:Austria Government
Other political or pressure groups:Federal Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Austrian Trade Union Federation(primarily Socialist); three composite leagues of the Austrian People'sParty (OVP) representing business, labor, and farmers; OVP-oriented Leagueof Austrian Industrialists; Roman Catholic Church, including its chief layorganization, Catholic ActionMember of:AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, COCOM, CSCE,EBRD, ECE, EFTA, ESA, FAO, G-9, GATT, HG, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,ICFTU, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM,ISO, ITU, LORCS, MTRC, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, PCA, UN,UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNDOF, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIIMOG, UNTSO, UPU, WCL,WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZCDiplomatic representation:Ambassador Friedrich HOESS; Embassy at 3524 International Court NW,Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 895-6700; there are AustrianConsulates General in Chicago, Los Angeles, and New YorkUS:Ambassador Roy Michael HUFFINGTON; Embassy at Boltzmanngasse 16, A-1091,Vienna (mailing address is APO AE 09108-0001); telephone [43] (1) 31-55-11;FAX [43] (1) 310-0682; there is a US Consulate General in SalzburgFlag:three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and red
:Austria Economy
Overview:Austria boasts a prosperous and stable capitalist economy with a sizableproportion of nationalized industry and extensive welfare benefits. Thanksto an excellent raw material endowment, a technically skilled labor force,and strong links to German industrial firms, Austria occupies specializedniches in European industry and services (tourism, banking) and producesalmost enough food to feed itself with only 8% of the labor force inagriculture. Improved export prospects resulting from German unification andthe opening of Eastern Europe, boosted the economy during 1990 and to alesser extent in 1991. GDP growth slowed from 4.9% in 1990 to 3% in 1991 -mainly due to the weaker world economy - and is expected to drop to around2% in 1992. Inflation is forecasted at about 4%, while unemployment probablywill increase moderately through 1992 before declining in 1993. Livingstandards are comparable with the large industrial countries of WesternEurope. Problems for the l990s include an aging population, the high levelof subsidies, and the struggle to keep welfare benefits within budgetcapabilities. Austria, which has applied for EC membership, was involved inEC and European Free Trade Association negotiations for a European EconomicArea and will have to adapt its economy to achieve freer interchange ofgoods, services, capital, and labor within the EC.GDP:purchasing power equivalent - $164.1 billion, per capita $20,985; realgrowth rate 3% (1991)Inflation rate (consumer prices):3.3% (1991, annual rate)Unemployment rate:5.8% (1991)Budget:revenues $47.7 billion; expenditures $53.0 billion, including capitalexpenditures of $NA (1990)Exports:$40 billion (1991)commodities:machinery and equipment, iron and steel, lumber, textiles, paper products,chemicalspartners:EC 65.8%, (Germany 39%), EFTA 9.1%, Eastern Europe/former USSR 9.0%, Japan1.7%, US 2.8%Imports:$50.2 billion (1991)commodities:petroleum, foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, vehicles, chemicals,textiles and clothing, pharmaceuticalspartners:EC 67.8% (Germany is 43.0%), EFTA 6.9%, Eastern Europe/former USSR 6.0%,Japan 4.8%, US 3.9%External debt:$11.8 billion (1990 est.)Industrial production:2.0% (1991)Electricity:17,600,000 kW capacity; 49,500 million kWh produced, 6,500 kWh per capita(1991)Industries:foods, iron and steel, machines, textiles, chemicals, electrical, paper andpulp, tourism, mining
:Austria Economy
Agriculture:accounts for 3.2% of GDP (including forestry); principal crops and animals -grains, fruit, potatoes, sugar beets, sawn wood, cattle, pigs, poultry;80-90% self-sufficient in foodEconomic aid:donor - ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $2.4 billionCurrency:Austrian schilling (plural - schillings); 1 Austrian schilling (S) = 100groschenExchange rates:Austrian schillings (S) per US$1 - 11.068 (January 1992), 11.676 (1991),11.370 (1990), 13.231 (1989), 12.348 (1988), 12.643 (1987)Fiscal year:calendar year
:Austria Communications
Railroads:6,028 km total; 5,388 km government owned and 640 km privately owned (1.435-and 1.000-meter gauge); 5,403 km 1.435-meter standard gauge of which 3,051km is electrified and 1,520 km is double tracked; 363 km 0.760-meter narrowgauge of which 91 km is electrifiedHighways:95,412 km total; 34,612 km are the primary network (including 1,012 km ofautobahn, 10,400 km of federal, and 23,200 km of provincial roads); of thisnumber, 21,812 km are paved and 12,800 km are unpaved; in addition, thereare 60,800 km of communal roads (mostly gravel, crushed stone, earth)Inland waterways:446 kmPipelines:crude oil 554 km; natural gas 2,611 km; petroleum products 171 kmPorts:Vienna, Linz (river ports)Merchant marine:31 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 130,966 GRT/219,130 DWT; includes 26cargo, 1 container, 4 bulkCivil air:25 major transport aircraftAirports:55 total, 55 usable; 20 with permanent-surface runways; none with runwaysover 3,659 m; 6 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 4 with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:highly developed and efficient; 4,014,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 6AM, 21 (545 repeaters) FM, 47 (870 repeaters) TV; satellite ground stationsfor Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT, Indian Ocean INTELSAT, and EUTELSAT systems
:Austria Defense Forces
Branches:Army, Flying Division, GendarmerieManpower availability:males 15-49, 2,011,895; 1,693,244 fit for military service; 51,788 reachmilitary age (19) annuallyDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $1.8 billion, 1% of GDP (1991)
:Azerbaijan Geography
Total area:86,600 km2Land area:86,100 km2; includes the Nakhichevan' Autonomous Republic and theNagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast; region's autonomy was abolished byAzerbaijan Supreme Soviet on 26 November 1991Comparative area:slightly larger than MaineLand boundaries:2,013 km total; Armenia (west) 566 km, Armenia (southwest) 221 km, Georgia322 km, Iran (south) 432 km, Iran (southwest) 179 km, Russia 284 km, Turkey9 kmCoastline:none - landlockedMaritime claims:NAExclusive fishing zone:NA nm; Azerbaijani claims in Caspian Sea unknown; 10 nm fishing zoneprovided for in 1940 treaty regarding trade and navigation between SovietUnion and IranDisputes:violent and longstanding dispute with Armenia over status ofNagorno-Karabakh, lesser dispute concerns Nakhichevan'; some Azeris desireabsorption of and/or unification with the ethnically Azeri portion of Iran;minor irredentist disputes along Georgia borderClimate:dry, semiarid steppe; subject to droughtTerrain:large, flat Kura Lowland (much of it below sea level) with Great CaucasusMountains to the north, Karabakh Upland in west; Baku lies on AsphesonPeninsula that juts into Caspian SeaNatural resources:petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, nonferrous metals, aluminaLand use:NA% arable land; NA% permanent crops; NA% meadows and pastures; NA% forestand woodland; NA% other; includes 70% of cultivated land irrigated (1.2million hectares)Environment:local scientists consider Apsheron Peninsula, including Baku and Sumgait,and the Caspian Sea to be "most ecologically devastated area in the world"because of severe air and water pollutionNote:landlocked; major polluters are oil, gas, and chemical industries
