:Gaza Strip People
Population:681,026 (July 1992), growth rate 3.6% (1992); in addition, there are 4,000Jewish settlers in the Gaza Strip (1992 est.)Birth rate:46 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:6 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:- 4 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:41 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:66 years male, 68 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:6.9 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:NAEthnic divisions:Palestinian Arab and other 99.8%, Jewish 0.2%Religions:Muslim (predominantly Sunni) 99%, Christian 0.7%, Jewish 0.3%Languages:Arabic, Israeli settlers speak Hebrew; English widely understoodLiteracy:NA% (male NA%, female NA%)Labor force:(excluding Israeli Jewish settlers) small industry, commerce and business32.0%, construction 24.4%, service and other 25.5%, and agriculture 18.1%(1984)Organized labor:NA
:Gaza Strip Government
Long-form name: none
:Gaza Strip Economy
Overview:In 1990 roughly 40% of Gaza Strip workers were employed across the border byIsraeli industrial, construction, and agricultural enterprises, with workerremittances accounting for about one-third of GNP. The construction,agricultural, and industrial sectors account for about 15%, 12%, and 8% ofGNP, respectively. Gaza depends upon Israel for some 90% of its externaltrade. Unrest in the territory in 1988-92 (intifadah) has raisedunemployment and substantially lowered the standard of living of Gazans. ThePersian Gulf crisis and its aftershocks also have dealt severe blows to Gazasince August 1990. Worker remittances from the Gulf states have plunged,unemployment has increased, and exports have fallen dramatically. The area'seconomic outlook remains bleak.GNP:exchange rate conversion - $380 million, per capita $590; real growth rate -30% (1991 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):9% (1991 est.)Unemployment rate:20% (1990 est.)Budget:revenues $33.8 million; expenditures $33.3 million, including capitalexpenditures of $NA (FY88)Exports:$30 million (f.o.b., 1989)commodities:citruspartners:Israel, EgyptImports:$255 million (c.i.f., 1989)commodities:food, consumer goods, construction materialspartners:Israel, EgyptExternal debt:$NAIndustrial production:growth rate 10% (1989); accounts for about 8% of GNPElectricity:power supplied by IsraelIndustries:generally small family businesses that produce textiles, soap, olive-woodcarvings, and mother-of-pearl souvenirs; the Israelis have established somesmall-scale modern industries in an industrial centerAgriculture:accounts for about 12% of GNP; olives, citrus and other fruits, vegetables,beef, dairy productsEconomic aid:NACurrency:new Israeli shekel (plural - shekels); 1 new Israeli shekel (NIS) = 100 newagorotExchange rates:new Israeli shekels (NIS) per US$1 - 2.2984 (January 1992), 2.2792 (1991),2.0162 (1990), 1.9164 (1989), 1.5989 (1988), 1.5946 (1987)Fiscal year:previously 1 April - 31 March; FY91 was 1 April - 3l December, and since 1January 1992 the fiscal year has conformed to the calendar year
:Gaza Strip Communications
Railroads:one line, abandoned and in disrepair, some trackage remainsHighways:small, poorly developed indigenous road networkPorts:facilities for small boats to service the city of GazaAirports:1 with permanent-surface runway less than 1,220 mTelecommunications:broadcast stations - no AM, no FM, no TV
:Gaza Strip Defense Forces
Branches:NAManpower availability:males 15-49, 136,311; NA fit for military serviceDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP
:Georgia Geography
Total area:69,700 km2Land area:69,700 km2Comparative area:slightly larger than South CarolinaLand boundaries:1,461 km; Armenia 164 km, Azerbaijan 322 km, Russia 723 km, Turkey 252 kmCoastline:310 kmMaritime claims:Contiguous zone:NA nmContinental Shelf:NA meter depthExclusive economic zone:NA nmExclusive fishing zone:NA nmTerritorial sea:NA nm, Georgian claims unknown; 12 nm in 1973 USSR-Turkish Protocolconcerning the sea boundary between the two states in the Black SeaDisputes:noneClimate:warm and pleasant; Mediterranean-like on Black Sea coastTerrain:largely mountainous with Great Caucasus Mountains in the north and LesserCaucasus Mountains in the south; Colchis lowland opens to the Black Sea inthe west; Kura River Basin in the east; good soils in river valley floodplains, foothills of Colchis lowlandNatural resources:forest lands, hydropower, manganese deposits, iron ores, copper, minor coaland oil deposits; coastal climate and soils allow for important tea andcitrus growthLand use:NA% arable land; NA% permanent crops; NA% meadows and pastures; NA% forestand woodland; NA% other; includes 200,000 hectares irrigatedEnvironment:air pollution, particularly in Rustavi; heavy pollution of Kura River, BlackSea
:Georgia People
Population:5,570,978 (July 1992), growth rate 0.8% (1992)Birth rate:17 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:9 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:1 migrant/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:34 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:67 years male, 75 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:2.2 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Georgian(s); adjective - GeorgianEthnic divisions:Georgian 68.8%, Armenian 9.0%, Russian Azari 5.1%, Ossetian 3.2%, Abkhaz1.7%, other 4.8%Religions:Russian Orthodox 10%, Georgian Orthodox 65%, Armenian Orthodox 8%, Muslim11%, unknown 6%Languages:Georgian (official language) 71%, Russian 9%, other 20% - Armenian 7%,Azerbaijani 6%Literacy:NA% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and writeLabor force:2,834,000; agriculture 29.1% (1988), government NA%, industry 17.8%, other53.1%Organized labor:NA
:Georgia Government
Long-form name:Republic of GeorgiaType:republicCapital:T'bilisi (Tbilisi)Administrative divisions:2 autonomous republics (avtomnoy respubliki, singular - avtom respublika);Abkhazia (Sukhumi), Ajaria (Batumi); note - the administrative centers ofthe autonomous republics are included in parentheses; there are no oblasts -the rayons around T'bilisi are under direct republic jurisdiction; alsoincluded is the South Ossetia Autonomous OblastIndependence:9 April 1991 (from Soviet Union); formerly Georgian Soviet SocialistRepublicConstitution:adopted NA, effective NALegal system:NANational holiday:Independence Day, 9 April 1991Executive branch:State Council, chairman of State Council, Council of Ministers, primeministerLegislative branch:unicameral Supreme SovietJudicial branch:Supreme CourtLeaders:Chief of State:Chairman of State Council Eduard SHEVARDNADZE (since March 1992)Head of Government:Acting Prime Minister Tengiz SIGUA (since January 1992); First Deputy PrimeMinister Otar KVILITAYA (since January 1992); First Deputy Prime MinisterTengiz KITOVANI (since March 1992)Political parties and leaders:All-Georgian Merab Kostava Society, Vazha ADAMIA, chairman; All-GeorgianTradionalists' Union, Akakiy ASATIANI, chairman; Georgian National Front -Radical Union, Ruslan GONGADZE, chairman; Social-Democratic Party, GuramMUCHAIDZE, chairman; All-Georgian Rustaveli Society, Akakiy BAKRADZE,chairman; Georgian Monarchists' Party, Teymur JORJOLIANI, chairman; GeorgianPopular Front, Nodar NATADZE, chairman; National Democratic Party, GeorgiyCHANTURIA, chairman; National Independence Party, Irakliy TSERETELI,chairman; Charter 1991 Party, Tedo PAATASHVILI, chairman; Democratic GeorgiaParty, Georgiy SHENGELAYA, ChairmanSuffrage:universal at age 18Elections:Georgian Parliament:last held November 1990; results - 7-party coalition Round Table - FreeGeorgia 62%, other 38%; seats - (250) Round Table - Free Georgia 155, other95President:Zviad GAMSAKHURDIYA, 87% of voteOther political or pressure groups:NAMember of:CSCE, IMF, World Bank
