:World People
Population:5,515,617,484 (July 1992), growth rate 1.7% (1992)Birth rate:26 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:9 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:63 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:61 years male, 65 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:3.3 children born/woman (1992)Literacy:74% (male 81%, female 67%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)Labor force:2.24 billion (1992)Organized labor:NA
:World Government
Administrative divisions:187 sovereign nations plus 72 dependent, other, and miscellaneous areasLegal system:varies by individual country; 182 are parties to the United NationsInternational Court of Justice (ICJ or World Court)Diplomatic representation:there are 178 members of the UN
:World Economy
Overview:Aggregate world output in 1991 increased by 1.3%, in contrast to estimated2% growth in 1990 and 3% growth in 1989. In 1991, the developed countriesgrew by 2.5% and the LDCs by 3.5%, these gains being offset by a 10-15% dropin the former Communist-dominated areas of the USSR and Eastern Europe. Asusual, results among individual countries differed widely. In the developedgroup, Japan led with 4.5%, the West European members averaged 1.2%, and therecession-plagued United States lagged,with GDP down 0.7%. As for the 15former Soviet republics and the seven nations of Eastern Europe, outputplummeted in many economic sectors because of fundamental changes in therules of the game and in the channels of production and exchange. China andthe Four Dragons performed well in 1991 but many of the other developingcountries are mired in poverty and political instability. For the world as awhole, the addition of nearly 100 million people each year to an alreadyovercrowded globe will exacerbate the problems of pollution,desertification, underemployment, epidemics, and famine.GWP (gross world product):purchasing power equivalent - $25 trillion, per capita $4,600; real growthrate 1.3% (1991 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):developed countries 5%; developing countries 50%, with wide variations (1991est.)Unemployment rate:NA%Exports:$3.34 trillion (f.o.b., 1991 est.)commodities:the whole range of industrial and agricultural goods and servicespartners:in value, about 75% of exports from developed countriesImports:$3.49 trillion (c.i.f., 1991 est.)commodities:the whole range of industrial and agricultural goods and servicespartners:in value, about 75% of imports by the developed countriesExternal debt:$1.0 trillion for less developed countries (1991 est.)Industrial production:growth rate 3% (1990 est.)Electricity:2,864,000,000 kW capacity; 11,450,000 million kWh produced, 2,150 kWh percapita (1990)Industries:industry worldwide is dominated by the onrush of technology, especially incomputers, robotics, telecommunications, and medicines and medicalequipment; most of these advances take place in OECD nations; only a smallportion of non-OECD countries have succeeded in rapidly adjusting to thesetechnological forces, and the technological gap between the industrialnations and the less-developed countries continues to widen; the rapiddevelopment of new industrial (and agricultural) technology is complicatingalready grim environmental problems
:World Economy
Agriculture:the production of major food crops has increased substantially in the last20 years. The annual production of cereals, for instance, has risen by 50%,from about 1.2 billion metric tons to about 1.8 billion metric tons;production increases have resulted mainly from increased yields rather thanincreases in planted areas; while global production is sufficient foraggregate demand, about one-fifth of the world's population remainsmalnourished, primarily because local production cannot adequately providefor large and rapidly growing populations, which are too poor to pay forfood imports; conditions are especially bad in Africa where drought inrecent years has exacerbated the consequences of all other factorsEconomic aid:NA
:World Communications
Railroads:239,430 km of narrow gauge track; 710,754 km of standard gauge track;251,153 km of broad gauge track; includes about 190,000 to 195,000 km ofelectrified routes of which 147,760 km are in Europe, 24,509 km in the FarEast, 11,050 km in Africa, 4,223 km in South America, and only 4,160 km inNorth America; fastest speed in daily service is 300 km/hr attained byFrance's SNCF TGV-Atlantique linePorts:Mina al Ahmadi (Kuwait), Chiba, Houston, Kawasaki, Kobe, Marseille, NewOrleans, New York, Rotterdam, YokohamaMerchant marine:23,596 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 386,736,000 GRT/637,493,000 DWT;includes 348 passenger-cargo, 12,441 freighters, 5,446 bulk carriers, and5,361 tankers (January 1991)Civil air:14,500-16,000 major transport aircraft with gross take-off weight of 9,000kg (20,000 lbs) or more (1992 est.)
:World Defense Forces
Branches:ground, maritime, and air forces at all levels of technologyManpower availability:males 15-49, 1,400,000,000; NA fit for military serviceDefense expenditures:$1.0 trillion, 4% of total world output; decline of 5-10% (1991 est.)
:Yemen Geography
Total area:527,970 km2Land area:527,970 km2; includes Perim, Socotra, the former Yemen Arab Republic (YAR orNorth Yemen), and the former People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (PDRY orSouth Yemen)Comparative area:slightly larger than twice the size of WyomingLand boundaries:1,746 km total; Oman 288 km, Saudi Arabia 1,458 kmCoastline:1,906 kmMaritime claims:Contiguous zone:North - 18 nm; South - 24 nmContinental shelf:North - 200 meters (depth); South - edge of continental margin or 200 nmExclusive economic zone:200 nmTerritorial sea:12 nmDisputes:undefined section of boundary with Saudi Arabia; Administrative Line withOman; there is a proposed treaty with Oman (which has not yet been formerlyaccepted) to settle the Yemeni-Omani boundaryClimate:mostly desert; hot and humid along west coast; temperate in westernmountains affected by seasonal monsoon; extraordinarily hot, dry, harshdesert in eastTerrain:narrow coastal plain backed by flat-topped hills and rugged mountains;dissected upland desert plains in center slope into the desert interior ofthe Arabian PeninsulaNatural resources:crude oil, fish, rock salt, marble; small deposits of coal, gold, lead,nickel, and copper; fertile soil in westLand use:arable land 6%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 30%; forest andwoodland 7%; other 57%; includes irrigated NEGL%Environment:subject to sand and dust storms in summer; scarcity of natural freshwaterresources; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertificationNote:controls Bab el Mandeb, the strait linking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden,one of world's most active shipping lanes
:Yemen People
