy
Map references:
  Europe
Area:
total area:
  0.44 sq km
land area:
  0.44 sq km
comparative area:
  about 0.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
  total 3.2 km, Italy 3.2 km
Coastline:
  0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
  none; landlocked
International disputes:
  none
Climate:
  temperate; mild, rainy winters (September to mid-May) with hot, dry
  summers (May to September)
Terrain:
  low hill
Natural resources:
  none
Land use:
arable land:
  0%
permanent crops:
  0%
meadows and pastures:
  0%
forest and woodland:
  0%
other:
  100%
Irrigated land:
  0 sq km
Environment:
current issues:
  NA
natural hazards:
  NA
international agreements:
  signed, but not ratified - Air Pollution, Environmental Modification
Note:
  urban; landlocked; enclave of Rome, Italy; world's smallest state;
  outside the Vatican City, 13 buildings in Rome and Castel Gandolfo
  (the pope's summer residence) enjoy extraterritorial rights

@Holy See (Vatican City), People

Population:
  821 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
  1.15% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
  NA
Death rate:
  NA
Net migration rate:
  NA
Infant mortality rate:
  NA
Life expectancy at birth:
  NA
Total fertility rate:
  NA
Nationality:
noun:
  none
adjective:
  none
Ethnic divisions:
  Italians, Swiss
Religions:
  Roman Catholic
Languages:
  Italian, Latin, various other languages
Literacy:
total population:
  NA%
male:
  NA%
female:
  NA%
Labor force:
  NA
by occupation:
  dignitaries, priests, nuns, guards, and 3,000 lay workers who live
  outside the Vatican

@Holy See (Vatican City), Government

Names:
conventional long form:
  The Holy See (State of the Vatican City)
conventional short form:
  Holy See (Vatican City)
local long form:
  Santa Sede (Stato della Citta del Vaticano)
local short form:
  Santa Sede (Citta del Vaticano)
Digraph:
  VT
Type:
  monarchical-sacerdotal state
Capital:
  Vatican City
Independence:
  11 February 1929 (from Italy)
National holiday:
  Installation Day of the Pope, 22 October (1978) (John Paul II)
note:
  Pope John Paul II was elected on 16 October 1978
Constitution:
  Apostolic Constitution of 1967 (effective 1 March 1968)
Legal system:
  NA
Suffrage:
  limited to cardinals less than 80 years old
Executive branch:
chief of state:
  Pope JOHN PAUL II (Karol WOJTYLA; since 16 October 1978); election
  last held 16 October 1978 (next to be held after the death of the
  current pope); results - Karol WOJTYLA was elected for life by the
  College of Cardinals
head of government:
  Secretary of State Archbishop Angelo Cardinal SODANO (since NA 1991)
cabinet:
  Pontifical Commission; appointed by Pope
Legislative branch:
  unicameral Pontifical Commission
Judicial branch:
  none; normally handled by Italy
Political parties and leaders:
  none
Other political or pressure groups:
  none (exclusive of influence exercised by church officers)
Member of:
  CSCE, IAEA, ICFTU, IMF (observer), INTELSAT, IOM (observer), ITU, OAS
  (observer), UN (observer), UNCTAD, UNHCR, UPU, WIPO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
  Apostolic Pro-Nuncio Archbishop Agostino CACCIAVILLAN
chancery:
  3339 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
  [phone]
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
  Ambassador Raymond L. FLYNN
embassy:
  Villino Pacelli, Via Aurelia 294, 00165 Rome
mailing address:
  PSC 59, APO AE 09624
telephone:
  [396] 46741
FAX:
  [396] 638-0159
Flag:
  two vertical bands of yellow (hoist side) and white with the crossed
  keys of Saint Peter and the papal miter centered in the white band

@Holy See (Vatican City), Economy

Overview:
  This unique, noncommercial economy is supported financially by
  contributions (known as Peter's Pence) from Roman Catholics throughout
  the world, the sale of postage stamps and tourist mementos, fees for
  admission to museums, and the sale of publications. The incomes and
  living standards of lay workers are comparable to, or somewhat better
  than, those of counterparts who work in the city of Rome.
Budget:
revenues:
  $86 million
expenditures:
  $178 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1993 est.)
Electricity:
capacity:
  5,000 kW standby
production:
  power supplied by Italy
consumption per capita:
  NA (1992)
Industries:
  printing and production of a small amount of mosaics and staff
  uniforms; worldwide banking and financial activities
Currency:
  1 Vatican lira (VLit) = 100 centesimi
Exchange rates:
  Vatican lire (VLit) per US$1 - 1,700.2 (January 1994), 1,573.7 (1993),
  1,232.4 (1992), 1,240.6 (1991), 1,198.1 (1990), 1,372.1 (1989); note -
  the Vatican lira is at par with the Italian lira which circulates
  freely
Fiscal year:
  calendar year

