:Guyana Economy
Overview:Guyana is one of the world's poorest countries with a per capita income lessthan one-fifth the South American average. After growing on average at lessthan 1% a year in 1986-87, GDP dropped by 5% a year in 1988-90. The declineresulted from bad weather, labor trouble in the canefields, and flooding andequipment problems in the bauxite industry. Consumer prices rose about 100%in 1989 and 75% in 1990, and the current account deficit widenedsubstantially as sugar and bauxite exports fell. Moreover, electric power isin short supply and constitutes a major barrier to future gains in nationaloutput. The government, in association with international financialagencies, seeks to reduce its payment arrears and to raise new funds. Thegovernment's stabilization program - aimed at establishing realisticexchange rates, reasonable price stability, and a resumption of growth -requires considerable public administrative abilities and continued patienceby consumers during a long incubation period. In 1991, buoyed by a recoveryin mining and agriculture, the economy posted 6% growth, according toofficial figures. A large volume of illegal and quasi- legal economicactivity is not captured in estimates of the country's total output.GDP:exchange rate conversion - $250 million, per capita $300; real growth rate6% (1991 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):75% (1990)Unemployment rate:12-15% (1990 est.)Budget:revenues $126 million; expenditures $250 million (1990 est.)Exports:$189 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.)commodities:bauxite, sugar, gold, rice, shrimp, molasses, timber, rumpartners:UK 31%, US 23%, CARICOM 7%, Canada 6% (1988)Imports:$246 million (c.i.f., 1991)commodities:manufactures, machinery, food, petroleumpartners:US 33%, CARICOM 10%, UK 9%, Canada 2% (1989)External debt:$2.0 billion, including arrears (1990)Industrial production:growth rate - 12.0% (1990 est.); accounts for about 11% of GDPElectricity:252,500 kW capacity; 647 million kWh produced, 863 kWh per capita (1991)Industries:bauxite mining, sugar, rice milling, timber, fishing (shrimp), textiles,gold miningAgriculture:most important sector, accounting for 24% of GDP and about half of exports;sugar and rice are key crops; development potential exists for fishing andforestry; not self-sufficient in food, especially wheat, vegetable oils, andanimal productsEconomic aid: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, $242 millionCurrency:Guyanese dollar (plural - dollars); 1 Guyanese dollar (G$) = 100 cents
:Guyana Economy
Exchange rates:Guyanese dollars (G$) per US$1 - 124.1 (March 1992) 111.8 (1991), 39.533(1990), 27.159 (1989), 10.000 (1988), 9.756 (1987)Fiscal year:calendar year
:Guyana Communications
Railroads:187 km total, all single track 0.914-meter gaugeHighways:7,665 km total; 550 km paved, 5,000 km gravel, 1,525 km earth, 590 kmunimprovedInland waterways:6,000 km total of navigable waterways; Berbice, Demerara, and EssequiboRivers are navigable by oceangoing vessels for 150 km, 100 km, and 80 km,respectivelyPorts:GeorgetownCivil air:3 major transport aircraftAirports:54 total, 49 usable; 5 with permanent-surface runways; none with runwaysover 3,659 m; none with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 13 with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:fair system with radio relay network; over 27,000 telephones; troposphericscatter link to Trinidad; broadcast stations - 4 AM, 3 FM, no TV, 1shortwave; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
:Guyana Defense Forces
Branches:Guyana Defense Force (GDF; includes Coast Guard and Air Corps), GuyanaPolice Force (GPF), Guyana People's Militia (GPM), Guyana National Service(GNS)Manpower availability:males 15-49, 196,066; 149,045 fit for military serviceDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $5.5 million, 6% of GDP (1989 est.)
:Haiti Geography
Total area:27,750 km2Land area:27,560 km2Comparative area:slightly larger than MarylandLand boundaries:275 km; Dominican Republic 275 kmCoastline:1,771 kmMaritime claims:Contiguous zone:24 nmContinental shelf:to depth of exploitationExclusive economic zone:200 nmTerritorial sea:12 nmDisputes:claims US-administered Navassa IslandClimate:tropical; semiarid where mountains in east cut off trade windsTerrain:mostly rough and mountainousNatural resources:bauxiteLand use:arable land 20%; permanent crops 13%; meadows and pastures 18%; forest andwoodland 4%; other 45%; includes irrigated 3%Environment:lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severe storms fromJune to October; occasional flooding and earthquakes; deforestation; soilerosionNote:shares island of Hispaniola with Dominican Republic
:Haiti People
Population:6,431,977 (July 1992), growth rate 2.3% (1992)Birth rate:42 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:15 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:-5 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:104 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:53 years male, 55 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:6.2 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Haitian(s); adjective - HaitianEthnic divisions:black 95%, mulatto and European 5%Religions:Roman Catholic is the official religion; Roman Catholic 80% (of which anoverwhelming majority also practice Voodoo), Protestant 16% (Baptist 10%,Pentecostal 4%, Adventist 1%, other 1%), none 1%, other 3% (1982)Languages:French (official) spoken by only 10% of population; all speak CreoleLiteracy:53% (male 59%, female 47%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)Labor force:2,300,000; agriculture 66%, services 25%, industry 9%; shortage of skilledlabor, unskilled labor abundant (1982)Organized labor:NA
:Haiti Government
