:Pakistan Defense Forces
Branches:Army, Navy, Air Force, Civil Armed Forces, National GuardManpower availability:males 15-49, 27,811,099; 17,064,073 fit for military service; 1,287,041reach military age (17) annuallyDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $2.9 billion, 6% of GNP (1992 budget)
:Palmyra Atoll Geography
Total area:11.9 km2Land area:11.9 km2Comparative area:about 20 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DCLand boundaries:noneCoastline:14.5 kmMaritime claims:Contiguous zone:12 nmContinental shelf:200 m (depth)Exclusive economic zone:200 nmTerritorial sea:12 nmDisputes:noneClimate:equatorial, hot, and very rainyTerrain:low, with maximum elevations of about 2 metersNatural resources:noneLand use:arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest andwoodland 100%; other 0%Environment:about 50 islets covered with dense vegetation, coconut trees, and balsa-liketrees up to 30 meters tallNote:located 1,600 km south-southwest of Honolulu in the North Pacific Ocean,almost halfway between Hawaii and American Samoa
:Palmyra Atoll People
Population: uninhabited
:Palmyra Atoll Government
Long-form name:noneType:unincorporated territory of the US; privately owned, but administered by theOffice of Territorial and International Affairs, US Department of theInteriorCapital:none; administered from Washington, DC
:Palmyra Atoll Economy
Overview: no economic activity
:Palmyra Atoll Communications
Ports:the main harbor is West Lagoon, which is entered by a channel on thesouthwest side of the atoll; both the channel and harbor will accommodatevessels drawing 4 meters of water; much of the road and many causeways builtduring the war are unserviceable and overgrownAirports:1 with permanent-surface runway 1,220-2,439 m
:Palmyra Atoll Defense Forces
Branches:Note:defense is the responsibility of the US
:Panama Geography
Total area:78,200 km2Land area:75,990 km2Comparative area:slightly smaller than South CarolinaLand boundaries:555 km total; Colombia 225 km, Costa Rica 330 kmCoastline:2,490 kmMaritime claims:Territorial sea:200 nmDisputes:noneClimate:tropical; hot, humid, cloudy; prolonged rainy season (May to January), shortdry season (January to May)Terrain:interior mostly steep, rugged mountains and dissected, upland plains;coastal areas largely plains and rolling hillsNatural resources:copper, mahogany forests, shrimpLand use:arable land 6%; permanent crops 2%; meadows and pastures 15%; forest andwoodland 54%; other 23%; includes irrigated NEGL%Environment:dense tropical forest in east and northwestNote:strategic location on eastern end of isthmus forming land bridge connectingNorth and South America; controls Panama Canal that links North AtlanticOcean via Caribbean Sea with North Pacific Ocean
:Panama People
Population:2,529,902 (July 1992), growth rate 2.0% (1992)Birth rate:25 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:5 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:NEGL migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:17 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:73 years male, 77 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:3.0 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Panamanian(s); adjective - PanamanianEthnic divisions:mestizo (mixed Indian and European ancestry) 70%, West Indian 14%, white10%, Indian 6%Religions:Roman Catholic over 93%, Protestant 6%Languages:Spanish (official); English as native tongue 14%; many Panamanians bilingualLiteracy:88% (male 88%, female 88%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)Labor force:770,472 (1987); government and community services 27.9%; agriculture,hunting, and fishing 26.2%; commerce, restaurants, and hotels 16%;manufacturing and mining 10.5%; construction 5.3%; transportation andcommunications 5.3%; finance, insurance, and real estate 4.2%; Canal Zone2.4%; shortage of skilled labor, but an oversupply of unskilled laborOrganized labor:17% of labor force (1986)
:Panama Government
Long-form name:Republic of PanamaType:centralized republicCapital:PanamaAdministrative divisions:9 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 territory* (comarca);Bocas del Toro, Chiriqui, Cocle, Colon, Darien, Herrera, Los Santos, Panama,San Blas*, VeraguasIndependence:3 November 1903 (from Colombia; became independent from Spain 28 November1821)Constitution:11 October 1972; major reforms adopted April 1983Legal system:based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in theSupreme Court of Justice; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, withreservationsNational holiday:Independence Day, 3 November (1903)Executive branch:president, two vice presidents, CabinetLegislative branch:unicameral Legislative Assembly (Asamblea Legislativa)Judicial branch:Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia) currently beingreorganizedLeaders:Chief of State and Head of Government:President Guillermo ENDARA (since 20 December 1989, elected 7 May 1989);First Vice President Ricardo ARIAS Calderon (since 20 December 1989, elected7 May 1989); Second Vice President Guillermo FORD Boyd (since 20 December1989, elected 7 May 1989)Political parties and leaders:government alliance:Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement (MOLIRENA), Alfredo RAMIREZ;Authentic Liberal Party (PLA), Arnulfo ESCALONA; Arnulfista Party (PA),Mireya MOSCOSO DE GRUBER;opposition parties:Christian Democratic Party (PDC), Ricardo ARIAS Calderon; DemocraticRevolutionary Party (PRD, ex-official government party), Gerardo GONZALEZ;Agrarian Labor Party (PALA), Carlos LOPEZ Guevara; Liberal Party (PL),Roderick ESQUIVEL; Popular Action Party (PAPO); Socialist Workers Party(PST, leftist), Jose CAMBRA; Revolutionary Workers Party (PRT, leftist),Graciela DIXONSuffrage:universal and compulsory at age 18Elections:President:last held on 7 May 1989, annulled but later upheld (next to be held NA May1994); results - anti-NORIEGA coalition believed to have won about 75% ofthe total votes castLegislative Assembly:last held on 27 January 1991 (next to be held NA May 1994); results -percent of vote by party NA; seats - (67 total)progovernment parties:PDC 28, MOLIRENA 16, PA 7, PLA 4
:Panama Government