@Holy See (Vatican City), Communications

Railroads:
  850 m, 750-mm gauge (links with Italian network near the Rome station
  of Saint Peter's)
Highways:
  none; all city streets
Telecommunications:
  broadcast stations - 3 AM, 4 FM, no TV; 2,000-line automatic telephone
  exchange; no communications satellite systems

@Holy See (Vatican City), Defense Forces

Note:
  defense is the responsibility of Italy; Swiss Papal Guards are posted
  at entrances to the Vatican City


@Honduras, Geography

Location:
  Middle America, between Guatemala and Nicaragua
Map references:
  Central America and the Caribbean, North America, Standard Time Zones
  of the World
Area:
total area:
  112,090 sq km
land area:
  111,890 sq km
comparative area:
  slightly larger than Tennessee
Land boundaries:
  total 1,520 km, Guatemala 256 km, El Salvador 342 km, Nicaragua 922 km
Coastline:
  820 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
  24 nm
continental shelf:
  200-m depth or to depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone:
  200 nm
territorial sea:
  12 nm
International disputes:
  land boundary dispute with El Salvador mostly resolved by 11 September
  1992 International Court of Justice (ICJ) decision; ICJ referred the
  maritime boundary in the Golfo de Fonseca to an earlier agreement in
  this century and advised that some tripartite resolution among El
  Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua likely would be required
Climate:
  subtropical in lowlands, temperate in mountains
Terrain:
  mostly mountains in interior, narrow coastal plains
Natural resources:
  timber, gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, iron ore, antimony, coal,
  fish
Land use:
arable land:
  14%
permanent crops:
  2%
meadows and pastures:
  30%
forest and woodland:
  34%
other:
  20%
Irrigated land:
  900 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
  urban population expanding; deforestation results from logging and the
  clearing of land for agricultural purposes; further land degradation
  and soil erosion hastened by uncontrolled development and improper
  land use practices such as farming of marginal lands; mining
  activities polluting Lago de Yojoa (the country's largest source of
  freshwater) with heavy metals as well as several rivers and streams
natural hazards:
  subject to frequent, but generally mild, earthquakes; damaging
  hurricanes and floods along Caribbean coast
international agreements:
  party to - Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear
  Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified -
  Biodiversity, Climate Change, Tropical Timber

@Honduras, People

Population:
  5,314,794 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
  2.73% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
  34.97 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
  6.22 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
  -1.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
  45.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
  67.6 years
male:
  65.23 years
female:
  70.08 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
  4.71 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
  Honduran(s)
adjective:
  Honduran
Ethnic divisions:
  mestizo (mixed Indian and European) 90%, Indian 7%, black 2%, white 1%
Religions:
  Roman Catholic 97%, Protestant minority
Languages:
  Spanish, Indian dialects
Literacy:
  age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
total population:
  73%
male:
  76%
female:
  71%
Labor force:
  1.3 million
by occupation:
  agriculture 62%, services 20%, manufacturing 9%, construction 3%,
  other 6% (1985)

@Honduras, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
  Republic of Honduras
conventional short form:
  Honduras
local long form:
  Republica de Honduras
local short form:
  Honduras
Digraph:
  HO
Type:
  republic
Capital:
  Tegucigalpa
Administrative divisions:
  18 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Atlantida,
  Choluteca, Colon, Comayagua, Copan, Cortes, El Paraiso, Francisco
  Morazan, Gracias a Dios, Intibuca, Islas de la Bahia, La Paz, Lempira,
  Ocotepeque, Olancho, Santa Barbara, Valle, Yoro
Independence:
  15 September 1821 (from Spain)
National holiday:
  Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
Constitution:
  11 January 1982, effective 20 January 1982
Legal system:
  rooted in Roman and Spanish civil law; some influence of English
  common law; accepts ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government:
  President Carlos Roberto REINA Idiaquez (since 27 January 1994);
  election last held on 28 November 1993 (next to be held November
  1997); results - Carlos Roberto REINA Idiaquez (PLH) 53%, Oswaldo
  RAMOS Soto (PNH) 41%, other 6%
cabinet:
  Cabinet
Legislative branch:
  unicameral
National Congress (Congreso Nacional):
  elections last held on 27 November 1993 (next to be held November
  1997); results - PNH 53%, PLH 41%, PDCH 1.0%, PINU-SD 2.5%, other
  2.5%; seats - (134 total) PNH 55, PLH 77, PINU-SD 2
Judicial branch:
  Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justica)
Political parties and leaders:
  Liberal Party (PLH), Rafael PINEDA Ponce, president; National Party
  (PN) has two factions: Movimiento Nacional de Reivindication
  Callejista (Monarca), Rafael Leonardo CALLEJAS, and Oswaldista,
  Oswaldo RAMOS Soto, presidential candidate; National Innovation and
  Unity Party (PINU), Olban VALLADARES, president; Christian Democratic
  Party (PDCH), Efrain DIAZ Arrivillaga, president
Other political or pressure groups:
  National Association of Honduran Campesinos (ANACH); Honduran Council
  of Private Enterprise (COHEP); Confederation of Honduran Workers
  (CTH); National Union of Campesinos (UNC); General Workers
  Confederation (CGT); United Federation of Honduran Workers (FUTH);
  Committee for the Defense of Human Rights in Honduras (CODEH);
  Coordinating Committee of Popular Organizations (CCOP)
Member of:
  BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA,
  IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES,
  LAIA (observer), LORCS, MINURSO, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
  UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
  Ambassador Rene Arturo BENDANA
chancery:
  3007 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
  [phone], 2604, 5008, 4596
FAX:
  [phone]
consulate(s) general:
  Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San
  Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico)
consulate(s):
  Boston, Detroit, and Jacksonville
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
  Ambassador William PRYCE
embassy:
  Avenida La Paz, Tegucigalpa
mailing address:
  American Embassy, APO AA 34022, Tegucigalpa
telephone:
  [504] 32-3120
FAX:
  [504] 32-0027
Flag:
  three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with five
  blue five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white
  band; the stars represent the members of the former Federal Republic
  of Central America - Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and
  Nicaragua; similar to the flag of El Salvador, which features a round
  emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA
  CENTRAL centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of
  Nicaragua, which features a triangle encircled by the word REPUBLICA
  DE NICARAGUA on top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom, centered in the
  white band