:Azerbaijan People
Population:7,450,787 (July 1992), growth rate 1.6% (1992)Birth rate:26 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:7 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:—3 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:45 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:65 years male, 73 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:2.9 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Azerbaijani(s); adjective - AzerbaijaniEthnic divisions:Azeri 82.7%, Russian 5.6%, Armenian 5.6%, Daghestanis 3.2%, other 2.9%; note- Armenian share may be less than 5.6% because many Armenians have fled theethnic violence since 1989 censusReligions:Moslem 87%, Russian Orthodox 5.6%, Armenian Orthodox 5.6%, other 1.8%Languages:Azeri 82%, Russian 7%, Armenian 5%, other 6%Literacy:NA% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write (1992 est.)Labor force:2,789,000; agriculture and forestry 32%, industry and construction 26%,other 42% (1990)Organized labor:NA (1992)
:Azerbaijan Government
Long-form name:Azerbaijani Republic; short-form name: AzerbaijanType:republicCapital:Baku (Baky)Administrative divisions:1 autonomous republic (avtomnaya respublika), Nakhichevan' (administrativecenter at Nakhichevan'); note - all rayons except for the exclave ofNakhichevan' are under direct republic jurisdiction;1 autonomous oblast,Nagorno-Karabakh (officially abolished by Azerbaijani Supreme Soviet on 26November 1991) has declared itself Nagorno-Karabakh RepublicIndependence:28 May 1918; on 28 April 1920, Azerbaijan became the Soviet SocialistRepublic of Azerbaijan; on 30 April 1992 it became the Azerbaijani Republic;independence declared 30 August 1991Constitution:adopted NA April 1978Legal system:based on civil law systemNational holiday:NAExecutive branch:president, Council of MinistersLegislative branch:National Parliament (Milli Majlis) was formed on the basis of the NationalCouncil (Milli Shura)Judicial branch:Supreme CourtLeaders:Chief of State:President-elect Ebulfez ELCIBEY (since 7 June 1992)Head of Government:Prime Minister Rahim GUSEYNOV (since 14 May 1992)Political parties and leaders:NASuffrage:universal at age 18Elections:National Parliament:last held NA September 1990 (next expected to be held late 1992); results -seats - (360 total) Communists 280, Democratic Bloc 45 (grouping ofopposition parties), other 15, vacant 20; note - these figures areapproximatePresident:held 8 September 1991 (next to be held 7 June 1992); results - EbulfezELCIBEY (6,390 unofficial)Other political or pressure groups:Self-proclaimed Armenian Nagorno-Karabakh RepublicMember of:CIS, CSCE, IMF, OIC, UN, UNCTADDiplomatic representation:NAUS:Ambassador (vacant); Robert MILES, Charge d'Affaires; Embassy at HotelIntourist (telephone 8-011-7-8922-91-79-56) plus 8 hours; (mailing addressis APO New York is 09862); telephone NA
:Azerbaijan Government
Flag:three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), red, and green; a crescent andeight-pointed star in white are centered in red band
:Azerbaijan Economy
Overview:Azerbaijan is less developed industrially than either Armenia or Georgia,the other Transcaucasian states. It resembles the Central Asian states inits majority Muslim population, high structural unemployment, and lowstandard of living. The economy's most prominent products are cotton, oil,and gas. Production from the Caspian oil and gas field has been in declinefor several years. With foreign assistance, the oil industry might generatethe funds needed to spur industrial development. However, civil unrest,marked by armed conflict in the Nagorno-Karabakh region between MuslimAzeris and Christian Armenians, makes foreign investors wary. Azerbaijanaccounts for 1.5% to 2% of the capital stock and output of the former SovietUnion. Although immediate economic prospects are not favorable because ofcivil strife, lack of economic reform, political disputes about new economicarrangements, and the skittishness of foreign investors, Azerbaijan'seconomic performance was the best of all former Soviet republics in 1991largely because of its reliance on domestic resources for industrial output.GDP:$NA, per capita $NA; real growth rate —0.7% (1991)Inflation rate (consumer prices):87% (1991)Unemployment rate:NA%Budget:revenues $NA; expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992)Exports:$780 million (f.o.b., 1991)commodities:oil and gas, chemicals, oilfield equipment, textiles, cotton (1991)partners:mostly CIS countriesImports:$2.2 billion (c.i.f., 1990)commodities:machinery and parts, consumer durables, foodstuffs, textiles (1991)External debt:$1.3 billion (1991 est.)Industrial production:growth rate 3.8% (1991)Electricity:6,025,000 kW capacity; 23,300 million kWh produced, 3,280 kWh per capita(1991)Industries:petroleum and natural gas, petroleum products, oilfield equipment; steel,iron ore, cement; chemicals and petrochemicals; textilesAgriculture:cotton, grain, rice, grapes, fruit, vegetables, tea, tobacco; cattle, pigs,sheep and goatsIllicit drugs:illicit producer of cannabis and opium; mostly for domestic consumption;status of government eradication programs unknown; used as transshipmentpoints for illicit drugs to Western EuropeEconomic aid:NACurrency:as of May 1992, retaining ruble as currencyExchange rates:NAFiscal year:calendar year
:Azerbaijan Communications
Railroads:2,090 km (includes NA km electrified); does not include industrial lines(1990)Highways:36,700 km total (1990); 31,800 km hard surfaced; 4,900 km earthInland waterways:NA km perennially navigablePipelines:NAPorts:inland - Baku (Baky)Merchant marine:none - landlockedCivil air:noneAirports:NATelecommunications:quality of local telephone service is poor; connections to other former USSRrepublics by landline or microwave and to countries beyond the former USSRvia the Moscow international gateway switch; Azeri and Russian TV broadcastsare received; Turkish and Iranian TV broadcasts are received from INTELSATthrough a TV receive-only earth station
:Azerbaijan Defense Forces
Branches:Republic Security Forces (internal and border troops), National Guard; CISForces (Ground, Navy, Air, Air Defense)Manpower availability:males 15-49, NA; NA fit for military service; NA reach military age (18)annuallyDefense expenditures:$NA million, NA% of GDP
:The Bahamas Geography