:Georgia Government
Diplomatic representation:Ambassador NA, Chancery at NA NW, Washington, DC 200__; telephone (202) NAUS:Ambassador NA; Embassy at NA (mailing address is APO New York 09862)Flag:maroon field with small rectangle in upper left corner; rectangle dividedhorizontally with black on top, white below
:Georgia Economy
Overview:Among the former Soviet republics, Georgia is noted for its Black Seatourist industry, its large output of citrus fruits and tea, and the amazingdiversity of an industrial sector that accounted, however, for less than 2%of the USSR's output. Another salient characteristic of the economy has beena flourishing private sector (compared with the other republics). Almost 30%of the labor force is employed in agriculture and 18% in industry. Mineralresources consist of manganese and copper, and, to a lesser extent,molybdenum, arsenic, tungsten, and mercury. Except for very small quantitiesof domestic oil, gas, and coal, fuel must be imported from neighboringrepublics. Oil and its products are delivered by pipeline from Azerbaijan tothe port of Batumi for export and local refining. Gas is supplied inpipelines from Krasnodar and Stavropol'. Georgia is nearly self-sufficientin electric power, thanks to abundant hydropower stations as well as somethermal power stations. The dismantling of central economic controls isbeing delayed by political factionalism, marked by armed struggles betweenthe elected government and the opposition, and industrial output seems tohave fallen more steeply in Georgia in 1991 than in any other of the formerSoviet republics. To prevent further economic decline, Georgia mustestablish domestic peace and must maintain economic ties to the other formerSoviet republics while developing new links to the West.GDP:purchasing power equivalent - $NA; per capita $NA; real growth rate - 23%(1991)Inflation rate (consumer prices):approximately 90% (1991)Unemployment rate:NA%Budget:revenues $NA; expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of $NAmillion (1991)Exports:$176 million (f.o.b., 1990)commodities:citrus fruits, tea, other agricultural products; diverse types of machinery;ferrous and nonferrous metals; textilespartners:NAImports:$1.5 billion (c.i.f., 1990)commodities:machinery and parts, fuel, transport equipment, textilespartners:NAExternal debt:$650 million (1991 est.)Industrial production:growth rate - 19% (1991)Electricity:4,575,000 kW capacity; 15,300 million kWh produced, about 2,600 kWh percapita (1991)Industries:Heavy industrial products include raw steel, rolled steel, cement, lumber;machine tools, foundry equipment, electric mining locomotives, tower cranes,electric welding equipment, machinery for food preparation, meat packing,dairy, and fishing industries; air-conditioning electric motors up to 100 kWin size, electric motors for cranes, magnetic starters for motors; devicesfor control of industrial processes; trucks, tractors, and other farmmachinery; light industrial products, including cloth, hosiery, and shoes
:Georgia Economy
Agriculture:accounted for 97% of former USSR citrus fruits and 93% of former USSR tea;berries and grapes; sugar; vegetables, grains, and potatoes; cattle, pigs,sheep, goats, and poultryIllicit drugs:illicit producers of cannabis and opium; mostly for domestic consumption;status of government eradication programs unknown; used as transshipmentpoints for illicit drugs to Western EuropeEconomic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-87), $NA billion; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-86), $NA million;Communist countries (1971-86), $NA millionCurrency:as of May 1992, retaining ruble as currencyExchange rates:NAFiscal year:calendar year
:Georgia Communications
Railroads:1,570 km, does not include industrial lines (1990)Highways:33,900 km total; 29,500 km hard surfaced, 4,400 km earth (1990)Inland waterways:NA km perennially navigablePipelines:crude oil NA km, refined products NA km, natural gas NA kmPorts:maritime - Batumi, Poti; inland - NAMerchant marine:54 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 715,802 GRT/1,108,068 DWT; includes 16bulk cargo, 34 oil tanker, 2 chemical tanker, and 2 specialized liquidcarrierCivil air:NA major transport aircraftAirports:NA total, NA usable; NA with permanent-surface runways; NA with runways over3,659 m; NA with runways 2,440-3,659 m; NA with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:poor telephone service; 339,000 unsatisfied applications for telephones (31January 1992); international links via landline to CIS members and Turkey;low capacity satellite earth station and leased international connectionsvia the Moscow international gateway switch
:Georgia Defense Forces
Branches:Republic Security Forces (internal and border troops), National Guard; CISForces (Ground, Navy, Air, and Air Defense)Manpower availability:males 15-49, NA fit for military service; NA reach military age (18)annuallyDefense expenditures:$NA, NA% of GNP
:Germany Geography
Total area:356,910 km2Land area:349,520 km2; comprises the formerly separate Federal Republic of Germany,the German Democratic Republic, and Berlin following formal unification on 3October 1990Comparative area:slightly smaller than MontanaLand boundaries:3,790 km; Austria 784 km, Belgium 167 km, Czechoslovakia 815 km, Denmark 68km, France 451 km, Luxembourg 138 km, Netherlands 577 km, Poland 456 km,Switzerland 334 kmCoastline:2,389 kmMaritime claims:Continental shelf:200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitationExclusive fishing zone:200 nmTerritorial sea:North Sea and Schleswig-Holstein coast of Baltic Sea - 3 nm (extends, at onepoint, to 16 nm in the Helgolander Bucht); remainder of Baltic Sea - 12 nmDisputes:the boundaries of Germany were set by the Treaty on the Final SettlementWith Respect to Germany signed 12 September 1990 in Moscow by the FederalRepublic of Germany, the German Democratic Republic, France, the UnitedKingdom, the United States, and the Soviet Union; this Treaty entered intoforce on 15 March 1991; a subsequent Treaty between Germany and Poland,reaffirming the German-Polish boundary, was signed on 14 November 1990 andtook effect on 16 January 1992Climate:temperate and marine; cool, cloudy, wet winters and summers; occasionalwarm, tropical foehn wind; high relative humidityTerrain:lowlands in north, uplands in center, Bavarian Alps in southNatural resources:iron ore, coal, potash, timber, lignite, uranium, copper, natural gas, salt,nickelLand use:arable land 34%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures 16%; forest andwoodland 30%; other 19%; includes irrigated 1%Environment:air and water pollution; groundwater, lakes, and air quality in easternGermany are especially bad; significant deforestation in the easternmountains caused by air pollution and acid rainNote:strategic location on North European Plain and along the entrance to theBaltic Sea
:Germany People
Population:80,387,283 (July 1992), growth rate 0.5% (1992)Birth rate:11 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:11 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:5 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:7 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:73 years male, 79 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:1.4 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - German(s); adjective - GermanEthnic divisions:primarily German; small Danish and Slavic minoritiesReligions:Protestant 45%, Roman Catholic 37%, unaffiliated or other 18%Languages:GermanLiteracy:99% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write (1970 est.)Labor force:36,750,000; industry 41%, agriculture 6%, other 53% (1987)Organized labor:47% of labor force (1986 est.)