Population:10,394,749 (July 1992), growth rate 3.3% (1992)Birth rate:51 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:16 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:-3 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:118 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:49 years male, 52 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:7.3 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Yemeni(s); adjective - YemeniEthnic divisions:North - Arab 90%, Afro-Arab (mixed) 10%; South - almost all Arabs; a fewIndians, Somalis, and EuropeansReligions:North - Muslim almost 100% (45% Sunni and 55% Zaydi Shi`a); NEGL Jewish;South - Sunni Muslim, some Christian and HinduLanguages:ArabicLiteracy:38% (male 53%, female 26%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)Labor force:North - NA number of workers with agriculture and herding 70%, andexpatriate laborers 30% (est.); South - 477,000 with agriculture 45.2%,services 21.2%, construction 13.4%, industry 10.6%, commerce and other 9.6%(1983)Organized labor:North - NA; South - 348,200 and the General Confederation of Workers of thePeople's Democratic Republic of Yemen had 35,000 members
:Yemen Government
Long-form name:Republic of YemenType:republicCapital:SanaaAdministrative divisions:17 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Abyan, `Adan, Al Bayda',Al Hudaydah, Al Jawf, Al Mahrah, Al Mahwit, Dhamar, Hadramawt, Hajjah, Ibb,Lahij, Ma'rib, Sa`dah, San`a', Shabwah, Ta`izzIndependence:Republic of Yemen was established on 22 May 1990 with the merger of theYemen Arab Republic {Yemen (Sanaa) or North Yemen} and the Marxist-dominatedPeople's Democratic Republic of Yemen {Yemen (Aden) or South Yemen};previously North Yemen had become independent on NA November 1918 (from theOttoman Empire) and South Yemen had become independent on 30 November 1967(from the UK); the union is to be solidified during a 30-month transitionperiod, which coincides with the remainder of the five-year terms of bothlegislaturesConstitution:16 April 1991Legal system:based on Islamic law, Turkish law, English common law, and local customarylaw; does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdictionNational holiday:Proclamation of the Republic, 22 May (1990)Executive branch:five-member Presidential Council (president, vice president, two membersfrom northern Yemen and one member from southern Yemen), prime ministerLegislative branch:unicameral House of RepresentativesJudicial branch:North - State Security Court; South - Federal High CourtLeaders:Chief of State and Head of Government:President `Ali `Abdallah SALIH (since 22 May 1990, the former president ofNorth Yemen); Vice President Ali Salim al-BIDH (since 22 May 1990, andSecretary General of the Yemeni Socialist Party); Presidential CouncilMember Salim Salih MUHAMMED; Presidential Council Member Kadi Abdul-Karimal-ARASHI; Presidential Council Member Abdul-Aziz ABDUL-GHANI; PrimeMinister Haydar Abu Bakr al-`ATTAS (since 22 May 1990, former president ofSouth Yemen)Political parties and leaders:General People's Congress, `Ali `Abdallah SALIH; Yemeni Socialist Party(YSP; formerly South Yemen's ruling party - a coalition of National Front,Ba`th, and Communist Parties), Ali Salim al-BIDH; Yemen Grouping for Reformor Islaah, Abdallah Husayn AHMARSuffrage:universal at age 18Elections:House of Representatives:last held NA (next to be held NA November 1992); results - percent of voteNA; seats - (301); number of seats by party NA; note - the 301 members ofthe new House of Representatives come from North Yemen's ConsultativeAssembly (159 members), South Yemen's Supreme People's Council (111members), and appointments by the New Presidential Council (31 members)Communists:small number in North, greater but unknown number in South
:Yemen Government
Other political or pressure groups:conservative tribal groups, Muslim Brotherhood, leftist factions - pro-IraqiBa`thists, Nasirists, National Democratic Front (NDF)Member of:ACC, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD,IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OIC, UN,UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation:Ambassador Muhsin Ahmad al-AYNI; Chancery at Suite 840, 600 New HampshireAvenue NW, Washington, DC 20037; telephone (202) 965-4760 or 4761; there isa Yemeni Consulate General in Detroit and a Consulate in San FranciscoUS:Ambassador Arthur H. HUGHES; Embassy at Dhahr Himyar Zone, Sheraton HotelDistrict, Sanaa (mailing address is P. O. Box 22347 Sanaa, Republic of Yemenor Sanaa - Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-6330); telephone [967](2) 238-842 through 238-852; FAX [967] (2) 251-563Flag:three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black; similar to theflag of Syria which has two green stars and of Iraq which has three greenstars (plus an Arabic inscription) in a horizontal line centered in thewhite band; also similar to the flag of Egypt which has a symbolic eaglecentered in the white band
:Yemen Economy
Overview:Whereas the northern city Sanaa is the political capital of a united Yemen,the southern city Aden, with its refinery and port facilities, is theeconomic and commercial capital. Future economic development depends heavilyon Western-assisted development of promising oil resources. South Yemen'swillingness to merge stemmed partly from the steady decline in Sovieteconomic support.Overview:North:The low level of domestic industry and agriculture have made northern Yemendependent on imports for virtually all of its essential needs. Large tradedeficits have been made up for by remittances from Yemenis working abroadand foreign aid. Once self-sufficient in food production, northern Yemen hasbecome a major importer. Land once used for export crops - cotton, fruit,and vegetables - has been turned over to growing qat, a mildly narcoticshrub chewed by Yemenis which has no significant export market. Oil exportrevenues started flowing in late 1987 and boosted 1988 earnings by about$800 million.South:This has been one of the poorest Arab countries, with a per capita GNP ofabout $500. A shortage of natural resources, a widely dispersed population,and an arid climate have made economic development difficult. The economyhas grown at an average annual rate of only 2-3% since the mid-1970s. Theeconomy had been organized along socialist lines, dominated by the publicsector. Economic growth has been constrained by a lack of incentives, partlystemming from centralized control over production decisions, investmentallocation, and import choices.GDP:exchange rate conversion - $5.3 billion, per capita $545; real growth rateNA% (1990 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):North:16.9% (1988)South:0% (1989)Unemployment rate:North:13% (1986)South:NA%Budget:North:revenues $1.4 billion; expenditures $2.2 billion, including capitalexpenditures of $590 million (1988 est.)South:revenues and grants $435 million; expenditures $1.0 billion, includingcapital expenditure of $460 million (1988 est.)Exports:North:$606 million (f.o.b., 1989)commodities:crude oil, cotton, coffee, hides, vegetablespartners:FRG 29%, US 26%, Netherlands 12%South:$113.8 million (f.o.b., 1989 est.)commodities:cotton, hides, skins, dried and salted fish