Long-form name:Republic of HaitiType:republicCapital:Port-au-PrinceAdministrative divisions:9 departments, (departements, singular - departement); Artibonite, Centre,Grand'Anse, Nord, Nord-Est, Nord-Ouest, Ouest, Sud, Sud-EstIndependence:1 January 1804 (from France)Constitution:27 August 1983, suspended February 1986; draft constitution approved March1987, suspended June 1988, most articles reinstated March 1989; October1991, government claims to be observing the ConstitutionLegal system:based on Roman civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdictionNational holiday:Independence Day, 1 January (1804)Executive branch:president, Council of Ministers (cabinet)Legislative branch:bicameral National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale) consisting of an upperhouse or Senate and a lower house or Chamber of DeputiesJudicial branch:Court of Appeal (Cour de Cassation)Leaders:Chief of State:President Jean-Bertrand ARISTIDE (since 7 February 1991), ousted in a coupin September 1991, but still recognized by international community as Chiefof State; President Joseph NERETTE installed by military on 7 October 1991Head of Government:de facto Prime Minister Marc BAZIN (since June 1992)Political parties and leaders:National Front for Change and Democracy (FNCD) led by Jean-BertrandARISTIDE, including Congress of Democratic Movements (CONACOM), VictorBENOIT; National Konbite Movement (MKN), Volvick Remy JOSEPH; NationalAlliance for Democracy and Progress (ANDP), a coalition - that broke upfollowing elections - consisting of Movement for the Installation ofDemocracy in Haiti (MIDH), Marc BAZIN; National Progressive RevolutionaryParty (PANPRA), Serge GILLES; and National Patriotic Movement of November 28(MNP-28), Dejean BELIZAIRE; National Agricultural and Industrial Party(PAIN), Louis DEJOIE; Movement for National Reconstruction (MRN), ReneTHEODORE; Haitian Christian Democratic Party (PDCH), Joseph DOUZE; Assemblyof Progressive National Democrats (RDNP), Leslie MANIGAT; National Party ofLabor (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), GregoireEUGENE; Movement for the Organization of the Country (MOP), Gesner COMEAUSuffrage:universal at age 18Elections:Chamber of Deputies:last held 16 December 1990, with runoff held 20 January 1991 (next to beheld 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, MRN1, independents 5, other 2
:Haiti Government
President:last held 16 December 1990 (next election to be held by December 1995);results - Rev. Jean-Bertrand ARISTIDE 67.5%, Marc BAZIN 14.2%, Louis DEJOIE4.9%Elections:Senate:last held 16 December 1990, with runoff held 20 January 1991 (next to beheld December 1992); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (27 total) FNCD13, ANDP 6, PAIN 2, MRN 2, PDCH 1, RDNP 1, PNT 1, independent 1Communists:United Party of Haitian Communists (PUCH), Rene THEODORE (roughly 2,000members)Other political or pressure groups:Democratic Unity Confederation (KID), Roman Catholic Church, Confederationof Haitian Workers (CTH), Federation of Workers Trade Unions (FOS),Autonomous Haitian Workers (CATH), National Popular Assembly (APN)Member of:ACCT, 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, WTODiplomatic representation:Ambassador Jean CASIMIR; Chancery at 2311 Massachusetts Avenue NW,Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 332-4090 through 4092; there areHaitian Consulates General in Boston, Chicago, Miami, New York, and San Juan(Puerto Rico)US:Ambassador Alvin P. ADAMS, Jr.; Embassy at Harry Truman Boulevard,Port-au-Prince (mailing address is P. O. Box 1761, Port-au-Prince),telephone [509] 22-0354 or 22-0368, 22-0200, 22-0612Flag:two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a centered whiterectangle bearing the coat of arms, which contains a palm tree flanked byflags 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 mainlysmall-scale subsistence farming and employs nearly three-fourths of the workforce. The majority of the population does not have ready access to safedrinking water, adequate medical care, or sufficient food. Few socialassistance programs exist, and the lack of employment opportunities remainsone of the most critical problems facing the economy, along with soilerosion and political instability. Trade sanctions applied by theOrganization of American States in response to the September 1991 coupagainst President Aristide have further damaged the economy.GDP:exchange rate conversion - $2.7 billion, per capita $440; real growth rate -3.0% (1990 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):20% (1990 est.)Unemployment rate:25-50% (1990 est.)Budget:revenues $300 million; expenditures $416 million, including capitalexpenditures of $145 million (1990 est.)Exports:$169 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.)commodities:light manufactures 65%, coffee 19%, other agriculture 8%, other 8%partners:US 84%, Italy 4%, France 3%, other industrial countries 6%, less developedcountries 3% (1987)Imports:$348 million (c.i.f., 1990 est.)commodities:machines and manufactures 34%, food and beverages 22%, petroleum products14%, 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 0.3% (FY88); accounts for 15% of GDPElectricity:217,000 kW capacity; 468 million kWh produced, 74 kWh per capita (1991)Industries:sugar refining, textiles, flour milling, cement manufacturing, tourism,light assembly industries based on imported partsAgriculture:accounts for 28% of GDP and employs 74% of work force; mostly small-scalesubsistence farms; commercial crops - coffee, mangoes, sugarcane and wood;staple crops - rice, corn, sorghum; shortage of wheat flourIllicit drugs:transshipment point for cocaineEconomic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (1970-89), $700 million; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $770 millionCurrency:gourde (plural - gourdes); 1 gourde (G) = 100 centimesExchange rates:gourdes (G) per US$1 - 5.0 (fixed rate)Fiscal year:1 October - 30 September
:Haiti Communications
Railroads:40 km 0.760-meter narrow gauge, single-track, privately owned industriallineHighways:4,000 km total; 950 km paved, 900 km otherwise improved, 2,150 km unimprovedInland waterways:negligible; less than 100 km navigablePorts:Port-au-Prince, Cap-HaitienCivil air:12 major transport aircraftAirports:13 total, 10 usable; 3 with permanent-surface runways; none with runwaysover 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 3 with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:domestic facilities barely adequate, international facilities slightlybetter; 36,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 33 AM, no FM, 4 TV, 2shortwave; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
:Haiti Defense Forces
Branches:Army (including Police), Navy, Air ForceManpower availability:males 15-49, 1,313,044; 706,221 fit for military service; 59,060 reachmilitary age (18) annuallyDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $34 million, 1.5% of GDP (1988 est.)