@Honduras, Economy

Overview:
  Honduras is one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere.
  Agriculture, the most important sector of the economy, accounts for
  more than 25% of GDP, employs 62% of the labor force, and produces
  two-thirds of exports. Productivity remains low. Industry, still in
  its early stages, employs nearly 9% of the labor force, accounts for
  15% of GDP, and generates 20% of exports. The service sectors,
  including public administration, account for 50% of GDP and employ 20%
  of the labor force. Basic problems facing the economy include rapid
  population growth, high unemployment, a lack of basic services, a
  large and inefficient public sector, and the dependence of the export
  sector mostly on coffee and bananas, which are subject to sharp price
  fluctuations. A far-reaching reform program initiated by former
  President CALLEJAS in 1990 is beginning to take hold. In 1993 the
  large fiscal deficit emerged as a key economic problem, the result of
  improvident state spending.
National product:
  GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $10 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
  3.7% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
  $1,950 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  13% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate:
  10%; underemployed 30%-40% (1992)
Budget:
revenues:
  $1.4 billion
expenditures:
  $1.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $511 million (1990
  est.)
Exports:
  $850 million (f.o.b., 1993 est)
commodities:
  bananas, coffee, shrimp, lobster, minerals, meat, lumber
partners:
  US 53%, Germany 11%, Belgium 8%, UK 5%
Imports:
  $1.1 billion (c.i.f. 1993 est)
commodities:
  machinery and transport equipment, chemical products, manufactured
  goods, fuel and oil, foodstuffs
partners:
  US 50%, Mexico 8%, Guatemala 6%
External debt:
  $2.8 billion (1990)
Industrial production:
  growth rate 0.8% (1990 est.); accounts for 15% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
  575,000 kW
production:
  2 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
  390 kWh (1992)
Industries:
  agricultural processing (sugar and coffee), textiles, clothing, wood
  products
Agriculture:
  most important sector, accounting for more than 25% of GDP, more than
  60% of the labor force, and two-thirds of exports; principal products
  include bananas, coffee, timber, beef, citrus fruit, shrimp; importer
  of wheat
Illicit drugs:
  transshipment point for cocaine; illicit producer of cannabis,
  cultivated on small plots and used principally for local consumption
Economic aid:
recipient:
  US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $1.4 billion; Western
  (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.1
  billion
Currency:
  1 lempira (L) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates:
  lempiras (L) per US$1 - 7.2600 (December 1993), 7.2600 (1993), 5.8300
  (1992), 5.4000 (1991); 2.0000 (fixed rate until 1991) 5.70 parallel
  black-market rate (November 1990); the lempira was allowed to float in
  1992
Fiscal year:
  calendar year

@Honduras, Communications

Railroads:
  785 km total; 508 km 1.067-meter gauge, 277 km 0.914-meter gauge
Highways:
total:
  8,950 km
paved:
  1,700 km
unpaved:
  otherwise improved 5,000 km; unimproved earth 2,250 km
Inland waterways:
  465 km navigable by small craft
Ports:
  Puerto Castilla, Puerto Cortes, San Lorenzo
Merchant marine:
  270 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 831,856 GRT/1,248,186 DWT, bulk
  25, cargo 177, chemical tanker 2, combination bulk 1, container 7,
  liquified gas 1, oil tanker 22, passenger 2, passenger-cargo 2,
  refrigerated cargo 20, roll-on/roll-off cargo 6, short-sea passenger
  2, specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 1
note:
  a flag of convenience registry; Russia owns 14 ships under the
  Honduran flag
Airports:
total:
  160
usable:
  133
with permanent-surface runways:
  11
with runways over 3,659 m:
  0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
  4
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
  14
Telecommunications:
  inadequate system with only 7 telephones per 1,000 persons;
  international services provided by 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth
  stations and the Central American microwave radio relay system;
  broadcast stations - 176 AM, no FM, 7 SW, 28 TV

@Honduras, Defense Forces

Branches:
  Army, Navy (including Marines), Air Force, Public Security Forces
  (FUSEP)
Manpower availability:
  males age 15-49 1,229,777; fit for military service 732,866; reach
  military age (18) annually 60,445 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
  exchange rate conversion - $42.8 million, about 1.3% of GDP (1993
  est.)