:Yemen Economy
partners:Japan, North Yemen, ItalyImports:North:$1.3 billion (f.o.b., 1988)Imports:commodities:textiles and other manufactured consumer goods, petroleum products, sugar,grain, flour, other foodstuffs, and cementpartners:Saudi Arabia 12%, France 6%, US 5%, Australia 5% (1985)South:$553.9 million (f.o.b., 1989 est.)commodities:grain, consumer goods, crude oil, machinery, chemicalspartners:USSR, UK, EthiopiaExternal debt:$5.75 billion (December 1989 est.)Industrial production:North:growth rate 2% in manufacturing (1988)South:growth rate NA% in manufacturingElectricity:700,000 kW capacity; 1,200 million kWh produced, 120 kWh per capita (1991)Industries:crude oil production and petroleum refining; small-scale production ofcotton textiles and leather goods; food processing; handicrafts; fishing;small aluminum products factory; cementAgriculture:North:accounted for 26% of GDP and 70% of labor force; farm products - grain,fruits, vegetables, qat (mildly narcotic shrub), coffee, cotton, dairy,poultry, meat, goat meat; not self-sufficient in grainSouth:accounted for 17% of GNP and 45% of labor force; products - grain, qat(mildly narcotic shrub), coffee, fish, livestock; fish and honey majorexports; most food importedEconomic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $389 million; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $2.0 billion; OPECbilateral aid (1979-89), $3.2 billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $2.4billionCurrency:North Yemeni riyal (plural - riyals); 1 North Yemeni riyal (YR) = 100 fils;South Yemeni dinar (plural - dinars); 1 South Yemeni dinar (YD) = 1,000 filsExchange rates:North Yemeni riyals (YR) per US$1 - 12,1000 (June 1992), 12.0000 (1991),9.7600 (1990), 9.7600 (January 1989), 9.7717 (1988), 10.3417 (1987); SouthYemeni dinars (YD) per US$1 - 0.3454 (fixed rate)Fiscal year:calendar year
:Yemen Communications
Highways:15,500 km; 4,000 km paved, 11,500 km natural surface (est.)Pipelines:crude oil 644 km, petroleum products 32 kmPorts:Aden, Al Hudaydah, Al Khalf, Mocha, Nishtun, Ra's Kathib, SalifMerchant marine:3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,309 GRT/6,568 DWT; includes 2 cargo,1 petroleum tankerCivil air:11 major transport aircraftAirports:46 total, 40 usable; 10 with permanent-surface runways; none with runwaysover 3,659 m; 20 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 11 with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:since unification in 1990, efforts are being made to create a nationaldomestic civil telecommunications network and to revitalize theinfrastructure of a united Yemen; the network consists of microwave, cableand troposcatter; 65,000 telephones (est.); broadcast stations - 4 AM, 1 FM,10 TV; satellite earth stations - 2 Indian Ocean INTELSAT, 1 Atlantic OceanINTELSAT, 1 Intersputnik, 2 ARABSAT; microwave to Saudi Arabia, and Djibouti
:Yemen Defense Forces
Branches:Army, Navy, Air Force, PoliceManpower availability:males 15-49, 1,981,710; 1,127,391 fit for military service; 130,405 reachmilitary age (14) annuallyDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $1.06 billion, 20% of GDP (1990)
:Zaire Geography
Total area:2,345,410 km2Land area:2,267,600 km2Comparative area:slightly more than one-quarter the size of USLand boundaries:10,271 km total; Angola 2,511 km, Burundi 233 km, Central African Republic1,577 km, Congo 2,410 km, Rwanda 217 km, Sudan 628 km, Uganda 765 km, Zambia1,930 kmCoastline:37 kmMaritime claims:Exclusive fishing zone:200 nmTerritorial sea:12 nmDisputes:Tanzania-Zaire-Zambia tripoint in Lake Tanganyika may no longer beindefinite since it is reported that the indefinite section of theZaire-Zambia boundary has been settled; long section with Congo along theCongo River is indefinite (no division of the river or its islands has beenmade)Climate:tropical; hot and humid in equatorial river basin; cooler and drier insouthern highlands; cooler and wetter in eastern highlands; north of Equator- wet season April to October, dry season December to February; south ofEquator - wet season November to March, dry season April to OctoberTerrain:vast central basin is a low-lying plateau; mountains in eastNatural resources:cobalt, copper, cadmium, crude oil, industrial and gem diamonds, gold,silver, zinc, manganese, tin, germanium, uranium, radium, bauxite, iron ore,coal, hydropower potentialLand use:arable land 3%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 4%; forest andwoodland 78%; other 15%; includes irrigated NEGL%Environment:dense tropical rain forest in central river basin and eastern highlands;periodic droughts in southNote:straddles Equator; very narrow strip of land that controls the lower CongoRiver and is only outlet to South Atlantic Ocean
:Zaire People
Population:39,084,400 (July 1992), growth rate 3.3% (1992)Birth rate:45 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:13 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:0 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:97 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:52 years male, 56 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:6.1 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Zairian(s); adjective - ZairianEthnic divisions:over 200 African ethnic groups, the majority are Bantu; four largest tribes- Mongo, Luba, Kongo (all Bantu), and the Mangbetu-Azande (Hamitic) make upabout 45% of the populationReligions:Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 20%, Kimbanguist 10%, Muslim 10%, othersyncretic sects and traditional beliefs 10%Languages:French (official), Lingala, Swahili, Kingwana, Kikongo, TshilubaLiteracy:72% (male 84%, female 61%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)Labor force:15,000,000; agriculture 75%, industry 13%, services 12%; wage earners 13%(1981); population of working age 51% (1985)Organized labor:National Union of Zairian Workers (UNTZA) was the only officially recognizedtrade union until April 1990; other unions are now in process of seekingofficial recognition
:Zaire Government
