:Sri Lanka Defense Forces
Branches:Army, Navy, Air Force, Police ForceManpower availability:males 15-49, 4,709,203; 3,678,952 fit for military service; 177,554 reachmilitary age (18) annuallyDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $432 million, 6% of GDP (1991)\
:Sudan Geography
Total area:2,505,810 km2Land area:2,376,000 km2Comparative area:slightly more than one-quarter the size of the USLand boundaries:7,697 km total; Central African Republic 1,165 km, Chad 1,360 km, Egypt1,273 km, Ethiopia 2,221 km, Kenya 232 km, Libya 383 km, Uganda 435 km,Zaire 628 kmCoastline:853 kmMaritime claims:Contiguous zone:18 nmContinental shelf:200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitationTerritorial sea:12 nmDisputes:administrative boundary with Kenya does not coincide with internationalboundary; administrative boundary with Egypt does not coincide withinternational boundaryClimate:tropical in south; arid desert in north; rainy season (April to October)Terrain:generally flat, featureless plain; mountains in east and westNatural resources:small reserves of crude oil, iron ore, copper, chromium ore, zinc, tungsten,mica, silver, crude oilLand use:arable land 5%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 24%; forest andwoodland 20%; other 51%; includes irrigated 1%Environment:dominated by the Nile and its tributaries; dust storms; desertificationNote:largest country in Africa
:Sudan People
Population:28,305,046 (July 1992), growth rate 3.1% (1992)Birth rate:44 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:13 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:NEGL migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:83 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:53 years male, 54 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:6.3 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Sudanese (singular and plural); adjective - SudaneseEthnic divisions:black 52%, Arab 39%, Beja 6%, foreigners 2%, other 1%Religions:Sunni Muslim (in north) 70%, indigenous beliefs 20%, Christian (mostly insouth and Khartoum) 5%Languages:Arabic (official), Nubian, Ta Bedawie, diverse dialects of Nilotic,Nilo-Hamitic, and Sudanic languages, English; program of Arabization inprocessLiteracy:27% (male 43%, female 12%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)Labor force:6,500,000; agriculture 80%, industry and commerce 10%, government 6%; laborshortages for almost all categories of skilled employment (1983 est.); 52%of population of working age (1985)Organized labor:trade unions suspended following 30 June 1989 coup; now in process of beinglegalized anew
:Sudan Government
Long-form name:Republic of the SudanType:military; civilian government suspended and martial law imposed after 30June 1989 coupCapital:KhartoumAdministrative divisions:9 states (wilayat, singular - wilayat or wilayah*); A'ali an Nil, Al Wusta*,Al Istiwa'iyah*, Al Khartum, Ash Shamaliyah*, Ash Sharqiyah*, Bahr alGhazal, Darfur, KurdufanIndependence:1 January 1956 (from Egypt and UK; formerly Anglo-Egyptian Sudan)Constitution:12 April 1973, suspended following coup of 6 April 1985; interimconstitution of 10 October 1985 suspended following coup of 30 June 1989Legal system:based on English common law and Islamic law; as of 20 January 1991, theRevolutionary Command Council imposed Islamic law in the six northern statesof Al Wusta, Al Khartum, Ash Shamaliyah, Ash Sharqiyah, Darfur, andKurdufan; the council is still studying criminal provisions under Islamiclaw; Islamic law will apply to all residents of the six northern statesregardless of their religion; some separate religious courts; acceptscompulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservationsNational holiday:Independence Day, 1 January (1956)Executive branch:executive and legislative authority vested in a 12-member RevolutionaryCommand Council (RCC); chairman of the RCC acts as prime minister; in July1989, RCC appointed a predominately civilian 22-member cabinet to functionas advisersLegislative branch:appointed 300-member Transitional National Assembly; note - as announced 1January 1992 by RCC Chairman BASHIR, the Assembly assumes all legislativeauthority for Sudan until the eventual, unspecified resumption of nationalelectionsJudicial branch:Supreme Court, Special Revolutionary CourtsLeaders:Chief of State and Head of Government:Revolutionary Command Council Chairman and Prime Minister Lt. Gen. UmarHasan Ahmad al-BASHIR (since 30 June 1989); Deputy Chairman of the CommandCouncil and Deputy Prime Minister Maj. Gen. al-Zubayr Muhammad SALIH Ahmed(since 9 July 1989)Political parties and leaders:none; banned following 30 June 1989 coupSuffrage:noneElections:noneMember of:ABEDA, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD,ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IGADD, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC,ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU,WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation:Ambassador `Abdallah Ahmad `ABDALLAH; Chancery at 2210 Massachusetts AvenueNW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 338-8565 through 8570; there is aSudanese Consulate General in New York
:Sudan Government
US:Ambassador James R. CHEEK (will be replaced summer of 1992); Embassy atShar'ia Ali Abdul Latif, Khartoum (mailing address is P. O. Box 699,Khartoum, or APO AE 09829); telephone 74700 or 74611; Telex 22619Flag:three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black with a greenisosceles triangle based on the hoist side
:Sudan Economy
Overview:Sudan is buffeted by civil war, chronic political instability, adverseweather, high inflation, and counterproductive economic policies. Theeconomy is dominated by governmental entities that account for more than 70%of new investment. The private sector's main areas of activity areagriculture and trading, with most private industrial investment predating1980. The economy's base is agriculture, which employs 80% of the workforce. Industry mainly processes agricultural items. Sluggish economicperformance over the past decade, attributable largely to declining annualrainfall, has reduced levels of per capita income and consumption. A highforeign debt and huge arrearages continue to cause difficulties. In 1990 theInternational Monetary Fund took the unusual step of declaring Sudannoncooperative because of its nonpayment of arrearages to the Fund. Despitesubsequent government efforts to implement reforms urged by the IMF and theWorld Bank, the economy remained stagnant in FY91 as entrepreneurs lack theincentive to take economic risks.GDP:exchange rate conversion - $12.1 billion, per capita $450; real growth rate0% (FY91 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):95% (FY91 est.)Unemployment rate:15% (FY91 est.)Budget:revenues $1.3 billion; expenditures $2.1 billion, including capitalexpenditures of $505 million (FY91 est.)Exports:$325 million (f.o.b., FY91 est.)commodities:cotton 52%, sesame, gum arabic, peanutspartners:Western Europe 46%, Saudi Arabia 14%, Eastern Europe 9%, Japan 9%, US 3%(FY88)Imports:$1.40 billion (c.i.f., FY91 est.)commodities:foodstuffs, petroleum products, manufactured goods, machinery and equipment,medicines and chemicals, textilespartners:Western Europe 32%, Africa and Asia 15%, US 13%, Eastern Europe 3% (FY88)External debt:$14.6 billion (June 1991 est.)Industrial production:growth rate NA%; accounts for 11% of GDP (FY89)Electricity:610,000 kW capacity; 905 million kWh produced, 40 kWh per capita (1991)Industries:cotton ginning, textiles, cement, edible oils, sugar, soap distilling,shoes, petroleum refiningAgriculture:accounts for 35% of GDP and 80% of labor force; water shortages; two-thirdsof land area suitable for raising crops and livestock; major products -cotton, oilseeds, sorghum, millet, wheat, gum arabic, sheep; marginallyself-sufficient in most foodsEconomic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $1.5 billion; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $5.1 billion; OPECbilateral aid (1979-89), $3.1 billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $588million
:Sudan Economy
Currency:Sudanese pound (plural - pounds); 1 Sudanese pound (#Sd) = 100 piastersExchange rates:official rate - Sudanese pounds (#Sd) per US$1 - 90.1 (March 1992), 5.4288(1991), 4.5004 (fixed rate since 1987), 2.8121 (1987); note - free marketrate 83 (December 1991)Fiscal year:1 July - 30 June
:Sudan Communications
Railroads:5,500 km total; 4,784 km 1.067-meter gauge, 716 km 1.6096-meter-gaugeplantation lineHighways:20,000 km total; 1,600 km bituminous treated, 3,700 km gravel, 2,301 kmimproved earth, 12,399 km unimproved earth and trackInland waterways:5,310 km navigablePipelines:refined products 815 kmPorts:Port Sudan, SwakinMerchant marine:5 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 42,277 GRT/59,588 DWT; includes 3cargo, 2 roll-on/roll-off cargoCivil air:18 major transport aircraftAirports:72 total, 57 usable; 8 with permanent-surface runways; none with runwaysover 3,659 m; 5 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 31 with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:large, well-equipped system by African standards, but barely adequate andpoorly maintained by modern standards; consists of microwave, cable, radiocommunications, and troposcatter; domestic satellite system with 14stations; broadcast stations - 11 AM, 3 TV; satellite earth stations - 1Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 1 ARABSAT
:Sudan Defense Forces
Branches:Army, Navy, Air Force, Air Defense ForceManpower availability:males 15-49, 6,432,270; 3,949,518 fit for military service; 302,696 reachmilitary age (18) annuallyDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $610 million, 7.2% of GDP (1989 est.)