@Hong Kong

Header
Affiliation:
  (dependent territory of the UK)

@Hong Kong, Geography

Location:
  Eastern Asia, on the southeast coast of China bordering the South
  China Sea
Map references:
  Asia, Southeast Asia, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
  1,040 sq km
land area:
  990 sq km
comparative area:
  slightly less than six times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
  total 30 km, China 30 km
Coastline:
  733 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone:
  3 nm
territorial sea:
  3 nm
International disputes:
  none
Climate:
  tropical monsoon; cool and humid in winter, hot and rainy from spring
  through summer, warm and sunny in fall
Terrain:
  hilly to mountainous with steep slopes; lowlands in north
Natural resources:
  outstanding deepwater harbor, feldspar
Land use:
arable land:
  7%
permanent crops:
  1%
meadows and pastures:
  1%
forest and woodland:
  12%
other:
  79%
Irrigated land:
  20 sq km (1989)
Environment:
current issues:
  air and water pollution from rapid urbanization
natural hazards:
  occasional typhoons
international agreements:
  NA
Note:
  more than 200 islands

@Hong Kong, People

Population:
  5,548,754 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
  -0.09% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
  12.16 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
  5.85 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
  -7.21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
  5.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
  80.09 years
male:
  76.67 years
female:
  83.71 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
  1.37 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
  Chinese
adjective:
  Chinese
Ethnic divisions:
  Chinese 95%, other 5%
Religions:
  eclectic mixture of local religions 90%, Christian 10%
Languages:
  Chinese (Cantonese), English
Literacy:
  age 15 and over having ever attended school (1971)
total population:
  77%
male:
  90%
female:
  64%
Labor force:
  2.8 million (1990)
by occupation:
  manufacturing 28.5%, wholesale and retail trade, restaurants, and
  hotels 27.9%, services 17.7%, financing, insurance, and real estate
  9.2%, transport and communications 4.5%, construction 2.5%, other 9.7%
  (1989)

@Hong Kong, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
  none
conventional short form:
  Hong Kong
Abbreviation:
  HK
Digraph:
  HK
Type:
  dependent territory of the UK scheduled to revert to China in 1997
Capital:
  Victoria
Administrative divisions:
  none (dependent territory of the UK)
Independence:
  none (dependent territory of the UK; the UK signed an agreement with
  China on 19 December 1984 to return Hong Kong to China on 1 July 1997;
  in the joint declaration, China promises to respect Hong Kong's
  existing social and economic systems and lifestyle)
National holiday:
  Liberation Day, 29 August (1945)
Constitution:
  unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice; new Basic
  Law approved in March 1990 in preparation for 1997
Legal system:
  based on English common law
Suffrage:
  direct election 21 years of age; universal for permanent residents
  living in the territory of Hong Kong for the past seven years;
  indirect election limited to about 100,000 professionals of electoral
  college and functional constituencies
Executive branch:
chief of state:
  Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)
head of government:
  Governor Chris PATTEN (since 9 July 1992); Chief Secretary Anson CHAN
  Fang On-Sang (since 29 November 1993)
cabinet:
  Executive Council; appointed by the governor
Legislative branch:
  unicameral
Legislative Council:
  indirect elections last held 12 September 1991 and direct elections
  were held for the first time 15 September 1991 (next to be held in
  September 1995 when the number of directly-elected seats increases to
  20); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (60 total; 21
  indirectly elected by functional constituencies, 18 directly elected,
  18 appointed by governor, 3 ex officio members); indirect elections -
  number of seats by functional constituency NA; direct elections - UDHK
  12, Meeting Point 3, ADPL 1, other 2
Judicial branch:
  Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
  United Democrats of Hong Kong, Martin LEE, chairman; Democratic
  Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong, TSANG Yuk-shing, chairman;
  Hong Kong Democratic Foundation, Dr. Patrick SHIU Kin-ying, chairman
note:
  in April 1994, the United Democrats of Hong Kong and Meeting Point
  merged to form the "Democratic Party;" the merger becomes effective in
  October 1994
Other political or pressure groups:
  Liberal Party, Allen LEE, chairman; Meeting Point, Anthony CHEUNG
  Bing-leung, chairman; Association for Democracy and People's
  Livelihood, Frederick FUNG Kin Kee, chairman; Liberal Democratic
  Federation, HU Fa-kuang, chairman; Federation of Trade Unions
  (pro-China), LEE Chark-tim, president; Hong Kong and Kowloon Trade
  Union Council (pro-Taiwan); Confederation of Trade Unions
  (pro-democracy), LAU Chin-shek, chairman; Hong Kong General Chamber of
  Commerce; Chinese General Chamber of Commerce (pro-China); Federation
  of Hong Kong Industries; Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong
  Kong; Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union, CHEUNG Man-kwong,
  president; Hong Kong Alliance in Support of the Patriotic Democratic
  Movement in China, Szeto WAH, chairman
note:
  in April 1994, the United Democrats of Hong Kong and Meeting Point
  merged to form the "Democratic Party;" the merger becomes effective in
  October 1994
Member of:
  COCOM (cooperating), APEC, AsDB, CCC, ESCAP (associate), GATT, ICFTU,
  IMO (associate), INTERPOL (subbureau), IOC, ISO (correspondent), WCL,
  WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
  none (dependent territory of the UK)
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
  Consul General Richard MUELLER
consulate general:
  26 Garden Road, Hong Kong
mailing address:
  PSC 464, Box 30, Hong Kong, or FPO AP 96522-0002
telephone:
  [852] 523-9011
FAX:
  [852] 845-1598
Flag:
  blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant with the
  Hong Kong coat of arms on a white disk centered on the outer half of
  the flag; the coat of arms contains a shield (bearing two junks below
  a crown) held by a lion (representing the UK) and a dragon
  (representing China) with another lion above the shield and a banner
  bearing the words HONG KONG below the shield