:Heard Island and McDonald Islands Geography
Total area:412 km2Land area:412 km2Comparative area:slightly less than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DCLand boundaries:noneCoastline:101.9 kmMaritime claims:Exclusive fishing zone:200 nmTerritorial sea:3 nmDisputes:noneClimate:antarcticTerrain:Heard Island - bleak and mountainous, with an extinct volcano; McDonaldIslands - small and rockyLand use:arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest andwoodland 0%; other 100%Environment:primarily used as research stationsNote:located 4,100 km southwest of Australia in the southern Indian Ocean
:Heard Island and McDonald Islands People
Population: uninhabited
:Heard Island and McDonald Islands Government
Long-form name:Territory of Heard Island and McDonald IslandsType:territory of Australia administered by the Antarctic Division of theDepartment of Science in Canberra (Australia)Capital:none; administered from Canberra, 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
Total area:0.438 km2Land area:0.438 km2Comparative area:about 0.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DCLand boundaries:3.2 km; Italy 3.2 kmCoastline:none - landlockedMaritime claims:none - landlockedDisputes:noneClimate:temperate; mild, rainy winters (September to mid-May) with hot, dry summers(May to September)Terrain:low hillNatural resources:noneLand use:arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest andwoodland 0%; other 100%Environment:urbanNote:landlocked; enclave of Rome, Italy; world's smallest state; outside theVatican City, 13 buildings in Rome and Castel Gandolfo (the pope's summerresidence) enjoy extraterritorial rights
:Holy See (Vatican City) People
Population:802 (July 1992), growth rate 1.2% (1992)Nationality:no noun or adjectival formsEthnic divisions:primarily Italians but also Swiss and other nationalitiesReligions:Roman CatholicLanguages:Italian, Latin, and various other languagesLiteracy:100% (male NA%, female NA%)Labor force:high dignitaries, priests, nuns, guards, and 3,000 lay workers who liveoutside the VaticanOrganized labor:Association of Vatican Lay Workers, 1,800 members (1987)
:Holy See (Vatican City) Government
Long-form name:State of the Vatican City; note - the Vatican City is the physical seat ofthe Holy See, which is the central government of the Roman Catholic ChurchType:monarchical-sacerdotal stateCapital:Vatican CityIndependence:11 February 1929 (from Italy)Constitution:Apostolic Constitution of 1967 (effective 1 March 1968)National holiday:Installation Day of the Pope (John Paul II), 22 October (1978); note - PopeJohn Paul II was elected on 16 October 1978Executive branch:popeLegislative branch:unicameral Pontifical CommissionJudicial branch:none; normally handled by ItalyLeaders:Chief of State:Pope JOHN PAUL II (Karol WOJTYA; since 16 October 1978)Head of Government:Secretary of State Archbishop Angelo SODANOPolitical parties and leaders:noneSuffrage:limited to cardinals less than 80 years oldElections:Pope:last held 16 October 1978 (next to be held after the death of the currentpope); results - Karol WOJTYA was elected for life by the College ofCardinalsOther 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:Apostolic Pro-Nuncio Archbishop Agostino CACCIAVILLAN; 3339 MassachusettsAvenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 333-7121US:Ambassador Thomas P. MELADY; Embassy at Villino Pacelli, Via Aurelia 294,00165 Rome (mailing address is APO AE 09624); telephone [396] 639-0558Flag:two vertical bands of yellow (hoist side) and white with the crossed keys ofSaint Peter and the papal tiara 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 saleof postage stamps and tourist mementos, fees for admission to museums, andthe sale of publications. The incomes and living standards of lay workersare comparable to, or somewhat better than, those of counterparts who workin the city of Rome.Budget:revenues $92 million; expenditures $178 million, including capitalexpenditures of $NA (1992)Electricity:5,000 kW standby capacity (1990); power supplied by ItalyIndustries:printing and production of a small amount of mosaics and staff uniforms;worldwide banking and financial activitiesCurrency:Vatican lira (plural - lire); 1 Vatican lira (VLit) = 100 centesimiExchange rates:Vatican lire (VLit) per US$1 - 1,248.4 (March 1992), 1,240.6 (1991), 1,198.1(1990), 1,372.1 (1989), 1,301.6 (1988), 1,296.1 (1987); note - the Vaticanlira is at par with the Italian lira which circulates freelyFiscal year:calendar year
:Holy See (Vatican City) Communications
Railroads:850 m, 750 mm gauge (links with Italian network near the Rome station ofSaint Peter's)Highways:none; all city streetsTelecommunications:broadcast stations - 3 AM, 4 FM, no TV; 2,000-line automatic telephoneexchange; no communications satellite systems
:Holy See (Vatican City) Defense Forces
Note:defense is the responsibility of Italy; Swiss Papal Guards are posted atentrances to the Vatican City
:Honduras Geography
Total area:112,090 km2Land area:111,890 km2Comparative area:slightly larger than TennesseeLand boundaries:1,520 km; Guatemala 256 km, El Salvador 342 km, Nicaragua 922 kmCoastline:820 kmMaritime claims:Contiguous zone:24 nmContinental shelf:200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitationExclusive economic zone:200 nmTerritorial sea:12 nmDisputes:dispute with El Salvador over several sections of the land boundary; disputeover Golfo de Fonseca maritime boundary because of disputed sovereignty ofislands; unresolved maritime boundary with NicaraguaClimate:subtropical in lowlands, temperate in mountainsTerrain:mostly mountains in interior, narrow coastal plainsNatural resources:timber, gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, iron ore, antimony, coal, fishLand use:arable land 14%; permanent crops 2%; meadows and pastures 30%; forest andwoodland 34%; other 20%; includes irrigated 1%Environment:subject to frequent, but generally mild, earthquakes; damaging hurricanesand floods along Caribbean coast; deforestation; soil erosion
:Honduras People
Population:5,092,776 (July 1992), growth rate 2.8% (1992)Birth rate:37 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:7 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:-2 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:54 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:65 years male, 68 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:4.8 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Honduran(s); adjective - HonduranEthnic divisions:mestizo (mixed Indian and European) 90%, Indian 7%, black 2%, white 1%Religions:Roman Catholic about 97%; small Protestant minorityLanguages:Spanish, Indian dialectsLiteracy:73% (male 76%, female 71%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)Labor force:1,300,000; agriculture 62%, services 20%, manufacturing 9%, construction 3%,other 6% (1985)Organized labor:40% of urban labor force, 20% of rural work force (1985)
:Honduras Government