:Suriname Geography
Total area:163,270 km2Land area:161,470 km2Comparative area:slightly larger than GeorgiaLand boundaries:1,707 km total; Brazil 597 km, French Guiana 510 km, Guyana 600 kmCoastline:386 kmMaritime claims:Exclusive economic zone:200 nmTerritorial sea:12 nmDisputes:claims area in French Guiana between Litani Rivier and Riviere Marouini(both headwaters of the Lawa); claims area in Guyana between New (UpperCourantyne) and Courantyne/Kutari Rivers (all headwaters of the Courantyne)Climate:tropical; moderated by trade windsTerrain:mostly rolling hills; narrow coastal plain with swampsNatural resources:timber, hydropower potential, fish, shrimp, bauxite, iron ore, and smallamounts of nickel, copper, platinum, goldLand use:arable land NEGL%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures NEGL%; forestand woodland 97%; other 3%; includes irrigated NEGL%Environment:mostly tropical rain forest
:Suriname People
Population:410,016 (July 1992), growth rate 1.5% (1992)Birth rate:26 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:6 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:-5 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:34 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:66 years male, 71 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:2.9 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Surinamer(s); adjective - SurinameseEthnic divisions:Hindustani (East Indian) 37.0%, Creole (black and mixed) 31.0%, Javanese15.3%, Bush black 10.3%, Amerindian 2.6%, Chinese 1.7%, Europeans 1.0%,other 1.1%Religions:Hindu 27.4%, Muslim 19.6%, Roman Catholic 22.8%, Protestant (predominantlyMoravian) 25.2%, indigenous beliefs about 5%Languages:Dutch (official); English widely spoken; Sranan Tongo (Surinamese, sometimescalled Taki-Taki) is native language of Creoles and much of the youngerpopulation and is lingua franca among others; also Hindi Suriname Hindustani(a variant of Bhoqpuri) and JavaneseLiteracy:95% (male 95%, female 95%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)Labor force:104,000 (1984)Organized labor:49,000 members of labor force
:Suriname Government
Long-form name:Republic of SurinameType:republicCapital:ParamariboAdministrative divisions:10 districts (distrikten, singular - distrikt); Brokopondo, Commewijne,Coronie, Marowijne, Nickerie, Para, Paramaribo, Saramacca, Sipaliwini,WanicaIndependence:25 November 1975 (from Netherlands; formerly Netherlands Guiana or DutchGuiana)Constitution:ratified 30 September 1987Legal system:NANational holiday:Independence Day, 25 November (1975)Executive branch:president, vice president and prime minister, Cabinet of Ministers, Councilof State; note - Commander in Chief of the National Army maintainssignificant powerLegislative branch:unicameral National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale)Judicial branch:Supreme CourtLeaders:Chief of State and Head of Government:President Ronald VENETIAAN (since 16 September 1991); Vice President andPrime Minister Jules AJODHIA (since 16 September 1991)Political parties and leaders:traditional ethnic-based parties:The New Front (NF), a coalition formed of four parties following the 24December 1990 military coup - Progressive Reform Party (VHP), JaggernathLACHMON; National Party of Suriname (NPS), Henck ARRON; Indonesian PeasantsParty (KTPI), Willie SOEMITA; and Suriname Labor Party (SPA) Fred DERBY;promilitary:National Democratic Party (NDP), Orlando VAN AMSON; Democratic Alternative'91 (DA '91), Winston JESSURUN, a coalition of five parties formed inJanuary 1991 - Alternative Forum (AF), Gerard BRUNINGS, Winston JESSURUN;Reformed Progressive Party (HPP), Panalal PARMESSAR; Party for Brotherhoodand Unity in Politics (BEP), Cipriano ALLENDY; Pendawalima, Marsha JAMIN;and Independent Progressive Group, Karam RAMSUNDERSINGH;leftists:Revolutionary People's Party (RVP), Michael NAARENDORP; Progressive Workersand Farmers (PALU), Iwan KROLISSuffrage:universal at age 18Elections:President:last held 6 September 1991 (next to be held NA May 1996); results - electedby the National Assembly - Ronald VENETIAAN (NF) 80% (645 votes), JulesWIJDENBOSCH (NDP) 14% (115 votes), Hans PRADE (DA '91) 6% (49 votes)National Assembly:last held 25 May 1991 (next to be held NA May 1996); results - percent ofvote NA; seats - (51 total) NF 30, NDP 12, DA '91 9
:Suriname Government
Member of:ACP, CARICOM (observer), ECLAC, FAO, GATT, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU,IFAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LAES, LORCS, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, UN,UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMODiplomatic representation:Ambassador Willem A. UDENHOUT; Chancery at Suite 108, 4301 ConnecticutAvenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 244-7488 or 7490 through7492; there is a Surinamese Consulate General in MiamiUS:Ambassador John (Jack) P. LEONARD; Embassy at Dr. Sophie Redmonstraat 129,Paramaribo (mailing address is P. O. Box 1821, Paramaribo); telephone [597]472900, 477881, or 476459; FAX [597] 410025Flag:five horizontal bands of green (top, double width), white, red (quadruplewidth), white, and green (double width); there is a large yellowfive-pointed star centered in the red band
:Suriname Economy
Overview:The economy is dominated by the bauxite industry, which accounts for about70% of export earnings and 40% of tax revenues. The economy has been introuble since the Dutch ended development aid in 1982. A drop in worldbauxite prices which started in the late 1970s and continued until late 1986was followed by the outbreak of a guerrilla insurgency in the interior thatcrippled the important bauxite sector. Although the insurgency has sinceebbed and the bauxite sector recovered, a military coup in December 1990reflected continued political instability and deterred investment andeconomic reform. High inflation, high unemployment, widespread black marketactivity, and hard currency shortfalls continue to mark the economy.GDP:exchange rate conversion - $1.4 billion, per capita $3,400; real growth rate0% (1989 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):50% (1989 est.)Unemployment rate:33% (1990)Budget:revenues $466 million; expenditures $716 million, including capitalexpenditures of $123 million (1989 est.)Exports:$549 million (f.o.b., 1989 est.)commodities:alumina, bauxite, aluminum, rice, wood and wood products, shrimp and fish,bananaspartners:Norway 33%, Netherlands 20%, US 15%, FRG 9%, Brazil 5%, UK 5%, Japan 3%,other 10%Imports:$331 million (f.o.b., 1989 est.)commodities:capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs, cotton, consumer goodspartners:US 37%, Netherlands 15%, Netherlands Antilles 11%, Trinidad and Tobago 9%,Brazil 5%, UK 3%, other 20%External debt:$138 million (1990 est.)Industrial production:growth rate NA; accounts for 22% of GDPElectricity:458,000 kW capacity; 2,018 million kWh produced, 5,015 kWh per capita (1991)Industries:bauxite mining, alumina and aluminum production, lumbering, food processing,fishingAgriculture:accounts for 11% of GDP; paddy rice planted on 85% of arable land andrepresents 60% of total farm output; other products - bananas, palm kernels,coconuts, plantains, peanuts, beef, chicken; shrimp and forestry products ofincreasing importance; self-sufficient in most foodsEconomic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-83), $2.5 million; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.5 billionCurrency:Surinamese guilder, gulden, or florin (plural - guilders, gulden, orflorins); 1 Surinamese guilder, gulden, or florin (Sf.) = 100 centsExchange rates:Surinamese guilders, gulden, or florins (Sf.) per US$1 - 1.7850 (fixed rate)