opposition parties:PRD 10, PALA 1, PL 1; note - the PDC went into opposition after PresidentGuillermo ENDARA ousted the PDC from the coalition government in April 1991Communists:People's Party (PdP), mainline Communist party, did not obtain the necessary3% of the total vote in the 1984 election to retain its legal status; about3,000 membersOther political or pressure groups:National Council of Organized Workers (CONATO); National Council of PrivateEnterprise (CONEP); Panamanian Association of Business Executives (APEDE);National Civic Crusade; National Committee for the Right to LifeMember of:AG (associate), CG, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA,IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES,LAIA (observer), LORCS, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation:Ambassador Jaime FORD; Chancery at 2862 McGill Terrace NW, Washington, DC20008; telephone (202) 483-1407; the status of the Consulates General andConsulates has not yet been determinedUS:Ambassador Deane R. HINTON; Embassy at Avenida Balboa and Calle 38, Apartado6959, Panama City 5 (mailing address is Box E, APO AA 34002); telephone(507) 27-1777; FAX (507) 27-1964Flag:divided into four, equal rectangles; the top quadrants are white with a bluefive-pointed star in the center (hoist side) and plain red, the bottomquadrants are plain blue (hoist side) and white with a red five-pointed starin the center
:Panama Economy
Overview:GDP expanded by roughly 9.3% in 1991, following growth of 4.6% in 1990 and a0.4% contraction in 1989. Delay in coming to terms with the internationalfinancial institutions on policies to implement structural reform in Panamagenerated uncertainty in the private sector and tempered the pace ofbusiness expansion in 1991. Public investment was limited as theadministration kept the fiscal deficit below 3% of GDP. Unemployment andeconomic reform are the two major issues the government must face in1992-93.GDP:exchange rate conversion - $5.0 billion, per capita $2,040; real growth rate9.3% (1991 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):2.0% (1991 est.)Unemployment rate:17% (1991 est.)Budget:revenues $1.5 billion; expenditures $1.7 billion, including capitalexpenditures of $140 million (1991 est.)Exports:$380 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.)commodities:bananas 28%, shrimp 14%, sugar 12%, clothing 5%, coffee 4%partners:US 44%, Central America and Caribbean, EC (1991 est.)Imports:$1.5 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.)commodities:capital goods 13%, crude oil 12%, foodstuffs 10%, consumer goods, chemicals(1990)partners:US 37%, Japan, EC, Central America and Caribbean, Mexico, Venezuela (1989est.)External debt:$5.4 billion (December 1991 est.)Industrial production:growth rate 7.2% (1991 est.); accounts for almost 9.4% of GDPElectricity:1,135,000 kW capacity; 3,397 million kWh produced, 1,372 kWh per capita(1991)Industries:manufacturing and construction activities, petroleum refining, brewing,cement and other construction material, sugar millsAgriculture:accounts for 12% of GDP (1991 est.), 25% of labor force (1989); crops -bananas, rice, corn, coffee, sugarcane; livestock; fishing; importer of foodgrain, vegetablesEconomic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $516 million; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $582 million;Communist countries (1970-89), $4 millionCurrency:balboa (plural - balboas); 1 balboa (B) = 100 centesimosExchange rates:balboas (B) per US$1 - 1.000 (fixed rate)Fiscal year:calendar year
:Panama Communications
Railroads:238 km total; 78 km 1.524-meter gauge, 160 km 0.914-meter gaugeHighways:8,530 km total; 2,745 km paved, 3,270 km gravel or crushed stone, 2,515 kmimproved and unimproved earthInland waterways:800 km navigable by shallow draft vessels; 82 km Panama CanalPipelines:crude oil 130 kmPorts:Cristobal, Balboa, Puerto de La Bahia de Las MinasMerchant marine:3,004 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 41,314,623 GRT/73,325,176 DWT;includes 20 passenger, 22 short-sea passenger, 3 passenger-cargo, 1,046cargo, 205 refrigerated cargo, 175 container, 65 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 111vehicle carrier, 9 livestock carrier, 4 multifunction large-load carrier,340 petroleum tanker, 177 chemical tanker, 23 combination ore/oil, 101liquefied gas, 8 specialized tanker, 659 bulk, 35 combination bulk, 1 bargecarrier; note - all but 5 are foreign owned and operated; the top 4 foreignowners are Japan 36%, Greece 8%, Hong Kong 8%, and the US 7%; (China owns atleast 128 ships, Vietnam 4, former Yugoslavia 4, Cuba 4, Cyprus 5, and therepublics of the former USSR 12)Civil air:5 major transport aircraftAirports:112 total, 102 usable; 39 with permanent-surface runways; none with runwaysover 3,659 m; 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 15 with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:domestic and international facilities well developed; connection intoCentral American Microwave System; 220,000 telephones; broadcast stations -91 AM, no FM, 23 TV; 1 coaxial submarine cable; satellite ground stations -2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT
:Panama Defense Forces
Branches:note - the Panamanian Defense Forces (PDF) ceased to exist as a militaryinstitution shortly after the United States invaded Panama on 20 December1989; President ENDARA has restructured the forces into a civilian policeservice under the new name of Panamanian Public Forces (PPF); a Council ofPublic Security and National Defense under Menalco SOLIS in the office ofthe president coordinates the activities of the security forces; theInstitutional Protection Service under Carlos BARES is attached to thepresidencyManpower availability:males 15-49, 661,101; 455,412 fit for military service; no conscriptionDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $75.5 million, 1.5% of GDP (1990)
:Papua New Guinea Geography
Total area:461,690 km2Land area:451,710 km2Comparative area:slightly larger than CaliforniaLand boundaries:820 km; Indonesia 820 kmCoastline:5,152 kmMaritime claims:(measured from claimed archipelagic baselines)Continental shelf:200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitationExclusive economic zone:200 nmTerritorial sea:12 nmDisputes:noneClimate:tropical; northwest monsoon (December to March), southeast monsoon (May toOctober); slight seasonal temperature variationTerrain:mostly mountains with coastal lowlands and rolling foothillsNatural resources:gold, copper, silver, natural gas, timber, oil potentialLand use:arable land NEGL%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures NEGL%; forestand woodland 71%; other 28%Environment:one of world's largest swamps along southwest coast; some active volcanos;frequent earthquakesNote:shares island of New Guinea with Indonesia
:Papua New Guinea People