@Hong Kong, Economy

Overview:
  Hong Kong has a bustling free market economy with few tariffs or
  nontariff barriers. Natural resources are limited, and food and raw
  materials must be imported. Manufacturing accounts for about 17% of
  GDP. Goods and services exports account for about 50% of GDP. Real GDP
  growth averaged a remarkable 8% in 1987-88, slowed to 3.0% in 1989-90,
  and picked up to 4.2% in 1991, 5.0% in 1992, and 5.2% in 1993.
  Unemployment, which has been declining since the mid-1980s, is now
  about 2%. A shortage of labor continues to put upward pressure on
  prices and the cost of living. Short-term prospects remain bright so
  long as major trading partners continue to be reasonably prosperous.
National product:
  GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $119 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
  5.2% (1993)
National product per capita:
  $21,500 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  9.5% (1993)
Unemployment rate:
  2.3% (1993 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
  $19.2 billion
expenditures:
  $19.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY94)
Exports:
  $145.1 billion (including re-exports of $104.2 billion )(f.o.b., 1993
  est.)
commodities:
  clothing, textiles, yarn and fabric, footwear, electrical appliances,
  watches and clocks, toys
partners:
  China 32%, US 23%, Germany 5%, Japan 5%, UK 3% (1993 est.)
Imports:
  $149.6 billion (c.i.f., 1993 est.)
commodities:
  foodstuffs, transport equipment, raw materials, semimanufactures,
  petroleum
partners:
  China 36%, Japan 19%, Taiwan 9%, US 7% (1993 est.)
External debt:
  none (1993)
Industrial production:
  growth rate 2% (1993 est.)
Electricity:
capacity:
  9,566,000 kW
production:
  29.4 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
  4,980 kWh (1992)
Industries:
  textiles, clothing, tourism, electronics, plastics, toys, watches,
  clocks
Agriculture:
  minor role in the economy; local farmers produce 26% fresh vegetables,
  27% live poultry; 8% of land area suitable for farming
Illicit drugs:
  a hub for Southeast Asian heroin trade; transshipment and major
  financial and money-laundering center
Economic aid:
recipient:
  US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-87), $152 million; Western
  (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $923
  million
Currency:
  1 Hong Kong dollar (HK$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
  Hong Kong dollars (HK$) per US$ - 7.800 (1993), 7.741 (1992), 7.771
  (1991), 7.790 (1990), 7.800 (1989); note - linked to the US dollar at
  the rate of about 7.8 HK$ per 1 US$ since 1985
Fiscal year:
  1 April - 31 March

@Hong Kong, Communications

Railroads:
  35 km 1.435-meter standard gauge, government owned
Highways:
total:
  1,100 km
paved:
  794 km
unpaved:
  gravel, crushed stone, earth 306 km
Ports:
  Hong Kong
Merchant marine:
  201 ships (1,000 GRT or over), totaling 6,972,233 GRT/11,965,809 DWT,
  bulk 105, cargo 23, chemical tanker 3, combination bulk 2, combination
  ore/oil 6, container 29, liquefied gas 7, oil tanker 16, refrigerated
  cargo 7, short-sea passenger 1, vehicle carrier 2
note:
  a flag of convenience registry; ships registered in Hong Kong fly the
  UK flag, and an estimated 500 Hong Kong-owned ships are registered
  elsewhere
Airports:
total:
  2
usable:
  2
with permanent-surface runways:
  2
with runways over 3,659 m:
  0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
  1
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
  0
Telecommunications:
  modern facilities provide excellent domestic and international
  services; 3,000,000 telephones; microwave transmission links and
  extensive optical fiber transmission network; broadcast stations - 6
  AM, 6 FM, 4 TV; 1 British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) repeater
  station and 1 British Forces Broadcasting Service repeater station;
  2,500,000 radio receivers; 1,312,000 TV sets (1,224,000 color TV
  sets); satellite earth stations - 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT and 2
  Indian Ocean INTELSAT; coaxial cable to Guangzhou, China; links to 5
  international submarine cables providing access to ASEAN member
  nations, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, Middle East, and Western Europe