:Suriname Economy
Fiscal year: calendar year
:Suriname Communications
Railroads:166 km total; 86 km 1.000-meter gauge, government owned, and 80 km1.435-meter standard gauge; all single trackHighways:8,300 km total; 500 km paved; 5,400 km bauxite gravel, crushed stone, orimproved earth; 2,400 km sand or clayInland waterways:1,200 km; most important means of transport; oceangoing vessels with draftsranging up to 7 m can navigate many of the principal waterwaysPorts:Paramaribo, MoengoMerchant marine:3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 6,472 GRT/8,914 DWT; includes 2 cargo,1 containerCivil air:1 major transport aircraftAirports:46 total, 40 usable; 6 with permanent-surface runways; none with runwaysover 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:international facilities good; domestic microwave system; 27,500 telephones;broadcast stations - 5 AM, 14 FM, 6 TV, 1 shortwave; 2 Atlantic OceanINTELSAT earth stations
:Suriname Defense Forces
Branches:National Army (including Navy which is company-size, small Air Forceelement), Civil Police, People's MilitiaManpower availability:males 15-49, 109,551; 65,250 fit for military serviceDefense expenditures:$NA, NA% of GDP
:Svalbard Geography
Total area:62,049 km2Land area:62,049 km2; includes Spitsbergen and Bjornoya (Bear Island)Comparative area:slightly smaller than West VirginiaLand boundaries:noneCoastline:3,587 kmMaritime claims:Exclusive fishing zone:200 nm unilaterally claimed by Norway, not recognized by RussiaTerritorial sea:4 nmDisputes:focus of maritime boundary dispute in the Barents Sea between Norway andRussiaClimate:arctic, tempered by warm North Atlantic Current; cool summers, cold winters;North Atlantic Current flows along west and north coasts of Spitsbergen,keeping water open and navigable most of the yearTerrain:wild, rugged mountains; much of high land ice covered; west coast clear ofice about half the year; fjords along west and north coastsNatural resources:coal, copper, iron ore, phosphate, zinc, wildlife, fishLand use:arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest andwoodland 0%; other 100%; there are no trees and the only bushes arecrowberry and cloudberryEnvironment:great calving glaciers descend to the seaNote:located 445 km north of Norway where the Arctic Ocean, Barents Sea,Greenland Sea, and Norwegian Sea meet
:Svalbard People
Population:3,181 (July 1992), growth rate -3.9% (1992); about one-third of thepopulation resides in the Norwegian areas (Longyearbyen and Svea onVestspitsbergen) and two-thirds in the Russian areas (Barentsburg andPyramiden on Vestspitsbergen); about 9 persons live at the Polish researchstationBirth 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)Ethnic divisions:Russian 64%, Norwegian 35%, other 1% (1981)Languages:Russian, NorwegianLiteracy:NA% (male NA%, female NA%)Labor force:NAOrganized labor:none
:Svalbard Government
Long-form name:noneType:territory of Norway administered by the Ministry of Industry, Oslo, througha governor (sysselmann) residing in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen; by treaty (9February 1920) sovereignty was given to NorwayCapital:LongyearbyenLeaders:Chief of State:King HARALD V (since 17 January 1991)Head of Government:Governor Leif ELDRING (since NA)Member of:noneFlag:the flag of Norway is used
:Svalbard Economy
Overview:Coal mining is the major economic activity on Svalbard. By treaty (9February 1920), the nationals of the treaty powers have equal rights toexploit mineral deposits, subject to Norwegian regulation. Although US, UK,Dutch, and Swedish coal companies have mined in the past, the only companiesstill mining are Norwegian and Russian. The settlements on Svalbard areessentially company towns. The Norwegian state-owned coal company employsnearly 60% of the Norwegian population on the island, runs many of the localservices, and provides most of the local infrastructure. There is also sometrapping of seal, polar bear, fox, and walrus.Budget:revenues $13.3 million, expenditures $13.3 million, including capitalexpenditures of $NA (1990)Electricity:21,000 kW capacity; 45 million kWh produced, 11,420 kWh per capita (1989)Currency:Norwegian krone (plural - kroner); 1 Norwegian krone (NKr) = 100 oreExchange rates:Norwegian kroner (NKr) per US$1 - 6.5189 (March 1992), 6.4829 (1991), 6.2597(1990), 6.9045 (1989), 6.5170 (1988), 6.7375 (1987)
:Svalbard Communications
Ports:limited facilities - Ny-Alesund, Advent BayAirports:4 total, 4 usable; 1 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over2,439 m; 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:5 meteorological/radio stations; local telephone service; broadcast stations- 1 AM, 1 (2 repeaters) FM, 1 TV; satellite communication with Norwegianmainland
:Svalbard Defense Forces
Note: demilitarized by treaty (9 February 1920)
:Swaziland Geography
Total area:17,360 km2Land area:17,200 km2Comparative area:slightly smaller than New JerseyLand boundaries:535 km total; Mozambique 105 km, South Africa 430 kmCoastline:none - landlockedMaritime claims:none - landlockedDisputes:noneClimate:varies from tropical to near temperateTerrain:mostly mountains and hills; some moderately sloping plainsNatural resources:asbestos, coal, clay, cassiterite, hydropower, forests, small gold anddiamond deposits, quarry stone, and talcLand use:arable land 8%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 67%; forest andwoodland 6%; other 19%; includes irrigated 2%Environment:overgrazing; soil degradation; soil erosionNote:landlocked; almost completely surrounded by South Africa
:Swaziland People
Population:913,008 (July 1992), growth rate 2.6% (1992)Birth rate:44 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:12 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:-6 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:98 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:52 years male, 60 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:6.2 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Swazi(s); adjective - SwaziEthnic divisions:African 97%, European 3%Religions:Christian 60%, indigenous beliefs 40%Languages:English and siSwati (official); government business conducted in EnglishLiteracy:55% (male 57%, female 54%) age 15 and over can read and write (1976)Labor force:195,000; over 60,000 engaged in subsistence agriculture; about 92,000 wageearners (many only intermittently), with agriculture and forestry 36%,community and social services 20%, manufacturing 14%, construction 9%, other21%; 16,800 employed in South Africa mines (1990)Organized labor:about 10% of wage earners
:Swaziland Government