Long-form name:Republic of HondurasType:republicCapital:TegucigalpaAdministrative 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, YoroIndependence:15 September 1821 (from Spain)Constitution:11 January 1982, effective 20 January 1982Legal system:rooted in Roman and Spanish civil law; some influence of English common law;accepts ICJ jurisdiction, with reservationsNational holiday:Independence Day, 15 September (1821)Executive branch:president, Council of Ministers (cabinet)Legislative branch:unicameral National Congress (Congreso Nacional)Judicial branch:Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justica)Leaders:Chief of State and Head of Government:President Rafael Leonardo CALLEJAS Romero (since 26 January 1990)Political parties and leaders:Liberal Party (PLH) - faction leaders, Carlos FLORES Facusse (leader ofFlorista Liberal Movement), Carlos MONTOYA (Azconista subfaction), RamonVILLEDA Bermudez and Jorge Arturo REINA (M-Lider faction); National Party(PNH), Jose Celin DISCUA, party president; PNH faction leaders - OswaldoRAMOS Soto and Rafael Leonardo CALLEJAS Romero (Monarca faction); NationalInnovation and Unity Party - Social Democrats (PINU-SD), Enrique AGUILARCerrato Paz; Christian Democratic Party (PDCH), Jorge ILLESCAS; DemocraticAction (AD), Walter LOPEZ ReyesSuffrage:universal and compulsory at age 18Elections:National Congress:last held on 26 November 1989 (next to be held November 1993); results - PNH51%, PLH 43%, PDCH 1.9%, PINU-SD 1.5%, other 2.6%; seats - (128 total) PNH71, PLH 55, PINU-SD 2President:last held on 26 November 1989 (next to be held November 1993); results -Rafael Leonardo CALLEJAS (PNH) 51%, Carlos FLORES Facusse (PLH) 43.3%, other5.7%Other political or pressure groups:National Association of Honduran Campesinos (ANACH), Honduran Council ofPrivate 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 ofHuman Rights in Honduras (CODEH), Coordinating Committee of PopularOrganizations (CCOP)
:Honduras Government
Member of:BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO,IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA, LORCS, OAS, OPANAL,PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMODiplomatic representation:Ambassador Jorge Ramon HERNANDEZ Alcerro; Chancery at 3007 Tilden Street NW,Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 966-7702; there are HonduranConsulates General in Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York,and San Francisco, and Consulates in Baton Rouge, Boston, Detroit, Houston,and JacksonvilleUS:Ambassador S. Crescencio ARCOS; Embassy at Avenida La Paz, Tegucigalpa(mailing address is APO AA 34022); telephone [504] 32-3120Flag:three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with five bluefive-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band; thestars represent the members of the former Federal Republic of CentralAmerica - Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua;similar to the flag of El Salvador, which features a round emblem encircledby the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in thewhite band; also similar to the flag of Nicaragua, which features a triangleencircled by the word REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on top and AMERICA CENTRAL onthe 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 morethan 25% of GDP, employs 62% of the labor force, and produces two-thirds ofexports. Productivity remains low. Industry, still in its early stages,employs nearly 9% of the labor force, accounts for 15% of GDP, and generates20% of exports. The service sectors, including public administration,account for 50% of GDP and employ nearly 20% of the labor force. Basicproblems facing the economy include rapid population growth, highunemployment, sharply increased inflation, a lack of basic services, a largeand inefficient public sector, and the dependence of the export sectormostly on coffee and bananas, which are subject to sharp price fluctuations.Despite government efforts at reform and large-scale foreign assistance, theeconomy still is unable to take advantage of its sizable natural resources.GDP:exchange rate conversion - $5.2 billion, per capita $1,050; real growth rate- 0.3% (1991 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):26% (1991 est.)Unemployment rate:15% unemployed, 30-40% underemployed (1989)Budget:revenues $1.4 billion; expenditures $1.9 billion, including capitalexpenditures of $511 million (1990 est.)Exports:$1.0 billion (f.o.b., 1991)commodities:bananas, coffee, shrimp, lobster, minerals, lumberpartners:US 52%, Germany 11%, Japan, Italy, BelgiumImports:$1.3 billion (c.i.f. 1991)commodities:machinery and transport equipment, chemical products, manufactured goods,fuel and oil, foodstuffspartners:US 39%, Japan 9%, CACM, Venezuela, MexicoExternal debt:$2.8 billion (1990)Industrial production:growth rate 2.9% (1989); accounts for 15% of GDPElectricity:575,000 kW capacity; 1,850 million kWh produced, 374 kWh per capita (1991)Industries:agricultural processing (sugar and coffee), textiles, clothing, woodproductsAgriculture:most important sector, accounting for more than 25% of GDP, over 60% of thelabor force, and two-thirds of exports; principal products include bananas,coffee, timber, beef, citrus fruit, shrimp; importer of wheatIllicit drugs:illicit producer of cannabis, cultivated on small plots and used principallyfor local consumption; transshipment point for cocaineEconomic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $1.4 billion; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.1 billionCurrency:lempira (plural - lempiras); 1 lempira (L) = 100 centavos
:Honduras Economy
Exchange rates:lempiras (L) per US$1 - 5.4 (fixed rate); 5.70 parallel black-market rate(November 1990)Fiscal year:calendar year
:Honduras Communications
Railroads:785 km total; 508 km 1.067-meter gauge, 277 km 0.914-meter gaugeHighways:8,950 km total; 1,700 km paved, 5,000 km otherwise improved, 2,250 kmunimproved earthInland waterways:465 km navigable by small craftPorts:Puerto Castilla, Puerto Cortes, San LorenzoMerchant marine:201 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 629,134 GRT/939,289 DWT; includes 2passenger-cargo, 127 cargo, 17 refrigerated - cargo, - 7 - container, - 2 -roll-on/roll-off cargo, 19 petroleum tanker, 2 chemical tanker, 3specialized tanker, 1 vehicle carrier, 18 bulk, 2 passenger, 1 short-seapassenger; note - a flag of convenience registry; Republics of the formerUSSR own 10 ships under the Honduran flagCivil air:6 major transport aircraftAirports:171 total, 133 usable; 8 with permanent-surface runways; none with runwaysover 3,659 m; 4 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 12 with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:improved, but still inadequate; connection into Central American MicrowaveSystem; 35,100 telephones; broadcast stations - 176 AM, no FM, 28 TV, 7shortwave; 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth stations
:Honduras Defense Forces
Branches:Army, Navy (including Marines), Air Force, Public Security Forces (FUSEP)Manpower availability:males 15-49, 1,148,376; 684,375 fit for military service; 57,028 reachmilitary age (18) annuallyDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $43.4 million, about 1% of GDP (1992 est.)