Population:4,006,509 (July 1992), growth rate 2.3% (1992)Birth rate:34 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:11 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:0 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:67 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:55 years male, 56 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:4.9 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Papua New Guinean(s); adjective - Papua New GuineanEthnic divisions:predominantly Melanesian and Papuan; some Negrito, Micronesian, andPolynesianReligions:Roman Catholic 22%, Lutheran 16%, Presbyterian/Methodist/London MissionarySociety 8%, Anglican 5%, Evangelical Alliance 4%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1%,other Protestant sects 10%; indigenous beliefs 34%Languages:715 indigenous languages; English spoken by 1-2%, pidgin English widespread,Motu spoken in Papua regionLiteracy:52% (male 65%, female 38%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)Labor force:NAOrganized labor:more than 50 trade unions, some with fewer than 20 members
:Papua New Guinea Government
Long-form name:Independent State of Papua New GuineaType:parliamentary democracyCapital:Port MoresbyAdministrative divisions:20 provinces; Central, Chimbu, Eastern Highlands, East New Britain, EastSepik, Enga, Gulf, Madang, Manus, Milne Bay, Morobe, National Capital, NewIreland, Northern, North Solomons, Sandaun, Southern Highlands, Western,Western Highlands, West New BritainIndependence:16 September 1975 (from UN trusteeship under Australian administration)Constitution:16 September 1975Legal system:based on English common lawNational holiday:Independence Day, 16 September (1975)Executive branch:British monarch, governor general, prime minister, deputy prime minister,National Executive Council (cabinet)Legislative branch:unicameral National Parliament (sometimes referred to as the House ofAssembly)Judicial branch:Supreme CourtLeaders:Chief of State:Queen Elizabeth II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor GeneralWiwa KOROWI (since NA November 1991)Head of Government:Prime Minister Paias WINGTI (since 17 July 1992)Political parties and leaders:Papua New Guinea United Party (Pangu Party), Rabbie NAMALIU; People'sDemocratic Movement (PDM), Paias WINGTI; People's Action Party (PAP), AkokaDOI; People's Progress Party (PPP), Sir Julius CHAN; United Party (UP), PaulTORATO; Papua Party (PP), Galeva KWARARA; National Party (NP), Paul PORA;Melanesian Alliance (MA), Fr. John MOMISSuffrage:universal at age 18Elections:National Parliament:last held 13-26 June 1992 (next to be held NA 1997); results - percent byparty NA; seats - (109 total) Pangu Party 24, PDM 17, PPP 10, PAP 10,independents 30, others 18Member of:ACP, AsDB, ASEAN (observer), C, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU,IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM(observer), SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMODiplomatic representation:Ambassador Margaret TAYLOR; Chancery at 3rd floor, 1615 New Hampshire AvenueNW, Washington, DC 20009; telephone (202) 745-3680US:Ambassador Robert W. FARRAND; Embassy at Armit Street, Port Moresby (mailingaddress is P. O. Box 1492, Port Moresby, or APO AE 96553); telephone [675]211-455 or 594, 654; FAX [675] 213-423
:Papua New Guinea Government
Flag:divided diagonally from upper hoist-side corner; the upper triangle is redwith a soaring yellow bird of paradise centered; the lower triangle is blackwith five white five-pointed stars of the Southern Cross constellationcentered
:Papua New Guinea Economy
Overview:Papua New Guinea is richly endowed with natural resources, but exploitationhas been hampered by the rugged terrain and the high cost of developing aninfrastructure. Agriculture provides a subsistence livelihood for 85% of thepopulation. Mining of numerous deposits, including copper and gold, accountsfor about 60% of export earnings. Budgetary support from Australia anddevelopment aid under World Bank auspices have helped sustain the economy.Robust growth in 1991 was led by the mining sector; the opening of a largenew gold mine featured in the advance.GDP:exchange rate conversion - $3.1 billion, per capita $800; real growth rate9% (1991)Inflation rate (consumer prices):6.8% (first half 1991)Unemployment rate:5% (1988)Budget:revenues $1.26 billion; expenditures $1.46 billion, including capitalexpenditures of $273 million (1992 est.)Exports:$1.14 billion (f.o.b., 1990)commodities:copper ore, gold, coffee, logs, palm oil, cocoa, lobsterpartners:FRG, Japan, Australia, UK, Spain, USImports:$1.18 billion (c.i.f., 1990)commodities:machinery and transport equipment, food, fuels, chemicals, consumer goodspartners:Australia, Singapore, Japan, US, New Zealand, UKExternal debt:$2.2 billion (April 1991)Industrial production:growth rate 2.4% (1990 est.); accounts for 25% of GDPElectricity:397,000 kW capacity; 1,510 million kWh produced, 400 kWh per capita (1990)Industries:copra crushing, oil palm processing, plywood processing, wood chipproduction, gold, silver, copper, construction, tourismAgriculture:one-third of GDP; livelihood for 85% of population; fertile soils andfavorable climate permits cultivating a wide variety of crops; cash crops -coffee, cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels; other products - tea, rubber, sweetpotatoes, fruit, vegetables, poultry, pork; net importer of food for urbancentersEconomic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $40.6 million; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $6.5 billion; OPECbilateral aid (1979-89), $17 millionCurrency:kina (plural - kina); 1 kina (K) = 100 toeaExchange rates:kina (K) per US$1 - 1.0413 (March 1992), 1.0508 (1991), 1.0467 (1990),1.1685 (1989), 1.1538 (1988), 1.1012 (1987)Fiscal year:calendar year
:Papua New Guinea Communications
Railroads:noneHighways:19,200 km total; 640 km paved, 10,960 km gravel, crushed stone, orstabilized-soil surface, 7,600 km unimproved earthInland waterways:10,940 kmPorts:Anewa Bay, Lae, Madang, Port Moresby, RabaulMerchant marine:8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 14,102 GRT/16,016 DWT; includes 2cargo, 1 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 3 combination ore/oil, 1 bulk, 1 containerCivil air:about 15 major transport aircraftAirports:503 total, 460 usable; 18 with permanent-surface runways; none with runwaysover 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 39 with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:services are adequate and being improved; facilities provide radiobroadcast,radiotelephone and telegraph, coastal radio, aeronautical radio, andinternational radiocommunication services; submarine cables extend toAustralia and Guam; 51,700 telephones (1985); broadcast stations - 31 AM, 2FM, 2 TV (1987); 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth station
:Papua New Guinea Defense Forces
Branches:Papua New Guinea Defense Force (including Army, Navy, Air Force)Manpower availability:males 15-49, 1,013,812; 564,081 fit for military serviceDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $42 million, 1.3% of GDP (1989 est.)