:Germany Government
Long-form name:Federal Republic of GermanyType:federal republicCapital:Berlin; note - the shift from Bonn to Berlin will take place over a periodof years with Bonn retaining many administrative functions and severalministriesAdministrative divisions:16 states (lander, singular - land); Baden-Wurttemberg, Bayern, Berlin,Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hessen, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Niedersachsen,Nordrhein-Westfalen, Rheinland-Pfalz, Saarland, Sachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt,Schleswig-Holstein, ThuringenIndependence:18 January 1871 (German Empire unification); divided into four zones ofoccupation (UK, US, USSR, and later, France) in 1945 following World War II;Federal Republic of Germany (FRG or West Germany) proclaimed 23 May 1949 andincluded the former UK, US, and French zones; German Democratic Republic(GDR or East Germany) proclaimed 7 October 1949 and included the former USSRzone; unification of West Germany and East Germany took place 3 October1990; all four power rights formally relinquished 15 March 1991Constitution:23 May 1949, provisional constitution known as Basic LawLegal system:civil law system with indigenous concepts; judicial review of legislativeacts in the Federal Constitutional Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJjurisdictionNational holiday:German Unity Day, 3 October (1990)Executive branch:president, chancellor, CabinetLegislative branch:bicameral parliament (no official name for the two chambers as a whole)consists of an upper chamber or Federal Council (Bundesrat) and a lowerchamber or Federal Diet (Bundestag)Judicial branch:Federal Constitutional Court (Bundesverfassungsgericht)Leaders:Chief of State:President Dr. Richard von WEIZSACKER (since 1 July 1984)Head of Government:Chancellor Dr. Helmut KOHL (since 4 October 1982)*** No entry for this item ***Political parties and leaders:Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Helmut KOHL, chairman; Christian SocialUnion (CSU), Theo WAIGEL; Free Democratic Party (FDP), Otto CountLAMBSDORFF, chairman; Social Democratic Party (SPD), Bjoern ENGHOLM, -chairman; - Green - Party - Ludger VOLMER, Christine WEISKE, co-chairmen(after the 2 December 1990 election the East and West German Green Partiesunited); Alliance 90 united to form one party in September 1991, PetraMORAWE, chairwoman; Republikaner, Franz SCHOENHUBER; National DemocraticParty (NPD), Walter BACHMANN; Communist Party (DKP), Rolf PRIEMERSuffrage:universal at age 18
:Germany Government
Elections:Federal Diet:last held 2 December 1990 (next to be held October 1994); results - CDU36.7%, SPD 33.5%, FDP 11.0%, CSU 7.1%, Green Party (West Germany) 3.9%, PDS2.4%, Republikaner 2.1%, Alliance 90/Green Party (East Germany) 1.2%, other2.1%; seats - (662 total, 656 statutory with special rules to allow forslight expansion) CDU 268, SPD 239, FDP 79, CSU 51, PDS 17, Alliance90/Green Party (East Germany) 8; note - special rules for this electionallowed former East German parties to win seats if they received at least 5%of vote in eastern Germany*** No entry for this item ***Communists:West - about 40,000 members and supporters; East - about 200,000 partymembers (December 1991)Other political or pressure groups:expellee, refugee, and veterans groupsMember of:AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, BDEAC, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, COCOM, CSCE, EBRD, EC,ECE, EIB, ESA, FAO, G-5, G-7, G-10, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,ICFTU, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL,IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NATO, NEA, OAS (observer), OECD, PCA, UN, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNIDO, UNHCR, UPU, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation:Ambassador Dr. Immo STABREIT will become Ambassador in late summer/earlyfall 1992; Chancery at 4645 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007;telephone (202) 298-4000; there are German Consulates General in Atlanta,Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, andNew York, and Consulates in Miami and New OrleansUS:Ambassador Robert M. KIMMITT; Embassy at Deichmanns Avenue, 5300 Bonn 2(mailing address is APO AE 09080); telephone [49] (228) 3391; there is a USBranch Office in Berlin and US Consulates General in Frankfurt, Hamburg,Leipzig, Munich, and StuttgartFlag:three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and yellow
:Germany Economy
Overview:The Federal Republic of Germany is making substantial progress inintegrating and modernizing eastern Germany, but at a heavy economic cost.Western Germany's growth in 1991 slowed to 3.1% - the lowest rate since 1987- because of slack world growth and higher interest rates and taxes requiredby the unification process. While western Germany's economy was in recessionin the last half of 1991, eastern Germany's economy bottomed out after anearly two-year freefall and shows signs of recovery, particularly in theconstruction, transportation, and service sectors. Eastern Germany couldbegin a fragile recovery later, concentrated in 1992 in construction,transportation, and services. The two regions remain vastly different,however, despite eastern Germany's progress. Western Germany has an advancedmarket economy and is a world leader in exports. It has a highly urbanizedand skilled population that enjoys excellent living standards, abundantleisure time, and comprehensive social welfare benefits. Western Germany isrelatively poor in natural resources, coal being the most important mineral.Western Germany's world-class companies manufacture technologically advancedgoods. The region's economy is mature: services and manufacturing accountfor the dominant share of economic activity, and raw materials andsemimanufactured goods constitute a large portion of imports. In recentyears, manufacturing has accounted for about 31% of GDP, with other sectorscontributing lesser amounts. Gross fixed investment in 1990 accounted forabout 21% of GDP. In 1991, GDP in the western region was an estimated$19,200 per capita. In contrast, eastern Germany's economy is shedding theobsolete heavy industries that dominated the economy during the Communistera. Eastern Germany's share of all-German GDP is only about 7%, and easternproductivity is just 30% that of the west. The privatization agency foreastern Germany, the Treuhand, is rapidly selling many of the 11,500 firmsunder its control. The pace of private investment is starting to pick up,but questions about property rights and environmental liabilities remain.Eastern Germany has one of the world's largest reserves of low-grade lignitecoal but little else in the way of mineral resources. The quality ofstatistics from eastern Germany is improving, yet many gaps remain; thefederal government began producing all-German data for select economicstatistics at the start of 1992. The most challenging economic problem ispromoting eastern Germany's economic reconstruction - specifically, findingthe right mix of fiscal, monetary, regulatory, and