Long-form name:Kingdom of SwazilandType:monarchy; independent member of CommonwealthCapital:Mbabane (administrative); Lobamba (legislative)Administrative divisions:4 districts; Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini, ShiselweniIndependence:6 September 1968 (from UK)Constitution:none; constitution of 6 September 1968 was suspended on 12 April 1973; a newconstitution was promulgated 13 October 1978, but has not been formallypresented to the peopleLegal system:based on South African Roman-Dutch law in statutory courts, Swazitraditional law and custom in traditional courts; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdictionNational holiday:Somhlolo (Independence) Day, 6 September (1968)Executive branch:monarch, prime minister, CabinetLegislative branch:bicameral Parliament is advisory and consists of an upper house or Senateand a lower house or House of AssemblyJudicial branch:High Court, Court of AppealLeaders:Chief of State:King MSWATI III (since 25 April 1986)Head of Government:Prime Minister Obed DLAMINI (since 12 July 1989)Political parties and leaders:none; banned by the Constitution promulgated on 13 October 1978Suffrage:noneElections:indirect parliamentary election through Swaziland's Tinkhundala Systemscheduled for November 1992Member of:ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO,IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, PCA, SACU, SADCC, UN,UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMODiplomatic representation:Ambassador Absalom Vusani MAMBA; Chancery at 3400 International Drive NW,Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 362-6683US:Ambassador Stephen H. ROGERS; Embassy at Central Bank Building, WarnerStreet, Mbabane (mailing address is P. O. Box 199, Mbabane); telephone [268]46441 through 5; FAX [268] 45959Flag:three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width), and blue; the redband is edged in yellow; centered in the red band is a large black and whiteshield covering two spears and a staff decorated with feather tassels, allplaced horizontally
:Swaziland Economy
Overview:The economy is based on subsistence agriculture, which occupies most of thelabor force and contributes nearly 25% to GDP. Manufacturing, which includesa number of agroprocessing factories, accounts for another quarter of GDP.Mining has declined in importance in recent years; high-grade iron oredeposits were depleted in 1978, and health concerns cut world demand forasbestos. Exports of sugar and forestry products are the main earners ofhard currency. Surrounded by South Africa, except for a short border withMozambique, Swaziland is heavily dependent on South Africa, from which itreceives 75% of its imports and to which it sends about half of its exports.GDP:exchange rate conversion - $563 million, per capita $725; real growth rate5.0% (1990 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):13% (1990)Unemployment rate:NA%Budget:revenues $335.4 million; expenditures $360.5 million, including capitalexpenditures of $NA (FY93 est.)Exports:$557 million (f.o.b., 1990)commodities:soft drink concentrates, sugar, wood pulp, citrus, canned fruitpartners:South Africa 50% (est.), EC, CanadaImports:$632 million (f.o.b., 1990)commodities:motor vehicles, machinery, transport equipment, petroleum products,foodstuffs, chemicalspartners:South Africa 75% (est.), Japan, Belgium, UKExternal debt:$290 million (1990)Industrial production:growth rate NA; accounts for 26% of GDP (1989)Electricity:60,000 kW capacity; 155 million kWh produced, 180 kWh per capita (1991)Industries:mining (coal and asbestos), wood pulp, sugarAgriculture:accounts for 23% of GDP and over 60% of labor force; mostly subsistenceagriculture; cash crops - sugarcane, cotton, maize, tobacco, rice, citrusfruit, pineapples; other crops and livestock - corn, sorghum, peanuts,cattle, goats, sheep; not self-sufficient in grainEconomic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $142 million; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $518 millionCurrency:lilangeni (plural - emalangeni); 1 lilangeni (E) = 100 centsExchange rates:emalangeni (E) per US$1 - 2.7814 (January 1992), 2.7563 (1991), 2.5863(1990), 2.6166 (1989), 2.2611 (1988), 2.0350 (1987); note - the Swaziemalangeni is at par with the South African randFiscal year:1 April - 31 March
:Swaziland Communications
Railroads:297 km (plus 71 km disused), 1.067-meter gauge, single trackHighways:2,853 km total; 510 km paved, 1,230 km crushed stone, gravel, or stabilizedsoil, and 1,113 km improved earthCivil air:4 major transport aircraftAirports:23 total, 21 usable; 1 with permanent-surfaced runways; none with runwaysover 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:system consists of carrier-equipped open-wire lines and low-capacitymicrowave links; 17,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 7 AM, 6 FM, 10 TV;1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
:Swaziland Defense Forces
Branches:Umbutfo Swaziland Defense Force, Royal Swaziland Police ForceManpower availability:males 15-49, 197,654; 114,204 fit for military serviceDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $11 million, about 2% of GNP (1989)
:Sweden Geography
Total area:449,964 km2Land area:410,928 km2Comparative area:slightly smaller than CaliforniaLand boundaries:2,205 km total; Finland 586 km, Norway 1,619 kmCoastline:3,218 kmMaritime claims:Continental shelf:200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitationExclusive fishing zone:200 nmTerritorial sea:12 nmDisputes:noneClimate:temperate in south with cold, cloudy winters and cool, partly cloudysummers; subarctic in northTerrain:mostly flat or gently rolling lowlands; mountains in westNatural resources:zinc, iron ore, lead, copper, silver, timber, uranium, hydropower potentialLand use:arable land 7%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 2%; forest andwoodland 64%; other 27%; includes irrigated NEGL%Environment:water pollution; acid rainNote:strategic location along Danish Straits linking Baltic and North Seas
:Sweden People
Population:8,602,157 (July 1992), growth rate 0.4% (1992)Birth rate:13 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:11 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:2 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:6 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:75 years male, 81 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:1.9 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Swede(s); adjective - SwedishEthnic divisions:homogeneous white population; small Lappish minority; foreign born orfirst-generation immigrants (Finns, Yugoslavs, Danes, Norwegians, Greeks,Turks) about 12%Religions:Evangelical Lutheran 94%, Roman Catholic 1.5%, Pentecostal 1%, other 3.5%(1987)Languages:Swedish, small Lapp- and Finnish-speaking minorities; immigrants speaknative languagesLiteracy:99% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write (1979 est.)Labor force:4,552,000 community, social and personal services 38.3%, mining andmanufacturing 21.2%, commerce, hotels, and restaurants 14.1%, banking,insurance 9.0%, communications 7.2%, construction 7.0%, agriculture,fishing, and forestry 3.2% (1991)Organized labor:80% of labor force (1990 est.)