:Paracel Islands Geography
Total area:NALand area:undeterminedComparative area:undeterminedLand boundaries:noneCoastline:518 kmMaritime claims:undeterminedDisputes:occupied by China, but claimed by Taiwan and VietnamClimate:tropicalTerrain:undeterminedNatural resources:noneLand use:arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest andwoodland 0%; other 100%Environment:subject to typhoonsNote:located 400 km east of Vietnam in the South China Sea about one-third of theway between Vietnam and the Philippines
:Paracel Islands People
Population: no permanent inhabitants
:Paracel Islands Government
Long-form name: none
:Paracel Islands Economy
Overview: no economic activity
:Paracel Islands Communications
Ports:small Chinese port facilities on Woody Island and Duncan Island currentlyunder expansionAirports:1 on Woody Island
:Paracel Islands Defense Forces
Note: occupied by China
:Paraguay Geography
Total area:406,750 km2Land area:397,300 km2Comparative area:slightly smaller than CaliforniaLand boundaries:3,920 km total; Argentina 1,880 km, Bolivia 750 km, Brazil 1,290 kmCoastline:none - landlockedMaritime claims:none - landlockedDisputes:short section of the boundary with Brazil (just west of Guaira Falls on theRio Parana) has not been determinedClimate:varies from temperate in east to semiarid in far westTerrain:grassy plains and wooded hills east of Rio Paraguay; Gran Chaco region westof Rio Paraguay mostly low, marshy plain near the river, and dry forest andthorny scrub elsewhereNatural resources:iron ore, manganese, limestone, hydropower, timberLand use:arable land 20%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures 39%; forest andwoodland 35%; other 5%; includes irrigated NEGL%Environment:local flooding in southeast (early September to June); poorly drained plainsmay become boggy (early October to June)Note:landlocked; buffer between Argentina and Brazil
:Paraguay People
Population:4,929,446 (July 1992), growth rate 2.9% (1992)Birth rate:33 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:5 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:0 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:28 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:71 years male, 74 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:4.4 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Paraguayan(s); adjective - ParaguayanEthnic divisions:mestizo (Spanish and Indian) 95%, white and Indian 5%Religions:Roman Catholic 90%; Mennonite and other Protestant denominationsLanguages:Spanish (official) and GuaraniLiteracy:90% (male 92%, female 88%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)Labor force:1,418,000 (1991 est.); agriculture, industry and commerce, services,government (1986)Organized labor:about 2% of labor force
:Paraguay Government
Long-form name:Republic of ParaguayType:republicCapital:AsuncionAdministrative divisions:19 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Alto Paraguay, AltoParana, Amambay, Boqueron, Caaguazu, Caazapa, Canindeyu, Central, Chaco,Concepcion, Cordillera, Guaira, Itapua, Misiones, Neembucu, Nueva Asuncion,Paraguari, Presidente Hayes, San PedroIndependence:14 May 1811 (from Spain)Constitution:25 August 1967; Constituent Assembly rewrote the Constitution that waspromulgated on 20 June 1992Legal system:based on Argentine codes, Roman law, and French codes; judicial review oflegislative acts in Supreme Court of Justice; does not accept compulsory ICJjurisdictionNational holiday:Independence Days, 14-15 May (1811)Executive branch:president, Council of Ministers (cabinet), Council of StateLegislative branch:bicameral Congress (Congreso) consists of an upper chamber or Chamber ofSenators (Camara de Senadores) and a lower chamber or Chamber of Deputies(Camara de Diputados)Judicial branch:Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia)Leaders:Chief of State and Head of Government:President Gen. Andres RODRIGUEZ Pedotti (since 15 May 1989)Political parties and leaders:Colorado Party, Luis Maria ARGANA, acting president; Authentic RadicalLiberal Party (PLRA), Juan Manuel BENITEZ Florentin; Christian DemocraticParty (PDC), Jose Angel BURRO; Febrerista Revolutionary Party (PRF), VictorBAREIRO; Popular Democratic Party (PDP), Hugo RICHERSuffrage:universal and compulsory at age 18 and up to age 60Elections:President:last held 1 May 1989 (next to be held NA February 1993); results - Gen.RODRIGUEZ 75.8%, Domingo LAINO 19.4%Chamber of Senators:last held 1 May 1989 (next to be held by NA May 1993); results - percent ofvote by party NA; seats - (36 total) Colorado Party 24, PLRA 10, PLR 1, PRF1Chamber of Deputies:last held on 1 May 1989 (next to be held by NA May 1994); results - percentof vote by party NA; seats - (72 total) Colorado Party 48, PLRA 19, PRF 2,PDC 1, other 2Communists:Oscar CREYDT faction and Miguel Angel SOLER faction (both illegal); 3,000 to4,000 (est.) party members and sympathizers in Paraguay, very few are hardcore; party beginning to return from exile is small and deeply dividedOther political or pressure groups:Confederation of Workers (CUT); Roman Catholic Church
:Paraguay Government
Member of:AG (observer), CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD,IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA, LORCS, OAS,OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMODiplomatic representation:Ambassador Juan Esteban Aguirre MARTINEZ; Chancery at 2400 MassachusettsAvenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 483-6960 through 6962;there are Paraguayan Consulates General in New Orleans and New York, and aConsulate in HoustonUS:Ambassador Jon D. GLASSMAN; Embassy at 1776 Avenida Mariscal Lopez, Asuncion(mailing address is C. P. 402, Asuncion, or APO AA 34036-0001); telephone[595] (21) 213-715; FAX [595] (21) 213-728Flag:three equal, horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue with an emblemcentered in the white band; unusual flag in that the emblem is different oneach side; the obverse (hoist side at the left) bears the national coat ofarms (a yellow five-pointed star within a green wreath capped by the wordsREPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all within two circles); the reverse (hoist side atthe right) bears the seal of the treasury (a yellow lion below a red Cap ofLiberty and the words Paz y Justicia (Peace and Justice) capped by the wordsREPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all within two circles)
:Paraguay Economy
Overview:Agriculture, including forestry, accounts for about 25% of GDP, employsabout 45% of the labor force, and provides the bulk of exports. Paraguay hasno known significant mineral or petroleum resources but does have a largehydropower potential. Since 1981 economic performance has declined comparedwith the boom period of 1976-81, when real GDP grew at an average annualrate of nearly 11%. During the period 1982-86 real GDP fell in three of fiveyears, inflation jumped to an annual rate of 32%, and foreign debt rose.Factors responsible for the erratic behavior of the economy were thecompletion of the Itaipu hydroelectric dam, bad weather for crops, and weakinternational commodity prices for agricultural exports. In 1987 the economyexperienced a minor recovery because of improved weather conditions andstronger international prices for key agricultural exports. The recoverycontinued through 1990, on the strength of bumper crops in 1988-89. In amajor step to increase its economic activity in the region, Paraguay inMarch 1991 joined the Southern Cone Common Market (MERCOSUR), which includesBrazil, Argentina, and Uruguay. During 1991 the government began to moreseriously address its arrearages with international creditors and itsdomestic fiscal problems. Inflation was cut in third, but the foreign tradedeficit widened to more than $1 billion. For the long run, the governmentmust press forward with general market-oriented economic reforms.GDP:exchange rate conversion - $7.0 billion, per capita $1,460; real growth rate3.0% (1991 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):15% (1991 est.)Unemployment rate:14% (1991 est.)Budget:revenues $1.2 billion; expenditures $1.2 billion, including capitalexpenditures of $487 million (1991)Exports:$642 million (f.o.b., 1991)commodities:cotton, soybean, timber, vegetable oils, coffee, tung oil, meat productspartners:EC 37%, Brazil 25%, Argentina 10%, Chile 6%, US 6%Imports:$1.85 billion (c.i.f., 1991)commodities:capital goods 35%, consumer goods 20%, fuels and lubricants 19%, rawmaterials 16%, foodstuffs, beverages, and tobacco 10%partners:Brazil 30%, EC 20%, US 18%, Argentina 8%, Japan 7%External debt:$1.7 billion (1991 est.)Industrial production:growth rate 5.9% (1989 est.); accounts for 16% of GDPElectricity:5,578,000 kW capacity; 15,447 million kWh produced, 3,219 kWh per capita(1991)Industries:meat packing, oilseed crushing, milling, brewing, textiles, other lightconsumer goods, cement, constructionAgriculture:accounts for 25% of GDP and 44% of labor force; cash crops - cotton,sugarcane; other crops - corn, wheat, tobacco, soybeans, cassava, fruits,and vegetables; animal products - beef, pork, eggs, milk; surplus producerof timber; self-sufficient in most foods
:Paraguay Economy
Illicit drugs:illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; importanttransshipment point for Bolivian cocaine headed for the US and EuropeEconomic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $172 million; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.1 billionCurrency:guarani (plural - guaranies); 1 guarani (G) = 100 centimosExchange rates:guaranies (G) per US$ - 1,447.5 (March 1992), 1,325.2 (1991), 1,229.8(1990), 1,056.2 (1989), 550.00 (fixed rate 1986-February 1989),Fiscal year:calendar year
:Paraguay Communications
Railroads:970 km total; 440 km 1.435-meter standard gauge, 60 km 1.000-meter gauge,470 km various narrow gauge (privately owned)Highways:21,960 km total; 1,788 km paved, 474 km gravel, and 19,698 km earthInland waterways:3,100 kmPorts:AsuncionMerchant marine:13 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 16,747 GRT/19,865 DWT; includes 11cargo, 2 petroleum tanker; note - 1 naval cargo ship is sometimes usedcommerciallyCivil air:9 major transport aircraftAirports:845 total, 716 usable; 7 with permanent-surface runways; 0 with runways over3,659 m; 3 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 66 with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:principal center in Asuncion; fair intercity microwave net; 78,300telephones; broadcast stations - 40 AM, no FM, 5 TV, 7 shortwave; 1 AtlanticOcean INTELSAT earth station
:Paraguay Defense Forces
Branches:Army, Navy (including Naval Air and Marines), Air ForceManpower availability:males 15-49, 1,172,813; 853,129 fit for military service; 49,917 reachmilitary age (17) annuallyDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $84 million, 1.4% of GDP (1988 est.)