Long-form name:Republic of ZaireType:republic with a strong presidential systemCapital:KinshasaAdministrative divisions:10 regions (regions, singular - region) and 1 town* (ville); Bandundu,Bas-Zaire, Equateur, Haut-Zaire, Kasai-Occidental, Kasai-Oriental,Kinshasa*, Maniema, Nord-Kivu, Shaba, Sud-KivuIndependence:30 June 1960 (from Belgium; formerly Belgian Congo, then Congo/Leopoldville,then Congo/Kinshasa)Constitution:24 June 1967, amended August 1974, revised 15 February 1978; amended April1990; new constitution to be promulgated in 1992Legal system:based on Belgian civil law system and tribal law; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdictionNational holiday:Anniversary of the Regime (Second Republic), 24 November (1965)Executive branch:president, prime minister, Executive Council (cabinet)Legislative branch:unicameral Legislative Council (Conseil Legislatif)Judicial branch:Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)Leaders:Chief of State:President Marshal MOBUTU Sese Seko Kuku Ngbendu wa Za Banga (since 24November 1965)Head of Government:Prime Minister Jean NGUZ a Karl-i-Bond (since 26 November 1991)Political parties and leaders:sole legal party until January 1991 - Popular Movement of the Revolution(MPR); other parties include Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS),Etienne TSHISEKEDI wa Mulumba; Democratic Social Christian Party (PDSC),Joseph ILEO; Union of Federalists and Independent Republicans (UFERI), NGUZa Karl-I-Bond; and Congolese National Movement-Lumumba (MNC-L)Suffrage:universal and compulsory at age 18Elections:President:last held 29 July 1984 (next to be scheduled by ongoing NationalConference); results - President MOBUTU was reelected without oppositionLegislative Council:last held 6 September 1987 (next to be scheduled by ongoing NationalConference); results - MPR was the only party; seats - (210 total) MPR 210;note - MPR still holds majority of seats but some deputies have joined otherpartiesMember of:ACCT, ACP, AfDB, APC, CCC, CEEAC, CEPGL, CIPEC, ECA, FAO, G-19, G-24, G-77,GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT,INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO,UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation:Ambassador TATANENE Manata; Chancery at 1800 New Hampshire Avenue NW,Washington, DC 20009; telephone (202) 234-7690 or 7691
:Zaire Government
US:Ambassador Melissa F. WELLS; Embassy at 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasa(mailing address is APO AE 09828); telephone [243] (12) 21532, 21628; FAX[243] (12) 21232; the US Consulate General in Lubumbashi was closed andevacuated in October 1991 because of the poor security situationFlag:light green with a yellow disk in the center bearing a black arm holding ared flaming torch; the flames of the torch are blowing away from the hoistside; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
:Zaire Economy
Overview:In 1990, in spite of large mineral resources Zaire had a GDP per capita ofonly about $260, putting it among the desperately poor African nations. Thecountry's chronic economic problems worsened in 1991, with copper and cobaltproduction down 20-30%, inflation near 8,000% in 1991 as compared with 100%in 1987-89, and IMF and most World Bank support suspended until theinstitution of agreed-on changes. Agriculture, a key sector of the economy,employs 75% of the population but generates under 25% of GDP. The mainpotential for economic development has been the extractive industries.Mining and mineral processing account for about one-third of GDP andthree-quarters of total export earnings. Zaire is the world's largestproducer of diamonds and cobalt.GDP:exchange rate conversion - $9.8 billion, per capita $260; real growth rate-3% (1990 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):8,000% (1991)Unemployment rate:NA%Budget:revenues $685 million; expenditures $1.1 billion, does not include capitalexpenditures mostly financed by donors (1990)Exports:$2.2 billion (f.o.b., 1989 est.)commodities:copper 37%, coffee 24%, diamonds 12%, cobalt, crude oilpartners:US, Belgium, France, FRG, Italy, UK, Japan, South AfricaImports:$2.1 billion (f.o.b., 1989 est.)commodities:consumer goods, foodstuffs, mining and other machinery, transport equipment,fuelspartners:South Africa, US, Belgium, France, FRG, Italy, Japan, UKExternal debt:$7.9 billion (December 1990 est.)Industrial production:growth rate -7.3%; accounts for almost 30% of GDP (1989)Electricity:2,580,000 kW capacity; 6,000 million kWh produced, 160 kWh per capita (1991)Industries:mining, mineral processing, consumer products (including textiles, footwear,and cigarettes), processed foods and beverages, cement, diamondsAgriculture:cash crops - coffee, palm oil, rubber, quinine; food crops - cassava,bananas, root crops, cornIllicit drugs:illicit producer of cannabis, mostly for domestic consumptionEconomic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $1.1 billion; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $6.9 billion; OPECbilateral aid (1979-89), $35 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $263millionCurrency:zaire (singular and plural); 1 zaire (Z) = 100 makutaExchange rates:zaire (Z) per US$1 - 111,196 (March 1992), 15,587 (1991), 719 (1990), 381(1989), 187 (1988), 112 (1987)
:Zaire Economy
Fiscal year: calendar year
:Zaire Communications
Railroads:5,254 km total; 3,968 km 1.067-meter gauge (851 km electrified); 125 km1.000-meter gauge; 136 km 0.615-meter gauge; 1,025 km 0.600-meter gauge;limited trackage in use because of civil strifeHighways:146,500 km total; 2,800 km paved, 46,200 km gravel and improved earth;97,500 unimproved earthInland waterways:15,000 km including the Congo, its tributaries, and unconnected lakesPipelines:petroleum products 390 kmPorts:Matadi, Boma, BananaMerchant marine:2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 22,921 GRT/30,332 DWT; includes 1passenger cargo, 1 cargoCivil air:45 major transport aircraftAirports:284 total, 239 usable; 24 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runwaysover 3,659 m; 6 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 73 with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:barely adequate wire and microwave service; broadcast stations - 10 AM, 4FM, 18 TV; satellite earth stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT, 14 domestic
:Zaire Defense Forces
Branches:Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary National Gendarmerie, Civil Guard,Special Presidential DivisionManpower availability:males 15-49, 8,521,292; 4,333,492 fit for military serviceDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $49 million, 0.8% of GDP (1988)
:Zambia Geography
Total area:752,610 km2Land area:740,720 km2Comparative area:slightly larger than TexasLand boundaries:5,664 km total; Angola 1,110 km, Malawi 837 km, Mozambique 419 km, Namibia233 km, Tanzania 338 km, Zaire 1,930 km, Zimbabwe 797 kmCoastline:none - landlockedMaritime claims:none - landlockedDisputes:quadripoint with Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe is in disagreement;Tanzania-Zaire-Zambia tripoint in Lake Tanganyika may no longer beindefinite since it is reported that the indefinite section of theZaire-Zambia boundary has been settledClimate:tropical; modified by altitude; rainy season (October to April)Terrain:mostly high plateau with some hills and mountainsNatural resources:copper, cobalt, zinc, lead, coal, emeralds, gold, silver, uranium,hydropower potentialLand use:arable land 7%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 47%; forest andwoodland 27%; other 19%; includes irrigated NEGL%Environment:deforestation; soil erosion; desertificationNote:landlocked
:Zambia People
