:Kuwait People
Population:1,378,613 (July 1992), growth rate NA (1992)Birth rate:32 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:2 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:NA migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:14 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:72 years male, 76 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:4.4 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Kuwaiti(s); adjective - KuwaitiEthnic divisions:Kuwaiti 50%, other Arab 35%, South Asian 9%, Iranian 4%, other 2%Religions:Muslim 85% (Shi`a 30%, Sunni 45%, other 10%), Christian, Hindu, Parsi, andother 15%Languages:Arabic (official); English widely spokenLiteracy:74% (male 78%, female 69%) age 15 and over can read and write (1985)Labor force:566,000 (1986); services 45.0%, construction 20.0%, trade 12.0%,manufacturing 8.6%, finance and real estate 2.6%, agriculture 1.9%, powerand water 1.7%, mining and quarrying 1.4%; 70% of labor force wasnon-KuwaitiOrganized labor:labor unions exist in oil industry and among government personnel
:Kuwait Government
Long-form name:State of KuwaitType:nominal constitutional monarchyCapital:KuwaitAdministrative divisions:5 governorates (mu'hafaz'at, singular - muh'afaz'ah); Al Ah'madi, Al Jahrah,Al Kuwayt, 'Hawalli; FarwaniyahIndependence:19 June 1961 (from UK)Constitution:16 November 1962 (some provisions suspended since 29 August 1962)Legal system:civil law system with Islamic law significant in personal matters; has notaccepted compulsory ICJ jurisdictionNational holiday:National Day, 25 FebruaryExecutive branch:amir, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet)Legislative branch:National Assembly (Majlis al `umma) dissolved 3 July 1986; elections for newAssembly scheduled for October 1992Judicial branch:High Court of AppealLeaders:Chief of State:Amir Shaykh JABIR al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah (since 31 December 1977)Head of Government:Prime Minister and Crown Prince SA`UD al-`Abdallah al-Salim al-Sabah (since8 February 1978); Deputy Prime Minister SALIM al-Sabah al-Salim al-SabahPolitical parties and leaders:noneSuffrage:adult males who resided in Kuwait before 1920 and their male descendants atage 21; note - out of all citizens, only 10% are eligible to vote and only5% actually voteElections:National Assembly:dissolved 3 July 1986; new elections are scheduled for October 1992Other political or pressure groups:40,000 Palestinian community; small, clandestine leftist and Shi`afundamentalist groups are active; several groups critical of governmentpolicies are activeMember of:ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, BDEAC, CAEU, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GATT, GCC, IAEA,IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT,INTERPOL, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPEC, UN,UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation:Ambassador Shaykh Sa`ud Nasir al-SABAH; Chancery at 2940 Tilden Street NW,Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 966-0702US:Ambassador Edward (Skip) GNEHM, Jr.; Embassy at Bneid al-Gar (opposite theKuwait International Hotel), Kuwait City (mailing address is P.O. Box 77SAFAT, 13001 SAFAT, Kuwait; APO AE 09880); telephone [965] 242-4151 through4159; FAX [956] 244-2855
:Kuwait Government
Flag:three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red with a blacktrapezoid based on the hoist side
:Kuwait Economy
Overview:Up to the invasion by Iraq in August 1990, the oil sector had dominated theeconomy. Kuwait has the third-largest oil reserves in the world after SaudiArabia and Iraq. Earnings from hydrocarbons have generated over 90% of bothexport and government revenues and contributed about 40% to GDP. Most of thenonoil sector has traditionally been dependent upon oil-derived governmentrevenues. Iraq's destruction of Kuwait's oil industry during the Gulf warhas devastated the economy. Iraq destroyed or damaged more than 80% ofKuwait's 950 operating oil wells, as well as sabotaged key surfacefacilities. Firefighters brought all of the roughly 750 oil well fires andblowouts under control by November 1991. By yearend, production had beenbrought back to 400,000 barrels per day; it could take two to three years torestore Kuwait's oil production to its prewar level of about 2.0 millionbarrels per day. Meanwhile, population had been greatly reduced because ofthe war, from 2.1 million to 1.4 million.GDP:exchange rate conversion - $8.75 billion, per capita $6,200; real growthrate -50% (1991 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):NAUnemployment rate:NABudget:revenues $7.1 billion; expenditures $10.5 billion, including capitalexpenditures of $3.1 billion (FY88)Exports:$11.4 billion (f.o.b., 1989)commodities:oil 90%partners:Japan 19%, Netherlands 9%, US 8%, Pakistan 6%Imports:$6.6 billion (f.o.b., 1989)commodities:food, construction materials, vehicles and parts, clothingpartners:US 15%, Japan 12%, FRG 8%, UK 7%External debt:$7.2 billion (December 1989 est.)Industrial production:growth rate 3% (1988); accounts for 52% of GDPElectricity:3,100,000 kW available out of 8,290,000 kW capacity due to Persian Gulf war;7,300 million kWh produced, 3,311 kWh per capita (1991)Industries:petroleum, petrochemicals, desalination, food processing, buildingmaterials, salt, constructionAgriculture:virtually none; dependent on imports for food; about 75% of potable watermust be distilled or importedEconomic aid:donor - pledged $18.3 billion in bilateral aid to less developed countries(1979-89)Currency:Kuwaiti dinar (plural - dinars); 1 Kuwaiti dinar (KD) = 1,000 filsExchange rates:Kuwaiti dinars (KD) per US$1 - 0.2950 (March 1992), 0.2843 (1991), 0.2915(1990), 0.2937 (1989), 0.2790 (1988), 0.2786 (1987)
:Kuwait Economy
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
:Kuwait Communications
Railroads:6,456 km total track length (1990); over 700 km double track; governmentownedHighways:3,900 km total; 3,000 km bituminous; 900 km earth, sand, light gravelPipelines:crude oil 877 km; petroleum products 40 km; natural gas 165 kmPorts:Ash Shu`aybah, Ash Shuwaykh, Mina' al 'AhmadiMerchant marine:29 ships (1,000 GRT or over), totaling 1,196,435 GRT/1,957,216 DWT; includes2 cargo, 4 livestock carrier, 18 oil tanker, 4 liquefied gas; note - allKuwaiti ships greater than 1,000 GRT were outside Kuwaiti waters at the timeof the Iraqi invasion; many of these ships transferred to the Liberian flagor to the flags of other Persian Gulf states; only 1 has returned to Kuwaitiflag since the liberation of KuwaitCivil air:9 major transport aircraftAirports:7 total, 4 usable; 4 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over3,659 m; 4 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; none with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:civil network suffered extensive damage as a result of Desert Storm;reconstruction is under way with some restored international and domesticcapabilities; broadcast stations - 3 AM, 0 FM, 3 TV; satellite earthstations - destroyed during Persian Gulf war; temporary mobile satelliteground stations provide international telecommunications; coaxial cable andradio relay to Saudi Arabia; service to Iraq is nonoperational
:Kuwait Defense Forces