:Peru Geography
Total area:1,285,220 km2Land area:1,280,000 km2Comparative area:slightly smaller than AlaskaLand boundaries:6,940 km total; Bolivia 900 km, Brazil 1,560 km, Chile 160 km, Colombia2,900 km, Ecuador 1,420 kmCoastline:2,414 kmMaritime claims:Territorial sea:200 nmDisputes:three sections of the boundary with Ecuador are in disputeClimate:varies from tropical in east to dry desert in westTerrain:western coastal plain (costa), high and rugged Andes in center (sierra),eastern lowland jungle of Amazon Basin (selva)Natural resources:copper, silver, gold, petroleum, timber, fish, iron ore, coal, phosphate,potashLand use:arable land 3%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 21%; forest andwoodland 55%; other 21%; includes irrigated 1%Environment:subject to earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, mild volcanic activity;deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; air pollution inLimaNote:shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigable lake, withBolivia
:Peru People
Population:22,767,543 (July 1992), growth rate 2.0% (1992)Birth rate:27 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:7 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:0 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:59 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:63 years male, 67 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:3.3 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Peruvian(s); adjective - PeruvianEthnic divisions:Indian 45%; mestizo (mixed Indian and European ancestry) 37%; white 15%;black, Japanese, Chinese, and other 3%Religions:predominantly Roman CatholicLanguages:Spanish and Quechua (both official), AymaraLiteracy:85% (male 92%, female 29%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)Labor force:6,800,000 (1986); government and other services 44%, agriculture 37%,industry 19% (1988 est.)Organized labor:about 40% of salaried workers (1983 est.)
:Peru Government
Long-form name:Republic of PeruType:in transition, President FUJIMORI on 5 April 1992 suspended the constitutionand dissolved the legislative and judicial branchesCapital:LimaAdministrative divisions:24 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1 constitutionalprovince* (provincia constitucional); Amazonas, Ancash, Apurimac, Arequipa,Ayacucho, Cajamarca, Callao*, Cusco, Huancavelica, Huanuco, Ica, Junin, LaLibertad, Lambayeque, Lima, Loreto, Madre de Dios, Moquegua, Pasco, Piura,Puno, San Martin, Tacna, Tumbes, Ucayali; note - the 1979 Constitution andlegislation enacted from 1987 to 1990 mandate the creation of regions(regiones, singular - region) intended to function eventually as autonomouseconomic and administrative entities; so far, 12 regions have beenconstituted from 23 existing departments - Amazonas (from Loreto), AndresAvelino Caceres (from Huanuco, Pasco, Junin), Arequipa (from Arequipa),Chavin (from Ancash), Grau (from Tumbes, Piura), Inca (from Cusco, Madre deDios, Apurimac), La Libertad (from La Libertad), Los Libertadores-Huari(from Ica, Ayacucho, Huancavelica), Mariategui (from Moquegua, Tacna, Puno),Nor Oriental del Maranon (from Lambayeque, Cajamarca, Amazonas), San Martin(from San Martin), Ucayali (from Ucayali); formation of another region hasbeen delayed by the reluctance of the constitutional province of Callao tomerge with the department of Lima; because of inadequate funding from thecentral government, the regions have yet to assume their responsibilitiesand at the moment coexist with the departmental structureIndependence:28 July 1821 (from Spain)Constitution:28 July 1980 (often referred to as the 1979 Constitution because theConstituent Assembly met in 1979, but the Constitution actually took effectthe following year); suspended 5 April 1992Legal system:based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdictionNational holiday:Independence Day, 28 July (1821)Executive branch:president, two vice presidents (vacant as of 19 May 1992), prime minister,Council of Ministers (cabinet)Legislative branch:bicameral Congress (Congreso) consists of an upper chamber or Senate(Senado) and a lower chamber or Chamber of Deputies (Camara de Diputados);note - dissolved on 5 April 1992; being reconstitutedJudicial branch:Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia)Leaders:Chief of State:President Alberto FUJIMORI (since 28 July 1990); note - slots for first andsecond Vice Presidents vacant as of 19 May 1992Head of Government:Prime Minister Oscar DE LA PUENTE Raygada (since 6 April 1992)
:Peru Government
Political parties and leaders:Change 90 (Cambio 90), Alberto FUJIMORI; Popular Christian Party (PPC), LuisBEDOYA Reyes; Popular Action Party (AP), Eduardo CALMELL del Solar; LibertyMovement (ML), Luis BUSTAMANTE; American Popular Revolutionary Alliance(APRA), Luis ALVA Castro, Alan GARCIA; National Front of Workers andPeasants (FNTC), Roger CACERES; United Left (IU), leader NA; IndependentMoralizing Front (FIM), Fernando OLIVERA Vega; Socialist Left (IS), leaderNA; note - Democratic Front (FREDEMO) was a loosely organized coalition ofthe PPC, AP, and ML during the 8 April 1990 elections, but the parties nolonger maintain a formal allianceSuffrage:universal at age 18Elections:President:last held on 10 June 1990 (next to be held NA April 1995); results - AlbertoFUJIMORI 56.53%, Mario VARGAS Llosa 33.92%, other 9.55%Senate:last held on 8 April 1990; dissolved on 5 April 1992; because of suspensionof constitutional role, next election not yet scheduled; results - percentof vote by party NA; seats - (62 total; 60 elected, 2 ex-presidents who aresenators for life) FREDEMO 20, APRA 16, Change 90 14, IU 6, IS 3, FNTC 1;note - as a result of the dissolution of FREDEMO and defections andexpulsions from the various parties, the seats have been reallocated: APRA17, Change 90 13, AP 8, IU 6, PPC 5, ML 4, IS 3, FNTC 1, independents 4,other 1 (January 1992)Chamber of Deputies:last held 8 April 1990 dissolved on 5 April 1992; because of suspension ofconstitutional role, next election not yet scheduled; results - percent ofvote by party NA; seats - (180 total) FREDEMO 62, APRA 53, Change 90 32, IU16, IS 4, FNTC 3, other 10; note - as a result of the dissolution of FREDEMOand defections and expulsions from the various parties, the seats have beenreallocated: APRA 53, AP 25, Change 90 25, PPC 23, IU 16, ML 7, FIM 3, IS 4,FNTC 3, independents 15, other 4, and 2 currently nonvoting deputiesCommunists:Peruvian Communist Party-Unity (PCP-U), 2,000; other minor Communist partiesOther political or pressure groups:leftist guerrilla groups:Shining Path, Abimael GUZMAN; Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement, NestorSERPA and Victor POLAYMember of:AG, CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-19, G-24, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC,IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, LORCS, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIIMOG, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation:Ambassador vacant; Chancery at 1700 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC20036; telephone (202) 833-9860 through 9869); Peruvian Consulates Generalare located in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Paterson (NewJersey), San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico)US:Ambassador Anthony C. E. QUAINTON; Embassy at the corner of Avenida IncaGarcilaso de la Vega and Avenida Espana, Lima (mailing address is P. O. Box1991, Lima 1, or APO AA 34031); telephone [51] (14) 33-8000; FAX [51] (14)316682Flag:three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), white, and red with thecoat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a shieldbearing a llama, cinchona tree (the source of quinine), and a yellowcornucopia spilling out gold coins, all framed by a green wreath