:Sweden Government
Long-form name:Kingdom of SwedenType:constitutional monarchyCapital:StockholmAdministrative divisions:24 provinces (lan, singular and plural); Alvsborgs Lan, Blekinge Lan,Gavleborgs Lan, Goteborgs och Bohus Lan, Gotlands Lan, Hallands Lan,Jamtlands Lan, Jonkopings Lan, Kalmar Lan, Kopparbergs Lan, KristianstadsLan, Kronobergs Lan, Malmohus Lan, Norrbottens Lan, Orebro Lan,Ostergotlands Lan, Skaraborgs Lan, Sodermanlands Lan, Stockholms Lan,Uppsala Lan, Varmlands Lan, Vasterbottens Lan, Vasternorrlands Lan,Vastmanlands LanIndependence:6 June 1809, constitutional monarchy establishedConstitution:1 January 1975Legal system:civil law system influenced by customary law; accepts compulsory ICJjurisdiction, with reservationsNational holiday:Day of the Swedish Flag, 6 JuneExecutive branch:monarch, prime minister, CabinetLegislative branch:unicameral parliament (Riksdag)Judicial branch:Supreme Court (Hogsta Domstolen)Leaders:Chief of State:King CARL XVI GUSTAF (since 19 September 1973); Heir Apparent PrincessVICTORIA Ingrid Alice Desiree, daughter of the King (born 14 July 1977)Head of Government:Prime Minister Carl BILDT (since 3 October 1991)Political parties and leaders:ruling four-party coalition consists of the Moderate Party (conservative),Carl BILDT; Liberal People's Party, Bengt WESTERBERG; Center Party, OlofJOHANSSON; and the Christian Democratic Party, Alf SVENSSON; SocialDemocratic Party, Ingvar CARLSSON; New Democracy Party, Count IanWACHTMEISTER; Left Party (VP; Communist), Lars WERNER; Swedish CommunistParty (SKP), Rune PETTERSSON; Communist Workers' Party, Rolf HAGEL; GreenParty, no formal leaderSuffrage:universal at age 18Elections:Riksdag:last held 15 September 1991 (next to be held NA September 1994); results -Social Democratic Party 37.6%, Moderate Party (conservative) 21.9%, LiberalPeople's Party 9.1%, Center Party 8.5%, Christian Democrats 7.1%, NewDemocracy 6.7%, Left Party (Communist) 4.5%, Green Party 3.4%, other 1.2%;seats - (349 total) Social Democratic 138, Moderate Party (conservative) 80,Liberal People's Party 33, Center Party 31, Christian Democrats 26, NewDemocracy 25, Left Party (Communist) 16; note - the Green Party has no seatsin the Riksdag because it received less than the required 4% of the voteCommunists:VP and SKP; VP, formerly the Left Party-Communists, is reported to haveroughly 17,800 members and attracted 5.8% of the vote in the 1988 election;VP dropped the Communist label in 1990, but maintains a Marxist ideology
:Sweden Government
Member of:AfDB, AG (observer) AsDB, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, ESA,FAO, G-6, G-8, G-9, G-10, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA,IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTERPOL, INTELSAT, IOC, IOM(observer), ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM (guest), NC, NEA, NIB, OECD, PCA, UN,UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIIMOG, UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UPU,WHO, WIPO, WMODiplomatic representation:Ambassador Anders THUNBORG; Chancery at Suite 1200, 600 New Hampshire AvenueNW, Washington, DC 20037; telephone (202) 944-5600; there are SwedishConsulates General in Chicago, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, and New YorkUS:Ambassador Charles E. REDMAN; Embassy at Strandvagen 101, S-115 89Stockholm; telephone [46] (8) 783-5300; FAX [46] (8) 661-1964Flag:blue with a yellow cross that extends to the edges of the flag; the verticalpart of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog(Danish flag)
:Sweden Economy
Overview:Aided by a long period of peace and neutrality during World War I throughWorld War II, Sweden has achieved an enviable standard of living under amixed system of high-tech capitalism and extensive welfare benefits. It hasessentially full employment, a modern distribution system, excellentinternal and external communications, and a skilled labor force. Timber,hydropower, and iron ore constitute the resource base of an economy that isheavily oriented toward foreign trade. Privately owned firms account forabout 90% of industrial output, of which the engineering sector accounts for50% of output and exports. In the last few years, however, thisextraordinarily favorable picture has been clouded by inflation, growingabsenteeism, and a gradual loss of competitiveness in international markets.The new center-right government, facing a sagging economic situation whichis unlikely to improve until 1993, is pushing full steam ahead with economicreform proposals to end Sweden's recession and to prepare for possible ECmembership in 1995. The free-market-oriented reforms are designed to spurgrowth, maintain price stability, lower unemployment, create a moreefficient welfare state, and further adapt to EC standards. The measuresinclude: cutting taxes, particularly the value-added tax (VAT) and levies onnew and small business; privatization; liberalizing foreign ownershiprestrictions; and opening the welfare system to competition and privatealternatives, which the government will still finance. Growth is expected toremain flat in 1992, but increase slightly in 1993, while inflation shouldremain around 3% for the next few years. On the down side, unemployment mayclimb to slightly over 4% in 1993, and the budget deficit will reach nearly$9 billion in 1992.GDP:purchasing power equivalent - $147.6 billion, per capita $17,200; realgrowth rate -1.1% (1991)Inflation rate (consumer prices):8.0% (1991)Unemployment rate:2.7% (1991)Budget:revenues $67.5 billion; expenditures $78.7 billion, including capitalexpenditures of $NA (FY92 est.)Exports:$54.5 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.)commodities:machinery, motor vehicles, paper products, pulp and wood, iron and steelproducts, chemicals, petroleum and petroleum productspartners:EC, (FRG, UK, Denmark), US, NorwayImports:$50.2 billion (c.i.f., 1991 est.)commodities:machinery, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, motor vehicles,foodstuffs, iron and steel, clothingpartners:EC 55.3%, US 8.4% (1990)External debt:$10.7 billion (November 1991)Industrial production:growth rate -5.3% (1991)Electricity:39,716,000 kW capacity; 142,000 million kWh produced, 16,700 kWh per capita(1991)
:Sweden Economy
Industries:iron and steel, precision equipment (bearings, radio and telephone parts,armaments), wood pulp and paper products, processed foods, motor vehiclesAgriculture:animal husbandry predominates, with milk and dairy products accounting for37% of farm income; main crops - grains, sugar beets, potatoes; 100%self-sufficient in grains and potatoes, 85% self-sufficient in sugar beetsEconomic aid:donor - ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $10.3 billionCurrency:Swedish krona (plural - kronor); 1 Swedish krona (SKr) = 100 oreExchange rates:Swedish kronor (SKr) per US$1 - 6.0259 (March 1992), 6.0475 (1991) 5.9188(1990), 6.4469 (1989), 6.1272 (1988), 6.3404 (1987)Fiscal year:1 July - 30 June
:Sweden Communications