Branches:Army, Navy, Air Force, National Police Force, National GuardManpower availability:males 15-49, 389,770; 234,609 fit for military service; 12,773 reachmilitary age (18) annuallyDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $9.17 billion, 20.4% of GDP (1992 budget)
:Kyrgyzstan Geography
Total area:198,500 km2Land area:191,300 km2Comparative area:slightly smaller than South DakotaLand boundaries:3,878 km; China 858 km, Kazakhstan 1,051 km, Tajikistan 870 km, Uzbekistan1,099 kmCoastline:none - landlockedMaritime claims:none - landlockedDisputes:territorial dispute with Tajikistan on southern boundary in Isfara ValleyareaClimate:dry continental to polar in high Tien Shan; subtropical in south (FerganaValley)Terrain:peaks of Tien Shan rise to 7,000 meters, and associated valleys and basinsencompass entire nationNatural resources:small amounts of coal, natural gas, oil; also nepheline, rare earth metals,mercury, bismuth, gold, uranium, lead, zinc, hydroelectric powerLand use:NA% arable land; NA% permanent crops; NA% meadows and pastures; NA% forestand woodland; NA% other; includes NA% irrigatedEnvironment:NA
:Kyrgyzstan People
Population:4,567,875 (July 1992), growth rate 1.9% (1992)Birth rate:31 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:8 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:- 8.5 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:56 deaths/1,000 live births (1991)Life expectancy at birth:62 years male, 71 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:4.0 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Kirghiz(s); adjective - KirghizEthnic divisions:Kirghiz 52%, Russian 21%, Uzbek 13%, other 14%Religions:Muslim 70%, Russian Orthodox NA%Languages:Kirghiz (Kyrgyz)Literacy:NA% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and writeLabor force:1,894,000 (1989); agriculture 33%, other 49%, industry 18%, other NA% (1988)Organized labor:NA
:Kyrgyzstan Government
Long-form name:Republic of KyrgyzstanType:republicCapital:Bishkek (formerly Frunze)Administrative divisions:6 oblasts (oblastey, singular - oblast'); Chu, Dzhalal-Abad, Issyk-Kul',Naryn, Osh, Talas; note - an oblast has the same name as its administrativecenterIndependence:31 August 1991 (from Soviet Union; formerly Kirghiz Soviet SocialistRepublic)Constitution:adopted NA, effective 20 April 1978, amended 23 September 1989; note - newconstitution is being draftedLegal system:NANational holiday:NAExecutive branch:president, Cabinet of MinistersLegislative branch:unicameral body or bicameralJudicial branch:Supreme CourtLeaders:President Askar AKAYEV; Vice President Felix KULOV; Chairman, SupremeSoviet, Medetkav SHERIMKULOV; Spiritual leader of Kyrgyz Muslims, SadykzhavKAMALOVChief of State:President Askar AKAYEV (since 28 October 1990), Vice President Felix KULOV(since 2 March 1992)Head of Government:Prime Minister Tursenbek CHYNGYSHEV (since 2 March 1992)Political parties and leaders:Kyrgyzstan Democratic Movement, Zhypur ZHEKSHEYEV, Kazat AKMAKOV, andToshubek TURGANALIEV, co-chairmen of popular front coalition of 40 informalgroups for Democratic Renewal and Civic Accord, 117-man pro-Akayevparliamentary faction; Civic Accord, Coalition representing nonnativeminority groups; National Revived Asaba (Banner) Party, Asan ORMUSHEV,chairman; Communist Party now bannedSuffrage:universal at age 18Elections:President:last held 12 October 1991 (next to be held NA 1996); results - AKAYEV won inuncontested election with 95% of vote with 90% of electorate voting; note -Republic Supreme Soviet elections held 25 February 1990; presidentialelections held first by Supreme Soviet 28 October 1990, then by popular vote12 October 1991Supreme Soviet:note - last held 25 February 1990 (next to be held no later than November1994); results - Commnunists (310) 90%, seats - (350 total)Other political or pressure groups:National Unity Democratic Movement; Peasant Party; Council of Free TradeUnion; Union of EntrepreneursMember of:CIS, CSCE, IMF, UN, UNCTAD
:Kyrgyzstan Government
Diplomatic representation:Ambassador NA; Chancery at NW, Washington, DC 200__; telephone (202) NA;there are Consulates General in NA;US:Charge Ralph Bresler; Interim Chancery at #66 Derzhinskiy Prospekt;Residence: Hotel Pishpek (mailing address is APO AE 09862); telephone8-011-7-3312-22-22-70Flag:red-orange field with yellow sun in center with folk motif medallioninscribed
:Kyrgyzstan Economy
Overview:Kyrgyzstan's small economy (less than 1% of the total for the former SovietUnion) is oriented toward agriculture, producing mainly livestock such asgoats and sheep, as well as cotton, grain, and tobacco. Industry,concentrated around Bishkek, produces small quantities of electric motors,livestock feeding equipment, washing machines, furniture, cement, paper, andbricks. Mineral extraction is small, the most important minerals being rareearth metals and gold. Kyrgyzstan is a net importer of most types of foodand fuel but is a net exporter of electricity. By early 1991, the Kirghizleadership had accelerated reform, primarily by privatizing business andgranting life-long tenure to farmers. In 1991 overall industrial andlivestock output declined substantially.GDP:purchasing power equivalent - $NA billion, per capita $NA; real growth rate-5% (1991)Inflation rate (consumer prices):88% (1991)Unemployment rate:NA%Budget:revenues $NA million; expenditures $NA millionExports:$115 million (1990)commodities:wool, chemicals, cotton, ferrous and nonferrous metals, shoes, machinery,tobaccopartners:Russia 70%, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and othersImports:$1.5 million (c.i.f., 1990)commodities:lumber, industrial products, ferrous metals, fuel, machinery, textiles,footwearExternal debt:$650 million (1991)Industrial production:growth rate 0.1% (1991)Electricity:NA kW capacity; 13,900 million kWh produced, 3,232 kWh per capita (1991)Industries:small machinery, textiles, food-processing industries, cement, shoes, sawnlogs, steel, refrigerators, furniture, electric motors, gold, and rare earthmetalsAgriculture:wool, tobacco, cotton, livestock (sheep and goats) and cattle, vegetables,meat, grapes, fruits and berries, eggs, milk, potatoesIllicit drugs:poppy cultivation legalEconomic 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), $NA millionCurrency:as of May 1992, retaining ruble as currencyFiscal year:calendar year
:Kyrgyzstan Communications
Railroads:370 km; does not include industrial lines (1990)Highways:30,300 km total; 22,600 km paved or graveled, 7,700 km earth(1990)Inland waterways:NA km perennially navigablePipelines:NAPorts:none - landlockedCivil air:NAAirports:NATelecommunications:poorly developed; connections with other CIS countries by landline ormicrowave and with other countries by leased connections with Moscowinternational gateway switch; satellite earth stations - Orbita and INTELSAT(TV receive only)
:Kyrgyzstan Defense Forces
Branches:Republic Security Forces (internal and border troops); National Guard, CivilDefense; CIS Forces (Ground, Air, and Air Defense)Manpower availability:males 15-49, NA fit for military service; NA reach military age (18)annuallyDefense expenditures:$NA, NA% of GDP
:Laos Geography