Total area:13,940 km2Land area:10,070 km2Comparative area:slightly larger than ConnecticutLand boundaries:noneCoastline:3,542 kmMaritime claims:Continental shelf:200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitationExclusive fishing zone:200 nmTerritorial sea:3 nmDisputes:noneClimate:tropical marine; moderated by warm waters of Gulf StreamTerrain:long, flat coral formations with some low rounded hillsNatural resources:salt, aragonite, timberLand use:arable land 1%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures NEGL%; forestand woodland 32%; other 67%Environment:subject to hurricanes and other tropical storms that cause extensive flooddamageNote:strategic location adjacent to US and Cuba; extensive island chain
:The Bahamas People
Population:255,811 (July 1992), growth rate 1.4% (1992)Birth rate:19 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:19 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:69 years male, 76 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:2.2 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun—Bahamian(s); adjective—BahamianEthnic divisions:black 85%, white 15%Religions:Baptist 32%, Anglican 20%, Roman Catholic 19%, Methodist 6%, Church of God6%, other Protestant 12%, none or unknown 3%, other 2% (1980)Languages:English; some Creole among Haitian immigrantsLiteracy:90% (male 90%, female 89%) age 15 and over but definition of literacy notavailable (1963 est.)Labor force:127,400; government 30%, hotels and restaurants 25%, business services10%, agriculture 5% (1989)Organized labor:25% of labor force
:The Bahamas Government
Long-form name:The Commonwealth of The BahamasType:commonwealthCapital:NassauAdministrative divisions:21 districts; Abaco, Acklins Island, Andros Island, Berry Islands,Biminis, Cat Island, Cay Lobos, Crooked Island, Eleuthera, Exuma, GrandBahama, Harbour Island, Inagua, Long Cay, Long Island, Mayaguana,New Providence, Ragged Island, Rum Cay, San Salvador,Spanish WellsIndependence:10 July 1973 (from UK)Constitution:10 July 1973Legal system:based on English common lawNational holiday:National Day, 10 July (1973)Executive branch:British monarch, governor general, prime minister, deputy primeminister, CabinetLegislative branch:bicameral Parliament consists of an upper house or Senate and a lowerhouse or House of AssemblyJudicial branch:Supreme CourtLeaders:Chief of State:Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented byActing Governor General Sir Clifford DARLING (since 2 January 1992)Head of Government:Prime Minister Sir Lynden Oscar PINDLING (since 16 January 1967)Political parties and leaders:Progressive Liberal Party (PLP), Sir Lynden O. PINDLING; Free NationalMovement (FNM), Hubert Alexander INGRAHAMSuffrage:universal at age 18Elections:House of Assembly:last held 19 June 1987 (next to be held by NA June 1992);results—percent of vote by party NA; seats—(49 total) PLP 32, FNM 17*** No entry for this item ***Other political or pressure groups:Vanguard Nationalist and Socialist Party (VNSP), a small leftist partyheadedby Lionel CAREY; Trade Union Congress (TUC), headed by Arlington MILLERMember of:ACP, C, CCC, CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO,ICFTU, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM,OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMODiplomatic representation:Ambassador Margaret E. McDONALD; Chancery at 2220 MassachusettsAvenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 319-2660; there areBahamian Consulates General in Miami and New York;
:The Bahamas Government
US:Ambassador Chic HECHT; Embassy at Mosmar Building, Queen Street, Nassau(mailing address is P. O. Box N-8197, Nassau); telephone (809) 322-1181 or328-2206; FAX (809) 328-7838Diplomatic representation:*** No entry for this item ***Flag:three equal horizontal bands of aquamarine (top), gold, and aquamarine witha black equilateral triangle based on the hoist side
:The Bahamas Economy
Overview:The Bahamas is a stable, middle-income developing nation whose economy isbased primarily on tourism and offshore banking. Tourism alone providesabout 50% of GDP and directly or indirectly employs about 50,000 people or40% of the local work force. The economy has slackened in recent years, asthe annual increase in the number of tourists slowed. Nonetheless, the percapita GDP of $9,900 is one of the highest in the region.GDP:purchasing power equivalent—$2.5 billion, per capita $9,900; real growthrate 1.0% (1990 est.)*** No entry for this item ***Inflation rate (consumer prices):7.3% (1991 est.)Unemployment rate:16.0% (1991)Budget:revenues $627.5 million; expenditures $727.5 million, including capitalexpenditures of $100 million (1992, projected)*** No entry for this item ***Exports:$306 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.);commodities:pharmaceuticals, cement, rum, crawfish;partners:US 41%, Norway 30%, Denmark 4%Imports:$1.14 billion (c.i.f., 1991 est.);commodities:foodstuffs, manufactured goods, mineral fuels;partners:US 35%, Nigeria 21%, Japan 13%, Angola 11%External debt:$1.2 billion (December 1990)Industrial production:growth rate 3% (1990); accounts for 15% of GDPElectricity:368,000 kw capacity; 857 million kWh produced 3,339 kWh per capita(1991)Industries:tourism, banking, cement, oil refining and transshipment, salt production,rum, aragonite, pharmaceuticals, spiral welded steel pipe*** No entry for this item ***Agriculture:accounts for less than 5% of GDP; dominated by small-scale producers;principal products—citrus fruit, vegetables, poultry; large net importer offood*** No entry for this item ***Illicit drugs:transshipment point for cocaineEconomic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY85-89), $1.0 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $345millionCurrency:Bahamian dollar (plural—dollars); 1 Bahamian dollar (B$) = 100 centsExchange rates:Bahamian dollar (B$) per US$1—1.00 (fixed rate)Fiscal year:calendar year
:The Bahamas Communications
Highways:2,400 km total; 1,350 km paved, 1,050 km gravelPorts:Freeport, NassauMerchant marine:778 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 18,129,173 GRT/30,002,421 DWT;includes 48 passenger, 19 short-sea passenger, 152 cargo, 37roll-on/roll-off cargo, 42 container, 6 vehicle carrier, 1 railcar carrier,172 petroleum tanker, 9 liquefied gas, 16 combination ore/oil, 47 chemicaltanker, 1 specialized tanker, 143 bulk, 7 combination bulk, 78 refrigeratedcargo;note—a flag of convenience registry*** No entry for this item ***Civil air:11 major transport aircraftAirports:59 total, 54 usable; 30 with permanent-surface runways; none withrunways over 3,659 m; 3 with runways 2,440-3, 659 m; 26 with runways1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:highly developed; 99,000 telephones in totally automatic system;tropospheric scatter and submarine cable links to Florida; broadcaststations—3 AM, 2 FM, 1 TV; 3 coaxial submarine cables; 1 Atlantic OceanINTELSAT earth station*** No entry for this item ***
:The Bahamas Defense Forces
Branches:Royal Bahamas Defense Force (Coast Guard only), Royal Bahamas PoliceBranches:ForceManpower availability:males 15-49, 68,020; NA fit for military serviceDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion—$65 million, 2.7% of GDP (1990)
:Bahrain Geography