:Hong Kong Geography
Total area:1,040 km2Land area:990 km2Comparative area:slightly less than six times the size of Washington, DCLand boundaries:30 km; China 30 kmCoastline:733 kmMaritime claims:Exclusive fishing zone:3 nmTerritorial sea:3 nmDisputes:noneClimate:tropical monsoon; cool and humid in winter, hot and rainy from springthrough summer, warm and sunny in fallTerrain:hilly to mountainous with steep slopes; lowlands in northNatural resources:outstanding deepwater harbor, feldsparLand use:arable land 7%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures 1%; forest andwoodland 12%; other 79%; includes irrigated 3%Environment:more than 200 islands; occasional typhoons
:Hong Kong People
Population:5,889,095 (July 1992), growth rate 0.6% (1992)Birth rate:13 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:5 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:- 2 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:7 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:76 years male, 83 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:1.4 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:adjective - Hong KongEthnic divisions:Chinese 98%, other 2%Religions:eclectic mixture of local religions 90%, Christian 10%Languages:Chinese (Cantonese), EnglishLiteracy:77% (male 90%, female 64%) age 15 and over having ever attended school(1971)Labor force:2,800,000 (1990); manufacturing 28.5%, wholesale and retail trade,restaurants, and hotels 27.9%, services 17.7%, financing, insurance, andreal estate 9.2%, transport and communications 4.5%, construction 2.5%,other 9.7% (1989)Organized labor:16% of labor force (1990)
:Hong Kong Government
Long-form name:none; abbreviated HKType:dependent territory of the UK; scheduled to revert to China in 1997Capital:VictoriaAdministrative divisions:none (dependent territory of the UK)Independence:none (dependent territory of the UK); the UK signed an agreement with Chinaon 19 December 1984 to return Hong Kong to China on 1 July 1997; in thejoint declaration, China promises to respect Hong Kong's existing social andeconomic systems and lifestyle for 50 years after transitionConstitution:unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice; new Basic Lawapproved in March 1990 in preparation for 1997Legal system:based on English common lawNational holiday:Liberation Day, 29 August (1945)Executive branch:British monarch, governor, chief secretary of the Executive CouncilLegislative branch:Legislative CouncilJudicial branch:Supreme CourtLeaders:Chief of State:Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)Head of Government:Governor-designate Chris PATTEN (since July 1992); Chief Secretary Sir DavidRobert FORD (since February 1987)Suffrage:direct election - universal at age 21 as a permanent resident living in theterritory of Hong Kong for the past seven years; indirect election - limitedto about 100,000 professionals of electoral college and functionalconstituenciesElections:Legislative Council:indirect elections last held 12 September 1991 and direct elections wereheld 15 September 1991 (next to be held for the first time in September1995); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (60 total; 21indirectly elected by functional constituencies, 18 directly elected, 18appointed by governor, 3 ex officio members); indirect elections - number ofseats by functional constituency NA; direct elections - UDHK 12, MeetingPoint 3, ADPL 1, other 2Communists:5,000 (est.) cadres affiliated with Communist Party of ChinaOther political or pressure groups:Federation of Trade Unions (pro-China), Hong Kong and Kowloon Trade UnionCouncil (pro-Taiwan), Confederation of Trade Unions (prodemocracy), HongKong 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, Hong KongAlliance in Support of the Patriotic Democratic Movement in ChinaMember of:APEC, AsDB, CCC, ESCAP (associate), GATT, ICFTU, IMO (associate), IOC, ISO(correspondent), WCL, WMO
:Hong Kong Government
Diplomatic representation:as a dependent territory of the UK, the interests of Hong Kong in the US arerepresented by the UKUS:Consul General Richard L. WILLIAMS; Consulate General at 26 Garden Road,Hong Kong (mailing address is Box 30, Hong Kong, or FPO AP 96522-0002);telephone [852] 239-011Flag:blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant with the HongKong 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 bya lion (representing the UK) and a dragon (representing China) with anotherlion above the shield and a banner bearing the words HONG KONG below theshield
:Hong Kong Economy
Overview:Hong Kong has a bustling free market economy with few tariffs or nontariffbarriers. Natural resources are limited, and food and raw materials must beimported. Manufacturing accounts for about 18% of GDP, employs 28% of thelabor force, and exports about 90% of its output. Real GDP growth averaged aremarkable 8% in 1987-88, then slowed to 2.5-3.0% in 1989-90. Unemployment,which has been declining since the mid-1980s, is now about 2%. A shortage oflabor continues to put upward pressure on prices and the cost of living.Short-term prospects remain solid so long as major trading partners continueto be reasonably prosperous. The crackdown in China in 1989-91 casts ashadow over the longer term economic outlook.GDP:exchange rate conversion - $80.9 billion, per capita $13,800; real growthrate 3.8% (1991 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):12.0% (1991 est.)Unemployment rate:2.0% (1991 est.)Budget:$8.8 billion (FY90)Exports:$82.0 billion (f.o.b., 1990), including reexports of $53.1 billioncommodities:clothing, textiles, yarn and fabric, footwear, electrical appliances,watches and clocks, toyspartners:China 25%, US 24%, Germany 7%, Japan 6%, UK 2%, (1990)Imports:$82.4 billion (c.i.f., 1990)commodities:foodstuffs, transport equipment, raw materials, semimanufactures, petroleumpartners:China 37%, Japan 16%, Taiwan 9%, US 8% (1990)External debt:$9.5 billion (December 1990 est.)Industrial production:growth rate 4% 1991 (est)Electricity:8,600,000 kW capacity; 25,637 million kWh produced, 4,378 kWh per capita(1991)Industries:textiles, clothing, tourism, electronics, plastics, toys, watches, clocksAgriculture:minor role in the economy; rice, vegetables, dairy products; less than 20%self-sufficient; shortages of rice, wheat, waterIllicit drugs:a hub for Southeast Asian heroin trade; transshipment and major financialand money-laundering centerEconomic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-87), $152 million; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $923 millionCurrency:Hong Kong dollar (plural - dollars); 1 Hong Kong dollar (HK$) = 100 centsExchange rates:Hong Kong dollars (HK$) per US$ - 7.800 (1991), 7.790 (1990), 7.800 (1989),7.810 (1988), 7.760 (1987); note - linked to the US dollar at the rate ofabout 7.8 HK$ per 1 US$ since 1985Fiscal year:1 April - 31 March
:Hong Kong Communications