Total area:236,800 km2Land area:230,800 km2Comparative area:slightly larger than UtahLand boundaries:5,083 km; Burma 235 km, Cambodia 541 km, China 423 km, Thailand 1,754 km,Vietnam 2,130 kmCoastline:none - landlockedMaritime claims:none - landlockedDisputes:boundary dispute with ThailandClimate:tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season (December toApril)Terrain:mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateausNatural resources:timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstonesLand use:arable land 4%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 3%; forest andwoodland 58%; other 35%; includes irrigated 1%Environment:deforestation; soil erosion; subject to floodsNote:landlocked
:Laos People
Population:4,440,213 (July 1992), growth rate 2.9% (1992)Birth rate:44 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:16 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:0 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:107 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:49 years male, 52 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:6.3 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Lao(s) or Laotian(s); adjective - Lao or LaotianEthnic divisions:Lao 50%, Phoutheung (Kha) 15%, tribal Thai 20%, Meo, Hmong, Yao, and other15%Religions:Buddhist 85%, animist and other 15%Languages:Lao (official), French, and EnglishLiteracy:84% (male 92%, female 76%) age 15 to 45 can read and write (1985 est.)Labor force:1-1.5 million; 85-90% in agriculture (est.)Organized labor:Lao Federation of Trade Unions is subordinate to the Communist party
:Laos Government
Long-form name:Lao People's Democratic RepublicType:Communist stateCapital:VientianeAdministrative divisions:16 provinces (khoueng, singular and plural) and 1 municipality* (kamphengnakhon, singular and plural); Attapu, Bokeo, Bolikhamsai, Champasak,Houaphan, Khammouan, Louang Namtha, Louangphrabang, Oudomxai, Phongsali,Saravan, Savannakhet, Sekong, Vientiane, Vientiane*, Xaignabouri,XiangkhoangIndependence:19 July 1949 (from France)Constitution:promulgated August 1991Legal system:based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdictionNational holiday:National Day (proclamation of the Lao People's Democratic Republic), 2December (1975)Executive branch:president, chairman and two vice chairmen of the Council of Ministers,Council of Ministers (cabinet)Legislative branch:Supreme People's AssemblyJudicial branch:People's Supreme CourtLeaders:Chief of State:President KAYSONE PHOMVIHAN (since 15 August 1991)Head of Government:Chairman of the Council of Ministers Gen. KHAMTAI SIPHANDON (since 15 August1991)Political parties and leaders:Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP), KAYSONE PHOMVIHAN, party chairman;includes Lao Patriotic Front and Alliance Committee of Patriotic NeutralistForces; other parties moribundSuffrage:universal at age 18Elections:Supreme People's Assembly:last held on 26 March 1989 (next to be held NA); results - percent of voteby party NA; seats - (79 total) number of seats by party NAOther political or pressure groups:non-Communist political groups moribund; most leaders have fled the countryMember of:ACCT (associate), AsDB, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, ILO,IMF, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU,WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation:Charge d'Affaires LINTHONG PHETSAVAN; Chancery at 2222 S Street NW,Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 332-6416 or 6417US:Charge d'Affaires Charles B. SALMON, Jr.; Embassy at Rue Bartholonie,Vientiane (mailing address is B. P. 114, Vientiane, or AMEMB, Box V, APO AP96546); telephone (856) 2220, 2357, 2384; FAX (856) 4675
:Laos Government
Flag:three horizontal bands of red (top), blue (double width), and red with alarge white disk centered in the blue band
:Laos Economy
Overview:One of the world's poorest nations, Laos has had a Communist centrallyplanned economy with government ownership and control of productiveenterprises of any size. In recent years, however, the government has beendecentralizing control and encouraging private enterprise. Laos is alandlocked country with a primitive infrastructure; that is, it has norailroads, a rudimentary road system, limited external and internaltelecommunications, and electricity available in only a limited area.Subsistence agriculture is the main occupation, accounting for over 60% ofGDP and providing about 85-90% of total employment. The predominant crop isrice. For the foreseeable future the economy will continue to depend for itssurvival on foreign aid from the IMF and other international sources; aidfrom the former USSR and Eastern Europe has been cut sharply.GDP:exchange rate conversion - $800 million, per capita $200; real growth rate4% (1991)Inflation rate (consumer prices):10.4% (December 1991)Unemployment rate:21% (1989 est.)Budget:revenues $83 million; expenditures $188.5 million, including capitalexpenditures of $94 million (1990 est.)Exports:$72 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.)commodities:electricity, wood products, coffee, tinpartners:Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, USSR, US, ChinaImports:$238 million (c.i.f., 1990 est.)commodities:food, fuel oil, consumer goods, manufacturespartners:Thailand, USSR, Japan, France, Vietnam, ChinaExternal debt:$1.1 billion (1990 est.)Industrial production:growth rate 12% (1991 est.); accounts for about 18% of GDP (1991 est.)Electricity:226,000 kW capacity; 1,100 million kWh produced, 270 kWh per capita (1991)Industries:tin and gypsum mining, timber, electric power, agricultural processing,constructionAgriculture:accounts for 60% of GDP and employs most of the work force; subsistencefarming predominates; normally self-sufficient in nondrought years;principal crops - rice (80% of cultivated land), sweet potatoes, vegetables,corn, coffee, sugarcane, cotton; livestock - buffaloes, hogs, cattle,chickenIllicit drugs:illicit producer of cannabis, opium poppy for the international drug trade,third-largest opium producerEconomic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-79), $276 million; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $605 million;Communist countries (1970-89), $995 millionCurrency:new kip (plural - kips); 1 new kip (NK) = 100 at
:Laos Economy
Exchange rates:new kips (NK) per US$1 - 710 (May 1992), 710 (December 1991), 700 (September1990), 576 (1989), 385 (1988), 200 (1987)Fiscal year:1 July - 30 June
:Laos Communications
Railroads:noneHighways:about 27,527 km total; 1,856 km bituminous or bituminous treated; 7,451 kmgravel, crushed stone, or improved earth; 18,220 km unimproved earth andoften impassable during rainy season mid-May to mid-SeptemberInland waterways:about 4,587 km, primarily Mekong and tributaries; 2,897 additionalkilometers are sectionally navigable by craft drawing less than 0.5 mPipelines:petroleum products 136 kmPorts:noneAirports:57 total, 47 usable; 8 with permanent-surface runways; none with runwaysover 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 14 with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:service to general public considered poor; radio communications networkprovides generally erratic service to government users; 7,390 telephones(1986); broadcast stations - 10 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 1 satellite earth station
:Laos Defense Forces
Branches:Lao People's Army (LPA; including naval, aviation, and militia elements),Air Force, National Police DepartmentManpower availability:males 15-49, 946,289; 509,931 fit for military service; 45,232 reachmilitary age (18) annually; conscription age NADefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP
:Latvia Geography
Total area:64,100 km2Land area:64,100 km2Comparative area:slightly larger than West VirginiaLand boundaries:1,078 km; Belarus 141 km, Estonia 267 km, Lithuania 453 km, Russia 217 kmCoastline:531 kmMaritime claims:Contiguous zone:NA nmContinental shelf:NA meter depthExclusive fishing zone:NA nmExclusive economic zone:NA nmTerritorial sea:NA nmDisputes:the Abrene section of border ceded by the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republicto Russia in 1944Climate:maritime; wet, moderate wintersTerrain:low plainNatural resources:minimal; amber, peat, limestone, dolomiteLand use:27% arable land; NA% permanent crops; 13% meadows and pastures; 39% forestand woodland; 21% other; includes NA% irrigatedEnvironment:heightened levels of air and water pollution because of a lack of wasteconversion equipment; Gulf of Riga heavily polluted
:Latvia People
Population:2,728,937 (July 1992), growth rate 0.6% (1992)Birth rate:15 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:12 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:4 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:19 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:65 years male, 75 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:2.1 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Latvian(s);adjective - LatvianEthnic divisions:Latvian 51.8%, Russian 33.8%, Byelorussian 4.5%, Ukrainian 3.4%, Polish2.3%, other 4.2%Religions:Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian OrthodoxLanguages:Latvian NA% (official), Lithuanian NA%, Russian NA%, other NA%Literacy:NA% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and writeLabor force:1,407,000; industry and construction 41%, agriculture and forestry 16%,other 43% (1990)Organized labor:NA
:Latvia Government
Long-form name:Republic of LatviaType:republicCapital:RigaAdministrative divisions:none - all districts are under direct republic jurisdictionIndependence:18 November 1918; annexed by the USSR 21 July 1940, the Latvian SovietSocialist Republic declared independence 6 September 1991 from USSRConstitution:April 1978, currently rewriting constitution, but readopted the 1922ConstitutionLegal system:based on civil law systemNational holiday:Independence Day, 18 November (1918)Executive branch:Prime MinisterLegislative branch:unicameral Supreme CouncilJudicial branch:Supreme CourtLeaders:Chief of State:Chairman, Supreme Council, Anatolijs GORBUNOVS (since October 1988);Chairmen, Andrejs KRASTINS, Valdis BIRKAVS (since NA 1992)Head of Government:Prime Minister Ivars GODMANIS (since May 1990)Political parties and leaders:Democratic Labor Party of Latvia, Juris BOJARS, chairman; Inter-Front of theWorking People of Latvia, Igor LOPATIN, chairman; note - Inter-Front wasbanned after the coup; Latvian National Movement for Independence, EduardsBERKLAVS, chairman; Latvian Social Democratic Party, Janis DINEVICS,chairman; Social Democratic Party of Latvia, Uldis BERZINS, chairman;Latvian People's Front, Romualdas RAZUKAS, chairman; Latvian Liberal Party,Georg LANSMANIS, chairmanSuffrage:universal at age 18Elections:President:last held October 1988 (next to be held NA; note - elected by Parliament;new elections have not been scheduled; results - percent of vote by party NASupreme Council:last held 18 March 1990 (next to be held NA); results - undetermined; seats- (234 total) Latvian Communist Party 59, Latvian Democratic Workers Party31, Social Democratic Party of Latvia 4, Green Party of Latvia 7, LatvianFarmers Union 7, 126 supported by the Latvia Popular FrontCongress of Latvia:last held April 1990 (next to be held NA); note - the Congress of Latvia isa quasi-governmental structure; results - percent of vote by party NA%;seats - (231 total) number of seats by party NAMember of:CSCE, IAEA, UNDiplomatic representation:Ambassador Dr. Anatol DINBERGS; Chancery at 4325 17th St. NW, Washington, DC20011; telephone (202) 726-8213 and 8214
:Latvia Government
US:Ambassador Ints SILINS; (mailing address is APO AE 09862); telephone [358](49) 306-067 (cellular), (7) (01-32) 325-968/185; FAX [358] (49) 308-326(cellular), (7) (01-32) 220-502Flag:two horizontal bands of maroon (top), white (middle, narrower than other twobands) and maroon (bottom)
:Latvia Economy
Overview:Latvia is in the process of reforming the centrally planned economyinherited from the former USSR into a market economy. Prices have beenfreed, and privatization of shops and farms has begun. Latvia lacks naturalresources, aside from its arable land and small forests. Its most valuableeconomic asset is its work force, which is better educated and disciplinedthan in most of the former Soviet republics. Industrial production is highlydiversified, with products ranging from agricultural machinery to consumerelectronics. One conspicuous vulnerability: Latvia produces only 10% of itselectric power needs. Latvia in the near term must retain key commercialties to Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine while moving in the long run towardjoint ventures, technological support, and trade ties to the West. Becauseof the efficiency of its mostly individual farms, Latvians enjoy a diet thatis higher in meat, vegetables, and dairy products and lower in grain andpotatoes than diets in the 12 non-Baltic republics of the USSR. Goodrelations with Russia are threatened by animosity between ethnic Russians(34% of the population) and native Latvians.GDP:purchasing power equivalent - $NA; per capital NA; real growth rate - 8%(1991)Inflation rate (consumer prices):approximately 200% (1991)Unemployment rate:NA%Budget:revenues $NA; expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA (1991)Exports:$239 million (f.o.b., 1990)commodities:food 14%, railroad cars 13%, chemicals 12%partners:Russia 50%, Ukraine 15%, other former Soviet republics 30%, West 5%Imports:$9.0 billion (c.i.f., 1989)commodities:machinery 35%, petroleum products 13%, chemicals 9%partners:NAExternal debt:$650 million (1991 est.)Industrial production:growth rate 0% (1991)Electricity:1,975,000 kW capacity; 6,500 million kWh produced, 2,381 kWh per capita(1990)Industries:employs 33.2% of labor force; highly diversified; dependent on imports forenergy, raw materials, and intermediate products; produces buses, vans,street and railroad cars, synthetic fibers, agricultural machinery,fertilizers, washing machines, radios, electronics, pharmaceuticals,processed foods, textilesAgriculture:employs 23% of labor force; principally dairy farming and livestock feeding;products - meat, milk, eggs, grain, sugar beets, potatoes, and vegetables;fishing and fish packingIllicit drugs:transshipment point for illicit drugs from Central and Southwest Asia toWestern Europe
:Latvia Economy
Economic 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 currency but planning early introductionof ``lat''Exchange rates:NAFiscal year:calendar year
:Latvia Communications
Railroads:2,400 km (includes NA km electrified) does not include industrial lines(1990)Highways:59,500 km total (1990); 33,000 km hard surfaced 26,500 km earthInland waterways:300 km perennially navigablePipelines:crude oil NA km, refined products NA km, natural gas NA kmPorts:maritime - Riga, Ventspils, Liepaja; inland - DaugavpilsMerchant marine:96 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 917,979 GRT/1,194,666 DWT; includes 14cargo, 29 refrigerated cargo, 2 container, 9 roll-on/roll-off, 42 petroleumtankerCivil 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:broadcast stations - NA; international traffic carried by leased connectionto the Moscow international gateway switch and the Finnish cellular net