Total area:620 km2Land area:620 km2Comparative area:slightly less than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DCLand boundaries:noneCoastline:161 kmMaritime claims:Continental shelf:not specificTerritorial sea:3 nmDisputes:territorial dispute with Qatar over the Hawar Islands; maritime boundarywith QatarClimate:arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summersTerrain:mostly low desert plain rising gently to low central escarpmentNatural resources:oil, associated and nonassociated natural gas, fishLand use:arable land 2%; permanent crops 2%; meadows and pastures 6%; forest andwoodland 0%; other 90%, includes irrigated NEGL%Environment:subsurface water sources being rapidly depleted (requires development ofdesalination facilities); dust storms; desertificationNote:close to primary Middle Eastern crude oil sources; strategic location inPersian Gulf through which much of Western world's crude oil must transit toreach open ocean
:Bahrain People
Population:551,513 (July 1992), growth rate 3.1% (1992)Birth rate:27 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:4 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:7 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:21 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:70 years male, 75 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:4.0 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Bahraini(s); adjective - BahrainiEthnic divisions:Bahraini 63%, Asian 13%, other Arab 10%, Iranian 8%, other 6%Religions:Muslim (Shi`a 70%, Sunni 30%)Languages:Arabic (official); English also widely spoken; Farsi, UrduLiteracy:77% (male 82%, female 69%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)Labor force:140,000; 42% of labor force is Bahraini; industry and commerce 85%,agriculture 5%, services 5%, government 3% (1982)Organized labor:General Committee for Bahrain Workers exists in only eight major designatedcompanies
:Bahrain Government
Long-form name:State of BahrainType:traditional monarchyCapital:ManamaAdministrative divisions:12 districts (manatiq, singular - mintaqah); Al Hadd, Al Manamah, AlMintaqah al Gharbiyah, Al Mintaqah al Wusta, Al Mintaqah ash Shamaliyah, AlMuharraq, Ar Rifa`wa al Mintaqah al Janubiyah, Jidd Hafs, Madinat Hamad,Madinat `Isa, Mintaqat Juzur Hawar, SitrahIndependence:15 August 1971 (from UK)Constitution:26 May 1973, effective 6 December 1973Legal system:based on Islamic law and English common lawNational holiday:Independence Day, 16 DecemberExecutive branch:amir, crown prince and heir apparent, prime minister, CabinetLegislative branch:unicameral National Assembly was dissolved 26 August 1975 and legislativepowers were assumed by the CabinetJudicial branch:High Civil Appeals CourtLeaders:Chief of State:Amir `ISA bin Salman Al Khalifa (since 2 November 1961); Heir Apparent HAMADbin `Isa Al Khalifa (son of Amir; born 28 January 1950)Head of Government:Prime Minister KHALIFA bin Salman Al Khalifa (since 19 January 1970)Political parties and leaders:political parties prohibited; several small, clandestine leftist and Islamicfundamentalist groups are activeSuffrage:noneElections:noneMember of:ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, IDB, ILO, IMF,IMO, INMARSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAPEC,OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMODiplomatic representation:Ambassador `Abd al-Rahman Faris Al KHALIFA; Chancery at 3502 InternationalDrive NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 342-0741 or 342-0742; thereis a Bahraini Consulate General in New YorkUS:Ambassador Dr. Charles W. HOSTLER; Embassy at Road No. 3119 (next to AlahliSports Club), Zinj; (mailing address is P. O. 26431, Manama, or FPO AE09834-6210); telephone [973] 273-300; FAX (973) 272-594Flag:red with a white serrated band (eight white points) on the hoist side
:Bahrain Economy
Overview:Petroleum production and processing account for about 80% of exportreceipts, 60% of government revenues, and 31% of GDP. Economic conditionshave fluctuated with the changing fortunes of oil since 1985, for example,the Gulf crisis of 1990-91. The liberation of Kuwait in early 1991 hasimproved short- to medium-term prospects and has raised investors'confidence. Bahrain with its highly developed communication and transportfacilities is home to numerous multinational firms with business in theGulf. A large share of exports is petroleum products made from importedcrude.GDP:exchange rate conversion - $4.0 billion, per capita $7,500 (1990); realgrowth rate 6.7% (1988)Inflation rate (consumer prices):1.5% (1989)Unemployment rate:8-10% (1989)Budget:revenues $1.2 billion; expenditures $1.32 billion, including capitalexpenditures of $NA (1989)Exports:$3.7 billion (f.o.b., 1990 est.)commodities:petroleum and petroleum products 80%, aluminum 7%, other 13%partners:UAE 18%, Japan 12%, India 11%, US 6%Imports:$3.7 billion (f.o.b., 1989)commodities:nonoil 59%, crude oil 41%partners:Saudi Arabia 41%, US 23%, Japan 8%, UK 8%External debt:$1.1 billion (December 1989 est.)Industrial production:growth rate 3.8% (1988); accounts for 44% of GDPElectricity:3,600,000 kW capacity; 10,500 million kWh produced, 21,000 kWh per capita(1991)Industries:petroleum processing and refining, aluminum smelting, offshore banking, shiprepairingAgriculture:including fishing, accounts for less than 2% of GDP; not self-sufficient infood production; heavily subsidized sector produces fruit, vegetables,poultry, dairy products, shrimp, and fish; fish catch 9,000 metric tons in1987Economic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-79), $24 million; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $45 million; OPECbilateral aid (1979-89), $9.8 billionCurrency:Bahraini dinar (plural - dinars); 1 Bahraini dinar (BD) = 1,000 filsExchange rates:Bahraini dinars (BD) per US$1 - 0.3760 (fixed rate)Fiscal year:calendar year
:Bahrain Communications
Highways:200 km bituminous surfaced, including 25 km bridge-causeway to Saudi Arabiaopened in November 1986; NA km natural surface tracksPipelines:crude oil 56 km; petroleum products 16 km; natural gas 32 kmPorts:Mina' Salman, Manama, SitrahMerchant marine:9 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 186,367 GRT/249,441 DWT; includes 5cargo, 2 container, 1 liquefied gas, 1 bulkCivil air:27 major transport aircraftAirports:3 total, 3 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; 2 with runways over3,659 m; 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:excellent international telecommunications; good domestic services; 98,000telephones; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 3 FM, 2 TV; satellite earth stations- 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT, 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT, 1 ARABSAT;tropospheric scatter to Qatar, UAE, and microwave to Saudi Arabia; submarinecable to Qatar, UAE, and Saudi Arabia
:Bahrain Defense Forces
Branches:Army, Navy, Air Force, Air Defense, Police ForceManpower availability:males 15-49, 190,937; 105,857 fit for military serviceDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $194 million, 6% of GDP (1990)
:Baker Island Geography