tax policies that willspur investment in eastern Germany - without destabilizing western Germany'seconomy or damaging relations with West European partners. The biggestdanger is that excessive wage settlements and heavy federal borrowing couldfuel inflation and prompt the German Central Bank, the Bundesbank, to keep atight monetary policy to choke off a wage-price spiral. Meanwhile, the FRGhas been providing billions of dollars to help the former Soviet republicsand the reformist economies of Eastern Europe.GDP:purchasing power equivalent - Federal Republic of Germany: $1,331.4 billion,per capita $16,700; real growth rate 0.7%; western Germany: $1,235.8billion, per capita $19,200; real growth rate 3.1%; eastern Germany $95.6billion, per capita $5,870; real growth rate - 30% (1991 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):West - 3.5% (1991); East - NA%Unemployment rate:West - 6.3% (1991); East - 11% (1991)Budget:West (federal, state, local) - revenues $684 billion; expenditures $704billion, including capital expenditures $NA (1990), East - NAExports:West - $324.3 billion (f.o.b., 1989)
:Germany Economy
commodities:manufactures 86.6% (including machines and machine tools, chemicals, motorvehicles, iron and steel products), agricultural products 4.9%, rawmaterials 2.3%, fuels 1.3%Exports:partners:EC 53.3% (France 12.7%, Netherlands 8.3%, Italy 9.1%, UK 8.3%,Belgium-Luxembourg 7.3%), other Western Europe 15.9%, US 7.1%, EasternEurope 4.1%, OPEC 2.7% (1990)Imports:West - $346.5 billion (f.o.b., 1989)commodities:manufactures 68.5%, agricultural products 12.0%, fuels 9.7%, raw materials7.1%partners:EC 51.7% (France 11.7%, Netherlands 10.1%, Italy 9.3%, UK 6.7%,Belgium-Luxembourg 7.2%), other Western Europe 13.4%, US 6.6%, EasternEurope 3.8%, OPEC 2.5% (1990)External debt:West - $500 million (June 1988); East - $20.6 billion (1989)Industrial production:growth rates, West - 5.4% (1990); East - 30% (1991 est.)Electricity:133,000,000 kW capacity; 580,000 million kWh produced, 7,390 kWh per capita(1991)Industries:West - among world's largest producers of iron, steel, coal, cement,chemicals, machinery, vehicles, machine tools, electronics; food andbeverages; East - metal fabrication, chemicals, brown coal, shipbuilding,machine building, food and beverages, textiles, petroleum refiningAgriculture:West - accounts for about 2% of GDP (including fishing and forestry);diversified crop and livestock farming; principal crops and livestockinclude potatoes, wheat, barley, sugar beets, fruit, cabbage, cattle, pigs,poultry; net importer of food; fish catch of 202,000 metric tons in 1987;East - accounts for about 10% of GDP (including fishing and forestry);principal crops - wheat, rye, barley, potatoes, sugar beets, fruit;livestock products include pork, beef, chicken, milk, hides and skins; netimporter of food; fish catch of 193,600 metric tons in 1987Economic aid:West - donor - ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $75.5 billion; East -donor - $4.0 billion extended bilaterally to non-Communist less developedcountries (1956-89)Currency:deutsche mark (plural - deutsche marks); 1 deutsche mark (DM) = 100 pfennigeExchange rates:deutsche marks (DM) per US$1 - 1.6611 (March 1992), 1.6595 (1991), 1.6157(1990), 1.8800 (1989), 1.7562 (1988), 1.7974 (1987)Fiscal year:calendar year
:Germany Communications
Railroads:West - 31,443 km total; 27,421 km government owned, 1.435-meter standardgauge (12,491 km double track, 11,501 km electrified); 4,022 kmnongovernment owned, including 3,598 km 1.435-meter standard gauge (214 kmelectrified) and 424 km 1.000-meter gauge (186 km electrified); East -14,025 km total; 13,750 km 1.435-meter standard gauge, 275 km 1.000-meter orother narrow gauge; 3,830 (est.) km 1.435-meter standard gauge double-track;3,475 km overhead electrified (1988)Highways:West - 466,305 km total; 169,568 km primary, includes 6,435 km autobahn,32,460 km national highways (Bundesstrassen), 65,425 km state highways(Landesstrassen), 65,248 km county roads (Kreisstrassen); 296,737 km ofsecondary communal roads (Gemeindestrassen); East - 124,604 km total; 47,203km concrete, asphalt, stone block, of which 1,855 km are autobahn andlimited access roads, 11,326 are trunk roads, and 34,022 are regional roads;77,401 municipal roads (1988)Inland waterways:West - 5,222 km, of which almost 70% are usable by craft of 1,000-metric toncapacity or larger; major rivers include the Rhine and Elbe; Kiel Canal isan important connection between the Baltic Sea and North Sea; East - 2,319km (1988)Pipelines:crude oil 3,644 km; petroleum products 3,946 km; natural gas 97,564 km(1988)Ports:maritime - Bremerhaven, Brunsbuttel, Cuxhaven, Emden, Bremen, Hamburg, Kiel,Lubeck, Wilhelmshaven, Rostock, Wismar, Stralsund, Sassnitz; inland - 31majorMerchant marine:607 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,210,060 GRT/6,626,333 DWT; includes3 passenger, 5 short-sea passenger, 324 cargo, 10 refrigerated cargo, 135container, 31 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 5 railcar carrier, 6 barge carrier, 11oil tanker, 21 chemical tanker, 22 liquefied gas tanker, 5 combinationore/oil, 14 combination bulk, 15 bulk; note - the German register includesships of the former East and West Germany; during 1991 the fleet underwentmajor restructuring as surplus ships were sold offCivil air:239 major transport aircraftAirports:462 total, 455 usable; 242 with permanent-surface runways; 4 with runwaysover 3,659 m; 40 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 55 with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:West - highly developed, modern telecommunication service to all parts ofthe country; fully adequate in all respects; 40,300,000 telephones;intensively developed, highly redundant cable and radio relay networks, allcompletely automatic; broadcast stations - 80 AM, 470 FM, 225 (6,000repeaters) TV; 6 submarine coaxial cables; satellite earth stations - 12Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT antennas, 2 Indian Ocean INTELSAT antennas,EUTELSAT, and domestic systems; 2 HF radiocommunication centers;tropospheric links East - badly needs modernization; 3,970,000 telephones;broadcast stations - 23 AM, 17 FM, 21 TV (15 Soviet TV repeaters); 6,181,860TVs; 6,700,000 radios; 1 satellite earth station operating in INTELSAT andIntersputnik systems
:Germany Defense Forces
Branches:Army, Navy, Air Force, Federal Border PoliceManpower availability:males 15-49, 20,300,359; 17,612,677 fit for military service; 414,330 reachmilitary age (18) annuallyDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $39.5 billion, 2.5% of GDP (1991)
:Ghana Geography