Population:8,745,284 (July 1992), growth rate 3.5% (1992)Birth rate:48 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:77 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:55 years male, 59 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:6.9 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Zambian(s); adjective - ZambianEthnic divisions:African 98.7%, European 1.1%, other 0.2%Religions:Christian 50-75%, Muslim and Hindu 24-49%, remainder indigenous beliefs 1%Languages:English (official); about 70 indigenous languagesLiteracy:73% (male 81%, female 65%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)Labor force:2,455,000; agriculture 85%; mining, manufacturing, and construction 6%;transport and services 9%Organized labor:about 238,000 wage earners are unionized
:Zambia Government
Long-form name:Republic of ZambiaType:multiparty system; on 17 December 1990, President Kenneth KAUNDA signed intolaw the constitutional amendment that officially reintroduced the multipartysystem in Zambia ending 17 years of one-party ruleCapital:LusakaAdministrative divisions:9 provinces; Central, Copperbelt, Eastern, Luapula, Lusaka, Northern,North-Western, Southern, WesternIndependence:24 October 1964 (from UK; formerly Northern Rhodesia)Constitution:NA August 1991Legal system:based on English common law and customary law; judicial review oflegislative acts in an ad hoc constitutional council; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdictionNational holiday:Independence Day, 24 October (1964)Executive branch:president, CabinetLegislative branch:unicameral National AssemblyJudicial branch:Supreme CourtLeaders:Chief of State and Head of Government:President Frederick CHILUBA (since 31 October 1991)Political parties and leaders:Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD), Frederick CHILUBA; United NationalIndependence Party (UNIP), none; elections pendingSuffrage:universal at age 18Elections:President:last held 31 October 1991 (next to be held mid-1995); results - FrederickCHILUBA 84%, Kenneth KAUNDA 16%National Assembly:last held 31 October 1991 (next to be held mid-1995); results - percent ofvote by party NA; seats - (150 total) MMD 125, UNIP 25Member of:ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, FLS, G-19, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA,IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, SADCC,UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIIMOG, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation:Ambassador (vacant); Chancery at 2419 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington,DC 20008; telephone (202) 265-9717 through 9721US:Ambassador Gordon L. STREEB; Embassy at corner of Independence Avenue andUnited Nations Avenue, Lusaka (mailing address is P. O. Box 31617, Lusaka);telephone [2601] 228-595, 228-601, 228-602, 228-603; FAX [2601] 251-578Flag:green with a panel of three vertical bands of red (hoist side), black, andorange below a soaring orange eagle, on the outer edge of the flag
:Zambia Economy
Overview:The economy has been in decline for more than a decade with falling importsand growing foreign debt. Economic difficulties stem from a sustained dropin copper production and ineffective economic policies. In 1991 real GDPfell by 2%. An annual population growth of more than 3% has brought adecline in per capita GDP of 50% over the past decade. A high inflation ratehas also added to Zambia's economic woes in recent years.GDP:exchange rate conversion - $4.7 billion, per capita $600; real growth rate-2% (1991)Inflation rate (consumer prices):100% (1991)Unemployment rate:NA%Budget:revenues $665 million; expenditures $767 million, including capitalexpenditures of $300 million (1991 est.)Exports:$1.1 billion (f.o.b., 1991)commodities:copper, zinc, cobalt, lead, tobaccopartners:EC, Japan, South Africa, US, IndiaImports:$1.3 billion (c.i.f., 1991)commodities:machinery, transportation equipment, foodstuffs, fuels, manufacturespartners:EC, Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, USExternal debt:$8 billion (December 1991)Industrial production:growth rate -2% (1991); accounts for 50% of GDPElectricity:2,775,000 kW capacity; 12,000 million kWh produced, 1,400 kWh per capita(1991)Industries:copper mining and processing, transport, construction, foodstuffs,beverages, chemicals, textiles, and fertilizerAgriculture:accounts for 17% of GDP and 85% of labor force; crops - corn (food staple),sorghum, rice, peanuts, sunflower, tobacco, cotton, sugarcane, cassava;cattle, goats, beef, eggsEconomic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (1970-89), $4.8 billion; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $4.8 billion; OPECbilateral aid (1979-89), $60 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $533millionCurrency:Zambian kwacha (plural - kwacha); 1 Zambian kwacha (ZK) = 100 ngweeExchange rates:Zambian kwacha (ZK) per US$1 - 128.2051 (March 1992), 61.7284 (1991),28.9855 (1990), 12.9032 (1989), 8.2237 (1988), 8.8889 (1987)Fiscal year:calendar year
:Zambia Communications
Railroads:1,266 km, all 1.067-meter gauge; 13 km double trackHighways:36,370 km total; 6,500 km paved, 7,000 km crushed stone, gravel, orstabilized soil; 22,870 km improved and unimproved earthInland waterways:2,250 km, including Zambezi and Luapula Rivers, Lake TanganyikaPipelines:crude oil 1,724 kmPorts:Mpulungu (lake port)Civil air:12 major transport aircraftAirports:117 total, 104 usable; 13 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runwaysover 3,659 m; 4 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 22 with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:facilities are among the best in Sub-Saharan Africa; high-capacity microwaveconnects most larger towns and cities; broadcast stations - 11 AM, 5 FM, 9TV; satellite earth stations - 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Atlantic OceanINTELSAT
:Zambia Defense Forces
Branches:Army, Air Force, Police, paramilitaryManpower availability:males 15-49, 1,818,545; 953,718 fit for military serviceDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP
:Zimbabwe Geography
Total area:390,580 km2Land area:386,670 km2Comparative area:slightly larger than MontanaLand boundaries:3,066 km total; Botswana 813 km, Mozambique 1,231 km, South Africa 225 km,Zambia 797 kmCoastline:none - landlockedMaritime claims:none - landlockedDisputes:quadripoint with Botswana, Namibia, and Zambia is in disagreementClimate:tropical; moderated by altitude; rainy season (November to March)Terrain:mostly high plateau with higher central plateau (high veld); mountains ineastNatural resources:coal, chromium ore, asbestos, gold, nickel, copper, iron ore, vanadium,lithium, tin, platinum group metalsLand use:arable land 7%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 12%; forest andwoodland 62%; other 19%; includes irrigated NEGL%Environment:recurring droughts; floods and severe storms are rare; deforestation; soilerosion; air and water pollutionNote:landlocked
:Zimbabwe People