Railroads:35 km 1.435-meter standard gauge, government ownedHighways:1,484 km total; 794 km paved, 306 km gravel, crushed stone, or earthPorts:Hong KongMerchant marine:142 ships (1,000 GRT or over), totaling 5,035,223 GRT/8,598,134 DWT;includes 1 passenger, 1 short-sea passenger, 15 cargo, 5 refrigerated cargo,26 container, 13 petroleum tanker, 1 chemical tanker, 6 combination ore/oil,5 liquefied gas, 68 bulk, 1 combination bulk; note - a flag of convenienceregistry; ships registered in Hong Kong fly the UK flag, and an estimated500 Hong Kong - owned ships are registered elsewhereCivil air:16 major transport aircraftAirports:2 total; 2 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; none with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:modern facilities provide excellent domestic and international services;3,000,000 telephones; microwave transmission links and extensive opticalfiber transmission network; broadcast stations - 6 AM, 6 FM, 4 TV; 1 BritishBroadcasting Corporation (BBC) repeater station and 1 British ForcesBroadcasting Service repeater station; 2,500,000 radio receivers; 1,312,000TV sets (1,224,000 color TV sets); satellite earth stations - 1 PacificOcean INTELSAT and 2 Indian Ocean INTELSAT; coaxial cable to Guangzhou,China; links to 5 international submarine cables providing access to ASEANmember 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 KongAuxiliary Air Force, Royal Hong Kong Police ForceManpower availability:males 15-49, 1,732,360; 1,334,923 fit for military service; 46,285 reachmilitary age (18) annuallyDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $300 million, 0.5% of GDP (1989 est.); thisrepresents one-fourth of the total cost of defending itself, the remainderbeing paid by the UKNote:defense is the responsibility of the UK
:Howland Island Geography
Total area:1.6 km2Land area:1.6 km2Comparative area:about 2.7 times the size of the Mall in Washington, DCLand boundaries:noneCoastline:6.4 kmMaritime claims:Contiguous zone:12 nmContinental shelf:200 m (depth)Exclusive economic zone:200 nmTerritorial sea:12 nmDisputes:noneClimate:equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sunTerrain:low-lying, nearly level, sandy, coral island surrounded by a narrow fringingreef; depressed central areaNatural resources:guano (deposits worked until late 1800s)Land use:arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest andwoodland 5%; other 95%Environment:almost totally covered with grasses, prostrate vines, and low-growingshrubs; small area of trees in the center; lacks fresh water; primarily anesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marinewildlife; feral catsNote:remote location 2,575 km southwest of Honolulu in the North Pacific Ocean,just north of the Equator, about halfway between Hawaii and Australia
:Howland Island People
Population:uninhabitedPopulation:note:American civilians evacuated in 1942 after Japanese air and naval attacksduring World War II; occupied by US military during World War II, butabandoned after the war; public entry is by special-use permit only andgenerally restricted to scientists and educators
:Howland Island Government
Long-form name:noneType:unincorporated territory of the US administered by the Fish and WildlifeService of the US Department of the Interior as part of the NationalWildlife Refuge SystemCapital: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 thewest coastAirports:airstrip constructed in 1937 for scheduled refueling stop on theround-the-world flight of Amelia Earhart and Fred Noonan - they left Lae,New Guinea, for Howland Island, but were never seen again; the airstrip isno longer serviceableNote:Earhart Light is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast that waspartially destroyed during World War II, but has since been rebuilt inmemory of famed aviatrix Amelia Earhart
:Howland Island Defense Forces
Note:defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US CoastGuard
:Hungary Geography
Total area:93,030 km2Land area:92,340 km2Comparative area:slightly smaller than IndianaLand boundaries:2,113 km; Austria 366 km, Slovenia 82 km, Czechoslovakia 676 km, Romania 443km, Croatia 292 km, Serbia and Montenegro 151 km, Ukraine 103 kmCoastline:none - landlockedMaritime claims:none - landlockedDisputes:Gabcikovo Dam dispute with CzechoslovakiaClimate:temperate; cold, cloudy, humid winters; warm summersTerrain:mostly flat to rolling plainsNatural resources:bauxite, coal, natural gas, fertile soilsLand use:arable land 54%; permanent crops 3%; meadows and pastures 14%; forest andwoodland 18%; other 11%; includes irrigated 2%Environment:levees are common along many streams, but flooding occurs almost every yearNote:landlocked; strategic location astride main land routes between WesternEurope and Balkan Peninsula as well as between Ukraine and Mediterraneanbasin
:Hungary People
Population:10,333,327 (July 1992), growth rate - 0.1% (1992)Birth rate:12 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:13 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:0 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:14 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:66 years male, 75 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:1.8 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Hungarian(s); adjective - HungarianEthnic divisions:Hungarian 96.6%, Gypsy 5.8%, German 1.6%, Slovak 1.1%, Southern Slav 0.3%,Romanian 0.2%Religions:Roman Catholic 67.5%, Calvinist 20.0%, Lutheran 5.0%, atheist and other 7.5%Languages:Hungarian 98.2%, other 1.8%Literacy:99% (male 99%, female 98%) age 15 and over can read and write (1980)Labor force:5.4 million; services, trade, government, and other 43.2%, industry 30.9%,agriculture 18.8%, construction 7.1% (1991)Organized labor:45-55% of labor force; Central Council of Hungarian Trade Unions (SZOT)includes 19 affiliated unions, all controlled by the government; independentunions legal; may be as many as 12 small independent unions in operation
:Hungary Government
Long-form name:Republic of HungaryType:republicCapital:BudapestAdministrative divisions:19 counties (megyek, singular - megye) and 1 capital city* (fovaros);Bacs-Kiskun, Baranya, Bekes, Borsod-Abauj-Zemplen, Budapest*, Csongrad,Fejer, Gyor-Moson-Sopron, Hajdu-Bihar, Heves, Jasz-Nagykun-Szolnok,Komarom-Esztergom, Nograd, Pest, Somogy, Szabolcs-Szatmar-Bereg, Tolna, Vas,Veszprem, ZalaIndependence:1001, unification by King Stephen IConstitution:18 August 1949, effective 20 August 1949, revised 19 April 1972; 18 October1989 revision ensured legal rights for individuals and constitutional checkson the authority of the prime minister and also established the principle ofparliamentary oversightLegal system:in process of revision, moving toward rule of law based on Western modelNational holiday:October 23 (1956); commemorates the Hungarian uprisingExecutive branch:president, prime ministerLegislative branch:unicameral National Assembly (Orszaggyules)Judicial branch:Supreme Court, may be restructured as part of ongoing government overhaulLeaders:Chief of State:President Arpad GONCZ (since 3 August 1990; previously interim Presidentfrom 2 May 1990)Head of Government:Prime Minister Jozsef ANTALL (since 23 May 1990)Political parties and