:Peru Economy
Overview:The Peruvian economy is becoming increasingly market oriented, with a largedose of government ownership remaining in mining, energy, and banking. Inthe 1980s the economy suffered from hyperinflation, declining per capitaoutput, and mounting external debt. Peru was shut off from IMF and WorldBank support in the mid-1980s because of its huge debt arrears. An austerityprogram implemented shortly after the FUJIMORI government took office inJuly 1990 contributed to a third consecutive yearly contraction of economicactivity, but the slide halted late in the year, and output rose 2.4% in1991. After a burst of inflation as the austerity program eliminatedgovernment price subsidies, monthly price increases eased to thesingle-digit level and by December 1991 dropped to the lowest increase sincemid-1987. Lima obtained a financial rescue package from multilateral lendersin September 1991, and, although it faces $14 billion in arrears on itsexternal debt, is working to pay some $1.8 billion of these to the IMF andWorld Bank by 1993.GDP:exchange rate conversion - $20.6 billion, per capita $920; real growth rate2.4% (1991 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):139% (1991)Unemployment rate:15.0%; underemployment 65% (1991 est.)Budget:revenues $1.7 billion; expenditures $1.8 billion, including capitalexpenditures of $250 million (1991 est.)Exports:$3.3 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.)commodities:copper, fishmeal, zinc, crude petroleum and byproducts, lead, refinedsilver, coffee, cottonpartners:EC 28%, US 22%, Japan 13%, Latin America 12%, former USSR 2%Imports:$3.5 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.)commodities:foodstuffs, machinery, transport equipment, iron and steel semimanufactures,chemicals, pharmaceuticalspartners:US 32%, Latin America 22%, EC 17%, Switzerland 6%, Japan 3%External debt:$19.4 billion (December 1991 est.)Industrial production:growth rate 1.0% (1991 est.); accounts for almost 24% of GDPElectricity:4,896,000 kW capacity; 15,851 million kWh produced, 709 kWh per capita(1991)Industries:mining of metals, petroleum, fishing, textiles, clothing, food processing,cement, auto assembly, steel, shipbuilding, metal fabricationAgriculture:accounts for 10% of GDP, about 35% of labor force; commercial crops -coffee, cotton, sugarcane; other crops - rice, wheat, potatoes, plantains,coca; animal products - poultry, red meats, dairy, wool; not self-sufficientin grain or vegetable oil; fish catch of 6.9 million metric tons (1990)
:Peru Economy
Illicit drugs:world's largest coca leaf producer with about 121,000 hectares undercultivation; source of supply for most of the world's coca paste and cocainebase; at least 85% of coca cultivation is for illicit production; most ofcocaine base is shipped to Colombian drug dealers for processing intococaine for the international drug marketEconomic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $1.7 billion; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $4.3 billion;Communist countries (1970-89), $577 millionCurrency:(S/.) nuevo sol (plural - nuevos soles); 1 nuevo sol (S/.) = 100 centavosExchange rates:nuevo sol (S/. per US$1 - 0.960 (March 1992), 0.772 (1991), 0.187 (1990),2.666 (1989), 0.129 (1988), 0.017 (1987)Fiscal year:calendar year
:Peru Communications
Railroads:1,801 km total; 1,501 km 1.435-meter gauge, 300 km 0.914-meter gaugeHighways:69,942 km total; 7,459 km paved, 13,538 km improved, 48,945 km unimprovedearthInland waterways:8,600 km of navigable tributaries of Amazon system and 208 km Lago TiticacaPipelines:crude oil 800 km, natural gas and natural gas liquids 64 kmPorts:Callao, Ilo, Iquitos, Matarani, TalaraMerchant marine:26 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 286,313 GRT/461,233 DWT; includes 14cargo, 1 refrigerated cargo, 1 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 3 petroleum tanker, 7bulk; note - in addition, 8 naval tankers and 1 naval cargo are sometimesused commerciallyCivil air:44 major transport aircraftAirports:221 total, 201 usable; 36 with permanent-surface runways; 2 with runwaysover 3,659 m; 23 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 43 with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:fairly adequate for most requirements; nationwide microwave system; 544,000telephones; broadcast stations - 273 AM, no FM, 140 TV, 144 shortwave;satellite earth stations - 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT, 12 domestic
:Peru Defense Forces
Branches:Army (Ejercito Peruano), Navy (Marina de Guerra del Peru), Air Force (FuerzaAerea del Peru), National PoliceManpower availability:males 15-49, 5,863,227; 3,964,930 fit for military service; 236,484 reachmilitary age (20) annuallyDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $430 million, 2.4% of GDP (1991)
:Philippines Geography
Total area:300,000 km2Land area:298,170 km2Comparative area:slightly larger than ArizonaLand boundaries:noneCoastline:36,289 kmMaritime claims:(measured from claimed archipelagic baselines)Continental shelf:to depth of exploitationExclusive economic zone:200 nmTerritorial sea:irregular polygon extending up to 100 nm from coastline as defined by 1898treaty; since late 1970s has also claimed polygonal-shaped area in SouthChina Sea up to 285 nm in breadthDisputes:involved in a complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with China, Malaysia,Taiwan, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei; claims Malaysian state of SabahClimate:tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest monsoon(May to October)Terrain:mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlandsNatural resources:timber, crude oil, nickel, cobalt, silver, gold, salt, copperLand use:arable land 26%; permanent crops 11%; meadows and pastures 4%; forest andwoodland 40%; other 19%; includes irrigated 5%Environment:astride typhoon belt, usually affected by 15 and struck by five to sixcyclonic storms per year; subject to landslides, active volcanoes,destructive earthquakes, tsunami; deforestation; soil erosion; waterpollution
:Philippines People