@Hong Kong, Defense Forces

Branches:
  Headquarters of British Forces, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, Royal
  Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force, Royal Hong Kong Police Force
Manpower availability:
  males age 15-49 1,636,397; fit for military service 1,251,901; reach
  military age (18) annually 42,044 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
  exchange rate conversion - $300 million, 0.5% of GDP (1989 est.); this
  represents one-fourth of the total cost of defending itself, the
  remainder being paid by the UK
Note:
  defense is the responsibility of the UK


@Howland Island

Header
Affiliation:
  (territory of the US)

@Howland Island, Geography

Location:
  Oceania, Polynesia, in the North Pacific Ocean, 2,575 km southwest of
  Honolulu, just north of the Equator, about halfway between Hawaii and
  Australia
Map references:
  Oceania
Area:
total area:
  1.6 sq km
land area:
  1.6 sq km
comparative area:
  about 2.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
  0 km
Coastline:
  6.4 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
  24 nm
continental shelf:
  200-m depth or to depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone:
  200 nm
territorial sea:
  12 nm
International disputes:
  none
Climate:
  equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun
Terrain:
  low-lying, nearly level, sandy, coral island surrounded by a narrow
  fringing reef; depressed central area
Natural resources:
  guano (deposits worked until late 1800s)
Land use:
arable land:
  0%
permanent crops:
  0%
meadows and pastures:
  0%
forest and woodland:
  5%
other:
  95%
Irrigated land:
  0 sq km
Environment:
current issues:
  lacks freshwater
natural hazards:
  NA
international agreements:
  NA
Note:
  almost totally covered with grasses, prostrate vines, and low-growing
  shrubs; small area of trees in the center; primarily a nesting,
  roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine
  wildlife; feral cats

@Howland Island, People

Population:
  uninhabited; note - American civilians evacuated in 1942 after
  Japanese air and naval attacks during World War II; occupied by US
  military during World War II, but abandoned after the war; public
  entry is by special-use permit only and generally restricted to
  scientists and educators

@Howland Island, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
  none
conventional short form:
  Howland Island
Digraph:
  HQ
Type:
  unincorporated territory of the US administered by the Fish and
  Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the
  National Wildlife Refuge System
Capital:
  none; administered from Washington, DC

@Howland Island, Economy

Overview:
  no economic activity

@Howland Island, Communications

Ports:
  none; offshore anchorage only, one boat landing area along the middle
  of the west coast
Airports:
  airstrip constructed in 1937 for scheduled refueling stop on the
  round-the-world flight of Amelia Earhart and Fred Noonan - they left
  Lae, New Guinea, for Howland Island, but were never seen again; the
  airstrip is no longer serviceable
Note:
  Earhart Light is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast that
  was partially destroyed during World War II, but has since been
  rebuilt in memory of famed aviatrix Amelia Earhart

@Howland Island, Defense Forces

  defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US
  Coast Guard


@Hungary, Geography

Location:
  Central Europe, between Slovakia and Romania
Map references:
  Ethnic Groups in Eastern Europe, Europe
Area:
total area:
  93,030 sq km
land area:
  92,340 sq km
comparative area:
  slightly smaller than Indiana
Land boundaries:
  total 1,989 km, Austria 366 km, Croatia 329 km, Romania 443 km, Serbia
  and Montenegro 151 km (all with Serbia), Slovakia 515 km, Slovenia 82
  km, Ukraine 103 km
Coastline:
  0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
  none; landlocked
International disputes:
  Gabcikovo Dam dispute with Slovakia
Climate:
  temperate; cold, cloudy, humid winters; warm summers
Terrain:
  mostly flat to rolling plains
Natural resources:
  bauxite, coal, natural gas, fertile soils
Land use:
arable land:
  50.7%
permanent crops:
  6.1%
meadows and pastures:
  12.6%
forest and woodland:
  18.3%
other:
  12.3%
Irrigated land:
  1,750 sq km (1989)
Environment:
current issues:
  air pollution; industrial and municipal pollution of Lake Balaton
natural hazards:
  levees are common along many streams, but flooding occurs almost every
  year
international agreements:
  party to - Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
  Pollution-Sulphur, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change,
  Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes,
  Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
  Pollution, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Air Pollution-Volatile
  Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Law of the Sea
Note:
  landlocked; strategic location astride main land routes between
  Western Europe and Balkan Peninsula as well as between Ukraine and
  Mediterranean basin