Population:11,033,376 (July 1992), growth rate 2.9% (1992)Birth rate:40 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:8 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:-3 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:59 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:60 years male, 64 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:5.4 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Zimbabwean(s); adjective - ZimbabweanEthnic divisions:African 98% (Shona 71%, Ndebele 16%, other 11%); white 1%, mixed and Asian1%Religions:syncretic (part Christian, part indigenous beliefs) 50%, Christian 25%,indigenous beliefs 24%, a few MuslimLanguages:English (official); Shona, SindebeleLiteracy:67% (male 74%, female 60%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)Labor force:3,100,000; agriculture 74%, transport and services 16%, mining,manufacturing, construction 10% (1987)Organized labor:17% of wage and salary earners have union membership
:Zimbabwe Government
Long-form name:Republic of ZimbabweType:parliamentary democracyCapital:HarareAdministrative divisions:8 provinces; Manicaland, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, MashonalandWest, Masvingo (Victoria), Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, MidlandsIndependence:18 April 1980 (from UK; formerly Southern Rhodesia)Constitution:21 December 1979Legal system:mixture of Roman-Dutch and English common lawNational holiday:Independence Day, 18 April (1980)Executive branch:executive president, 2 vice presidents, CabinetLegislative branch:unicameral ParliamentJudicial branch:Supreme CourtLeaders:Chief of State and Head of Government:Executive President Robert Gabriel MUGABE (since 31 December 1987); Co-VicePresident Simon Vengai MUZENDA (since 31 December 1987); Co-Vice PresidentJoshua M. NKOMO (since 6 August 1990)Political parties and leaders:Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF), Robert MUGABE;Zimbabwe African National Union-Sithole (ZANU-S), Ndabaningi SITHOLE;Zimbabwe Unity Movement (ZUM), Edgar TEKERE; Democratic Party (DP), EmmanuelMAGOCHESuffrage:universal at age 18Elections:Executive President:last held 28-30 March 1990 (next to be held NA March 1996); results - RobertMUGABE 78.3%, Edgar TEKERE 21.7%Parliament:last held 28-30 March 1990 (next to be held NA March 1995); results -percent of vote by party NA; seats - (150 total, 120 elected) ZANU-PF 117,ZUM 2, ZANU-S 1Member of:ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, FLS, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD,IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, LORCS, NAM,OAU, PCA, SADCC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation:Counselor (Political Affairs), Head of Chancery, Ambassador StanislausGarikai CHIGWEDERE; Chancery at 1608 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC20009; telephone (202) 332-7100US:Ambassador Edward Gibson LANPHER; Embassy at 172 Herbert Chitapo Avenue,Harare (mailing address is P. O. Box 3340, Harare); telephone [263] (4)794-521
:Zimbabwe Government
Flag:seven equal horizontal bands of green, yellow, red, black, red, yellow, andgreen with a white equilateral triangle edged in black based on the hoistside; a yellow Zimbabwe bird is superimposed on a red five-pointed star inthe center of the triangle
:Zimbabwe Economy
Overview:Agriculture employs three-fourths of the labor force and supplies almost 40%of exports. The manufacturing sector, based on agriculture and mining,produces a variety of goods and contributes 35% to GDP. Mining accounts foronly 5% of both GDP and employment, but supplies of minerals and metalsaccount for about 40% of exports. Wide year-to-year fluctuations inagricultural production over the past six years have resulted in an unevengrowth rate, one that on average has matched the 3% annual increase inpopulation. Helped by an IMF/World Bank structural adjustment program,output rose 3.5% in 1991. A drought beginning toward the end of 1991suggests rough going for 1992.GDP:exchange rate conversion - $7.1 billion, per capita $660; real growth rate3.5% (1991 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):25% (1991 est.)Unemployment rate:at least 30% (1991 est.)Budget:revenues $2.7 billion; expenditures $3.3 billion, including capitalexpenditures of $330 million (FY91)Exports:$1.8 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.)commodities:agricultural 35% (tobacco 20%, other 15%), manufactures 20%, gold 10%,ferrochrome 10%, cotton 5%partners:Europe 55% (EC 40%, Netherlands 5%, other 15%), Africa 20% (South Africa10%, other 10%), US 5%Imports:$1.6 billion (c.i.f., 1991 est.)commodities:machinery and transportation equipment 37%, other manufactures 22%,chemicals 16%, fuels 15%partners:EC 31%, Africa 29% (South Africa 21%, other 8%), US 8%, Japan 4%External debt:$2.96 billion (December 1989 est.)Industrial production:growth rate 5% (1991 est.); accounts for 35% of GDPElectricity:3,650,000 kW capacity; 7,500 million kWh produced, 700 kWh per capita (1991)Industries:mining, steel, clothing and footwear, chemicals, foodstuffs, fertilizer,beverage, transportation equipment, wood productsAgriculture:accounts for 11% of GDP and employs 74% of population; 40% of land areadivided into 4,500 large commercial farms and 42% in communal lands; crops -corn (food staple), cotton, tobacco, wheat, coffee, sugarcane, peanuts;livestock - cattle, sheep, goats, pigs; self-sufficient in foodEconomic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY80-89), $389 million; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $2.6 billion; OPECbilateral aid (1979-89), $36 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $134millionCurrency:Zimbabwean dollar (plural - dollars); 1 Zimbabwean dollar (Z$) = 100 cents
:Zimbabwe Economy
Exchange rates:Zimbabwean dollars (Z$) per US$1 - 4.3066 (March 1992), 3.4282 (1991),2.4480 (1990), 2.1133 (1989), 1.8018 (1988), 1.6611 (1987)Fiscal year:1 July - 30 June
:Zimbabwe Communications
Railroads:2,745 km 1.067-meter gauge; 42 km double track; 355 km electrifiedHighways:85,237 km total; 15,800 km paved, 39,090 km crushed stone, gravel,stabilized soil: 23,097 km improved earth; 7,250 km unimproved earthInland waterways:Lake Kariba is a potential line of communicationPipelines:petroleum products 8 kmCivil air:12 major transport aircraftAirports:491 total, 401 usable; 22 with permanent-surface runways; 2 with runwaysover 3,659 m; 3 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 32 with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:system was once one of the best in Africa, but now suffers from poormaintenance; consists of microwave links, open-wire lines, and radiocommunications stations; 247,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 8 AM, 18FM, 8 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
:Zimbabwe Defense Forces
Branches:Zimbabwe National Army, Air Force of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe National Police(including Police Support Unit, Paramilitary Police), People's MilitiaManpower availability:males 15-49, 2,355,965; 1,456,829 fit for military serviceDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $412.4 million, about 6% of GDP (FY91 est.)