Population:67,114,060 (July 1992), growth rate 2.0% (1992)Birth rate:28 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:7 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:-1 migrant/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:53 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:62 years male, 68 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:3.5 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Filipino(s); adjective - PhilippineEthnic divisions:Christian Malay 91.5%, Muslim Malay 4%, Chinese 1.5%, other 3%Religions:Roman Catholic 83%, Protestant 9%, Muslim 5%, Buddhist and other 3%Languages:Pilipino (based on Tagalog) and English; both officialLiteracy:90% (male 90%, female 90%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)Labor force:24,120,000; agriculture 46%, industry and commerce 16%, services 18.5%,government 10%, other 9.5% (1989)Organized labor:3,945 registered unions; total membership 5.7 million (includes 2.8 millionmembers of the National Congress of Farmers Organizations)
:Philippines Government
Long-form name:Republic of the PhilippinesType:republicCapital:ManilaAdministrative divisions:72 provinces and 61 chartered cities*; Abra, Agusan del Norte, Agusan delSur, Aklan, Albay, Angeles*, Antique, Aurora, Bacolod*, Bago*, Baguio*,Bais*, Basilan, Basilan City*, Bataan, Batanes, Batangas, Batangas City*,Benguet, Bohol, Bukidnon, Bulacan, Butuan*, Cabanatuan*, Cadiz*, Cagayan,Cagayan de Oro*, Calbayog*, Caloocan*, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur,Camiguin, Canlaon*, Capiz, Catanduanes, Cavite, Cavite City*, Cebu, CebuCity*, Cotabato*, Dagupan*, Danao*, Dapitan*, Davao City* Davao, Davao delSur, Davao Oriental, Dipolog*, Dumaguete*, Eastern Samar, General Santos*,Gingoog*, Ifugao, Iligan*, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Iloilo, Iloilo City*,Iriga*, Isabela, Kalinga-Apayao, La Carlota*, Laguna, Lanao del Norte, Lanaodel Sur, Laoag*, Lapu-Lapu*, La Union, Legaspi*, Leyte, Lipa*, Lucena*,Maguindanao, Mandaue*, Manila*, Marawi*, Marinduque, Masbate, MindoroOccidental, Mindoro Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental,Mountain, Naga*, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, North Cotabato,Northern Samar, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Olongapo*, Ormoc*, Oroquieta*,Ozamis*, Pagadian*, Palawan, Palayan*, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Pasay*, PuertoPrincesa*, Quezon, Quezon City*, Quirino, Rizal, Romblon, Roxas*, Samar, SanCarlos* (in Negros Occidental), San Carlos* (in Pangasinan), San Jose*, SanPablo*, Silay*, Siquijor, Sorsogon, South Cotabato, Southern Leyte, SultanKudarat, Sulu, Surigao*, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tacloban*,Tagaytay*, Tagbilaran*, Tangub*, Tarlac, Tawitawi, Toledo*, Trece Martires*,Zambales, Zamboanga*, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del SurIndependence:4 July 1946 (from US)Constitution:2 February 1987, effective 11 February 1987Legal system:based on Spanish and Anglo-American law; accepts compulsory ICJjurisdiction, with reservationsNational holiday:Independence Day (from Spain), 12 June (1898)Executive branch:president, vice president, CabinetLegislative branch:bicameral Congress (Kongreso) consists of an upper house or Senate (Senado)and a lower house or House of Representatives (Kapulungan Ng Mga Kinatawan)Judicial branch:Supreme CourtLeaders:Chief of State and Head of Government:President Corazon C. AQUINO (since 25 February 1986); Vice PresidentSalvador H. LAUREL (since 25 February 1986)Political parties and leaders:Alliance of Philippine Democrats (LDP), Neptali GONZALES and Jose (Peping)COJUANGCO; Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC), Fidel Valdes RAMOS; LiberalParty, Jovito SALONGA; New Society Movement (KBL), Amelda MARCOSSuffrage:universal at age 15Elections:President:last held 11 May 1992 (next election to be held NA May 1998);results - FidelValdes RAMOS won 23.6% of votes, a narrow plurality
:Philippines Government
Senate:last held 11 May 1992 (next election to be held NA May 1998); results - LDP66%, NPC 20%, Lakas-NUCD 8%, Liberal 6%; seats - (24 total) LDP 24, NPC 5,Lakas-NUCD 2, Liberal 1Elections:House of Representatives:last held 11 May 1992 (next election to be held NA May 1998); results - LDP43.5%; Lakas-NUCD 25%, NPC 23.5%, Liberal 5%, KBL 3%;seats - (200 total) LDP87, Lakas-NUCD 51, NPC 47, Liberal 10, KBL 5Communists:the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) controls about 15,500-16,500full-time insurgents and is not recognized as a legal party; a secondCommunist party, Philippine Communist Party (PKP), has quasi-legal statusMember of:APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-24, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC,IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL,WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMODiplomatic representation:Ambassador Emmanuel PELAEZ; Chancery at 1617 Massachusetts Avenue NW,Washington, DC 20036; telephone (202) 483-1414; there are PhilippineConsulates General in Agana (Guam), Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles,New York, San Francisco, and SeattleUS:Ambassador Frank G. WISNER II; Embassy at 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Manila(mailing address is APO AP 96440); telephone [63] (2) 521-7116; FAX [63] (2)522-4361; there is a US Consulate in CebuFlag:two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a white equilateraltriangle based on the hoist side; in the center of the triangle is a yellowsun with eight primary rays (each containing three individual rays) and ineach corner of the triangle is a small yellow five-pointed star
:Philippines Economy
Overview:Following the recession of 1984-85, the Philippine economy grew on theaverage of 5.0% per year during 1986-89. It slowed again during the period1990-91. The agricultural sector together with forestry and fishing, playsan important role in the economy, employing about 45% of the work force andproviding almost 30% of GDP. The Philippines is the world's largest exporterof coconuts and coconut products. Manufacturing contributes about 35% ofGDP. Major industries include food processing, chemicals, and textiles.GNP:exchange rate conversion - $47 billion, per capita $720; real growth rate0.1% (1991 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):17.6% (1991 est.)Unemployment rate:10.0% (1991 est.)Budget:$8.4 billion; expenditures $9.36 billion, including capital expenditures of$1.8 billion (1991 est.)Exports:$8.7 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.)commodities:electrical equipment 19%, textiles 16%, minerals and ores 11%, farm products10%, coconut 10%, chemicals 5%, fish 5%, forest products 4%partners:US 36%, EC 19%, Japan 18%, ESCAP 9%, ASEAN 7%Imports:$12.3 billion (c.i.f., 1991)commodities:raw materials 53%, capital goods 17%, petroleum products 17%partners:US 25%, Japan 17%, ESCAP 13%, EC 11%, ASEAN 10%, Middle East 10%External debt:$28.9 billion (1991)Industrial production:growth rate - 5% (1991 est.); accounts for 35% of GNPElectricity:7,500,000 kW capacity; 31,000 million kWh produced, 470 kWh per capita(1991)Industries:textiles, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, wood products, food processing,electronics assembly, petroleum refining, fishingAgriculture:accounts for about one-third of GNP and 45% of labor force; major crops -rice, coconut, corn, sugarcane, bananas, pineapple, mango; animal products -pork, eggs, beef; net exporter of farm products; fish catch of 2 millionmetric tons annuallyIllicit drugs:illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; growers areproducing more and better quality cannabis despite government eradicationeffortsEconomic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $3.6 billion; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-88), $7.9 billion; OPECbilateral aid (1979-89), $5 million; Communist countries (1975-89), $123millionCurrency:Philippine peso (plural - pesos); 1 Philippine peso (P) = 100 centavos