@Hungary, People

Population:
  10,319,113 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
  -0.03% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
  12.46 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
  12.72 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
  0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
  12.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
  71.37 years
male:
  67.37 years
female:
  75.58 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
  1.83 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
  Hungarian(s)
adjective:
  Hungarian
Ethnic divisions:
  Hungarian 89.9%, Gypsy 4%, German 2.6%, Serb 2%, Slovak 0.8%, Romanian
  0.7%
Religions:
  Roman Catholic 67.5%, Calvinist 20%, Lutheran 5%, atheist and other
  7.5%
Languages:
  Hungarian 98.2%, other 1.8%
Literacy:
  age 15 and over can read and write (1980)
total population:
  99%
male:
  99%
female:
  98%
Labor force:
  5.4 million
by occupation:
  services, trade, government, and other 44.8%, industry 29.7%,
  agriculture 16.1%, construction 7.0% (1991)

@Hungary, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
  Republic of Hungary
conventional short form:
  Hungary
local long form:
  Magyar Koztarsasag
local short form:
  Magyarorszag
Digraph:
  HU
Type:
  republic
Capital:
  Budapest
Administrative divisions:
  38 counties (megyek, singular - megye) and 1 capital city* (fovaros);
  Bacs-Kiskun, Baranya, Bekes, Bekescsaba, Borsod-Abauj-Zemplen,
  Budapest*, Csongrad, Debrecen, Dunaujvaros, Eger, Fejer, Gyor,
  Gyor-Moson-Sopron, Hajdu-Bihar, Heves, Hodmezovasarhely,
  Jasz-Nagykun-Szolnok, Kaposvar, Kecskemet, Komarom-Esztergom, Miskolc,
  Nagykanizsa, Nograd, Nyiregyhaza, Pecs, Pest, Somogy, Sopron,
  Szabolcs-Szatmar-Bereg, Szeged, Szekesfehervar, Szolnok, Szombathely,
  Tatabanya, Tolna, Vas, Veszprem, Zala, Zalaegerszeg
Independence:
  1001 (unification by King Stephen I)
National holiday:
  St. Stephen's Day (National Day), 20 August (commemorates the founding
  of Hungarian state circa 1000 A.D.)
Constitution:
  18 August 1949, effective 20 August 1949, revised 19 April 1972; 18
  October 1989 revision ensured legal rights for individuals and
  constitutional checks on the authority of the prime minister and also
  established the principle of parliamentary oversight
Legal system:
  in process of revision, moving toward rule of law based on Western
  model
Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
  President Arpad GONCZ (since 3 August 1990; previously interim
  president from 2 May 1990); election last held 3 August 1990 (next to
  be held NA 1995); results - President GONCZ elected by parliamentary
  vote; note - President GONCZ was elected by the National Assembly with
  a total of 295 votes out of 304 as interim President from 2 May 1990
  until elected President
head of government:
  Prime Minister Peter BOROSS (since 12 December 1993 on the death of
  Jozsef ANTALL); new prime minister will probably be Gyula HORN
cabinet:
  Council of Ministers; elected by the National Assembly on
  recommendation of the president
Legislative branch:
  unicameral
National Assembly (Orszaggyules):
  elections last held on 8 and 29 May 1994 (next to be held spring
  1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (386 total)
  Hungarian Socialist Party 209, Alliance of Free Democrats 70,
  Hungarian Democratic Forum 37, Independent Smallholders 26, Christian
  Democratic People's Party 22, Federation of Young Democrats 20, other
  2
Judicial branch:
  Constitutional Court
Political parties and leaders:
  Democratic Forum, Sandor LESZAK, chairman; Independent Smallholders
  (FKGP), Jozsef TORGYAN, president; Hungarian Socialist Party (MSZP),
  Gyula HORN, president; Christian Democratic People's Party (KDNP), Dr.
  Lazlo SURJAN, president; Federation of Young Democrats (FIDESZ),
  Viktor ORBAN, chairman; Alliance of Free Democrats (SZDSZ), Ivan PETO,
  chairman
note:
  the Hungarian Socialist (Communist) Workers' Party (MSZMP) renounced
  Communism and became the Hungarian Socialist Party (MSZP) in October
  1989; there is still a small MSZMP
Member of:
  Australian Group, BIS, CCC, CE, CEI, CERN, COCOM (cooperating), CSCE,
  EBRD, ECE, FAO, G-9, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO,
  INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, MTCR, NACC, NAM
  (guest), NSG, OAS (observer), PCA, UN, UNAVEM II, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
  UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNOMOZ, UNOMUR, UNOSOM, UNTAC, UPU, WFTU, WHO,
  WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
  Ambassador Pal TAR
chancery:
  3910 Shoemaker Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
  [phone]
FAX:
  [phone]
consulate(s) general:
  Los Angeles and New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
  Ambassador Donald BLINKEN
embassy:
  V. Szabadsag Ter 12, Budapest
mailing address:
  Am Embassy, Unit 1320, Budapest; APO AE 09213
telephone:
  [36] (1) 112-6450
FAX:
  [36] (1) 132-8934
Flag:
  three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and green