leaders:Democratic Forum, Jozsef ANTALL, chairman; Dr. Lajos FUR, acting president;Free Democrats, Peter TOLGYESSY, chairman; Independent Smallholders, JozsefTORGYAN, president; Hungarian Socialist Party (MSP), Gyula HORN, chairman;Young Democrats, Gabor FODOR, head; Christian Democrats, Dr. Lazlo SURJAN,president; note - the Hungarian Socialist (Communist) Workers' Party (MSZMP)renounced Communism and became the Hungarian Socialist Party (MSP) inOctober 1989; there is still a small (fringe) MSZMPSuffrage:universal at age 18Elections:President:last held 3 August 1990 (next to be held August 1994); results - PresidentGONCZ elected by popular vote; note - President GONCZ was elected by theNational Assembly with a total of 294 votes out of 304 as interim Presidentfrom 2 May 1990 until elected PresidentNational Assembly:last held on 25 March 1990 (first round, with the second round held 8 April1990); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (386 total) DemocraticForum 162, Free Democrats 90, Independent Smallholders 45, HungarianSocialist Party (MSP) 33, Young Democrats 22, Christian Democrats 21,independents or jointly sponsored candidates 13Communists:fewer than 100,000 (December 1989)
:Hungary Government
Member of:BIS, CCC, CE, CSCE, ECE, FAO, G-9, GATT, HG, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC,ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LORCS, NACC, NSG,PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIIMOG, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZCDiplomatic representation:Ambassador Pal TAR; Chancery at 3910 Shoemaker Street NW, Washington, DC20008; telephone (202) 362-6730; there is a Hungarian Consulate General inNew YorkUS:Ambassador Charles THOMAS; Embassy at V. Szabadsag Ter 12, Budapest (mailingaddress is APO AE 09213-5270); telephone [36] (1) 112-6450; FAX 132-8934Flag:three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and green
:Hungary Economy
Overview:Hungary is in the midst of a difficult transition between a command and amarket economy. Agriculture is an important sector, providing sizable exportearnings and meeting domestic food needs. Industry accounts for about 40% ofGDP and 30% of employment. Hungary claims that less than 20% of foreigntrade is now with former CEMA countries, while about 70% is with OECDmembers. Hungary's economic reform programs during the Communist era gave ita head start in creating a market economy and attracting foreign investment.In 1990, Hungary received half of all foreign investment in Eastern Europeand in 1991 received the largest single share. The growing private sectoraccounts for one-quarter to one-third of national output according tounofficial estimates. Privatization of state enterprises is progressing,although excessive redtape, bureaucratic oversight, and uncertainties aboutpricing have slowed the process. Escalating unemployment and high rates ofinflation may impede efforts to speed up privatization and budget reform,while Hungary's heavy foreign debt will make the government reluctant tointroduce full convertability of the forint before 1993.GDP:purchasing power equivalent - $60.1 billion, per capita $5,700; real growthrate - 7% (1991 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):34% (1991 est.)Unemployment rate:8.0% (1991)Budget:revenues $12.7 billion; expenditures $13.6 billion (1992 planned)Exports:$10.2 billion (f.o.b. 1991)commodities:capital goods 25.9%, foods 23%, consumer goods 16.5%, fuels 2.4%, other32.2%partners:USSR and Eastern Europe 31.9%, EC 32.2%, EFTA 12% (1990)Imports:$11.7 billion (f.o.b., 1991)commodities:capital goods 31.6%, fuels 13.8%, manufactured consumer goods 14.6%,agriculture 6%, other 34.0%partners:USSR and Eastern Europe 34%, EC 31%, EFTA 15.4%External debt:$22.7 billion (January 1991)Industrial production:growth rate - 20% (1991 est.)Electricity:6,967,000 kW capacity; 28,376 million kWh produced, 2,750 kWh per capita(1990)Industries:mining, metallurgy, engineering industries, processed foods, textiles,chemicals (especially pharmaceuticals), trucks, busesAgriculture:including forestry, accounts for about 15% of GDP and 19% of employment;highly diversified crop-livestock farming; principal crops - wheat, corn,sunflowers, potatoes, sugar beets; livestock - hogs, cattle, poultry, dairyproducts; self-sufficient in food outputIllicit drugs:transshipment point for Southeast Asia heroin transiting the Balkan route
:Hungary Economy
Economic aid:recipient - $9.1 billion in assistance from OECD countries (from 1st quarter1990 to end of 2nd quarter 1991)Currency:forint (plural - forints); 1 forint (Ft) = 100 fillerFiscal 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; 1,147 km double track,2,161 km electrified; all government owned (1991)Highways:130,014 km total; 29,715 km national highway system - 26,834 km asphalt, 142km concrete, 51 km stone and road brick, 2,276 km macadam, 412 km unpaved;58,495 km country roads (66% unpaved), and 41,804 km (est.) other roads (70%unpaved) (1988)Inland waterways:1,622 km (1988)Pipelines:crude oil 1,204 km; petroleum products 630 km; natural gas 3,895 km (1986)Ports:Budapest and Dunaujvaros are river ports on the Danube; maritime outlets areRostock (Germany), Gdansk (Poland), Gdynia (Poland), Szczecin (Poland),Galati (Romania), and Braila (Romania)Merchant marine:14 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) and 1 bulk totaling 85,489 GRT/119,520DWTCivil air:28 major transport aircraftAirports:90 total, 90 usable; 20 with permanent-surface runways; 2 with runways over3,659 m; 10 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 15 with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:automatic telephone network based on radio relay system; 1.9 million phones;telephone density is at 17 per 100 inhabitants; 49% of all phones are inBudapest; 12-15 year wait for a phone; 16,000 telex lines (June 1990);broadcast stations - 32 AM, 15 FM, 41 TV (8 Soviet TV repeaters); 4.2million TVs (1990); 1 satellite ground station using INTELSAT andIntersputnik
:Hungary Defense Forces
Branches:Ground Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces, Border Guard, Territorial DefenseManpower availability:males 15-49, 2,619,277; 2,092,867 fit for military service; 87,469 reachmilitary age (18) annuallyDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - 60.8 billion forints, 1.7% of GNP (1992 est.);note - conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars using the currentexchange rate would produce misleading results
:Iceland Geography
Total area:103,000 km2Land area:100,250 km2Comparative area:slightly smaller than KentuckyLand boundaries:noneCoastline:4,988 kmMaritime claims:Continental shelf:edge of continental margin or 200 nmExclusive economic zone:200 nmTerritorial sea:12 nmDisputes:Rockall continental shelf dispute involving Denmark, Ireland, and the UK(Ireland and the UK have signed a boundary agreement in the Rockall area)Climate:temperate; moderated by North Atlantic Current; mild, windy winters; damp,cool summersTerrain:mostly plateau interspersed with mountain peaks, icefields; coast deeplyindented by bays and fiordsNatural resources:fish, hydroelectric and geothermal power, diatomiteLand use:arable land NEGL%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 23%; forest andwoodland 1%; other 76%Environment:subject to earthquakes and volcanic activityNote:strategic location between Greenland and Europe; westernmost Europeancountry