Total area:1.4 km2Land area:1.4 km2Comparative area:about 2.3 times the size of the Mall in Washington, DCLand boundaries:noneCoastline:4.8 kmMaritime claims:Contiguous zone:12 nmContinental shelf:200 m (depth)Exclusive economic zone:200 nmTerritorial sea:12 nmDisputes:noneClimate:equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sunTerrain:low, nearly level coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reefNatural resources:guano (deposits worked until 1891)Land use:arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest andwoodland 0%; other 100%Environment:treeless, sparse and scattered vegetation consisting of grasses, prostratevines, and low growing shrubs; lacks fresh water; primarily a nesting,roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlifeNote:remote location 2,575 km southwest of Honolulu in the North Pacific Ocean,just north of the Equator, about halfway between Hawaii and Australia
:Baker Island People
Population:uninhabited; American civilians evacuated in 1942 after Japanese air andnaval attacks during World War II; occupied by US military during World WarII, but abandoned after the war; public entry is by special-use permit onlyand generally restricted to scientists and educators
:Baker Island Government
Long-form name:noneType:unincorporated territory of the US administered by the Fish and WildlifeService of the US Department of the Interior as part of the NationalWildlife Refuge systemCapital:none; administered from Washington, DC
:Baker Island Economy
Overview: no economic activity
:Baker Island Communications
Ports:none; offshore anchorage only, one boat landing area along the middle of thewest coastAirports:1 abandoned World War II runway of 1,665 mTelecommunications:there is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast
:Baker Island Defense Forces
Note:defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US CoastGuard
:Bangladesh Geography
Total area:144,000 km2Land area:133,910 km2Comparative area:slightly smaller than WisconsinLand boundaries:4,246 km total; Burma 193 km, India 4,053 kmCoastline:580 kmMaritime claims:Contiguous zone:18 nmContinental shelf:up to outer limits of continental marginExclusive economic zone:200 nmTerritorial sea:12 nmDisputes:a portion of the boundary with India is in dispute; water sharing problemswith upstream riparian India over the GangesClimate:tropical; cool, dry winter (October to March); hot, humid summer (March toJune); cool, rainy monsoon (June to October)Terrain:mostly flat alluvial plain; hilly in southeastNatural resources:natural gas, uranium, arable land, timberLand use:arable land 67%; permanent crops 2%; meadows and pastures 4%; forest andwoodland 16%; other 11%; includes irrigated 14%Environment:vulnerable to droughts; much of country routinely flooded during summermonsoon season; overpopulation; deforestationNote:almost completely surrounded by India
:Bangladesh People
Population:119,411,711 (July 1992), growth rate 2.4% (1992)Birth rate:36 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:12 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:0 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:112 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:55 years male, 54 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:4.6 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Bangladeshi(s); adjective - BangladeshEthnic divisions:Bengali 98%, Biharis 250,000, and tribals less than 1 millionReligions:Muslim 83%, Hindu 16%, Buddhist, Christian, and other less than 1%Languages:Bangla (official), English widely usedLiteracy:35% (male 47%, female 22%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)Labor force:35,100,000; agriculture 74%, services 15%, industry and commerce 11% (FY86);extensive export of labor to Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Oman (1991)Organized labor:3% of labor force belongs to 2,614 registered unions (1986 est.)
:Bangladesh Government
Long-form name:People's Republic of BangladeshType:republicCapital:DhakaAdministrative divisions:64 districts (zillagulo, singular - zilla); Bagerhat, Bandarban, Barguna,Barisal, Bhola, Bogra, Brahmanbaria, Chandpur, Chapai Nawabganj, Chattagram,Chuadanga, Comilla, Cox's Bazar, Dhaka, Dinajpur, Faridpur, Feni, Gaibandha,Gazipur, Gopalganj, Habiganj, Jaipurhat, Jamalpur, Jessore, Jhalakati,Jhenaidah, Khagrachari, Khulna, Kishorganj, Kurigram, Kushtia, Laksmipur,Lalmonirhat, Madaripur, Magura, Manikganj, Meherpur, Moulavibazar,Munshiganj, Mymensingh, Naogaon, Narail, Narayanganj, Narsingdi, Nator,Netrakona, Nilphamari, Noakhali, Pabna, Panchagar, Parbattya Chattagram,Patuakhali, Pirojpur, Rajbari, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Satkhira, Shariyatpur,Sherpur, Sirajganj, Sunamganj, Sylhet, Tangail, ThakurgaonIndependence:16 December 1971 (from Pakistan; formerly East Pakistan)Constitution:4 November 1972, effective 16 December 1972, suspended following coup of 24March 1982, restored 10 November 1986, amended NA March 1991Legal system:based on English common lawNational holiday:Independence Day, 26 March (1971)Executive branch:president, prime minister, CabinetLegislative branch:unicameral National Parliament (Jatiya Sangsad)Judicial branch:Supreme CourtLeaders:Chief of State:President Abdur Rahman BISWAS (since 8 October 1991)Head of Government:Prime Minister Khaleda ZIAUR Rahman (since 20 March 1991)Political parties and leaders:Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Khaleda ZIAUR Rahman; Awami League (AL),Sheikh Hasina WAZED; Jatiyo Party (JP), Hussain Mohammad ERSHAD;Jamaat-E-Islami (JI), Ali KHAN; Bangladesh Communist Party (BCP), SaifuddinAhmed MANIK; National Awami Party (Muzaffar); Workers Party, leader NA;Jatiyo Samajtantik Dal (National Socialist Party - SIRAJ), M. A. JALIL;Ganotantri Party, leader NA; Islami Oikya Jote, leader NA; NationalDemocratic Party (NDP), leader NA; Muslim League, Khan A. SABUR; DemocraticLeague, Khondakar MUSHTAQUE Ahmed; United People's Party, Kazi ZAFAR AhmedSuffrage:universal at age 18Elections:National Parliament:last held 27 February 1991 (next to be held NA February 1996); results -percent of vote by party NA; seats - (330 total, 300 elected and 30 seatsreserved for women) BNP 168, AL 93, JP 35, JI 20, CBP 5, National AwamiParty (Muzaffar) 1, Workers Party 1, SIRAJ 1, Ganotantri Party 1, IslamiOikya Jote 1, NDP 1, independents 3President:last held 8 October 1991 (next to be held by NA October 1996); results -Abdur Rahman BISWAS received 52.1% of parliamentary vote
:Bangladesh Government
Communists:5,000 members (1987 est.)Member of:AsDB, C, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IDB,IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS,NAM, OIC, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIIMOG, UPU, WHO, WFTU, WIPO,WCL, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation:Ambassador Abul AHSAN; Chancery at 2201 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC20007; telephone (202) 342-8372 through 8376; there is a BangladeshConsulate General in New YorkUS:Ambassador William B. MILAM; Embassy at Diplomatic Enclave, Madani Avenue,Baridhara, Dhaka (mailing address is G. P. O. Box 323, Dhaka 1212);telephone [880] (2) 884700-22; FAX [880] (2) 883648Flag:green with a large red disk slightly to the hoist side of center; green isthe traditional color of Islam