********
Notes, Definitions, and Abbreviations
Text (264 nations, dependent areas, and other entities)
AfghanistanAlbaniaAlgeriaAmerican SamoaAndorraAngolaAnguillaAntarcticaAntigua and BarbudaArctic OceanArgentinaArmeniaArubaAshmore and Cartier IslandsAtlantic OceanAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijan
Bahamas, TheBahrainBaker IslandBangladeshBarbadosBassas da IndiaBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBermudaBhutanBoliviaBosnia and HercegovinaBotswanaBouvet IslandBrazilBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryBritish Virgin IslandsBruneiBulgariaBurkinaBurmaBurundi
CambodiaCameroonCanadaCape VerdeCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChadChileChina (also see separate Taiwan entry)Christmas IslandClipperton IslandCocos (Keeling) IslandsColombiaComorosCongoCook IslandsCoral Sea IslandsCosta RicaCroatiaCubaCyprusCzechoslovakia
DenmarkDjiboutiDominicaDominican Republic
EcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEquatorial GuineaEstoniaEthiopiaEuropa Island
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)Faroe IslandsFijiFinlandFranceFrench GuianaFrench PolynesiaFrench Southern and Antarctic Lands
GabonGambia, TheGaza StripGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGibraltarGlorioso IslandsGreeceGreenlandGrenadaGuadeloupeGuamGuatemalaGuernseyGuineaGuinea-BissauGuyana
HaitiHeard Island and McDonald IslandsHondurasHong KongHowland IslandHungary
IcelandIndiaIndian OceanIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsrael (also see separate Gaza Strip and West Bank entries)ItalyIvory Coast
JamaicaJan MayenJapanJarvis IslandJerseyJohnston AtollJordan (also see separate West Bank entry)Juan de Nova Island
KazakhstanKenyaKingman ReefKiribatiKorea, NorthKorea, SouthKuwaitKyrgyzstan
LaosLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourg
MacauMacedoniaMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMan, Isle ofMarshall IslandsMartiniqueMauritaniaMauritiusMayotteMexicoMicronesia, Federated States ofMidway IslandsMoldovaMonacoMongoliaMontserratMoroccoMozambique
NamibiaNauruNavassa IslandNepalNetherlandsNetherlands AntillesNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNiueNorfolk IslandNorthern Mariana IslandsNorway
Oman
Pacific Islands, Trust Territory of the (Palau)Pacific OceanPakistanPalmyra AtollPanamaPapua New GuineaParacel IslandsParaguayPeruPhilippinesPitcairn IslandsPolandPortugalPuerto Rico
Qatar
ReunionRomaniaRussiaRwanda
Saint HelenaSaint Kitts and NevisSaint LuciaSaint Pierre and MiquelonSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesSan MarinoSao Tome and PrincipeSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbia and MontenegroSeychellesSierra LeoneSingaporeSloveniaSolomon IslandsSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth Georgia and the South Sandwich IslandsSpainSpratly IslandsSri LankaSudanSurinameSvalbardSwazilandSwedenSwitzerlandSyria
Taiwan (follows Zimbabwe)TajikistanTanzaniaThailandTogoTokelauTongaTrinidad and TobagoTromelin IslandTunisiaTurkeyTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvalu
UgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited KingdomUnited StatesUruguayUzbekistan
VanuatuVatican CityVenezuelaVietnamVirgin Islands
Wake IslandWallis and FutunaWest BankWestern SaharaWestern SamoaWorld
Yemen
ZaireZambiaZimbabwe
Taiwan
Appendixes
A: The United Nations SystemB: Abbreviations for International Organizations and GroupsC: International Organizations and GroupsD: Weights and MeasuresE: Cross-Reference List of Geographic Names
Standard Time Zones of the World
Notes, Definitions, and Abbreviations
There have been some significant changes in this edition. The Soviet Union, Yugoslavia, and the Iraq - Saudi Arabia Neutral Zone have been dropped. All 15 former Soviet republics have been added - Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. Bosnia and Hercegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and Slovenia have replaced Yugoslavia. Three maps on areas of special interest have been added this year - two maps on the Commonwealth of Independent States (European States and Central Asian States) and a map of Ethnic Groups in Eastern Europe.
Abbreviations: (see Appendix B for international organizations and groups)
avdp.: avoirdupois
c.i.f.: cost, insurance, and freight
CY: calendar year
DWT: deadweight ton
est.: estimate
Ex-Im: Export-Import Bank of the United States
f.o.b.: free on board
FRG: Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany); used for information dated before 3 October 1990 or CY91
FY: fiscal year
GDP: gross domestic product
GDR: German Democratic Republic (East Germany); used for information dated before 3 October 1990 or CY91
GNP: gross national product
GRT: gross register ton
km: kilometer
km2: square kilometer
kW: kilowatt
kWh: kilowatt hour
m: meter
NA: not available
NEGL: negligible
nm: nautical mile
NZ: New Zealand
ODA: official development assistance
OOF: other official flows
PDRY: People's Democratic Republic of Yemen [Yemen (Aden) or South Yemen]; used for information dated before 22 May 1990 or CY91
UAE: United Arab Emirates
UK: United Kingdom
US: United States
USSR: Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (Soviet Union); used for information dated before 25 December 1991
YAR: Yemen Arab Republic [Yemen (Sanaa) or North Yemen]; used for information dated before 22 May 1990 or CY91
Administrative divisions: The numbers, designatory terms, and first-order administrative divisions are generally those approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (BGN). Changes that have been reported but not yet acted on by BGN are noted.
Area: Total area is the sum of all land and water areas delimited by international boundaries and/or coastlines. Land area is the aggregate of all surfaces delimited by international boundaries and/or coastlines, excluding inland water bodies (lakes, reservoirs, rivers). Comparative areas are based on total area equivalents. Most entities are compared with the entire US or one of the 50 states. The smaller entities are compared with Washington, DC (178 km2, 69 miles2) or the Mall in Washington, DC (0.59 km2, 0.23 miles2, 146 acres).
Birth rate: The average annual number of births during a year per 1,000 population at midyear; also known as crude birth rate.
Dates of information: In general, information available as of 1 January 1992 was used in the preparation of this edition. Population figures are estimates for 1 July 1992, with population growth rates estimated for mid-1992 through mid-1993. Major political events have been updated through 30 June 1992. Military age figures are for 1992.
Death rate: The average annual number of deaths during a year per l,000 population at midyear; also known as crude death rate.
Diplomatic representation: The US Government has diplomatic relations with 176 nations (the US has not yet established full diplomatic relations with Bosnia and Hercegovina, Croatia, and Slovenia). The US has diplomatic relations with 167 of the 178 UN members - the exceptions are Angola, Bhutan, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Croatia, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Slovenia, and Vietnam. In addition, the US has diplomatic relations with 9 nations that are not in the UN - Andorra, Kiribati, Monaco, Nauru, San Marino, Switzerland, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vatican City.