@Hungary, Economy

Overview:
  Hungary is still in the midst of a difficult transition from a command
  to a market economy. Its economic reforms during the Communist era
  gave it a head start on this process, particularly in terms of
  attracting foreign investors - Hungary has accounted for about half of
  all foreign direct investment in Eastern Europe since 1989.
  Nonetheless, the economy continued to contract in 1993, with real GDP
  falling perhaps 1%. Although the privatization process has lagged, in
  December 1993 Hungary carried out the largest privatization yet in
  Eastern Europe, selling a controlling interest in the Matav
  telecommunications firm to private investors - including a 30% share
  to a US-German consortium for $875 million. Overall, about half of GDP
  now originates in the private sector. Unemployment rose to about 13%
  in 1993 while inflation remained above 20%, and falling exports pushed
  the trade deficit to about $3 billion. The government hopes that
  economic recovery in Western Europe in 1994 will boost exports, lower
  the trade deficit, and help jump-start the economy. The budget,
  however, is likely to remain a serious concern; depressed tax revenue
  pushed up the budget deficit in 1993.
National product:
  GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $57 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
  -1% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
  $5,500 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  23% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate:
  13% (1993)
Budget:
revenues:
  $10.2 billion
expenditures:
  $12.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1993 est.)
Exports:
  $8.9 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities:
  raw materials, semi-finished goods, chemicals 39.6%, machinery 14.5%,
  consumer goods 22.3%, food and agriculture 20.0%, fuels and energy
  3.6% (January-June 1993)
partners:
  EC 49.8% (Germany 27.8%, Italy 9.5%), Austria 10.7%, the FSU 13.1%,
  Eastern Europe 9.8% (1992)
Imports:
  $12.5 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities:
  fuels and energy 13.9%, raw materials, semi-finished goods, chemicals
  35.9%, machinery 22.4%, consumer goods 21.8%, food and agriculture
  6.0% (January-June 1993)
partners:
  EC 42.8% (Germany 23.6%, Italy 6.3%), Austria 14.4%, the FSU 16.8%,
  Eastern Europe 9.2%
External debt:
  $24.7 billion (November 1993)
Industrial production:
  growth rate 4% (1993 est.)
Electricity:
capacity:
  7,200,000 kW
production:
  30 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
  3,000 kWh (1992)
Industries:
  mining, metallurgy, construction materials, processed foods, textiles,
  chemicals (especially pharmaceuticals), buses, automobiles
Agriculture:
  including forestry, accounts for 15% of GDP and 16% of employment;
  highly diversified crop and livestock farming; principal crops -
  wheat, corn, sunflowers, potatoes, sugar beets; livestock - hogs,
  cattle, poultry, dairy products; self-sufficient in food output
Illicit drugs:
  transshipment point for Southeast Asia heroin transiting the Balkan
  route
Economic aid:
recipient:
  assistance pledged by OECD countries since 1989 about $9 billion
Currency:
  1 forint (Ft) = 100 filler
Exchange rates:
  forints per US$1 - 93.46 (September 1993), 92.5 (1993), 78.99 (1992),
  74.74 (1991), 63.21 (1990), 59.07 (1989)
Fiscal year:
  calendar year

@Hungary, Communications

Railroads:
  7,765 km total; 7,508 km 1.435-meter standard gauge, 222 km narrow
  gauge (mostly 0.760-meter), 35 km 1.520-meter broad gauge; 1,236 km
  double track, 2,249 km electrified; all government owned (1990)
Highways:
total:
  130,224 km
paved:
  61,948 km
unpaved:
  68,276 km (1988)
Inland waterways:
  1,622 km (1988)
Pipelines:
  crude oil 1,204 km; natural gas 4,387 km (1991)
Ports:
  Budapest and Dunaujvaros are river ports on the Danube; coastal
  outlets are Rostock (Germany), Gdansk (Poland), Gdynia (Poland),
  Szczecin (Poland), Galati (Romania), and Braila (Romania)
Merchant marine:
  10 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) and 1 bulk totaling 46,121
  GRT/61,613 DWT
Airports:
total:
  126
usable:
  65
with permanent-surface runways:
  12
with runways over 3,659 m:
  1
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
  18
with runways 1,060-2,439 m:
  31
note:
  a C-130 can land on a 1,060-m airstrip
Telecommunications:
  automatic telephone network based on microwave radio relay system;
  1,128,800 phones (1991); telephone density is at 19.4 per 100
  inhabitants; 49% of all phones are in Budapest; 608,000 telephones on
  order (1991); 12-15 year wait for a phone; 14,213 telex lines (1991);
  broadcast stations - 32 AM, 15 FM, 41 TV (8 Soviet TV repeaters); 4.2
  million TVs (1990); 1 satellite ground station using INTELSAT and
  Intersputnik

@Hungary, Defense Forces

Branches:
  Ground Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces, Border Guard, Territorial
  Defense
Manpower availability:
  males age 15-49 2,636,888; fit for military service 2,105,628; reach
  military age (18) annually 90,134 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
  66.5 billion forints, NA% of GNP (1993 est.); note - conversion of
  defense expenditures into US dollars using the current exchange rate
  could produce misleading results