:Bangladesh Economy
Overview:Bangladesh is one of the poorest nations in the world. The economy is basedon the output of a narrow range of agricultural products, such as jute,which is the main cash crop and major source of export earnings, and rice.Bangladesh is hampered by a relative lack of natural resources, populationgrowth of more than 2% a year, large-scale unemployment, and a limitedinfrastructure; furthermore, it is highly vulnerable to natural disasters.Despite these constraints, real GDP growth averaged about 3.5% annuallyduring 1985-89. A strong agricultural performance in FY90 pushed the growthrate up to 6.2%, and FY91 saw further, though smaller, increases in output.Alleviation of poverty remains the cornerstone of the government'sdevelopment strategy.GDP:exchange rate conversion - $23.1 billion, per capita $200; real growth rate3.2% (FY91)Inflation rate (consumer prices):8.9% (FY91 est.)Unemployment rate:30%, including underemployment (FY90 est.)Budget:revenues $2.24 billion; expenditures $3.7 billion (FY91)Exports:$1.7 billion (FY91 est.)commodities:garments, jute and jute goods, leather, shrimppartners:US 32%, Italy 8.1%, UK 6.2% (FY90)Imports:$3.5 billion (FY91 est.)commodities:capital goods, petroleum, food, textilespartners:Japan 9.2%, India 6.2%, Singapore 5.9%, US 5.7%External debt:$11.1 billion (FY91 est.)Industrial production:growth rate 1% (FY91 est.); accounts for 10% of GDPElectricity:1,990,000 kW capacity; 5,700 million kWh produced, 50 kWh per capita (1990)Industries:jute manufacturing, cotton textiles, food processing, steel, fertilizerAgriculture:accounts for about 40% of GDP, 70% of employment, and one-third of exports;imports 10% of food grain requirements; world's largest exporter of jute;commercial products - jute, rice, wheat, tea, sugarcane, potatoes, beef,milk, poultry; shortages include wheat, vegetable oils and cotton; fishcatch 778,000 metric tons in 1986Economic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $3.4 billion; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1980-89), $11.65 million; OPECbilateral aid (1979-89), $6.52 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $1.5billionCurrency:taka (plural - taka); 1 taka (Tk) = 100 paiseExchange rates:taka (Tk) per US$1 - 38.800 (January 1992), 36.596 (1991), 34.569 (1990),32.270 (1989), 31.733 (1988), 30.950 (1987)Fiscal year:1 July - 30 June
:Bangladesh Communications
Railroads:2,892 km total (1986); 1,914 km 1.000 meter gauge, 978 km 1.676 meter broadgaugeHighways:7,240 km total (1985); 3,840 km paved, 3,400 km unpavedInland waterways:5,150-8,046 km navigable waterways (includes 2,575-3,058 km main cargoroutes)Pipelines:natural gas 1,220 kmPorts:Chittagong, ChalnaMerchant marine:44 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 328,382 GRT/479,985 DWT; includes 36cargo, 2 petroleum tanker, 3 refrigerated cargo, 3 bulkCivil air:15 major transport aircraftAirports:16 total, 12 usable; 12 with permanent-surface runways; none with runwaysover 3,659 m; 4 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 6 with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:adequate international radio communications and landline service; fairdomestic wire and microwave service; fair broadcast service; 241,250telephones; broadcast stations - 9 AM, 6 FM, 11 TV; 2 Indian Ocean INTELSATsatellite earth stations
:Bangladesh Defense Forces
Branches:Army, Navy, Air Force; paramilitary forces - Bangladesh Rifles, BangladeshAnsars, Armed Police Reserve, Coastal PoliceManpower availability:males 15-49, 29,891,224; 17,745,343 fit for military serviceDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $339 million, 1.5% of GDP (FY92 budget)
:Barbados Geography
Total area:430 km2Land area:430 km2Comparative area:slightly less than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DCLand boundaries:noneCoastline:97 kmMaritime claims:Exclusive economic zone:200 nmTerritorial sea:12 nmDisputes:noneClimate:tropical; rainy season (June to October)Terrain:relatively flat; rises gently to central highland regionNatural resources:crude oil, fishing, natural gasLand use:arable land 77%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 9%; forest andwoodland 0%; other 14%Environment:subject to hurricanes (especially June to October)Note:easternmost Caribbean island
:Barbados People
Population:254,934 (July 1992), growth rate 0.1% (1992)Birth rate:16 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:9 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:—6 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:22 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:70 years male, 76 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:1.8 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Barbadian(s); adjective - BarbadianEthnic divisions:African 80%, mixed 16%, European 4%Religions:Protestant 67% (Anglican 40%, Pentecostal 8%, Methodist 7%, other 12%),Roman Catholic 4%; none 17%, unknown 3%, other 9% (1980)Languages:EnglishLiteracy:99% (male 99%, female 99%) age 15 and over having ever attended school(1970)Labor force:120,900 (1991); services and government 37%; commerce 22%; manufacturing andconstruction 22%; transportation, storage, communications, and financialinstitutions 9%; agriculture 8%; utilities 2% (1985 est.)Organized labor:32% of labor force
:Barbados Government
Long-form name:noneType:parliamentary democracyCapital:BridgetownAdministrative divisions:11 parishes; Christ Church, Saint Andrew, Saint George, Saint James, SaintJohn, Saint Joseph, Saint Lucy, Saint Michael, Saint Peter, Saint Philip,Saint Thomas; note - there may be a new city of BridgetownIndependence:30 November 1966 (from UK)Constitution:30 November 1966Legal system:English common law; no judicial review of legislative actsNational holiday:Independence Day, 30 November (1966)Executive branch:British monarch, governor general, prime minister, deputy prime minister,CabinetLegislative branch:bicameral Parliament consists of an upper house or Senate and a lower houseor House of AssemblyJudicial branch:Supreme Court of JudicatureLeaders:Chief of State:Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor GeneralDame Nita BARROW (since 6 June 1990)Head of Government:Prime Minister Lloyd Erskine SANDIFORD (since 2 June 1987)Political parties and leaders:Democratic Labor Party (DLP), Erskine SANDIFORD; Barbados Labor Party (BLP),Henry FORDE; National Democratic Party (NDP), Richie HAYNESSuffrage:universal at age 18Elections:House of Assembly:last held 22 January 1991 (next to be held by January 1996); results - DLP49.8%; seats - (28 total) DLP 18, BLP 10Other political or pressure groups:Industrial and General Workers Union, Sir Frank WALCOTT; People'sProgressive Movement, Eric SEALY; Workers' Party of Barbados, Dr. GeorgeBELLEMember of:ACP, C, CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD,IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES,LORCS, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMODiplomatic representation:Ambassador Dr. Rudi WEBSTER; Chancery at 2144 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington,DC 20008; telephone (202) 939-9200 through 9202; there is a BarbadianConsulate General in New York and a Consulate in Los AngelesUS:Ambassador G. Philip HUGHES; Embassy at Canadian Imperial Bank of CommerceBuilding, Broad Street, Bridgetown (mailing address is P. O. Box 302, Box B,FPO AA 34054); telephone (809) 436-4950 through 4957; FAX (809) 429-5246