Disputes: This category includes a wide variety of situations that range from traditional bilateral boundary disputes to unilateral claims of one sort or another. Every international land boundary dispute in the ``Guide to Interna- tional Boundaries,'' a map published by the Department of State, is included. References to other situations may also be included that are border or frontier relevant, such as maritime disputes, geopolitical questions, or irredentist issues. However, inclusion does not necessarily constitute official acceptance or recognition by the US Government.
Economic aid: This entry refers to bilateral commitments of official develop- ment assistance (ODA), which is defined as government grants that are administered with the promotion of economic development and welfare of LDCs as their main objective and are concessional in character and contain a grant element of at least 25%, and other official flows (OOF) or transactions by the official sector whose main objective is other than development motivated or whose grant element is below the 25% threshold for ODA. OOF transactions include official export credits (such as Eximbank credits), official equity and portfolio investment, and debt reorganization by the official sector that does not meet concessional terms. Aid is considered to have been committed when agreements are initialed by the parties involved and constitute a formal declaration of intent.
Entities: Some of the nations, dependent areas, areas of special sovereignty, and governments included in this publication are not independent, and others are not officially recognized by the US Government. ``Nation'' refers to a people politically organized into a sovereign state with a definite territory. ``Dependent'' area refers to a broad category of political entities that are associated in some way with a nation. Names used for page headings are usually the short-form names as approved by the US Board on Geographic Names. The long-form name is included in the ``Government'' section, and an entry of ``none'' indicates a long-form name does not exist. In some instances, no short-form name exists - then the long-form name must serve for all usages. There are 264 entities in The World Factbook that may be categorized as follows:
177 UN members (excluding Yugoslavia)
11 nations that are not members of the UN - Andorra, Georgia, Kiribati, Macedonia, Monaco, Nauru, Serbia and Montenegro, Switzerland, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vatican City (Holy See)
1 Taiwan
6 Australia - Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Norfolk Island
2 Denmark - Faroe Islands, Greenland
16 France - Bassas da India, Clipperton Island, Europa Island, French Guiana,French Polynesia, French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Glorioso Islands,Guadeloupe, Juan de Nova Island, Martinique, Mayotte, New Caledonia, Reunion,Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Tromelin Island, Wallis and Futuna
2 Netherlands - Aruba, Netherlands Antilles
3 New Zealand - Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau
3 Norway - Bouvet Island, Jan Mayen, Svalbard
1 Portugal - Macau
16 United Kingdom - Anguilla, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean Territory, BritishVirgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Guernsey,Hong Kong, Isle of Man, Jersey, Montserrat, Pitcairn Islands, Saint Helena,South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands
15 United States - American Samoa, Baker Island, Guam, Howland Island, JarvisIsland, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, Navassa Island, NorthernMariana Islands, Palmyra Atoll, Puerto Rico, Trust Territory of the PacificIslands (Palau), Virgin Islands, Wake Island
6 Antarctica, Gaza Strip, Paracel Islands, Spratly Islands, West Bank, Western Sahara
4 oceans - Arctic Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean
1 World
264 total
note: The US Government does not recognize the four so-called independent homelands of Bophuthatswana, Ciskei, Transkei, and Venda in South Africa.
Gross domestic product (GDP): The value of all goods and services produced domestically.
Gross national product (GNP): The value of all goods and services produced domestically plus income earned abroad, minus income earned by foreigners from domestic production.
GNP/GDP methodology: In the ``Economy'' section, GNP/GDP dollar estimates for the OECD countries, the former Soviet republics, and the East European countries are derived from purchasing power parity (PPP) calculations rather than from conversions at official currency exchange rates. The PPP method normally involves the use of international dollar price weights, which are applied to the quantities of goods and services produced in a given economy. In addition to the lack of reliable data from the majority of countries, the statistician faces a major difficulty in specifying, identifying, and allowing for the quality of goods and services. The division of a PPP GNP/GDP estimate in dollars by the corresponding estimate in the local currency gives the PPP conversion rate. One thousand dollars will buy the same market basket of goods in the US as one thousand dollars - converted to the local currency at the PPP conversion rate - will buy in the other country. GNP/GDP estimates for the LDCs, on the other hand, are based on the conversion of GNP/GDP estimates in local currencies to dollars at the official currency exchange rates. One caution: the proportion of, say, defense expenditures as a percent of GNP/GDP in local currency accounts may differ substantially from the proportion when GNP/GDP accounts are expressed in PPP terms, as, for example, when an observer estimates the dollar level of Russian or Japanese military expenditures; similar problems exist when components are expressed in dollars under currency exchange rate procedures. Finally, as academic research moves forward on the PPP method, we hope to convert all GNP/GDP estimates to this method in future editions of The World Factbook.
Growth rate (population): The annual percent change in the population, resulting from a surplus (or deficit) of births over deaths and the balance of migrants entering and leaving a country. The rate may be positive or negative.
Illicit drugs: There are five categories of illicit drugs - narcotics, stimulants, depressants (sedatives), hallucinogens, and cannabis. These categories include many drugs legally produced and prescribed by doctors as well as those illegally produced and sold outside medical channels.
Cannabis (Cannabis sativa) is the common hemp plant, which provides hallucinogens with some sedative properties, and includes marijuana (pot, Acapulco gold, grass, reefer), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, Marinol), hashish (hash), and hashish oil (hash oil).
Coca (Erythroxylon coca) is a bush, and the leaves contain the stimulant cocaine. Coca is not to be confused with cocoa, which comes from cacao seeds and is used in making chocolate, cocoa, and cocoa butter.
Cocaine is a stimulant derived from the leaves of the coca bush.
Depressants (sedatives) are drugs that reduce tension and anxiety and include chloral hydrate, barbiturates (Amytal, Nembutal, Seconal, phenobarbital), benzodiazepines (Librium, Valium), methaqualone (Quaalude), glutethimide (Doriden), and others (Equanil, Placidyl, Valmid).
Drugs are any chemical substances that effect a physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral change in an individual.
Drug abuse is the use of any licit or illicit chemical substance that results in physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral impairment in an individual.
Hallucinogens are drugs that affect sensation, thinking, self-awareness, and emotion.
Hallucinogens include LSD (acid, microdot), mescaline and peyote (mexc, buttons, cactus), amphetamine variants (PMA, STP, DOB), phencyclidine (PCP, angel dust, hog), phencyclidine analogues (PCE, PCPy, TCP), and others (psilocybin, psilocyn).
Hashish is the resinous exudate of the cannabis or hemp plant (Cannabis sativa).