:Latvia Defense Forces
Branches:Republic Security Forces (internal and border troops), National Guard,Russian Forces (Ground, Navy, Air, Air Defense, Border GuardManpower availability:males 15-49, NA; NA fit for military service; NA reach military age (18)annuallyDefense expenditures:NA% of GDP; 3-5% of Latvia's budget (1992)
:Lebanon Geography
Total area:10,400 km2Land area:10,230 km2Comparative area:about 0.8 times the size of ConnecticutLand boundaries:454 km; Israel 79 km, Syria 375 kmCoastline:225 kmMaritime claims:Territorial sea:12 nmDisputes:separated from Israel by the 1949 Armistice Line; Israeli troops in southernLebanon since June 1982; Syrian troops in northern Lebanon since October1976Climate:Mediterranean; mild to cool, wet winters with hot, dry summersTerrain:narrow coastal plain; Al Biqa` (Bekaa Valley) separates Lebanon andAnti-Lebanon MountainsNatural resources:limestone, iron ore, salt; water-surplus state in a water-deficit regionLand use:arable land 21%; permanent crops 9%; meadows and pastures 1%; forest andwoodland 8%; other 61%; includes irrigated 7%Environment:rugged terrain historically helped isolate, protect, and develop numerousfactional groups based on religion, clan, ethnicity; deforestation; soilerosion; air and water pollution; desertificationNote:Nahr al Litani only major river in Near East not crossing an internationalboundary
:Lebanon People
Population:3,439,115 (July 1992), growth rate 1.6% (1992)Birth rate:28 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:7 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:-5 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:43 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:66 years male, 71 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:3.6 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Lebanese (singular and plural); adjective - LebaneseEthnic divisions:Arab 95%, Armenian 4%, other 1%Religions:Islam 75%, Christian 25%, Judaism NEGL%; 17 legally recognized groups - 5Islam (Alawite or Nusayri, Druze, Isma`ilite, Shi`a, Sunni); 11 Christian,consisting of 4 Orthodox Christian (Armenian Orthodox, Greek Orthodox,Nestorean, Syriac Orthodox), 6 Catholic (Armenian Catholic, Caldean, GreekCatholic, Maronite, Roman Catholic, and Syrian Catholic) and theProtestants; 1 JewishLanguages:Arabic and French (both official); Armenian, EnglishLiteracy:80% (male 88%, female 73%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)Labor force:650,000; industry, commerce, and services 79%, agriculture 11%, government10% (1985)Organized labor:250,000 members (est.)
:Lebanon Government
Long-form name:Republic of Lebanon; note - may be changed to Lebanese RepublicType:republicCapital:BeirutAdministrative divisions:5 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Biqa, `Al Janub, AshShamal, Bayrut, Jabal LubnanIndependence:22 November 1943 (from League of Nations mandate under Frenchadministration)Constitution:26 May 1926 (amended)Legal system:mixture of Ottoman law, canon law, Napoleonic code, and civil law; nojudicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJjurisdictionNational holiday:Independence Day, 22 November (1943)Executive branch:president, prime minister, Cabinet; note - by custom, the president is aMaronite Christian, the prime minister is a Sunni Muslim, and the speaker ofthe legislature is a Shi`a MuslimLegislative branch:unicameral National Assembly (Arabic - Majlis Alnuwab, French - AssembleeNationale)Judicial branch:four Courts of Cassation (three courts for civil and commercial cases andone court for criminal cases)Leaders:Chief of State:President Ilyas HARAWI (since 24 November 1989)Head of Government:Prime Minister Rashid SULH (since 13 May 1992)Political parties and leaders:political party activity is organized along largely sectarian lines;numerous political groupings exist, consisting of individual politicalfigures and followers motivated by religious, clan, and economicconsiderations; most parties have well-armed militias, which are stillinvolved in occasional clashesSuffrage:compulsory for all males at age 21; authorized for women at age 21 withelementary educationElections:National Assembly:elections should be held every four years, but security conditions haveprevented elections since May 1972; in June 1991, the Cabinet appointed 40new deputies to fill vacancies and balance Christian and Muslimrepresentation; the legislature's mandate expires in 1994Communists:the Lebanese Communist Party was legalized in 1970; members and sympathizersestimated at 2,000-3,000Member of:ABEDA, ACCT, AFESD, AL, AMF, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC,ITU, LORCS, NAM, OIC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNRWA, UPU,WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
:Lebanon Government
Diplomatic representation:Ambassador - no ambassador at present; Mission is headed by Charge; Chanceryat 2560 28th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 939-6300;there are Lebanese Consulates General in Detroit, New York, and Los AngelesUS:Ambassador Ryan C. CROCKER; Embassy at Antelias, Beirut (mailing address isP. O. Box 70-840, Beirut, or Box B, FPO AE 09836); telephone [961] 417774 or415802, 415803, 402200, 403300Flag:three horizontal bands of red (top), white (double width), and red with agreen and brown cedar tree centered in the white band
:Lebanon Government
Note: Between early 1975 and late 1976 Lebanon was torn by civil war between its Christians - then aided by Syrian troops - and its Muslims and their Palestinian allies. The cease-fire established in October 1976 between the domestic political groups generally held for about six years, despite occasional fighting. Syrian troops constituted as the Arab Deterrent Force by the Arab League have remained in Lebanon. Syria's move toward supporting the Lebanese Muslims, and the Palestinians and Israel's growing support for Lebanese Christians, brought the two sides into rough equilibrium, but no progress was made toward national reconciliation or political reforms - the original cause of the war. Continuing Israeli concern about the Palestinian presence in Lebanon led to the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in June 1982. Israeli forces occupied all of the southern portion of the country and mounted a summer-long siege of Beirut, which resulted in the evacuation of the PLO from Beirut in September under the supervision of a multinational force (MNF) made up of US, French, and Italian troops. Within days of the departure of the MNF, Lebanon's newly elected president, Bashir Gemayel, was assassinated; his elder brother Amin was elected to succeed him. In the immediate wake of Bashir's death, however, Christian militiamen massacred hundreds of Palestinian refugees in two Beirut camps. This prompted the return of the MNF to ease the security burden on Lebanon's weak Army and security forces. In late March 1984 the last MNF units withdrew. In 1988, President Gemayel completed his term of office. Because parliamentarians failed to elect a presidential