:Barbados Government
Flag:three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and blue with thehead of a black trident centered on the gold band; the trident headrepresents independence and a break with the past (the colonial coat of armscontained a complete trident)
:Barbados Economy
Overview:A per capita income of $6,500 gives Barbados one of the highest standards ofliving of all the small island states of the eastern Caribbean.Historically, the economy was based on the cultivation of sugarcane andrelated activities. In recent years, however, the economy has diversifiedinto manufacturing and tourism. The tourist industry is now a major employerof the labor force and a primary source of foreign exchange. The economyslowed in 1990-91, however, and Bridgetown's declining hard currencyreserves and inability to finance its deficits have caused it to adopt anaustere economic reform program.GDP:purchasing power equivalent - $1.7 billion, per capita $6,500; real growthrate—3.1% (1990)Inflation rate (consumer prices):3.4% (1990)Unemployment rate:18% (1991)Budget:revenues $514 million; expenditures $615 million (FY91-92)Exports:$210.6 million (f.o.b., 1990)commodities:sugar and molasses, chemicals, electrical components, clothing, rum,machinery and transport equipmentpartners:CARICOM 30%, US 20%, UK 20%Imports:$704 million (c.i.f., 1990)commodities:foodstuffs, consumer durables, raw materials, machinery, crude oil,construction materials, chemicalspartners:US 35%, CARICOM 13%, UK 12%, Japan 6%, Canada 8%, Venezuela 4%External debt:$539.9 million (1990)Industrial production:growth rate—2.7% (1990); accounts for 14% of GDPElectricity:152,100 kW capacity; 539 million kWh produced, 2,117 kWh per capita (1991)Industries:tourism, sugar, light manufacturing, component assembly for exportAgriculture:accounts for 10% of GDP; major cash crop is sugarcane; other crops -vegetables and cotton; not self-sufficient in foodEconomic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $15 million; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $171 millionCurrency:Barbadian dollars (plural - dollars); 1 Barbadian dollar (Bds$) = 100 centsExchange rates:Barbadian dollars (Bds$) per US$1 - 2.0113 (fixed rate)Fiscal year:1 April - 31 March
:Barbados Communications
Highways:1,570 km total; 1,475 km paved, 95 km gravel and earthPorts:BridgetownMerchant marine:2 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,200 GRT/7,338 DWTCivil air:no major transport aircraftAirports:1 with permanent-surface runways 2,440-3,659 mTelecommunications:islandwide automatic telephone system with 89,000 telephones; troposphericscatter link to Trinidad and Saint Lucia; broadcast stations - 3 AM, 2 FM, 2(1 is pay) TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
:Barbados Defense Forces
Branches:Royal Barbados Defense Force, Coast Guard, Royal Barbados Police ForceManpower availability:males 15-49, 69,678; 48,803 fit for military service, no conscriptionDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $10 million, 0.7% of GDP (1989)
:Bassas da India Geography
Total area:NALand area:undeterminedComparative area:undeterminedLand boundaries:noneCoastline:35.2 kmMaritime claims:Contiguous zone:12 nmContinental shelf:200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitationExclusive economic zone:200 nmTerritorial sea:12 nmDisputes:claimed by MadagascarClimate:tropicalTerrain:a volcanic rock 2.4 m highNatural resources:noneLand use:arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest andwoodland 0%; other (rock) 100%Environment:surrounded by reefs; subject to periodic cyclonesNote:navigational hazard since it is usually under water during high tide;located in southern Mozambique Channel about halfway between Africa andMadagascar
:Bassas da India People
Population: uninhabited
:Bassas da India Government
Long-form name:noneType:French possession administered by Commissioner of the Republic JacquesDEWATRE (since July 1991), resident in ReunionCapital:none; administered by France from Reunion
:Bassas da India Economy
Overview: no economic activity
:Bassas da India Communications
Ports: none; offshore anchorage only
:Bassas da India Defense Forces
Note: defense is the responsibility of France
:Belarus Geography
Total area:207,600 km2Land area:207,600 km2Comparative area:slightly smaller than KansasLand boundaries:3,098 km total; Latvia 141 km, Lithuania 502 km, Poland 605 km, Russia 959km, Ukraine 891 kmCoastline:none - landlockedMaritime claims:none - landlockedDisputes:noneClimate:mild and moist; transitional between continental and maritimeTerrain:generally flat and contains much marshlandNatural resources:forest land and peat depositsLand use:arable land NA%; permanent crops NA%; meadows and pastures NA%; forest andwoodland NA%; other NA%; includes irrigated NA%Environment:southern part of Belarushighly contaminated with fallout from 1986 nuclear reactor accident atChernobyl'Note:landlocked
:Belarus People
Population:10,373,881 (July 1992), growth rate 0.5% (1992)Birth rate:15 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:11 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:1 migrant/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:20 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:66 years male, 76 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:2.1 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Belarusian(s); adjective - BelarusianEthnic divisions:Byelorussian 77.9%, Russian 13.2%, Poles 4.1%, Ukrainian 2.9%, Jews 1.1%,other 0.8%Religions:Russian Orthodox NA%, unknown NA%, none NA%, other NA%Languages:Byelorussian NA%, Russian NA%, other NA%Literacy:NA% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and writeLabor force:5,418,000; industry and construction 42%, agriculture and forestry 20%,other 38% (1990)Organized labor:NA
:Belarus Government