Total area:238,540 km2Land area:230,020 km2Comparative area:slightly smaller than OregonLand boundaries:2,093 km; Burkina 548 km, Ivory Coast 668 km, Togo 877 kmCoastline:539 kmMaritime claims:Contiguous zone:24 nmContinental shelf:200 nmExclusive economic zone:200 nmTerritorial sea:12 nmDisputes:noneClimate:tropical; warm and comparatively dry along southeast coast; hot and humid insouthwest; hot and dry in northTerrain:mostly low plains with dissected plateau in south-central areaNatural resources:gold, timber, industrial diamonds, bauxite, manganese, fish, rubberLand use:arable land 5%; permanent crops 7%; meadows and pastures 15%; forest andwoodland 37%; other 36%; includes irrigated NEGL%Environment:recent drought in north severely affecting marginal agricultural activities;deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; dry, northeasterly harmattan wind(January to March)Note:Lake Volta is the world's largest artificial lake
:Ghana People
Population:16,185,351 (July 1992), growth rate 3.1% (1992)Birth rate:45 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:13 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:- 1 migrant/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:86 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:53 years male, 57 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:6.3 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Ghanaian(s); adjective - GhanaianEthnic divisions:black African 99.8% (major tribes - Akan 44%, Moshi-Dagomba 16%, Ewe 13%, Ga8%), European and other 0.2%Religions:indigenous beliefs 38%, Muslim 30%, Christian 24%, other 8%Languages:English (official); African languages include Akan, Moshi-Dagomba, Ewe, andGaLiteracy:60% (male 70%, female 51%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)Labor force:3,700,000; agriculture and fishing 54.7%, industry 18.7%, sales and clerical15.2%, services, transportation, and communications 7.7%, professional 3.7%;48% of population of working age (1983)Organized labor:467,000 (about 13% of labor force)
:Ghana Government
Long-form name:Republic of GhanaType:militaryCapital:AccraAdministrative divisions:10 regions; Ashanti, Brong-Ahafo, Central, Eastern, Greater Accra, Northern,Upper East, Upper West, Volta, WesternIndependence:6 March 1957 (from UK, formerly Gold Coast)Constitution:24 September 1979; suspended 31 December 1981Legal system:based on English common law and customary law; has not accepted compulsoryICJ jurisdictionNational holiday:Independence Day, 6 March (1957)Executive branch:chairman of the Provisional National Defense Council (PNDC), PNDC, CabinetLegislative branch:unicameral National Assembly dissolved after 31 December 1981 coup, andlegislative powers were assumed by the Provisional National Defense CouncilJudicial branch:Supreme CourtLeaders:Chief of State and Head of Government:Chairman of the Provisional National Defense Council Flt. Lt. (Ret.) JerryJohn RAWLINGS (since 31 December 1981)Political parties and leaders:none; political parties outlawed after 31 December 1981 coupSuffrage:noneElections:no national elections; district assembly elections held in 1988-89Member of:ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-24, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO,ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIIMOG, UPU, WCL,WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation:Ambassador Dr. Joseph ABBEY; Chancery at 3512 International Drive NW,Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 686-4520; there is a GhanaianConsulate General in New YorkUS:Ambassador Raymond C. EWING; Embassy at Ring Road East, East of DanquahCircle, Accra (mailing address is P. O. Box 194, Accra); telephone [233](21) 775348, 775349Flag:three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green with a largeblack five-pointed star centered in the gold band; uses the popularpan-African colors of Ethiopia; similar to the flag of Bolivia, which has acoat of arms centered in the yellow band
:Ghana Economy
Overview:Supported by substantial international assistance, Ghana has beenimplementing a steady economic rebuilding program since 1983, includingmoves toward privatization and relaxation of government controls. Heavilydependent on cocoa, gold, and timber exports, economic growth so far has notspread substantially to other areas of the economy. The costs of sendingpeacekeeping forces to Liberia and preparing for the transition to ademocratic government have been boosting government expenditures andundercutting structural adjustment reforms. Ghana opened a stock exchange in1990. Much of the economic improvement in 1991 was caused by favorableweather (following a severe drought the previous year) that led to plentifulharvests in Ghana's agriculturally based economy.GDP:$6.2 billion; per capita $400; real growth rate 5% (1991 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):10% (1991 est.)Unemployment rate:10% (1991)Budget:revenues $821 million; expenditures $782 million, including capitalexpenditures of $151 million (1990 est.)Exports:$843 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.)commodities:cocoa 45%, gold, timber, tuna, bauxite, and aluminumpartners:US 23%, UK, other ECImports:$1.2 billion (c.i.f., 1991 est.)commodities:petroleum 16%, consumer goods, foods, intermediate goods, capital equipmentpartners:US 10%, UK, FRG, France, Japan, South Korea, GDRExternal debt:$3.1 billion (1990 est.)Industrial production:growth rate 7.4% in manufacturing (1989); accounts for almost 1.5% of GDPElectricity:1,180,000 kW capacity; 4,140 million kWh produced, 265 kWh per capita (1991)Industries:mining, lumbering, light manufacturing, fishing, aluminum, food processingAgriculture:accounts for more than 50% of GDP (including fishing and forestry); themajor cash crop is cocoa; other principal crops - rice, coffee, cassava,peanuts, corn, shea nuts, timber; normally self-sufficient in foodIllicit drugs:illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug tradeEconomic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $455 million; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $2.6 billion; OPECbilateral aid (1979-89), $78 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $106millionCurrency:cedi (plural - cedis); 1 cedi (C) = 100 pesewasFiscal year:calendar year
:Ghana Communications
Railroads:953 km, all 1.067-meter gauge; 32 km double track; railroads undergoingmajor renovationHighways:32,250 km total; 6,084 km concrete or bituminous surface, 26,166 km gravel,laterite, and improved earth surfacesInland waterways:Volta, Ankobra, and Tano Rivers provide 168 km of perennial navigation forlaunches and lighters; Lake Volta provides 1,125 km of arterial and feederwaterwaysPipelines:nonePorts:Tema, TakoradiMerchant marine:5 cargo and 1 refrigerated cargo (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 53,435GRT/69,167 DWTCivil air:8 major transport aircraftAirports:10 total, 9 usable; 5 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 7 with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:poor to fair system handled primarily by microwave links; 42,300 telephones;broadcast stations - 4 AM, 1 FM, 4 (8 translators) TV; 1 Atlantic OceanINTELSAT earth station
:Ghana Defense Forces
Branches:Army, Navy, Air Force, National Police Force, National Civil DefenseManpower availability:males 15-49, 3,661,558; 2,049,842 fit for military service; 170,742 reachmilitary age (18) annuallyDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $30 million, less than 1% of GNP (1989 est.)