successor, Gemayel appointed then Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander Gen. Michel Awn acting president. Lebanese parliamentarians met in Ta'if, Saudi Arabia, in late 1989 and concluded a national reconciliation pact that codified a new power-sharing formula, specifying reduced powers for the Christian president and giving Muslims more authority. Rene MUAWAD was subsequently elected president on 4 November 1989, ending a 13-month period during which Lebanon had no president and rival Muslim and Christian governments. MUAWAD was assassinated 17 days later, on 22 November; on 24 November, Ilyas Harawi was elected to succeed MUAWAD. In October 1990, the civil war was apparently brought to a conclusion when Syrian and Lebanese forces ousted renegade Christian General Awn from his stronghold in East Beirut. Awn had defied the legitimate government and established a separate ministate within East Beirut after being appointed acting Prime Minister by outgoing President Gemayel in 1988. Awn and his supporters feared Ta'if would diminish Christian power in Lebanon and increase the influence of Syria. Awn was granted amnesty and allowed to travel in France in August 199l. Since the removal of Awn, the Lebanese Government has made substantial progress in strengthening the central government, rebuilding government institutions, and extending its authority throughout the nation. The LAF has deployed from Beirut north along the coast road to Tripoli, southeast into the Shuf mountains, and south to Sidon and Tyre. Many militiamen from Christian and Muslim groups have evacuated Beirut for their strongholds in the north, south, and east of the country. Some heavy weapons possessed by the militias have been turned over to the government, or sold outside the country, which has begun a plan to integrate some militiamen into the military and the internal security forces. Lebanon and Syria signed a treaty of friendship and cooperation in May 1991. Lebanon continues to be partially occupied by Syrian troops, which are deployed in Beirut, its southern suburbs, the Bekaa Valley, and northern Lebanon. Iran also maintains a small contingent of revolutionary guards in the Bekaa Valley to support Lebanese Islamic fundamentalist groups. Israel withdrew the bulk of its forces from the south in 1985, although it still retains troops in a 10-km-deep security zone north of its border with Lebanon. Israel arms and trains the Army of South Lebanon (ASL), which also occupies the security zone and is Israel's first line of defense against attacks on its northern border. The following description is based on the present constitutional and customary practices of the Lebanese system.
:Lebanon Economy
Overview:Since 1975 civil war has seriously damaged Lebanon's economicinfrastructure, cut national output by half, and all but ended Lebanon'sposition as a Middle Eastern entrepot and banking hub. Following October1990, however, a tentative peace has enabled the central government to beginrestoring control in Beirut, collect taxes, and regain access to key portand government facilities. The battered economy has also been propped up bya financially sound banking system and resilient small- and medium-scalemanufacturers. Family remittances, banking transactions, manufactured andfarm exports, the narcotics trade, and international emergency aid are mainsources of foreign exchange. In the relatively settled year of 1991,industrial production, agricultural output, and exports showed substantialgains. The further rebuilding of the war-ravaged country could provide amajor stimulus to the economy in 1992, provided that the political andmilitary situation remains reasonably calm.GDP:exchange rate conversion - $4.8 billion, per capita $1,400; real growth rateNA (1991 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):30% (1991)Unemployment rate:35% (1991 est.)Budget:revenues $533 million; expenditures $1.3 billion, including capitalexpenditures of $NA (1991 est.)Exports:$700 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.)commodities:agricultural products, chemicals, textiles, precious and semiprecious metalsand jewelry, metals and metal productspartners:Saudi Arabia 16%, Switzerland 8%, Jordan 6%, Kuwait 6%, US 5%Imports:$1.8 billion (c.i.f., 1990 est.)commodities:NApartners:Italy 14%, France 12%, US 6%, Turkey 5%, Saudi Arabia 3%External debt:$900 million (1990 est.)Industrial production:growth rate NA%Electricity:1,381,000 kW capacity; 3,870 million kWh produced, 1,170 kWh per capita(1989)Industries:banking, food processing, textiles, cement, oil refining, chemicals,jewelry, some metal fabricatingAgriculture:accounts for about one-third of GDP; principal products - citrus fruits,vegetables, potatoes, olives, tobacco, hemp (hashish), sheep, and goats; notself-sufficient in grainIllicit drugs:illicit producer of opium and hashish for the international drug trade;opium poppy production in Al Biqa` is increasing; hashish production isshipped to Western Europe, Israel, US, and the Middle East
:Lebanon Economy
Economic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $356 million; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $664 million; OPECbilateral aid (1979-89), $962 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $9millionCurrency:Lebanese pound (plural - pounds); 1 Lebanese pound (#L) = 100 piastersExchange rates:Lebanese pounds (#L) per US$1 - 879.00 (January 1992), 928.23 (1991), 695.09(1990), 496.69 (1989), 409.23 (1988), 224.60 (1987)Fiscal year:calendar year
:Lebanon Communications
Railroads:system in disrepair, considered inoperableHighways:7,300 km total; 6,200 km paved, 450 km gravel and crushed stone, 650 kmimproved earthPipelines:crude oil 72 km (none in operation)Ports:Beirut, Tripoli, Ra'Sil`ata, Juniyah, Sidon, Az Zahrani, TyreMerchant marine:56 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 236,196 GRT/346,760 DWT; includes 36cargo, 1 refrigerated cargo, 2 vehicle carrier, 2 roll-on/roll-off, 1container, 8 livestock carrier, 1 chemical tanker, 1 specialized tanker, 3bulk, 1 combination bulkCivil air:19 major transport aircraftAirports:9 total, 8 usable; 6 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over3,659 m; 3 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m; noneunder the direct control of the Lebanese GovernmentTelecommunications:rebuilding program disrupted; had fair system of microwave relay, cable;325,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 5 AM, 3 FM (numerous AM and FMradio stations are operated inconsistently by various factions), 13 TV; 1Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT satellite earth station,erratic operations; 3 submarine coaxial cables; radio relay to Jordaninoperable, but operational to Syria, coaxial cable to Syria
:Lebanon Defense Forces
Branches:Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) (including Army, Navy, and Air Force)Manpower availability:males 15-49, 750,319; 465,938 fit for military serviceDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $271 million, 8.2% of GDP (1992 budget)
:Lesotho Geography