Long-form name:Republic of BelarusType:republicCapital:MenskAdministrative divisions:6 oblasts (oblastey, singular - oblast'); Brest, Gomel', Grodno, Minsk,Mogilev, Vitebsk; note - all oblasts have the same name as theiradministrative centerIndependence:1 January 1919 Belorussian Republic; 30 December 1922 joined with the USSR;25 August 1991 redeclared independenceConstitution:adopted April 1978Legal system:based on civil law systemNational holiday:24 August (1991)Executive branch:NALegislative branch:unicameral with 360 seatsJudicial branch:NALeaders:Chief of State:Chairman of the Supreme Soviet Stanislav S. SHUSHKEVICH (since NA 1991)Head of Government:Prime Minister Vyacheslav F. KEBICH (since NA April 1990), First DeputyPrime Minister Mikhail MYASNIKOVICH (since early 1991)Political parties and leaders:Belarusian Popular Front, Zenon POZNYAK, chairman; United Democratic Party,Stanislav GUSAK, co-chairman; Social Democratic Gramada, Mikhail TKACHEV,chairman; Belarus Workers Union, Mikhail SOBOL, ChairmanSuffrage:universal at age 18Elections:President:NASupreme Soviet:last held 4 March 1990 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote byparty NA; seats - (360 total) number of seats by party NA; note - 50 seatsare for public bodiesCommunists:NAOther political or pressure groups:NAMember of:CE, CIS, CSCE, ECE, IAEA, ILO, INMARSAT, IOC, ITU, NACC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMODiplomatic representation:Ambassador Martynov; Chancery at NA NW, Washington, DC 200__; telephone NAUS:Ambassador (vacant); David SWARTZ, Charge d'Affaires; Embassy at HotelBelarus (telephone 8-011-7-0172-69-08-02) plus 7 hours; (mailing address isAPO New York is 09862); telephone NAFlag:white, red, and white
:Belarus Economy
Overview:In many ways Belarus resembles the three Baltic states, for example, in itsindustrial competence, its higher-than-average standard of living, and itscritical dependence on the other former Soviet states for fuels and rawmaterials. Belarus ranks fourth in gross output among the former Sovietrepublics, producing 4% of the total GDP and employing 4% of the laborforce. Once a mainly agricultural area, it now supplies important producerand consumer goods - sometimes as the sole producer - to the other states.The soil in Belarus is not as fertile as the black earth of Ukraine, but byemphasizing favorable crops and livestock (especially pigs and chickens),Belarus has become a net exporter to the other republics of meat, milk,eggs, flour, and potatoes. Belarus produces only small amounts of oil andgas and receives most of its fuel from Russia through the Druzhba oilpipeline and the Northern Lights gas pipeline. These pipelines transitBelarus enroute to Eastern Europe. Belarus produces petrochemicals,plastics, synthetic fibers (nearly 30% of former Soviet output), andfertilizer (20% of former Soviet output). Raw material resources are limitedto potash and peat deposits. The peat (more than one-third of the total forthe former Soviet Union) is used in domestic heating as boiler fuel forelectric power stations and in the production of chemicals. The potashsupports fertilizer production.GDP:NA - $NA, per capita $NA; real growth rate —2% (1991)Inflation rate (consumer prices):81% (1991)Unemployment rate:NA%Budget:revenues $NA million; expenditures $NA million, including capitalexpenditures of $NA millionExports:$4.3 billion (f.o.b., 1990)commodities:machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, foodstuffspartners:NAImports:$5.6 billion (c.i.f., 1990)commodities:machinery, chemicals, textilespartners:NAExternal debt:$2.6 billion (end of 1991)Industrial production:growth rate —1.5% (1991)Electricity:7,500,000 kW capacity; 38,700 million kWh produced, 3,770 kWh per capita(1991)
:Belarus Economy
Industries:employ about 27% of labor force and produce a wide variety of productsessential to the other states; products include (in percent share of totaloutput of former Soviet Union): tractors(12%); metal-cutting machine tools(11%); off-highway dump trucksup to 110-metric- ton load capacity (100%);wheel-type earthmovers for construction and mining (100%); eight-wheel-drive, high-flotation trucks with cargo capacity of 25 metric tons foruse in tundra and roadless areas (100%); equipment for animal husbandry andlivestock feeding (25%); motorcycles (21.3%); television sets (11%);chemical fibers (28%); fertilizer (18%); linen fabric (11%); wool fabric(7%); radios; refrigerators; and other consumer goodsAgriculture:accounts for 5.7% of total agricultural output of former Soviet Union;employs 29% of the labor force; in 1988 produced the following (in percentof total Soviet production): grain (3.6%), potatoes (12.2%), vegetables(3.0%), meat (6.0%), milk (7.0%); net exporter of meat, milk, eggs, flour,and potatoesIllicit drugs:illicit producer of opium mostly for the domestic market; transshipmentpoint for illicit drugs to Western EuropeEconomic aid:NACurrency:as of May 1992, retaining ruble as currencyExchange rates:NAFiscal year:calendar year
:Belarus Communications
Railroads:5,570 km (includes NA km electrified); does not include industrial lines(1990)Highways:98,200 km total (1990); 66,100 km hard surfaced, 32,100 km earthInland waterways:NA kmPipelines:NAPorts:none - landlockedMerchant marine:none - landlockedCivil air:NA major transport aircraftAirports:NATelecommunications:telephone network has 1.7 million lines, 15% of which are switchedautomatically; Minsk has 450,000 lines; telephone density is approximately17 per 100 persons; as of 31 January 1990, 721,000 applications fromhouseholds for telephones were still unsatisfied; international connectionsto other former Soviet republics are by landline or microwave and to othercountries by leased connection through the Moscow international gatewayswitch
:Belarus Defense Forces
Branches:Republic Security Forces (internal and border troops); CIS Forces (Ground,Air, Air Defense, Strategic Rocket)Manpower availability:males 15-49, NA; NA fit for military service; NA reach military age (18)annuallyDefense expenditures:$NA, NA% of GDP
:Belgium Geography
Total area:30,510 km2Land area:30,230 km2Comparative area:slightly larger than MarylandLand boundaries:1,385 km total; France 620 km, Germany 167 km, Luxembourg 148 km,Netherlands 450 kmCoastline:64 kmMaritime claims:Continental shelf:not specificExclusive fishing zone:equidistant line with neighbors (extends about 68 km from coast)Territorial sea:12 nmDisputes:noneClimate:temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudyTerrain:flat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills, rugged mountains ofArdennes Forest in southeastNatural resources:coal, natural gasLand use:arable land 24%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures 20%; forest andwoodland 21%; other 34%, includes irrigated NEGL%Environment:air and water pollutionNote:majority of West European capitals within 1,000 km of Brussels; crossroadsof Western Europe; Brussels is the seat of the EC
:Belgium People
Population:10,016,623 (July 1992), growth rate 0.3% (1992)Birth rate:12 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:10 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:1 migrant/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:8 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:73 years male, 80 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:1.6 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Belgian(s); adjective - BelgianEthnic divisions:Fleming 55%, Walloon 33%, mixed or other 12%Religions:Roman Catholic 75%, remainder Protestant or otherLanguages:Flemish (Dutch) 56%, French 32%, German 1%; legally bilingual 11%; dividedalong ethnic linesLiteracy:99% (male 99%, female 99%) age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.)Labor force:4,126,000; services 63.6%, industry 28%, construction 6.1%, agriculture 2.3%(1988)Organized labor:70% of labor force