:Gibraltar Geography
Total area:6.5 km2Land area:6.5 km2Comparative area:about 11 times the size of the Mall in Washington, DCLand boundaries:1.2 km; Spain 1.2 kmCoastline:12 kmMaritime claims:Exclusive fishing zone:3 nmTerritorial sea:3 nmDisputes:source of occasional friction between Spain and the UKClimate:Mediterranean with mild winters and warm summersTerrain:a narrow coastal lowland borders The RockNatural resources:negligibleLand use:arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest andwoodland 0%; other 100%Environment:natural freshwater sources are meager, so large water catchments (concreteor natural rock) collect rain waterNote:strategic location on Strait of Gibraltar that links the North AtlanticOcean and Mediterranean Sea
:Gibraltar People
Population:29,651 (July 1992), growth rate 0.1% (1992)Birth rate:18 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:8 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:- 9 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:6 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:72 years male, 79 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:2.5 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Gibraltarian(s); adjective - GibraltarEthnic divisions:mostly Italian, English, Maltese, Portuguese, and Spanish descentReligions:Roman Catholic 74%, Protestant 11% (Church of England 8%, other 3%), Moslem8%, Jewish 2%, none or other 5% (1981)Languages:English and Spanish are primary languages; Italian, Portuguese, and Russianalso spoken; English used in the schools and for official purposesLiteracy:NA% (male NA%, female NA%)Labor force:about 14,800 (including non-Gibraltar laborers); UK military establishmentsand civil government employ nearly 50% of the labor forceOrganized labor:over 6,000
:Gibraltar Government
Long-form name:noneDigraph:f Assembly *** last held on 24 March 1988 (next to be held March 1992);results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (18 total, 15 elected) SL 8,GCL/AACR 7Type:dependent territory of the UKCapital:GibraltarAdministrative divisions:none (dependent territory of the UK)Independence:none (dependent territory of the UK)Constitution:30 May 1969Legal system:English lawNational holiday:Commonwealth Day (second Monday of March)Executive branch:British monarch, governor, chief minister, Gibraltar Council, Council ofMinisters (cabinet)Legislative branch:unicameral House of AssemblyJudicial branch:Supreme Court, Court of AppealLeaders:Chief of State:Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor andCommander in Chief Adm. Sir Derek REFFELL (since NA 1989)Head of Government:Chief Minister Joe BOSSANO (since 25 March 1988)Political parties and leaders:Socialist Labor Party (SL), Joe BOSSANO; Gibraltar Labor Party/Associationfor the Advancement of Civil Rights (GCL/AACR), leader NA; Gibraltar SocialDemocrats, Peter CARUANA; Gibraltar National Party, Joe GARCIASuffrage:universal at age 18, plus other UK subjects resident six months or moreElections:House of Assembly:last held on 24 March 1988 (next to be held March 1992); results - percentof vote by party NA; seats - (18 total, 15 elected) SL 8, GCL/AACR 7Other political or pressure groups:Housewives Association, Chamber of Commerce, Gibraltar RepresentativesOrganizationDiplomatic representation:none (dependent territory of the UK)Flag:two horizontal bands of white (top, double width) and red with athree-towered red castle in the center of the white band; hanging from thecastle gate is a gold key centered in the red band
:Gibraltar Economy
Overview:The economy depends heavily on British defense expenditures, revenue fromtourists, fees for services to shipping, and revenues from banking andfinance activities. Because more than 70% of the economy is in the publicsector, changes in government spending have a major impact on the level ofemployment. Construction workers are particularly affected when governmentexpenditures are cut.GNP:exchange rate conversion - $182 million, per capita $4,600; real growth rate5% (FY87)Inflation rate (consumer prices):3.6% (1988)Unemployment rate:NA%Budget:revenues $136 million; expenditures $139 million, including capitalexpenditures of NA (FY88)Exports:$82 million (f.o.b., 1988)commodities:(principally reexports) petroleum 51%, manufactured goods 41%, other 8%partners:UK, Morocco, Portugal, Netherlands, Spain, US, FRGImports:$258 million (c.i.f., 1988)commodities:fuels, manufactured goods, and foodstuffspartners:UK, Spain, Japan, NetherlandsExternal debt:$318 million (1987)Industrial production:growth rate NA%Electricity:47,000 kW capacity; 200 million kWh produced, 6,670 kWh per capita (1991)Industries:tourism, banking and finance, construction, commerce; support to large UKnaval and air bases; transit trade and supply depot in the port; lightmanufacturing of tobacco, roasted coffee, ice, mineral waters, candy, beer,and canned fishAgriculture:noneEconomic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $0.8 million; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $188 millionCurrency:Gibraltar pound (plural - pounds); 1 Gibraltar pound (#G) = 100 penceExchange rates:Gibraltar pounds (#G) per US$1 - 0.5799 (March 1992), 0.5652 (1991), 0.5603(1990), 0.6099 (1989), 0.5614 (1988), 0.6102 (1987); note - the Gibraltarpound is at par with the British poundFiscal year:1 July - 30 June
:Gibraltar Communications
Railroads:1.000-meter-gauge system in dockyard area onlyHighways:50 km, mostly good bitumen and concretePipelines:nonePorts:GibraltarMerchant marine:21 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 795,356 GRT/1,490,737 DWT; includes 5cargo, 2 refrigerated cargo, 1 container, 6 petroleum tanker, 1 chemicaltanker, 6 bulk; note - a flag of convenience registryCivil air:1 major transport aircraftAirports:1 with permanent-surface runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:adequate, automatic domestic system and adequate internationalradiocommunication and microwave facilities; 9,400 telephones; broadcaststations - 1 AM, 6 FM, 4 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
:Gibraltar Defense Forces
Branches:British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air ForceNote:defense is the responsibility of the UK
:Glorioso Islands Geography
Total area:5 km2Land area:5 km2; includes Ile Glorieuse, Ile du Lys, Verte Rocks, Wreck Rock, andSouth RockComparative area:about 8.5 times the size of the Mall in Washington, DCLand boundaries:noneCoastline:35.2 kmMaritime claims:Contiguous zone:12 nmExclusive economic zone:200 nmTerritorial sea:12 nmDisputes:claimed by MadagascarClimate:tropicalTerrain:undeterminedNatural resources:guano, coconutsLand use:arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest andwoodland 0%; other - lush vegetation and coconut palms 100%Environment:subject to periodic cyclonesNote:located in the Indian Ocean just north of the Mozambique Channel betweenAfrica and Madagascar
:Glorioso Islands People
Population: uninhabited
:Glorioso Islands Government
Long-form name:noneType:French possession administered by Commissioner of the Republic JacquesDEWATRE, resident in ReunionCapital:none; administered by France from Reunion
:Glorioso Islands Economy
Overview: no economic activity