Total area:30,350 km2Land area:30,350 km2Comparative area:slightly larger than MarylandLand boundaries:909 km; South Africa 909 kmCoastline:none - landlockedMaritime claims:none - landlockedDisputes:noneClimate:temperate; cool to cold, dry winters; hot, wet summersTerrain:mostly highland with some plateaus, hills, and mountainsNatural resources:some diamonds and other minerals, water, agricultural and grazing landLand use:arable land 10%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 66%; forest andwoodland 0%; other 24%Environment:population pressure forcing settlement in marginal areas results inovergrazing, severe soil erosion, soil exhaustion; desertificationNote:landlocked; surrounded by South Africa; Highlands Water Project willcontrol, store, and redirect water to South Africa
:Lesotho People
Population:1,848,925 (July 1992), growth rate 2.6% (1992)Birth rate:35 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:10 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:0 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:74 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:60 years male, 63 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:4.7 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Mosotho (singular), Basotho (plural); adjective - BasothoEthnic divisions:Sotho 99.7%; Europeans 1,600, Asians 800Religions:Christian 80%, rest indigenous beliefsLanguages:Sesotho (southern Sotho) and English (official); also Zulu and XhosaLiteracy:59% (male 44%, female 68%) age 15 and over can read and write (1966)Labor force:689,000 economically active; 86.2% of resident population engaged insubsistence agriculture; roughly 60% of active male labor force works inSouth AfricaOrganized labor:there are two trade union federations; the government favors formation of asingle, umbrella trade union confederation
:Lesotho Government
Long-form name:Kingdom of LesothoType:constitutional monarchyCapital:MaseruAdministrative divisions:10 districts; Berea, Butha-Buthe, Leribe, Mafeteng, Maseru, Mohale's Hoek,Mokhotlong, Qacha's Nek, Quthing, Thaba-TsekaIndependence:4 October 1966 (from UK; formerly Basutoland)Constitution:4 October 1966, suspended January 1970Legal system:based on English common law and Roman-Dutch law; judicial review oflegislative acts in High Court and Court of Appeal; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdictionNational holiday:Independence Day, 4 October (1966)Executive branch:monarch, chairman of the Military Council, Military Council, Council ofMinisters (cabinet)Legislative branch:none - the bicameral Parliament was dissolved following the military coup inJanuary 1986; note - a National Constituent Assembly convened in June 1990to rewrite the constitution and debate issues of national importance, but ithas no legislative authorityJudicial branch:High Court, Court of AppealLeaders:Chief of State:King LETSIE III (since 12 November 1990 following dismissal of his father,exiled King MOSHOESHOE II, by Maj. Gen. LEKHANYA)Head of Government:Chairman of the Military Council Col. Elias Phisoana RAMAEMA (since 30 April1991)Political parties and leaders:Basotho National Party (BNP), Evaristus SEKHONYANA; Basutoland CongressParty (BCP), Ntsu MOKHEHLE; National Independent Party (NIP), A. C. MANYELI;Marematlou Freedom Party (MFP), Bernard M. KHAKETLA; United DemocraticParty, Charles MOFELI; Communist Party of Lesotho (CPL), J. M. KENASuffrage:universal at age 21Elections:National Assembly:dissolved following the military coup in January 1986; military has pledgedelections will take place in June 1992Member of:ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC,ILO, IMF, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, SACU, SADCC, UN, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation:Ambassador Tseliso THAMAE; Chancery at 2511 Massachusetts Avenue NW,Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 797-5534US:Ambassador Leonard H.O. SPEARMAN, Sr.; Embassy at address NA, Maseru(mailing address is P. O. Box 333, Maseru 100 Lesotho); telephone [266]312-666; FAX (266) 310-116
:Lesotho Government
Flag:divided diagonally from the lower hoist side corner; the upper half is whitebearing the brown silhouette of a large shield with crossed spear and club;the lower half is a diagonal blue band with a green triangle in the corner
:Lesotho Economy
Overview:Small, landlocked, and mountainous, Lesotho has no important naturalresources other than water. Its economy is based on agriculture, lightmanufacturing, and remittances from laborers employed in South Africa ($153million in 1989). The great majority of households gain their livelihoodsfrom subsistence farming and migrant labor. Manufacturing depends largely onfarm products to support the milling, canning, leather, and jute industries;other industries include textile, clothing, and light engineering.Industry's share of GDP rose from 6% in 1982 to 15% in 1989. Political andeconomic instability in South Africa raises uncertainty for Lesotho'seconomy, especially with respect to migrant worker remittances - typicallyabout 40% of GDP.GDP:exchange rate conversion - $420 million, per capita $240; real growth rate4.0% (1990 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):15% (1990 est.)Unemployment rate:at least 55% among adult males (1991 est.)Budget:expenditures $399 million, including capital expenditures of $132 million(FY92-93)Exports:$59 million (f.o.b., 1990)commodities:wool, mohair, wheat, cattle, peas, beans, corn, hides, skins, basketspartners:South Africa 53%, EC 30%, North and South America 13% (1989)Imports:$604 million (f.o.b., 1990)commodities:mainly corn, building materials, clothing, vehicles, machinery, medicines,petroleumpartners:South Africa 95%, EC 2% (1989)External debt:$370 million (December 1990 est.)Industrial production:growth rate 7.8% (1989 est.); accounts for 15% of GDPElectricity:power supplied by South AfricaIndustries:food, beverages, textiles, handicrafts, tourismAgriculture:accounts for 18% of GDP and employs 60-70% of all households; exceedinglyprimitive, mostly subsistence farming and livestock; principal crops arecorn, wheat, pulses, sorghum, barleyEconomic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $268 million; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $819 million; OPECbilateral aid (1979-89), $4 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $14millionCurrency:loti (plural - maloti); 1 loti (L) = 100 lisenteExchange rates:maloti (M) per US$1 - 2.8809 (March 1992), 2.7563 (1991), 2.5863 (1990),2.6166 (1989), 2.2611 (1988), 2.0350 (1987); note - the Basotho loti is atpar with the South African rand
:Lesotho Economy
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
:Lesotho Communications
Railroads:2.6 km; owned, operated by, and included in the statistics of South AfricaHighways:7,215 km total; 572 km paved; 2,337 km crushed stone, gravel, or stabilizedsoil; 1,806 km improved earth, 2,500 km unimproved earth (1988)Civil air:1 major transport aircraftAirports:28 total, 28 usable; 3 with permanent surface runways; none with runwaysover 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:rudimentary system consisting of a few landlines, a small microwave system,and minor radio communications stations; 5,920 telephones; broadcaststations - 3 AM, 2 FM, 1 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
:Lesotho Defense Forces
Branches:Royal Lesotho Defense Force (RLDF; including Army, Air Wing), Royal LesothoMounted PoliceManpower availability:males 15-49, 408,003; 220,129 fit for military serviceDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $55 million, 13.1% of GDP (1990 est.)