:Philippines Economy
Exchange rates:Philippine pesos (P) per US$1 - 25.810 (March 1992), 27.479 (1991), 24.311(1990), 21.737 (1989), 21.095 (1988), 20.568 (1987)Fiscal year:calendar year
:Philippines Communications
Railroads:378 km operable on Luzon, 34% government owned (1982)Highways:156,000 km total (1984); 29,000 km paved; 77,000 km gravel, crushed-stone,or stabilized-soil surface; 50,000 km unimproved earthInland waterways:3,219 km; limited to shallow-draft (less than 1.5 m) vesselsPipelines:petroleum products 357 kmPorts:Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Guimaras, Iloilo, Legaspi, Manila, Subic BayMerchant marine:552 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 8,150,425 GRT/13,624,527 DWT;includes 1 passenger, 11 short-sea passenger, 13 passenger-cargo, 155 cargo,22 refrigerated cargo, 23 vehicle carrier, 8 livestock carrier, 13roll-on/roll-off cargo, 8 container, 35 petroleum tanker, 1 chemical tanker,6 liquefied gas, 2 combination ore/oil, 247 bulk, 7 combination bulk; note -many Philippine flag ships are foreign owned and are on the register for thepurpose of long-term bare-boat charter back to their original owners who areprincipally in Japan and GermanyCivil air:53 major transport aircraftAirports:278 total, 244 usable; 72 with permanent-surface runways; none with runwaysover 3,659 m; 9 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 53 with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:good international radio and submarine cable services; domestic andinterisland service adequate; 872,900 telephones; broadcast stations - 267AM (including 6 US), 55 FM, 33 TV (including 4 US); submarine cablesextended to Hong Kong, Guam, Singapore, Taiwan, and Japan; satellite earthstations - 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT, 2 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT, and 11domestic
:Philippines Defense Forces
Branches:Army, Navy (including Coast Guard and Marine Corps), Air ForceManpower availability:males 15-49, 16,719,421; 11,816,366 fit for military service; 698,683 reachmilitary age (20) annuallyDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $915 million, 1.9% of GNP (1991)
:Pitcairn Islands Geography
Total area:47 km2Land area:47 km2Comparative area:about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DCLand boundaries:noneCoastline:51 kmMaritime claims:Exclusive fishing zone:200 nmTerritorial sea:3 nmDisputes:noneClimate:tropical, hot, humid, modified by southeast trade winds; rainy season(November to March)Terrain:rugged volcanic formation; rocky coastline with cliffsNatural resources:miro trees (used for handicrafts), fishLand use:arable land NA%; permanent crops NA%; meadows and pastures NA%; forest andwoodland NA%; other NA%Environment:subject to typhoons (especially November to March)Note:located in the South Pacific Ocean about halfway between Peru and NewZealand
:Pitcairn Islands People
Population:52 (July 1992), growth rate 0.0% (1992)Birth rate:NA births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:NA deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:NA migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:NA deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:NA years male, NA years female (1992)Total fertility rate:NA children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Pitcairn Islander(s); adjective - Pitcairn IslanderEthnic divisions:descendants of Bounty mutineersReligions:Seventh-Day Adventist 100%Languages:English (official); also a Tahitian/English dialectLiteracy:NA% (male NA%, female NA%)Labor force:NA; no business community in the usual sense; some public works; subsistencefarming and fishingOrganized labor:NA
:Pitcairn Islands Government
Long-form name:Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno IslandsType:dependent territory of the UKCapital:AdamstownAdministrative divisions:none (dependent territory of the UK)Independence:none (dependent territory of the UK)Constitution:Local Government Ordinance of 1964Legal system:local island by-lawsNational holiday:Celebration of the Birthday of the Queen (second Saturday in June), 10 June1989Executive branch:British monarch, governor, island magistrateLegislative branch:unicameral Island CouncilJudicial branch:Island CourtLeaders:Chief of State:Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by the Governor andUK High Commissioner to New Zealand David Joseph MOSS (since NA 1990)Head of Government:Island Magistrate and Chairman of the Island Council Brian YOUNG (since NA1985)Political parties and leaders:NASuffrage:universal at age 18 with three years residencyElections:Island Council:last held NA (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA;seats - (11 total, 5 elected) number of seats by party NAOther political or pressure groups:NAMember of:SPCDiplomatic representation:none (dependent territory of the UK)Flag:blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and thePitcairn Islander coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; thecoat of arms is yellow, green, and light blue with a shield featuring ayellow anchor
:Pitcairn Islands Economy
Overview:The inhabitants exist on fishing and subsistence farming. The fertile soilof the valleys produces a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, includingcitrus, sugarcane, watermelons, bananas, yams, and beans. Bartering is animportant part of the economy. The major sources of revenue are the sale ofpostage stamps to collectors and the sale of handicrafts to passing ships.GDP:$NA, per capita $NA; real growth rate NA%Inflation rate (consumer prices):NA%Unemployment rate:NA%Budget:revenues $430,440; expenditures $429,983, including capital expenditures of$NA (FY87 est.)Exports:$NAcommodities:fruits, vegetables, curiospartners:NAImports:$NAcommodities:fuel oil, machinery, building materials, flour, sugar, other foodstuffspartners:NAExternal debt:$NAIndustrial production:growth rate NA%Electricity:110 kW capacity; 0.30 million kWh produced, 5,360 kWh per capita (1990)Industries:postage stamp sales, handicraftsAgriculture:based on subsistence fishing and farming; wide variety of fruits andvegetables grown; must import grain productsEconomic aid:noneCurrency:New Zealand dollar (plural - dollars); 1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100centsExchange rates:New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1 - 1.8245 (March 1992), 1.7265 (1991),1.6750 (1990), 1.6711 (1989), 1.5244 (1988), 1.6866 (1987)Fiscal year:1 April - 31 March