Railroads:12,000 km total; Swedish State Railways (SJ) - 10,819 km 1.435-meterstandard gauge, 6,955 km electrified and 1,152 km double track; 182 km0.891-meter gauge; 117 km rail ferry service; privately owned railways - 511km 1.435-meter standard gauge (332 km electrified); 371 km 0.891-meter gauge(all electrified)Highways:97,400 km (51,899 km paved, 20,659 km gravel, 24,842 km unimproved earth)Inland waterways:2,052 km navigable for small steamers and bargesPipelines:natural gas 84 kmPorts:Gavle, Goteborg, Halmstad, Helsingborg, Kalmar, Malmo, Stockholm; numeroussecondary and minor portsMerchant marine:186 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,665,902 GRT/3,646,165 DWT; includes10 short-sea passenger, 29 cargo, 3 container, 43 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 12vehicle carrier, 2 railcar carrier, 33 petroleum tanker, 28 chemical tanker,4 specialized tanker, 1 liquefied gas, 7 combination ore/oil, 12 bulk, 1combination bulk, 1 refrigerated cargoCivil air:115 major transportsAirports:254 total, 252 usable; 139 with permanent-surface runways; none with runwaysover 3,659 m; 10 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 94 with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:excellent domestic and international facilities; 8,200,000 telephones;mainly coaxial and multiconductor cables carry long-distance network;parallel microwave network carries primarily radio, TV and some telephonechannels; automatic system; broadcast stations - 5 AM, 360 (mostlyrepeaters) FM, 880 (mostly repeaters) TV; 5 submarine coaxial cables;satellite earth stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 1 EUTELSAT
:Sweden Defense Forces
Branches:Swedish Army, Swedish Navy, Swedish Air ForceManpower availability:males 15-49, 2,129,996; 1,858,944 fit for military service; 57,492 reachmilitary age (19) annuallyDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $6.2 billion, about 4% of GDP (FY91)
:Switzerland Geography
Total area:41,290 km2Land area:39,770 km2Comparative area:slightly more than twice the size of New JerseyLand boundaries:1,852 km total; Austria 164 km, France 573 km, Italy 740 km, Liechtenstein41 km, Germany 334 kmCoastline:none - landlockedMaritime claims:none - landlockedDisputes:noneClimate:temperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy winters; coolto warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showersTerrain:mostly mountains (Alps in south, Jura in northwest) with a central plateauof rolling hills, plains, and large lakesNatural resources:hydropower potential, timber, saltLand use:arable land 10%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures 40%; forest andwoodland 26%; other 23%; includes irrigated 1%Environment:dominated by AlpsNote:landlocked; crossroads of northern and southern Europe
:Switzerland People
Population:6,828,023 (July 1992), growth rate 0.6% (1992)Birth rate:12 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:9 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:3 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:6 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:76 years male, 83 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:1.6 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Swiss (singular and plural); adjective - SwissEthnic divisions:total population - German 65%, French 18%, Italian 10%, Romansch 1%, other6%; Swiss nationals - German 74%, French 20%, Italian 4%, Romansch 1%, other1%Religions:Roman Catholic 47.6%, Protestant 44.3%, other 8.1% (1980)Languages:total population - German 65%, French 18%, Italian 12%, Romansch 1%, other4%; Swiss nationals - German 74%, French 20%, Italian 4%, Romansch 1%, other1%Literacy:99% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.)Labor force:3,310,000; 904,095 foreign workers, mostly Italian; services 50%, industryand crafts 33%, government 10%, agriculture and forestry 6%, other 1% (1989)Organized labor:20% of labor force
:Switzerland Government
Long-form name:Swiss ConfederationType:federal republicCapital:BernAdministrative divisions:26 cantons (cantons, singular - canton in French; cantoni, singular -cantone in Italian; kantone, singular - kanton in German); Aargau,Ausser-Rhoden, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Bern, Fribourg, Geneve,Glarus, Graubunden, Inner-Rhoden, Jura, Luzern, Neuchatel, Nidwalden,Obwalden, Sankt Gallen, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Solothurn, Thurgau, Ticino,Uri, Valais, Vaud, Zug, ZurichIndependence:1 August 1291Constitution:29 May 1874Legal system:civil law system influenced by customary law; judicial review of legislativeacts, except with respect to federal decrees of general obligatorycharacter; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservationsNational holiday:Anniversary of the Founding of the Swiss Confederation, 1 August (1291)Executive branch:president, vice president, Federal Council (German - Bundesrat, French -Conseil Federal, Italian - Consiglio Federale)Legislative branch:bicameral Federal Assembly (German - Bundesversammlung, French - AssembleeFederale, Italian - Assemblea Federale) consists of an upper council orCouncil of States (German - Standerat, French - Conseil des Etats, Italian -Consiglio degli Stati) and a lower council or National Council (German -Nationalrat, French - Conseil National, Italian - Consiglio Nazionale)Judicial branch:Federal Supreme CourtLeaders:Chief of State and Head of Government:President Rene FELBER (1992 calendar year; presidency rotates annually);Vice President Adolf OGI (term runs concurrently with that of president)Political parties and leaders:Free Democratic Party (FDP), Bruno HUNZIKER, president; Social DemocraticParty (SPS), Helmut HUBACHER, chairman; Christian Democratic People's Party(CVP), Eva SEGMULLER-WEBER, chairman; Swiss People's Party (SVP), HansUHLMANN, president; Green Party (GPS), Peter SCHMID, president; AutomobileParty (AP), DREYER; Alliance of Independents' Party (LdU), Dr. Franz JAEGER,president; Swiss Democratic Party (SD), NA; Evangelical People's Party(EVP), Max DUNKI, president; Workers' Party (PdA; Communist), JeanSPIELMANN, general secretary; Ticino League, leader NA Liberal Party (LPS),Gilbert COUTAU, presidentSuffrage:universal at age 18Elections:Council of States:last held throughout 1991 (next to be held NA 1995); results - percent ofvote by party NA; seats - (46 total) FDP 18, CVP 16, SVP 4, SPS 3, LPS 3,LdU 1, Ticino League 1
:Switzerland Government