:Liberia Geography
Total area:111,370 km2Land area:96,320 km2Comparative area:slightly larger than TennesseeLand boundaries:1,585 km; Guinea 563 km, Ivory Coast 716 km, Sierra Leone 306 kmCoastline:579 kmMaritime claims:Continental shelf:200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitationTerritorial sea:200 nmDisputes:noneClimate:tropical; hot, humid; dry winters with hot days and cool to cold nights;wet, cloudy summers with frequent heavy showersTerrain:mostly flat to rolling coastal plains rising to rolling plateau and lowmountains in northeastNatural resources:iron ore, timber, diamonds, goldLand use:arable land 1%; permanent crops 3%; meadows and pastures 2%; forest andwoodland 39%; other 55%; includes irrigated NEGL%Environment:West Africa's largest tropical rain forest, subject to deforestation
:Liberia People
Population:2,462,276 (July 1992), growth rate 29.6% (1992)Birth rate:44 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:13 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:265 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:119 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:54 years male, 59 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:6.5 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Liberian(s); adjective - LiberianEthnic divisions:indigenous African tribes, including Kpelle, Bassa, Gio, Kru, Grebo, Mano,Krahn, Gola, Gbandi, Loma, Kissi, Vai, and Bella 95%; descendants ofrepatriated slaves known as Americo-Liberians 5%Religions:traditional 70%, Muslim 20%, Christian 10%Languages:English (official); more than 20 local languages of the Niger-Congo languagegroup; English used by about 20%Literacy:40% (male 50%, female 29%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)Labor force:510,000, including 220,000 in the monetary economy; agriculture 70.5%,services 10.8%, industry and commerce 4.5%, other 14.2%; non-Africanforeigners hold about 95% of the top-level management and engineering jobs;52% of population of working ageOrganized labor:2% of labor force
:Liberia Government
Long-form name:Republic of LiberiaType:republicCapital:MonroviaAdministrative divisions:13 counties; Bomi, Bong, Grand Bassa, Cape Mount, Grand Gedeh, Grand Kru,Lofa, Margibi, Maryland, Montserrado, Nimba, River Cess, SinoeIndependence:26 July 1847Constitution:6 January 1986Legal system:dual system of statutory law based on Anglo-American common law for themodern sector and customary law based on unwritten tribal practices forindigenous sectorNational holiday:Independence Day, 26 July (1847)Executive branch:president, vice president, CabinetLegislative branch:bicameral National Assembly consists of an upper house or Senate and a lowerhouse or House of RepresentativesJudicial branch:People's Supreme CourtLeaders:Chief of State and Head of Government:interim President Dr. Amos SAWYER (since 15 November 1990); Vice President,vacant (since August 1991); note - this is an interim government appointedby the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) that will bereplaced after elections are held under a West African - brokered peaceplan; rival rebel factions led by Prince Y. JOHNSON and Charles TAYLOR arechallenging the SAWYER government's legitimacy while observing a tenuouscease-fire; the former president, Gen. Dr. Samuel Kanyon DOE, was killed on9 September 1990 by Prince Y. JOHNSONPolitical parties and leaders:National Democratic Party of Liberia (NDPL), Augustus CAINE, chairman;Liberian Action Party (LAP), Emmanuel KOROMAH, chairman; Unity Party (UP),Carlos SMITH, chairman; United People's Party (UPP), Gabriel BaccusMATTHEWS, chairmanSuffrage:universal at age 18Elections:President:last held on 15 October 1985 (next to be held NA); results - Gen. Dr. SamuelKanyon DOE (NDPL) 50.9%, Jackson DOE (LAP) 26.4%, other 22.7%; note -President Doe was killed by rebel forces on 9 September 1990Senate:last held on 15 October 1985 (next to be held NA); results - percent of voteby party NA; seats - (26 total) NDPL 21, LAP 3, UP 1, UPP 1House of Representatives:last held on 15 October 1985 (next to be held NA); results - percent of voteby party NA; seats - (64 total) NDPL 51, LAP 8, UP 3, UPP 2Member of:ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD,IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, UN,UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO
:Liberia Government
Diplomatic representation:Ambassador Eugenia A. WORDSWORTH-STEVENSON; Chancery at 5201 16th Street NW,Washington, DC 20011; telephone (202) 723-0437 through 0440; there is aLiberian Consulate General in New YorkUS:Ambassador Peter J. de VOS; Embassy at 111 United Nations Drive, Monrovia(mailing address is P. O. Box 98, Monrovia, or APO AE 09813; telephone [231]222991 through 222994; FAX (231) 223-710Flag:11 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white;there is a white five-pointed star on a blue square in the upper hoist-sidecorner; the design was based on the US flag
:Liberia Economy
Overview:Civil war during 1990 destroyed much of Liberia's economy, especially theinfrastructure in and around Monrovia. Expatriate businessmen fled thecountry, taking capital and expertise with them. Many will not return.Richly endowed with water, mineral resources, forests, and a climatefavorable to agriculture, Liberia had been a producer and exporter of basicproducts, while local manufacturing, mainly foreign owned, had been small inscope. Political instability threatens prospects for economic reconstructionand repatriation of some 750,000 Liberian refugees who fled to neighboringcountries. In 1991, the political impasse between the interim government andthe rebel leader Charles Taylor prevented restoration of normal economiclife.GDP:exchange rate conversion - $988 million, per capita $400; real growth rate1.5% (1988)Inflation rate (consumer prices):12% (1989)Unemployment rate:43% urban (1988)Budget:revenues $242.1 million; expenditures $435.4 million, including capitalexpenditures of $29.5 million (1989)Exports:$505 million (f.o.b., 1989 est.)commodities:iron ore 61%, rubber 20%, timber 11%, coffeepartners:US, EC, NetherlandsImports:$394 million (c.i.f., 1989 est.)commodities:rice, mineral fuels, chemicals, machinery, transportation equipment, otherfoodstuffspartners:US, EC, Japan, China, Netherlands, ECOWASExternal debt:$1.6 billion (December 1990 est.)Industrial production:growth rate 1.5% in manufacturing (1987); accounts for 22% of GDPElectricity:410,000 kW capacity; 750 million kWh produced, 275 kWh per capita (1991)Industries:rubber processing, food processing, construction materials, furniture, palmoil processing, mining (iron ore, diamonds)Agriculture:accounts for about 40% of GDP (including fishing and forestry); principalproducts - rubber, timber, coffee, cocoa, rice, cassava, palm oil,sugarcane, bananas, sheep, and goats; not self-sufficient in food, imports25% of rice consumptionEconomic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $665 million; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $870 million; OPECbilateral aid (1979-89), $25 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $77millionCurrency:Liberian dollar (plural - dollars); 1 Liberian dollar (L$) = 100 centsExchange rates:Liberian dollars (L$) per US$1 - 1.00 (fixed rate since 1940); unofficialparallel exchange rate of L$7 = US$1, January 1992