:Glorioso Islands Communications
Ports:none; offshore anchorage onlyAirports:1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m
:Glorioso Islands Defense Forces
Note: defense is the responsibility of France
:Greece Geography
Total area:131,940 km2Land area:130,800 km2Comparative area:slightly smaller than AlabamaLand boundaries:1,210 km; Albania 282 km, Bulgaria 494 km, Turkey 206 km, Macedonia 228 kmCoastline:13,676 kmMaritime claims:Continental shelf:200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitationTerritorial sea:6 nm, but Greece has threatened to claim 12 nmDisputes:air, continental shelf, and territorial water disputes with Turkey in AegeanSea; Cyprus questionClimate:temperate; mild, wet winters; hot, dry summersTerrain:mostly mountains with ranges extending into sea as peninsulas or chains ofislandsNatural resources:bauxite, lignite, magnesite, crude oil, marbleLand use:arable land 23%; permanent crops 8%; meadows and pastures 40%; forest andwoodland 20%; other 9%; includes irrigated 7%Environment:subject to severe earthquakes; air pollution; archipelago of 2,000 islandsNote:strategic location dominating the Aegean Sea and southern approach toTurkish Straits
:Greece People
Population:10,064,250 (July 1992), growth rate 0.2% (1992)Birth rate:11 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:9 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:0 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:10 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:75 years male, 81 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:1.5 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Greek(s); adjective - GreekEthnic divisions:Greek 98%, other 2%; note - the Greek Government states there are no ethnicdivisions in GreeceReligions:Greek Orthodox 98%, Muslim 1.3%, other 0.7%Languages:Greek (official); English and French widely understoodLiteracy:93% (male 98%, female 89%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)Labor force:3,657,000; services 44%, agriculture 27%, manufacturing and mining 20%,construction 6% (1988)Organized labor:10-15% of total labor force, 20-25% of urban labor force
:Greece Government
Long-form name:Hellenic RepublicType:presidential parliamentary government; monarchy rejected by referendum 8December 1974Capital:AthensAdministrative divisions:52 departments (nomoi, singular - nomos); Aitolia kai Akarnania, Akhaia,Argolis, Arkadhia, Arta, Attiki, Dhodhekanisos, Dhrama, Evritania, Evros,Evvoia, Florina, Fokis, Fthiotis, Grevena, Ilia, Imathia, Ioannina,Iraklion, Kardhitsa, Kastoria, Kavala, Kefallinia, Kerkira, Khalkidhiki,Khania, Khios, Kikladhes, Kilkis, Korinthia, Kozani, Lakonia, Larisa,Lasithi, Lesvos, Levkas, Magnisia, Messinia, Pella, Pieria, Piraievs,Preveza, Rethimni, Rodhopi, Samos, Serrai, Thesprotia, Thessaloniki,Trikala, Voiotia, Xanthi, Zakinthos, autonomous region: Agios Oros (Mt.Athos)Independence:1829 (from the Ottoman Empire)Constitution:11 June 1975Legal system:based on codified Roman law; judiciary divided into civil, criminal, andadministrative courtsNational holiday:Independence Day (proclamation of the war of independence), 25 March (1821)Executive branch:president, prime minister, CabinetLegislative branch:unicameral Greek Chamber of Deputies (Vouli ton Ellinon)Judicial branch:Supreme CourtLeaders:Chief of State:President Konstantinos KARAMANLIS (since 5 May 1990); -Head of Government:Prime Minister Konstantinos MITSOTAKIS (since 11 April 1990)Political parties and leaders:New Democracy (ND; conservative), Konstantinos MITSOTAKIS; PanhellenicSocialist Movement (PASOK), Andreas PAPANDREOU; Left Alliance, MariaDAMANAKI; Democratic Renewal (DEANA), Konstantinos STEFANOPOULOS; CommunistParty (KKE), Aleka PAPARIGA; Ecologist-Alternative List, leader rotatesSuffrage:universal and compulsory at age 18Elections:Chamber of Deputies:last held 8 April 1990 (next to be held April 1994); results - ND 46.89%,PASOK 38.62%, Left Alliance 10.27%, PASOK/Left Alliance 1.02%,Ecologist-Alternative List 0.77%, DEANA 0.67%, Muslim independents 0.5%;seats - (300 total) ND 150, PASOK 123, Left Alliance 19, PASOK-Left Alliance4, Muslim independents 2, DEANA 1, Ecologist-Alternative List 1; note - oneDEANA deputy joined ND in July, giving ND 151 seats; in November, a specialelectoral court ruled in favor of ND on a contested seat, at PASOK'Sexpense; PASOK and the Left Alliance divided their four joint mandatesevenly, and the seven KKE deputies split off from the Left Alliance; newconfiguration: ND 152, PASOK 124, Left Alliance 14, KKE 7, others unchangedPresident:last held 4 May 1990 (next to be held May 1995); results - KonstantinosKARAMANLIS was elected by Parliament
:Greece Government
Communists:an estimated 60,000 members and sympathizersMember of:AG, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, COCOM, CSCE, EBRD, EC, ECE, EIB, FAO, G-6, GATT,IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT,INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NACC, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA,NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WHO,WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZCDiplomatic representation:Ambassador Christos ZACHARAKIS; Chancery at 2221 Massachusetts Avenue NW,Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 939-5800; there are Greek ConsulatesGeneral in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and SanFrancisco, and a Consulate in New OrleansUS:Ambassador Michael G. SOTIRHOS; Embassy at 91 Vasilissis Sophias Boulevard,10160 Athens (mailing address is APO AE 09842; telephone [30] (1) 721-2951or 721-8401; there is a US Consulate General in ThessalonikiFlag:nine equal horizontal stripes of blue alternating with white; there is ablue square in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a white cross; the crosssymbolizes Greek Orthodoxy, the established religion of the country
:Greece Economy
Overview:Greece has a mixed capitalistic economy with the basic entrepreneurialsystem overlaid in 1981-89 by a socialist government that enlarged thepublic sector from 55% of GDP in 1981 to about 70% when Prime MinisterMitsotakis took office. Tourism continues as a major industry, andagriculture - although handicapped by geographic limitations and fragmented,small farms - is self-sufficient except for meat, dairy products, and animalfeedstuffs. The Mitsotakis government inherited several severe economicproblems from the preceding socialist and caretaker administrations, whichhad neglected the runaway budget deficit, a ballooning current accountdeficit, and accelerating inflation. In early 1991, the government secured a$2.5 billion assistance package from the EC under the strictest terms yetimposed on a member country, as the EC finally ran out of patience withGreece's failure to put its financial affairs in order. Over the next threeyears, Athens must bring inflation down to 7%, cut the current accountdeficit and central government borrowing as a percentage of GDP, slashpublic-sector employment by 10%, curb public-sector pay raises, and broadenthe tax base.GDP:purchasing power equivalent - $77.6 billion, per capita $7,730; real growthrate 1.0% (1991)Inflation rate (consumer