National Council:last held 20 October 1991 (next to be held NA October 1995); results -percent of vote by party NA; seats - (200 total) FDP 44, SPS 42, CVP 37, SVP25, GPS 14, LPS 10, AP 8, LdU 6, SD 5, EVP 3, PdA 2, Ticino League 2, other2Communists:4,500 members (est.)Member of:AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, ESA,FAO, G-8, G-10, GATT, IADB, IAEA, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IEA, IFAD, ILO, IMF,IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM (guest),NEA, OAS (observer), OECD, PCA, UN (observer), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO,UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation:Ambassador Edouard BRUNNER; Chancery at 2900 Cathedral Avenue NW,Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 745-7900; there are Swiss ConsulatesGeneral in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and SanFranciscoUS:Ambassador Joseph B. GILDENHORN; Embassy at Jubilaeumstrasse 93, 3005 Bern;telephone [41] (31) 437-011; FAX [41] (31) 437-344; there is a Branch Officeof the Embassy in Geneva and a Consulate General in ZurichFlag:red square with a bold, equilateral white cross in the center that does notextend to the edges of the flag
:Switzerland Economy
Overview:Switzerland's economic success is matched in few other nations. Per capitaoutput, general living standards, education and science, health care, anddiet are unsurpassed in Europe. Economic stability helps promote theimportant banking and tourist sectors. Since World War II, Switzerland'seconomy has adjusted smoothly to the great changes in output and tradepatterns in Europe and presumably can adjust to the challenges of the 1990s,particularly to the further economic integration of Western Europe and theamazingly rapid changes in East European political and economic prospects.After 8 years of growth, the economy experienced a mild recession in 1991because monetary policy was tightened to combat inflation and because of theweak international economy. In the second half of 1992, however, Switzerlandis expected to resume growth, despite inflation and unemployment problems.GDP growth for 1992 may be just under 1%, inflation should drop from 5.9% to3.5%, and the trade deficit will continue to decline after dropping by over15% to $5 billion, due to increased exports to Germany. Unemployment,however, is forecast to rise to 1.6% in 1992, up from 1.3% in 1991 and 0.5%in 1990.GDP:purchasing power equivalent - $147.4 billion, per capita $21,700; realgrowth rate -0.2% (1991 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):5.9% (1991)Unemployment rate:1.3% (1991)Budget:revenues $24.0 billion; expenditures $23.8 billion, including capitalexpenditures of $NA (1990)Exports:$62.2 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.)commodities:machinery and equipment, precision instruments, metal products, foodstuffs,textiles and clothingpartners:Western Europe 64% (EC 56%, other 8%), US 9%, Japan 4%Imports:$68.5 billion (c.i.f., 1991 est.)commodities:agricultural products, machinery and transportation equipment, chemicals,textiles, construction materialspartners:Western Europe 78% (EC 71%, other 7%), US 6%External debt:$NAIndustrial production:growth rate 0.4% (1991 est.)Electricity:17,710,000 kW capacity; 59,070 million kWh produced, 8,930 kWh per capita(1991)Industries:machinery, chemicals, watches, textiles, precision instrumentsAgriculture:dairy farming predominates; less than 50% self-sufficient; food shortages -fish, refined sugar, fats and oils (other than butter), grains, eggs,fruits, vegetables, meatEconomic aid:donor - ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $3.5 billion
:Switzerland Economy
Currency:Swiss franc, franken, or franco (plural - francs, franken, or franchi); 1Swiss franc, franken, or franco (SwF) = 100 centimes, rappen, or centesimiExchange rates:Swiss francs, franken, or franchi (SwF) per US$1 - 1.4037 (January 1992),1.4340 (1991), 1.3892 (1990), 1.6359 (1989), 1.4633 (1988), 1.4912 (1987)Fiscal year:calendar year
:Switzerland Communications
Railroads:5,174 km total; 2,971 km are government owned and 2,203 km are nongovernmentowned; the government network consists of 2,897 km 1.435-meter standardgauge and 74 km 1.000-meter narrow gauge track; 1,432 km double track, 99%electrified; the nongovernment network consists of 710 km 1.435-meterstandard gauge, 1,418 km 1.000-meter gauge, and 75 km 0.790-meter gaugetrack, 100% electrifiedHighways:62,145 km total (all paved), of which 18,620 km are canton and 1,057 km arenational highways (740 km autobahn); 42,468 km are communal roadsInland waterways:65 km; Rhine (Basel to Rheinfelden, Schaffhausen to Bodensee); 12 navigablelakesPipelines:crude oil 314 km, natural gas 1,506 kmPorts:Basel (river port)Merchant marine:22 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 325,234 GRT/576,953 DWT; includes 5cargo, 2 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 3 chemical tanker, 2 specialized tanker, 9bulk, 1 petroleum tankerCivil air:89 major transport aircraftAirports:66 total, 65 usable; 42 with permanent-surface runways; 2 with runways over3,659 m; 5 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 18 with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:excellent domestic, international, and broadcast services; 5,890,000telephones; extensive cable and microwave networks; broadcast stations - 7AM, 265 FM, 18 (1,322 repeaters) TV; communications satellite earth stationoperating in the INTELSAT (Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean) system
:Switzerland Defense Forces
Branches:Army, Air Force, Frontier Guards, Fortification GuardsManpower availability:males 15-49, 1,798,632; 1,544,191 fit for military service; 43,952 reachmilitary age (20) annuallyDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $4.6 billion, about 2% of GDP (1990)
:Syria Geography
Total area:185,180 km2Land area:184,050 km2 (including 1,295 km2 of Israeli-occupied territory)Comparative area:slightly larger than North DakotaLand boundaries:2,253 km total; Iraq 605 km, Israel 76 km, Jordan 375 km, Lebanon 375 km,Turkey 822 kmCoastline:193 kmMaritime claims:Contiguous zone:6 nm beyond territorial sea limitTerritorial sea:35 nmDisputes:separated from Israel by the 1949 Armistice Line; Golan Heights is Israelioccupied; Hatay question with Turkey; periodic disputes with Iraq overEuphrates water rights; ongoing dispute over water development plans byTurkey for the Tigris and Euphrates RiversClimate:mostly desert; hot, dry, sunny summers (June to August) and mild, rainywinters (December to February) along coastTerrain:primarily semiarid and desert plateau; narrow coastal plain; mountains inwestNatural resources:crude oil, phosphates, chrome and manganese ores, asphalt, iron ore, rocksalt, marble, gypsumLand use:arable land 28%; permanent crops 3%; meadows and pastures 46%; forest andwoodland 3%; other 20%; includes irrigated 3%Environment:deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertificationNote:there are 38 Jewish settlements in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights
:Syria People