:Iceland People
Population:259,012 (July 1992), growth rate 0.9% (1992)Birth rate:18 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:7 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:-2 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:4 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:76 years male, 81 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:2.2 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Icelander(s); adjective - IcelandicEthnic divisions:homogeneous mixture of descendants of Norwegians and CeltsReligions:Evangelical Lutheran 96%, other Protestant and Roman Catholic 3%, none 1%(1988)Languages:IcelandicLiteracy:100% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write (1976 est.)Labor force:134,429; commerce, finance, and services 55.4%, other manufacturing 14.3%.,agriculture 5.8%, fish processing 7.9%, fishing 5.0% (1986)Organized labor:60% of labor force
:Iceland Government
Long-form name:Republic of IcelandType:republicCapital:ReykjavikAdministrative divisions:23 counties (syslar, singular - sysla) and 14 independent towns*(kaupstadhir, singular - kaupstadhur); Akranes*, Akureyri*, Arnessysla,Austur-Bardhastrandarsysla, Austur-Hunavatnssysla, Austur-Skaftafellssysla,Borgarfjardharsysla, Dalasysla, Eyjafjardharsysla, Gullbringusysla,Hafnarfjordhur*, Husavik*, Isafjordhur*, Keflavik*, Kjosarsysla, Kopavogur*,Myrasysla, Neskaupstadhur*, Nordhur-Isafjardharsysla, Nordhur-Mulasys-la,Nordhur-Thingeyjarsysla, Olafsfjordhur*, Rangarvallasysla, Reykjavik*,Saudharkrokur*, Seydhisfjordhur*, Siglufjordhur*, Skagafjardharsysla,Snaefellsnes-og Hnappadalssysla, Strandasysla, Sudhur-Mulasysla,Sudhur-Thingeyjarsysla, Vesttmannaeyjar*, Vestur-Bardhastrandarsysla,Vestur-Hunavatnssysla, Vestur-Isafjardharsysla, Vestur-SkaftafellssyslaIndependence:17 June 1944 (from Denmark)Constitution:16 June 1944, effective 17 June 1944Legal system:civil law system based on Danish law; does not accept compulsory ICJjurisdictionNational holiday:Anniversary of the Establishment of the Republic, 17 June (1944)Executive branch:president, prime minister, CabinetLegislative branch:unicameral Parliament (Althing)Judicial branch:Supreme Court (Haestirettur)Leaders:Chief of State:President Vigdis FINNBOGADOTTIR (since 1 August 1980)Head of Government:Prime Minister David ODDSSON (since 30 April 1991)Political parties and leaders:Independence Party (conservative), David ODDSSON; Progressive Party,Steingrimur HERMANNSSON; Social Democratic Party, Jon Baldvin HANNIBALSSON;People's Alliance (left socialist), Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON; Citizens Party(conservative nationalist), Julius SOLNES; Women's ListSuffrage:universal at age 20Elections:President:last held on 29 June 1980 (next scheduled for June 1992); results - therewere no elections in 1984 and 1988 as President Vigdis FINNBOGADOTTIR wasunopposedAlthing:last held on 20 April 1991 (next to be held by April 1995); results -Independence Party 38.6%, Progressive Party 18.9%, Social Democratic Party15.5%, People's Alliance 14.4%, Womens List 8.13%, Liberals 1.2%, other3.27% seats - (63 total) Independence 26, Progressive 13, Social Democratic10, People's Alliance 9, Womens List 5
:Iceland Government
Member of:BIS, CCC, CE, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, FAO, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,ICFTU, IDA, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO(correspondent), ITU, LORCS, NACC, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, OECD, PCA, UN,UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMODiplomatic representation:Ambassador Tomas A. TOMASSON; Chancery at 2022 Connecticut Avenue NW,Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 265-6653 through 6655; there is anIcelandic Consulate General in New YorkUS:Ambassador Charles E. COBB, Jr.; Embassy at Laufasvegur 21, Box 40,Reykjavik (mailing address is FPO AE 09728-0340); telephone [354] (1) 29100Flag:blue with a red cross outlined in white that extends to the edges of theflag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in thestyle of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
:Iceland Economy
Overview:Iceland's prosperous Scandinavian-type economy is basically capitalistic,but with extensive welfare measures, low unemployment, and comparativelyeven distribution of income. The economy is heavily dependent on the fishingindustry, which provides nearly 75% of export earnings. In the absence ofother natural resources, Iceland's economy is vulnerable to changing worldfish prices. The economic improvements resulting from climbing fish pricesin 1990 and a noninflationary labor agreement probably will be reversed bytighter fish quotas and a delay in the construction of an aluminum smeltingplant. The conservative government's economic priorities include reducingthe budget and current account deficits, containing inflation, revisingagricultural and fishing policies, diversifying the economy, and tying thekrona to the EC's European currency unit in 1993. The fishing industries -notably the shrimp industry - are experiencing a series of bankruptcies andmergers. Inflation has continued to drop sharply from 20% in 1989 to about7.5% in 1991 and possibly 3% in 1992, while unemployment is expected toincrease to 2.5%. GDP is expected to contract by nearly 4% in 1992.GDP:purchasing power equivalent - $4.2 billion, per capita $16,200; real growthrate 0.3% (1991)Inflation rate (consumer prices):7.5% (1991)Unemployment rate:1.8% (1991)Budget:revenues $1.7 billion; expenditures $1.9 billion, including capitalexpenditures of $NA million (1991 est.)Exports:$1.6 billion (f.o.b., 1991)commodities:fish and fish products, animal products, aluminum, diatomitepartners:EC 67.7% (UK 25.3%, FRG 12.7%), US 9.9%, Japan 6% (1990)Imports:$1.7 billion (c.i.f., 1991)commodities:machinery and transportation equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs, textilespartners:EC 49.8% (FRG 12.4%, Denmark 8.6%, UK 8.1%), US 14.4%, Japan 5.6% (1990)External debt:$3 billion (1990)Industrial production:growth rate 1.75% (1991 est.)Electricity:1,063,000 kW capacity; 5,165 million kWh produced, 20,780 kWh per capita(1991)Industries:fish processing, aluminum smelting, ferro-silicon production, hydropowerAgriculture:accounts for about 25% of GDP (including fishing); fishing is most importanteconomic activity, contributing nearly 75% to export earnings; principalcrops - potatoes and turnips; livestock - cattle, sheep; self-sufficient incrops; fish catch of about 1.4 million metric tons in 1989Economic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-81), $19.1 millionCurrency:krona (plural - kronur); 1 Icelandic krona (IKr) = 100 aurar