prices):17.8% (1991)Unemployment rate:8.6% (1991)Budget:revenues $24.0 billion; expenditures $33.0 billion, including capitalexpenditures of $3.3 billion (1991)Exports:$6.4 billion (f.o.b., 1990)commodities:manufactured goods 48%, food and beverages 22%, fuels and lubricants 6%partners:Germany 22%, Italy 17%, France 10%, UK 7%, US 6%Imports:$18.7 billion (c.i.f., 1990)commodities:consumer goods 33%, machinery 17%, foodstuffs 12%, fuels and lubricants 8%partners:Germany 21%, Italy 15%, Netherlands 11%, France 8%, UK 5%External debt:$25.5 billion (1990)Industrial production:growth rate - 2.4% (1990); accounts for 22% of GDPElectricity:10,500,000 kW capacity; 36,420 million kWh produced, 3,630 kWh per capita(1991)Industries:food and tobacco processing, textiles, chemicals, metal products, tourism,mining, petroleumAgriculture:including fishing and forestry, accounts for 17% of GDP and 27% of the laborforce; principal products - wheat, corn, barley, sugar beets, olives,tomatoes, wine, tobacco, potatoes; self-sufficient in food except meat,dairy products, and animal feedstuffs; fish catch of 115,000 metric tons in1988Economic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-81), $525 million; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1,390 million
:Greece Economy
Currency:drachma (plural - drachmas); 1 drachma (Dr) = 100 leptaExchange rates:drachma (Dr) per US$1 - 182.33 (January 1992), 182.27 (1991), 158.51 (1990),162.42 (1989), 141.86 (1988), 135.43 (1987)Fiscal year:calendar year
:Greece Communications
Railroads:2,479 km total; 1,565 km 1.435-meter standard gauge, of which 36 kmelectrified and 100 km double track, 892 km 1.000-meter gauge; 22 km0.750-meter narrow gauge; all government ownedHighways:38,938 km total; 16,090 km paved, 13,676 km crushed stone and gravel, 5,632km improved earth, 3,540 km unimproved earthInland waterways:80 km; system consists of three coastal canals and three unconnected riversPipelines:crude oil 26 km; petroleum products 547 kmPorts:Piraievs, ThessalonikiMerchant marine:977 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 23,450,910 GRT/42,934,863 DWT;includes 15 passenger, 66 short-sea passenger, 2 passenger-cargo, 136 cargo,24 container, 15 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 18 refrigerated cargo, 1 vehiclecarrier, 196 petroleum tanker, 18 chemical tanker, 9 liquefied gas, 37combination ore/oil, 3 specialized tanker, 417 bulk, 19 combination bulk, 1livestock carrier; note - ethnic Greeks also own large numbers of shipsunder the registry of Liberia, Panama, Cyprus, Malta, and The BahamasCivil air:39 major transport aircraftAirports:77 total, 77 usable; 77 with permanent-surface runways; none with runwaysover 3,659 m; 19 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 23 with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:adequate, modern networks reach all areas; 4,080,000 telephones; microwavecarries most traffic; extensive open-wire network; submarine cables tooff-shore islands; broadcast stations - 29 AM, 17 (20 repeaters) FM, 361 TV;tropospheric links, 8 submarine cables; 1 satellite earth station operatingin INTELSAT (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean antenna), and EUTELSATsystems
:Greece Defense Forces
Branches:Hellenic Army, Hellenic Navy, Hellenic Air Force, PoliceManpower availability:males 15-49, 2,453,756; 1,883,152 fit for military service; 73,913 reachmilitary age (21) annuallyDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $3.8 billion, 5.6% of GDP (1991)
:Greenland Geography
Total area:2,175,600 km2Land area:341,700 km2 (ice free)Comparative area:slightly more than three times the size of TexasLand boundaries:noneCoastline:44,087 kmMaritime claims:Exclusive fishing zone:200 nmTerritorial sea:3 nmDisputes:Denmark has challenged Norway's maritime claims between Greenland and JanMayenClimate:arctic to subarctic; cool summers, cold wintersTerrain:flat to gradually sloping icecap covers all but a narrow, mountainous,barren, rocky coastNatural resources:zinc, lead, iron ore, coal, molybdenum, cryolite, uranium, fishLand use:arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 1%; forest andwoodland NEGL%; other 99%Environment:sparse population confined to small settlements along coast; continuouspermafrost over northern two-thirds of the islandNote:dominates North Atlantic Ocean between North America and Europe
:Greenland People
Population:57,407 (July 1992), growth rate 1.1% (1992)Birth rate:19 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:8 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:0 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:27 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:63 years male, 69 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:2.2 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Greenlander(s); adjective - GreenlandicEthnic divisions:Greenlander (Eskimos and Greenland-born Caucasians) 86%, Danish 14%Religions:Evangelical LutheranLanguages:Eskimo dialects, DanishLiteracy:NA% (male NA%, female NA%)Labor force:22,800; largely engaged in fishing, hunting, sheep breedingOrganized labor:NA
:Greenland Government
Long-form name:noneType:part of the Danish realm; self-governing overseas administrative divisionCapital:Nuuk (Godthab)Administrative divisions:3 municipalities (kommuner, - singular - kommun); - Nordgronland,Ostgrnland, VestgronlandIndependence:part of the Danish realm; self-governing overseas administrative divisionConstitution:DanishLegal system:DanishNational holiday:Birthday of the Queen, 16 April (1940)Executive branch:Danish monarch, high commissioner, home rule chairman, prime minister,Cabinet (Landsstyre)Legislative branch:unicameral Parliament (Landsting)Judicial branch:High Court (Landsret)Leaders:Chief of State:Queen MARGRETHE II (since 14 January 1972), represented by High CommissionerBent KLINTE (since NA)Head of Government:Home Rule Chairman Lars Emil JOHANSEN (since 15 March 1991)Political parties and leaders:two-party ruling coalition - Siumut (a moderate socialist party thatadvocates more distinct Greenlandic identity and greater autonomy fromDenmark), Lars Emil JOHANSEN, chairman; - Inuit - Ataqatigiit - (IA; - a -Marxist-Leninist party that favors complete independence from Denmark ratherthan home rule), leader NA; Atassut Party (a more conservative party thatfavors continuing close relations with Denmark), leader NA; Polar Party(conservative-Greenland nationalist), leader NA; Center Party (a newnonsocialist protest party), leader NASuffrage:universal at age 18Elections:Danish Folketing:last held on 12 December 1990 (next to be held by December 1994); Greenlandelects two representatives to the Folketing; results - percent of vote byparty NA; seats - (2 total) Siumut 1, Atassut 1Landsting:last held on 5 March 1991 (next to be held 5 March 1995); results - percentof vote by party NA; seats - (27 total) Siumut 11, Atassut Party 8, InuitAtaqatigiit 5, Center Party 2, Polar Party 1Member of:NCDiplomatic representation:none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)Flag:two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a large disk slightlyto the hoist side of center - the top half of the disk is red, the bottomhalf is white