Population:13,730,436 (July 1992), growth rate 3.8% (1992); in addition, there are atleast 14,500 Druze and 14,000 Jewish settlers in the Israeli-occupied GolanHeights (1992 est.)Birth rate:44 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:45 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:65 years male, 67 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:6.9 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Syrian(s); adjective - SyrianEthnic divisions:Arab 90.3%; Kurds, Armenians, and other 9.7%Religions:Sunni Muslim 74%, Alawite, Druze, and other Muslim sects 16%, Christian(various sects) 10%, tiny Jewish communities in Damascus, Al Qamishli, andAleppoLanguages:Arabic (official), Kurdish, Armenian, Aramaic, Circassian; French widelyunderstoodLiteracy:64% (male 78%, female 51%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)Labor force:2,400,000; miscellaneous and government services 36%, agriculture 32%,industry and construction 32%; majority unskilled; shortage of skilled labor(1984)Organized labor:5% of labor force
:Syria Government
Long-form name:Syrian Arab RepublicType:republic; under leftwing military regime since March 1963Capital:DamascusAdministrative divisions:14 provinces (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Hasakah, Al Ladhiqiyah,Al Qunaytirah, Ar Raqqah, As Suwayda', Dar`a, Dayr az Zawr, Dimashq, Halab,Hamah, Hims, Idlib, Rif Dimashq, TartusIndependence:17 April 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under French administration);formerly United Arab RepublicConstitution:13 March 1973Legal system:based on Islamic law and civil law system; special religious courts; has notaccepted compulsory ICJ jurisdictionNational holiday:National Day, 17 April (1946)Executive branch:president, three vice presidents, prime minister, three deputy primeministers, Council of Ministers (cabinet)Legislative branch:unicameral People's Council (Majlis al-Chaab)Judicial branch:Supreme Constitutional Court, High Judicial Council, Court of Cassation,State Security CourtsLeaders:Chief of State:President Hafiz al-ASAD (since 22 February 1971); Vice Presidents `Abdal-Halim KHADDAM, Vice President Rif`at al-ASAD, and Vice President MuhammadZuhayr MASHARIQA (since 11 March 1984)Head of Government:Prime Minister Mahmud ZU`BI (since 1 November 1987); Deputy Prime MinisterLt. Gen. Mustafa TALAS (since 11 March 1984); Deputy Prime Minister SalimYASIN (since NA December 1981); Deputy Prime Minister Mahmud QADDUR (sinceNA May 1985)Political parties and leaders:ruling party is the Arab Socialist Resurrectionist (Ba`th) Party; theProgressive National Front is dominated by Ba`thists but includesindependents and members of the Syrian Arab Socialist Party (ASP), ArabSocialist Union (ASU), Syrian Communist Party (SCP), Arab Socialist UnionistMovement, and Democratic Socialist Union PartySuffrage:universal at age 18Elections:President:last held 2 December 1991 (next to be held December 1998); results -President Hafiz al-ASAD was reelected for a fourth seven-year term with99.98% of the votePeople's Council:last held 22-23 May 1990 (next to be held NA May 1994); results - Ba`th53.6%, ASU 3.2%, SCP 3.2%, Arab Socialist Unionist Movement 2.8%, ASP 2%,Democratic Socialist Union Party 1.6%, independents 33.6%; seats - (250total) Ba`th 134, ASU 8, SCP 8, Arab Socialist Unionist Movement 7, ASP 5,Democratic Socialist Union Party 4, independents 84; note - the People'sCouncil was expanded to 250 seats total prior to the May 1990 election
:Syria Government
Communists:Syrian Communist Party (SCP)Other political or pressure groups:non-Ba`th parties have little effective political influence; Communist partyineffective; conservative religious leaders; Muslim BrotherhoodMember of:ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,ICC, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU,LORCS, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNRWA, UPU, WFTU, WHO,WMO, WTODiplomatic representation:Ambassador Walid MOUALEM; Chancery at 2215 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC20008; telephone (202) 232-6313US:Ambassador Christopher W. S. ROSS; Embassy at Abu Rumaneh, Al Mansur StreetNo. 2, Damascus (mailing address is P. O. Box 29, Damascus); telephone [963](11) 333052 or 332557, 330416, 332814, 332315, 714108, 337178, 333232; FAX[963] (11) 718-687Flag:three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black with two smallgreen five-pointed stars in a horizontal line centered in the white band;similar to the flag of Yemen, which has a plain white band and of Iraq,which has three green stars (plus an Arabic inscription) in a horizontalline centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Egypt, whichhas a symbolic eagle centered in the white band
:Syria Economy
Overview:Syria's state-dominated Ba`thist economy has benefited from the Gulf war,increased oil production, good weather, and economic deregulation. Economicgrowth averaged nearly 12% annually in 1990-91, buoyed by increased oilproduction and improved agricultural performance. The Gulf war of early 1991provided Syria an aid windfall of several billion dollars from Arab,European, and Japanese donors. These inflows more than offset Damascus'swar-related costs and will help Syria cover some of its debt arrears,restore suspended credit lines, and initiate selected military and civilianpurchases. For the long run, Syria's economy is still saddled with a largenumber of poorly performing public sector firms; investment levels remainlow; and industrial and agricultural productivity is poor. A major long-termconcern is the additional drain of upstream Euphrates water by Turkey whenits vast dam and irrigation projects are completed by mid-decade.GDP:exchange rate conversion - $30 billion, per capita $2,300; real growth rate11% (1991 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):25% (1991 est.)Unemployment rate:NA%Budget:revenues $5.4 billion; expenditures $7.5 billion, including capitalexpenditures of $2.9 billion (1991 est.)Exports:$3.6 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.)commodities:petroleum 40%, farm products 13%, textiles, phosphates (1989)partners:USSR and Eastern Europe 42%, EC 31%, Arab countries 17%, US/Canada 2% (1989)Imports:$2.7 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.)commodities:foodstuffs and beverages 21%, metal and metal products 16%, machinery 14%,textiles, petroleum products (1989)partners:EC 42%, USSR and Eastern Europe 13%, other Europe 13%, US/Canada 8%, Arabcountries 6% (1989)External debt:$5.2 billion in hard currency (1990 est.)Industrial production:growth rate 6% (1991 est.); accounts for 17% of GDPElectricity:3,005,000 kW capacity; 8,800 million kWh produced, 680 kWh per capita (1991)Industries:textiles, food processing, beverages, tobacco, phosphate rock mining,petroleumAgriculture:accounts for 27% of GDP and one-third of labor force; all major crops(wheat, barley, cotton, lentils, chickpeas) grown mainly on rainfed landcausing wide swings in production; animal products - beef, lamb, eggs,poultry, milk; not self-sufficient in grain or livestock productsEconomic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-81), $538 million; Western (non-US)ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.23 billion; OPEC bilateralaid (1979-89), $12.3 billion; former Communist countries (1970-89), $3.3billionCurrency:Syrian pound (plural - pounds); 1 Syrian pound (#S) = 100 piasters